(c) Copyright 2000 Research Applications International. All Rights Reserved.

ATd,E(:HII:NY, PA., JA I\‘UARY 1, 1000 No. 1

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

FALLEN FROM GRACE VERSUS COLLAPSED Although my name is still on the deuominatlonal rolls, I take
More evident does it become, daily, that our 1,ord’s drrlara- no interest in her affairs-my sympathies are all with the
tion, “Babylon is fallen!” does not signify the outward col- truth, and I rarely attend other meetings. But is this right-
laps(I of “Churchianity ;” but that nominal “Christendom” ha* to 11e half out and half in Babylon? IF this the obedienccl
fallen from divine favor;-just as the fall of national .Jutlaism rcquirrd of an “overcomer” and pleasin:: and accseptable to
from divine favor, at the rejection and crucifixion of Meh- God? Surely not. He publicly entered Into a covenant with
siah at his first presence, meant not the collapse at the mo- the tlcuomination when he joined it, and he should faithfully
ment of that religio-political system. The collapse of dudaism live up to all the conditions of that covenant until hc as
came after it had been fallen from divine favor for 37 years, p~/~lrc.l!/ renounces cr cancels his membership.
CIZ.. in A. D. 69-70: and during that interim God’s true people, Others say, I merely retain my membership in the church
“Israelites indeed,” were called nut by the voice of the Gospel And 4ng in the choir, etc., for the sakr of peace ill my farnilS .
I)lspensation. And just so now, the collapse of gloj~i~l otherwise I would speedily withdraw. But is this “ocercom-
Cliriatianitv, “Christendom” or “Babylon,” ih not to 11~1ex- ing,” or being overcome ? The latter, surely: it is a balancing
peetcatl until A. D. lQl4. though fallen from favor sinc2cb187% of regard for God and his Word, with regard for husband OI
The collapse will be sudden and awful when it does come: and wife or cdlrildren or friends and their wishes. Thus the Lord
Hliilr 0nl.y the few realize the fallen-from-grnce condition of tcbts us, whether we love houses. lands, reputation, friend*.
I3abylon In the present, none will be ignorant of her collapse hushand. wife or children, more thaw him! We should be
whcu it comes. Rut to know then will be too late ho far a4 prompt to obey and thus to show that to us God’s will iy
the little flock of overcomers 1s concerned;-they arc all called snpn 1or to every other consideration.
now, during the interim, “Come out of her, my people, tll;tt ye -4dditionally. we once said to a drar brother who madr
he not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her such a, remark as the above: Brother, excuse the illustration.
plagues”-punishment.-Rev. 18 : Z-4. but it ma.y help you to see your position on thip question in
The collapse of Babylon is graphi~*allv described by the Its true light if I tell you of a matter xliicli, it heems to me.
Revelator as like the casting of a great millstone into the sea. aptly illustrates your position in a way you have not thus far
saying, “Thus [suddenly], with violence shall that great city, thought of it. Tt is this: In Chicnpn. at one of the great
13;11))inn. be thrown down and 1)r found no mole at all.” Her butc*hering establishments (perhaps at all) they have a trained
sutltl~~n destruction is described as a great conflagration, and bullock whose duty it is to decoy the cattle that are ready for
slaughter. The bewildered cattle are naturally fearful of
the declaration is made that it is because “the hour of her
judgment [krisis]” will have come, that yhe will thus suffer harm and would be difficult to drive to the butchering spot,
overthrow or “plaguee.” “Therefore shall her plagues come in but with the decoy bull they are easily led. He gallops up to
one day [prophetic time is a day for a year], death and the herd tossing his head and tail as a friendly greeting and
mourning and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with then. wheeling around, he becomes their leader and gallops olF
r~lnn~ the narrow passage where they can go only single file.
fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” Whoever He knows well his business, and when near the killing place
are worthy the name, <‘m-y people,” will hear anif obey thc3 he *tep” aside into a little space provided for him alone, while
Lord’s voice and come out of Babylon and “rereire not of her the herd push one another along to their slaughter. Now,
plagues ;” because their obedience III fleeing out as soon as dear brother (we remarked), you and others in the nominal
they see Babylon’s real condition will prove that they were churches, who know better and who merely sing, or preach, nr
nexer in real accord with her sins. Those who wmaia ;\fter hold some petty “office,” or merely help to count another one
seeing Babylon and her hlasphcmous doctrines in the light on the reports of Babylon’s prosperity or to give another
now shining are reckoned an endorsing the blasphemies and dollar to her millions, are like the decoy bull-using your
deserving the “plagues” mod, thoroughly-as much or more knowledge and influence to the injury and bondage of others
than the “tare” class of Babylonmnr. bec*allse they have greater who, seeking the right way of true liberty and life, are looking
light. to you for counsel and being misled by your example. The
Many err in not fleeing promptly when first they rcalizc brother in question at once thankfully acknowledged the force
thcb true condition of affairs. Some say,-I will use my nffiw of the illustration, and requested that some of the free “With-
or influence in Babylon, and then obey the Lord after I have drawal Letters” and tracts to accompany them be sent him
gathered some of the “wheat.” Thcv forget that obedienvc is for his use in getting free and setting a worthy example to
better than all else in divim e&nation---bet& even than others.
sacrifice. Are they wiser than God that they may even for THE FEDERATION OF BABYLON
a month advantageously or safely iguorc hi* \vord? J,;lter on “Christendom” was united in the dark ages, and the rc-
they find that e&n the “ tare” claMx consider them as liarinK suits were terrible, every way. The more truth and reforma-
for a time at least “diqsembled” and misrcpre~ented their own tion came in, the more did “Christendom” split up. Had the
faith as well a8 misrepresented the faith of the denomination reform continued, and had the light of truth shined still more
which they had agreed to uphold. Their ~/rj/tte,,cu which at clearly, the result would have been that split after split would
first might have been powerful fnr t,he truth becomes vitiated have occurred, until each individual Christian would have
hy reason of their neglect to olwy God’s voice-by tli(bir at- stood free, and all denominationalism would have perished.
tempt to guide thcmselve* ant1 to lean to their own under- This would be the ideal condition; for all the zcnicms of the
standing. past and present are unscriptural and tend to impede the
Others say. I am free from Babylon in spirit, God knows! Christian’s progress, They are mechanicd unions, and not
c-1-5) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

heart unions: thev are the work of Satan. and not God’s that our paper (the chief item of cost in our publication)
workmanship: the? tend to prevent heart-&ion and foster will cost us nearly double what it did last year-in other
errors. which otherwise would auicklv die. Not until enlieht-
”
words. a dollar will do onlv about sixtv cents worth as com-
ened hy the spirit of God’s w;rd are any prepared to eker- pared’to last year. No; b&, we have f”elt for several months
rise the liberty wherewith Christ makes free indeed, and past that Churchianlty has reached and is at a crisis, where
to come out from all false Christian unions or sectarian com- a clr,avnge is sure to take place,-which will separate from
munions, into that broad place which recognizes one Lord, one her some true saints who hitherto have been perplexed re-
faith, one baptism and one church, whose vlwmes are written specting the Lord’s will, but who will not gradually become
In henoen. And onlv such are prepared for proper union on convinced that “Babylon” is no longer hi3 mouthpiece, but
thr same basis as tl;nt of the ch‘urdb of Apo9iolic times. already spewed out of his mouth (Rev. 3:16), and that her
When. therefore. we from time to time in these columns evohltionnry teachings are not of him but in radical opposi-
allude to tlrn growing evidcnrc3 of a federntivc union among tion to his Word and plan.
~11 the great denominations of Christendom, and when we We have confidence that God’s time is ripe for present
11oi11tcent t!~ li the> S(~riptIlre3 inllicntc such a union, let no one fruth to he more widely mnde known among hiq people n? a
hupp09r tll,lt cithrr n’r or the Scriptnrcs npprorc of such a p:ilt of the Gnsprl which is either a savor of lifr IInto life
union. or cr)rl\itltkr that its influence T.vill be fnvor7ble to eithrr or of death unto death. We have confidence, too, that all thr
the truth or the “snlnt<.” Quite to the contrary, the ill- money and all the colaborers neressary will he forthcoming,
flucncn will br Ij:~nc~ful \thntcvcr is encournginq or helpful to 2nd we nre arranging plans accordingly. Tbnse wbn co-operate
Bahvlon i3 r)rnpnrtic>nntofv iniurious to the true churrh. The will sh:lrr> the sprvire and the h!rssings nttrndant; those who
various 3cr15 oiChri~tc,nrlr,rn rc::liye that manv of the doctrinal do not llsr their privileges will hut mar tb(iir own hlca~-
Crrnrs, \\llirlt bnve hcrct:jfore hound their <ntariey helplessly ings, hut shall not hinder tbr work that is (111~to 11r tlnnr
ar,d ml~cL:lnic~:~llv, fill no lon!rcnr hold as firmlv a3 hefore, nnd “T~I- J.~rrl wi!l provitlr 1” Imlertl, wr csrxzrt tlg:lt C:IP~I vciI
thrsy aro rupl~l:~‘ntinp th~\~ nith new hontls ‘cf later device: IJOW will note ripid sprcnd of tllc truth’ lolt!l “thr dnp;. i\
lijb., lovp of recpcctnhilitv and prirlc in drnnminntinnal nnmp illlIt .” -until the war!; is intcrfrrcd wit11 fnrcihlv l)\- orltsirlr
nnd pro\pcbritv---n pnriy Ppirit. And inqtrld of thr disrreditcd influrnres. Then we shall nnderhtnncl that our ;\ror$ is dcnr
doctrincy (rvlrirh can no longer he nnfnrlcd RS 3tnndnrds. hut -that the “elert” have all bren sra!cr?, arid thzt rlnnrht, V-
whicsh mnst he carried along ti?htlg clnqrd) they are raising mains hnt to “stand” 2nd assist others to stnnd. lnclcctl. tlriq.
the 3tan&rd of morel and politiral reform, the banner of a nq WC all know, is a mo9t important pnrt of the prcs;rnt: for,
new crnqndr. while others are being reachrd with the truth. tbos,? rlrratlv
No 071~ran R,IV that their ctu~nd~ in an evi! of itaelf: and blessed nre brin,g ~33aultecl by the ndrersary, so thnt all rnnk
onlv the frw who’arc spiritually mind& (the trl(r church) in he tritrd and only the faithful be ahlc to sta?l:l.-Sre lCp11
and out of thrir 3cc+q con so much a3 sre that moral nnd Dnli- 6:10-IS.
ticnl rrfnrm iq a w-rrrldly work ?nrl nnt thr ~ommissina of’ thr TO HIM THAT HATI-I USED SHALL MORE BE GIVEN
rhnrrh mhic~b is 8nointt~d to proncah. not snrb rrfnrms, but tha The “Volunterr” spirit is yron ln,: l’lltty nho 11:,\-r .,‘I-\ cd
cross of Christ and complctc v-cgcncmtion of hrnrt. thus have been blessed and arc mnr r nnxiolls for tllil (*011:111~st
Tlrnqe nhn nrc Ionkinr for a ~~lio~l in Christendom in which ihnn thpv wrre for the first. Thixv look nllro::d art1 xc’ tllm~-
denominational nnme3 and d.rnominntinnnl lines will hp ob- sands blinded hp the god of t?ris world enl;~ti~ig to kill nncl bc
literated, are looking for what they will nrrrr sre until the killed, and they read the reports of the Irillc~l. wnmdcd and
rrrat cnll?n~e rernp3, and the entire “Cbriqtendnm” system, prisoners, and the hardships endured, and the tnxes to he
~ori;~l. rrli;$onq. pnlitiral and financial gnrs down in the” great borne: and then they say: 110~ small is thr srrrire, how
annrc~hnns trnuble with whirh t,hc nrrqent scr will rIn=e. The 3llght the hardship and 3ufferinc and self-deninl our c~rac~iirns
~qqjo:? svhirh will bp crmrntrd will he l?rr?rly one of common King is willing td accept as “r&nnahle service” fr&nr‘us who
pcBl>tirrcant Ned co-operation in mnrgl nnd pnlitiral reforms. have conserrated to him our nil--cren unto death-and to
And tlris fcdcrntire union. 33 alrrndv nointrd nut. brpan in whom he has already given such rich rewards as well as
IS-16 in tllc organization of thl- l?v’anpelirnl Allian&: We promised IIR a share in his nlillennial kincrclom. We are re-
are l,lokinlr vcnrlv for its final kmnt to hr tied in some man- solved that neither cares of this life. nor nricle. 1- nor srlf-el<e
I--~-
ner tll:lt, will include with othrr Protestant denominations shnll hinder us from engaging in thi; battle against darkness
the Episcopal rhurch, and a working np-cemevlt with Papgcv. and the influences of the prince of darkness. On the rnntrarv,
Thus the “Zvnnoe of the r(rRqt” (Rrv. 13) will rrreive life \le will he yet more vigilant, pet more entbu&stic in plnntinz
-vignr, enrrcy-he made active. ‘And that nrtivitv which the truth, the standard of our Rinc, whrre it ran 1~ SCUM
will s(xrm tq prnmiqp grrnt things for Bnhylnn. and whirh will by many now ignorantly fighting against him and it.
artivrlv Fnrmrrs3 lihrrtv and br r\-crtcd nowerfullv REainst the Lrt none think of the “Volunteers” as illiterntc ‘hnntl-bill-
Fprcnd” of ‘tile truth3 now nnblishrd hi 119, will bb hut the distrihutrrs.” Quite to the contrary. these “ministers of t7le
liftivy up of tbo crrnt millstone pr&nrnt,nrv to it,9 brin:! tv-zcth” who are reaching larger numbers and exerting a grrat-
violclntlv nnd qnicklv d4rnvrrl. for it will 3nnn’he evident that er influence than if they occupied the chief pulpit9 of the land,
r;urh a IJCW union of r~hnrrb aad statr (wbnllv different from are far above the average of those whom tbrp serve--both
that of the nnst\ will he a union of thr rlabqea again& the in serulnr and in Biblical intrlligrnre. One i3 a stove-man-
rnnq:<cL;: nnd’it will hr the ri\ing of the rn:lqpe9 in ‘revolution ufacturer and dealer: several are storekeepers. nnr owning nnd
that will, a3 God’s ngency, hurl the Babylon system to utter succes3fully managing five stores; some are college grad:mtes,
destruction. nrchitccts and civil engineers; 3cnne Rre clerk3 holdin? re-
TI-IE TIME OF OPPORTUNITP IS SHORT munerative positions of-trust-one of the latter, bcsidrs doing
clilizent “Volunteer” work. economized ri?idlv his livinrr px-
Tltr nlc,rtx rlr:lrlv TIC ,src prcscnt conditions and foresee p&es and accumulated fivi hundred dolla& &ring last~;eji,
tlinor npprnarhing, the mnrr it sbonld &muIate our zeal to which he sent to our Soci+ to assist in publishing more
be nnd to do nllil,~ n’c hatch the opportunity-for a dark night “good-tiding:s-ammuniticm.”
nppr”‘\“llc’s. T.rI:c>rein no 2’1:1n ran work. Wbocver desires to Srvernl nre the chosen leaders of
meetings in their various localities; several are stenographers
lap up tr(>a+urrs in hcnvcln. l,p voluntarilv sarrificine time, (male and femnle) : at leaqt two are artists, one of these of dis-
TJlOIlPV. inflll(lncar nnd ntluar c,nrthlv ronqfllerations for the
Pti’r\ 1;~. of t!lr T,nrtl llv scrviee of thb “h~rthren.” should hestir tinction nS a protrnit painter ; others are house wires ; others are
lrinls:c If, l(xqt tllc> barr& pn<s, arid tlic> siimmcr of opportunity mechanics, who, after a werk of toil, find rerrration :Ind heart-
end. :111d11(, fin(I tbnt II,, h:lq foil(td to nircsr hi3 sncTiiire which refreshment hy 3pending part of each Sunday as messengers
IIC ;,I r~c~ntc~dto GoI1 ll~cnrc~tic~:~Ilv when hr was bnp’tizrd into (anqpls) of the Lord to carry to their “brethrpn” yet in
Cbr;.t’q tl~~ath. And wboc~rt~r. ha&g brrnmr nnminn’lly a mem- nahylon the true Gospel rnes~n~e,-“good-tidings of great joy
bcr of tllc “rnv21 nrie4llnnd.” h-3 nnt offer avzv/ whlrh shall he unto all people” through ‘%im who loved us
.. sacrifice nnd bought us with his own precious blood.”
tlurinc tlli>i Gnspcl dav nf carrifice forfeit3 hi’; plnre 23 a mem-
I)csr of t’~ it 1” ~c~-llr~~otl--l~i~ nanlp will surely hp blotted nut Plenty of worldlp businecs can rommand such servants
and tllc (‘rnwn. nnnnrtioncd to him on thr strength of his herau3e of the pay nfferrd; hut no other religious work has
covcn:lnt to ~arrifi;~~. will br I;& orrr t,n another wile will ap- rver callrcl for and gotten volunteer3 of this class. nor for a
preciate and uye the pri&egc of self-denial, self-sacrifice, work of this kind, whose onlv pav in the present time is the
suffering with Christ. divine hlesqine “a hundred ‘inld’more in this nrrsent time
with persiecut&n.-and in thr world to rome etbrnal life”-
TIIE PROSPECTS FOR 1900 “glory. honor and immortalit,g.” RTo other Gn3prl was ever
It is our opinion that the ypnr just beginning will be a worthy of so intelligent a class of servants: hut 39 resnects
very prosperous year for tbr truth. Thiq is not merclv “a this Gospel its most honorable servants feel that all that ‘they
xvi&, father to the thought.” nor is it hprnnqr thr ‘%ood hnvc and are, are offerings far too insienifirant to trstify to
IIopes” already nent in seem to give prnmiqr of fnndq for a Cnd their new-found appre&tion of hi3 plorinuq rhnrnrtnr
wider spread of the truth; for, as an offset, we have noticed and plan. They feel impelled to pay their vows unto the
[2554]
JANUARY 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOTVER

Lord, to keep their covenant of self-sacrifice even unto death, able mawner: not takrng vows in order to get into pulpits and
because thry have the qenuzne fairh in &he Lord’s promises, into college-professorships, and under good salaries, to capture
which works by Zoz?eand purifies the heart from pride and the sects (“creeping into houses and leading captive silly
selfishness. women” ) , but bv kindlr proffering without money and with-
A FRESH CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS out price the priceless ‘jewel of consistent truth which from
In the world’s warfare defeat leads to fresh calls for sol- our own experience we know mill bless every true recipient.
diers: with us success calls for more “Volunteers” and more Nor has the Lord given us cause for shame respecting the form
success and more blessing, “riches of grace” (with possibly in which our messages are delivered-thev are neat, creditable
more persecution and slander) and by and by “a far more to the most refined-who engage in the service. And in turn
exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” There is more, much “the adornment of a meek and quzet spirit” whirh the Lord’s
more work to be done, and we are desirous that many more faithful take to this humble service (laying down their lives
of the Lord’s consecrated people should share the heart-cheer for the brethren) is one of the strongest sermons or
and character-strengthening which this service affords. enistles of Christ-likeness that can he nresented to those we
Here is the very opportunity for which you have prayed- may hope to interest, and it already ‘has spoken loudly to
an opportunity for serving the truth, and the Lord and the those who at first were too prejudired to read.
“hrt th rcn.” You wished and prayed for the needful talents (,5) Could there be a more blessed or a more reason-
to present these good tidings, and you hoped and prayed for able srrvice than this? Kay. verily! VVe can fancv, indeed,
opportnnltrfs and for mews: and now, behold 1 the Lord has that the heavenly angels look down upon our privileges and
provided you all these in this “Volunteer” work. Notice that opportunities and fondly desire that in divine providence it
it is a “rmsonable semicp” as no other is; because- might have hcen their privilege to join with us in this most
(1) It is not an unreasonable misrepresentation of God’s reasonable, most honorable and most hlesscd service.
character and plan and methods with drum and tamhourine, THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN FOR 1900
and singing of hymns to concert-hall tunes, misnamed divine Confident of the reenlistment of the veterans of 1899. we
worship and service. hare prepared for them a new campaign which we believe
(2) It is not the unreasonable misrepresentation of the they will heartily enjoy. 11-e will get ready for Spring cam-
divine’chararter and plan as preached in one-half the 200.000 paign hundreds of thousands of pamphlets which we helieve
nulnits of “Christendom” which blasnhemcs God’s character you will enlop using. U’e will call for Volunteers and re&n-
‘ami misrepresents his plan by declaring that only the saants listments about Mar&, so please be ready.
of the present time will ever”be saved-far less than one out Meantime most of the “volunteers” have plenty of work
of everv thousand of the world’s population:* and that the for the suitable weather between now and spring: and the
great mass, both of the living and 2he dead; will spend an spirit of the Lord-the spirit of love for the Lord, love for
eternity in torment indescribable. the truth and love for the “brethren’‘-is constnntlv constrain-
(3 ) It is not the unreasonable misrepresentation of God’s ing fresh volunteers for plares not yet served with the book-
character and plan presented in the other half of the pulpits let- “Bzble 2’s Erolntion ” and we are printing and will con-
of “Christendom”-%hich, ashamed of their “hell fire and tinue to print. plentv of these to supplv the demand.
damnation creeds,” hypocritically acknowledge them, while The new booklets’will be supplied onlv for the fields where
actnallv they deny them and preach “another gospel” of the other distribution has been made. This free offer for this
Evolution and Higher Criticism. which makes void the \Vord special work will not affect the regular selling price of the
and plan of God,-and repudiates the cross of Christ and all booklets;-they are not free for any other kind of service,
necessity for his atoning sacrifice. tho all are supplied at very low rates. We hope that we may
(4) It is a “reasonable seroice” because it appeals only to have many and prompt responses to this call for Gideon’s
reason and Scripture, as no other gospel message on earth Band armed with the .Juhllee trumpet to give the lovful
or known among men appeals to these, and to no other author- sound, and with lights in their vessels,-ready and willing
ities and standards. And it does, this, too, in a most reuson- to break the vessels, to let the light shine out while they
l 01le in a thousand of the world’s population would be l,GOO,OOO. cause the joyful sound of the real good tidings to sound
That many saints would be a flower for good. throughout the land.-See Judges Chap. VII.

A POSTOFFICE THIEF IS STILL ROBBING OUR MAIL!

We specially request that no money be sent by mail. Altho loss. If all would observe the proper rule, tire thief would be
this is mentioned in every issue quite a number fail to heed it. spared temptation, and he would soon cease to rifle letters
They thus not only lose the money sent but cause themirlvts addressed to us-finding no money therein.
and us trouble and postage writing about their losses. Fur- One dear Brother sent a donation in money, which went
thermore they trouble others who properly send Postal Orders, astray. He wrote subsequentlv that his thought was-This is
Drafts or Express Orders; for the marl-thief frequently by the Lord’s money and for the Lord’s cause and he will protect
mistake takes tlrese (which he rannot use and must destroy it. He erred in this, failing to realize that his course was D
lest they betray him). Hence the many who do right in this tempting of Providence. “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
matter are put to trouble even tho they suffer no financial God ” Sor should we tempt orrr weak fallen frllow-~lcatilres.

“THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH”

JAN. 7.-LUKE 2 : 1-16.
“Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save hzs people from their sins.“--l\latt. 1:21.
Jesus is the topic of the International Sunday School Les- Joseph, nevertheless, being adopted by him as llis son. he
son W~IIW for the entire year 1900. It should be a very might. without imnronrietv. inhtrit thrnnrrh him. Lllkc shows
profitable study, for the more intimately we know our dear thz genealogv of i\la;y, h% which our Lord was ac3uallp re-
Redeemer in the light of the Scriptures the more we shall lated, according to the flesh, to our race and to the royal
appreciate him, love him and seek to copy him. Xo other family of David through the linr of Nathan.*
lrfc than his could bear so continual and rlose a scrutiny, yet The time of our Lord’s birth was an auspicious one in
always be full of fresh revelations of moral dignity and char- several respects, and very evidently divine wisdom had exer-
arter-anv other life similarlv studied and critirised would cised itself in respect to the world’s affairs hv wav of nrepara-
reveal its’ seamy side of weakness, sin and ignohility. tion for this important event: (1 ) The” spirit of world-
Of the four records, only John’s attempts to trare our ronauering that beedn with Nebu~hadnezzar’s kinrrdom was
Lord’s genealogy to the heavenly sourc’e. and to show us that fnvo’ral~le‘to it. in the sense that it brought the various fam-
before he was made flesh he was a spirit helng with the Father ilies or nations of mankind into closer rontart with each
and a sharer of his glory-a god with the God. But all of the other, broadening their ideas. (2) This policy had resulted
Evangelists are clear in their statement that he was-“l&as in thcs tran-planting of peoples from one land to another, and
made &csh”--not that he remained a spirit being, and assumed thus had made them more cosmopolitan in their sentiments.
flesh as clothing in which to appear to men, but, however (3) Israel and Judah, thus transplanted in their raptrvitv
esplainahle. that the life power of the spirit being, the Logos, to Babylon, became so attached to’ the new condrtions that
became the life power of the human being, horn of a woman romparatively few of them availed themselves of the offer
and under the Law, subject to all the conditions and cirrum- of Cyrus to return to their own land. only about fifty thousand
stances of the Jews. Matthew traces Joseph’s genealogy; for of all the tribes, out of several millions. The Jews among the
altho the statement is clear that Jesus was not the son of ‘S~MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. v, Chap 6.
[25551
GentlIt,-. neic bt 110 ltit-;1119 lo-1 :ir~tl Iii141 II\- no nledn9 ahan- yea. the we reverence his flesh. and are deeply interested in all
doned ,111of theji IIO~W~ in illc .\t,lilllaulie (‘ovenant nor all of that pertains thereto, especially in all it3 experiences, from
their faithfuIrle~* to th(* ;\lnHHi(* T,a\\~-ilItll<> they were lax in the time of it9 consecration to death, at bapti3m: nevertheless,
thc+cb rn,lttcbrz antI to0 iull of ii lo~r of gain ;t~~tl ease to cult)- our still greater interest is 111 our risen Lord, the nrw rrea-
vatr the clpirit of I.r;irlit~~?r i~~clrrcl. Sererthrlr~~s, thev had ture perfected, the 3piritual One, far alIn\-e manhood, far above
their iuflurnc.cb :Intollg+t a11 the nations with whom thev ;lwelt. ilngels, principalities and powers and evrry name tllilt .i3
and were nitiic~~hc+ t0 tlw lwpf~s of larael iu this one i:otl and namc>cl-nest to the Fathrr, and exalted to hir right band
In a coming .\Icssiah. the% SOJI of God, to be the world’s De- of no\\ rr 7’11r .\no<t]r ynlr(- tll is sfdlmrnt wrll. saving. “‘rho
livercr (41 ‘1’11(~ trlrimph for il time of the (+rcek Empire web have known’ Christ after tllr flesh, vet now lienc~cforth
had hrollght IO tll(s c.i\~i~z(sd world :I highly developed litera- know we him rsol no more”-our knowl;dge of him as the
ture-the (:repl\ lilll~llR~:(~ had rrac+hrd its zenith. and was risen and glorified Lord and Saviour tho~nuphly outshinr*
the littarary Iaugu:~g!c~of tllch VI\ Ili/.ccl world. (5 1 The Roman all of our interest in his earthly life. (2 Cnr. .‘,:IB) .Antl
Ernplrck 11atl ~~r,nclu(~r~~d tht~ \~orltl a~~1 was in the height of its vet his earthlv lifr is intcsrrsting illltl profitnblt~ to 11s. ilb \V(’
polvrr. arid a4 ,I rc7iilt tlirrr \\a~ a time of universal pracc, have seen ami shall see.
and Irrrlc~c iI mor(’ fa\orahle time than any before for the Had the people a~scml,l~~d at Bethlchcm rcballzrtl who this
;lnnoi1il(.(‘ni(‘flt of tlica (:o\pel and for the safety of its reprrsen-
was that had come to their ritv-that he wah from the hra\en-
tativcs in pahhinp from nation to nation. (6) lsrael itself Iv c~nurts, that he was the 1,&w made flesh. that hr 11;ld ronic
had reac~hetl 1)rohal,Iy it3 hIgIl& dta\ elopmcnt, irrtelle~tually.
in “save his peoples from their sins”-1inw gladly tllry worlld
morally :iiitl religioii?rly, aiid adtlitior~a1lr we are told in the liavr weh.nmrd him into thr inn and have given to Iii, llsic
Scripture* that “-411 JII~J~wt’rc 111~spc~tnjio~” of the Messiah’s
coming --T,iik~ 3.15. and comfort its rhnicest apartments 1 Bitt thev knew lilm not.
and henre lost this great privilege of miniktering to him
It \\a+ iil>t .tt tills most appropr~atc~ tlmra. as dl\ inrly Similarly, in evrry city and town where, the Lord’s penplc arc
arrangetl for. tllat Ca(axitr Augustus, the Roman Empelnr, (his true saints). there arc many who would make them 11rl-
~ssncd 11IS,clot I’(‘(* rc+;)cBc+inp the tasinp of his worldwide empire. come and give them the best at their disposal, did they 1,11t
‘I‘hr tlt~re wa, not nrrrcAl,v an asqcssment of taxes, but ma3 recognize them a3 the messrngrr3 of *Jesus and of the Healrll-
1iltlrc~l a crnsu.s, or c~iirnllnient for taxation. But instead of ly Father; but as the Apostle says, “The world knoweth 114
+endiug a53e~sorh to theI people, according to the present cus- not, because it knew him not.” (1 .Jnlln .?: 1 ) The disciple
tom. the ariangomcnt tlien was that cverv male citizen must must not expert to bc above ltib J,nrtl. ant1 henrr. corn when
report himsrlf at the headquarter3 of h-is own familv linci. going upon miq+inns of mcrq ant1 brnr\-0lrnc.r iintl RS nni-
T&i< mat t11r orrauinn for-the c*nmlng nf .Jo~ph a&d his hassadors for Gntl. we sl~ould r-\pcrt that the J,o~tl’a plovi-
rs~ousetl u i te. .\l:nV. thr mother of ,Jehus. to Ucthlehem. their dence would furnish for 11% not the most palatial ronditinno.
n~tivc~ city. or f:~n~ily city, for they mere hot11 of the hnusr of but more prnbably v(brv hitmblr rnntlitinns. .4nd wlirn \vr fitltl
David ( tlin t hi oufili different lines), and Jlethlehem was “the It thus we should rejoice that to some e.\tcnt at lea-t wr II:I\(’
city of I)av~d.” Thun in a providential manner :untl by n drcree rxperiences whirh harmonize with those of our Lord. ‘IIIC
over nhich tllq had 110 control whatever, Joreph and Mary were Lord’s people will obtain a blessing in proportion a3 thca\
brought to thr vrry c,itp in whirh most appropriately the great are prepared to receive all opportunities for God’3 service a*
heir of Da\ it1 ~hnuld be born, as had been foretold by the divine favors and to appreciate them, no matter how humblt~
prophet.--l\fic.lh. 5.2. the conditions, and it is noteworthy that neither Joseph, noI
The noting of theac littlr incidentals hy which divine Mary, nor Jesus, nor the disciples. nor the Evangelist who
nro\idencc prrnarrd for nur Sariour’s birth and for the send- recorded the incident, offers the slightest complaint or sug-
ing forth oi th’e Gospel message, are strengthening to the faith gestion of dissatisfaction with the arrangement provided !)r
of the Lord’r people. Realizing God’s care in the past over divine providence. In proportion as they would hare felt dlb-
even the little things, plres a foundation for confidence in his satisfied with the arrangements provided, in that proportion
wisdom and prnrisinu for the features of his plan which are the divine plans would not have worked for their good.
vet future-the falfilment of all the exceeding great and pre- The vicinity of Bethlehem is a pastoral country, and to-
>ious promisr\ ~hiclk centered in him who was born in Bethle- da.v is covered with flocks. Jt was the custom at that tirnp
hem. hd so alw a realization of the divine providence in the for the shepherds to remain with their flocks by night as d
larger affair+ of the divine plan stimulates faith also in the guard against thieves as well as against wild beasts 1t \VilS
Lord’s providcnccs as rrspccts the personal and more private in this vicinity that David (afterward king). when a shrphrrd-
affair3 of his people. Let us more and more realize that, as hov nrotertinb his flocks. slew on one occasion a lion ,lnd at
rven the smallcht incidents rnnnected with the birth of our an’otiler time*- a bear. The shepherd3 as a Class mere not
Saviour were nrtlcrrd of the Lord. so also he is both able and I
narticularlv well educated people as respects sc*honls, and y-et
willing to order all of the affair3 of his spiritual children. many of ihem were thou&f;1 and thu3 secured. in their
Let us reason with the Apostle that, if God lo,-ed us while leisure time while watchin, n their flocks, hg reflertion and hv
we were yet sinnrrs, co as to make such careful provision for conversation, considerable knowledge, so that they might lw
our redemption, muc~h more J~OWthat we are no longer rebels, termed an intellectual and thinking class of people--tllcalr
aliens, atrangrrs, foreigncr3. but have become his sons, fellow- mind3 being turned more to reflection on large subiccts than
heirs with Christ and all the saints, we map hare co@dence are the minds of some who are constantlp immersed in tr.ldr
in his love and in hi3 providential care, that according to and of mechanics. The shepherd whom God honored in makill::
111s promi+ca all things shall work together for good to them him king of his typical kingdom, was a great poet. and WI-
that. love bin-to tllr called ones acrordinp to his purpose.- dently much of his time while shepherding was gilen to thr
RO~JI. 5.S.IO: S:O,R. muse, and one of his most beautiful poems (Psalm Zl J rq,-
Thr qamr tlrc~rc~t~that brnllgllt .Jnscph and I\larv to Bethle- resent3 Jehovah himself as the Shepherd of his penplr.-hiq
hem brought JII~JI~ others of thr nllmernuh family of David, flock, for which he cares. It was to men of this thnughtful
and a4 tile iuns or lintrls of that time were comparatively elas3, and no doubt men familiar mitb David’3 Psalnr~. and
limited in numheis and in rnpacaity, it is not surprising that with the Messianic hopes therein set forth, that the J,nrtl sent
the inn proper wa3 full of guests when tJonepll and Mar! the first message respecting his Son made flesh.
arl ivrtl. Tndrctl. it was rathrr thr cllhtnm for many traveler3 The description of the appearance of an angel, and of the
to carrf with thrm their own lodging outfit, and to provide fear which the brightness of his countennnre engendered, is
for their own conrcniencrs in the courtvard connected with both simple and natural. All mankind more nr less feels iu-
the inn-. ,4ntl hrncc the eyperienc*e< o? .Jnseph and Mary stinrtivelv a fear of the supernatural, a trepidation at the
wrre l,v no iiit~.inh r\c~c7,tionnl. \Vhen therrfnrr the Babe *Jesus very tho;ght of being in the presence of the holy angels. Alld
was bdln. a manger l,&ame his most convenient rradle. thik is nroner as well a3 natural,
I
for all realize their own
The city of Brthlehem still exist<, and probably is not SO imperfe&ions through the fell, fearing more or less that the
dissimilar to what it was in that dav, for in that land cus- results to themselves would he unfavorable if divine justice
toms hreln to lIa\P cl~aiipcd but littlr ‘in crnturieh. A catrtain were laid to the line and to the plummet in respect to their
grotto ia rlaimed to be the one whit+ nineteen hundred years affairs. All seem instinctively to realize their need of merc;y
ago was the stable of the inn, and a certain stone maneer is at the hand3 of him with whom we have to do. And w It
cho\\n. which it IS claimed. was the one in which the Babe was with these shepherds, they were affrightcd as they beheld
Jesus was laid. Over thi3 l&s bren erected a Catholic rhurch, the heavenly visitor in their midvt; but hi3 message way not
and various ceremonies are continually performed in and one of justice nor in any sense of condemnation, but of dlrme
about and connected with “the sacred manger.” With sucll mercy. He soothed them with the words. “Be not afraid: for
ceremonies we ran feel little sympathy, believing them to be behold I bring you good tiding4 of great joy whlrh shall be
rather of the nature of idolatriea. To us the center of interest unto all people.” Can we wonder that jov took the place of
iq not the help ground on which our Saviour trod, nor the fear in their hearts as they heard tbe gr&ous words? Surely
help manger in which he lay a< a bahc. nor his holy mother: not. And so it is with all who from that day to the present
[2556]
JANUARY 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (m-11)

time have heard this true Gospel message, not merely with So all teaching of the grace that is to come to mankind
the outward ears, but truly, with the ears of their under- should be coupled with the pluloaophv of the salvation---the .____. ----
standing-comprehending it. Savlour made -flesh and the gesh detoted or sacrificed for our
How false and how sad has been the understanding of sins, and the Saviour glorified, that in due tlmc after the
this message by many of God’s people as it has echoed to <hem selection of his church he might, with her, according to the
down the ages ! How few have heard it gladly, appreciatively! divine plan, establish his kingdom of righteousness for th,>
How remarkable that nearlv all of the different churches and uplifting of the world of mankind out of -ignorance. snprrsti-
their thousands of minis&s and hundreds of thousands of tion and general degradation
I,
into which the <crrqf :~d~-~~~.IIL ,.~... .

Snndav School teachers should unite in a comnlete contradic- sary had gotten them through the fall and thronph hih knl~-
tfon 0; thii message of the angels-a contradiction which not seqncnt blinding and misleading. In this conncbction it i:
onlv wounds their own sentiments and grieves their own well to remember that our Lord’s name, Jcscrs. qi(r?llfi~ ._. .
hra*rts. but which robs our dear Saviour’s mission of nine- Xa~iozlr, and that all who would be of the elect Churcl~ must
tcntbs of its mnjestv, and thoroughly dishonor3 and maligns have the spirit of the Bridegroom (as well as by faith b?
the nnmc of our gradions Heavenly Father by its misrepresenta- covered with the garmrnt of his imputed nghtcou~ncss) : and
tion of the salvation which he has provided in Christ Jesus. that his spirit is one of opposition to sin to the rstmt of srlf-
Some perhaps may be surprised, and even shocked, at such sncl-i/ice. We also are to “resist unto blood ldeathl I I"atrl ~llan “‘2

an arraignment of the message which they and other well- a$%it;.st sin.“-Heb. 12 .4.
mraning‘but hlinded Christian3 are delivering in the name Then the angel gave the shepherds an intimation of the
of tile Gospel-for the word “Gospel” is derived from the words humhlc conditions under which this great King of earth was
“good tidings.” We are quite ready to believe that the vast born into the world-as a hahe, wrapped in swaddling hinds
mnjoritv of those who promulgate the had tidings of eternal and Iving in a manger. This was nrcrqsarp, not onlv to thc>ir
mrsrrv.‘as being the divrnc message and sentence to the vast identificaation of Jesus, but nerrssnry also to bring down thrir
maroritv of mankind, are wholly unaware of how seriously thoughts from the great and grand results to its hnmble he-
thcv misrcprrscnt the divine character and government in the ~z)~u~II~s, lrst they should be mislrd in their expectations. And
m&sa::e which they carry to men;-they misstate the Gospel, as it is with every part of the divine plan, so al\o it should hc
not of intrntion, hut of blindness, the very blindness men- in respect to all of our proclamations of the same. We are
tioned bv the Anostle as originating with the great adversary not only to tell of the future glory and grentnecs and gran-
-the blindness by whirh he’-blinds-the minds of the vast ma- deur, but we are to tell also of the present humiliation-not
jnrrty, to hinder them from realizing the glorious light of only of our Saviour who hnmhled himself to take n low rstnte
God’s goodness revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.-2 @or. amongst men, and to die for our sins, but also to point out
4:4. that the “elect,” are called to walk in his footsteps. under
Oh, if we could only get all true Christians to studv this similarly humiliating cirrumstanrrs-to suffer with him. if
tenth verse of onr lesson. and to see the denths of its s&n%- they would reign with him; to die with him, if they wonld
CZlnW, it would qulcklv revolutionize the teachings of live with him. And thus also the prophets spoke not only of
COIIiitcndom ! Rnt -as onr Lord declared some of the deep the glory that should follow, but also of the suffrrincs of
tllinrs of the divine nlan are hidden from manv of the wise Christ (head and body) which must precede the glory. (1
and prudent accordin’g to the course of this wbrld, and are Pet. 1.11) The lesson to every one who has ears to hrar it
rrlealrd onlv to the humble-the babes. Nevertheless, the is. “No cross. no crown.” Let us, then, humble onr~lveu .. . .
tc>.tlmnnv of’ God stand&h sure, and all whose understandings under the mighty hand of God, and rejoice in every step of
hnvr l&n opened and who have been enabled to compre- the humiliation, that he may exalt us in due time to share the
brnd some of the leneths and the breadths. and the heights glories of his Son our Lord, and to share with him the grand
sn(1 the dppths of God’s love, mav rejoice that the ignorance of work of blessing all the families of the earth.
the world in general on this subject and the opposition of the It was a fitting climax that, after the one angel had told
errat adrerqarv
<. who is blinding them, cannot continue for- the surprised shepherds of the good tidings of great iov for all
ever, bnt muse soon give plnr< when’ the Lord’s due time people and was ready to depart, he should be joined hv our
shall canme:-when he who died on Calvarv for the world’s angelic host, singing, “Glory to God in the high&,
redemption ‘shall begin llis glorious reign by binding that old and on earth peare, good ~111 toward men.” This wqa . _ tmt , -
scrprnt, the d(lvil, Satan, that he should deceive the nations a reiteration of the -Gospel messape already drlivrrrd. Tt
no morr for the thon3antl vears of the Millennial reign. Then declared that the work which should be accomnlisbed ‘-I \L r>y~
“.V the l..l,
all shall see out of obscurity; then all shall discern what at babe just born, should redound to the highest gl’orv and hsmor
prrscnt is the pnvilrge of only the favored few to see, re- of Jehovah God, his Father. It declared also that throngh
sprrtlng the dixme character and plan-that the message of this work to be accomplished by Jesus shonld romc to rarth
the angel was true, ererv word of it-that the grand results divine good-will and ronseqnently peace-and all that thrsn
to flow from the birth of the Saviour in Bethlehem justified would imply in the way of blessings of restitution and privilrrrr
the message srnt by the great Jehovah,-a good message of of attaining everlasting life. Rut how murh in conflict with all
great joy whirh cventnally shall be to all people-whose en- this are the erroneous theories which have gained rrcdcnre
lightenment and blessing shall have no hindrance, no restric- in Christendom, which teach that, notwith&nding the ran-
tion, and as a result all shall come to a knowledge of the som which our Lord Jesus gave, and notwithstanding the
truth and to an onnortnnitv of availing themselves of the tiirning aside of tnc original sfntenrr iinon ollr r,lrar’ . 5~ .. t))ra_.
grace, merry and p&&e prnrided for n7Z in the great salvation result ‘of the propitiationc for our sins accepted bv the Fnthcr,
secnrcd by the ransom-sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. the vast majority of the human family will nevertheless. to
The angel further explained his great Gospel message, all eternity, be in rebellion against God, and in tortnrr ~11
showing its basis, and declaring that all the -good things continually blaspheme his name:-and that wrthont cvrr
montionrd should rome to nass because the Saviour, Messiah, having had a full, reasonable opportunity to know thr S:rvlour
had been born-the one sb long looked for in Israel, the or to accept his salvation. How strange that any shoul~l think
promised scrd of Abraham in whom not only Israel should that such a plan would be glory to God in the higbrst!
be blessed and exalted to honor, dignity and co-operation, but How strange that anv should r&se to SW the verv -’
nlnin
I
in whom also “all the families of the earth should be blessed.” statement of ‘the Scripture that God has provitl~~d tbronrh
And let us here remark that the order of presentation used Christ that every memher of the human family shall .-._ bavc“~
.
by the heavenly messenger, and evidently divinely ordered, full opportunitv”of coming to a knowledge of ‘the truth. and
13 the proper presentation of this subject which should be then of relinquishing sin and of acrepting new life of righttons-
adontcd bv all who seek to be used of the Lord as his am- ness under the New Covenant-and that then whorvrr strll
bassadors ‘in the calling of the elect church. First, there is refuses and will not suhmit himself to this rightmllq nr-
the erand pronouncement of divine favor and blessina. that rangement shall be utterly destroyed from amongst the pro-
it is-a cau’se for joy, and that ultimately it shall extend to ple-in the second death.-that none will be suffered to live m
every creature ; secondly, there is the specific explanation of sin and opposition to God to blemish any part of Gotl’s
how all this is to be accomplished-through a Saviour, dominions, but that all the incorrigible shall he a3 the they
a Deliverer, who, as stated in our Golden Text, in order to had not been. In no other way can we possihlv imagine that
deliver his people from the wages of sin, death, into eternal the time will ever come when there will be full penre among
life and blessing. mnst first of all save them from their sins. men. “There is no peare for the wicked, saith my God.”
And we see from other Scriptures that this’salvation from The only solution whirh God offers .resperting the estab-
our sins silrnities not onlv the navment on our behalf of the lishment of DeaCe is in connection with the estnhlishmen!. _ of
penalty for Adamic sin,’ but also, subsequently, man? in- his kingdom: for which our dear Redeemer taught us to pray,
strurtron in righteousness and lifting out of sin; in which “Thy kingdom come, thy will be dono on earth 3s it is done
uplift each one is required to co-operate to the extent of his in heaven.” That will mean peace in its fullest and most
will and of his ability. absolute sense. The Scriptural proposition does not include
c25571
(11-13) ZION’S WATCH
the violation of any man’s will, but merely the offering
through Christ of an opportunity for h1q everlasting blessing
and peace. or his cutting off in the second death if he fails
to appreciate the divine offer.
The shepherds having heard of God’s grace manifested their
interest by bislting and paying their homage to the Saviour:
and so each one who has heard of the grace of God with an
appreciative heart can do nothing iess than seelc the Lord and
do him reverence and serve his cause by proclaiming the
“JESUS INCREASED IN WISDOM AND STATURE”
JAN, ~&-LUKE
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and statwre,
Jlu4 pcpulinr speculation has hccn indulged in respecting
the childhood, boyhood and younE manhood of our Lord Jesus.
Y ,,
with which WC” hare no sympathv whatever. The Bible
student should confine himself to the B~blc record, and not
give loose rein to imagmation and speculation more hkely
to be untrue than correct. Had the T,nrd forcsecn necessity for
information respecting this period of our Savmur’s career he
undoubtcdlg would hnre provided for it in the inspired rec-
ord. This Wdncqnot imply‘ that thrrc wnq notlling n&worthy
or commendat~lc in our Lortl’q rarller Ilfr. bllt r:lther that bvu
compnrativclly ignoring this the Lord would point us more
particularly to tbc tlrrcc and a half years of pubhc ministry
following 111ht):ll)tl~nl. in .lordan, alIt by the holy Spirit,
a word. the Lord thus ,)oints out that it was not the man
Jesus whose wnrds and acts were valuable to us and lessons
for our cumulation, but the words and arts of Ckrwt Jesus,
the i1rro~lt.d ,J~us-,J~rus after he had heen anointed with
tbc 111)1>,Sl)il It 15It tlollt nlc’;lsurr Scverthelesq keeping strictly
within thr 11~s of thp little that is written in the Scriptures
we may drnw \omc v:tluablc and hrlpful lessons from the
boyhood nnd young manhood of our 1l:lster.
Nothing ii known rc~pcctln~ the firit twelve years of our
Lord’s lift, c\ccpt that llntler dl\ incl tllrcctlon his mother and
foster-fathcbr took him don-n into Kovnt, out of the reach of
Herod, whcsre thcp remained v ith hin; *for a few months until
after IT~~rotl’s dc:lth. rrturning then to their home citv. Naza-
reth in Galilee. It will be Femcmbercd that the occ&ion of
the flight into Egypt was Herod’s fear that a king ‘should
arise ill the familv of Dnvid, in hnrmonv with the Jewish
traditions. and thai thus Her&d’s own family would be ousted
from thr kinelv nosition. Herod was not of the familv of
David, nor a y&v kt all-he was of the family of Esau, .JaEob’s
hrotlier. The story of the wise men corn&g from the East
seeking a new-born kine of the Jews will be remembered. and
nn\v 1’lcrotl. learning oi’ their mission, urged that when’they
had found the infnnt they sought they should inform him,
Herod fclcmlnp that he also desired to do homage to the new
king. B;lt ihe wise men, under divine dire&on, ignored
Herod’s renucst. Subscnuentlv. learning some of the narticu-
lars rrhptcilng tbr birth ‘at B,~~hlehern. kerod caused th’e death
of tbr male-children of that city of two years old and under-
thus endenvnrine to insure the death of the newborn king.
It is not at all crobable that the number of babes slaughtergd
under this tlcc,rrc was erent: as the nonulation of Bethlehem
was small the number Gf mile child&&of such an age would
necessarily be few.
The Golden Test informs us that Jesus grew like any other
boy-that hi4 development wns gradual, both as respects phys-
ical and intellectual stature. We are not, therefore, to think
of Jesus in hnvhood’s days as a sage a teacher, a healer, etc.,
as we find hi”m subsequent to his anointing with the holy
Spirit. NCWI tbelcss, \<e may properly suppOse that the pei-
feet hop would in many respects be keener and brighter than
the average boy who &herits sundry imperfections from the
fall.’
The testimony respecting Mary and Joseph leaves no doubt
that thev were iious ncnnplr, nnd this is confirmed bv the first
verse of “this lesson, which informs us that it was their custom
to PO ererv venr to the Feast of the Passover: this reauire
m&t of tl;c ‘Law was obqervrd by the most devout Jews ‘only.
It is ns unnrcessnry as it is improper for us to go beyond the
Scrinturnl declarations on this subirrt, and to assume, as some
do, ihat Mary herself was mira&lo&ly conceived nnd born
free from sin. Indeed. if XV had no record testifvinc to Marv’s
pirty the f:lrt that she was honored by the cor$ above ill
other women, in that she was chosen to be the motht-r of Jesus
according to the flesh, would prove her nobilitv of character
and purity of heart ;-for it i’u not even suppo”sable that the
Lord would so specially honor, bless and use any other than a
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. v, Chap 4.
[2558]
TOWER ALLEGHENY,rA.
gracious message with which he has been favored. Let US
each do so, and thus more and more increase in our hearts the
joy3 of the Lord and our appreciation of his gr‘lnd gospel.-
Galatians 3 :8, 16, 20
Respecting the date of Jesus’ birth, we hold that It was
about Sept. 25th to Oct. 1st B. c. 1, and that the annunciation
(Luke 1:28) was nine months earlier, namely Dec. 25th n. C. 2.
The evidences re this position are given in detail in hlrL-
LENNLAL DAWWN, VOL. II., pages 54-62.
2:41-52.
and in favor wth God and illan.”
noble character. Whom the Lord uses we may safely esteem
honornble.
Although the Jewish Law does not so stlpulntc, tradition
informs ub that it was the custom to consider every boy who
had fulfilled his twelfth pear as “a Son of the Law.” and to
a certain extent from thnt age amenable to the requirements
of the Law: and the narrative of our lesson scrmq to confirm
this tradition, telling uq thnt when .Jcsur was tnc IXC years of
age (m his tbirteentb year) he accompanied tbr family to the
Passover Feast at Jerusalem. Is there not a lesson here for
all godly parents, suggesting that the training of the infancy
period should be of such a character as to prepare the child
In for the consideration of sober and religious mnitrrs at the
vrrv threshold of borhood? We think there is. And we
think it a serious &stake made by some well-intentlonrd
parents when they conclude that their children of twelve yeala
have sufficient mind to have grasped the elementary prmclples
of a secular education and to be prepared for higbt*r studies
of a serulnr character, but unfit for higher rcbliglous studle5.
The children who are ready at tnnt sac for hiphrr SWalar
studies have nlreadv been cnrefullv Instrlifted :~lon;~ elemcntarv
lines: and if any aie unnrrpared ior higher studleg in rellol&s
matters it is at least possible that their elementary rell&us
training may have been neglected bg their divinely appointed
instructors-their parents. No ChristIan parent cnn avoid
this his natural responsibility toward his children--ln moral
and religious training as well as in the secular nntl nhy>lrnl.
The i;“east of the ?‘nssover continued seven days, bl;t it was
the custom for many of the pilgrims from distant parts to
remain over only two days, until after the principal cere-
monies. It is probable that Joseph and Mary, In company
with their kinsfolk, started on the return lnurney on the third
day of the feast. It was customary for the women oi a rarn-
van to move on ahead, the men coming nfter, and a boy of
Jesus’ age might be with either of the parents and not be
missed until nightfall; and so it seems to hnvr been in this
case. As one day had been spent in the journey. so another
day was spent returning, and a third day in searching through-
out the city; finally they found Jesus in the Temple, sitting
with the teachers of the Law, the “Doctors.” This was not so
unusual as might at first appear; for at that time information
was gained less from books and more from oral teaching, and
the Doctors of the Law were supposed to 1)~ ready to instruct
all who desired information, especially during the holy Pass-
over week. Many young men availed themselves of such op-
portunities, and the custom seems to have been for the Doctors
to sit on a special semi-circle of seats, while before them were
low benches for the older students: the younger boys sat on
the ground, literally “at their feet.” Thus Paul, ns a youth,
was a pupil to Gamaliel, or, as the record reads, “sat at the
feet of Gamaliel,” to learn of him. G:tmaliel was one of the
chief Doctors of the Law in his day.
We are not to understand that the boy Jesus was bold,
and that he went before the learned men of his duv to de-
nounce them as ignorant and as incapable teachers,” and to
show himself off, as some precocious but ill-trained youth of
todnv might attemnt to do. On the contrarv, we are to SUP-
poselthe key Jesus-to have a well-balanced r&d, which prob-
ably recognized the fact that he had lived but few years in
the world and had comparatively small experience in lifr, and
that he by no means knew all, but recognized many questions
unon which he would like to have further information, and
t&at he asked his questions honestly, with a desire and hope of
obtaining satisfactory answers from the teachers who “sat in
Moses’ seat.”
The nature of the questions is not stated, but the time and
surroundings would seem to indicate that they were of a
religious character, and that the mind of Jesus was already
grappling with the. great questions which properly belonged tb
him as a member of the Jewish race to which God had made
JANUARY1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (13-15)

certain great and precious promises as the Seed of Abraham; and ignore Joseph, and subsequently imply that Joseph was
-promises of divine blessing under Messiah, of exaltation to the father of Jesus; (2) Joseph having accepted Mary, ac-
be the chief nation of the world, and of the subsequent privi- cepted also her son, Jesus, and became his foster-father, and
lege of blessing all nations and of being the mediaries through under just such circumstances today the child would be taught
whom all mankind might be brought to the knowledge of God to consider such an one a parent, and to call him “father.”
and to his service. From what we know of the operations of (3) It is not at all probable that the story of the immac-
our own minds at the age mentioned, we may presume that ulate conception of Jesus was ever made known to any but
Jesus was brimful of questions respecting the hopes of Israel, the closest members of the family, and it is highly improbable
and no doubt from his mother he had received some intimation that the subject had ever been discussed with the boy Jesus,
at least that divine providence had indicated that he himself only twelve Gears of age,-nor would it have been proper to
was to bear some important part in connection with the fulfil- do so. Mar&s laneuarre. therefore. is entirelv consistent with
ment of the Scriptures; and he was seeking to know the part all the facts set forthvin the Gospel narratcve.
marked out for him by the Heavenly Father in the testimony Quite noesiblv the mind of the bov Jesus. while investi-
of the Law and the Prophets. gating the sub&t of his own rcspdnsibilities toward the
Althoueh he did not have a Bible in his home, that he Heavenly Father and his plan, had wondered whether or not
could consyilt respecting the divine testimony, he did have the his mission might not in some degree begin with his thirteenth
common privilege ot the youth of his day of attending meet- year, since at-that time he was-recognized as a “son of the
ings in the one little synagogue of Nazareth, which was but a law.” Quite Dossiblv some of his auestions before the Doctors
emall country town. There, from Sabbath to Sabbath, he of the Law were afong this line, and quite probably he had
heard the law read and to some extent commented upon, some- finally about reached cthe conclusion that the types of the
times also the psalms and prophecies. With these sources of nriestlv office indicated clearlv that his mission would not
information the-eager mind-of the boy had grappled, and now, begin until he was thirty yea& of age. His reply to Mary’s
on the occasion of his first visit to the great city of Jerusalem, chiding was along this line: Did you not espe& me to -be
nothing attracted him so much as the Temple and its sym- about mv Father’s business? Did vou not know that I had
bolical services, and happening upon a court or chamber in reached the age when I am a “son of the Law,” and that
which the areat questions of the Law and the Prophets were therefore certain responsibilities have come upon me in respect
being disc&red dv the ablest teachers of the time, Jesus to the Heavenly Father and his Word and his plan 1 And
became so deeply interested and enthused in the Bible study then, as though remembering the conclusion that he had just
that qeemingly he forgot all earthly things, so intent was he reached in discussing the subject with the Doctors, he broke
in studying about the Heavenly Father’s business-the plan off the conversation, yielded himself to their wishes, and
of God. in which he himself was to be so principal an actor. accompanied them to Nazareth, making (so far as recorded)
Naturally his questions would be deeper and-more logical no further suggestion of any other than the ordinary course
than those of other boys of his age, and naturally the Doctors of life until he had attained the age of thirty years. This is
of the Law would be deeplv interested in him because of this
- I
expressed in the words, “And he was subject unto them.”
in conlunction with the modesty which we may be sure accom- Joseph and Mary realized clearly that the boy was more than
nanled it. And as during these feasts great hospitality
r7
was ordinary, very extraordinary indeed, yet they did not fully
Gsercisetl, especially toward strangers from a distance, -Jesus comprehend the situation nor fully grasp the import of his
was probnhly entertained by one and another of these new- words. Nevertheless, Marv treasured this with the other pe-
found friends. ruliar testimonies respecting him in her heart, and doubtless
The narrative records that, when found by Joseph and it was from her lins that Luke received the information con-
Mary, .Jehus was both lrearing the Dortors and asking them tained in our lesson.-
qurctions There is a valuable lesson here for all young per- Tradition declares that Joseph died while Jesus was yet
scans resnectina their conduct toward their elders and in- young, and that the latter took up the carpenter’s trade and
httuctori. 1 How difl’erent the thought we get from this state- became the support of the family. This finds some support in
t”r~nt, than we would have gotten had it read that thev found
CY the Scriptural testimony where Jesus himself is called a car-
,Jesu< rnstr,rctlllg the Doctors, or attempting to teach them. penter, and his mother and brethren are mentioned, but Joseph
n-e do not tloriln for a moment that the Doctors were as much is ignored. (Mark 6: 3) Furthermore, no reference is made to
instructed hv .Jesus as hc was bp them, possibly more so on Joseph in connection with our Lord’s ministry though his
some points ‘at least; nor do we doubt that if they were truly mother and his brethren are several times ment’ioned. It is
great Amen they would be humble-minded enough to receive quite probable, then, that the long period of eighteen years of
instructions from any one-even from a child; and it is even our Lord’s life, from the time of the incident of this lesson
intimated in the context that they asked Jesus certain ques- to the time of his baptism, was spent in the performance of
tions, “and were astonished at. his understanding and his the ordinary duties of life. What a thought this gives us
answers.” In both cases the proceeding was that of deference with respect to our Lord’s deveIopment of patience-patiently
to the other, as implied in the asking of the questions: Jesus waiting until the Father’s time should come and he should
har’ne deferred to the Doctors and asked them questions which begin his ministry; patiently studying meantime, as best he
manifested his depth of mind and clearness of-understanding could, to know more and more of the Father’s will and plan;
and logical reasoning, led them in turn to ask questions of patiently waiting for the baptism of the holy spirit, which
him. would enable him to fully comprehend the situation and his
This question plan we commend to all of the dear friends own personal relationship to it. What a lesson there is here
of the truth as a wise and proper one, no less to us of today for all his followers, and everyone of us may well realize the
than to the boy Jesus and to the Doctors of the Law. We truth of the words, “Ye have need of patience,” and again,
have seen instances in which some of the Lord’s dear people “Let patienre have her perfrct work.” What a lesson there is
have greatly injured their influence in the truth by dispiay-of for us also in the thought that we are not to attempt to hasten
too larae a decree of self-confidence, self-assztrance, in speak- the divine plan, but to wait patiently for its unfolding-not
ing of -the di&r plan to others-especially to the learned. to attempt to begin any work for the Lord unless we are sure
Meekness is a jewel wherever found, and is especially desirable that his time has come, and that he has palled us to do it;
as an adjunct and sling for the truth. Let the truth be shot then, like our Lord, to he instant in season and out of season,
forth with all the force it can carry, but always with meek- when convenient and when inconvenient, under favorable and
ness and humility; and the quest’on~ form of suggesting truth unfavorahle conditions; to do with our might what our hand
will often be found the most foiceful. has found to do. And we gather the further thought that the
Naturally Joseph and Mary were astonished to find their most humble forms of lahor are honorable when they are ours
little son in the company of and receiving consideration from in harmony with God’s providence.
the greatest teachers of their day, and probably nothing was
said to Jesus publicly respecting their disappointment and Happily for us, we are not born under the Law nor under
their subsequent search for him: probably when alone Mary the limitations which hinder us from receiving the call and
upbraided h’im for his neglect to be with the caravan: yet she responding to it before thirty years of age. On the contrary,
did this in a verv kind and moderate manner, which seemed under the *New Covenant of grace it is our privilege to present
to indicate that it was a very unusual occurrence, which in our bodies living sacrifices to the Lord’s service at as earlv an
turn speaks to us of parental obedience on the part of Jesus. age as our knowledge of divine things and our enlight&ed
judgments will permit. We, instead of waiting to grow to the
Mary’s expression, “Behold, thy father and I have sought fulness of stature mental and physical, are permitted to begin
thee sorrowing,”. i. has been questioned hy some as being a con- at once, as members of the Royal Priesthood, and to be grow-
fession that Joseph was the father of- Jesus, but we-answer, ing at the same time we are serving. Rut let us not forget
Not so; it would be unreasonable to suppose ( 1) that Luke
would particularly trace the genealogy of Jesus through Mary, * See June 15, 1919, issue for critical examination of Covenants.
[2559]
(15-16) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY.Pa.

the necessity for growth,-adding to faith virtue, and to virtue kindness, and to brotherly-kindnpsc lore.-See 2 Peter 1:5-g.
knowledge and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control “In malice be ye chIIdren, but in understanding be ye
patience. and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly- men.“-1 Cor. 14 :20.

INTERESTING LETTERS
DF.AR BROTHER RvsSzLL:-In regard to the work here in This is exactly right because it went so with me and I shall
Boston the report is good. The Volunteer work is blessing all be happy in the hardest of earthly troubles. Your remark that
who engage ., ci in it and goes on grandlv. Scareclv a Sunday but each should build the walls near his home. has onened mv
that we distribute the trac& at “some chuich where the eyes enough to see that I was in the wrong, because IXdo better
preacher’s thcnle is Evolution. Two Sundays ago the Pastor of in school and away from home than I do at home. Now I
Tremont Tcmnle preached a sermon advocating the doctrine will try to do the best I can at home but will not lose my
of Evolution. * This is the largest Protestant &urch in New good part away from home.
Eneland (conereeation of 3000 and over). and the Pastor is I felt like opening my whole heart to you, and I have
theQgentlema~ who notified police headquarters last June to done it with the best intentions. I hope that your answer to
have a stop put to further distribution of our tract. But he this letter will come soon and brfp~+ tidings that will do me
did not succeed. We are finding more work than was at first good.
anticipated and are giving morevbooks. Our report for month Yours sincerely, HUGO KUEHN,-Oklo.
of November is as follows:-Nov. 5th in Dorchester 11
c.hurches, 1024 booklets; Nov. 12th in W. Roxbury and Ja- [REPLY:-I am always deeply interested in the young who
maica Plain 14 churches, 686 booklets; Nov. 19th in Dorqhes- eive their hearts to the Lord. Mv Christian life hwan at
tcr and Roxlindale 18 churches, 1269 booklets; Nov. 26th in gbout the same age as your own (l-3)) and I know how’ great
Newton 13 churches, 1444 booklets; also in Brookline during a blessing it is to become a soldier of the cross at an early
month 4 churches, 154 booklets; total of 60 churches, 4877 age. At no time do we more need divine wisdom and gracti
booklets ; average 81.2. We find churches larger than we than in boyhood and entering manhood, and how comforting
anticipated. Quite a number with congregations of from 300 it is to all such to be able to realize that having csommitted
to 600 which accounts for our using more booklets than ex- their all to the Lord he is caring for them, guiding and shaping
pected as well as the larger average. We still have 25 to 30 their affairs in the course which will be most to their ad-
( brethren a1111sister a) engaged in work. and though we havr vantage as respects the present and the eternal life.
accomplished a good work, the end is not yet. We are anxious In re the rude youth disposed to attack you with stones:
to do all the important towns accessible hy electric cars, pro- My advice would be that you go to play in another quarter,
vided you ran keep us supplied. We leave that part for you and that generously you consider that the man m.ay be just as
to decide. l.Tnquestionably all who work are receiving bless- much unbalanced in mind or as soured in disposition as sorncl
Ings, and are being built up in zeal and love in the Lord’:, who in the language of Scripture. “Shoot out arrows, evcmn
service. bitter words, at the righteous.” (Psa. 64 :3) On the whole 1
Sr. G. desires to be remembered. Your brother, in love believe that those who throw literal stones are much less dan-
.rnd service of our Redeemer, gerous than some who are outwardly more decorous who have
ALESAXDER &I. GRaHau,--Uussuchusetts, The “poison of asps under their lips” (Rom. 3:13), and who
backbite. sneak evil of and slander others-even the Lord’*
[We are filling orders right along. Let the good work “brethren.“’ Let us thank God that the time is coming when
proceed. God bless the “Volunteers.” EDITOR.] there will no longer be in the world any except those who
DEAR BROTHER Rusuz~.r.:-I am glad that at last I have have the “spirit of a sound mind”-the disposition of the
loncentrated my mind enough to write to you. Not till Mrs. Lord.-2 Tim. 1:7.
lloehmer was hrre did I read and study anything in the truth Respecting your attendance at a gymnasium, and the hear-
+o much as to do me any good, but while she was here my ine of lectures: It would seem to me that no evil need result
1,bole attention was turned. She gave me Vol. I. of JI. from merely availing yourself of these privileges, and should
DAWN but at first I could not read it without a great deal of advise that vou do so. unless there would be something in the
will power. I read it only to show her I used the gift-it way of a boidage connected with this-some obligations-and
.eemed so uninteresting. But at last it grew more interesting quite likely there are none that would be objectionable in such
and I devoted most all of my time to reading it and 1 gave a club. With much Christian lore, Your brother and servant
up almost all of my play especially with everybody but my in the Lord, THE: EDITOR.1
Iuother and sister. (Do you consider this wrong on my part? )
-And I went to all the DAWN Circles and meetings hrre while WATCH TO~‘ER Bmr,n & TRAC’L’ SOCIETY.
she was with us, and mamma said the holy Spirit was DEAR BRETHREN:-The Volunteer distribution of the book-
upon me. lets, The Bible versus the Evolution Tkory, has been com-
When Sister Boehmer left us all of my holy interests pleted in the District of Columbia, after a campaign lasting
seemed to die out of me. I could read nothing Scriptural so seven months. Fourteen Volunteers-brothers and sisters-
that I could remember it or act upon it in my daily course visited 154 churches and distributed 10,934 booklets, besides
of life. I think the reason why God let it happen so was other tracts. The congregations in the various churches varied
lIecause I got to thinking I was far ahead in the rare and all the way from 400 down, the average attendanrc being 71.
looked boastfully down on my neighbors. (Don’t you think
40, too?) But I went to meeting every Sunday and learned 0, This work was taken up in acrordance with the offer made
in TOWER of April 15th, ‘96, it being our desire in this manner
-o much good! from Brother Wright and I think he is the to show our love and annreciation of the Lord and his truth-
Ijest leader that could be chosen-that is, a human leader. by engaging in a word ‘which might result in lhe blessing of
But I could remember nothing through the week. his true “brethren.” The work has progressed with perfect
Now here is another case: A large “tough” is always try- harmony of hearts, hands and a willingness to serve in any
ing to catch us for no reason at all but he claims for an channel, however humble, and has most evidently been under
excuse that w\‘e throw stones at him, but we did not. T wrote divine direction, for we have had many indications of provi-
to Bro. Boehmer about it and he said I should avoid him as dential guidance in selection of churches to be worked, etc.
best I could. and in doing this I am obliged to run sometimes
or get hit. Sow do yoii -i*onsidcr this right or wrong? Twicr We have been ereatlv blessed in this work which has given
we stopped and asked him what he wanted but he only hit us. us many opportu&ties ior letting our light shine for the-Mas-
\Vlien lh 0 Boehnicr \\ as here he said it would do me good ter.-upon some occasions the brethren being invited within
to enter a gymnasium which I did the 1st of Nov. It is in a the church building to explain the object of the visit and
Congregational C’hui ch . I am also entitled to a piirileg:e of something of God’k’plan as testified to “in the literature dis-
boys’ cluli and six lertures. Do you think I will fall into trihuted. We were well received on the whole, notwithstand-
Ing some cases of opposition. We are thankful to God for
wrong there?
Here is $1 whicli will at least be cnouph to makr one these great privileges of serving his truth, and also to Brother
WATCH Towkn which ~111 help some one alomg lust like th(l Russell and the Tract Society as instruments in his hands
TOWER of Nov. 1 issue helned me alone: csneciallv the articles IVe are still “Volunteers,” and ready to carry the good war-
fare into the adjacent towns with the booklets still on hand.
about Nehemiah wlucl~ induced me to‘ write. So’many things
fit my case exactly,-like where it says while we are in the With love to all who are similarly engaged in the Volun-
truth we will be assailed the most, and when we get drowq teer work. Your fellow “Soldiers ”
and lazy about studying the truth WC>will not be assailed THE CHURCH AT'\~ASHINGTON, D. C.
[2560]
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., JANUARY 15, 1900 No. 2
1
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
CHURURES AS SOCIAL ULUBS appreciation the minister of former days, with his seemly
Rev. John Watson, widely known in “orthodox” circles (as dress, his dignified manner, his sense of responsibility, who
“[an Maclaren,” his literary nom de plume), wrote for pub- came from the secret place of divine fellowship, and spoke as
lication recently, that in his judgment the churches of various one carrying the message of the Eternal. He may not have
denominations are rapidly becoming social clubs-ceasing to heen so fussy in the aisles as his successor, nor so clever at
nppreclate or use the place hitherto considered the true posi- games, nor able to make so fetching a speech on ‘Lore, Court-
tion of the church. The text for his criticism was found on a shin. and Mnrriape.’
printed postal card sent out by an American Y. ?II. C. A., “‘There are no doubt many points in which the congrega-
which read word for word as follows: tion of the present has advanced on the congregation of the
“DO NOT FORGET past, but it has not been all gain, for the chief note in the
“The next Social. worship of the former generation was revelencc-people met
“The next Candy-pull. in the presence of the Eternal, before whom cverv man is lesq
“The next Entertainment. than nothing. And the chief note of their child&, who meet
“The next Song Service. to listen to a choir and a clever platform speaker, is self-
“The next Gospel Meeting. complacency.” -The Ladies’ IIomc Journal,
“The next meeting of the Debating Club. * * * *
“The next Chicken-pie Dinner. We have frequently pointed out these same tendencies, but
“The next date when you ought to make the secretary we are glad to he able to quote the words of another-of one
happy with your cash.” who stands so high in Churchianity. But Dr. Watson will err
Commenting upon this card, he says:- long find that he must not criticize “Babylon;” and that if hc
“This remarkable list of operations, combining evangelistic persists he will lose caste with the lords thereof. So con-
zeal, creature comforts, and business shrewdness, requires no servative a journal as The Sdwance has alreadv intimated that
4Lommentary; the items give us a convincing illustration of an “Candy-pulis” and other modern methods oi making Chris-
up-to-date religious institution-a veritable hustler of a tianity attractive must not be interfered with by “old fogies.”
I-. 31. C. A. And so say we 1 Let the innovations Droceed-thev arc’
“The Christian church and a T. PII. C. A. are of course very essential to thk very existence of “Babylon.“. And beside;, the
different institutions, and the latter is free from any traditions sooner the social Churchianity clubs act out their real senti-
of austere dienitv. but one is not surDrised to find that the ments all along the line, the better it will he for true Chris-
church has alvo b&n touched with the social spirit and is also tianity, whose separation from Churchianity is now due to be
doing her best to make religion entertaining. one enters what accomplished in this harvest time-“wheat” from “tares.”
is (-alled a nlace of worship and imagines that he is in a draw- The more it becomes apparent that, with the vast majority,
ing-room. *The floor has-a thick Farpet, there are rows of religion is merely “a form of godliness,” the more will those
theater-chairs, a huge organ fills the eye, a large bouquet of who have the power of it as well realize the width of the gulf
tlowers marks the minister’s place; people come in with a which really separates the two classes in divine estimation.
lannty air and salute one another cheerily; hardly one bends The louder grow the revelry and irreverence and the scoffing
hlq head in prayer; there is a hum of gossip through the at God’s Word bv “hi&er &tics” and the boast8 of Evolution,
bulldinc. the louder in the earsof the Lord’s true saints will sound the
“A man disentangles himself from a conversation and bus- Master’8 command : “Babvlon is fallen. is fallen! Come out
tics up to the platform without clerical garb of any kind, as of her, my people, that yi he not pnrt’akers of her sins, and
likctly as not in la>-man’s dress. A quartet advances, and, that ye receive not of her plagues.“-Rev. 18:2, 4.
in(:lng the audience, sings an anthem to the congregation. * * * *
~hlch does not rise, and later they sing another anthem, also The Editor of the Washington City Times gives his opinion
to the congregation. There is one prayer, and one reading of some of the methods of Churchianity, thus:-
irom Holy Scripture, and a sermon which is brief and bright. “A sensational Brooklyn preacher lately discoursed on sub-
Among other intimations the minister urges attendance at the jects like these: ‘Would Christ Belong to a Labor Union ?’
oyster supper, when, as is mentioned in a paper in the pews, ‘Would Christ Go to a Brooklvn Theater?’ and so on. It is
there will be oysters and meat-turkey, I think-and ice-cream. rather difficult to conceive the moral status of people who
This meal is to be served in the ‘church parlor.’ actually approve of sermons of this sort. Undoubtedly a large
‘%o sooner has the benediction been pronounced, which has part of the audiences which they attract come from mere
some original feature introduced, than the congregation hurries curiosity, as they might come to any other sort of show; and
to the d’;or, but although no one can explain h&v it is man- they might as well be at the theater for all the good that it is
aged, the minister is already there shaking hands, introducing likely to do them. One of the most denlorable features of
people, ‘getting off good things,’ and generally making things mod&n American life is the tendency towird sensationalism in
‘hum. One person congratulates him on his ‘talk’-new name the pulpit. It is bad from everv DOiDt of view.
L
It excites
for a sermon-and another says it was ‘fine.’ emotions which are in no way religious, and are all the worse
“Efforts have been made in England also to make church for passing under that name. It is in execrable taste, it mis-
llfc really popular, and, in one town known to the writer, leads people to a sort of contempt for religion, and it makes
with some success of its own kind. One church secured a new the churches which indulge in it odious.
set of communion plates by the popular device of a dance; “It has grown out of-another had featul e of our modern
various congregations gave private theatricals, and in one case life-the Dlutocratic ideal. Anv sensible nersonI mav.I easilv
had stage property of their own. Bible classes celebrated the understand that when the attragtion of a church for its mem’-
ronclusions of their sessions by a supper; on Good Friday hers depends on this sort of thing, and on the ability of the
there were excursions into the country accompanied by a mili- people of the church to dress well and pay for a handsome
tary band, and a considerable portion of the congregational building and a showy choir, there is no more real religion in
income was derived from social treats of various kinds. This the whole business than there is in a circus. . . .
pnrticsular town is only an illustration of the genial spirit “It would be much more to the pomt for the sensational
spreading throughout the church in England. One minister preacher above quoted to ask himsell, in private, whether hie
uses a magic lantern to give force to his sermon; another has church is the kind which Christ would bc likelv Y to annrove. AI
added a tavern to his church equipment; a third takes up the or if it is full of money-changers and the sellers of doves.
latest murder or scandal ; a fourth has a service of song; a “It is time that sensible and thoughtful reliqioua people in
fifth depends on a gypsy or an ex-pugilist. this country understood what a church is really intended to
“If this goes on, the church will soon embrace a theater be. It should not be a bad imitation of fashionable society,
and other axtractions which will draw young people, and with all the meannesses, caste distinctions, pettiness, and
prevent old people from wearying in the worship of God. jealousy of that society, veneered over with a coating of
[Contrasting these modern and irreverent and unscriptural formal religion. . . Z’
methods with those of the nast. Dr. Watson continues:-1 CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN
“Perhaps it mai be the-per;ersity of human nature which Not long since Japan was considered the brightest example
is apt to cavil at new things and hanker after the good old of progress in Christian missions, and with good reason.
times-which were not always good, by any means-but one Everything coming from Europe or the United States was
is not much enamoured with the new departure, nor at all looked upon with favor-the Christian religion included. In
convinced that what may be called for brief the ‘candy-pull’ a few vears the number of converts to various shades of nom-
system is any improvement on the past. After a slight expe- inal “Christianity” ran up to 40,578 in 1878. However, a
rience of smart preachers, and church parlors, and ice-cream great change ha8 occurred there: and within the past two
suppers, and picnics, one remembers with new respect and keen years the total converts claimed by all the sects is only 403.
[2561] (19-20)
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

The beginning of this change of sentiment seems to have against the Christian church is due to the changed attitude
dated from the time that the different denominations began which they have in recent years developed in so marked a
more or less to compete. It would seem that at first denom- degree to all influences from abroad-a conservative reaction
inational and creed differences were considerablv hidden from of-a pronounced type. This return to nativism is largely due
the Japanese, and they seem to have embraced Christianity in to the easv success in the war with the Chinese. This reaction
something of its simplicity of spirit if not of doctrine. How- from the “former enthusiasm for innovation has assumed a
ever, when they began to send some of their young men to particularly determined character. The Japanese have reached
American and English colleges, the fact of the great varieties the conclusron that they had been too hasty in discarding the
of contradictory doctrines, all claiming to represent Christ’s old in favor of the new, and this spirit has found its way
teachings, became known, and was naturally followed by even into the Christian elements of Japan, which aspired to
denominational reapings, chiefly, we believe, Presbyterian, the establishment of a church independent of the churches in
The Japanese are a pracficul people, and concluded that, if countries that had been Christian for centuries. Although the
Christians of the West were so confused and divided respect- Japanese have known Christianity only for thirty years and
ing the teachings of the Bible, the Japanese could properly there is scarcely a single adult native who has been a Chris-
exercise their own iudyments on the subiects also. In doing tian since his childhood, yet they began to regard themselves
so they are rapidly”tending toward agnosticism, doubt, uncert more capable to develop a Chrmtian culture and life than
tainty, unbelief, just as thinking people everywhere are doing, those who brought them the new faith.
except as they get the truth and with it the spirit of a sound “These ideas and ambitions are largely due to the fact
mind. How we would like to put into the hands of these that attemDts were made to build UD a Christianitv whollv
JaDancsc and all truth-seekers the light of present truth show- divorced from the national character of the people. The reac-
ing forth the divine plan of the ages. WeLare on the lookout tion is, to a certain extent, the result also of the radical anti-
for the Lord to brine forward to the lieht some earnest. fullv JaDanese tvDe of life that representatives of Western Chris-
oonsecrxted ?Jnpnnege capable of presenting the plan b? tianitv aimed to develop, completely ignoring the many excel-
translating Dawr;, VOL. L., presenting it to his Christian lent traits that make UD the national character of the DeoDle.
countrymen. We thought we had found the one two years ago, “Still another element that has entered into this reaction
but it Droved otherwise;-Christianitv was unpopular, but the is the fact that the Japanese, who is naturallv not too deep
truth much more so-too unpopular -for him. ^ - intellectually and who -is but half civilized, has been made
Rev. Dr. Christlieb. for vears the remesentative of the acauainted with Western aenosticism and atheism as found in
“Erangelical Protestant Mission Society’i of Germany, dis- thi writings of SchopenhaGer and Herbert Spencer. Through
cussed the set-back in Japan in a volume just published, these a certain dangerous contempt for the supernatural has
entitled, “The Tendencies of Japanese Civilization and Chris- been developed, especially among the younger generation. All
tianity,” in which he explains:- these factors and others have united to produce the modern
“The opposition now generally entertained by the Japanese opposition to Christianity in the Japanese empire.”

PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER

JAN. 21.-LUKE
“Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”
Doubtless manv commentors on this lesson will claim that
John the Baptize;‘s ministrg began with the year A. D. 26,
and by positiveness of assertion seek to make up for their lack
of evidence on this subject. Let all therefore bear in mind
that such a dating of John’s ministry will be purely arbitrary,
to make it conform to the erroneous view which prevails among
scholars in respect to the date of our Lord’s birth. It should
not be forgotten, however, that, although it is well established
from the Scriptures that our Lord was six months younger
than his second-cousin, John, there is no other Scriptural date
which so closely and definitely connects the history of our Lord
and of John the Baptizer with general history, as does the
statement of this very lesson, that John began his ministry
(when he was thirty years of age) in the fifteenth year of the
reign of Tiberius Caesar. Those who claim that Jesus began
his ministry A. D. 27, instead of A. D. 29, claim that John’s
ministry began in A. D. 26; and in order to make this fit with
the statement of the first verse of this lesson, they are obliged
to count the reign of Tiberius Caesar two years before its ad-
mitted date. For a particular discussion of this subject, how-
ever, we must refer our readers to MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL.
II., p, 54.
Of John it is written that he was filled with the holy Spirit
from his birth. But we must not misunderstand this to mean
that he was begotten of the holy Spirit, in the sense that
Christians are begotten of it, for he lived before the time of
spirit-begetting-in the Jewish age, not in the Gospel or Chris-
tian age. Thus our Lord said of him that, although there
had not arisen a greater Prophet than John, nevertheless, the
least in the kingdom of God is greater than he-the least one
in the house of sons is on a higher plane than the greatest one
in the house of servants. (Matt. 11: 11; Heb. 3:5, 6) The
Apostle again explains that “the holy Spirit was not yet givm,
because Jesus was not yet glorified.“-John 7 : 39.
In harmony with this we must understand that John was
filled with the holy Spirit, holy power or influence from God
from his birth, after the same manner that the other prophets
throughout the Jewish age had been under that holy spirit.
The expression would lead us to understand that, although
John was not born immaculate, as was Jesus, he nevertheless
was well born, under holy influences, which tended to develop
in him natural characteristics suitable to the mission he was
intended of God to fulfil. This does not involve the thought
of divine interference with the free will of the individual,
Paul tells us that he also was chosen of God from his birth
to be a sDccia1 servant to do a sDecia1 work. (Gal. 1: 15)
Neverthele’ss, the Lord did not interfere with his exercising
his own free will, even permitting him to go so far into blind
3:1-17.
error as to become the persecutor of the church. And even
when the Lord rebuked him in the way to Damascus, that was
not an interference with his zclll or nature. but merely a re-
moval of his blindness, his ignorance, permitting his true will
to come into exercise. And so no doubt others of the Lord’s
people from time to time have been from earliest childhood
special subjects of divine Providence which has guided and
shaped their experiences without interfering with their wills,
so as to make of them speed instruments for the accomplish-
ment of divine purposes.
Of John’s life from infancy to manhood we know nothing
except the bare record, “The child grew and waxed strone in
spirit, and was in the desert until the dav of his sho&ng
unto Israel” (Luke 1 :80)-not in the sandv’deserts, but more
properlv in the wilds, the uncultivated reei‘ons, Derhans in the
i‘hiil country,” where his parents resided at the time of his
birth. Possibly a Dart of the Lord’s Drovidence in reanect to
John’s training fo; his work consisted in the ordering of the
affairs of his parents, so that possibly they were forced by
circumstances to reside in such a wilderness-home, where they
would have comparatively little intercourse with others., and
where John, probably as a forester, would have the experiences
which the Lord saw would best fit him for the work intended.
All Christians should learn to trust to the Reavenly Father’s
guidance, remembering his special promise, which is applicable
to each one who is in Christ, viiz., that “all things shall work
together for good to them that love God,” and-remembering
this they should be content with the lot which Providence
seems to mark out for them-not indolent, but content, when
thev have done all that their hands find to do.-not restless.
peeiish, dissatisfied, complainers against God and his provi-
dence. “Trust in the Lord and do good.” It may be that the
Lord is fitting and preparing us individually for some special
service, and that the permitted experiences alone will prepare
us for that service. Indeed, we know from the Word that God
designs his “elect” for joint-heirship with our dear Redeemer
in the glorious Millennial kingdom; and we can well realize
that because of our imperfertion we need much moulding and
fashioning, chiseling and polishing to make us “meet for the
inheritance of the saints in light.” We are to remember also
that we are incompetent to judge of our own imDerfections.
and hence incompetent to judge of the experiences which would
be most helDfu1 to us. It is difficult for us sometimes even to
for see ourselv& as others see us; much more difficult, undoubt-
edly, it would be to see ourselves from the divine standpoint.
Here faith in God comes to the front-“This is the victory
which overcometh the world, even your faith.”
The time of John’s “showing”’ or presentation to Israel
125621
JANUARY 15, 19co ZION’S WATCH TOWER (23-24)

was undoubtedlv the time when he reached the legally required manifestation of the sons of God” for the deliverance of the
thirty years of age; and then it was that the w&d of the groaning creation. (Rom. 8: 17-19) Thus the second advent of
Lord came unto him. causinp him to begin his mission. WC Christ the Head (with the church his body) will be seen to be
are not to think of &is exprgssion as ha&g to John the same on a very much higher plane than was the first advent of our
signification as it has to 6s who are of thii Gospel age. The Lord in the flesh, although the first advent was all-important
word of God came to John as a prophet, for our Lord de- in that without it and its sacrifice for sins there could have
clared,-“There hath not arisen a greater prophet than John been no second advent of Jesus, the Head, in the glory of
the Baptist.” The Lord made clear to John that the time had kingdom power, and there could have been no glorified mem-
come for the beginning of his ministry, not merely by an im- bers of his body to be associated with him.
pression or su&ise, gut with positiv&ess, as in-the case of
all the nronhets. In harmonv with his commission he went to After thus noting the relationship of the two events, it ia
the thickly’settled regions ik the vicinity of the River Jordan, proper for us to note also that as the blessings of the first
preaching repentance-that the people should reform-and advent were offered to nominal fleshly Israel so the presenta-
baptizing in the Jordan those who professed a reformation. tion of the blessings of the second advent will be to nominal
For this reason John sought the pools or deep places of the Spiritual Israel (“Christendom”), and as a Forerunner or
river;-for instance, he went to Enon, near to Salem, “because herald was appropriately sent to fleshly Israel, to prepare
there was much water there”-a pool sufficiently deep for the them for the first advent, likewise it would be appropriate that
purposes of immersion. a proportionately greater Forerunner should precede the sec-
ond advent, and seek to make ready therefor all nominal
We are not to fall into the too common error of supposing Spiritual Israelites. As we have already shown,* this greater
from the record that John preached to the people that Elijah, who heralds the spiritual Christ, is composed of many
repentance and baptism would work for them (L remission of members; Jesus in the flesh was himself the Head of this
their sins. To so interpret these words would put them in Elijah class, and all of his true followers, who will be, when
direct conflict with the entire testimony of the Scriptures, glorified with him, members of the glorious Christ, will have
which is to the effect that without the shedding of blood there previously been in their earthly lives members with him of the
is no remlssion of sins. The usual representation of this sub- Elijah class, whose mission it is to show forth the principles
ject is therefore clearly in error. To-the contrary, we are to of righteousness and true holiness, and to exhort both by
understand this verse to mean that John preached a baptism word and conduct all men to repentance and to preparation
sjgnifying repentance unto, or preparatzon*for, a remissi:on of for the second advent-the glorious appearing, the setting up
The time had not vet come for the blotting out of the of the Messianic kingdom, the actual blotting out of sins, the
Ei$ and John neither ha-d nor could have obtained authority straightening of every crooked way, the leveling up of deep
to derlore sins remitted because of repentance and baptism. crevices of character, the leveling down of the hills of pride to
Had it been possible for him to have made such a proclama- the proper level of humility; and in every sense of the word
tion. truthfullv. it would have proven that there was no ne- seeking to prepare all flesh to see the salvation of God.
cessitv for the ‘coming of our cord Jesus to give himself a
mnso-m for Israel and for all the families of the earth. If Nevertheless, we are to remember that the Scriptures dis-
repentanre and immersion in water would bring the forgive- tinctly indicate that the ttst,imony of this greater Elijah will
ness of sins, the “Saviour and a great one” whom God had be equally unsuccessful with that of the lesser antitype of
promised to Israel for so long would have been wholly .unnec- Elijah, John the Baptizer, The church in the flesh has not
essary. But when we view John’s work and preachmg as succeeded in making straight the paths of the Lord for a
merely a preliminary one, to make ready a repentant people, triumphal entry to his kingdom upon the earth. A few have
desiring to have their sins forgiven, desiring full at-one-ment heard, but the message has utterly failed as respects the vast
ivlth God, and expecting a Saviour to accomplish all this,- majority, even those who profess respect for and to be wait-
then all is harmony. ing for the kingdom. Nevertheless, all God’s good purposes
And this thought, that the remission of sins was a work will be ultimately nccompliphed, though net,essarily introduced
future from John’s day. a work to be accomplished by Christ, by troubles, calamities, distress upon “Christendom,” in the
is fully borne out by the succeeding context, a quotation from end of this age or “harve4” t,ime, similar to those troubles
Isalnh the Prophet, which has not even yet been fulfilled, but which came upon fleshly Israelites who were unready for the
includes the entire work of the Millennial age. That age will Saviour, and “knew not the time of their visitation,” at his
be one for remission of srns and blotting out of sins, and the first advent. All this unreadiness, however, shall not hinder
full reconclllatlon of so many as will accept God’s grace in the work of the Messiah. As at his first advent he gathered
Christ under the New Covenant. (Compare Acts 3: 19-21) In all Israelites indeed to the new dispensation, so now he will
that time, under those favorable conditions, and not before, gather his elect “little flock” to himself; his kingdom will be
will the statement be fulfilled, “All flesh shall see the salva- established ; it shall rule over all; it will accomplish the
tion of God.” straightening of every crooked path; it will level up the path
We are to bear in mind that John’s work as a messenger of righteousness and holiness. and make of it “a highway”
was exclusivclv to Israel. and had nothine whatever to do freed from stumbling blocks of error and from Satan’s decep-
with anv of thk Gentiles. ’ To Israel he acte‘ci as the Elijah or tion. (Isa. 35:s. 9) All mankind then brought to a knowledge
Forerunker of illessiak in the flesh, seeking to induce that of the truth will have the privilege of progressing through the
nation, in Its “harvest” time, to accept the formal offer of times of restitution up this grand highway of obedience to the
God’s kingdom by accepting Jesus as the King. But John’s grand perfection lost for himself and his race hy father Adam’s
mission w-as not successful to his nation. and nrofited onlv a transgression, but redeemed for Adam and his race by the
few of the people; those few who believed Joim’s testim&y, precious blood of Christ. All flesh indeed shall see the salva-
and received it into good and honest and repentant hearts, tion of our God, and so many as will may share therein, for
were prepared to receave Jesus and to appreciate and receive this is the blessing which God has provided for all the fam-
the remission of sins offered by God through him. The re- ilies of the earth, through the true spiritual Seed of Abraham
mainder of that nation, rejecting John’s teaching, and being -Christ and his elect church.-Gal. 3: 16, 29.
in an unrenentant condition of heart, were not properly exer- It would seem that John’s ministry at first was somewhat
cised, were’ not ready for Jesus, and did not app;eci&e the popular, notwithstanding his probably uncouth “backwoods”
offer of remission of sins through his blood as a consequence, appearance and great plainness of speech; SO that great multi-
and as a nation were rejected & God and wholly overthrown: tudes came to him: amongst these were some who seemed to
While John thus acted as the Elijah in introducing Jesus John to be SO vile that he could not properly accept them until
in the flesh to fleshly Israel, and gathered out a certain class they had given some proofs of reform. These he denominates
who were ready to receive Jesus, and who were blessed by “children of vipers”--very harsh language, we would be in-
him, so we see that in God’s plan there is a greater antitype clined to say. We are not to understand that such language
of Elijah than was John, as there is a greater Christ than is proper to be copied by the Lord’s people of today. We are
was our Lord Jesus. The greater Christ is the spiritual one, rather to suppose that there were special conditions at that
“The Lord from heaveny’--LLNow the Lord is that Spirit.” time which made this language appropriate, and that John, as
And this glorified spirit Lord is the Head of “the church which a prophet, was divinely puided into giving this sharp reproof.
is his bodv.” and this body of many members will, in “the first The Lord’s people of the Gospel age are instructed on the con-
resurrectib&f’ be made like him and to share his glory, ;tnd trary to speak with meekness, gentleness, patience, long-
with him and under him constitute the great Blessiak, who suffering, etc.,-“in meekness instructing those that oppose
shall take unto himself his great power and reign, establishing themselves”-“reproving with all long-suffering.” The Lord’s
God’s kingdom amongst men, and causing his will to be done people of today are under general instructions of God’s Word,
‘on earth as it is done in heaven.” (Matt. 6 : 10) The coming as regards all their conduct, and are not to depart therefrom
into power of this great Christ, the spiritual Christ (head unless it would be under special divine direction, as were the
znd body) constitutes the second advent to mankind-“the l MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vot. II, Chap. 8.
[25631
 (24-26) ZION’S ?#‘A .4LLECHESY, Pa.

prophets of old-such as is not glvcn to any at the present . .

sympathlzc with them in the fact that their condition necessi-
time so far as we are aware. tates that the introduction of the kingdom shall be with a
When John speaks of his hearers “fleeing fro1n the wrath time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation, and,
to come,” we are not to get the thought that he preached, or thank God, shall never again he.-Dan. 12:l ; Matt. 24:21.
that the people believed in, the doctrine of eternal torment, and John, proceeding with his discourse, points out to his
that the words referred to this. Quite to the contrary, there Jewish hearers that the time of judgment had come upon
is 170 ~71~17teaching in the Scriptures. The “wrath to come” thei?* ?&ion. The axe was laid at the root of the trees: everv
1eferrctl to by John prophetically was the trouble that was Israelite who was not an Israelite indeed was to be over<hrow<,
abo71t to come 71l~on that nation unless they would receive and to be cast into the “fire” of tr+mble with which that ape
Messiah, who had not yet becan offered to them, b77t who would and national polity terminated. The three and a half years %
shortly appear, and for \!hose appearance thev were to make 077r Lord’s ministry to the Jewish nation, and their final
ready by tr77c rcpc1ltanc.r and baptism. The “wrath to come” rejection by him, are represented by the barren fig tree para-
did come 71pon the natloll 1,rc:tuse of its rcjcction of Messiah, ble. in harmony with the statement of John foregoing.-See
:IQ our Lord and the -\l)ostlr Pa771 s~cciallv testify. (See Luke Lukr 13:6-9.
21:23: 1:om. 0:22; 1 i‘l1es. 9:16) ‘Tt 1,717&d fi&& against .John evidently struck the chord of fear to some extent.
them in the pleat tinic of trouble ~17ich led to tlic collapse of but he struck it properly. There is a proper presentation of
their national polity in ,t. II. 69.70, and t1it.y ha~c been under the truth, n11d a proper fear of God and his retribution, whirl1
that wrath and 77nablr to rc&tabli+ thcmcrlve~ as a nati nits properly be kept before the mind of the transgressor; but
from tl1at day to tbc l)r(‘Scnt timr \V\‘r shall find confirmation thls is wllo!ly different from the terrorizing fear of eternal
of this intclrprctatioll of thr “\vrntb to camp” further clown torment, wh~h plays so impork?nt a part in all the theological
in this lrsson teaching, directly and indirectly. today, and which has driven
In Joh’~ l)r,‘a( hing hc fo7711done dificulty-. and that w21s some to insanity, some to skepticism and infidelity, and has
that his lic:irc~i~ wt’rc imbnc~d with the thought that thev n’erc hindered the great majority rw17 of saints from appreciating
God’s specially. c~hosrn. “clrct” pcoplr. whose gloriflcati& had the true character and plan of o71r God. Let us A nrrsent thr
been foretold 1n the prophrt+, ant1 that since thrrc were no wrath to come, truthfully, not misrepresenting the character
hetter pcoplr in thcb world it \\as nnrraso11able to suppose that of our God; for assuredly God will not hold them guiltless
God would pas, by 111,~very best. They reasoned tl1at hc who blaspheme his holy name.
must take hom(‘. in 07tlcr to fulfil his nronlisc<: and that ther Under John’s preaching the pcoplc began to inqui1r what
were not only thr mo\t obedient to his’law o&nrdly, but alsb (*ourso tl1ey should pursue, and sum1ning the matter 71~ John’s
were the nat71ral scc~l of .~l)raha1n. to whom the promises instruction was that they should practice justice, mercy, lorr.
were made. Likewise the nrinrinal olmosition to the teaching generosity ; they should avoid violence, extortion, etc. ; and
of holiness, entire consecraiion io the’ Lord, today throughou‘t: shonld seek to be content with such things as they had. This
“Christendom,” is the samrh error. -1 falic theory has gotten was excellent advice, and rmdoubtedly those who followed it
into the mind5 of C%rixtian T~~oplr. \\hich leads thr1n to reason would bc in just the right condition of heart and mind to
that holiness cannot IN%(~&nti~l to the Lord’s favor. Their welcome the Lord Jesus, i711dhis good tidings of remission of
Droress of rcaasoninlr i+ tlii.: Out of tllcb &&en hundred siw th~olrg~~ kis blood and thns 6 hecomc r’dconciled with th;.
millions of the woritl’s l~op711;7tion t hw ii1 C only about. three Father. -in,1 similarly if anv now inouire rcsnectinr
I ‘7 the roni-
hundred 1nillio1~~ tllat n~ak(~ thr clightc& prof&ion of Chris- ing trouble, the wratii that >s to corn> in the rnd of this ag’
tianity, r711dtliih inc~lritl(+ all tlrc Crclck Catholics, Roman Ca’th- upon “Cllri~tCt1do111,“- nhat 11171stwe do? We answer them,-
olics, and what l%isl~ctp lzo,tcar (Xl. la:.) tl~~hignntetl the “rilig- Practice riphteous11ess. tri7tli , godliness, kindness, benevolenrc.
strakcd mtl speckhd” of 1’1rttr&ntihn- -infants; and all. Xow. iustice. trust in the Lord, seek to walk in his ways. Or wr
say they, God must ecbrtainly intend to have SOTIIP. and if 11~ may quote them the words of the prophet, specially bearing
takes all kinds of (‘hri+t ian. 111.will lla\e only c~omparatively upon this tirnc, viz., “Seek meekness, seek righteousness ; it
few, and if nirbrcly :III :~nil~ition to 11thnlir~atl trf the devil were may be that ye shall bc hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
to niov(b llill1, 11,’ c~1111ti<rat Al\- Ic>icct anv who claim to be (Zeph. 2:3) And furthermore. we may rely upon it that those
Christit711w. illltl WllO :Ilt' V\ PI1 llillf-\V:LY tl~‘&‘Ilt. Clonsequently who thus seek righteousness. etc.. will bc tl1e ones most readv
they rcaqon that holinc*+ to the Lord, ;anctific~atiou of thou&t to welcome our King, and his kingdom. and we mav bc sur’r
and word a~td tired, cannot 11ct~s~;cnti;ll to tli\ in,, favor. an; in that when in tl1is liarvest timr sonic fail to 1nake their callin?
thereforr rather c*arrying matters to an chltrcme. The &Clara- i7nd election sure. and prove them~clves unwnrthv of thb
tion that onlv “tllc 1)lIIe in heart shall w’(’ (:otl.” illld that crowns apportioned to them, the Lord will he nleaseci to selc&
“without hol~nc~s no ‘man shall SCP tbc Lord.” :&. to thenr. from amn&ig ~7~17 penitent. scrkers of right&sness some :I$
rxtremr Htntcments, ilIlt must l)c pilSSC!d 1)~. or cblrc the word substitutes to complete his elect church.
‘holiness” must be c~onsirlcrc~d as 71sc*rlin oltlen times in ;I So powerful was John’s prcsentatin17 of the trutl1, that thrb
very restricted wnw. ah iiiwiiin~ Jiot op~ly or \-iol(lntl\ pcoplc began to wonder whetilrr or not he might be the Cominp
wicked. One. the Messiah, but he set the thought at rest sneedilv.
Thus we see tll.lt thcl rtlltltypi( 111 I<lijuh to the ~I~\vs VII- <1s*711ing them that hc \tas so inferior toy the Messiah ‘that l%
countered tl1e same tlillic*ultics tl1itt :11L’ encountered now hy the would be unworthy tl1e honor of doing toward him the most
a.ntitypic*al Elii:lh 1ninistori11,g to nominal +ritual Tsrarl. menial service of removing his sandals. Then, having given
But note .John’s ;tnswcr; hc laid down the conditions ver) them a little glimpse of the character of Messiah, he proceeded
strictly: Do not permit yolrrdrlrcs to br tlcccivctl into think- to tell them respecting his work, that it would be higher than
ing that God is 7111dcrc:ompulsion to accept s11~11ilh YOU, and his own, and that those who received him would recrive a
that otherwise his word would brcomcl void; do IlOt tliink tliat higher baptism also : “Be shall haptizr you with the holv
he could not Kc% children of Abraham that would bc ln7rcr than spirit and with fire”---some of them (tl;c few) with hold
~071. and thcrcforc that 11~ must take you; God is unlimited spirit, the remaind(Br (the m:~s-i with the fire Ljudgments,
in power and 711ilin~itctl in resource. and. if necessary, he the Ercat time of trouble which d&roved their nitional lifr
c*nulrl raise iip children t 0 .Ibrnham ant of tl7t9ts stones--out and ‘many individual lives.
of some that vou considrr as far fro111 the possibilities of He gave them an ilhistration of the matter, showing them
being Abraham’s children as though thrv werr thyhe stones at that they had reached the harvest-time of their age. and that
yoiir feet. And similarlv we answer “‘Christendonl:’ today. now a separating was to be expected-the separ&ng of the
ihat God iittcrly rCJ’ects ‘bypo~*ritical Christi;711ity. as rep&- true wheat from the chaff: and he renrrscnted our Lord’s work
sented bv the vast nn7iorits of itx nlofessors. still blinded hv with Israel RR being that ‘of a reape; winnowing the “wheat.”
the god *of this world.” :711d’ignoran? of the trur character df freeing it from the! “c+aff” clement. TIow forceful was thea
God arid of ;Trsns Christ whom hc has rent; brcaus:ch 11ot pnrc figure! how triica the facts ! Onr T,ortl indeed gathered from
in Jleart, not cnnsccratcd fullv to the T,ord. wollld t11nt \\‘,A that nation all the true “wheat.” WC may be s&c that not a
had a trump& voice that wr “Inight tell tbc millions of no1n- solitarv grain was lost. All that wheat was g;Lthered into his
inal Christendom tlw true state of tl1e (~a~~~,and would that barn, &t‘d a place of safety, into a higher di&ensation.-ther
they had .circumcised cars to hear and rcforxn. and be pre- constituted the brginninp or first members of the Gospel
pared for the glorio17s cvcnts now due to bc 77shcrerl in--with- church. It was upon this wheat class that the holy spirit
nut being nhliged to pass through the great trouble timr. All came at Pentcrost, and it has abode with this true church
we can assure them is that God will fi11d the full number of since. after the separati11g (winnowing) of the “wheat,” and
his elect, :7nd that the R711 number is nearly complete now. the gathering into the barn, and its baptism of the holv
and that in all it is hut a “little flock” to whom it is the Spirit, in dnc> time. tlic “c.haff” of that nat’ion was burned 76~
Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom: and that soon with u?lqrcenchnMr: firc-a time of trouble which nothi~ co~21rl
these will all be glorified with their elorious Head and Ilord. stop ar hinder. It will he rememhered that various ste&w~rr
and that then tl?e kingdom c~tahli~hcrl will be 1~ ealed to taken to hinder the destruction of the nation of Israel, but all
hlwq :\I1 the falnilirs of the earth. Ye\-<‘1thc~l+~. \vc rlcepl> failed: eren the Rnman Emperor was desironq of pre$errinp
[2564]
]ANL,RY 15. 1900 (26~27)

the nation, and of establishing order there, and the Roman great trouble of this Da.y of Wrath), but It ~111 ~onll)hltclq
army went not to destroy them but to establish peace in their consume earthly governments and Churchianity in a fire of
midst; but the Lord had declared that the fire of trouble anarchy. Nothing shall quench that fire, or hinder that utter
which he enkindled should not be quenched by any power, that destruction of present systems. But praise God that when
it should do its work to the full; and it did. this fire shall have consumed the stubble and the falsities and
Likewise it will be with the great “fire” of trouble with deceptions of present institutions, it will have but prepared the
which this Gospel age shall end, and into which the “tare” way for the great blessing which he has designed and provided
class of Christendom will be cast; it will not be an utter for in his coming kingdom. This “fire,” and the blessing to
drstructian of life (although many lives vrill perish in tbc follow it, are particularly referred to in Zeph. 3 : P. 9.

CONSECRATION FOLLOWED BY TEMPTATIONS

JAN. 2S.--&~TT. 3:13-4:ll.
“l’hrs is my beloved Sun. in whom Z am ?tell pleased.”
After John had been preaching and baptizing for about himself wholly, unreservedly, to do the Father’> alll. At the
six months. about Sentember. A. D. 29. Jesus, who had been moment of consecration his earthly life was yielded up as a
residing in ‘Galilee anh was nearing his’thirtieth birthday, set sacrifice for the sins of the whole world,-and this was sync-
out to-find John and to be baptized of him and to begi;l his bolized by his immersion in water. The remaining three and
nublic mini&v at the earliest possible moment. He was to be a half yhars of his life were already on the alFar, and he
a Priest as w’ell as a King for his people, “a Priest forever merelv waited for his sacrifice to be consumed. crving with his
after the order of Melchisedec,” and the law required of a last l&eath, “It is finished!” Likewise hc has i”nvi’ted all of
priest that he be at least thirty years of age. Hence Jesus’ his faithful, elect church to become joint-sucrificers with him,
ministry was hindered from beginning until this age was and ultimately to become also his loilzt-heirs in the kingdom
attained, but he was free to begin it at the earliest possible to bc given to the Royal Priesthood. As Jesus’ baptism, there-
moment after that time. fore, signified his death sacrificially Ior sins, so the baptism
He was of course acquainted with his second-cousin, John of Christians symbolizes their participation with the Lord in
the Baptizer, who evidently well knew of his upright life and his sacrifice (after they have first been justified by faith freely
unimneachable character. and who was astounded to hare him from all thinrts bv the merit of his blood). In our Lord’s cast
apply’ for baptism, wheiean the class John was seeking was the consecratyon &as quickly followed by’the symbol, and with
the reneeade and sinful. According to the original reading, his followers the consecration should be followed by the symbol
.Tohn “would have hindered him, shying, I haye need to I)(: as quickly as they recognize the meaning of the symbol,-
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” Realizing that which for centuries has been beclouded and obscured.
#Jesus had no sins to wash away, it seemed to John inappro- Quickly following our Lord’s ronsecration and its symboli-
priate that this ceremony should be performed upon Jesus, for zation came the evidence that his sacrifice was accepted of
we are t,o remember that-John’s baptism was merely a baptism God: the heavens were opened unto him. This nrobablv sic-
unto renentance-reformation-and not Christian baptism.- nifies that he was grantid a ~lsion of heaven, confirm&g ro
See Acts 19:4, 5. him his relationshin to the Father. and connectinP UD thtb
interim of his expeiienca as a man \vith his prehugan’expe-
Our Lord did not attempt to explain to John that he was riences : and there came a roice declaring him to be God’s
introducing a new baptism, not for sinners but exclusively fol well-beloved Son, and he as well as dohn (John 1:34) wit-
holy ones, and not, therefore, in any sense of the word sym- nessed a manifestation of the divine blessing descending upon
holic of the cleansing from sin, but symbolic of a sacrificial him like a dove. We are not informc,tl that the people saw thta
death for the sins of others. It was not then due time to heavens opened, heard thi? roicc and saw the dove; on the
cL.uplain Christian baptism, and to have done so would merely contrary, the records seem to indicate that only Jesus and
have confused John and those who might have heard, without John saw and heard, and that the latter was granted the
profiting him any, because the new baptism belonged to the privilege to the intent that he might bear witness to the fact.
new disnensation which did not begin until Pentecost, except A dove was a favorite figure with the Jews as an emblem
in the p&son of our Lord Jesus himself. And in any case the of peace and salvation.
force and meaning of the symbol is merely what is understood In-deed. Noah’h dove, with its oli\(a
branch, seems to have become a svmbol to al1 civilized neonles.
by the baptized one. It is perhaps well that me call special It was most appropriate, therefore. that since some fig&e’was
attention to this point, in view of the fact that a large and to be used as an outward evidence of divine blessing, the dovt
influential body of Christian people* are even today practicing should be that figure. Yet wc arc not to suppose that th(b
.John’s baptism, “for the remission of sins,” wholly failing to holy spirit is a dove, nor that it has bodily shape like a dove.
realize the import of the new baptism-Christian baptism- but as instructed in all the Scriptures, that it is a divintb
first symbolized by our Lord Jesus himself. power or influence. The dove reprcscntcd fittincrlv the meel,
Our “Disciple” friends will not dispute the Scriptural &d quiet spirit which is one of the striking orn&nts of all
rtatement that our Lord Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, those who possess the spirit of holiness unto the Lord. Such
separate from sinners, and hence that he had no sins to wash experiences-as these wh:ch our Lord enjoved are not granted
:twap, and consequently that for him John’s baptism of ref- to his followers nor to be expected today;--neither t& voiccb
ormation would have been worse than meaningless; it would nor the opened heavens, nor the dorc. The comine of the hoI\
have been a contradiction of fact and contrary to faith; and spirit to the church at Pentecost was signalized by an outwar;
“whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Hence it would have been demonstration, wl&h. serzres the e-ntirc chuuah throughout the
wrong for our Lord Jesus to have be& baptized for the age. Such outward demonstrations wer(’ cqsenti:ll at the be-
remission of sins-John’s only understanding of baptism. We ginning, as assurances to us that we arc not following some
may be sure, therefore, that since “in him was no sin,” his act vain imaginations of our own or other mrii’s minds in respect
of baptism was the first of a new order of baptism-practiced to the holy spirit, and now we merely havcb the realities, which
by his followers after Pentecost. (Acts 19:4, 5) We here note at first were symbolized or represented in tangible form. -4lt
the fact that Christian baptism is only for believers in Christ who, after believing unto repentance, arr justified from their
-not for unbelievers, not for skners. Faith in Christ is the sins, and subsequently present themselves to thr Lord to bc
justifying power; we are justified through faith in his blood. haptized into his death (Rom. 6:3). rccctivc an opening of
When justified we are ready for Christian baptism, and not the heavens before them in the srnsc of an opening of their
before, but when justified we have no sins to wash away, being minds to see heavenly things, to appreciate spiritual matters:
“iustified freelv from all things.” To the Christian believer, as the Apostle declares, “God reveals them unto us by his
hiptism symbdiizes precisely tGe same thing that it did to his spirit; for the spirit scarcheth all things, yea, the deep things
Lord. viz.. ccunsecmtbn-the full surrender of his will. his life. of God,“-things which “eye hnth not seen, nor ear heard.
his all, t;, the Heavenly Father’s will. By such a surrende; neither hath entered into the heart of [the natural] man.” (1
of his will he becomes dead to the woTld, to earthly hopes and Cor. 2:10) They also hy faith hear the voice of the Father,
aims. and becomes alive toward, God, to walk in newness of speaking unto them, saying that. having thus come unto him
life, and by and by to have that newness of life actually, as a through Jesus, and ha& thus consecrated their lives to him.
sharer with Jesus, his Lord, his Redeemer, in the “first resur- they are now beloved so%, accepted in the well-beloved One’
rection.” All this is syntboliaed in the proper Christian They also receive the hlessing of the holy spirit, in the shed-
baptism. ding abroad in their hearts of the peace-eivine. meek and
Our Lord, being free from sin, required no justification by ~,

gentle spirit of holiness. and this becomes more and more a

Y

another, and when he had reached manhood’s estate prcaentctl reality with them 3~ thpv hecome more and more “filled with
l The Christian denomination, otherwtse termed “IXsciples ” the spirit.”
III-42 [2565]
 28-29) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

Jesus was led of the spirit-his own spirit, illuminated by line before our Lord’s mind from the Scriptures, beyond any
the spirit-baptism which he had just received-to go apart peradventure, was the kingdom. He was to be the King, the
from John and the concourse of people into quiet solitude, and Seed of Abraham, under whose gracious government and wise
for this purpose he chose a wilderness place. Mark says he instruction all the families of &e earth were to be blessed.
was impelled or “driven” of the spirit into the wilderness. This, the profile, was already clearly delineated in his mind,
The thought we get is that there was a great pressure upon but other features needed to be properly adjusted. How was
our Lord’s mind at this time. In a previous lesson we noted he to fulfil the type of the Law which represented the priest
his study at Jerusalem at an early age’ respecting the “Father’s as giving up his life for the sins of the neonle? Where would
business,” and how he should go about it. We found the Law come in-the type of the everlasting priesthood? Where would
instructing him that it wouldnot be proper for him to engage come in the class of Israelites represented by Rebecca, as he
in the Father’s business until he was thirty years of age, and himself was represented by Isaac. and the Father by Abraham,
that in consideration of this fact he desisted and served his in the type? And if Israel would receive him, and become the
parents. The momentous time for which he had been waiting Rebecca, where would come in the sacrifice. and how? And
for eighteen vears had come. He hastened to nresent himself then other prophecies no doubt pressed his ‘mind for a place
at the earlies? moment, that his service should not be delaved; in the plan, viz.. the declaration that although Israel were as
but now, under the enlightenment of the holy spirit, instead the sand of the ‘sea only a remnant should b\ acceptable, and
of beginning his ministrv nrecinitatelv. he felt that he must how then would the predestinated number of the “elect” be
knowvdefinitely the proper course to’.pursue: he must not found, to comnlete the glorious roval nriesthood: and bv what
make a mistake at thr very outstart of his service; he must process would the blessing come” to -all the families ‘of the
know the Father’s will, that he might render his service in earth, if himself. as the Hieh Priest. and his true followers.
harmony therewith. Such motives impelled him to seek soli- as the royal priests, were allc’to suffer’and to die for righteous:
tude for thought and prayer, and for reviewing the various ness’ sake, as sacrifices?
Scriptures which hitherto he had studied and hut imperfectly We may well suppose that adjustment and re-adjustment,
comprehended. but which now began to be luminous under the fitting and refitting, with much reflection and praver, occunied
infllrc~rr(~(~of thr holy spirit which he had received. many-of the forty-days, and there may have Keen” temptations
IIow proper it would be tlrat all of the Lord’s people, when intermingled with these all: as for instance. auestioninas re-
they have made a consecration of themselves to the divine specting-the necessity of those features represented in the
service. should be imnellrd bv the new mind, the new spirit, to types and specified in the prophecies of the sufferings of Christ
go apart first and to commune with the Father, and to study which must take precedence to the glories that would follow.
his Word resnectinrr how thev should render their lives most
I <I
There may have been temptations, too, to deal dishonestlv with
acpcpt;ahlr in his srrvlce! ‘lVere this course pursued how the records, to “wrest the Scrintures,” and thus self-dcbeived.
many lives would be totally different from what they are; to choose a way not in fullest conformity to the divine out:
how manv failures and changes and turnings, hither and line; but we may safely suppose that as soon as such sugges-
thither, &onld be avoided! Our Lord expressed the matter in tions, one after another. presented themselves. thev were
onr of his parables, when he said that anyone taking up his promptly rejected.-our Lord being fully determined that he
Cross to follow him sboultl sit down first and count the cost- would be absolutelv obedient to the Father’s will and apcorn-
learn what the Father’s will would be, as well as the results to plish the work which he had sent him to do in exactly the
1~~sought. And if any of God’s dear children have neglected manner prescribed.
thus to seek the right path at the beginning of their conse- So intent had been his study, and so earnest his desire for
cration, we refer them to the example of our dear Master, who quiet fellowship with the Father and his law, th.rt foi ty days
was wi<c in this as in all things, having not only the spirit of were spent under such conditions, and apparently so deep13
a sound mind, but a sound mind itself, through which that absorbed was our Lord that he did not even think of fnod
spirit operated perfectly. However, our study of the divine Nor does this appear so strange to us, when we remember that
will need not be so completely alone as was our Master%--we he was perfert, while we are imperfect, physically as well as
have “brethren ,” he had none. being himself the forerunner. otherwise. “He afterward hungered.”
CYc may profitably take counsel of such as give evidence of It was at the close of this period of Bible study and
faith in and ronsecration to God, that we may learn the more craver. when our Lord was weak from fasting. that the Ad-
quickly and the more thoroughly the Father’s will concerning tersary assaulted him with three temptations’ particularized
US . espe(4ally may we have the aid of the words and example in our lesson.
of our elder Brother, Jesus. We must never forget, however,
that our consecration is to the Father’s business, and that The word here translated “devii” is d&bolos, and is used
brcthicm can only he really helpful to us as they assist US in with the definite article--the devil. The arch-deceiver is thus
onderstantline the Father’s nlan and our part therein: other- Scripturally distinguished from the fallen angels, who through-
out the Scriptures are spoken of in the plural, designated by
wise thrv miiht become hindrances by substituting their own another word signifying demons. Here, then, is one nlace in
or sectarian plans and seeking our consecration thereto.
the Scriptures where the personality of the prince of devils is
Our I,ord’s temptations may be said to have begun at this definitely affirmed, and his nerson and Dower acknowledaed bv
point-thoscl temptations in which “he was tempted like as we our Lord himself, It is not necessary for us. howe<;er, t;
are. yet without sin.” It was not the boy Jesus, nor the youth assume that Satan appeared to our Lord in a human form;
Jesus. thnt was trmntpd “as we are.” And our Lord’s tempta- he may or may not thus have been personally manifest. If
tionq’ aftrr his rorisecration were not like the temptations personally manifest, we may rest weil assured that he pre-
which hcset t,he world. but like the church’s temptations. In sented himself in his very best appearance, as an angel of light.
other words. our Lord was reckoned a new creature from the Indeed, we may well remember that our Lord, in his prehuman
timr of his ronsecration at Jordan, as we are counted new condition, had, as the Father’s agent, been the Creator of
creatures in him from the time of our consecration; and it Satan, and we remember that Satan was an aneel of verv hiah
was the cotzswrutcd Jesus who was tempted and tried like as order, whose sin consisted in an attempt to usurp author&
his consecrnted followers are tempted and tried. We shall see and to become the potentate of earth, by stealing the sympa-
furtlirr evidences of this as we proceed to notice the character thy, affection and obedience of humanity, and that on this
of our Lord’s temptations, and to compare them with the account he fell under divine reprobation. We can imagine
temntntions whirl, comr to his consecrated “brethren.” Many that a visit from him to Jesus would not be at all inappro-
Iurvh wondered whv their temptations seemed to commence priate, as he undoubtedly knew the facts of our Lord’s conse-
after their consecration to the Lord. rather than before: seem- cration, and to some extent knew of the work which the
ingly they expected that aftrr consrcrntion the adversary Father had given him to do in the redemption of the fallen
would flee from them, and they should have little or no tempta- race of men. We can imagine him even presenting himself in
tion-totally misunderstanding the divine arrangement. Such a friendly manner, and assuring our Lord Jesus that he felt
temptations or tests of character as come to the consecrated a great interest in him and in his work; that he himself had
are not appropriate to the unconsecrated: the present is not been painfully surprised to note the penalty of sin upon man-
the judgment day of the world, but the testing time for the kind, and the dreadful degradation which had resulted; and
church. that now he would be glad indeed to have something done by
It would appear that our Lord’s temptations progressed which poor humanity might be delivered from its groaning,
throuahout the entire fortv davs. but that the three temnta- travailing, dying conditions. As a friend, thoroughly versed in
tinns specifically described were”thc culmination of that peiiod the situation all around, and interested in its success, and
of testing. We may imagine our Lord in the wilderness soli- thoroughly conversant with the mental moods and foibles of
tude, inttmtlv thinking over the various nronhetic references humanity, he was in a place where he felt qualified to offer
to himself, and linking these together, as-an- srchitect would some suggestions respecting the very work which our Lord
first draw the outline of a building and subsequently fill out Jesus wished to perform, the plan for which he was now
feature after feature of its internal arrangements. The out- considering.
[2666]
 - ^ --_ - -
]ANUARY 15, 1900 ZION’S WAT ---
CH I’UWEK (29-313

TEMPTATION TO USE SPIRITUAL FAVORS FOR PERSONA5 flat roof of one of the wings of the Temple-not physically,
PROFIT but mentally, just as me&ally we can go to varibu, places
First, he manifests his personal interest in our Saviour and do certain things without change of physical location,
by suggesting his weakne;,s from lack of food and the necessity The suggestion now made was this: I (Satan) can give you a
for taking nroner care of his nhvsical health if he would do good suggestion respecting a way to bring yourself quickly
the great and noble work he had &derta!~eu. He reminded him into prominence before the people of Israel, and you will be
also of his present power-that he had just been imbued with pleased with it. because it is a Scriptural way; indeed I hare
divine power, and that he had now full abilitv to supplv his found that it is foretold in the prophecy that Messiah at hrcl
wants, *and need only to speak the aold and have th>- &ones coming will do this: and the people will readily recognize
turned into food. Thus also. he suaeested. he would be demon- it as a fulfilment of the words of the Prophet David, and
strating to himself the verity or-the new power which he thus they will embrace your cause quickly, vou will become
witnessed coming upon him, and had subsequently felt. What the leader of the people, and your work will go on mnst
more cunning temntation could be devised than this? Com- grandly : and as I said before, I will rejoice in seeing the
pliance with it e;identlv meant, not only the relief of his prosperity of the work, for I am heartily sick of the deprada-
hunger and the strengthening of- his physical frame, but ad- tion which I have witnessed for now four thousand years.
ditionallv it annarentlv meant the conversion of Satan. who My suggestion is that you.go to the roof of the southern wing
now seemingly- was in” a repentant attitude, and desirous of of the Temple which on its rear part overlooks the Valley
co-operating with him in the undoing of the evil work of the of Hinnom, towering above it six hundred fret. and which
long ago. It was a strong temptation. also overlooks the court of the Temnle in which there are !iun-
Such temptation comes also to all the consecrated; not dreds of devout Jews: then lean from this eminence, and arise
in exactly the same form, nor in the same language, but unhurt by the fall. This will demonstrate more quickly than
somewhat similarly-suggestions that the new relationship anything else you could do or say that the power of the High-
with God, and the strength which it brings, may be used to est is upon you, and that you are the Messiah. This, I sav,
some extent at least in creature comforts-may be utilized is referred to in the Scripture which says,--“He shall give his
for our temporal advancement; may be made to make us angels charge concernina thee: and in their hands they shall
shine before men as very honorable and favored of God; may bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a
be used to command large salaries, or at least as a means stone.“-Matt. 4: 6.
for seeking them, even if never found. We may then all note Similar are the temptations which Satan presents to the
carefully how our Lord resisted his would-be friend and his consecrated followers of Jesus:-Make a great show before the
worldly:wise suggestions. He flatly refused the suggestion of world and the nominal church; attract their attention bv any
using his spiritual power to serve his temporal wants. The means, and not simply by the preaching of the cross of Christ ;
spir&al gilt could no more be used to procure temporal com- use the spiritual powers and blessings that vou have received
forts than it could be sold for monev to Simon (Acts. for doing- some great and striking work, which will appeal to
8: 18-24) ; but without going into details: and without boast- the natural man. and thus secure auick and ereat success;
ing that he was too holy & think of such a sacrilegious use do this instead of doing the quiet and less conipicuous worh
of the power entrusted to him. Jesus simnlv answered the of presenting spiritual things to the spiritual class. which
adversaiy in Scriptural language, that man’s life was not work the vast maioritv can in no wise annreciate, but will
whollv denendent unon what he should eat. but that obedience only shun you, consider you peculiar, and which not onlv will
to thi Wdrd of God would be a surer guarantee of life. And lose vou the svmnathv of the mass. but will brinn vou specially
after this manner each of the Lord’s followers should answer the hatred of”some oi the principal professors of Christendom.
every question which in any manner proposes the acquirement Again our Lord answered promptly and correctlv: “It is
of earthly blessings and comforts at the sacrifice of the spir- written again. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thv God.”
itual. To quite a number of the Lord’s “brethren” the ad- Satan would like to have us walk bv sicht. not bv faith: he
versary has-presented this same temptation in this form: If would like to have us continually tempting ‘God, and demand-
vou follow too closelv to the truth. and nermit the holv Snirit ing some ocular demonstrations of his favor and protection,
bf the truth to maki you very zealous in its service, ;ou~will instead of accepting the testimony of his Word, and relying
soon have no bread, no food, for the world’s people with whom thereon implicitly in faith. In the light of the unfolding of
vou must deal do not annreciate such things. Thev will dis- the Scriptures we see that Satan, probably unwittingly. quoted
charge you from their employ, or they wiB cease io deal at a passage of Scripture whollv out of its proper meaning and
your store, or they will dismiss you from being their pastor, mterpretation, a passage which referred. not to the literal
or thev will withdraw from vou their fellowshin. their societv, feet of Jesus. and to literal stones. and to literal angels. but
etc., and you will starve for ‘all the good things-of this present to the symbolic feet-memhers of the body of Christ today, and
life. The nroner answer is that God is able to take care of all to the stones of stumbling, doctrinal and otherwise. which
those whb rispect his spiritual blessings too much to sell are now permitted in the nathwav of the faithful. and to the
them for a mess of pottage, as did Esau in the type; and angels or-ministers of divine truth who in the present harre<t-
that we are convinced that whoever lives according to the time would be commissioned to hear nn the feet mcmhers
Word of God, tho he may lose some of the comforts of the with such counsels, admonitinns and c\pkitinns of Scripture
present time, will eventually gain the far better, the life as would be necessary for them.-Psa. 01.11, 12.
eternal with exceeding glory. TEM-PTATION TO OBTAIN DRSTRED GOOD RESULTS BY
Our Lord’s positiveness of replv shut off the temptation COMPROMISE
quickly, and discouraged the advkrsary from further pro-
ceeding alone that line: and so it is with us. his followers: Satan’s third temptation we may presume was presented
if we are poYitive in our rejection of temptation it increases likewise in a friendly and sympathetic manner, indicative of
our strength of character, not only for that time, but also a desire for co-operation in our Lord’s great work. He took
for subsequent temptations; and it disconcerts to some extent him to a high mountain-not literally, hut mentally. Indeed.
our adversary, who, noting our positiveness, knows well that there is no literal high mountain near Jerusalem, nor anv-
it is useless to discuss the matter with persons of strong con- where in the world, from which all the kingdoms of the world
victions and positive character; whereas, if the question were and their glory could he seen. Satan took ‘our Lord mentallv
to a vcrv hiah svmbolic mountain (kinedom). He pictured
parleyed over, the result would surely be the advancing of
further reasons and arguments on the adversary’s part, and a before him the im”mensity of his (Satan’si‘ own power through-
danger on our part that we would be overmatched in argument, out the world, his control of all the nations and peoples to a
for,-as the Apostle declares, the devil is a wilv adversary; large extent, and this our Lord subsequently acknowledged
and “we are not ignorant of his devices.” Fromnt’and nositire when he referred to Satan as “the prince [ruler] of Ihis
obedience to the word and spirit of the Lord is’ the oily safe world.” This panoramic presentation of Satan’s power and
course for any of the “brethren.” influence throughout the world was designed to impress upon
the mind of our Redeemer the thought that Satan’s friendship
TEMPTING GOD BY UNAUTHORIZED EFFORTS and assistance would be most valuable-nay, almost of vital
Disappointed in his first effort, the adversary quickly importance to the success of his mission, and hence that it
turned the subject, not even dissenting from our Lord’s judg- was very fortunate indeed that at this jurmture Satan had
ment in the matter. The second temptation he presented is called upon him in so friendly a mood, and that be apparently
like all others that came to our Lord and that come to his so sincerely welcomed his efforts and was ready to co-operate
consecrated followers, viz., not a temptation to gross wicked- therewith.
ness-to steal, to kill. etc.-but a temntation to do the Lord’s Satan possibly pointed out to our Lnrd that Messiah wns
work in another way ‘than that which &the Lord had planned- sneciallv referred to as the Kinn of Israel. and to bless Israel,
the misuse of the divine powers given him by endeavoring to and hedmay have admitted thit a light of influence would
accomplish good results in an improper manner. extend to all nations through him, but the renter of his argu-
Satan took our Lord Jesus to Jerusalem and up to the ment would seem to be that he proposed to Jesus a still larger
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 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA

Inlngdom than Israel. 11~ proposed to him a kmgdom embrac- politics, and a good deal into secret societies: keep in touch
ing all the nations of the earth, and that he should hare the with the fads and foibles of the day, and above all things
caontrol of all these, and he able to brine 1x1 the blessed re- keep any light of present truth under a bushel.--thus alone
forms which were designed of God, only bne condition being caan you have influence and accomplish your good desires toward
insisted upon, VIZ., that whatever kingdom or rule or authority men. But our dear Master assures us that we are to he faith-
might be established mu<t recognize Satan. The adversary ful to the Lord and to his plan, and let things work out as
thus seemed to see what he thought a favorable opportunity best thry may along that line; and that we mny rest assured
for consummating his nriginal plans, for we cannot suppose that in the end the Father’s Dlan not only is the best hut
that his original intpntio,, was- to iain control of a d$ng reallv the onlv plan for accomhlishing his great designs, and
and deDraved race. but that he much rather would be the lord that-if we wo;ld be associated therein with him as colaborers,
or rule; of a highiy cnliplitcnrd and well-endowed people. He it must he by recognizing him as our only Master, and with
\r’ns willing, therefore. to ~PP carried into effect all the gra. an eye single to his approval.
1 ious work which GotI had tleqigncd, and willing to reform Our Lord’s utter refusal of every other way of carrying
himself and to becaomc the leader of reform, provided only out his mission than the one which the Father had marked
that he should be rccogni& a9 having the chief place of iii- out, the way of self-sacrifice, the narrow way, was indeed a
fluence in connection with mankind. It was after this man- great victorv. The adversary left him, finding nothing in
ner that he wished our Lord to do worship or reverence to him that he-could take hold bf or work upon, &/I thorouighlp
him---to recognize hiq influence and co-operation in the work, loyal was hr to the very word and the spirit of .Jchornh. And
2nd not for a moment (:JJI WC suppose that he expected him to then, the trial being ended, we read that holy angels came
i,ncel before him and to wnrchip him as God. and ministered to our Lord-doubtless supplvmg him with
Our Lord’s reply 10 th~h l&t temptation slion$ that it refreshment such as he had refused to exercise the divine
iullv awakened him to :a rcallzation
I
of the fact that thrrc WRS power to obtain for himself. And such we may rcrognize as
no real reformation at work in Satan’s heart; that he wn< being the experience of our Lord’s followers: with victory
-till ambitious, self-sf~t~kln~!. as at the beginning of his down- comes a blessing from the Lord, fellowship of spirit, refresh-
u ard course ; and 1~ ~c~li~tl that to even discuss the matte] ment of heart, a realization of divine favor that makes
flIrther with onr who had thus avowed his real sentiments stronger for the next trial.
\~nuld be dislovaltv to the Father. and hence his words, “Get Another lesson here is that temptation does not implv
thee hence, Satan”~1envc me; you cannot CO-Operate with me sin. -4s our Lord was tempted “without sin” so may hi’ri
:It all; my work iq In full a~ord with the ahsolute standard hrrthren be if they follow his example and with purity of
,)f the di;ine will; I (an 1~ a party to no program contrarl heart. nuritv of intention. seek onlv the Father’s will. Sm
tn this, however alluring hnme of ‘its features might be ih could only come through *yielding “to the temptation. But
proniislng a speedy cvmqufct of the world, and a speedy estah- let us not forget that hesitancy after the wrong is seen in-
llshment of a reign of rifiht,eousness and blessing and an creases the power of the temptation. And we may note here
:I\ oidance of personal l 1rfIc~r1JJg; I cannot serve two ma.sters: that while Satan is tempter, endeavoring to ensnare us intn
1 can only recognize thr nnc supreme Jehovah, as Lord oi wrong paths and wrong conduct, God is not so; “he tpmpteth
liraven and of earth, and therefore could not recognize you in no man” (Jas 1:13), and even tho he permit the Adversary
.~ny position of autiJnJ~ty rscept as the great Jehovah would and his agents to beset his people, it is hot with the nhject of
ar)point ynn to it, which I know he would never do, so long ensnarine them, hut with the onnosite obiect, that thcv mav
n;‘you ire of t,h& prcscnt ambitious spirit. I am opcratini by such‘&ials and testings be gade the stronrer, dev;lopink
along the lille of the tlerlinration, “Thou hhalt worship [rever- character through exercise in resisting evil. Let us remember
PIICT~ the I,ord thy God, and h&n onl!j shalt t7101: SCTW.” too for our strengthening, the Scriptural assurance that God
We mnv readilv dis(aer n that this temntation of our Lord will not suffer us to he tempted above that we are able to re-
v.as but a s~mple”illuht~:~tion of su& a; beset his follower< gist and overcome but will with the temptation provide also
,111 along the narrow wag. irom the same source, directly or a way of escape.
I Ilrnuph/ azcncies. S:ita~J thron,nh his various rnouthvieces To avail ourselves of this provision requires merclv faith,
i;i cxontinuallv savinf to tilt 5xint~:, TIere is a more> sncacx9sful and the more we exercise our faith in such matters the mnrc
way of accompli*liiiig your object than tllat wluc~11 ;on are of it we will have, becoming stronger in the Lord and in thr
1):lrsuing, a more slle(.(+sflll wpy than tllc T,ord’s way. Bend power of his might; and thus by divine grace and under the
:I little; make cnmpromlhc ~ltlr the worldly spirit; tin not Master’s assistance we may come off overcomers-conquerors.
tow ton clnsc to tllr line oi the Iwrd Of God and tile elamnle and more than conquerors, through him who loved IJS and
IIf tlly Lord Jesus nr~tl thr npoxth: you must be more like bought us with his own precious blood.-2 Cor. 12:9; 1 COI
111~ world, in order to llycrt an inflnenct2mix a little into 10:13; Eph. 6:lO; Rom. 8:37-39.

A LITTLE
.4 little while with \\c*:\r!- feet to tread the narrow
A little while, the tlnic, will not be long,
.\ little while the einle+ (One to follow day by day,
1 little while to sutTc>r and be strong.
WHILE
way, 9 little while with humble faith to wage the goodly fight.
A little while, grasp firm the two-edged sword,
A little while, Satanic hosts shall all be put to flight,
A little while, then, trust thou in the Lord.

.\ little while with f:\ltt,rlng tongue to testify for God, A little while, a little while, Oh, let this be our song,
.I little while to su1T~~rscorn and shame. A little while, lav not the armor down:
.\ little while with voic~c and pen to spreid the truth abroad, A little while, a lil%le while, the strife will not be long,
A little while to glorify hi< namr A little while, and we shall wear the crown !
-GERTRUDE W. SEIBERT.
__ __~__-
ALLEGHENY, PA., FEBRUARY 1, 1900 No. 3

THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE JOYFUL SOUND

‘Illcssed are the pcoplc tlrat 7ijb@w the joyful SOU?~; they shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance.“-Psalm 89: 15
Salvation is the jo> fr11 ;numl. as the poet has well expressed have ever heard these blessed tidings ; the four-fifths are totally
It.+ Yaying : blinded by the god of this world, and see nothing and hear
“Salvation ! O the joyful sound, nothing of God’s grace. And the matter has been as bad as
What tltllrlg,rz for our race! this, or worse proportionately for six thousand years. How we
I)eliv’lan~+c for the world is found yhould rejoice that under divine providence we were born in
Througll C,otl’s abounding grace.” lands where the light of truth sends forth at least a feeble ray,
and where many are not totally deaf to “the joyful sound!”
This joyful Sal\-ation ,ound is the Gospel, as declared by Yet coming to civilized lands, we are surprised, almost
the angelic messengers--“(;ood tidings of great joy, which shall appalled, at the gross darkness which beclouds the minds of the
be unto all people.” But alas, how few have heard this joyful people of so-called Christendom, and by the dimness of vision
-ound ! As mentally we glance over the sixteen hundred mil- and dullness of hearing of the vast majority in these most
lions of the world’s population, we find that even the most favored parts of the earth-of the majority of those whose
extravagant claims would show that not one-fifth of the whole lines have fallen unto them in pleasant places comparatively.
PoEMs ,ND HYMN OP r)t\\\ sn “55 Mentally we see nearly two-thirds of the so-called enlightened
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fifth of humanity bowing to the Virgin Mary, addressing her of whom quite probably were denominated heretics, because
In prayer, and crossing themselves with reverence at the men- they knew the joyful sound of the true Gospel, and propor-
tion oi her name, and-generally grossly ignorant of the divine tionately denounced the popular _ _ “doctrines of devils.”
character and plan-believers in an eternity of torment for all At ill events, under divine providence the joyful sound is
except those of their own communions, and in long periods of now heard above the din of “Babel” bv those who “have an ear
purgatorial agony for the great majority of their members. to hear,” and it is found to be the ve& same gospel which was
Heart-sick with the picture, we exclaim, 0 that these people preached by the Lord and the Apostl& and &&need by the
caould hear the jo fui sound! for evidently they have ai very angels on the plains of Bethlehem-a “joyful sound,” “good
most merelv hear d an indistinct strain of it conglomerated with tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people.” Moreover,
the jargon<of Babel’s confusion and Satanic d&ord. as we have seen in other studies,” we are now in the early dawn
Looking expectantlv to the remaining third of the so-called of the Millennial day, which in the Scriptures was typically
cnlightenei fifth of humanity, known-as “Protestants!” we represented to Israel bv their Jubilee uear-of release from
inauire. Are these the blessed people who know the Joyful hoidage and the return to original possessions, etc. And as
so&d?’ A hundred dhordant ;oi’ces answer, Yes! bit‘ we the vriests were to announce the Jubilee vear in the Dav of
inquire, If you have heard it, why such discord, such clashing Atoiement, by the blowing of silver iubile: trumpets, so *here
of doctrines. such senaration from each other bv creed-fences? we have the intitype: the‘royal pries& in this, the close of the
Are not all’the peocle who know the joyful so;nd one people antitypical Day of Atonement (the Gospel age), are to blow
-the one church of the living God, whose names are written the trumpets of truth (silver being a symbol of truth), an-
in heaven? This at once arouses doubt respecting “Protest- nouncing-to the people ‘that the giace of God is come ‘nigh
nntism.” and we hearken for evidences to t6e conxrary, that unto them, and that during the Millennial dav (of one thou-
many at least, if not all, know “the joyful sound.” We per- sand years) now dawning ihe great High Prieit, ‘also Prophet
c,eive that in many respects amongst these are found people and King, shall stand forth as God’s representative, and 11~
who know more respecting the divine character than do the virtue of his own sacrifice shall crive the needed blesslna of
clutside fifteen hundred millions ; and yet here also we find great knowledge to all mankind, and shyall lift up out of deg&tl,l’-
blindness. obscure mental vision, great deafness to the voice tion and sin and death, by his providence and grace, ail who
from heaven. Truly amongst these also the great adversal! seek to come back to rirrhteousness and fellowshin I with thr
has done a work, so that although in their midst more mny Father through him. ”
be heard of “the iovful sound” than amongst other classes of So then, as it was appropriate in the type that this an-
1he world, get Satail has here also introduced the discords so nouncement should be made at the close of the Dav of Atone-
as almost to drown the heavenly music-“the joyful sound.” ment, so that indicated that it is a part of the ‘divine plan
vor while to some extent Protestantism discerns God’s love and that the soundine forth of the iovful sound. the message of
justice, the adversary has beclouded its vision and dulled it< the Jubilee of dyvine love and ia;-or and blkssine &o&l be
hearing for the truth, by whispering theories that are at given at the present time-just in the closing drays of the
variance with divine iustice and love, and make void and mean- GosDel age-the closine hours. so to sneak. of the great Dav
ingless “the joyful sound.” To some he whispers that God of AtoneGent.? and at The dav&ing, so ‘to speak, of- tie Miller;-
never had either sympathy or provision for any except “the nial age of Jubilee.
rtlect ;” to others he whispers that God has the sympathy for Now another matter, little in itself, and easily overlooked
all, but lacks the wisdom and power to give practical assist- in our translation of the Bible, is the fact that the very word
ance to anv but the few: and thus in the minds of nearIv all (turnah) used in our text, rendered “a joyful sound,” is the
“the joyfui’ sound” is reduced to a song of praise and joy- and same Hebrew word that is used in Lev. 25:9, where the sound-
thanksgiving and salvation from a little flock, with wh’ich will hg of the Jubilee trumpet is commanded. How strikinnlv the
mingle to all eternity the anguishing mails of the vast majcrity Lord has arranged his Word. to make it a basis for fall; and
lpf thousands of miliions. joy to his peofie. HOW clear it is to those mllo~‘*know the
There are a few (but alas how few!) who not only hear Joyful sound,” and yet how obscure to all others ! Well does
“the joyful sound,” but who discern that the discord is-of the our text say, “Blessed are the people who know the joyful
;rdversarv. and that the iovful sound. if separated from Satanic sound!” The blessing upon them is certainlv not because of
Inharmo&es, is beautiful, “harmonio& befond any other sound their own merit, for Ge a?e all conscious of the fact that in our
llr song. Full of the snirit of the SOW t’hemselvks. thev haste flesh dwelleth no Derfection. and that none of us could be com-
10 maie its beautv khown to others: and to point Gut the zended to God bf our own’ righteousness-all of then, blessed
<brigin of the disco&. They feel certain that it will be merely people who know the joyful sound have reason, therefore, to
necessary to indicate thr discord and its source to have others give thanks unto him who loved them, and who bought them
IIke themselreq inhtantlr discern and reiect the .discord. and with his own precious blood, in whose merit alone thev have
rejoice more inlly than ever in “the joyful sound”-the true standing with- the Heavenly Father. And yet these blessed
Gospel. But alas ! what disappointment is theirs: they find people have somethino to do with the matter of their bles\inLr
that even amongst the “Proteqtant” fifteenth of humanitv not -something to do &th the fact that tbev have heard, an;
{mlp is the daikness great, but the depravity of heart and hearing have known or discerned the joyful kound. while others
mind are so dense that the darkness and discord are vreferred. hearing have not discerned it. They have the 1:earing of faith:
;Ind “the joyful sound.” the good tiding3 of great joy ior nlt from the little which they first heard thev must have cultivated
people. is spurned. and considered to be the discord that is of a love for righteousness; and a hatred df iniquity; they must
the advarsarr. Onlv here and there can anv be found who have cultivated honesty with themselves, honesty with the Lord,
“know the :ioyful sound”-who can disting&sh the joyful honesty in handling his Word-“not handling the \Vord of God
Gound of thr heavenly mthssage from those bv which Satan has deceitfully.” (2 Cor. 4:2) Thev mnst hare conserrated their
“dereived all that dv.-ell upon the earth.“-Rev. 18:23; 19 :20: hearts fully to the Lord, and th”us have come fnllr under the
“0 : 3. guidance df “the spirit bf the truth,” else thcr \\&lld not be
SOUNDING THE JUBILEE TRUMPETS able to discern better than others between the ‘joyful sound of
The question may arise, Why did God permit Satan, through the truth and the discordant sound of error Evicientlv in these
bls human agencies, to brinz false doctrine amonnst his DeODle we see fulfilled the Srripture, “FIe is a rewardor of them that
during the d&k ages, thuq t‘;, blind and deafen th<m to th*e tiue diligently seek him [to know him. to know hiq willl.“-Heb.
light, and the heavenly harmonies of the divine plan? 11.6.
We answer that God’s purpose during this age has been the THE NEW SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB
selection of merelv the “little flork” of “overcomers” to be Our Lord in symbol pointed out to us the fact that the
joint-heirs with l;lr Son in the coming Millennial kingdom message of his grace in the closing days of this Gospel age
which is to “bless all the families of the earth:” and br ner- I would be so different from the commonly accepted messapcl.
lnitting darkness to come upon this nominal church C&S he misnamed tlie Gospel, that it wonld properly be trrmetl a ~tcf(
has (1 i taught a great lesson both to angels and men con- SW,{//, although it would be the old song of Moses-the message
c,erning the necessitv of not onlv starting right. but remaining of blessing typified by the writings of Moses and by all the
lopal tb the Lord and his Word, and m&&&g a te;ldmbi~ ceremonies of the T,aw, and the message of the T,amb. the root1
attitude of heart. (2) Doubtless the majority of the “little tidings annolu~crd in connection niti; our Lord’s birth. ‘hnd
flock” has been selected from the two ends of this Gosnel see throughout his own ministry, when all the people “bare him
-its beginning and its closing years. (3) There ma) haye record, and wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out
Iteen much mnre knowledge of the joyful message amongst of his mouth” (not threats of eternal torment to nine-tenths
I :od’4 nconlc during “the dark apes” than we now have means of the human family) ; and the trstimony of all the apostles
of knoming, cince ihe historv of“that time had few recorders, respecting the Lamb of God and the great work to he awnm-
<jnd their records then de&t chiefly with the error-blinded plished 1)~ him in taking “nway the sin of the ICOP-Zd” It is
systems and ignored or misrepresented the unpopular instru- l See ~,~ILLEKKTAL DAWN, \.OL. II. Chap 6
mentalities used 1)~ God in making “the joyful sound”---some t Tahentaclc Sl~ndows of Better Sacrifices
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 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

merely this same song that is now being sung by those whom
God has blessed with a knowledge of present truth-it is “the
joyful sound” which only the people thus blessed know or can
sing.
It is a n-arld1.y proverb that truth is stranger than fiction,
yet this proverb 1s illustrated throughout “Christendom” today
-the vast, vast maJorI@ of professed followers of Christ are
strangers to the truth, but thoroughly familiar with the fictions
of human invention-“traditions of the elders,” which “make
void the \Vord of God.” It is in full accord with this that the
angel declare? to the Revelxtor that no man can learn to sing
thlj song except the elect-the 144,000, the “little flock.”
14 :3) Indeed, nothing is more manifest than that it is neces-
farv to be somewhat of an “overcomer” of the world and its
bpliit which prrvatles nominal Cllristendom, ere any would hive
tiie courngc tb Sing this eon!!--to declare IJPfOre me; the lengths
and brctarlthy and hciphts and drpth? of the goodness and grace
of the divine plan. of w1lic.h .Jesus and his sacrificr arc th?
center. To all others “the fear of man hringeth a snare,” and
stoppeth their mouths from speaking “forth the praise of him
who called us out of darkneiq into his nlalvelonq light.”
the people that <Ilo ~:uoI(~ their God [his character and plan]
shall be vallnnt and do exploits.” and like thl: apostles of old
~~11 frrl and say. 11.hpther it be right to obey God or men,
judpc yc; but ue cannot hut speak the things which we have
sc’en and heard-Dan. 11 .X; Acts 4: 19. 00.
Kor nccrl mr snpposr that the fact that only the 144,000
can qin= thil; fona implie that those ahle to sing the song
cou!d not fall from their strndfastneqs and hecnme castxwavs,
and lose the pririlcge of singing it. On the contrary, the Scrip-
turrs most di<tlnc+ly abs:lrP 115 that onlv hy unceasing faith-
fulness will any 1~ pcrmltted to contmue to he reckoned as
member5 of that tlert cnmpnry, foreknown and prearranged of
God. Our Lord clearly intimates that he will blot out the
nameq nf thoqr w!ln rlrc unfaithful thrlt other namcq mav be
writtrn in thclr drnd. He clearly intimates that unfaithful-
nccs ~111 cansc that the rrown set apart for the faithful will,
if he prove unfaithful, he Riven to another.-Rev. 3:5, 11.
THE WALR OF THE BLESSED PEOPLE
Tn llnrmonv with thp foregoing is the intimation of our
text whic,ll implie.: that in nrtler to be of the people who will
know the joyful sound it nil1 be necessary to “walk in the light
of God’s countenance.” Or, reversing the statement, the
thought is that all who walk m the light of God’s countenance
shall be his blessed people, and bhall know the joyful sound.
What a lesson of holines? is here: not a lesson of human
perfection and self-commendation to God. but a lesson of nbid-
IT?‘/ wz Chmst under the robe of his righteousness, and of walk-
lng contlnuou~ly u;lth him and in the path of the just, which
“hlnneth more and more unto the perfect day.” And whoever
would walk with Jesus in the light of divine favor, in the
qrnlle of divine approval. must needs walk the narrow way of
(Rev. self-control and self-sacrifice-“even unto death.” Whoever
tirlirrhts in sin and sinful practices cannot walk in the company
of .Jcsus, cannot be recognized as a membcl of his body or under
111qrobe--can hnve neither part nor lot in this matter, mhat-
t’ver may he done with him or for him in the future age. As
the Apostle eupresseq it, thn<:c accepted of Christ, and who
would maintain afiliation with him, must remember that all
of the “royal priesthood” are given the truth. not to make them
vain or boahtful, or heady and high-minded, but to purify them,
“But and to sanctify them. He derlares “He that hath this ‘hone I- in
him purlfieth himself, even as he is pure.”
A TEXT FOR THE YEAR
We suggest to the friends of the truth the adoption of the
prrcinuq words of our text as a talisman for the vear, if not
ior the remainder of the pilgrim journey. We believe that
these msnired words will heir, all who understand them to more
and more measure up to thAe divine ideal which they present
to our minds: “Blessed are the people that know the jorful
sound-they shall walk, 0 Lold, in the light of thy c&&e-
name.”
Another line, in full harmony with this, from the succeeding
Psalm. might profitably he added: “Let the beauty of the Lord
our God be upon us.” Only those who see the beauty of the
great King. who discern something of his justice, his mercy
and love, his wisdom, his power, can clothe their new minds
with these glorious graces which more and more shine before
our anointed vision as the beauty of the Lord Our God. And
the mnre clearlv thev are discefned. the more faithfullv ran
WC copy them. inil the better do we lore the joyful sound, and
the hetter can we sing the Song of hkes and the Lamb.

THE VOLUNTEER WORK

The open winter has bcaen \-cry favorable to the Volunteer
wrnk thus far, but we adviLe that those who have not already
commenced this work make all their preparations for the
springtime. when WC hope to hear from all, and to have a goodly
supply of rcatling matter rradp for their use.
Meantime you will do well to have a meeting, call for en-
listments in the service, appoint a committee with a central
head to lsy out the work systematically, that all congregation3
in Tour city may be served without duplicating. appoint your
scribe to communicate with the WATCH TOWER office respecting
the number of volunteers, the number of churches, the average
attendance of each, and the time for distribution.

WE HAVE FOUND HIM! EUREKA!

FEB. &--JOHN 1:35-46.
-1ftcr his wilderness temptation, Jesus returned to Bethab- delegation of priests and Levites, sent from Jerusalem. came
ar.1. where John was preaching, fully convinced of the char- to John asking, “Who art thou?” to whom he replied that he
acter of his mission-that it was not to be after the manner was not the Christ but merely a forerunner, a herald. To
of Satan’s suggestion of worldly methods, leading on to pop”- these John pointed out Jesus, saying: “Behold the Lamb of
larlty and honor of men-that on the contrary it would be his God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” explaining how
part to bear witness to the truth in such a truthful and simple he knew Jesus to be the Messiah by a previously appointed sign
mannrr as would commend it and him to such only as were which God had given him-the descent of the holy Spirit in the
Israelltrs indeed. No doubt by this time he saw that before form of a dove.-Verses 19-34.
the glorification could come the new Israel must be selected, It was the very next day after this testimony to the priests
the “royal priesthood, the holy nation, the peculiar people” and Levites that John. in the presence of two of his disciples,
-antitypical or spiritual Israel. He had reason to expect looking intently upon Jesus as he passed near (no doubt won-
that thrre was at least a remnant of this class in the nation dering how our Lord’s Messiahship would be made known),
of Israel after the flesh. and although fully realizing that no exrlaimed. “Behold the Lamb of God!” This was the same
man could come unto him except t&e Father which-sent him testimony (only abbreviated) that he had given to the priests
Aonltl draw him. he nevertheless recognized the momietv of and Levites. and which had evidently fallen. in their case, upon
putting himself in the way of those Whom the Fithkr would dull ears. But note the difference in the case of those who
draw, that hr might receive them as quickly and as favorab!y were “Israelites indeed:” the two disciples immediately fol-
as possible. Hence his return from the wilderness was to the lowed Jesus. *John’s testimony became to them the &-au&g
vlrinity of John’s mission work, where not unreasonably he pouzr of God, because they were in a condition of heart to be
might expert to find some of the Israelites indeed. susceptible to that influence. Thus we see clearly illustrated
Our lesson 5hnws that the Heavenly Father had made use how some are drawn and others are not drawn by the same
of John the Baptizer’s Mission and had exerted through it a message, and we see also that the divine drawing does not
drawing influen;e upon the hearts of some who by &is time operate arbitrarily, but in accordance with certain fixed prin-
were quite ready to learn of JeFlns as the Way, the Truth and ciples pertinent to the divine plan. It was not sufficient that
the Life-the channel of approach to God. The drawing power a testimony should be given. it was not sufficient that a curi-
whirh the Father exerts during this age is the truth-the osity should be aroused: it was necessary additionally that the
knowledge of divine compassion toward mankind manifested interest awakened should be so powerful as to lead to action
through the sending of Messiah to save the people from their on the part of those who were drawn. as the poet expresses it,
sins-to deliver them from the power of sin and Satan, as well “He drew me, and I followed on.”
as from the death penaltv. The Lord is seeking not merely the curious, but the truth-
It was after our Lord’s return from the wilderness that the hungry, those who hunger and th&st for righteousness, and for
125701
FEBRUARY 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER

fellowship with himself, and here, as in every instance, he that disciples did not follow the courie that some are inclined to
neeketh. 111 this nroner attitude of heart, findeth. The two follow today, 2)%x.,to seek to learn of the Master all that he
discIplei had not’foflowrd the Lord far until their faith and would communicate, and then go forth and pose as wise ones
zeal began to be rewarded: the Lord turned to them and was amongst their friends, eivine them the information thev had
the first to speak, and thus he illustrated his own words re- received in drlblets, a;$ avoydmg the me&ion of Jesus as the
specting those drawn of the Father to him, “He that cometh Father’s channel of communication of the truth to them.
unto me I ~111 in no wise cast out.” Had our Lord not thus Pronerlv. thev investigated nrivatelv to an extent sufficient
condescendctl It would have been a difficult matter for these to J;stily their confide&e, and then >mmediately began to tell
humble fishermen to have approached one so far above them the good tidings to their friendi. So earl1 one who has found
in dignity and in appearanre-one whom they had just learned the Lord should seek to make htm known to others: and more
was the great hlessmh, long promlred of God to be the Prince than this, like Andrew. we should not only seek to acquaint
of the kings of the earth. Applying this feature of the lesson our friends with the fact, but <hould seek to hring them to the
to ourselv&. and rememberingthat the Lord is the same yes- Lord for personal contact with him-such spiritual contact
terdav. todav and forever, helps us to appreciate his conde-
Yl
that they may see h:m with the eye of fait<, and hear him
scenqlon maiifested toward a-11 who would come unto the with the ear of faith, that they may know him. whom to know
Father through him-we who now come to him because of is life eternal. Too many take a different course, and are sat-
the hearing of faith and the sight of faith, as well as those isfied merely to tell the good newq to their friends without
who then approached hlrn because of the sight of the natural hringing them through faith and consecration into contact with
eye and the hearing of the natural ear. the Lord. Let us more and more learn the right way to serve
Our Lord’s salutation, “What seek ye?” not only overcame our friends. Let u$ learn that knowledge is valueless except
the diffidence of those who sought him, but the more they as it succeeds in bringing the hearer into faith contact with
would ronsider his words subsequently, the more meaningful the Sariour.
they would find them, as we do today. And this seems to be When Peter was brought to the Lord. “.Jesns looked upon
the que\tlon which the Lord puts to all those who approach him,” or as we might ispress it, “read him through &d
him. and essay to become his followers, ‘?Vhat seek ye?” Are throunh.” and then qaid. Your nresent name iq Simon. and
you seeking loaves and fishes of earthly advantage? Are YOU you a‘re the snn of ,John. but yhu ihall be rallrtl Crphas-
seeking enrthlv honor and social and political influence and Hehrew for Peter (Greek. @jos. a stone). This may be un-
preferment? The answer soon or later will be manifested by derstood as a kind of prophecy on our Lord’s part respecting a
the conduct of the seekers. though evidentlv all do not realize, great change in Peter’4 cahararter Peter was naturally very
at the time, what are their reai motlvrq ii seeking the Lord. impulsive-not suffirirntlv qnlitl. too easily rarried about; and
It were bcttrr. howerer. that each shnnld remember our Lord’s pet our Lord evidently iaw in him stcrllng qualities of heart,
own caprtsqlon on this fiubiect, and iit down and count the cost honesty. sinrerity of purpose: and knnwinz thr influenrr whlrh
at the \-elv beginning--that each one +hquld learn that to seek his teachings and the 11oly Spirit wnnltl exercise upon such
the Lord &Iv iy to seek after riehteollsness. fellowchln with a character, he foretold a change whic*h would make of Peter
the Father n&l with the Son; and that this means the iorsak- one of the staunchest and most substantial of his corps of
ing of rin, ho far as the heart is concerned. and so far as pas- disciples. This propherv of rhange was implied in the new
sible the purifying of the flcch by the “washing of water name given him, signifyin soliditr-a stone-whereas his pre-
throllph the Word.“-Eph. 5 :2G. vious name. Simon, signified a listener.
All should learn also that seeking to be disciples of Christ Although Peter was the onlv one of the twelvr whose name
implies not only a fellowship with him in the glory that is was thus changed. we may readilv suppnse that the characters
soon to br revealed. but also a fellow&in with him in the suf- of all were considerablv changed. undrr the influrnce of the
ferines af this present time-a “fillini up of that which is gregt Teacher and of the holy Spirit. which rame upon them
behind of tlte afflirtionq of Christ.” Tf. as our Lord supBrested, at Pentecost. And so it is with 211 who become the Lord’s
earl1 one would sit down and ronnt the coit beforehan’d,’ there disciples: to enter the school of Christ and to remain there
would be lcsq subsequent disappointment. and although the means. as the -4postle expresses it. that me will he “tmns-
numhpr of his followers would be much smaller. there would formed by the renewing of nur mind<.” I\nd the Lord promises
be many l(lss “tares” amongbt the “wlteat.” and this would all such that they shall have “a new name,” rspressive of the
mean tl;c better spiritual pr&peritv of tliP “wheat.” new character. but which no man can apprpriate except those
Tbr woul&br disrinles of .Jequs heard the rruestion without who receive it--the name of Christ -Rev 2.17.
discerning, of course. i’ts depth, nevcrthcless. l&g in the right In the case of Philip. the order of prnredure WRS reversed,
condition of heart their answer was along proper lines-Rabbi and instead of his coming to the Loril, as did thr first two;
(maqter), where ate you stopping? Thev qeem to have under- and instead of his heinp brouerltt ,. to the Lord. as in the case
stood that like them~rlres he was a Galilean, and tltat like of Peter and probahlp .James. the Lord. on the cnntrarv. “found
themselvc\ and others he was merely riqlting in that vicinity him” or apprqarhed him on the suhlert. inviting him to he-
on account of John’s mission work, wh!eh drew great multi- come one of his disciples. This chnwq II~ the diversity of divine
tudes. Their question implied in a pleasant way a desire to operation in respect to those who are ready for the truth. It
become mnre intimately acquainted with Jesus. And he ac- map reach them in one way or in anotlter. hut all who are
cepted it in this manner, and invited them to his stopping ready for it we may be sure will he brought in rontact with
place; as it was about four o’clock in the afternoon they re- Mei;siah-drawn of the Father. We arp not to question that
mained with him the remainder of the day, and we may well Philip had hewn previously under divine preparati& and drawn
imagine what tlte Evangelist haq not recorded respecting the into a condition of heart readv to rrcrive Jesus. else he would
pleasure and profit which rame to them during theie ho& of not have become his follower &hen invited. ’
intercourse. As a result thev were convinced of Jesus’ Mes- Philip was doubtless acquainted with Andrew and Peter,
siahship-their own intercouise with hitn tending to corrob- Finre they were of the same city. and like Andrew he seems to
orate John’s testimony. And thus it is with all who of a true hare thouyltt at onre of tellin? the good tiding3 to another,
heart seek to know of God’s appointed way; not only are they and he remembrred his friend Nathaniel, whom he knew to he
kindly received by the Lord, but the ver? opportunities for God-fearing, and living in espectation of the fulfilment of the
knowledge, fellowsltip and communion which they desire are divine promise of the hfessiah. We note with plrasure the
granted to them. directncqc of hi- presentation of the subjert, “We have found
Andrew was one of these two discinles of John, and altho him of whom Moses in the law Tin the Pcntateurh. the first
the other is not definitely mentioned it&is the general supposi- five books; of the Old Trstament] and the Prophets ilit write,
tion that it was the Anostle .Joltn himself. who seems to have Jesus of Nazareth.” He did not attempt to interest Nathaniel
been of a very modest hisposition, quite &willing to make his merely with the proSpert of joint-heirship in the kingdom,
own name very prominent-in hi9 writings, Thus on other occa- though that of rnnrqe would be’implied indirertly ; but hc drrw
sions he mentions himself not bv name. but as “that disciple attention to our JAnrd’s prrsnn. And his language shows that
whom *Jesus loved.“-John 13:23’; 19.26. he was not z mere enthusiast, but that be had hrrn making a
Andrew and John both had brothers, and the implication studv of the fact that Meqsiah had bern de<csrihed bv Moses
of the Greek text spems to be that both at once sought their and ‘the prophets. and that he h?d evidently I~en rnd&voring,
brothers, to bring them to the Lord, but that “Andrew first to the best of his abilit,v.., , to test our Lord’s title bv those
findctlt his own hrother Simon,” and it may be surmised that predictions and had found satisfactory evidrnre that .Jekus way
John through modesty neglected here to mention that he also indeed the Christ, the Sent of God. So it should br witlt all
found his hrnther James, and brought him to the Lord. This of us when we attempt to present the messace of Christ to the
is a zood illustration of the prope;couree for those who have attention of othrrs. WP chould have the promises of God and
found the Lord-thev should at once hegin to think of their thrir fulfilmrnt in mind; and these should be our argument.
brethren, friends. neibhbors. and should cirry the good tidings It is not callinr attention to Christ. nor at all followinn the
to them as quickly as possible. It was quite proper that these example of Phitip, to assail men wiih threats of eternal’ tor-
[2571]
nlrnt. and to ,,,g,* tfrt 111to ~““1 ,,on,,s human +clety cxllrd $1 It aould be dell if all of the I~x~l’a dear followers would
khurch : nor is it followvlng l’hilip’k example to present as learn well it proper, simple directness of approach on rrllgious
rnducemrnts the prospect of financial and soci41 prosperity *ubjects, exemplified by Philip’s words to Nathaniel: and also
through rlunrch affiliation<. On the ceontrary, the mcnsitge to they should learn not to attempt to take the Master’s place,
Ire delircrc4 i* rehpcrting our IAord, and that he ih the> Del~vcr~r hit to bin!: all true Israelites direct to him, as the Teacher,
whom the F.ithcr has sent. and that whoever would have the the explainer of the oIisc.ure featui es connected with himself
Vather’s frllowship and Ilbsing mu4 come to Mc+i:(h and in and his work. Matter- often look tlitrercntlv 011 the outside
him find tllc 1~i4om of God and the mercy of (;od unto sal- from what they app(‘:ir on the inside. as fiitli and greater
I atiou. privilege clihplay them. God has purposely arranged it do that
Satlianicl lh comnioilly iiiltlrritootl to 11c anntlier ndmc frill those who look from tlic outside onlv see manv inconiietencies.
I:.11 tIl~lIf’lllP\v. ,iiid iic piol~aI~1~. likr the nthci h, Ilatl hren 1n rriliarmonie~ xnd und4rnl)lc~ fratiii’es. while thohe who get to
:Ittcntlanc*c at .Jol~n’~ mi%slon. \\.e may lcadilv suppnsr that view matters from the inside standpoint of faith (‘an see
Jolin’h \inlk not only attrac tc(l to him tlic &i;il outcasts of I ichr. of “rare, beauty, harmony, clirincb xnrkman4~ip. -ind
l<racsI. s(‘eking a IIfr of reformation, Imt Ihat it drew to him thin cxteriY)r view is the one tha’t natnrallv comek to a11 of us
also c,ertaill c*c,labnrcbrs III the, wnrk. whn ~‘1 r know II :,i hi\ first, as it came to Satlianiel. and the ‘proper (xxii.c to be
“dihC1p1Ch; and who nhqisted him in adminlhtering hlptism pursued oh that snggrstetl IJ~ l’hilip--come on the> in~ldc and
to those nho (*ame a:: rrlJt,ntant sinners. (John 1: 1, 2) This we 110~ it lonkq; take thr standpoint of faith in thr tli\ ine
01lc’rs another +uygcstion respecting thebe Tsraelitcs indeed, 1c&relation. and from tli.it ktnndpoiut note tlic ~iiiiiIl~wi of the
\\IIo ~1(SICof .John’a c*ompany. and w(‘rc thuh introdnc*ctl earliest tlivine plan.
to .resu.. autl \\(‘I c ,c~cly to Irwonw 1r1x di\c.iplc-: their tidellty Tlii:. ~me Ieqsnn i< poiiitrtlly illustratrd 11y an :rnc4ote
10 1~~lltc~ou~llc~~+..llld tlicair c~lltlea\ or to her\ (b tllcb Lni tl accord- told Ily Pastor Spnr~ecbn. tI,~c~c~;iwd. nf il lllilll WllO \Vcl$ ill\ltcd
1ti1~to tll13 l)(+t ot tllrir :il)llity. INI di1ectlv to their more inti-
IlliltC :lhwclutloll with .rcakli. airtl 111~hcrbi;*e. So d01ll1t1P.i WC Into ,~n orchard to cat ‘orne of the fruit; he rcfu~etl. for he
~111 find it today. tliat <orile wlio arc CWR~~(*JIii ~0ik-s of re- +Lid that hc had pick4 up l )ntr of the applei 11~ the I n:ldsitlc
al c! l pec.ially pi ~‘li41rtl foi tlccper tll;~t fell from the trees. ;11lt1th(ty wci c poor and hittc,l. The
tuini frcmi Ixopcr nlol iw. ou ner replitd those tree * \VPl I’ plilI*I’tl tll(‘lC’ 011 ]“I1 IKl’<‘. -0 tllnt
triitliy. nlid grit~idw pri\ 11cg:c.rin c*onncction H ith the pre5cnt
h:ld IJO)-+ \VOll]t] IlOt ]J(’ ati rac*tcd into thr orrhat d to %tc;ll.
Ii.trvc+t WOII,, and 1,~ *I1011ltl IJC hilling to put OUI ~11 c’< in the “But.” said he. “come in-itlc. ant1 there the appI(~, :ir(a tlc*li
\r*ty (11 huc.l~. alter (11~r\nmplc of 011r T,ortl with t1lcs.c hi. fir-t I ious.” T11u. it ih with tllo+r ~110 +CP Christianity-
Jl.q’lr.
only from
?;:~tlran~c~l s;etms 10 ha\r hccn rather of the Incredulous rho rvtci ior. ‘I’hrv he,& many mi-1 qii c+nt:q1 ion. of trllca r(b
t? 11~of nliird: IIC wan fearful th;it his fric~nd Phihp was being ligion ant1 trnr fa’itli in pr0niin(ant pl;ic~. :iritl oven if thry
tlt*c*ri\ rtl 1bv an inlpo~tc~r, ant1 1~~ lic,ziin to 0ti‘c.r olJjection+ IN nl~lr to tli\l iiqiii4 :la IN~~WCC~II thcl tlutl (‘hribfi:lnity ,irltl It-
N;iz,ireth ;t+lf \(a~ notcbtl ?I, IJCIII~ r:i tIltfir it f:inaticnl micrcln c.\cbnt.ltion in c~hurc~hlanity. I hey arc apt to .w~ only
city:
l)ehi&~h, no doubt Niltllillll(‘l h:id 1n ;n~iid the dc~l;iinlion of tile tlie *elf-rlcni.ils. tlic> (‘ro-scas. the per*rc~utinn for riglit(~ou~n(~su’
1~1o:bllr~l, rcb+lJc%c4i ilg K~~tlil~~lic~ni:IS tlir c.itv that would be hon-
>..~kc. rtce.. :intl knnw notliing c+ompar;rtirrlv of tllr hcxn\ rnly

tilt1 not :lttwlpt tu e\pl:1 III llI.I1t~r. \\-hi(,h iii (’ dillic.lllt to I)e
u11t1~~~stootl. :III~ I\-hlcll h:td not yet tlcbcbnc~xpl;~itlorl to Ikim : non not ni(‘1 (hlv of gainInK inform~~tion ahnut him. (2 I Thr prn-
d1r1 h(b M’,I\CI In hia faith l~r~~uac~of this allg:,r(j,tion of tltlul)t. ijrictv illlh itllllOrtilll~T of iwkinc ollt tllc “lndliren.” 3rd of
On thr ~~~ntrary hc >.titl. “C’OIII,* :I ntl MW ” WIIVII ~OII h.~vc WPII iI1 in*:ing them’ not mc,relr to a ‘<no~lcdgc of ah&xc t truth.
r11csIII:III. ;111tl II;IVV h(bard him ;IA 1 ha\e, no doubt 1%ill remain btlt ~~sI)(~(.ii~lly to tllc TD;‘cI. ant1 to intimatr ~onimuninn and
111>oiir ~tiiiitl tlxit 11thiq no ordinary man. arid th,it hr i4 all fclIow+hip with him.
h+* ~l.lims tn 1~

THE KINGDOM ATTAINABLE ONLY BY A NEW BIRTH

Fm.
1 I .-.JOIIN 3 : l-18.
nur Lortl’b rcplic~.. cliiotcd 11itli :rf9ter clrtail. cn Inttmate
It W:IS with astnnishmmt that Sic4rmuq hrard from tht,
great Teacher that himself and others of the #Jewi> n,ltmn
could not possihlv enter the kingdom without lx+ hnrn ;~ne\\ ;
lC\\ . . ,i11(1 01i~ of ‘thcb jiitlg:c4 of their chief or Supreme Court, and naturallv his mind ran to thr natural birth ;Ind hc 1~
t IIP S;iiihcdrini. ITi-; wcnltli. learning, etc.. gave him advan- qiiired how jt ma< pnscilllr that a full-grown man c~nultl ‘JC
t.lgr> 0~6’1 III:III~ of the pnor and unlearned, and yet they a140 born over again. Such :t qucstitrn was tlcyirctl l,v our Lord.
bi oligllt tli-:itl\ :uitaq~u. a4 our Lord on another occasion ex- and gave opportunity for th c~splnnatiou that ilir fir5t hirtll
ulr.4 it: “IIow 11:1rtllv I with wh;xt dilficultvl ~hsll thrv that which all rspcCnc*r. t ic.. the birth of the flcrh. 1)~ whicsh
~-,:I\v 1ic.lics [of any khi 1 c%litrr into the lfi&dom of “God ” mnnkiud ii 1JOrn to human nature. sjnd with a /led1 body. ic :I
It \\oultl n.itiir:\lly’ lbr mnre difficult. for a man of largr in- tylir, a figure, an illuitmtinn of a higher spiritunl l)ii+h. to :I
IIIICII~Y~ :III(I hocinl bt:lntling lo rrecire inatruvtions from ,Jrhus, \piritual naturr with a .9pirit body. ‘W1:Lt whiA i:, horn of
,IIB~ to 11ec~omcIII-: fnlloner, than for humble fishermen to do the flesh i, /lcS7/: that whit% ic, born of the spirit. IS h7j)irif.‘)’
30 : l)ri(lc, l oc*inl (*;l*tt~. tAouglit of what ponplc would think .\q ;I man rannot srr trrcr. liouscs. flnwrrs, c+ . no, c>iitcr into
Jrld li:iv. cstc*..woilld a11 t~sntl to hinder him. For these reason<, the rninvment of thrsr. until after hr 11x< MW born of tlic
a~ 1% 1.11a\ l)os-.‘illly with :I hope to have a more quiet conver- flcih. s~‘Iikewis~ no nnc c*an chither see or entrr into the hrav
~dt IOH. Si~*otlrmu?r viqitrd .Jesm by night-semi-secretly. cmly kin~tlnm, exerpt he 1~ horn of the spirit. Tn other wordc. a
EL i~lwtly lit lliltl lwc~n imlJrrssrr1 liy tlicl teaching4 and the human Iieinrr, ran see earthlr thinrrs. hut nnlv a bra\ rnlv or
rl,lr:lelc. of our l,ortl. foi w’c find him ready to :~cknn~vlcd~e spirit-born nnr can WC and sharr i’;i the hcarcnlp tiling+: ant1
Ja.~u* ~3 n great Tr:~c*l,cr .cut, of God. although not ready to the long promised kinp~lom of Gad. the Millrnuial :lge~ for
i.oi~fc~ him tlic> 1\IrG*inli. Our Lord’s ministrv. while (‘om- which Jsrnel was waitincr. iq to br :I sniritiinl kinrrtlnm ant1 not.
In(~ndln~ 111mto Sic~odemus. was evidently a rcr;. diffrrcnt one an earthly one. c~omliosrd of cpirit IJci;igs and not Ilt41 I,cin~s;
frum \\11.1t 1~ 11;1tlt~xt~c~c+crlof ~lc~sinh. ;\\ :I .J&v hr of csourse and only thosr horn tri watPi :illd of the spirit nniiltl cvrr see
had th li+wI .Trwi+l; tlioii@t rcbpecting the kin~&nn nf God, or rntrr into that kinrrtlnm
I I:.. that T+rarl way that kmgrlom. merely qhrrrn of its power The rcfcrcnre to water wan prnlx~l)Iy supngr+ied l~v somr
I>y tlita G(sntiIri:, until JIersiaIi should npprnr fnr its dcliver- sue&ion from Wcodrmus. rc>snec+inrr .John and Iii. h:lntism
:I WV and to sul~,jupt P all nations hrforr Tsratll. that the dewish &to rrpentancr-whrthrr or nc;t this had i&thing to do’ with
law might llcrnmc tht> Inw nf the world. going forth with power thr new birth. Our Lord’< nnqwer nssnciat& John’s baptism
from .T~~ru~;llem. Sic~odrmus di5cernrd tlir wide differencr of water unto rrprntnnrc v ith thr spirit lqetting which hrgnn
hrt\+ N~II such hnpcss and the kind of n kin~tlnm pr0rlaimrtl ]I! ilt PPlltl’K~St. Prpckntxntc frnm sin ma< essential to the right
Jrstih *and hi+ di~riplcn. \Yc mnv rrx~on;ilblr infer. thci cfnrr c9nclitinn of hr.lrt ~hith ~oiild prepare :l ;TCVSfor trnncfer
thnt his qurric>L. tllnu:h not st:itrd. were nloiiz lliis Iinr am1 from the ml thly lypia*:ll kinftlom, nnd makr him rrady for the
begettIng of the holy Spirit through \\l11c11. if obedient, 11e sp11ct1 writcbr,. hpikthrn )I, \\cII a4 Chrl&ian. who follow the
would flnallv be born into the heavenly kingdom in “the first traditinnh of JIlPn rnrteatl of giving heed tu tbcb +ire )Vord of
resurrection:” This use of the word “‘born” as representing (:od
resurrection is a Scriptural one, for do we not read that our Ilaving thu. an~wf~red Z~c*o~lemu~’ clnrstion?r to tliv bery
Lord .lesus in hih resurrection war) “the flrst-horn front the limit of nohsibilitv at the tinle. our Lold turnctl the +.tbjti%
dead”-“the first-bor)z amongst many brethren”-and was it and 1~~wiv of &wing the 1 grant1 baGis for this spiritual king
not irr respect to these “brethren” who would with him be tlo1n. and ‘that he himqelf could J1ot enter into that kingdoJ11
oharers in tlrc ki,lgdorn tliat he addressed Nicotlrmu* ?--HoJlr. while still in tl1e flesh (1 (‘or. 1.5:50). but that lie mu-t al*0
8:29; c’ol. 3:l.s. 18. lie “changed” to rpirit c*ontlition< by re*urrection. he point+
While we hold that this Scripture in itn full. ultimate out his coining ignoJninioi1~ clrath. :intl lion it waq illustratPd
meanine. relates to the first resurrection of the kingdom class antI tvpiflrtl IJV Mows ant1 tlw I~r;~x.cw wpwlt in thv wilder-
into ki;pdom power, glory, honor and irnmortality~ we nevrr- ncsh. ‘i‘he whnl(~ worltl i* bittcb11 IJ~ the tlrry *erp~nt, of sin.
theless concede that the word golao i< sometimes rendered ‘1’1lv whole wnrltl is dying. ;iiitl it war needful that 011r I.ord
begotten. \Ve concede alqo that e\-cry OJIC who is to be born .lesu~ slinuld be lifted nl) ah ii &iii-ofl’cbring 011 bc*li:ilf of the
of the spirit in the first resurrection must first bc begotten of \\orltl. that li(* Jnipbt l ul;hquently 1~ lifted up in glory, and
the spirit in the prexeut life. \\‘r ctoncccle alao that the neH 111order that llil\ iii:! thu\ linicl thcb pc>nalty for all. (*ternal
life now beg1111i* frrclurntlv ?rwktw of :I* though the new lift, inipht lit1 oirerecl io all-“that whobocvt*r belic~vrth in hi111
.

creature wc*rtAdtw~d~y bow by 11kgurativr

I

resurrec.tio11 to new- ~l~c~ulcl‘not perish. but ha\ c~evcrla&inp lift,.”

ness of lift*. “YOII hat11 11ecl11ickenetl [matlr alive. 1~s a figura- I11 pilssing tllr point. lrt n4 1iotic.c tli:rt onr l,ortl <ait1 not
tive resurrc1c.t ion 1 who were dead in trespasses and ;inr;.” But a 1,ortl rrsJirc*tiii~ alI\ ttilllgPl of ttlc world going into eternal
these purt1al and fl,vurativc U*P~ of tile wordti “alive” and tor11ic~1it, i& tliti 11tb‘utter it v:orcl respectink the S~l\~iltl~~ll of
“resurrection” and ‘%orn” ~110i11~1 not IJ~ J)ermittetl to discount iInv in i~iior;11ic.c~ Hih tlf~c~l;1r;ition \\a- that tlic world w:cs
our tho11ght rc3pecti11,cr the reaI1tir~ ttrlti powers and gloric+ )W; tSki#,;.- Hlltt tllat tilt’ 0111~ Wily in which the? conld obtain
which van be 11tt;1in(btl only by II *bare in the nc*tual first rehur~ ctc~rnal life ;it all \\oultl bc tliror1gli belit~vinp in hiJn. so then
rectiolc-“born from the dead.” tc, ill1 who iir(b willing to lake the l iiiiplt~ &atcmcnt of (;Od’*
Worrl, it IS clca1 c~iioupli tlial tli(b wic*ktbcl ~110 reject tlic Lord
W trilr .TCSU* jvi\R talking with ?u’icoclemuh q111te proll:1bl~ (311110t1~11c ctcrnnl life. ant1 hent*c~~oultl not spc!nd a11 eternity
the w1ntl whistled through the apartment in which they w(‘r(’ it1 mihcrr t)e(+;lurt~ without lift, tlicre (‘1111he no fecliiip--witli-
c1tting. rattling the doork. etc., and Jesus seized upon this a* Ollt life ‘tiltby ill{’ ]lP,‘fSlfrd. It is c*leilr lbllOllpll i,lSO that UllO
n good illu\tratio11 by which to convev to the mind of Sico- 1’\-(‘1’*llUll IIV hil\(,tl iii tl1i4 il$fC’ or in tbcb ;1pcbto c’onie ml,-t ljta
&mu+ the difference between human kings and spirit beings. %a\etl 11~IreZirBri,rr/ in ,Jc’>u~. a11tl (~;IrlIlOt 1~ .:i Lfd tlil OU$I ignor-
ant1 tc. pivc him a calearrr conception of the nature and power* an(‘c. acacordin:: to tliic Gohpcl. ~l1ic.b 1, tlicb otil~- ;111th~~rizc*d
of the ~la<s who would compose the spiritual kingdom when OlI(’
set up in power and great glory. He baid, The wind blows ‘l’hcn our T.ortl g:.1\v Nic~otlrm11. ,1 Ill irt slntc~rwrlt ot \\lI?
where it please%: you bear its sound. but rannot know whence tl1c Hea\rnlv Fdther 11;1hpro\ itlt~tl tt1ca bleshing u 11ic.b be lIi((1
it c*onic*- nnr whitbcr it goes; and so it will be with thohc I1ern dehc&in-the ki1igtlom. and the lifting up or ,:1(*11tic.e
IJOrn Uf the opirit-all i&eritors of tl1e heavenly kingdom: of the Soil of ?tI;111ah a prci ecluihite. The 1 cilsolI iy Go~l’h rvlll-
tbev will br as invi<ible and can ~‘0 and come as the wind.
,
pathetic lore for liumi1nil~. HP l~el1t~ltl that :1ltl1o11gb m;111c111tl
and inen in tbr fleu11 will be unable to see them, as they are were sliarrrs in father Adani’h 5entrnc.c of death. yet in.111y
11nablr to \CP the mind. though they mill he everywhere present Rmnnght them n nultl. if granted an opportunity, gladly acacvl)t
:~ntl Indu~nt1al, a< IL, the wind. the divine arran~:c~mc~iit. and ~oine It;u~k into at-one-ment a-1111
N 1ec&rnu, was :I.toundetl at the thought that the kingdom lheir God, and rcjoipe to abide in hih favor and to do hi. v 111
of Go,l would be SO different fro111 what himself and others On this account God had sympathy for mnnkind, and prep”1 tB(l
hat1 espectetl. -211 thi. should not have been so strange to a great plan of salvation, of which the firht coming of .Jrsu*
N1cntlrniu3 : br l linuld llil\‘P remrml1eretl that the powers ivllic*h in the flesh as a sncarific~ for sites wn. tl1e fi1:t \tcp 01 111.1111-
our l,*jrl1 tle~cril~ctl a‘i the-c whic*li would belnn# to the spirit- ft’statioli. “God hn loved tlie world tliat 11~ gwvt’ I1i. only
horn i.1~~~ n-erc tlic \erv powers 11Iiic~li in the pa+t from timcl l)cootteii Son Ttn 111rmiliatinn ant1 -;ic*rificar in tl~,itlr 1. tllat who-
to tlrnr had IICVII man~fe*tetl t11r011~11liol- aii~~ls. who being <never Iielicvet11 in him shn11ltl iiot prxt.i.sir. 1111tII;I\ (1 lolrt~lin I
zcbitt 311 .l)~~~.i,ll 1iii.~i~u1. iippt’ai tatI l 1tdtlenl.v. aricl \vllcn tlir11 c~vcrlahtinn life *’ It Ililc: hecii wrtl 1Iv hol,lc o,,v tllilt tlii. 16111
,111iil(,ll \\ il. il( ~~oinl~li~li~~d.\ dni~lirtl Illkt a+ ~11~ltlenIy. c~oniiiig
ai1cl gf ~ifi:! lil,e tlic \\ intl-none kiicb\\ 11hence or whither. Sico- any otllrl O,l(’ i, CO,ltl~‘ll~~‘tl l ti\t~‘ll,~‘llt Of tllc’ (:OQ~“~l I,lltll(‘l
&mu< :Is a tclaclicbr of the La\\, hliould hare 11atl tlieqe thing:s called this \-?rctb “tile little Goi1)el.” 01 “flick little Bil)ltb ”
i11 mind. alit1 011r Lord rather reproreb him for not erasping l’r111aJ)s in answer to anotlier qnest1tm. or perbal)~ 111elel~*
the hut) irct cluic.hlr . : Are vou. a teacher in Ihrael. ignorant as a part of the further discours> to Sic.ndemu.. Sofia J,nrd
of the-c tliiiig?4’ .lh it di&ult for ynu. who ale acc+ainte,l nest ~snlaiiietl 1 to him that God ‘S obifv$ in +eiidiny Iii\ Sot1
1, ith ttre I,an. to realize these tencahineh? I have I1eeii tellinlr into the world wi1h not to h,r\ c tlitl \\‘;)rltl c~c~iitletn1i&l. ior tll*b
? 011only l uc*b tl1itlg,r., as are known and’tn a cons1derablr esten‘i world was al1 eatlv c~o1itlt~mned.sharing with ;\tlanf tlicb nri~ill:l I
hare her11 demonhtrated amongst men through the miniStry of c~u1ide1n11atio11 or ‘hentenccl of tleatl1. 011 tbr cont.1ar!-. Got1 wnt
angels. yet y(11i ill? unn-illinp to receive the testimony. Hou 11;s Ron to have the world--to rrco/cr f)1cf,tl;irrt/ f,r~jif Ihot
6ould ~011 e~pc~‘t to believe, if I sl1ould proceed to explain to sc’nlfnce or fw~wlfm~iatiou. Thi* 1. in harmony n-it11 ,111otl11I
you he‘arrnly’a11(1 *piritual tl1111ys pertailying to that kingdom ’ htdtement of Scripture \rlJicli clrc*l,irck of belielcr. tllilt ’ ‘l’llew
You hutelv would be unprepared for such information. Sor i* 110~ ),O f.f~nfh~,,l,fn1lo,l t0 tht’lll tllitt ilIT i11 (‘111i3t
would Xi&tlemu~ have I;& to blame for not understandin; .Jc~~IIs.” ( ~OIII. S : 1 ) , vet nnlv irelieve s II:I\-c 11111.t+c’:1l”,‘1
$ritriul tliiii,:. if our Lord had told of them; for onlv tllcb i1ll the rt~mi1inder of tl1r worltl’arc~ still untlcr wratll. .‘~~lrildi 1’11
spirit-hrgotteu (‘a11 clea11y gra+p ant1 appreciate thohe things. Of !Wiltll.” and tliercl i* no 0tlit.r Wily of c’hvdlW c?vrpt tllrc)ll&+
Our Lord wi15 explaining to him that he must not expect il Christ. for “There 1s no otbpr nillllr givt.11 1111(1criled\ (‘11 01
c,omprehensinn of such things at that time. hut should mere1.y among men \\lifrebv nc mnzt be saved.”
expect d partial understanding, sufficient. however, as a basis The lstl1 ver’5e ‘i?r in tlilrlllnlly \vitlt tlii. th0Ilght. that Iw-
of faith: clearer comprehension would come with the spirit lie1 crk ekc*;ipe tlic conclt~mnatinn that 1.C on tbt, \\orltl. Ilrlt tllat
ijaptism at Pentecost.- “The natural man receiveth not‘ the tbosc, who do not acacept of Christ ~~1)1nit1 ~r~tlcr fhe conrlctn-
things of the +pirit of God, neither can be know them, berausc 7,ntio)c already upon them iIt birtli. ah A(ldn1’~ htlirh. NeVO
they are spiritually tli<cerned. . . . God hat11 revealed them tlielesz. a4 is dp(*larcd in the l!Jth \crsc, tl1r c.ontlc1nll;ltio11 ill
unto 11~[hpirit-begotten one-1 by his Spirit” (1 Cor. 2: 1-I. IO). reatly upon men is justified by their course. if after seeing tbr
nnd we ma17 enter i11tn the realities when born from the dead light they do not love it. bnt rejcc+ it. ant1 flgbt a,aainct it.
in his likenesr. However. UC are to remm1brr in tbi% connec*tinn the Apostle’s
Continuing, our Lord reminded Xicoclemu+ that IIO man had d+~claration that manv in tlie pre*ent time see only i;i part.
ever ascended into heaven [none had ever been there, or seen the god nf this world l)linding them more or leh* c*ompletely.
heavenly things] except he himself, who had come down from (2 C’nr. 4:A) And we rejoice in tllc ahhurdJ1ce of tbc *ame
the heavenly condition to the earthly condition-even the Son .ipostle (*John 1 :9) that ,Jesns is the true Light, nl1ic.b nlti-
of Man.* Althnunh aside frnnl the main line of this lesson. mately, in the kinetlom. <hall be a great Sun of Itightenn~nes~.
it is not amiss t&t we here note the harmony of onr Lord’s wit11 healing in his heams, wbicl1 shall shed fort11 light and
words with the words of the Bpojtle Peter in his (Ii*course on knowledge to evprv member of the human family during 111s
the dsv of Pertecoqt, “David is not ascended into the heavens.” Millennial reien: Lo that all +hall hare the fullest opportunitv
i&4&S 6:34) -411 the tehtirnonies of the Scriptures nre in har- of ceasing to yje ‘“childrcm of wrath.” and of escapi1$ the (*or;-
mony on this subject. although opposed by nearly ali nnin- demnatinn tltat iu on them tbrnuch Adam’s tliiinhctl1enc~e. anti
l ISldcst Creek MS?+. omit the norrls. “w/rich is i~1 /rco:*cn” of romiiig bat k tliroi1~b thca hiediator. during thr time* ni
(44-45) ZION’S WATCH TOWER hLEGIIENY, PA.

restitution, to all the good things lost through sm.--Acts to mankind will be also after the nature of a new birth, though
3. I!)-21. not a birth to spiritual conditions. Speak111g to his disciple5
i\‘hlle o71r Lord in hiq d1scourie to Nlcodemus dealt only of tl1c JI~llcnn1al kmgdom, when they should sit wit11 him in
with the new birth of ‘*the cb71xl1 wh1c.h 1s 111s body,” and hii throne-tile t1mei of restitution-he calls that Millennial
whirh wit11 h1m. born of the cpir1t. shall constitute the heav- age axi] work ~cyello.atlon-Ureek, palrnyenesza. (mitt. 19:
enlv kin,zdom tl1:;t ihall blt~ the world. he nevertheless else- %I This iy not the 5ame word rendered “born again,” but
\I h&e int11nates tl!at tl1e ze\tltutlon blessings which shall come elgnifies more near]?. re+titntlon, restoration or renovation.

NOTHING TO DRAW WITH AND THE WELL I§ DEEP

FEB. 18.-JOIIN 4 : S-26.
“God lo (I Sp:rlt, a,ld the9 that worship horn must t~orshlp htnz 2~ splvzt nnd 11%truth.”
Snmar1a wah the name (of :7 stretch of country lying be- 1h a lemon 1n tl11$, howe\-cr. along tht> lme of the ,4postle’L
t\? r’rn .I71(lea antI (::IIIIw : 1,(I might call it a co7711ty and say word>. “C’o1~de~c~11dto men of low ehtate.” \\‘e ~na1111oc avoid
t.tldt It> tl11cbt clfy, cut tli? l an1r nan!e. was its co77nt.y seat. Its ~7~]tl~.111~ tll It the reason why many C(hrihtI:Ul 1JwJple wollld
i11h.~b1tant~ \v7’r(’ h11~~\vnas Cmarlt:7n+, and tl1e Jews, while utter!y d1<dain to speak to such a \\onl:rn i:, that they have
deaI711~ ait thcam coi~:mcrc1:7lly, would hare no mtercourse ai1no.t 1111c~n~~o71~lyto themheireq in1b1betl the 5p111t of their
m It il thlhrn 50~1clly ant1 r~~l1~1nu~t~. but tre:rted them 111ever> f cl~g:uiis tcac~h~ngs. which woiild declai e that C;CJ~~vio71!d SO
rcsl~c(~t a, th:,y trc~atc’tl Gcntilc, 111general, a5 IJCIII~ out*lde ;Illonllnate ku(.ll a pcrso11 that he would deliver her over to the
of d1v111~ favor. “;~110:1~.and ctran:_rei s to the commonwealth 11~\ II. to tJe etc1nally tormented, as soon as she cClme into 111s
of Ihlxel. Mlthollt (:oil, and hav111g no hope in the world.” ll:clttl> at drath. They leason. almobt unconhcio71sly. that one
(Eph 2 12, ‘I’l~c :III~~Y~c,:~ of tllcie Samaritans \vere Gentiles, >o tie~p1~etl ot tl1e Lo1 71 zhould IW sl171nned a1171hpurncd by
and were tran-l)ortotl to Samaria renturic, I~ciorc. as the Is- 11~imanl:y. ThcJr need a clearer knowletlgr of the t11\1ne \\-ord
rnelltes were tr~l77<l~,~rtc,dto Etbylon. bv Xeb71ehi7tlnezzar. (2 rr.p+ :tiilg C;ntls attit7idCl tow;7rtl iinnc~i 5. 111~ 71nw1l!in~~11css c
hn3 <~ 17 . “4-4 I 1 ‘~‘Iww (&sntilc\. tl1r~71~h
<. rontact with the tht ;711V -hOUh~ I
IJC’ridl. :7lld hi- ~itrri~1oii tli,:t t!1c $1.ilfiilly
,JI~\%<,ant1 thr071gh ir,tc,rrn;rrr1:7pt, n1t8h ccxrtain renegade Jews, ~1c,ketl, ~!10 reject all Iii5 nierr1rr ,Lsil:\ll llot 112 to7 :~lc~nt~tl. b;t
ohtk7incd a smnttt,rlng of knowledge of the .Jcw1sh 11opes and IIP I)lottetl out of rsistcnre (”_ ret. 4:!1: .irt, X:“:%l True
worship. c~oml~in1rrg the w to ~1nc r\tent with false ideas of \I~‘:\Y of the 711~111~ tlidracter and plan are \ (‘rv he!pfi:l to
tlirir or\‘11 As a pc~pl~~ tllcsv are tlrsic~~1brtL bv the Apostle‘s Gud‘- people in siinping their r0111+; propci 1~. ’ -
words ar fcrl1nf: ift(;r C:cxl,‘ 1f haply tllev might fini h1m i3ltl there been a comnanv of Jews to whom the Lord
(Arts 17 :2i ) But t tlfs tlnrr 11:7flnot vet co7;le for Got1 to reveal rtiiil~l liave talked at tliis time. we a1 e l~oun~l to -17ppo-e that
h1m\lslf tcj tilt \\trrltl, or IQ any W;V of the woitl to accept 1:1~ cnerg1eq would have heen expended on their 1~~~11:~lf. to tl1c
Gfmt!Ic~s tlt71s far ali t11\ i11~~!a\ or had been conrrnti atrd upon II(~~IY t of The c!~~ieputable Samantnn : Init tlic,rc 11~~111,~ nnne
Israt’i, tll~~ u(~bd of t\l)rali.~rn and 71pon only such of those as of :11? “c.171ldren” to IJC “fed” at the timr. he let hnme of the
ma111t:7IIIWI t 11caircovc~na1~t rclat1omh1p by c1rrumc1h1on ; hence c 17imlls of knowledge and hle~~in~ fall to tlie Snnizritanb. nl10,
tlir .Jcw-, w(‘1 7%rt(/A t 111not :Ic~knowltdginp the Samaritans, and like the GentlIes. were not “cl11ldrc11,” bnt in cwnp iriwii were
in II~IVIIJ~ no tl~~nlin~!. wit11 t!1cbmrcligiouslg, nor 1ntermarryins “d(!p.” (See Matt. 13 27) O77r I,nld’s rniirse - here 1< an
wit11 th!~ni ho(.ially This w:l~ not. a matter of bigotry, but of in\triiction for his followers, an illiistration of thr Apo+tle’s
divine> rc~gllxt1on and l~r~~h1hiti0n.-De71t. 7: 1-G. words tl1z.t we should “do good 1tnto 011 wctt as WC I~:II c oppor-
Tt will b7~rcmcmhc1c~tl that our Lortl distinctlv set the seal t/c?,lty, e~pcc%xllv to the hou~choltl of faith.” F71rthcr. it 1llus-
of his appro\xl to thi< COII~-t. when qcnding fort]; his disciples t1ates o71r Lord’s own declaration. tl1at It ~7s h1c mrat and
to d7~c*larc the kingdom of Gc.d at hand. He said to them, “Go drink to do the Father’s will, to be cnyaped in the Fatl1cr’s
not into the wav of tile Grnt1les. and illto anI/ city of the bay1ness. Althongl1 he was weary. and knew th?t further
Nnnt~lr~tuws mtc; qc xot : for I am not sent save to- thk lost talking would interfere wit11 his rest and refreshment. lie was
sheep of tl1r ‘%OUSC of Is~uTI.” IY’e remember, too, the city ready to sacrifice 11is own ronvenirncde that he might l)e 11clyful
of the S,7marit:7nq conr*rrning which the Apostles James and to another. even to a social outcast. So the Spoytle c\hnrts
*John s(:7id, “Iinrd, wilt thou that we command fire from heaven, all of the Lord’s people to be “instant in season and o77t of
to r~lllill~lc t11w1 7” To nhnm Jrs71s answered, “Ye know not season.” in preaching to will1np ear*.
what <pirit ycx are of The Son of Man is not come to destroy There was wisdom in 0111‘Lord’s method of intrnd71f in,n
men’s ilvcs,’ init to save tlirm.” Nevertheless, we remember liimself to tlie woman. He made a requrqt th7t would not he
that .JW~IS woultl not ncbrform hi? miracles in healing the difficnlt for her to co1nplr with. and at the cavr time hc I.lid
San1:rritnn si(k. and tha’t it was for this reason that thee Sa- 11imself under nbligat1on to her: and r\pwlrncr ihow. that
ma1 itans rcqrntctl and noultl not receive him, or permit him this is one of the best methods of anpw:lc*l~in~ all-cnntle~crn-
to p’1~ thrn71ph tl1cir city on ILLS jo71rney.-Luke 9:5X6 sinn and an espresfinn of confidrnre 1n tlitir ge11rroTity. with
It n:7< d77r1ng one of these numerous journeys from Judah the implication whirh it gives of willingness to rct71rn tl1e
through Stma71.1, en route to Galilee. that our Lord, wearied favor in some manner.
front 111~ c~\l7;171rtinn of 1’1cn:7clrinp and froin the further es- Xot 11efd1nr tl1e rudeness of the wom.~n’s replv to l1iq re-
han~t1on of hi< kitalitv in he,711ng the sirk, and from jour- que-t, our Lo&l proceeded to ten?11 a lrsson kpcrting the
neyin:. rcbted at Jarob’s me!l. while his disciples turned aside grace of God. 11sing the good water of .Jncob’s derp ~~11 as an
to a \ ill:ige to pni~hnsc prov1s1nnq. illii~tratinn. telling the -woman that if she nndrrstnn? the
.Jacob’< w~\ll 111(1a ,grent reputntion thrnnghnut that region, pri;-ilege she enjoped she in turn wo71ld lw asking him for
bccaii~e of the piiritv of its n-atprs; tl1:7t 11pin: ;i li~;rntone “1lVl~lg water”-flowing water, not stagnqnt, always fresh.
conntl y most of thci water fn71nd UY$ br:1cl\ish. b71t .Jnrob’d She perceived that there was some deep 1neanin.g to our Lord’s
~~11. <i7111;to n tl~~l~tl1of over a llun(lic~tl fret. :7ncl nbniit eight word<. He could not refer to Jacob’s well. for he had no
fact 1n tliarnc~tc~r. str11cal: a (*:‘r\ 1c.c’in the ro( k, whirl1 yielded leathrr h77rket and cord ~itl1 which to draw from it; hence
a large s77pt)ly of d~~~7731~1~ Ilater. 1T-e are to remrmbcr, too, her inquiry. Khcnce hast thou livinq water? F;7thcr Jacob
tlirb scar(*it,v of wntcr it: that part of Ill&> c,niintrv, ecpecially provided this well, and knew of no better water for himself
at snmP swwns of t 11c ycnr, n 111~11arrn11ntc: for the fart that and fami!v. Are ~071 able to provide better water tl1an thisl
the Snm:iril:rn wr,ni:77i of nnr lc~wn Iind quite a distance to -4re $071 $reater than he? 071; Lord thrn led another step in
comr to trllt iin !1cr supply at this good and’11rvcr failin? well- tl1c exnosition of sniritual things. a&snrinc her thst the wnter
snriy1z. U.l1rn $17~nr1ivotl. .Jr-11s. who wq$ sittin- on the curb which ‘he had to &ve was of i different kind; that it w011ld
n’f fhc~ well, rca\ti11p. was at onc’c rernznixcd by 17er as n Jew, not only FatiSfT thirst for the time being. lmt would be a con-
ant! -11~ VXL~ at onrc rcc*n~7~i7c~tlhy 11in1 as a Samaritan, not tinual well-spring within. cl-er giving satisfaction.
mn rl,v IIV f:1ri:rl linc3mca?tG. lnit al<0 11~7diqtinrtive fcatiires Water, livings water, pure water, iq a wonderful symbol,
of drc~--flip .T( 11’11,:1\ing a ~l:itc fringe on tl1eir garment4, rerr rxprrqiire to everyone: and thirst is nnothrr. Tlnrit is
while the S:lm:ii it:inc ii-ad 11Iiic. tleqirc. r.raviiiy longing. Physical thirst is said to be much
For a .Jow tl) m;:l.-~ n rcq:lwt. to ask a ro71rtpsv, of :, Pa- mnr? painfiil than ph,vsiral 117iner1 The latter loses itq powers
mnritxn. \Y’I~ i1ni1~iinl . :;ntl :~on~.t~quentlr w!1rn .Je<714asked for yr21Jrls11y in wPakneqs. but thirft contin71es nntl intensifies
a drink of tl1ib \\:ltrr t!tc, ~~nin:111waq drnwino; she xi?s astcn- hourly until the verr lact breath. Water is that which
isllcxtl cnnu~h to 1nq11irc !In\c it r‘lmt’ that hr. a Jew. would qumrhes. whir~h qltiqfies this demand of nature. and SO there
make ~11~11n rc,cluPSt of 11~1 :1 Samaritan. and licr qliestion has i4 al50 n soul-thirst and a water of life which alone can
in it the element of l)nl(lnQ=. whicah is eyalained later on bv satisfv it.
her arknnwlrdgment that she W\‘ASnot a ri;tuous woman. All Frerv amhitinn and c!esire is a thirst. -4 man’s greatness,
tl1is. however, makrq it the mnre remarkable that o71r Lord his indil-idualit,v, is meacnred (1) 11v the number nf his thirsts
would condescend t0 hare any intercourse with her. There or decirec ; (2) by the character or’q71ality of those thirsts or
[25743
FEBRUARY I, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (46-47)

desrrcb, (3 J by the capacity and intensity of those thirsts Jews) might bring some of these Samaritans to a realization
or desires. And true cducatron is the instructor of men as of the fact that the well cf the water of life is derp, that they
respects proper and improper desires, or thirsts: and respect- had nothing wherewith to draw, and that if they would have
ing whrch should be gratrlied, and how to do so most wisely. this satisfying par tion they must receive it as a gift from him
He who has no desires has nothrng to satisfy, and is practr- who laid down his life that he might have the nrivilege of
tally a nonentity. The lesson of life is not that we should be supplying the water of life to whosoever wills. ;4od should
without desires and nlentv of them, but that these desires
I
the poor Samaritan woman never have come under the in-
should be transformed from sinful desires to righteous desrres, flucnce of the Gospel. with an opportunity to drink of the
from sinful cravings to holy cravings. Thus the followers of water of life, we have the assurance of the divine Word that
the Lord are to hunger and thirst after righteousness. and are su.-h an cpportunity will be granted to her in the future,
to bc filled-satisfied-not by losin g their desires, but by real- togrther with all who do not now have an opportunity.
izing them-by approprrating. the Lord’s provision, which 1s TF’e praiee the Lord for the information afforded us in his
abun~ldnt and continuous, satrsfying all proper longings. Im- Word, that although the water of life is now given individ-
proper longings are to be resisted, controlled, rooted out, whrle ually, and enloyed only by the “elect,” “even as many as the
proper longmgs are to be built up, cultivated, to be supplied Lord our God shall call,” yet the time is coming that it shall
and to be enjoyed forever. no longer bo thus a well of water sprmgrng ?cp &thin the
This satrsfying water of life can be obtained from no other Lord’s people, but during the Millennial age will be a river of
sour(*e than our Redeemer, and all who have received it well water of life, broad and full and clear as crystal, flowing out
know it and can never be sufficiently thankful for it; for in from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and of the bride
it they have the peace of God which passeth all understanding the Lamb’s wife and joint-heir. to all the families of t!re earth:
rulrng in their hearts. Instead of thirst for honor amon& and that then there will not onlr be trees of lift, whose leaves
men,ctl~ey have the thirst for fellowship and honor with the will be for the healing, restitution. of the nations but that the
Heat-rnly Father and the Redeemer. Instead of a thirst for Spirit and the bride (then glorified) shall say, Come and he
earthly wealth, their transformed desires now thirst for heav- that he?reth may say, Come. and whosoever will may come
enlv treasures. Instead of thirst for sensual pleasures, their and have the water of life freely.-Rev. 22: 17.
desires are transformed so that their chiefest joys and desires The Samaritan woman seemed anxious to avoid any dis-
are for spiritual nleasures. And all these thirsts are abun- cussion ot her own character and lrfc, and slcilfully turned the
dantlv and continually satisfied through the refreshment of 1
auestion to a theological one-whether the Jews or the Sa-
the \Vord of Truth. and the holy Spirit of the truth-the water mnritans were right yn their difierent views respecting divine
of lift. which is communicated to us by our Redeemer, and is worship and its proper place. iind in this we s&e that human
in cnc11 one a perennial living fountain. nature is mu-h the same todav. &Ien and women of today
Of rourqe the STmnritan woman did not grasp the meaning would rather discuss tbeologrcal problems and denominational
of our Lord’s words, nor could we, under the same circum- controversies, than turn their glance inward, and note the
stances. for WC are to remember that the well from which our inconsistencies of their own lives. with a desire to reform them.
Lord gives us to drink ic deen. and that neither the Samaritan Nor did our Lord too closely press the moral question he had
woman nor we have anvthina to draw with. We,- -however. so promptly touched and to some extent made sensitive. and
livinr under the new drspensarion of the holv Spirit, have been his course in this should be a lesson to his followers. It is
abmulantlv supplied, for, as the Anoqtle de-clares. “The snirit sufficient that attention he called to a wrong, and often this is
searc~bcth ‘all things. veal the derp’th?~os of God. . . . That more efficarious than if they he teased and angered, and put on
we mqht know [nlmrerinte, be saiisfied’withl the things that the defensive. bv disrespectful “nagging.”
are freelv givcm uul o us of God.“-1 Car. 2: 10. 12. Our Lord ‘summed up in few words a great lesson respecting
Our Lord did not an<;ver the woman’s rearrest for the true the nroner worshin of God. He told the woman most point-
mater of life. (1) hec-:luqe the time for behtowing the holy edlv that the Samaritans had neither part nnr lot in the
Snirit of the truth had not vet rome. and did not come until
”
maiter, and worshiped thev knew not what, while the Jews,
a& the great saczrilicse at Calrarv-until Pentecost. (2) on the contrarv. were fnllo&na the divine instruction. ru’rver-
Becau<r qhe was a Samaritan, and as such could not receive thcle<q, he pointed to the fact that a great dispensational c.bange
dirrrie faxor and tin holv Sairit until the annointed time was imminent, in which all distinctrons and barriers of place
whil,h wnq not until the door’ of favor would b onen to all and manner would pass away, and that under the new dispen-
GentlIe--not until three and a half years after Pentecost: sation of this Gospel age any and all having ears to hear and
nrrcrtbcless the woman’s interest and faith and the faith of eyes to see God’s grace would be permitted to worchip God
her townsmen seem to indicate an honestv of heart pleasing anywhere, but only in spirit (with the heart. sincerelv). and
to tbp Lord, on account of which he let’ fall to them some in truth, in harmony with the divine arrangement, in the true
“crumbc” of comforting truth which may have prepared them wvov-through Christ, who is the Way. the Truth and the Life,
for the Gospel when later it was fully opened to them and to and by whom alone there is access to the Father-the Messiah,
all Gentiles. (3) Brrause the wnmsn wan nnt rot in the con- the procurer and dispenser of the wntcr of life.
dition of hrart‘to rcreive the water of lrfe. It n;as unnrcessarv An Oriental fahle tells of a fountain whose mafcra were
to explain to the woman the first two reacons. since the last infused with a peculiar power, so that wherever a drop of this
was a barrier which she could more readilv umlrrstand. and water fell on a-barren plain it cauqcd a now fountain- to push
hence our Lord called her attention to the’fact that she was forth. so that nrovided with this water thr trnv‘*lcar might pass
living in sin. She perceived that he was gifted with a pro- through any desert, however wide or dry, and be always re-
phetic insight whirl1 nermitted him a stranger v to know of her freshed.
;inful corrrse of lrfe,’ without asking.
It may be queried why our Lord would thus confer with a
woman unprepared to receive the blessings he had to give, and “Wild and fnnriful the legend: yet mav not meanings high,
one to whom he could not have given the blessing. then. even Jriiions nf bettpr thinpv to come. with’in its shadow Iir?
if she had been prepared. The answer is (1) that he was mak- Tvpr of a better fountain, to mortals now nn~ralcil,
ing us0 of an opportunity to itq fullest pnsrible advantage; The full, free salvation of Christ our Lord revealed
(2) that despite her sinful course of life the Lord saw traits
of honest-v in the woman’s character, evidenced from the nar- “Beneath the cross those waters lie, and he who finds them
rative : (3) he might reasonablv hope that the influence of thrre.
thiq discourse might tend tnwarcl rirrhtenuqness and toward a All through the wildprnesq of life the living stream may hear;
true thirst for thP water of life. which six years later, under And blessings follow in his steps. until mhere’er he goes
the general preaching of the Gospel (without restriction to the The moral wastes begin to loud, and blossom as the roje!”

THE MEMORIAL SUPPER

The anniversarv of our T,nld’q death rrrkoned according to previous evening, April 12, after six o’cloc!< P M. We make
Jewish calendar &I1 this year he April 13 at 3 P. %f.-conse- this early announcement for the sake of friends afar off.
quently the celebration of the Memorial Supper will be on the Further statements and local announcements later.

Gethsemane can I forget’ When to the crnis I turn mine eyes,

Or there thy conflict see. And rest on Calvary.
Thine agony and hlondy sweat. 0 Lamb of God, my Snrrifice.
And not remember thee? I must rcmen!btr tlrce.
[2575]
 INTERESTING LETTERS
DF~R BROTHER RUSSELL*.-A few days since dear Brother fore take the liberty of mentioning the matter to you for
Sorcott wcib rn to call on me, anti 111the course of our conver- advisement. If so, a cordial, brotherly welcome awaits you
P,Itlurl he mentioned you, and that he had often had a desire and other friends, who would be entertained to the extent of
to meet you in the fleyh, but that, it was quite improbable now. our ability.
He 1. getting very feeble, and it is a great effort for him to get The Musical Towers ordered were promptly received and
al,ont much, but he is ansioub to do all he possibly can. Some used to advantage at meetings.
time ago llc felt a little better and took his horse and cart Our prayers are with you and we crave yours, to the effect
;111(111ant out ant1 sold nine DAwSs. He returned beaming with that we may be faithful overcomers, even unto death. Youre
j(l)- tll:~t thc~ Lord ha<1 $0 blc~~l 111swork. It is hard for him in Christ, E. \v. BRENNE:ISEN.-!&XXX?.
to n rite. am1 hc wi-hctl me. some time when I would be writing DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--I feel inclined to give you a
to ! 011. to tell you of hii great love for you as a brother in hrief account of our Volunteer work, even though you may
( l111.t. .III~ lli; grateflllnrss to you for all the interest you had hear from others conccrnmg the same.
l:rlX9 1,) him ~1111~he wits in the colportcur work. Hc said We put out about 450 of the booklets last Sunday evening.
t II (t. cl~~rllrtic~.- you 1,~ w of his 101P and prayers already, but I felt compelled to go out with the others, as I bad been think-
t t).lt -~~rn~~t lmc’q it URS strcn~thrnlng to us if some of the ing of the letters in last TOWER and of the blc5sed privilege
1)~(‘:111t~n~~.irnc to 11; v;:th a mc+c:t~c of love, and he was sure thus offered us of sharing in the blessing that surely comes
y0-1 ~,I~!I~II :\l~pr~~<‘i:ltc the motirr with wh11.11it was sent. Also to tho*e who do thus serve Him. I would urge all in everv
111,t II<%I\ L. I c~mcml)c~rirlp y011 before the throne of favor, that place to take up this good work of serving &d’s househnl&
f”rr (11,tr \I:!-t(‘r woultl crant vou the ncacctcd grace to finish of faith fof whom there mav be manvY vet ” in BabvlonI
” I with
tiT,> ,To’ 1. Il(‘iOl k’ you. So 1 wrilc this to you. this “meat in due season.” ”
.\>I I. I 1~ tlfb:lr ltrotbcr. I (‘an albo add lhat that is my own By a singular coincident I went first to the ?\I E. church,
1’12~1’1 0,: v,,llr l)(‘l::, If. I s.onl~tinicq th1r.k wvc are too apt to where I was c*onvrrted 25 years ago. The second booklet I gave
!,,,I., ,I,,, ,I!\,~ xritl rlrft cx pre<.: it as WC sh~~uld, and thus others out was to a goung man who offered to pay for it. Upon
‘II/ \ t~‘fi1.1 11) fc~sl ?ll:lt \I(’ tlo not ln\c tliem. ;\Iay the dear being assured that it was freely plren to all Bible \tudentq,
I ‘,I 11 l~l(+. vou abnnd:lntly. more thnn gnu are able to think. he &ill urged that I accept a dime and send it to the Tract
\:\‘I, \I i-11 tt,‘tll;ink yen f:lr tli(s htrong nourl-hing food you have Societv. whicah I will do onite soon.
l:wu -~,~c~.;~l~itgbefore 1:. in tllc Tn\!~~s lately. A iittle boy came runking down. asking me if I wmltl give
Tour Ilrotber, by tbc favor of tlw Lord. him another one of those “little Bibler” for an old Iatly who
I\‘. E. Vasri-zrnrncrr.-Sout;L Dakota. wanted it.
[\\-(a c.annot esprcys in words our deep appreciation of the How true that “Obedience is better that sacrificr,” as it 19
love of tbc iJrCdlrC!n so oftcn c.\-pressed in thclr lrtters as above. first, or prciiminent. and surely inrolreq the true and nccept-
M’c ;t*cI1r(’ tllc1.c tl(>nr brc~tlir~~ri ant1 all tliat their love is most able sacrifice. Kow many we see. eqpeciallv among tbc \ictflrs
11(‘:11 111~ I (‘( ~proc~:rtetl. 11-e 101c tllc hrcthrt,n ailtl t:ilce pleasure of the Rnman Catholic system. and al50 fnrc,izn micsionaries
in I,:\ ittg down our life in tlicir service. I\-e are gl‘,d to kuow who are making great sacrifices. yet not accorllin,? to a knnwl-
th,it. ,,(,,I rc~mc~rnllc~r1,‘: ant1 the Lord’s “ll~r~.,~St”
, .C1 work, w:lich he edgo of his plan. and consequently misdircc+cd.
11~1hl,(l(sIl pl(~.~-c~tlto ccsntir h(Bre in z\ll(~plic~ny, in your prayers. Jesus said, “1rv sheep hear (obey) ml, vnl(‘c ” ‘V'c ml~ltt
If \vt’ m;~v lutl:!c~ trorn tile l&trrL, rcc(‘I \ ~(1, tlic:us.!ntlq of prayers to ol)ey God ratb& than men.” I Brmly lwlic~~r that 011 ar(’
n v.rn(i cl,!ilv on our bc~ll:llf. 1\‘c caannot tell you how deeply dnlnr: tliis. who engaze in tlir harrrst wnll;. wlii(~li i. cv-
dentlp under the &dancse of the Chief Rcapcr.
The church here has heen grc‘atlv benefit&l bv the pull1 I”<I-
tion of the \Vnshinoton and no-ton jetterh in ln<i To\\-: I: 7’111:
is clearly tliscernnble in the increased zeal of all for tllc, \\()I k.
May we not reasonably hope that the inrrrnqe of ma1 1~(~1(~ :1nt1
in other places mny be prophetic of a Iargcr work during tllc>
coming year ?
84~~ our heorsnly Father bless the work to the glnrv of
his name. and prrqerve us all with vou unto the r~tnl,llsb~ent
of his kingdom! Yours in the hope&of the hirrb cnllinsr.

[Two letters have been receired from Gktcr\ in C’1lri.t ~110

are mothers. who are surprisrd at our advice to 1Tng~~T<mlbu
In the ,Jnnunry 1st WA’WTI TOWER. One is surpri-cd that we
wou!rl approve of anythinK tlmt woultl bring tllr bov into
loricli with Frctnrianism ; the other wonclcrq \rhrtbcr or not
X11 boys’ clu1)9 under church auspices are of the kind known
to her, and if so sbc wonders verv much th:lt wc eoul(l ad\ iscb
hops who are seekinn to walk cn the footstep4 of .T(lcuq :o
have anvlhing to do with them. Sbc cars that in addition to
the gyninasium for phvsical
_ . cultnrc. thev bare rirnrq. (alcrlr
ettrs.‘billiarda, boxing gloves, etc., all ralcnlated to 1fwI a Ijoy
fzr from the narrow way of true diqciplechip
We certainly did not suppose that the bahc,ments of rburrll(~~
were uqrd in snrh a manner. nor can we vet, think that thiy
is the usual custom; it would seem ton exireme to bc grncral.
We hope that those known to this sister are rare exceptions.
We ns<uredly would advise all boys who seek to w:~lk in the
footsteps of our Lord to shun all such places, and rather to
do without the mmnnstir exercises. if thcv could onlvY be ob-
tained under such conditions. ”
Our thought, in answering Hugo’s question. was that the
boys’ clubs were merely lecture and recreation yuildq, entirelv
hyrmleqs and at the same time nrofitable. and that the onlb
quP>tion was whether or nnt itd association with R nominal
church sycton should properly separate from it those who
hnll,qht to plans the Lord. Our answer was along these lines,
and we still think that a wide distinction should bc observed
as brtwpen joining a church, being bound with a misrepresent-
ing creed, etc. and joining a boys’ club without creed or other
bnndnpe except as respects good morals, and not for religious
purpnsps, hut merely for conperation in obtaining the privileges
of the lrcklre course and the uye of the gymnasium at a mod-
erate expense. To mingle with moral hops in this way is, in
our jud,mncnt. mrreiv a business trpnsartion. and the same
rules whicab \vould hinder n hoy from thus asqnriating with
ofbpr hnpq in n moral and erredless club would similarly hin-
d:ar the Christian father of the boy from dealing in any kind
[2576]
 FEBRUARY 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (51-52)

of worldly business with sectarian Christians and others. The that he should construct some for his own use; far better that
Apobtle seems to imply this point in 1 Cor. 5: 10. he should never mingle with other boys at all, than that he
But we would smcerely regret to be understood as advising should run the least risk of haviny his heart polluted; for we
countenancing or having any sympathy with the kind of boys’ remember how hroaclly applicable are the Apostle’s words.
clubs described by our sister’s letter. Far better that the “Evil communications corrupt good manners.“-1 (‘or. 13 : 33.
Chrlhtlnn boy should have no use of gymnastic appliances, or --EoITo% 1
- --~
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., FEBR.UARY 15, 1000 so. 4
---
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
PULPIT VIEWS ON THE MILLENNIUM that this hnppv prriotl inay be cnjnyetl in the near futurcl.”
The Philadclphla press recently iuterviewed the ministers Rev. Dr. James Llsk, Bordentown, X. J., pastor ot the
of Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the subJect of the Rl~l- Baptist church, says.--
l~nlllulll, USklll~ :- Uo r,wu bcllele thut the Blblxal Jlzllennwm “As to your first question, I certainly do so bclievc. How-
zs nt hllnd? The majorltg of t!le responses denied faith in a ever students of t?le \l.ord mny lntc’rptet your phr,lx ‘1:1tJl1-
Mlllennrum, some ex<re&d an expec<atlon that the churches CiTl mill~~ni~ium,’ tbclre fan be littiz doubt that <omc ;:lc<ic
~oultl 111mp it about bv miasionnrv effort, and a few declared change is soon to take place. The dirme pro:rramme is I;~Iu;:
faith ln a ‘ielgn of C’hr”lst neax at”hand, as follows:- rapidly complet4, so iar :I$ the prt’sent order of things 12
Rev. \yilliam >!cSillly, Harrisburg, Pa., has made a care- concerned. Prophecy is rapidI{ helng fulfilled.”
* *
ful htutly UI t!kc “,\l~litxnlum” questlon. He says:-
“I bclicve that the millennium period is near-that we The majority of those who saw no evidence of a BIillell-
are llvlng III tile ‘last days, foretold 111the Bible. The proph- nium meant that they saw no eridenre of tl,e speedy convelslon
ecies are ail t:elng tultilled and the signs of the time all indi- of the world to such a condition that Goti’s ~111 w0ul~1 IJC
cate it. ‘I’hfsre are *wars and rumors of wars’ now; there is done on earth even as in heaven. And in this we nnl+t com-
moral la\lty every\rhere; the average church attendance is mend their judgment as sound. But alnh! that 10 many
startlingly \rnall, only 36 people out of e\ery 100 attend any should be so deluded by bumnn theory RS to so misuntler~tand
chu1~41 iii this country. There is moral and political cor- the nlnm statements ot God’s \vorcl-that Christ’s ;\llllt~nnixl
ruptlon. reig;l is for the verv purpose of sljbdfring all thing;. ( I C’or.
“All of these things indicate the approach of the millen- 15:25. 26. 28) Filse ideas of the “kinndom” and of tllc
nilIll , :ls ,rli~c~ne may bee by looking up the references in the “judg&ent day,” ant1 imperfect views of’ the chnractc,r a1111
Blth 011 ttrl:, sub@. scope of the atonemrnt, are at the bottom of this blindness to
‘*The nllllenn~um will not be brought about by any human the signs of our times.
agency. \\~(x UC not growing better.” METHODIST FIGURES FOR 1899
R:,v. Cl‘lrcnce E. Eberman, Lancaster, Pa., pastor of the Rev. A. B. Sanford. D. D., editor of the “Methodist Year
Moravlan c11ulch and president of the Pennsylvania Christian Book,” says in “The l’hdadelphia Nethod&,“-
Eiitlr7l\ or L7ilion said:- “Your readers may be interested to hear concerning the
“Sentiment or speculation can decide very little on this total membership of the church for lr(!Kl, as the stati+tics
great quehtion. The Bible alone offers the authoritative have been prepared for the new “Methodist Year Book.” now
teadllll;r. 1 bcllere confidently that Christ is coming again passing through the press. In some mrasure, the IfsuIt is
and tb.lt 111sherorid advent will usher in his kingly reign of preliminary, since the receipt of the Agurcs fiom a few recaent
a thou-and years upon thiy earth.” fall conferences will slipbtly change the additions thaL i.ltcr
Rrv. G(~clrg~~Fulton, Lebanon, Pa., pastor of the Fourth appear in the General llinutes. The “Year Book” total> ~111
Street I’le~l~rtcrlan church, sdid:- not, however, be greatly affected, and show a decarcaqe in
“I bcltevi that the evidence of the nearness of the mil- members and probationers during the past year amonntm$z to
lennium 1s htronger than ever before. Signs have been fou;d 21,934. In the analysis of this result, several interesting
in e\rry generation since Christ’s ascent that pointed to his facts appear.
coming. T!K principal proofs are wars and earthquakes, dis- “1. The increase in full members through the whole church
tress of nations, sea and waves roaring, lawlessness and has been but 6,661. It is a serious fact that such strong
iniquity prevailing to an alarming degree. The Bible says bodies as the New England, t,he New York. the Ph~lad~~lphia,
‘!Vhcn the Gospel of the kingdom shall have been preached the Central Pennsylvania. the New Jersey and the Wilmington
t,o all the nolld as a witness unto all nations, then cometh Conferences suffered conhidcrnble lnssc>s, the decrease in these
the ~111.’ T111q 13 a sign. It belongs onlv to our own age and instances varying from the minimum of 1,36S, to the maximum
the evidence here is strong. Another iign Is the prophetic of 2,436.
moremcut.-the restoration of Israel which has begun.” “2. The decrease of probationers in the year 1899 has
Rc\. Svtlncv N. Ussher, West Chester, Pa., rector of the been 25..‘39.5.
Church of’ tbe ‘Sure Foundation, said:- “3. This decrease in memhers and probationers is acrom-
“The 31lllennlum is a divine conception, with Scripture panied by a decline in Sunday School scaholars during lS!)9
the oillv source of light and authority. No definite time is of 16,716. It is a noticzeable fxcst that t,be decline in Sundxy
stated therem. I believe, however, the world is fast preparing School scholars thus o(‘(*urs in the cprlng confcrenc*cx \\hlrh
for it.” as a body contribute a total lnss in proh~tionrrs of 22 572.
Rev. \Villiam J. Houck, Carlisle, Pa., pastor of Grace “It may be said in conrlllzion, tll:it the nrt tlwlinc 111 mcm-
United Brethren church, says:- bers and prohatinncrs of 21.93-I is the fir4 nnsitivr deadline
“I believe that the Biblical millennium is at hand.” that has occurred sinre 1881. and. with th:lt reception. since
Rtar. 11. E. RIcLlnn, Bloomsburg, Pa., pastor of St. Mat. the year 1863. The above facts are serious. but are such as
thew’s Lutheran church, says :- it may he wholesomr, for the church to knnw.”
“I am certa”in that a great change is imminent. Every- * * *
thing points clearly to a mighty social and religious upheaval We do not rejoice in such evidences of a decline in de-
and reconstrurtlon. The very fact that this subJect occupies nominationalism : nor do we esprct it to canntinu,. If till.
men’s thoughts so 1arpel.y and that the ‘secular press’ asks losses of denominationnll4m mpant that God’s chllc!rrn w(‘rt’
the question is proof of it to me.” gettin,: out into tile Zfbrrlt/ wh.~ruc-rth Chnsf n~trkc 3 f,-rc LH
Pastor F. Jonte Stanley, of the First Presbyterian church, deed, then we would rc~iolci. But only a small pr(,pnilI~~~l c~f
Atlantic City, N. J., helleves “that the signs of the times, the present decallne cznn he crc~dltc~l to the sprawl of pi~-wl~t
as I read thc,m, point to tbe millennium as not being far off. truth. It means, therefore. indiffc,rrnrc, worldliness.
One of the indiceations is the gathering of the Jews at Pales- It will not surprise us if in tbr near f;iture a Trttst
tine ; another that the Gentiles hear the Gospel the world Churcbianity will have a srnsnn of great prosperity. lnstlnr
over, and still another is that the nations are coming together until the grand collapse which the &rlptures dcrlare will hta
commercially, intellectually and religiously.” sudden.
Rev. 11’. W. Mofl’ett, D. D., Lamhertville, N. J., pastor of BROPOSED FEDERATIONG;;MPARO&TESTANT CHURCHES IN
the Centenary 31. E. church, sags.--
“The trend of revelation on the subiect of the millennium Prof. Brgscblag has isillod ,111appral to German I’rntwt-
seems to teach that a time will come”in the history of the ants whic.11 IS hpinn rerardwl favorahlv hv manv of thc)m. It
world when the Gosnrl shall dominate all nation? and Jrsus tends in thr direction ’ of thr general “rcfiginns ’ federation we
ehall reign in the knjority of human hearts. To the close have long hren cxupwtlng--\vhirh n ill rcvivc reli$or:s t~lnnnv
student of the world tovday there seem to be many indications and suppress religious liberty and stllle present truth; iJilt
[25773
(52-53) ZION’S WATCH TOWER
not LIntll it has borne its witness and gathered the “wheat” Chicago \Vorld’s Fair. It is proposed to avoid doctrines and
of the (:o\pel “harvest.” The Ltterury Digest gives a sum- merely to show u-orlia-mi4ons. charities, etc., and In all
marg of the proposed plan as follows:- these matters Catholicism hopes to make the chief showing,
“Thtre is to he no formal union of the various state and reap the greatest advantage.
cburchcs, nor arc tbcse to lose their historical identity in the IXsnpprorr;rg of the propbjed Conprcss The Midland, a
proposed new arrangement. Not a union is proposed, but a United Presbvtcrran journal. refers to the Chicago Parliament
fcdoration of the state churches, with the Prussian church of Religions as follows :-
rvbich rcpreqcntn the Emperor, the SZCW~~ZLS cpzscopus of the “Missionaries tell us that their work has been made more
Prott&lnt church of that kingdom. as the head. The con- difficult, in India at least. by the boasts of devotees of the
fc+\ionnl statrrs of each church shall remain undisturbed. false systems of religion there that in Chicago they had met
“TII(* olljc~*t of the federation is to unite the churches of and triumphed over Christianity. Tho not intolerant, the
the empire for practical purpose?. Chief among these pur- Christian religion is absolutely exclusive. It can have no
l~~cs is co-operation in providing for the religious needs of the fellowship with systems which insult the true God and know
(~crnlat19 in tbc Diaspora, i. e., those n ho are scattered in the nothing of that blcsred T\‘ame by which alone salvation comes
various forclqn lnntls and ncctl rcligiou; care. Then, too, the to any human soul. Its mission 1s to cxposc and uproot all
I’rotcstnnt church of the empire mu+t have some means by other systems and rescue men from their delusion and de-
which it ran, as a hndy, be represented, just as the Catholic structive influence. R’e are convinced that these parliaments
church has a reptesentative in tbc Pope. A further hut later tend to ohscure the di<trnction between the only true religion
purpnie is to secure unity in church gnvcrnmcnt and polity. and the systems of error it must serk to destroy. One such
Tn nthrr wor~ls, it is to hc, with tbc ncre+ary changes, a fed- experiment was one too many. If a second is to be attempted
eration for the good of the church such as the organization we hope the good sense of Christian people will keep them
of the rmpirc ha+ been for thr StiltP. from participation.”
“This federation is to find its expression in an imperial \Ve arc pleased to note an expression of so much loyalty
Protestant synod, which shall consist of representatives of to the Gospel, and thr onlv Name in which is salvation. It
the various state church governments, as also of the congrega- is as Iarc as it is refreshing in these days pf evolutionary
tions, in such proportions as shall he agreed upon. The zbnbelief and Higher Criticism ?nfidelitv. Would that thrs
officials of this synod shall be the representatives and the editor and his readers might see that the hlcssed day of
executive board.” Christ’s Millennial kmgdom 1s near. in the which all the deaf
A CONGRESS OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY ears shall be opened to hear the joyfui sound of salvation and
This, at the coming Paris Exposition, is proposed as in to know of that onlv name and of the eternal lrfe offered to
stead of a I’,II lianlcnt of Religions such as was held at the all who will obey him.

“WITHDRAWAL LETTERS”
Thc*r arc not s;\mplra to bc copzed by pen, but regular let- sociatrd in “Babylon.” It will do them good and it will insure
tcr all rcatly to date and sign and can he posted unscaled for that you will not be misuncler,tood and tnisrrprcscnted IM?~-
one cent c:!c.h It is a kind but plain ~tatcmcnt of our view of Icntlona(ly. Otlierwlsc your witlrdra\val 15 almost certain to be
the trnc ln~~sil~lc Church and its head Christ Jesus and Its misrepresented as “Infidelity’-as leaving the trzcc church and
b~ntlagr of love as cnntrac-ted with human institutions under not mcrcly leaving a Iiltma>i organization never recognized by
Si\ notIs. (‘onfct (‘tlccY ;lntl I’rc~bytcries and held together with the Lord nor instrtuted by him, but by fallible men.
crectl-l~ontlage. All who get frrc from “Babylon” should send Order all you need with tracts and envelopes accompanying
one of these letters to each church member with whom he as- free-after getting a saarl)Ze and deciding you wish t0 use t!lettl.

“THIS CHARGE I COMMIT UNTO THEE, SON TIMOTHY”

1 TIMOTHY 1:lS.
More than a year ago we intimated a desire to do some- “Pilgrim” work could be much better carried on there from
thing more than has brrn hithrrto atttmptcd to assist God’s such a home office and by one thoroughly familiar with the
dear “sheep” in Great Britain and Ireland to hear the great methods the Chief Reaper has been pleased to hlcss her-c. True
Sllcl~licrtl’x 101~c and tlins to be led into the green Pastures all these branches hare already been started in Great Britain,
of prcscnt truth. Our thought was to send o;.er one of the but none of them work as smoothly and efficiently RS !\e be-
“Prlrr~n~” brrthren. but tbc Lord’s nrovtdcncc did not seem licvc thcv will operate under the proposed plan. hlany, we be-
lieve. hesitate to order tracts, papers, and books because of the
tlicr6, was started as a “l’ilgrim,” and we believe ivlth benc- distance, difference in money. etc.
ficial rcsnlts. for whic~h tlrc Lord be nraisccl. Tbr nest questron naturally was, To whom shall so im-
Still wc arc not satisfied that all is being done there that portant a mrsslon be entrustrd? And the question, under thr
eouftl i~c tlonr, alltl srncc our last annual report \vc ha\ c been requested guidance of 0111 Lord, hccm’i to be sati+factorily
srcking to know the mind of the I,ortl respectrng the great in- answered. With his hcsrtg consent we have chosen our dear
rrcasc of his work in thr spread of the “harveqt“ message, Brother Henninges, in who~c cfliclency for this service we have
\\hic h wt. l)clicve we mav ~Ci~sOll~il~lV esnect in the nest few fullest confidence and who has given many proofs of his
yr.irs. \\.lirlc we cspcct that most’ of ‘the incrcasc will as lovaltv to the Lord and 111scause, and of whose full conserra-
usrlal 1~ in thiq land, spccrallp prepared and specially favored tion of heart to the Lord we have 110 doubt. He has had per-
and fa\orablc it setms to iis that the thirtv-fire mllllons ot sonal experience in all departments of the work for the past
Britain for several reasons deserve sperial Eonsideratron and eight years-the last seven of which he has spent in the
y”‘%‘l rll’o1 t. (1) ISrcnusc of our unity of language and \\ :rtcb Tower office and as a member of the U’atch Tower
rcliaious J~(YI~R. (2) Ilrcauhc of the prevalence of a religious family, whose “table talks” are in the nature of Bible schools.
sentiment among the masses. (3) Bccansc we have teason \Ye could not send you, dear British brethren. anyone in
to hope that the present lamentable war is not onlv awa!tm- our judgment hetter qualified to assist you in carrying on
ing thr pcoplc. as wars always stem to do, but adtlrtionnll,v be- the work we all so dearlv love to serve. We trust that you
cause sotnc of thr rcvcr\cs met with may prove to be hlcsslngs will wrlcomc him hrartily and co-operate with him to the
lay bringrng to the people a larger drgrce of humi!itv and estcnt of your Judgments and opportunities. We shall greatly
spcclally causing the religions to ponder over the cridences miss him here, but will feel a pleasure in sacrificing our own
WC prc~cnt respecting tlie completion of the “elect” church convcnlenccs for your sakes-that the grace of our Lord may
and thr speedy inanguratlon of the Millennial reign of right- abound toward many who have not yet “tasted that the Lord is
rnnhnrhs. (1) llccausc hn large a population of’ one tongue gracious.” Map he always abound as at present in the knowl-
bring wItinn compnrativclv so small a snare should make edge of the truth and in its spirit of love for the Lord.
efforts thcrr tlonbly cffcctr.vr of results, ail other considera- i1-e have heen rn correspondence with the British Post-
tions being cqnal. master General and find that the postal rates and terms arc
Arcortlinply we harr planned. and from the first of the less favorahle there than we had expected-less favorable
year have been arranging to send to Great Britain a rcpre- than ours : but having gone thus far we are not yet discouraged
sentativr to look thr tlcld over. with a view to the rstnblish- -hoping for some good results from a personal inspection of
ment of a branch office in London from whence that whitming the field anyway. Brother Henninges will go drrect to Lon-
field could he more thoroughly harvc+d. 7’11~propnsrtron is. don, view the situation and write us,-meantime awaiting our
that the “Colporteur” work. tbe “Volunteer” \votk and the reply, he will make a “Pilgrim” visit to various cities and
[2578]
 FEBRUARY15. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (5+55:

towns where already there are little gatherings of Watch of his cause; full of the spirit of self-sacrifice, and firm for
Tower readers ; and this alone we believe will justify. should every principle of righteousness as she discerns it. Sister
the London “branch” proposition prove to be infeascble. Henninpes has been a member of the Katch Tower family
Of course, Sister Hennlnges will accompany her husband, for t\Ielve years; joming in the office work with her brother
not only as his natural help-mate, but, as his helper in the when quite young. May God’s blessing continue with both
Lord’s work. 11-e commend our dear sister very highly to these dear members of our family. making them blessings 1~
you all as a very earnest and faithful child of God and servant various ways to the household of faith across the great deep

THE GOOD TIDINGS DISCREDITED

FER. 25.-LUKE 14: 16-20.
“De came unto his own, and hitis own recetved him not.“-Aohn 1 :ll.
Remembering the proverb. “A prophet has no honor in his Father to do milac!rs at Nazareth. :Ilthou~li tliiq is implied
olrn country.” our Lord did not begin his ministry in Nazareth in the fart that he thd none, and lmpl~etl al-n In the, explann-
uhclc almost twenty-eight years of his life had been spent tions and illuctratinns whirl1 he ;~nrc Ihn~lltl?~s lrv i1:1-
and where rnnscqucntly he was well known to the people. His guided in the matter by certain pnnriplcs povrrning his uv
ministry began in .Tudea, and the people of Nazareth un- of the power from nii high. Xs wt. hnlc alrratlv hrtrii he mlrrllt
donhtccilv hc.11~1 cnnsitlerable respecting the marvelous works not usi thl- power selfi;hl~ In his nwn interest; \vc1 may lYl:r-
and words of their sutldenlv notable $ellow-citizen, hefore he wise suppose that hc wc~111tlnot bc at llllc~rty to IIW it simply
came thither. All this mo;ld he in their favor, and tend to a4 a frntifirntinn to ri~iin~itv. l)ut tli.Lt it cniiltl 1)~ uqcd 0131x
prepare them to receive Messiah and his meqsape, offsetting in recponse to prnprr faith. ‘The ptnple of Kazarc,tli rvlciriitl~
the famiharlty whirl1 w frequently begets contempt. were not in the attitiide nf faith. xc~t tllcrcfoi e 111tlic 1srnni.r L I
Our lc<\on show$ that our Lord had been in the habit of attitude of heart. to recei\r God’ * l~l~~~~iri~--tl!~~ wrong con-
attrnfling tlw rrllrrlous -errires of tllc Fynagnpue everv Sab- dltinn of thrir li~~rth waq miiiife~tc~tl 11~ tllclr :\c+lons. Thor,
bath dnv, and intimates thnt it had Ireen his custom” to do our Lord rcxfn\rtl to pratlfy tlicxir ciirio\lty. \\-v not,> the dlf-
the rending of tllcb 1:1~v--wh1cl~ implicad an education far be- fercncr brtwrrn this rnrinus ant1 nul)el~cviiip tl(B<irr for Inlr-
yond that of the malnrltp of his day. As synagnguc-attend- arles, and the cnurqe of nrtlnn following it, in rontrgst wit3
anrc was not Stri(*tly a part of the law. our Lord’s example the faith of the Svin-Phoenician wnni:rii. her Innnilitr r:!
in t!lli- ~c~~liin: to nqioc,inte as far as pos<lble with the moqt heart, and the manner in which clic rrrclvctl nilr J,nr d’s ‘fit-t
rellglnuq pclnplr of his (lag. and his v.illingne~ to take part rcfnqnl to rr:int her reclu&. (l\inttlle\v S\’ 22-29) IVr car
in the pul)llc* srrrirrs. are a ltqinn to his people everywhere, but sn~l,o~c that hnd the prnple of Nn7:lMh hren in a pr’nprt
in harmony wltil thp word4 of the Apn<tle that we ~hnulcl not attitude* of hrnrt thrg wnl;ltl ‘hart arrc~ptc~tl nltr I,nrd’< l’efll*sal
forg& tlicl ac~enihlin~ of nilr~el~ ec toeether. as the manner of to wnrk mlrnc*les in a diffrrmt m:inllcr. and wn11lrl havcb <ait
so& is, for tlrr Lnrci*s wnrship.---Hch&w x:25. “Well, we enjoy the gra(ainiis wnrd\ from his mouth :~ii~\~av
The pn\~~r of Scriptllre rrpd hr our Lnrd from the for they hare brought a healing and i&~~slng to our heart.”
prnpl~ecy of Tq,xlnh was qliitc prohnhly the ytnted Scripture ,4nd if such had been their attitude no tlnubt later our J,nrrl
lri<nn for tllnt day. for it wnultl apppxr that, it was a custom would hare performed miraclcq of healing in their city also.
of the .Tc\\s tn have Srriptnrc rcadingq each Sabbath day, By wa;r of explaining to them whv 11r might noi prrfnrm
taking up various parts of the Old Testament Scriptures his mirarles in their midct. as mrll ni tnnnrtl ntliets. niir
altcrnatc~l! At all errlltu, thr leccnn read hp our Lnrd iq Lord rated twn illu&xtinns from th<s prnphet5 of t11~ pa4t-
easily itlentific,tl as n Grc>ck tr,cnslntinn frnm Isaiah 61. He Elijah sent to the poor Qrntilc witl:%\*;. to llr a lli(9~ln~r.. tn hrr
read the fir<t \car~e of tlrc chapter. and <topped reaflinp in the home. -\\hile widnwq of Israel weir i’xssr(l bv : an11 Eli&a
middlp of the second verse, closed the rnll, and returned it to heallnq Snaman of lcprnqp, nhllr rn~lrlr l’p(‘rs in Tqrael were
the stsr\-ant lIn\ing charge of the closet in whirl1 tlie rolls pas*rd by. Thee apt illnstrat~ons wcl e nnkindlv rrcelvcd
wer(’ kept. and then, according to the cnqtom of the time, as by hiq hrarers, because. drawing the pnrnl!:l. it likc>nctl thrm
an lntll(,:ltlnn that III) W’RS rnadp to make remarkS. Jesus sat to starving poor and diseased lrp~~l s ant1 implic~l our Lnrd’c
down Hnw much of an esplnuatinn of the Scriptures he care comparative greatness and superiority to them as a tlIFpt~ilWr
his ll(bar(*rS WC arc not definitely told. but donl~tlcss he rom- of divine hnuntr. Aftrr the snmr nlannrr our T,ord (‘l\llwhCrc
nlentctl lil~ornllr ulmn the var1nuq feature4 of the nronhecv. told the Phnriiers that. hr, nq tllP Good Pllvsic*ian, Ij:~d t’omt
summing up his Ihmnrkq wrath that whirh is recorded, viz., to heal the sick and that the wc~ll nrcded’nnt a nhrhic,l.rn.
that the prophec*y was In process of fulfilmeut at that very That thiq mnq their attllutle of ho lrt ::lld frrlinK n’n nc~l r,f
moment. him, sntl thr blwsinps lie dispcnsctl. ?lirv dltl not rrallzc, tli6’lr
Tile alldipnrr, cnmpnqrd rhiefly of his acquaintanres. had a sin-sicknrqq. and their deadness in ti cxkpa<srq and sinq. an’1
miucd sentiment as respwtr him : with the natural feelmg of hence did not rralize their nerd nf ~c~l~nptinn and dcllvrr-
irrercrcnre for thnce with whom WC are intimately acquainted anre from the pnwrr of sin and d~lih.
was blrntled another feeling of pride in a fellowcitizen, who The effcrt of nllr Lnrd’s illustratlnn~ wns nlmnqt clrc$ricni
had nttalncd sllch 1enown : and as thev 11stwIcd to his es- upnn the proud heartq hrfnrr him, wllnse nnlv inttrr<t 11111im
position nf the prophecy they were filled 6itb admlrxtion, “and from the -first had bcru that of pritlc> In him :I$ a f(*llnw
all bear him witness, and wondered at the grncmus wortls ritizcn and hone for mir,lvlr-proof? of his nnw(lr snw. 11flW
which prorf~(~ded nut of hiq mouth.” Thrv said within them- ever. t!ilS prihc was turned’ to liittrrnrr;. ant! thrv \\-1n111(1
selvri and to earh other. \Ve hare never ‘heard surh nonder- murder the one who had spnkrn <n t11<1c>sn,cclf111ly nf thl m a<
fully gno(1 titli:lcs hcfnre in nur 11v~4. and this from otlr to compare thrm tl, hungry widnwvs and lcpclrb. u~c~tlinp 111~
neighbor, tlie cilrpcntcr Little did thev realize, when thus aid. The con=reratinn immrd~ntclv bcc:>mr a mnl). fillrc;
admil ing his gracious mes<ape. that something would Ocrur with angry passion : and surging fnrth ~111 him tllcl rt ov\ IL
in a few mmncnts which wniild complrtelv frcn7v them. and led 111the dirrcatinn of a prrcipire with a vlcw to c:\*t In? 1l1rn
lrad tlrllrn tcr dr~ire to murdtlr the one ~110 now declared him- headlong from it. But hy thr rxrrrihp nf qnln(’ powc’r. pob11111\
self to br the fulfillrr of this prophecy, the =2nnintrtl of the a power natural to a prrfrct human l~rll~rr. our T,(nrl rn:~ctr~c~i
Lord. tile I\ipssiah, ready to give in due time the blesninFs meal- them with his mind. and passrd from thcllr mltl<t. none (1x1Ill::
tionccl II? tlu~ prophet. to <tap him, and wt-cnt on his way.
The Ijeoplc of Nazareth were more intrrr?tcd, however. Let uq note canrcfiilly the me\snpr nhich 0111’ T,nld tlr-
in the ml~a(~l:~s of Jrsns than in his claim to he the Alesqiah. rlarfJ,l wnc, In prnrcqs of fulfilment lhnt dnv. llr tlPlnr,Y;
T!:c mi::lr*lcx w(‘re pr:t(~tic:Il. and they could npprcrintc them, himself to be tllr r2nnintrd Onr mcWlnnc,tl 1)~ tlrcx ~III)~I~IV--~II-
b11C III* tcl.lrll,n: tllnt he w,~l+ thr 31e+\1ah ~ermetl far-fetchrd. anointing of the holv spirit tl:ltinz from thr tlrncl ~,i hi-
rnhr~l they hat1 knnwn him fnr so long as the son of ,Josc~ph, the baptism when .Tnhn hnrc wltnrss th:tt thr hnly spirit (lrq~*<~nll(~,i
carpenter. They therefore llcran to wond(ar. and pns”bly to upon him and ahndr xv]?11 lllrn Thm nnnlntlnz VW ft,r n ;,TIY-
questiou. how mm lie would do in Kaznreth snme of the pose, ar, the prophet tlec*l~~~tl. and nur T,nrd rnnfirmrll tll6
6nntlerful miraclrs done 1~ him at Capernanm and clse- same, saying that he waq nnnintrtl to preach tbc YnLpcl
whrl e. of ~111~~11 thcv had heard. Knowing tills to be the THE GOOD TIDINGS BORNE BY THE MESSENGER OF THE
attitntle of their mind our T,ord anticipated their rcquc4t COVENANT
for miracles, and esplnincd that they mu5t not espect miraclzs
from him-though thrv ri-itlcntlv.
rsnectc~tl mnre miracles
L

amnnpst hir frit9tlq th In tllt,y had hr:lrgl of llih doing amongit

strangrrq. Thiq made nc~c~r~~;lry a llttle e~pianntinn, whlrh
waq not at all flnttcrlnrr to tllem.
Our Lord does not say that he was not permitted of the
[2579]
ft w\-er. ,l Cur. \ii.Zi; J<pll i:L?-2:;) A4ftrr t111h I~rr,ic11111g ti\e+; (2) recoteriug of sight to the blliid; (3) st~ttu1g at
t)t the Gowwl shall hale been gilen. aucl shall have nccom- libertv them that are bruised: (4) the announcement of tht*
~~lisliccl it< purpose and il1trntlo1< then will follow tl1r glorious acceptable year of the Lord,’ as ’ preceding these blewnps :
,ic+unlltit~o referred to in it. A411clif tlw mere clcscrintion of and (5) the announcement of a day of vengeance in the rl&
t11r coming ble~~ug$ is called the Go&*l. good n&s. good or end of the accentablc war of the Lord.-a “time of trouble
ticlingq fo1: all peoile, \Vllilt may wc nol hoI& icspect&g”tlie such as was not &cc tilere was a natiou.” This las; 1~11t.
I~lcss~urr~ themsclvc*. of nliic~li oiilv the inrhwzec: is now D siren the proper to be proclaimed by the anointed “l~ody.“~ was
11) tlw’hrar1ng and higl1t nf faith; not clue to be nroclaimrd br the anointed “TIcacl” at tl1c t1mct
The Go.pcl wn< to IJC picarliecl by tl1c ,~iiointed Head and of our TAorcl’sAdiscourse. 1411 mankind ale captives, all arcs
try thr xnointcd niemlw1~ of his hotly. lo all who hare ears blind, all are bruised; 11ence it is a uni\rc*rhal& blcs&ng that
lo hear 1t. 111tlir hpC(‘iill irrtrrcst of our particular class, \ ia.. is auuounced in this Scrintural “Gosnel” mrsbaw.
I lita I)oor. tllrb l,rnkc,t1-lic;~rtrtl-nnt tlie litcwllr poor any more (1) The captives arc il1c slaves df sin; -4dil;ll :und :I11 lll-
tl):ir; t11e lit111;ilIv l1roLc~11-11c~;~rtc~tl. lnit tlicb ‘:ljOol in hpirit.” race, “sold under sin.” (Ron]. i : 14) Tlirougli disol~etlic~nc~c~
tile lm111l~le-ni11~tl~~tl. \\I10 are alho tlic ~vnin:itl1etir. the tender. iu Eden the lace was boru i11 this sla\ wy, “lwrii ii1 slu. sl1alw11
t Iic heart-brokwi. ah ii1 ( outrast with ‘the hard-hibarted. \vc iu iniquity.” Some of the sin-e11slavecl raw 11nvv already IWCII
miikc this di~tiiic~tioii a5 l~~t\\-een tl1e poor in purke and tllc remanded to the great prison-houw of drnth. wl1ilr all othtw
poor in qpirit bcwIu~ it i9 a wry nrccssaig one. which some are on tlieir WHV tliitlirr. The “good ticlingh” wl1ic~h .Tt+u~
failing to (lihwi 11liavc 11c~wmi+lrcl iiito grievous errors. True, prcac.liecl and whi”ch all his followers undrr thr siiulc ano111t111~
Ilot many ricl1. ritlicr iii piirsc or intc~llwt. will attaiu the of tlie spirit must prearli, is the resurrwtioii of thr dead. 01
I,inptlom. the majority. l1criig cl1irfly the poor of this world as the Apostle expressed his teaching, it. is “JehuS ant1 tl1t*
111purw and iiitrllect. lmt I it.11 in faith. (1 Cor. 1:26-20; resurrect&n.” (-4&s 17: 1s) Jesus, &e Redermrr. .Tesu- tl1cb
.I:11nc3 il :3) IToww~r, II 1, not lwauhe of their poverty of anointed Head of the spiritual Seed which, as God’s kingclom.
111tcllect and of nurse tliat thrrc will be more of this class is shortly to bring to mankind full oppnltu11ity of releaw.
cllo;en. but mere]> becauw poverty of purse and intellect are not only from the prison-house, but from all tlw other 1wi-
111~11 morr Eavnrnhlr to 111~ clcvclopmrnt of humility than dents of their slavery tlirouph tlic first :\tlillll.--he haviiq I‘(*-
:Irt’ 11ches of an\- kind: ant1 humility is a piime essential deemed the first Adam and his postrritv wit11 his 0~11 prrc1ouL
10 an iiiheritanc~c~‘~vitli tlir wiiits i11 light. _ life.
\\‘li~le all of tlic nnointrtl ~~05pcllers mar durinn this age None but the anointed 1~0~1~of 01 i-t arc commisslonc~d
Iwnr their mcssane witlioiit Atriction as ‘to nati&nlitg or to preach this good tidings, and ewr,v member of that body
c~~lor or hes. to w:l1o~or\~r1 11~s au car to hear. .Tew or Geitilr. is so commissioned irrespective of 1111m1n distinctlni1. of
tlnncl or frer, and while they may not be able to discern in “clergy” and “laity ;” an& xlioevrr tlo(+ ilot fullil 1111~ Illlq-
.rtlvance which will prosprr. this or that-nevertheless they sion is unfaithful to his commision AlHl .llilh ’ :I\ tt r 1001,
~111 not wahtr timcAullcl~ cblrort upon those whom they find around us, tlirou~hoi1t the length ant1 III r.1tltll of C%1~rclii:init.v.
to br mentally “ric.11 and increased in goods, and feeling that falsely called Christianitv, \A, fiiitl that widently vein irk
t lwy hnrc ucecl of 11otl1ing.” (Rev. iii:l’i) h’o: they are indeed have been auointecI1 becauw \erv frw intlwtl Iarcnb tlllr
I atI1er to take notr of tllosc who, when they hear the good message of the resurr&tion,-indrrtl ’ tl1,it 111~ niajority of
tidinge, give c\ iclcnce of proper “ears to hrar,” the meek, the ministers in all denominatinus arc lwa1 tilv nppowd to tl1cb
(Joor in spirit, rralizing that it is this class that the Lord doctrine of the resurrection bccnuse it iq i11 ciiwct conflict \\ ith
;, -prpin!lf- swk1ng during this age. their unsrriptural theories.
Similarly. tl1c anointed onec are not to spend their time (2) The promisrd recnwring of <igl1t to t!lr blind ha< ;l
~ntl~~,~voring to break the hard hearts of tl1r worldly. for this far deeper signification than nierc nntur.11 q e.-ight. It rtxftbi 9
1. not a part of its commission. God himself, through variouy to the blindness which sin has brougl1t upon the hearth of
p1o\ 1dences. is attending to the work of breaking the hard men, perverting their mental vision, I~intlrriiig them from
liearts; some arc broken and softened bp the trials, diffhxlties, seeing the divine being and his divine attributes in their true
peiplesities and adversities of the present life; some are lightr-as loving, gr&ous and tiur. just ikIlt wise. The
to111 and bleeding through severe trials of lift and earthly blindness that is upon mankind, and “the gross darkness that
disappointments: and the time of trouble fast approaching covers the people” in general, is described by the ,4postle as
1$ .pecially designed of the Lord as the time for breaking and being the work of the great adversary Satan. who by false
rnclt1ng many 11arcl hearts, in preparation for the Millennial doctrines not only amongst the llrathen but aI40 amongst
I,in~Ldom x11(1 its blessings of restitution, etc. Kow, howevrr, Christians, has misrepresented the divine character, the clirinr
tlw uie+,ige is to “ bind up the broken-hearted.” Word, the divine plan, “puttin g ligl1t for clnrkness, and dark-
FIow much tl1ere is of tl1is very kind of work that needs ness for light,” and has tlms dcreivcd the whole world. all
dm11g ’ Tbr poor i1) \l111it, contrite and mellowed of heart, nations, with the very small rxwptinn of the fern whnqe eves
clw1l~pointed
._ with the world, vesed with the flesh and the of understanding ha& Iwe rnlightenrtl with tltc trllc liiht
:ctlverbary, are to be fount1 in nearly every quarter of the We have no hope for this general np(win:! nf thr l,lintl cycks
W(,, ld : a~rd \\11osocwr 11ns receivecl the anointing of the holv in the present age-onlv the frw now zrt tile r\-esnlrc TV
q”1 1t sho~lcl rwlizc tl1nt. this power upon him f$ given to br some reiperts indeed it is better tl1at th’e mnlnritl should bc
~~xwx&rtl upoil this ncwlv class-pouring iii the oil and the nermittrd to remain bli1ldtd until bv tlie l’htilbli~l;ment, of 111~
wine of the tli\iue prom’iw, to cheer and comfort and bless, hlillennial kingdom the rondition shall br mwl1~~mor~ favor-
.~ntl prrp<Irr for jo&t-hcirsllip in the kingdom, some of the able than at present, that when then thr egrs of their uutlw
vc’1v ~1‘1.. wl1orr1 the Lord will be nlcased to acce’nt. To these standing hare been opened, and their reSpnnhibilit1rs propnr
tlwd goqwl niav lw preaclic~d frreii; they will no’t turn again tionately increased, it may be under circ.1111litanrcls mow
;tntl rent1 tlic nic~h~~wgcis. lint will hear it, and it will comfort favorable to them.
~tid bind iii, tlie1r wountletl hearts. (31 “To set at liberty them that arr bruisrtl” givrs the
If tlic*n 11e II:IVC ff~uiicl tlir class to whom the anointed thought of sin’s captives sore and distressrtl from the nlau;rc*Ies
41nr~ a1 e to F-pc~c~iallvaddrrsc themselves, what is tl1e special with which they are bound. This figure fitly rrprewnts tlw
nwsagc ot peaw ;1;1tl hlcssing which tl;ey arr to bear: and lwntlage of rnrl uption, infirmity, etc., which arr rnnromi-
x\hich the Prcwl1t~t autl our Lord tlrnomiuatr the “Go~nel’‘-- tnnts to thr death -penalty. The promise for such a deliverance
llir good ticl111g\ ’ ’ 1< it tltcl ;~1111Oiili(‘et11entof the electio;l-of a means “restitution” in active oneration (Arts 3 : 19-21 1. in
ll:rlldful to !;lrll~, :III~~ tllca 1eprobntion of all the remainder to the assistance and uplifting of the world nf mankind durir,r
111catrruity ot tc~r111c~111 ” Kio. this iv, nnt the Gospel whirl1 the the Millennial age-to all the glorionq perfections lost for all
I’1 ophet and .T~hii~ tlcrlai ed. Tq it the message of God’s gnotl- thrnufih father Sdam’s clisnbetl1rnce. ant1 his wntcwrc of tlc;t t!1.
ne+s of intention. ijut illcapacity of esecution. whit11 will rr- Wliat a glorious hope is here’ So tvnndrr this also wa<
cuIt in a verv few lwiiip w\‘rcl ant1 tlicb great maw of humanitr included as a part of the pond tidings. How comparatively
Iwing eternally tolmcutrcly h-0, not so. Evitlentlv our Lo&l valueless would all the othrr features of blessing be. if sick-
was“not wnt’ to prracli Cl1is kohpel ( 7) of da&nation. so nesq and pain and imperfwtinn cnnt,inued. It is when ~1-psee
common to-tl;1y-for it 1s no part of the messapr here dcclarrtl. not only Sin. the taskmaster, itself removed. but also all of
nor wnirltl ~iirli a 1t’l)i obatinu to c+rrnal misery be callctl its rrsults eountrrartctl. and all thr sinner-rare nrivilrrretl L . to
“crocpel” tllltllfllll~ return to thr full librrty nf snns of God. awl tl1at all tl1ia i7
Let Lx. -tar IVlIilt i* iniplircl in tl1iq “Gn4prl” mcs\ag!cl sc$ provided for through the redemption that IS in Christ .Tesur.
fort11 in the Scripturr- Tnt 115 IillOW linw witlrlv it clifftl h and tl1rnugh thr kin~clnm which is to be establisl1ed in his
from the various mewagw of 11c~athendnm. nut1 fro;1 tl1e wm- hands for ‘tl1r blessin’g of all the families of the earth-then
rnonly accepted mcwapcs of “C’lirixtcntlom.” Let llh 11otr tllc we discern whv it iq called “good tidings of arrat iov. :.birh
f rug Cn,pel rnws,ipc’ tliat slini1ltl 1~ proclainied l)v all \vl1,, shall be unto iI1 people.” nnh’ hear thececIl” bf .Tnlln’s’ I;roph-
11.1;‘~ been a11o1ntwl u~tb tl1r 11nl.v Spirit. 1t I\ divltlt~rl by ecy from tlir standpoint of the future perfectmu, saylug.
tllc T’roljher into fi\v pnrts: (1 I r)elivcrnncr tcl tl1e v:I~)- “There shall lw no more clcatl1. neither snrrn\\ nor cary1nK.
neither shall there be any mope learn. for the foltner things Thebe hale a new sight. seeing with the eye of faith things
are passed away.“-Rev. 2 1: 4. that are not visible to the natural sight. They are guided
(4) “The acceptable year (or acceptable time or epoch) Into all truth, as It becomes due; yes, they discern “the deep
of the Lord” is this Gospel age, which began with our Lord’s things of God,” because they possess the spirit of God (1 Cor.
consecration at his baptism, and his anointmg with the holy 2 :9, IO), seeing with the eye of faith things which the natural
spirit, and which will continue until the last member of the eye hath not seen, hearing with the ear of faith things which
body of Christ has “filled up that which is behind of the the natural ear has never heard, neither has entered into the
afflictions of Christ”-until all the sufferings of Christ (head heart of the natural man to conceive of or imagine-the things
and body) are complete, when the glory of the Lord shall be which God hath in reservation for them that love him.-and
revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.-Isa. 40:.X who manifest their love by their devotion to him and his. The
This Gospel age is called the acceptable epoch, because eyes of their understanding being opened, they are enabled to
during this time God is willing to accept sacrifices for sins. “comprehend with all saints the length and breadth, the height
First he accepted the sacrifice of his only begotten Son our and depth, and to know the love of Christ, which pes+eth
Lord, and secondly he has been accepting throughout the age (human) knowledge.“--Eph. 3 : 18.
all those who come unto the Father through Jesus, and who, Altho this special class is not set at liberty from the
justified by his merit, present their bodies living sacrifices bruises and imperfections of the mortal body durmg the pres-
to God as a reasonable service, and thus become joint-sacri- cnt life, but require in this as in other things to walk by faith
ficers with Jesus, and joint-heirs with him in the coming king- and not by sight, nevertheles?, in one sense of the word they
dom, as it is written, “Heirs of God. joint-heirs with Jesus are set at liberty from these Imperfections, because untl~~r the
Christ, if so be that we suffer with him. that we may be also terms of the l;ew Covenant* they have the ahblllane~~ of thr
glorified together.‘“-Rom. S : 17. Lord that none of the natural blemishes and imperfections
WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT and physical weaknesses are henceforth counted against them,
llowever. it ii; ~~11 to notice that while the “Gospel” in- their standing being reckonedly that of new creature<, and
eludes all the foregoing blessings for manklnd in general, it their judgment in the Lord’s Sight being according to their
brings a sooner and still greater blessing to thr “little flock” intentions of heart, and not according to the weaknesey of
whose ears are blrssrd that they hear. and \\liotie eyes arc their flesh, which is reckoned dead.
l~lessctl that they he{‘. in advance of the \\ 01Id. To thehe all We exhort all of the redeemed who have 111nt1ca co\etl;c~lt
of the coming bleq\ings alp antlclpatcd. not literally, but by with the Lord, “a covenant of sacrifice,” to remember why
fnlth, for “\I:(’ v.111; by faith, not by sight.” &Urendy thr true lhev ale reckoned as mrmbers baptiscd into tllc body ot the
church (“whose names are written in hea\-en” Hrb. li! :23) ano’inted one (the Christ)-here plainly set forth by the lIeat
ii Ilot onlv Jubtlfied by faith, ant1 tllui rcckonedly relcasctl of our body, viz., that each one is to 1~ a preacher ot thl<
floln raptcvity to Sill :111dI)rath, but all lcckonedlv i< Ii%% Gospel and not of another Gospel. Let uh be faithful for : ct a
u ith Christ. leckourdly has become “new creatures” in Christ, little longer, until the great High l’rirht sliall fully qualify
reckonedly, under the Sew Covenant. are no longer in thrl iis as the “royal priestlIoot1 ” in the glory of the kingdom. that
flesh but in the spirit, ant1 SC)arrounted of God, and so ac- then it may be our privilege with him to brinK to mankmd
counted also of each other. who henceforth know each other, all the wonderful blessings forrstatetl in his gospel, for the
not, after the feqh, but after the spirit-as new rreaitures- blessing of all tbc f;lnuhe, ot the earth, nit11 a full opportu-
2 ~~Cor. 5.16. nitv1 _of -. attaining tllo trllt11 ;~ntl the liberty of the sons of God.
-__..
<ry2 Tnlv,, 1,d< I(, \ lil7i~o;, F /‘f Bctto- Snr-r~ficL,.~ bee Julie 15, 1919, for ctttlcal cunllnation of Covenants
-~

“AND HE HEALED MANY THAT WERE SICK”

X~RCII a.----nhRIi 1:21-34.
.Jesus made Capernaum his home anti the center of his work statement of his discourse, it implies that a full kno\+ledge
in Galilee for a considerable time. It will be remembered that of it would not be specially advantageous to us. Howevrr. a
it was here that the Roman centurion, whose servant Jesus hint or inference respecting a portion of the sermon is fur-
healed, lived, of whom the Jews testified that he was a friend nished in the statement that during its progress a man ljr<+
of their nation, and had built them a synagogue or house of ent, possessed by an unclean spirit, rried out-evidently op-
worship and Bible study. (Luke vii:5) Some ruins in that posing somcthmg Jesus had saltl. saginp. ‘.I& us alone : wh.lt
1 lc*lnlty hare recently been e\-humed which are supposed by have we to tlo with thee, thou Je>us of X;,~m~ctll v ~11 t tllolt
scholars to be the remains of this synagogue, because they come to destroy us?”
seem to be on the site of Capernanm. and represent the most The clear inference is that Jesus had been speakmg ng>Lln*t
substantial synagogue structure in all that region, the walls sin, and the power which it exercised ovrr humanity, III\ ol\ -
being ten feet thick, serentv-four feet nine inches long, and ini all in th6 death penalty, with its sickness xnd‘pam and
fifty-& feet nine inchcq wide, with a roof supported by four trouble: am1 incidentallv no doubt 11(xhad mentioned demoni-
Y
rows of columns. ncnl posscision, so common at that time-and more common
.%s indicating our Lord’s strict attention to the Father’s today than moqt people s~~pposc. It is our guess that the
business. we harp the statement that “straightway,” at once, gospel preached at Cnpernaum must have followed some\\ hat
on arriving-at Capernaum from Nazareth, o<r Lo<d went into similar lines to the gospel preached at Nazareth, dcclarmg the
the synagogue (probably the one built by the centurion), and time at hnntl in which Got1 would bc pleased to receive back
began his tearhing. Tliis reads peculiarly at the present day. into harmony with himself those who had becw alien.ltetl
when custom ha< completely barricaded every opportunity for through sin, and who had thus been brought untlrr the bontl-
free exnression of oninion in almost all places devoted to age of corruption. He no doubt declared him*rlf to b(L the
worshi{. The Jewish&arrangement was certainly a liberal onr, great Life-giver, the Good Physician, sent to hral ealfh’a
and every war favorable to the truth. because whatever errors woes ant1 to reveal to mankind the Heavenly @‘!‘:lth?r. a11t1 to
mightc creenL ‘in. the truth alwavs had an opportunity __ for become to as many as would avail themselves of it, “the \\ a?,
challenging them and exposing thiir weaknesses and refhrring the Truth and the Life,” by which they might return to dl-
to the divinely inspired oracles. Who can doubt that if we vine favor in fullest measure. The langu!gc of the evil spkllt.
had just such simplicity or arrangements today. by which truth speaking through the man as its mnuthplecc,* clearly implies
could challenge the various errors which have crept into all that these fallen spirits had at least a general untlcrsta~lding
sectarian teachine. the result would be favorable-not favor- of the time when their evil course would be run. and that they
able to sectaria; systems, it is true, but favorable to the knew that the just wages of their sinful course is dcstruction-
establlshmcnt of each individual in the truth, as presented in not eternal torment. They rcrognizrd ,Jesus and his mission
the divine oracles. and his holmess, and that he was the representative of the
The people who heard our Lord’s discourse were astonihhctl Heavenly Father, but they had no hope for themselves-no
(1) At the things which he taught, and (2) at the manner expectation other than that when the time should come they
in which he presented them. He taught with authority, that would be utterly destroyed, annihilated. From various Scrip
is to say, our Lord had a clear understanding of the subjects he tures, however, we learn that these fallen angels, demons,
handled,. .and his presentations were not vague suppositions wicked spirits, will not be destroyed without first being given
and imaginations, and foundationless hopes and speculations ; an opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God.*
but were clear-rut and distinct; and well proven by the testl- Our Lord did not deign to hold conversation with thebe
monies of the Law and the Prophets, so that they were con- spirit beings, who had fallen under the ban of divine con-
clusive in the minds of his hearers. who hitherto had heen
used to hearing the scribes guess, wonder, suppose. etc. Since
the Lord has not seen fit to provide IIS with even a condensed
III-43 [25811
 ZION'S WA TCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,PA.

demnation, and with whom the Heavenly Father could no kind or another-guided, 1f thev were consecrated Christians-
longer hav(l intrrcourhr. He did not, therefore, explain to by the unseen hakd of Providence.
them that h1s first advent was merely to pay the ransom price, The miracles which our Lord nerformed in the little coun-
and to start the gnspel mei\ape hxh1i.h wvbuid select the “11ttle try of Palestine, by which a &all propnrtlon of their sick
flock” to he rnc~mhc~rxof h1s “btrdv” and joint-heirs with him w&e relieved trmpo”rarily, was nierrly’a propl1ec.y of the great
in the kingdom, that \\hcn romplrite and glorlficd should hlws heahng blessmg. freeing from the power of Satan and sin,
and Judge the world ant1 ~IIdgr tl1r fallen angel? also. (1 Cor. which he preached. and which is to be fulfilled in due time-
6:3) Ant1 our Lnrtl’q cour\p in 11av1ng nothing whatever to during his Pllillennial kingdom.
do with thc,i;e fallen sl)lrit+, hut on the contrary commanding His oblect in nerformine these miracles was not. however,
thram to hold their pearc. should 1~ a lcqcnn to every one of merely to” thus prophesy The fut11re and glcatcr ‘universal
his fnllnmcrs, ~110 should crc~k in thih and in every other mat- bles\lnzs of his reign. but more narticularlv
L. ” 1
as sirens. as evi-
d

ter to walk in his st(apS. \T’e have known some to pet them- tl(~nre~, as mitne\ses rchperting 111steachingr. It, \;:1s’hi+ dnc-
s~lvch into <tario11s tlllii~~ult~ei: thro11rli curlnhitv-which lfd trims or teachings that were to more men; so tllat as the
them p1tht.r to <p1rlt1lall\t ic seanr(‘s or to prirathly have com- powc’r nf God tllrs<* might draw to him that certain class
mIinIc,ItInn \\ith tllr-ch fall(Bn onc5. Their cunning and deceit- which the Father has given him dnring this age. If he would
fulness iq far too deep for humanity, and he who scrks com- utter t]lln@ re5])f’ctlllg 3 ]lf?aVen]y Vmf]ltlf~Jl, it birth of t]lp Spirit
munion with thrnl in anv mnnnrr or degree does so in viola- to a sljirit nnt11re. a snirit kinntlom. etc. it \~oultl be eminmt-
tion, not only of the Scriptur:il command (Lev. 20 .G: Isa. 8: 1.v prn;ber for any hear& to en&ire respecting his authority for
]!I\, hilt iIt vloli1t1on nl~ of .Tr\ui’ runmplc: and such run making such statements and promises, 11nknown to others and
great risk of tliii< lwing c~ntrappc~cl and falling from their own unproven from any earthly standpoint. It was therefore
stiatlfaitnrs+ Thr AlmstIc, giveq us to understand that even proper that o11r Lord should anticipate snr11 enquirirs rrspert-
unwlllinzlv and unm1ttinpIy we frccluentlp w1estlr, not with ing hi\ authority for h1s teachings by giving miraruloua tlem-
flech and l,lond, b11t with th(sqr evil spirits, who inspire and onstratlons of his superhuman powc’r, whicli hc rsplalned tti
use fall~~n f(~llnwc~rc~atn1 es -Eph. 6 :2. be of the Father and wltness1ng to his intqrlty.
Tlrr llnc*l~~;rn spirit “torr” thr man in coming nut, that is. But someone may sap, If such mirar11lon~ manifestations
ranscd vtol(,nt c*on\ iil~iorl~. and u~d thr man’s mouth in ntter- were proper and reasona‘hle to the genrratlon in personal (‘on-
ing a lol~tl crv. Ol1r T,nrtl. of course. could have forhIdden tart with our Lord, ~11~ . wonld not -slmllar mirnrles lye nroper . -
such man1frqt:;tinns of the drmnn spirit. hut preferred to allow and reasonable for us of the pre\cnt time. and for others all
it to 1~ SO. that thl1s might hc minifestcd t’he malIgnant dis- down thlouehc. t the Gosnel aee? c, n-c renlv
I . that some rkidenres.
posItion of the evil spirits. a$ wrll as the power of his com- proofs or m:rarlcs would l)e propclr now, and that greater
mand wh1c.11.wIti, all their m:tl1gnitv. thrv could not disobey. miracles are brfore us today, as witnehscas to the truth of
The effrct of the mirarlc upon the audience of course was Christlan1tp. These are 11ot of the same ortlrr as thnsc which
wonderfiil. Thrv saw “thr man Christ Jes11s” exrrclsinp in 1ntrnduc*ed the Gosprl ape in tl1c “harvest” or c1It1 of the
their vcrv pr&ncp a supttrhuman power--rontrnllin:! spirit. Jewish age; they are, indeed, of a far h1+r nrtlt&r. nntl more
beinKs No wnntl(Jr thry wc’rc amazed. and no wonder h1s fame in harmonv with tl1e age in wliic*li we li\e. They are none the
spread thro1i~hnut all (:alilre. less real than the mi&lrs of .Trsns’ day. tlloupil thy mar be
LcwvinE the s\~nn~n~l1c. our Lord, accompanied hy James less obtruslrr and less likely to be notlcaed. except :1b ntten’tion
and .Tnhn. wclnt with Simon Peter and Andrew, 11is brother, to
thr1r home. where Pctcr’s mother-in-lnw lav sick of a fever.
Jesus visited her. and “rehukrd the fever.” took her bv the
hand and hcblprd her up (Luke 4.39). and immediately the
fever was golifa. and rven the usually accompanying prostration Which IS the greater work-the opening of the qes of the
of ctrcngth did not rcbmain. but on the contrary, she was able naturallv blind. or the onenine of the eves of tl1c untltrstand-
to entertain and serve her company. ing? \fhich is the more val1;bhlev In’the rnd of tl1e Jewish
The fitme of ,Tcsns spread rapidly. and at sundown, in the age our Lorcl healed eyes that were blmded e1thcr by accident
~001 of the tlav. manv sic+k were brought to him to be healed, or poison or a sting or what not, and that was a miracle. but
and m;lny pos~e~~l of tlt~v1ls, to have’the evil spirlk cast out. today the Lord’s disciples, under the guidance of the holy
The rnnrour4e was a great one, from all parts of the city, and spirit, and through it, are able 1n many instanres to open the
again our I,nrd manifcbhted his mrrcv in healing ailments, and eves of the understanding, that those who are blind to spir-
rnstin,n nut demons; again, however,” refnsing to converse with itual things might see tl?em-and this bhntlness, thr ,4po\tle
thr dttmnnh and even ref11sinz and forbidding their giving testi- tells us. is not a mere trlflinz thing <Jr accident or stinr. hut
rnony r(‘<l’(‘( tilt!: llim. I’r:ii& and rommen~lntion f&n an evil is the skillful and intentional ‘injnrb of the mental eve iv the
sourer are nrver to be desired. god of this world, Satan. (2 Cnr. J-.4) nn we not, ‘the&fore,
see many more miracles of this kin&-the opciilnp of the eves
7%~ clu(~~t1on naturally ariscq, \Vhy did the Lord perform of the &lerstanding with the cyr-salve of ztllc iruth 111this
surh n11r.l~~l(~s7 lf th!lv werp merc,lv from 11encrnlence and harvest-time of the Gosnel acre-than are rerordcd of the
with a d(%<irclto help the afflicted, w&v did he not do more of natural sig.ht restoration jmon& the Israrlitcs in tile harvest
them “---for tn<t:\nc+c. in tl1r q1tv of Na>arrth, rrrardless of the of the Jewish age? And which is the more serious of the two
rond1tinn nf tllc ll~~nits of tlIn& who were aflh&ed. \Yhy did blindnesscs? Whetller would we prefer to bc blind naturallv
he nclt at one word lc~hnke all the ferrrs and all the other or to be hl1nd tn the spiritual things? ~~l1cther. tllcrcfore, ii
di\c:~<eq \\ll1c.h afllic+(l humanity. thro11ghn11t the whole of it the rrreater miracle to be relieved of natural l~l~nclne~s or to
Galilee, the whole of I’alehtine, the whole nf ASia. the whole of be relieved of spiritual darkness? Undouhtcdly the latter.
Aft I, <I. tllcs ,,ll~ll,~ of 1:lll ,,I’(, :rncI thr v 11,1lr of Amnica? Quite Similarly with all the diseases, we might draw parallels
cl-itlt>lrtly tht\ p~~rfol t11.1~,~ of tlIrw miI ac~lrs wi\~ not merely and find these the greater mlrarles. Peter’s mnthcr-111-law was
from IwII,~\,II,~II~1~ to\\:rrc! mankind being consumed with a fever which tl1c word of the Lord re-
Intlrrd. we ltn\e r~son to question whether or not it would bukdd. But how many men and how many women throu$out
be a henc~\nl~~nt a( t to rure all the ill-, of humanity in the Ch~i~tcntlom todav are beingc consumed of a fever of ambltlon
prcbLcxi:t time. ‘I’lirl ac,lics and p:iinq:. tl,r trniiblrs ant1 sorrows, or pride or disco&en& to whom the word of the Lord comes,
;)f hllman1ty are in n1:1nr WII& of the word l)lessing< 1n dis: through some of the household of faith, speaking peace, release
pniv. III-t :1h \\a\ tllcx l,j\rt of thr original scntrncc of Adam, from burdensome anxiety and cares of this life, lust for riches,
\1.111~~l1 tl,~,~l:II,‘. . “In tlrr h\\rat of thv face shalt thou eat and consummg ambitions and pride of life? How many have
bre:ld ” ITc w\-lIn suc~~~l~ in nvoid1nnr the earning of his tlailv been restored to normal ronditions and granted to have the
food 1)~. wmr kin,1 of toil has ~urrecdcd in plari;lp himhrlf in pracv of God ruling in tl1eir liearts, with thankfulness, and
an unEf\ oral)lc condition, for idlrm~ 1s nni. 0nly”thr mother imv many !\urh l1aT.e found their sirength renewed. so that
of 1 i(‘c. llut the father of di~c91itcnt. Similnrlv. there is a being released from the\e fevers they arose to do vigorously
mini-rir- of in~tiiiction in ~ic~kiir~~ and trouble *\ih:hlcl1 slioul~l the Lord’s b11siness, to minister, to serve. the Lord and his
not IIC ovrrlookcd. Tllr Prnphc+ rcbfrr< to this hlrahing that “IN etlirrn v” Slntilarly also we rnqht tracr the lamenesseq and
in1lc.i (3. 111ti 1llul.ll1on. \a\ IngS “IkfoIr I w:is affli~tc~tl I went 1mpotcnrlrs of the past, and find analogies in the present
actray ,” ;:rid ntang of tli& LOJ d’s ponplc can if they \Yill trace doatl hands. wnrsc than dead, u~d actively in the service of
some of their grcatcaht Illcshinns and Pr(b:ttrkt licli~~ 1 in the de- evil. have hcen recovered for actiritv in the service of the
\ elol)ntc~nt of tr11e c~har:lc%c~rto tlioir e\pcricncc,q in 1 ariou9 Lord; men and women dead in trespa”%es and sins, awakened
kintl. of trc~nllleb and dih(qhe. Sntc \\lierr we will tli~nurrliout to newn(+:: of life in the srrvirr of the Lord and of the truth.
thr \\nrltl tl1c finrit ant1 tl1p nohI& and the l)ryt bal;nced Such mirarles as these, far greater tl1an the ones of Jesus’
characters. ant1 trare tllrv rharartt~rs in tl1c1r development, day 1n the flchl1. He is now-performing through his willmg
and we find that m11c.h of the rh1ccling and pnl1ch1np which servants and handmaidens, and these are the :greatest witnesses
has made tl1em wh.:t tllcy are was done by afflictinn of one imaginable to the reality of the Lord’s grac1ouq message that
C25821
FEBRUARY 15, 1901: ZION’S IVAT CIi TOWE,? (60-61)

hc 14 the Messiah, the Sent of God, to bring salvation to the see now the earthly blessings and healings, accomplished by
race of mankind. our Lord, were but foretastes of the coming general blessings
The transformations of life and character, hopes and aims, to be accomplished during the Millennium, should be able
by which some in the present time are bless&d. iike the phys: also to see that the regenerations of heart and transforma-
ical healings in the liar\& time of the Jewish age. are nronh- tions of character now in progress in the “elect” church are
cries of wlyat the grace of God can and will do “fdr huhan>ty merely foretastes or a first-fruits, illustrative of the blessings
when God’s due time shall come, when his kingdom shall corn;, of transformed character which the kingdom will accomplish
and through its administration of lore and iustice his will for all who will come into subjection to its righteous arrange-
shall be d&e on earth as it is done in heave;. He who can ments.

“THE SON OF MAN HATH POWER ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS”

IlaRCH ll.--MARK 2: I-12.
Following the miracle of our last lesson and probably that could be quickly removed.” -Compare this with Luke .?: 10.
other miracles not recorded in this connection, our Lord ap- Our Lord was not otrentlcd hv this lntruslon. He dnubtlesi
parently made another preaching tour; after returning to his remembered that all things work together for good to the
home city of Capernaum the mcidents of this lesson trans- Lord’s people, who will accept them thus. So far from feeling
pired. Ecidently our Lord, with his mother and brethren, had offended at the intrusion and persistency, he entirely orer-
been making Capernaum his home for some time, and it is looked these when balancing them with the qualltp which he
entirely probable that the house mentioned in this lesson was so rriiirh admireh-faith. All of the Lortl’s nrople can well
our Lljrtl’q own home. Dr. Schaff suggests that according to take note of this lesson, and learn more and-more to al.cept
the Greek text this might read “at home,” instead of “in the the affairs of life as they come as being all subject to divine
house.” As we saw in our last lesson, however, Capernaum provldence and all guaranteed in advance to be profitable, to
was the home also of Peter and Andrew, and the incident of work out some good result, if we will but so permit, by recelv-
this lesson might possibly have occurred there, though this is ing them in faith. Let us learn also to overlook and forget
less probahle. rudeness, especiallv wllere there is evidence of sincell+ of
1‘11~rcaturn of the young and wonderful Teacher to his own heart, faith, good intentions.
city and home was soon widely known-“noised;” the result In various ways we learn that under the head of “paralysis”
was a considerable concourse of people, not only filling the in olden times. in Oriental countries, various diseases were
house and the courtyard, but eien’ the door or gateway. included, whi& are now specified under dlffcrent names. For
Amongst these callers were Pharisees and Doctors of the Law instance. titanus (lockiaw) would at that time and in that
(rabhls, srrlhes) , who came out of the various towns of Galilee country ‘be described ai paralysis-indeed, any tlis;rase which
and Juden to hear Jesus, and to note his miracles.-See Luke would render the individual hclplchs, pn\verlchh-\vllctllt,r
5: 17-18. merelv a deadness or accompanied hy violent cramp\. The
Our I,ord’s mission was the preaching of the Gospel, and, incld&ts connected with this miracle wonltl scrm to indicate
as alreadv uointed out. the healings. miracles. etc.. were inci- that it was a serious case, and had in it something of the
t1rnt:11s, ;;nti not 1~ a& means hi: ‘chief work or ‘object-the element of urgency-necessity for seeing the Lord quickly and
“t.lmr\ of rchtitiit’ion”” (Acts 3 :21) not having come, the ohtaining his help promptly. Otherwise propriety would have
mlraclrs of our Lord were merely attestations to and cor- dictated a different course.
rohor.lti\-c of hih teachings respec’ting the kingdom and the It might be questioned whether the faith was that of the
kingdom class which he had come to call and gather-out of palsied man or that of his friends, but we think the circum-
I>r,lcl and from amongst the Gentiles. Undoubted!y he stances warrant the belief that the sick man himself elerrised
prc,arhcd the sarn(l message dclirered in Nazareth rehpecting the faith and prompted his friends to take the stCps they did
the Lord’s spirit bring upon him, anointing him to preach the in obedience to his reauest. I
This is imnlied
I in the fact that
good titlings to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted and to our Lord does not speak of the faith of tllr healc~rs. hut does
;leclarc a &)mlng deliverance to the captives of sin and death, speak directly to the paralytic respecting his personal faith.
and the restoration of sight to those blinded bv Satan, and the Our Lord must have seen a very proper condition in the Tnung
setting at liberty of all ‘the captives subject t; the bondage of man’s heart, else he never would hare said to him, unsnllcitrd,
c’or1uptlon, hut probably this one message waR presented from “Son, thv sins are forgiven thee.” Nor was this e\prcbslon
va~iour standpoints at various times, and various texts used, unpreme&tated ; our Loxd evidentlv wish4 that the miracle
as also various parahles introduced in Illustration of it. This, he-was about tb perform should n& tletrnc4 from the prc:u*h-
honcver. was the ‘Word.” the message. which our Lord was inrr which it interrunted. but. on the cnntrnrv. &nuld impress
comml~sloned to deliver, ‘and we may-be sure he did it faith- it’>as well as illustrate it. ‘He fortknew ayi;o tllat su(.il an
fully. unusual statement would awaken in his hcnrc~r~ qu(~stionln~s
\Vhile our Lord was in the midst of his discourse a respecting his authority, and thllx the miracle snhscqu~~ntly
paralytic, ex lrlently full of faith, borne on a stretcher of some prrfnrmcd woul,l emphasize the fact that 110 was the ~\IP+sI:I~,
lili~tl l)y fonr fricndq. sought opDortun1t.y to reach him, with and that the redemption of sinners and the forgivenchs of bins
full faith in 111s power and wilhngness to heal. Finding no had hecn committed to him hy thcx Fnthcr.
opportunity of making their way through the crowd, the The question of the scribes (that is, tllr R:11111iq,thcx Dnc.tnrs
bealc~r took their h~clen onto the roof by. the outside stair- of the Lnw), Is not siic*h a stntcmrnt 1~1:~~1~1~cm,v? w:Ih a 1 rry
way, customal y. in that country-the hullrhngs being u~ally proper one, and they arc not to he lrlamotl for mal;~ng the
but one story m height. It IS not at all probable that the cwqiilry. Our Lord did not d(lny Its prnprirty. llllt nnywcrrd it
building and roof were of the ordinary kind that wvould have by saying, It wnuld, of rnurcIe, hc easy for anyllntiy tn make
obliged that hfting of stones and cement and dirt, and the the claim of forgiving sins, and it might he impns-illlc to dis-
heaking of the plaster beneath, for this would involve an pute 111scalaim, hut in my cdw I will hllhtantiiltc~ my claim to
ah~urditr, and the falling of the stones and dehriq and dust hc nhle to forgIve qinq l)y mv power to 1113~1 this m:\n pllys-
upon oni Lord and the congregation would hnvts heen insuf- ically ; whrn, thercxfore.. you shall pcrcei\ c his mlr:lc~lllnns rure
f~~rahle RS well aq danrerouq. The more rensonahle sunnosi- of a physlrnl ailment, It will 1~ a lc<<on re\pt4,inK the truth-
tion is that the house WRS one of the le\s common k&l: en- fulness of my st.Ltcmcnt in rernrtl to his sins-th:rt vnu mav
ClO.lll~ :I c.onrtvai d caapal)le of nc~c*ommotlating quite a large know that ai the Son of ITan T 11.1~ power, nnthnrit~. to fog-
audiclnc*e, the living rooms brin t’ built around the wall of the eive sins. f Comnnrc Luke 5 :2-l) Then came the hcxallnrr of the
I

courtyard at one end, and a ver’anda or porchroof ovrr a part ‘paralytic, which, put in this form. hrramr a prnnf. not only
of the nDen court. covered with tiles. which could be removed of our Lord’s healing power, hut also of 111s power to forgive
without ;nuc.h dlffi(*ulty. The thoughi would he that our Lord sins. And when the sipk man, in nb&irnce to our Tlnrd’q rnm-
stood under this \-cranba, preachin@; that some of his audience mand, took up his courh or strctrhcr and went forth 1n the
were likewise under it and others standin,o out. csnosed to the presence of all, no wonder they were amazed and praised God.
sunqliine in the court. Dr. Thompson makes tl;e following Apparently all were fully Satisfied with the demonstration,
comment: 1,&c saplng that they wrrr all filled with fear-rcaverenre-in
“The whole affair was the extemporaneous device of plain view of so mighty a demonstration of dlvlnr power in their
peasants acruitomed to openinK their roofs and letting dnwn midst. It was not a lesson of fear toward God in the wnw
erain. straw and othrr artirles. as thev still do in this of a dr(>acl of an unthinkable cvcbrlasting future torment, hut
TEastern) country. I have often’seen it rinne, and have done a fear, In the sense of respect for the Gnd whose lnxe and
it myself, to houses in Lebanon. I have the impression, how- sympathy and compassion had heen so wonderfully mnnifcqtrd
ever, that the covering, at least of the lewan (court) was not -a God who not only was willing to forgive sins, hut also
made of earth, hut of coarse matting, or boards, or stone slabs, willing to help ant1 to I c~ll~~xe 111screatures from the difficulties
[2583]
 di\eacea, 1lluStriltr -111 111raiious respect?: ior instance. palsy
or paralysis reprrarnts a condition of sin in which the indl-
vidual loses his power--sometimes merely becoming impotent,
In the sense of helpless: at other times. in combination with
thlq may come an insensibility of conscience, a deadness to all
principles of righteousness. such as t,he Apostle descrihrs as
“past feeling.” In this condition are quite a good many at
the present time; they are not only helpless as respects all
ability to go to the great Physician, but additionallv thev are
devoid of any desire,-any nppiecintion of their need;“they-have
no feeling on the subject. These must he left for the present,
hut we mar rejoice that the time iq cclming, according to tht
1)10mlse of the Lord’s Word, when all shnll rnmc to a reallzn-
i:on, a sensibility of sin, and to n knowled.ge of the way of
cb5cape from iti condemnatlnn and its penaltles. In the present
tlmr, however, some. like this pnralytie. are not past feeling,
and ret are so helple;s as to need the assiqtnnce of flicnds in
I,ri&inp thpni to the Lord
Ercrv true C’hnstlan should b(> such a friend to eveiy
fcIInn--r<rntu,r nhn h:~c a desire for the Lord’s blessing, and
llralincr from sill-6cklres+: and such should be not only sym-
nnthct?c but hel1)fnl in l~rlnging their friends to the good
l’lipsician of the &II. rnr should tllcv be readily stnppeh by
Impediments, ol~+~:~~~le~. but like thocr in the illustration, they
4lould be rcndv :tnd willing to take advantage of every proper
(?lrcumstanctx ;ntI condition to plnrc~ their friend near to thr
T~rd and his powrr. that the blessi?,n might rr<ult. And mill
,,ot the Lord IW plc;~sctl with our faltli as well as theirs. If we
pcr5istently do all in our power in their aid?
“True falfh. like truest lovr, invent? :
Drnied the door. it circllmrents.”
Anothrr thoil~ht here is that the first and most impor
tnnt thing for all iq the forgiveness of sins Tt 1:: .xn vain
that any would rndcavor to avoid this first rcqmtlnl %tep
tnxnrd acceptable c’hl istianity. Some nre Incline(l to put
to fhcb.T,ortl the, cnrrlfirc apprnpriat r to ‘the nrw di+enqntion. dnctrinc instead of faith and repentance. bllt thiq \\ill not do
“,i lnnknl :cntf :I (.ontrlt(, llrxlt *’ 1~11 oi faith. and remrmher There is no use whatever in endeavoring to grow :I rrnp of
xlsn that our Lord at his haptim assumed the office of the wheat on soil lvhose sod has not bcrn hrokcn Thr fallo\\
:tntlt.vpicnl high pi ic+t the momrnt he was anointed wilh the ground must first be broken up ere the serd can find proper
hoI\. spirit, :I iit1 1lint, Iti\ 5ncrificca of himself was rounted as root and bring forth fruit. So only those whose heart5 have
El\ ;bn 1’~ 111nralit1 it> :Ic~(~c~l~tc~tl 1)~ tllc Father, from the moment hren plowed z&d brought into the cnnthtion of mrrkncs? and
of his ~nnsec~ration lo deatll. s~mholizetl in his water baptism. contriteness. and a desire for fellowship with the TAord-thesr
IIrnc~e we tee tllnt our T,ortl’- s authority to pronounce the fol- .Ilone are proper qubjtcts to be l,rought. to the Lord. True, it
Srrricss of sin5 I\;\$ in vi1 tiie of his hxvinr sacrificed his 1s not within our power to hrenk the stony hearts. nor to plow
humanity (xvhi~li wa; in procrss of ronsumr&tion upon the the fallow ground : all that we can tlo i3 to note thosr in
iIlt:ll I \\lIilo hr, as a new creature, was a priest. of the new whose lives‘ rspcriences have produced such results, and to
order. tllr “royal prirstl~ontl.” fully empowered to forgive sins. ww the good serd of the kingdom in such hearts. This being
l:llrthermnre. this \\illincnrss of our Ilord to forgive and the case, we must not be surprised that not many arc read!
to 11~1 gi\-tns us n <llgpestin;l of his \\illingne,.s and n’tilitr to for present truth: but toward tho?c who give such cvitlc-ncc
tlo tlleh(’ s:lme Illinn< f fnirivr the sins and heal the b&Iv) WC arc not to make the mistake of leading them to suppose
whctn thr times of ~~eiic;r:,l”rcfrcshmcnt shall come from the that repentance and forgiveness are nonessential, hut rather
pre=(‘npr of .Tchovah-“the time< of restitution of all things we are to point them to these as primary conditions upon
w1llc.h Cot1 llntll spok~~n b?- 111(>mouth of all the holy prophets which alone they can properly make progress, both in knowl-
bintc’ tllc norltl hcgaii “---.\rt. 3: l!)-21 edge and in grace. co as to attain ultimxtel~- to the gracious
‘l’11(*1 xriou\ tliflic~nltie. 11n(ler whic~h humanity labors, ralletl things which God has promised to them that love him.
--__-
THESE MANY YEARS
[‘I‘lli poem was a reprint of that published in issue of September lS, lSO4, which please ser.]

INTERESTING LETTER
T)EXR ~ROTIII-R IiLiSil<LT. -unclosed find order for f>- on Evolution. The church here feel very grateful for nhat
hc-lng f2 10s. rypcnsrs lnc,urrcd by llrlnging I$rn. TIouqtnn to you have giren us. and deplore their inability to take a larger
our October conferenre. xhich he handed 11ntk to 11s3s H tlnllw share in the financial responsibility. \17e are deeply interested
ilon to the Tract Fund, fn help drfrag the cost of “Btble 1s. in the work and are willing to do anything in our power to
I:‘r olutlon.” The rrmnlndcr is from the c*hurch in Glasgow. lessen your burdens.
Sister Fcrrie will tell you about our method of carrying Assuring you of the continued affection of all the members
out the Volunteer moremrnt. Up to date WC have given thr of our little company. and their high appreciation of )-our
hooks at 73 churches, ant1 ha\ e tliqtributed 10,OORcopies, being noble work, I am
an average of ahnnt I:%. \\‘(I lin\c been greatly surprised at
the smallncsq of the congregatlnns. LVe distribute only at the Yours in the one hope, ALF.. TArr,---S’cotla?ld.
forenoon ser\ ire, nllirh in most cases has the smallest [The “Volunteer” work in Great Britain naturally; com-
attendance, but it invariably includes the more earnest portion menced later than here, but we are glad to note that It pro-
of the congregation. and we are of the opinion that by this gresscs splendidly. Ours is a campaign of blood-“the blood
method the rlpc wheat, will bc reached. There hare been a of the cross,” and is far more worthy of time, energp, treasure
few inquiries for furtlker literature, from whom we hope to and our life-blood than any other known in the world.
hear again. WC hale suffered no other annoyance than an Courage! dear fellow-soldiers. Steady! the eye of our Cap-
oc*casional refusal to acrcpt the booklet. tain is for victory only by “laying down our lives for the
All the brothers and sisters who are able take part in the brethren” as he set us an example. We regret that we are out
work, and some occasionally travel a considerable distance In of our error-destro)ring and new-hope and new-life-infusing
order to enjoy this privilege. A few of us meet in the morn- ammunition. “Good Hopes” for this year justify us in begin-
mg for a season of prayer before going out, and have found ning the work for this year liberally and paper mill already
it most refreshing and helpful. has our order for forty-six tons of paper for “Volunteer” work
1Ve note with pleasure pour promiqr of another pamphlet for immediate delivery. \VC hope to he able to begin filling
for tli4rihution at the c~llurf~lirs \rhi~~li lin\ e I cc~ei\ cd the one orders ahnut =5pril I.--Enr~oR I
[ 25841
 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL FRIENDS TAKE NOTICE
A brother in the truth in the Nursery business at Post over to the friends, who can thus secure good trees for Texas
Oak, Texas, find8 himself financially embarrassed and asks our climate at HALF PRICE: packed free and delivered at I;xpress
aid in disposing of his large stock of fruit trees which he Office. No orders received for less than $2. Drop postal card
describes as of excellent quality one and two years old and 4 for free catalogue to us.
to tl feet high. He has a descriptive catalogue which we will The catalogue at hand besides the fruit trees includes grape
forward to all interested. He says the prices are right. He and other vines and shade and ornamental trees. The prices
offers the Tract Fund one half the receipts from this forced seem reasonable and the goods at half price should be a
sale: but as we do no advertising we turn this advantage bargain. This notice is quite a digression from our rule.

VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., MARCH 1, 1900

RE-ENLISTED VOLUNTEERS! TO ARMS!

The new lot of “Bible vs. lhohtton” ammunition is not yet double number of the WATCH TO~FR. Get your several sqnnd-i
ready, but by March 15 to dprll 1 we will have plenty of the together and let us hare your orders statmg (I) the nllmllcr
new emmunitinn for use where the noble ‘L’s. Evolution hm of white Protestant churches in the distrl(+ ; (:! I the .I\ (‘1age
abeTrIp been distributed. You will like it, we assure you this attendance at service which the church meml)eI . ch~cfly attend;
in advance. It will consist of “Which is the True Gospel?” (3) the number of Volunteers m your scln~d; (4) to what
and “What Say the Scriptures about Hell?” in the shape of a address would you prefer to have the ammunition sent.

“MARK THE PERFECT MAN! BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT!”

MATT. 4:25-5:12.-APRIL 1.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
What chara,teristics are essential to our attainment of the of yourself. and claim much, carrying a high head, and having
most blcqsed conditions God has to bestow? Khat must. we a loftv and self-imnortant look.
be in order to inherit the kingdom, be filled with righteousness, No” doubt there ;s worldly wisdom in the worldly counsel;
obtain divine mercy and everlasting comfort, be called the sons no doubt there is some truth in the worldly suggestron, so
of God, and be nermitted to see his face, obtaining a great far as succrss in earthly matters in the present time is con-
rcwnrd in heaven? What question, what topic, what Bible cerned. But here as in other instances, the Lord shows us
lcswon, could be more interesting to us or a more profitable that his ways are not as man’s ways,’ but higher. ax the
stutlv t1l.m this one? The great Teacher made it the topic, heavens are higher th:ln the earth. He assures iis that hc tb,lt
the test, of one of his principal discourses at his first advent, humbleth himself shall be exalted in due time, while hc who
and ca11~~d the eist of his argument to be recorded for the exalts himself shall be brouaht low. in due timr. (Matt. 23: 12 \
admonItion of hii true followers throughout this Gospel age. In the Scriptures he point’s us to our dear Bedccmcr as the
\\ll~lo the character of our Lord, which we as his followers illustration -of the humble and obedient one, whom he bar
are to ct>py, is one; and the attainment of that one character now exalted to the riaht hand of divine nowcr: and our a?tcn-
or di-pnqitlnn me‘ans tllc a ttninment of all the blessings God tion is also called to the great advcrsary,~who, takmg a reverse
1~s to bestow; ncvcrtbclcsw, in order to present the matter the course, sought to exalt himself, and has hecn abdscd, and is
more distinctlv to nnr minds the Lord divides this one char- ultimately to be destroyed.-Phil. 2 :O; Heb. 2: 14.
nrtrr or tli-pn\ition into different sections, giving us a A sharp distinction should be noted between bcinp poor in
view of eacah particular part: just as a photographer would spirit and being poor in pocket, or in intcllectnal gifts and
take a front vic\v. riclit-side view, left-side view. rear view and attainments. 1Ve have all seen pcnple ~110 were poor in thche
aneling views. of anv inte-rstinn suhiect. so that all the details earthly senses, yet proud in spirit. The pnint to bc noticctl
of son&ruction might be clesrly discernible. is that whatever our finnncinl or intr!lc~ctnnl gifts :rnd condi-
THE FIRST ESSENTIAL tions, the thing acceptablr in the divine sight is humlbtv of
spirit. Such a disposition is essrntinl to t1)o.r who w~mltl
The first character-nictnrc which our Lord nresents we may receive the wisdom which cometh from ahnre-tircy mutt, bare
rensonahly assume wi;:lA in some respects at least most impor- a humble appreciation of their own dcficicnc*ics ;~nd lack of
tant: It is humility. “Blrs~d are the humble-minded (poor wisdom, else they cannot receive freely, heartily. thr wi\tloni
in spirit) fnr thrirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We do not which God is plc~srd to grant in the present time, only to
nndrrhtnnd tllis to s$gnifr that hnmilitg is the only essential those who arc in the attitude of heart to rcccivc it. And It
Trace. and that whoever ‘is humble will therefore attain the will be sern also that this hnrnllity of mind is csscntial as a
kingdom: but rnthcr tbnt to the attainment of the kingdom basis for the spirit of a sound mind-for ~;bo is in n proljcr
hnmilitr is a prrrccl:li~,ltc of first importance. In other words, condition to think just.ly, reasonably, imnnrtl:~lly, c\ccl,t fir-t
whil,l all hlln!)lc nrol)lc will not attain the kingdom, the king- of all he hn\c a hnmblc disposition 7 H~iire wr must agree
dom cannot be attained bv anvnne who is not humble: the that humility is a primary element in the disposition or mind
kin?tlom is theirs. in tile s&se ihat it is nnssible for this class of Christ.
to ncscept the terns and to attain to thchonors and blessings,
Wllil~~ all of a ditl’crtnt attitude of mind-the proud, the CONSOLATIONS THE REWARD OF SYMPATHY
haucrlrtv. tlic ncxlf-cnncrltccl, are nbaolutelv debarred from any The second beatitude or blr~~~l c~ontlitinn mcntionc*tl by our
pn&;l,iiltv of attaining the kingdom so long as these contrary Lord stands closely related to thr first-“l:l~~:+~tl arc tl1c.y
rnnditionb lie at, the foundation of their characters. that mourn.” Mourning of itqclf is not a grac*r, lm1 It. 1,:x-
0 tlist all of the Lord’s pcoplc might see this point clearly t&ens an attitudr of mind which is ac~rcptntllc in 111ta1,01tl’r
and tlistinctly, and rcnlize once and forever that “The Lord sight. Nor should WC think of a mournflll spirit. witllont,
reslhtctb the proud and shnweth his favors to the humble” eonsolatinn or joys, as brlllg a Christian spiril. \\-c c~.ltlrlot
excliisivi ly 1 How this thought should put a guard upon every suppose that our He:lvcnly Ftthcr and the ho1 r nr~zcl~ :,I c
one of tllc Lortl’s littlr ones who is seeking to be conformed continual mourners, as tbcy woiild certainly lit ‘if rn0llrninz
to the image of God’s dear Son. Hnw jealously they would possessed any merit of itself. T11e thought ra!Jic’T. i\. i?lt~+s II
watch and fnstrr the drvclopmrnt of this spirit of humility in are yc that mnnrn now-to whom prcqrnt ~~.lrtllly con~11I 1onq
their o\vn hrarts, and llnw it wnnld be more and more discernible are not entire1.y satisfactory and happifying-who :jrc not
to others in thrlr dai!y course of life, and what a blessing and blind to the dltlicultics and trials through which t11c Ilurn:~n
what an influence for good, especially upon the “brethren,” family as a whole is passing-sin and sickncsr, p’“n ant1
Ild result ! trouble, dying and crying: blcsred arc thnic who h:r 1(a qvrnpa
Growing out of this first essential quality or characteristic, thy of heart under present conditions, and to whom thrv are
as a trre of many branches out of the root, come the other not satisfactory; for the time is coming when, nndrr i:or!‘s
graces of the spiiit, which the Lord has declared blessed- providence, a better order of things shall he in+tifntctl. and
divinely approved. How different our Lord’s teachings in their dissatisfaction with present conditions will lnlt bring
this resnect from all human teachings! Earthly wisdom them into cln‘+r svmnathv and fellowshin with thnqc bcitc~r
would ‘say, on the contrnry : Hold up your head; things for which the -divine plan is preparing. \\%n God’s
t,hink well of vourself, if vou would have othrr people kinednm sh,lll come and his will he done on earth as it is
think well of you; be high-spirited, instead of poor in spirit, done in heaven, all cause for mourning and for sorrow-nnd
a little haughty! rather than of humble demeanor; it will for trars will he done awav: that will he a time for consoln-
have a greater influence in many respects, for no one will tion. for satisfaction, to this rlaon.
think more hiahlv of VW than you think of yourself, nor Indeed, a gnnd measure of romfnrt mmes to the Lord’s
give you credit for more than you claim; hence, thmk highly people even in the present age-through faith built upon the
(G-69) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .\LLES:CNY. Ph.

exceeding great and precious promises of the divine Word. their hearts are in the attitude in which it is povsible to
The fact that they are able to dmcern the wrongs, the ineuui- receive blebsing. The wnrld, full of self&h craving, Is never
ties, the dIstress& of the present time, create; In this cfaSS satisfied, never contented; the child of God, patiently sub-
that very ?onditIon of heart to which divine nromises au~eal. mlbsive to the divine will, Is always satisfled-
whereaq‘others not so touc+hed at heart with sympath;; for “Content whatever lot I See,
the proanmg rreation. are unable to So thoroughly appreciate Since ‘tis God’s hand that lendeth me.”
the hope< \et before us in the gospel. Hence It IS bv a natural FILLED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS
law that sucdh are drawn to the Lord’s Word, and ire enabled The fourth blesamg IS that of hunger and thirst after
to draw therefrom consolation which Sneaks neare to their rightcousnesb. iYo one can have this hunger and thirst unless
heart\, ant1 paves them an Inner 1oy wlIIc1; the le’ss sympathetic he previously have to a ronsiderab1e extent the previous char-
cannot ~IIOW under present condItIonS. Blessed are the sym- acteristics. If he have not 1IumilIty of Inind he will be sat-
patl1et1c ’
isfied with liiv attamment~ of righteousness, ~wlliy llII:l~J]~ to
Ai we can cultivate the first of these graces, humility of See beyond 111sown low plane. uII:Ible to distbern the heiphtu
mind, ant1 IJ~ culti\ atIoIi tle~t~lop more and more of this firvt and grandeurs cf tbr dIrIne perfection, He cannot hunger
and c5~c~IItIaI c.lIaIac,terIstIc , so we can cultivate alho the bee- and thirst after that wliivli he does not in some measure com-
on,1 grace. t1Ic symp:Ithctic spiI It. To do thIa we should fre- prehend. Unless he have the spirit of sympathy, which
c[IIeIItlv tIllIrk of othrrs-their iriterests, their trials, their rliscc~rns the wrongs, the inequities of our present time (whleli
diflic ultih and hl~oul(l seek to enter into these ah though they In great measure mankind iS unable to c~ounteract and over-
\v(*1(2 ‘01 our own, ant1 sJ1nu1d seek to lend a helping hand and come-by whIcJ~ some of the human family, very tleticicnt in
to “tlo go~~tl IInto all ~I~SII as we have opportunltg, especially the \Irtues, have an overplus of wealth and Influenre and
to t1ics hollwlloltl of faltll “-Gal 6: 10. authortty, while some possessing superior virtues hnxc scarcely
HOW THE GENTLE INHERIT the nec.essities of life) lie cannot yearn for the better c~~ntli-
‘1’11~1hIrd of these gr.I(*ei which the Lord decblares blessed tion of things which the Scriptures dcc*larc c&an only be Intro-
ii 111~~1~1~11~~~~, or. ah ~\,a ~l10u111snv, gentlcneS5. Febster’s DIc- tluc~cd by the establishment of Mess~ah’s JJiIlennIal kmgdom.
tionary d(~tineh rnc~c~knc~+i to lye, “&ulmIissinn to the divine will; It is a ble*sed indication then. if we find In 0111heartq a hun-
p;ltlcn,~c~ ant1 gentlcne+ from moral and religious motives.” gering and a thirsting for justice. for righteousness, for truth
It 1~111 lw lsr,*eI\ed thiit there is quite a difference between -an antipathy to untruth In every form, and to all injustice,
thi\ patient. gentle submissIon to the divine will. and the in-equity-an antipathy, nevertheless, modified, Influenc~ed,
ortlinary :entlcne\s and patience which may frequently be controlled, by tJIe third grace of this list, viz.. by patient
e?ierci4 simply for the gratification of hrlfish desires. Patient submI4on to the divine will. The control of this last quality
submission to the divine will iz impossible to those who have Is what the Apostle refers to when he says, “Let your mod-
not the first grace In the list, a humble mind* the proud and eration be known unto all men.” It is tliIs quality \vlIIch
self-~Illetl find It impossIl)le to be SuhmIsSIve to divine condi- steppmg in hinders our hunger and thirst after rIglItcou+nesS,
tIons; self rises up,- per\ erts thrir judgments, and misleada and our zeal for it, (botJI as respects truth and JIractIreI
tlIctIr c~onsc+nces to such an ckxtcnt that they cannot have full from making us anarcahistic or extremists in any srnye of the
c~ollfid~~llc~c~ 111 (II\ iIW JJIW\ltltw~c. but feel that they must put word. This quality of hunger and thirst after righteou~nrss.
forth their hand and steady the ark. uncontrolled by the other of these graces of the slIiI It. 11~s led
A~orf~o\ cr. pa tlcnt sullm1si1on can he developed only in many worldly people. as reformers, Into wild e’.\(es\es’ whc~reas
those ~l10 InoIIrn, in the sense of having large sympathies, the (-1l1ltl of Got1 althouph ha\-inp this same hungrr and thIr4
ant1 \\lIo lI:~\c* ]HTII (~oIIIfortc~(l I)y the ble\sell Promises of God, in . a. larger degree than others. ycat. untler the control of the
through wh1c11 the 11oly Spirit cnmfnrteth his people. Realiz- spirit of a sound mind, instructed from the Lord’\ \\.ortI. rests
ing t1Ie e\ l]q of olir tImc. :~JI(] that tbev are nermitted of God in hi, proiiiihe~ ant1 11nit-: for their fultillnitnt. p:iticntl~ .1111-
for tlIe prrwnt for :I wise pulpose, these not&only svmp,lthize missive, and assured of the virtorv of riglItt~ou+Iles~ III God’s
lv itli tlIc* groaning Vreatinn, InIt thic svmnathv and tile comfort, due time, whicsh he adopts as 1IIs time al+n
. 1

rcc(‘i\ et1 as its rc~wnrd tend to make thrm patient, submIssI\ e

. .
__

Those who have and cultivate this blrssetl hunger and

to tbc ,111ine ~111 Rrmcml~erIng tllat all tlliIlg:j are working thirst 4all lie satisfied. alnind:intlv satihfied, bv and 1~. wlI(~n
together for good to them that lore God. thrv are prepared God’s kingdom shall be established. and when ilk a r&nlt of
to rec~opIIi~(~ (Ii\ inr JIro\ it1,bnc.c in wh:Itever may befall them, its reign all evil and a11 sin. all In-cquIties (InIquItIc-I \hall
aIlt1 pIC’])ilrttl also to lot~k for the lcssonr of those provIdenceS, be suppressed. and God’s hole will shall “lie donc~ on eartlr
:I\ lIl(+4ngq w1lic.h will l)e lIelpfn1 to them and to others, in even as it is done in heaven.” Our hunger and thirqt after
prrJ)aring for the future ant1 eternal joys. rigiiteousness is not to be dcstroyetl. Init, aq nIIr Lord prom-
‘I’lli~ third pr:Ic*cs--patlent submission to the dIrine will- ised, It is to be satisfied. The appetite for truth and rIglit-
x\lIicb (‘an 1Ie notcltl by those with whom we come in contact. enuqness ~111 still be there, lrllt the prevalence of truth and
nIIglIt be said to he the nuter manifestation of the second righteousness shall be its satisfaction.
pr;I(.(b, \\llI(.11 I\ in\v:Ird, of tlIe heart. and which might not be In tJIis gra(e, as in the others. there is a sense in which
0IItna1 tllv tlIrc~11Iet1 lay our f(~llow-creatures. T11r gra(‘e of hy faith we alreadv attain some measure of the fulfillment
s\ mp:lIll\ nIanif(+ts itstllf II1 0111 JliltieIlt submissi\-enesS in all to come-altlIougli it is but a foretaste. Tliose who have the
tbca :lll;llls of life. rralixlrlg thilt to those wlin are In Christ hunger and tJIirst for righteousness. in JIne with the other
all I!l.ltt(‘I. ilIt’ untl~r (II\ Ine supervisIon, and tllis patienrr in grapes of tJIe spirit, find in the grarious promises of the Lord
rc+lna(‘t to God’s pro\ idenc*cBs in 0IIr own circumstances and that comfort and ronsnlatlon which aIre:Idy, even in thI+
:lll’;llIs l,~Itl+ :llhr) IIatIIrall~ and properly to patience with present life, can be assimilated Jlv faith. i1Ild wlI~c*li lIrn\e+ to
otl~er L, III tltcir ~e:Iknc~rs and failures and ignorance, an d be “meat in due season for the household of faitlr,” surt:IIn-
load+ J” OJWrly to l1ClJ~fU1IlC4Sto\vaId them as we have oppor- 1ng. strengthening, reqting and at least JIartiaJly s:\tIsfving
t1111ity. the hunger and the thirst, as they realize the tlivIne JIrovi.ion
T)II~v~ “meek.” paticntlv snbmi+sive to the divine will. illall for ex erlasting righteousness is cscerdIng and abundant, moI e
inlicrit III,, e:Irth Tbr Lord did not mean. nor Is it tme. than all that they could have thought or ha\z requested.
tlI:It tlIc> p<ItIent and sulImi+si\-e to the divine will inherit -the HOW TO OBTAIN MERCY
ciII tlI :it tlIcL pre+rnt tlmc. quite to the contrary, the arrogant, T11e fifth blesses! condition is that of mercifulness. 3Iercy
tlicl irrip:ItI~~I~t, the agpI c*s*iv e. the selfish, sucrrcd in grasping is the outward eqression that man can discern, resulting
tllcb c,111t*ftltinrrr of J)o\vt’r, of InllucIa*e and of wealth now; from an appreciation of righteousness and a hunger and thirst
antI tllcb lI~ItI~~ntly \IIlnIIi~~I\ (’ 11:Ivr comparatI\elv a poor chance. for it in the renewed heart. After we have taken tire pret3ed
7‘lIe rc\\ iI1 tl of tlII< grace. tlicq efnre. like the other,. is future: ing steps. and have learned to appreclnte thr intquitics of the
folio\\ Ing on urltler tlica tlI\-Inc 1e;ItlInp. tliese shall be heirs of present t,ime, and our own imprfeetions (unrightenusness I
Go(l. itlint -heirs witlI .Je\IIs Christ: and the earth is a part of ancl those of other men: and after we hare Irarned that God
th,It great Inbrritanc~e. ~li~(*li in turn, bv divine arrangement, alone is able to riplIt these mattrrs in the full and complete
I

tlIcL> qlI:Ill IIcstow at the ~~10~ of tlIe 3Ji’llcnnIal agr, upon the sense, and that he has made provision for thtx righting of
\\orl(l of mank1I111 who tlI(bII sur\ 11e-those proved wortJIy of every wrong. and for the restoration to his fnrnr of all who
etcrn.il lif(a 1Iy the ?\IIllennial tests. will accept JIis grace in Christ, to he made known to all In
Sc\ c~rthelr~s, as tlIeI e is a \ense in which the J,nrtl’s people dur time-it is then we lIegIn to feel merciful. henerolrnt,
are comfortc~tl Iiow, so theIc is al*;0 a s(nsc III wh1~11 thcr now kind, tnward ntJrrrS. to an extent and decree that we could
Inher It tllr earth-a figurative senhC. bv faitli. The -4postle not feel these sentiments previously. \\‘nrldly people, who
spcwks of this \vlleII he savs. “.A11 tlIInau are rnurs-thinas have not trarrlrtl on the pathway mark4 11y tlIeqc blc4ngs
present or things to cnmca.” ’ ( 1 C’nr. 3.21:2.; ) TlIose who JIaf-e of rltarscter and growth< in grace, cannot to the same degree
the J)roper humble attItutle of mind and are patIentI? sub sympathize with nor feel merciful toward otheI&.
missive to the di\ ine ~111. get more of blessing out of the Tile Lord lavs great stress upon this quality of merry,
things of the present time than do their actual owners. because deelannp that whatever else mav he our attainments of knowl-
[2586]
MARCH 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (70-71)

edge or of grace, if we have not this one we can never be and have thought of It as signifying abjolute perfectlon-not
acceptable to him-if we do not have mercy upon others only outward but inwarcl; not only of words and of deeds, but
neither will our Heavenly Father have mercy upon US. And also of thoughts. This view of the matter has tended to dlb-
to insure that we do not consider this mercy to be merely an courage some who honestly said to themselves, 1 am not perfect
outward form, an expression of forgiveness and benevolence, in cieeci nor in word nor in thought; how then can I claim to
our Lord expounds the matter, saying, “If ye do not from be blebktd uncler this prorlslon as one of the pure in heart”
the heart forgive one another, neither will your Heavenly \Ye answer that this is a mlsconcentlon. The Lord knows as
Father forgive you.” It must be a genuine mercy, and not a well and better than me do, that in our flesh dwells no per-
feigned one; it must cover from sight, and so far as possible fection: that bv reason of the fall all of Adam’s children have
hlot from memory, the failings and weaknesses of others, else their teeth set 6n edge- by the sour grape of sin. so that some-
it cannot hone for forgiveness and blotting out of its own times we cannot do the things that we would tin, and through
short-comings which its” hunger and thirst ‘for righteousness ignorance we no doubt frequently leave undone the things
has clearlv revealed to it. Onlv the merciful shall obtain which we ought to do.-Jer. 31:29, 30; Rom. 7: 16-1X.
mercy : an;1 if we have not mercyUat the hands of the Lord all The Lord taught a great lesson tiunng the .J(~ni4 age by
is lost; for by nature we were children of wrath, even as the giving of the law to that people. with a promise of life
otherq, and under just condemnation. attaGhec1 to it, but the Apohtlra Rr\ilres us that‘Gnd foreknew,
The exercise of mercv, benevolence, forgiveness, is a bless- even when he cave that law to the I<rarlltes. that “1)~ the
ing. not merely because it is essential to our own forgiveness; deed4 of the la% should no flctsh be jn4ified 111 111~iligilt”-
ant1 hence to onr salvation, but also because this condition of that on the contrary the clearer the law woulci he dl<cerneci the
heart whlcah svmnathizes with others in their failures and more clear would be the knowledge of sin-of Imp,cBrfcrtion.
imperfcctlons l&lp’s to rid our hearts of certain of the works God’s provision in Christ is that lie ~111 forpirc tll& lml)el-
of the flr~h and of the devil. which incline to clinn to the Lord’s fections which are due. not to nersonal wilfuiness. but to the
I

neonle lonp after thev hn\:e been lustlfied by f’aith. and even origmal sin, and the weaknesses and imperfections whic~h hare
if&r thrv have made full conserfation of {hemselves to the resulted from it-he mill extend his merrv toward 11s as
Lord and are seeking to “walk. not after the flesh, but after respects those deflections which are not wilful. That nur
the Spirit.” L&i Jesus was not ignoring human impcrfcctlnn is evident
The :1DoStif? includes amongst the works of the flesh which from the statement he mnkeq in rcferencle to the fifth of
require plitting away, after we*‘are fully the Lord’s, the follow- these blrsseci charncteristlcq. via., thilt the merciful “shall
in_v---ancrctr. mallrr. hatred. envv. strife. All of these qualities obtain mercy”-an impliratinn of our nteci of merry. Having
of’ selfisine\+ are intagonizeci l;v mercy, and hy it larg&ly they a4siilc~tl ii+ that Ire may nljtain mercy. he iq not in this 4stli
are driven from their secret hidings and entrenched posltions beatitude cierlnring that we must h al~snliitcl~ pcrfrct in
In our hearts. The blessed character of mercy is closely re- thought. word and deed: for if were $0. or rc.uld attain to
lated to love, for It is in proportion as we ob+ain the Lord’s such-a iaondition. it would FJ~ wholly unnere~sary for God to
hplrlt of lore that we manifest toward others mercy, e\en as provide us mercy and forgiveness of sins through Christ’s
lie II I. nlanlfe~trtl 111slove tonard US in the mercy extended to sacrifice.
II\ iti c111iht. T,o\-c, and mercy, consideration for other-. has
much to tin with ciriving out envy. How can we envy those Tll~ thought of “pure in heart” ir not perferlinn of conduct
whom we love sincerely? How can we have malice toward nor of word, nor of thought, but perfec*tion of intention as
tlrose ~110 are our enemies, if me lore them and have merry, respects all of these. Our clesirr and effort must be for per-
c*nmnn\hlon. unnn them. and forgive them frnm our hearts? fection-in thought, word ant1 cleeci. The st.lndartl Ibefore IJS,
Ho\< (*an we hare hatred toward them, if we have mercy upon to whicsh our heart?, our wills, must give ak+ent. 1s the divine
them. anti feel toward them only a forgiving spirit? Allfl
standard. “Be me perfect, as your Father in hc~avrn 1s per-
how can we be strifefui, if we have a merciful, a forgiving fect.” (Matt. 5 :48) God has set 110 lower staI;clarcl than this
\pl~lt ready to forgive trespasseq against us. as we hope for nl)+nliite 1)tnifectinn. lint lita had 111ovided for 115 gi‘ac~~, inci (2.v
fnrtri\rnesr of our trespasses ngainqt the divine law? and peace throu,ah Christ. if we will walk in hir fnotstcns.- L
thi* ‘puritv of hiart I&:: one of the eqscntinl step5 in the
“.\IPI c’v i c*loirc,tli n’gnin+t justice,” the Apostle explain’. narrow way.
(.J.IG. 2 IXI Dirinta niei (av >atisfiratl divine justice. and thus
prepart,(l tile way for the resrue of our rare from the sentenre Only tile pure in hrart hare the prnmiqe of sc4ng God
of ]ll~tlw ~nfi sn tho~r who have become partakers of the They rnntinue faithfull,v to thcb enci of th pllgllm:lg,rl~, not
t11r1nta S1)illt, a11ti III whom it Ita4 rea(*hpci a rea\nnahJe derel- only nttalnlng the lJktsne&s of the Lo~ci .Jr\u-: UII i*t 111the
opnicaiit. will permit their mercy to triumph over thnr cnn- present life (Rnm. S 29) in thclr purity of lIeart. pnrltr of
ceptloilh of iii+tic+e (for they have nn law of Jii’tice 0vc.r their intention. sincer1t.v of their efforts toward God aiitl mm.’ I,ut
fello\\ 9 whic~h needs to be satisfied). eventually accanrciing to the Lord’s prnmisc,. they shall, bv the
\Vhilr In’;ticc may not be blind in the Lord’s people, while power of the first rehurrertion, he c~hnngrd from earthjv to
tllry may diqcarrn th(, fauitq of others mnqt clearly. and while heavenly. splritllal rnnditlons. Then. nr the =\po+tlr d(~clRres,
tl1t.y mav h6~k to let jristicse rule in respect to all of their “we shall he like him. for we shall 5~ IJIm :I.- 11~ oh” 4 11I1
own word-. and thoughts, and artinns. nevertheless they are
to let rnrrray triumph in their hearts river JustIce as re&pectr
thn-cl ~110 trc+pasq against them, and they are not to hold
r(~+~iltint~ilt~ ;iclaiii.t tlioqr who have tinnc~ them injnry, iin1 to Father him~rlf, and shall he ;ntrodurcd to lrlnl 1)~ ollr d(aiG
~~1~ to avenge themselves and to inflict justire uion the11 Rt~tlren~n~-“c~t~~~~1~l~~t~ ill llinl,” “without <1)ot 01 11rilll,l(s or
~Il~lKlll~‘llt~ I::rtlior. tbcv. nie to sar. It i< for Got1 to be iust: any hllrh thing.“-l .Jnhn .3.2; ITeb. 1 :3 ; 1<1)115 97. (‘01 L’ 11).
I 1
it i< for IllP. who am a transgressor alkn against perfert 1uk- Jn tbiq. aS in the other bles4nps. a portlnn. a folrta\tc,
t1c.e. throupll the weaknrsscs which I have lnheriteci. to have comes in th(a present life. Thrre ie, sli(~li a thing ns lt:1\1ng
c~oinpa~sinn upon my fellow-rreature. who has inhrritecl sini- the e,ves of nur undrratandinp nprned. that WP mav I,(, rnaltlt~tl
ilar ycst cilffrrent weaknt+rcBs: it 1s for me to exercisp nccaorcl- to “comprehmcl with all iaints what IS the i,rratlth ant1
inply the d~\lne command, tllr blessed characteristic of merc’y. length and height and clrpth, anti tn know th(L IOVCBof C(1lriht ”
rnnina+~inn, forgiveness. And those who do $0 not nnlv get (Eph. 3:18) But not ail have thiq nprnlng of tltca nlc~nt;rl (ly(x;
riti c;f the r\-11 works and qmtimentq of the wnrlcl the tIehi ilnti not all arca pririlrgc~ti to <(‘cl thca fln7 )(ti of .r~hov:~lr’s rlrai nctrr
the delil. liut increaqinrrlv herome filled mnre and more with in hymmttriral harmony, till-lnr 1uqtic.r. wlic!om. 1nlc :Intl
the bpirit of love and &nileness and patient snhniission to the power co-orciinated ant1 rn-nprrntin t’ in iiili\orr for thcb 11lr~s1n~
c11\1nr will. and thus the merciful are blessed e\en in the of rvcry rrenture. ac,rnrdinp to the purpose nhic~lt God purposc~d
prerent time. in himself before the world was.
“WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD” Rut who m?v rnjny this blrssing, thi\ ~l(;lrer \ ihinn, and
The sixth step of hlessecine*s 1q purity of hcJart--purity. of who may. 1,y sc&n~ ‘it, IN, t~nal)l(~ti ,liorc’ anti nlnlc to y’o\v in
motivct, purity of intention, puiity of effort, piiiity of will: likr,neqs of that glorious prrfertinn ? Only “tllc purr in heart,”
l)urltv. in the sense of sinreritv, of traniparenrv, of trutli- nn!y the qincserr, thr honest-hrnrtcacl. T~IOW DIICI 1,ave :I ciouble
il,llltlS. In other words, Blessed ire tlira honest-h;arted, those inlntl, a cinii1~le will, are Scripturally haicl to 11nvci a tlnuble
11ho hnvct wl,soli~tc~ly right intentions. True. there are worldly vision, a cinuble eye. They see. spiritilnl thinprs cross-eyed, \ep
people who to 5onie extent might rlaim hnne~tv of hc&nrt. pur- thln:s finlll~ie. and propnrtionatrly lnfii~tinf tiy. I\l;lny of
;&, intention, lmt until thf+ ha\ e rnme nlon;r the w:l$ of C:n(i’< pcoplc hare failrti tlliis f‘lr to zro\v iin Into Chris;t in all
(Ii\ lne ar~nolntmcnt in C’liri-t. iintll t1~c.v harcb licc~onic hi* fnl- tlllll~.. 5(‘0 tlln* tio1lbl~ ant1 rnnfii~etll~--tllc,y <cc somc~tllltlg of
lo\\(xrq til;fjllyil faith and conse(*ratlnn to him. and until they tlrr 11c~avt~l~ tlrinc:*. ant1 ~omc41iin~ of tlrr cqrtlilv. tlicJ\ bee
hn\e taken the preceding steps of hlessecinesq, we c~ulcl not Ilnt tl11111r Rllfi in&stinc*tly the lines of th(b di\-in6 ‘(*ha, ;&r.
rtzc*ogni7e them as being of the (*lass here Ppecif1c.d. and proportionately they lack nbllity to cnpv it. Lrt all who
JInny have misunderstood this statement, “pure in heart,” ha\-e named the name of Christ seek mnre hncl more to have
[25871
but the one Na*tw, ;lllc] all ~.-a? *Iilg]c’ t\J hi- glory Hlld SelviW SOIII~ nf the Lord’h people find in themselvrs natnrally COIL.
-a pure, a sinwr~, a faithfnl heart. siderabhb of a spirit of combativeness, unfavornble to peace.
THE SONS OF GOD ALL PEACEMAKERS Indeed. it requwcs something of the spirit of combativeness to
The seventh hcatitude is an ontmard manlfe~tatlon of thn fight a good fight against the world, the flesh and the advert
hlxth. !Ilie purity of heart tou art1 (iod. which othei c cwmot sary, and to “contend earnestly for the faith;” tie that thosr
discern. \\ 111 manifest itself in thiq se\-.wth cbarac~tw istIc of who have combativeness natllrally find thcmselrw in an-
hlessedneha and growth-namely, in penceahlr desires ant1 tagoni,m with others along some llnr continnall,v. However,
efforts to promote IJeaw in others. l?(fr beyond rlw5tion no they should not bc discour;l~t~d IJv this, but should rernrmbcl
one ~11 be a peacemaker from this divine standpoint unlehs 11th thit combati\enrss iz a \aluable &vant and soldier, if tnrnci
have already bewmc qinwre. pure in heart toward God; and and exercired in the light dir&ion. Its exercise toward fel
nnless he hare alw the nrecediilrr develonments of grace in hih low creatures mnst be modified by mercy, by a realization ot
heart: ( 1 ) hnmillty, (5) svm&thy. (:!) patlrnt %ubmission, our own imperfections and the imperfectlons of all. Combat-
(4) hnngcr and thirst for rightwmsneih (which inclndr\ iveness n&t be trained to fight ilong the lines of love and
trn\t I (5) a love or mrwifulnr~~ toward otllc*r+. (6 J sinw itv mercv--lo figlIt for the truth and for all the servants nncl
of lipart. And one who has dcvt~lo]wtl t1ic.t. ~li~lr;l~.t~,ri~ti~., 6, are&es of thr truth, ant1 against the error,-but not againht
:i!ly partic*ular tlcgrw can siirel~ be ilotliing el\e tl,an Iwaceab1.v tGe blinded and ignorant s&ants of the error. Combatiw-
tll\poaed himself. ant1 a peacemakrr with ~t11t.r.. ness must be eivcn nlentv to do in fighting against the lmpt.1.
Veer?- e\ ldentlv lnit it small nnn11w1 of the Lord’s pcoplc fections and weakn&ses -of oln- nwn’na t1;1es: zntl being ihn.
IIXVC progrw-Pd $0 far as to hn\c thi. gr;rcc markedly tle- tJusily engaged in this pod work. it will find comparatively
1rlopcd and c~\;cn:plificd in their llvt+ Tlw great nia]ority. little time for assaulting others: ,lnd realizing the clifficwltlw
wrn of thaw nlio li:~vr named tllc iii~ni~ of Chriht, seem to connected with the ronqnwinp of self it WI11 ll:<\ r the gI?~llvl
1)nrhnc it rw (‘r.e c’cnlrw. which iiJtlicxtc+ tllat e\cil it tlirii compassion for the weaknrrsw of otherr.
heart 3 :II‘(L pul (. ant1 th&r svnipatliir. large. thcv ha\-r htill ATTAINING GREAT REWARD IN HEAVEN
mwli to lcni II in t11e school’ of C’11ri.t: for in+tEad of Iwinr The Mwsing that comcq thronpli pcrsec~ntinn ir tlw clphttl
beatitudr. It is not until the Lord’s IwoDle li:(\e c~xperwnwtl
wine of thaw l~rwdiiig blcwingb of 11:s ~rd,~~ tlbit tt;cby 1cac.h
the point where they can “glory in tritnllationh alho.” :I. tlltl
the Apostle Pan]. But nilr J,;,rd CillY’fllll~ (!lHtl17~lllhll(~Y :I.
Iwtxet;ll dif’(wiit kin& of pc~rwcwtion, 111.11 k’lng ollt tllc Ille~wtl
kintl :I. cli\tilict froiii all ot tic>1 sort\. \\.e arc’ Jiot to invitch
]~erscwtioli t,y f:inlt-finding and general c:liitanl;eiou~i~c~.s and
cnmlJ:tti\-c oplwhitloli to c\-wyt)odv and evwyttlliig: nor ale wt*
to invite I,elcccution b\- fanatici&. bather, wc arc%to cult1
vatr the “spirit of a ‘so~~nd mind,” and t,j ltar II gr.~du;tlly
what the sound mind of tlic Lord I<. ah w\wl~tl iI1 tllc St91r)
tnrcs. 17~~11then. no tlnnl~t \VC \r111 hr fal.cly a, c811~tl t)y ti)ts
world of “fanatici-m.” IMWI~~ tllcs xlwlorn uf (:(\(I 15 otl
cstecmed foollshnc>s \\itll nw11. ns oftcxt1 il1r 11 id~w of ~PII 1’1
foolishness from thr tliriiw ~tnntll)olnt
I\ lrcn will (‘llri.tiilll~ lwrn’ the lenpth :ind brcatltli iltltl ~Tlirnw er a coni w of ac*tion wntiltl ,tl)lwd~ to lw fdiiat it ,\I
depth of the iniunptinns “Sneitl< (a\il of no IILIII.” and “Let no and uiiieasonablc. we arc to hwit:\tc~ !(I do Jt unlit wt’ llav~
I o;rnpt ~oiiinJll;lic,;iti”ii pr&~c(l alit nt vonr month, but that first made sure that WC?find thr s:I,,,c spilit, twcb1ng .tnd
which is goo(1. to tllc ns(’ of c~tlifvrng“” (Titn. 3.2: I:]jh. 4:3) example in onr I,ord and 111the apo.tlt~h : thcJJ WC may safr1.v
ITow lent’ \\ ill II, tahc wiw oi: (;otl’. t rw c~hildien to Irain follow. regardlcw ot what the wnrltl may SRV or think Jwpect.
that in nttrrin:! an evil thing ((‘1 vi, if thcv \vcre positi\-c of inp oni cour\e. Yor instancr. from thr divine standpoint 11
its tiiltli I. tlicl? may lw tloin~ <I woi It1 of evil? How lonp is?nsanitr for a man to l,~bor dav and night to ama.s i;iilt1on..
\\ill it take tli(*in to lvdiii that it i+ not alway:, necw+lry to for his ~~liildrcn io finlit over eat his death. but from thl
5pr:1k the tliilh. nor wcii prnlw to tlo ho cscept when it hnman standpoint thil I; the reasonable ~OUI-P. F1onr the
woultl ltr for tlic ctlifvinrr . of otli*‘r\? How ni~uir lea~on.. lincl divine etandpoint it was wise for the apostles to .1Jciid tlwlr
lipon lint. iil1l.t tlier 11ii\c to (YJIIVIII(Y tlirm that they aIt’ not lives in the service of the truth, sacrificing rill tlily Illtc’wct-
mly to n\c11t1 goc.l]’ .Illollt othw 1”Wple’> 1J,l~lllC%. ;111d fault- .~nd nloslwcts. name ant1 fame. to obtain cr,~nlnall~- .I Iwttt*1
fintltng. and (.viii(.i’nl. lnlt tlixt all t1ic.r iire (~\iclcwc~~ of tllttii reslli’i e&on. and eternal glorv, honor and iJnnio&llt 1 . hut
drlic~ic~ncy in Iovc~-of tllc,ir d~fi(*itln(*!- in the Iikwei> of Uiri\t. thi.. from the x01 Id’s htl~n~l~~~iiit was foolisbncs+, fanli’tlcihin.
,1nt1 tltcll Iatk ot th(L clllalitit+ of tile peacemaker: and tlmt J f lwrw.ution cnmw to 11; :I+ a lehnlt of o1,r follo\~mg thr
IllCw Iil(‘k* ncctl to lw sirivrn ag,tinst r;;rnc.t]~. it tbr- would 1.01~I. .IIII~ ttlc nl)o”tlr~.--cllc,il tcacliing3 and example. alltl It It
llI.lA<~ t1wi1 v;llllrl~ :llltl ,~lcctloIl hll,? to a pl:IC*c 111 tile llc:c\w1~ ii Iwvau.c~ of onr falthfulncss to tlic \ows of conwcx~tic)Jl 11)
kirlptlonl ” llih wlvi(~e that all nJrtnuer of cs\il i5 s;lld ngalnst IIh. tal+I)
011. tll,\t ;,I1 would learn by litfiiii t, ,intl I.nntiniially ~~21~11) tlitw i ndced we may rejoiw ; for so wtlie tlic prophets pcr.c-
c~\cmnlif\- III life. tlic \\ortl. ot tlir .\no.tle. .‘\Vlii~twc\,‘1 ( ntcd. 50 \\a~ our Lord 1x1 secntrtl. sn were the apostlcu aiicl
all tlic faltlifnl onw >IIIW IJeiwcntctl. Bring thns in qod
wnipan~ iii oiii rsprriww\, it becomes a witness or trktinl0n~
to ii5 that we \liall bc in like good c*onipany in that d;lF H llrn
i111.Lord &all make up his jewelh.
-111 who have such experiences may well reJoicc, ant1 Ii H-
]w;lutiflll tiling\ fill sbcak to WV]I othw of t”lJe ~a&: hcncc the Lord’s words intimate, the more of such esprrJrm+ MY
111f lltl]m tiLll(‘(, of hH\ inp nnr Iirai t. filltall with good tliing!r, in llave the more will be ollr rewaltl in hcarell. then tlJc> n101c’ \\I’
01(IN that nut of tlit :~l~nnd:~nw of tbc good things nf oni may rejoice in these rsperienws. -4nd if xv,> he without any
11wi t+ 0111 inor~th~ in:i~ ~pc:il; rollt,inii~ill\- good tliingZh. that tllc +,uch rqwl lences it behooves ns to look well tc\ oursell CL le-t
T,ortl nonltl a]qn w ct. and tliat \\o~iltl rnllI’i\tcBr l,l(-ilip to tliosr ueradventure it mean that we are not faithfnlly walking in the
\\ 111, 11wr ---1’1111. 4 : s : I,ll!d~ 0.4.x :,nai row way” of self-sacrifice,-or are not -doing wth 0111
might wItat our hands find to do, ]Jnt are holtlmg back 0111
sacrifiw. Should such be the reflec+Jon of an) let him not 1~s
(:od’h q)irit, ‘tile Iikcnc~si nt lli. dear Son hii* Iwen tri;c*rd in tlisconragwl. but, in the langllage of the L’rophet, let him “bind
their hearty. tllry lIa\-e IKVW wnctifcd with thr truth. tlrry the sacrifice to the altar,” with fresh cords oi love and ot
shall ultimately be “meet for the in11~1 itanc*c ot tllcb saints III ecal. praying the Lord to acwpt the sacrifice, and to furni.1~
light.” Only :n(,l1 :lt 11Wl t will the l,OId C\C:’ lccOgJli%c il’ opportunities for beIll, I* and doing :ulrl suffering for His CRIIW.
his snns ant1 lolilt-llciil: wit11 lliq great Soil. 0111 T,ortl. in thr and for the Lord’s and the tlntll’s sake.--Ps;i. llS.27.
kingdom. 31411
(‘ov(‘i. thiq is a tc5t \\li~,~Ii \\I’ may \\(&I1 rcc~og- The prihmatic snm of all these gracw Jr-love; and thocc
nize for Onr*eIvc. p211t ,cnlarIy. ;ln(l to h~)ll,~~ cs\tcl,t fol ta,lcatt who have them ale l~~vabl~~ ant1 sh,lll by and b; be m,ldc
ntlirr, ds e~itl~wc~~i~g tlics tlcgrcr of 0111’giowtli ,I. c*liiltlrril of gloriou-IT lovely. with and like him who i5 altopPtllt~1
God-oui lwa(~~:~l~lr dlh])o~ltlnll. .III(I ,~iiJ 14.11
tainli-c.. to 1)iir.n~ lorely.” Oiir call 1s to attain these t,lrswd cwiditions in the
suc~h a roiirw in Iif<& :I . ,,I11 tcnt1 lOM“Il~1 [“‘“I kmgtlom.
 THE ROYAL LAW-THE GOLDEN RULE
M&TT. i:l-14.-APEIL S.
-II~/~~ISOC~W p wmld that men should do to y011, do ye etett. so IO them."

Tn this Ir~~o~i we have another leaf from o11r Lord’s great whose hearts are full of love. even though they have sawdust
Starrnon on the Mount. This is not a sermon to sinners but to in their eye of faith, or intcllcctual discernment or spiritual
the Lord’s consecrated people; and although there were multi- discernment, and perhaps also splinters in their hands, which
tudes within the hraring of our Lord’s voice, all of whom affect all the deeds of llfc. and render their work imperfect,
belonged to the typically conserrated nation. yet our Lord and thollgh many of them have splinters in their feet also, so
addressed himself sperially to his twelve choscu disciples. who that their walk is by no means perfect, as they would desire
were being-partirulnrly and fully instructed, thfit they, under It to be-yet if thrv have the spirit of faith and of love and
lhe spirit dispensation soon to be inaugurated, might become of sympathy, the scirit of Christ, they are his, and far more
the twelve foundations of the heavenly kingdom, represented acce$a-ble io him than any could possibly be who are devnld
symbolically in the New Jerusalem of Revelation.-Rev. 21: 14. of the snirit of love and svml~athv, and who therefore in this
True, many of the features of this royal law were then parable ire represented ns’,vl;nll,-‘perverted in their jutlgmrnt.
and still are sound advice for all who can receive them; but of others, hecause possessing so little of the Lord’s spirit ant1
the fact remains that comparatively few are blessed with the so much of the spirit of the ntlrersnry-the great “accusrr of
cmnmrr of cveo, and unstol)l>ing of ears to permit their appre- the brethren.”
elation of these holv pei,ls -of truth; aid assuredly they This loveless, fmllt-finthng, brethren-accusing class the
wcrc addressed to and int,cnded for only those who could Lord denominates hypocl itrs. \yhy? Because in finding fault
I rrrtvr them. Tll,lnk God for the good hope tbnt err long, the with others they are evidently wishing to give tbe inference
ktnptlom being established. all the blind eyes shall be opened, that they are not afflicted with thr snme malady of sin them-
:111tlJ(l deaf ears shall be nnstonped, and that in God’s “due selves; they evidently wiyh to give the impression that they
time” fbt’sc precepts of the Gold& Rule of love will be appre- are holy, and since they know in tbril on-n hearts that this in
t,l;rtrtl IJ,V all and be applicable to all-whether thcp respond to untrue,” and that they have many failings, many imperfections
tlwm nr reject them. -therefore their course is h\-nnclltical. fa1.e. deceptive. dis-
F(Jllowing our Lord’s example and injunction, \\e are en- pleasing to God. Their cl& that ‘thrir fault-&ding 17
cl(a:ivoring to set meat in due season. “things new and old,” prompted by love for the erring and a hatred of sin is decep-
brforc the household of faith, the children of the kingdom, and tive and hypocritical as our Lord’s words clrarly show. Other-
not before “dogs’‘-those who are still outside of divine favor, wise they would find plenty to do in hating and condemning
who have not vet received the grace of God and been adopted and battling with their own sins and ~~-cnknesscs;--casting out
Into his farnil; and constituted sons. These precious truths their own rafter of self-conceit and hypocris;v. The experi-
are pearls of ireat price-of great value-to those who hare ences thus gained would make them very tender and merciful
111~hrarinrr car and the understanding and appreciative heart and loving in their assistance of others.
-those wfio have been begotten of the spir:i and are “neH
crcnturrq in Christ Jesus.” and seeking to live the new life. All of the “brethren” should carefull\- \ ~cw this picture
\To do not attempt to precent these matters tc: the brutish, the which our Lord portrayed, and should note well to see whether
swinish, knowing that they would not appreciate them; but or not they have any of the evil disposition of heart-fault-
would merelv feel a disappointment and r%ent our good inten- finding, nagging, harsh criticism and denunciation-different.
lions to our-injury. Our Lord points this out later on in the degrees of the same fault. Tf they find any trace of such a
cliscoursp (verse 6) , and his words are in full accord with “beam” of lovelessnrss ant1 self-conceit in their spiritual eye.
thosr of Solomon. “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.“- they should go at once to the great Physician and have it,
Prov. 9~7. 8. thoroughly eradicated, that they thus may speedily becomtl
It is to the household of faith, then, that the Lord says, gentle, sympathetic n?sistants to the “brethren,” and be pre-
“.Tudgc not that ye be not judged.” It is useless that wc glvc pared as succersful surgeons and physicians for the great work
tIli+ :ldricr to othrrs than the pupils in the school of Christ. of the Rlillennial age-the kindly and s;ympathetic opening of
for nnt having put themselves under the instruction of the the blind eyes of humanity and the healmg of all the wounds
great Teacher it gives evidence that his instructions are not of sin.
:Ipprrcinted by them. But all true disciples (Icarners. pupils) TYING GRAPE CLUSTERS TO THORN BUSHES
4ould give earnest heed to this injunction, and should under- But while we are not to judge our “brotbrr,” who with uq
htantl that it contains a very important lesson, which unlearned professes to be endeavoring to walk in the tootsteps of o111
will render them unready for the great examination, unready Xaster, and Who gives any evidences at all of sincerity in thc~
for graduation, unready for the kingdom; because in their Itlatter, wc nevertbcless are to do a certain kind of judging
cbyamination this will be one of the tests. If thev have been as resaccts mankind in general. Elsewhere the Lord intimatrq
fault-finding, cynical, hvpercritical, etc., judging others harshly that ;‘by their fruits”-we are to “know” grarevines from
and uncharitably, it will be a clear token that they have not thorn-bushes. and fits from thistles. And in this sermon he
developed the spirit of Christ, the spirit of love,-which is intimates tdat we ire to judge or discern a4 between the
full of kindness and consideration: hence such would be judged brethren and “dogs” and “swine’‘-the selfish, the sensual, who
or condemned as unfit for the kingdom, for according to our mind earthly things and who have never been begotten of the
way of judging others we will be-judged-since nothing else spirit of God. We may know these by outward evidences, for
will better demonstrate our true spiritual condition,-the “If any man ha\-c not the spirit of Christ he is none of his;”
presence or absence of love. and if he is none of his, not a branch of the Vine, we are not
Whatever measure of mercy and gencroslty we mete out to waste our time in trying to tie onto him bunches of the
to others will be the measure of divine mercy that will be fruits af the vine. We arc not to attempt to deceive others
extended to us. If all the Lord’s people could have well im- or ourselves by helping to counterfeit the true holy spirit in
pressed upon their hearts this lesson from the great Teacher’s the selfish, unregenerate world. We are not to expect that
lips. how wonderfully it would affect their attitude toward this class, whose appreciation is only for earthly things, to
others, in thought as well as in deed; how generous, how for- appreciate holy, heavenly things, any more than we would
giving. how sympathetic for the weaknesses of others th:y expect that dogs would appreciate the difference between meat
would become; how the spirit of love would grow in thrlr from the butcuhcrshop a& the holy, consecrated meat eaten
brarts and manifest itself in their words and deeds! nnlv bv the oriesthood. We are not to cxnect that the swinish
RAFTERS IN THEIR EYES and groveling, who think only of money a& the things of this
Emphasizing this lesson, our Lord suggests that those who life, would appreciate the pearls of truth which are so precious
are always finding fault with the “brethren” who, like them- in the sight of the brethren, begotten of the spirit.
.clres arc seeking to walk in the narrow way-who can never This does not mean that WC should never bring holy things
.(Lr thr noble efforts of the “brethren” to copy the Master, but to the attention of those who are not the Lord’s consecrated
::I(% C(Jlltinlldly picking at them, are the very ones who have people; but it does mean that a mere presentation of the first
t,hc elcate.4 of faults in themselves,-lovelessness. The ex- principles of righteousness and truth should quickly manifest
:~g~c;ation of our Lord’s words of reproof to this class srcms to us those who have an ear for the truth, and those who
to imply a vein of sarcasm, for literally he says, Why do you have not,-that finding the hearing ear we might give diligence
stnIt> so at your fellow who is troubled with a grain of saw- to serve it. and fintlinrr the ear closed we might cease to waste
dust in his eye, while vou have a whole rafter in your own our time, knowing that the effort would be fruitless as respects
rve 7 A11 the‘ “hrethreni’ are more or less troubled with diffi- the calling of this Gospel age-to saintship, to the divine
&ltirs of one kind or another, weaknesses of the fiesh,- nature, to joint-heirship in the kingdom. The Millennial age
because all ha\-c the treasure of the new nature in imperfect will soon be ushered in, and that will be God’s lime for
rartllen vessels-marred ”
bv original
Y
sin. “There is none breaking the hard hearts, for opening the blind eyes, and
rightcons no. not one” absolutely perfrct. Yet tbp brethren unstopping tbc deaf Cars.
[25891 c-3-74)
 ZlOiV’S WATCH TO!d’ER .\LLECHENY. PA

Tntleed. in some IcLiJwcts the effort5 ~hirh have heen ex- thinking by a%king ourwlvcs the question. D-null1 I ni<tI
pcntletl uJ)on tlie “tlog3” ant! the “i\\ inr”-the thorn-bushe the brother to (10. to “1~ or to think thus rey])ect:ng me, if I
and the t\ll\tlc% fwleavo~~~i',r to tie to theie V~TICIUS inuta- were he ant1 IIP v PI ,! I v
tions of the fruits of tllc %J)III~ of C’ll~iit, an(l to make the ThIr rule. cloyed)- followrd. will very grncbrnJl,v t)e a guide,
nle:lt of tht! h0ll~JlOJtJ J):lJ:,t;lhJc tl) thml, Jl:lvC? JK!Pn J)O’Itivt’Jy and yc4 we have knonn initnnceq in which the T,nIt]‘s JJPqk
injurious to tile Lortl’s callhe. The “hrethl en” hare been neg- swmctl so anxious for an excuse for slander, for cr11 spwking,
lectrtl in the t,ntlcbavnr to fowl the “do:” class: the makmg for posslp. that they found snme Iiilltl of a way of &using
ready of the \)I Itlcx for the hritlegroom, and ntiornlng her with thml+elvei for the violation ot the Gnltlrn Rule. even nh<,II
the peilrls of truth. hns been nfplcctfd in thr endeavor to in- ther remcml)ered it and at heart wished to obey it. Let us be
tcrc3t ttIc “51vinc” in the Jwnrl5 Tlw real value of the true vcl*v rnIrfn1. tltanr hrrthlen, how ~(2 handle the’ Lord’, yule-
vine, in JIIO(~II-~~,~ good fruit, ant1 the witlc tlifferencr of nx- tlia’t TIC do not hantlle the \Void of Gw] tlrccitfullr-tlInt we
ture hctwwn it an11 a hramhle l)u<lr, haI; twn grcnt1.v oh- tin not 1)lintl a~:(] tlwri\-e niirsclrrs rwJwctinl_c Itr tt IIe imJ)nI -
scurtltl 1)) the appropriation of the xIne’-i natural fllIItngc> to tnnrr-that ne tin not tlu:q rltinte nntl ilnpmr 011, rolli('i(~ll('(Y
the hraml~lc 1 et uY not he wIw ntw\e wl.jlat iq nwttcn : It4 -tllnt ~1’ do not thlls th\\,Irt n11r praycst :, for the hnJ? $J)II it.
us attcntl In ttlc preyent timte to the wmk xthich Gnrl 117q For the lrnly Spil it mu tiow Into 0111 Ilwrts only a\ tile rlIan-
:ippnIntr(l for tlii. :i,g:(s, ant1 Icavf~ to Iii9 aJ)J)ointetl time the II,81 iq OJ”‘“: ant1 tlIe rhnnncl r’ln tw k(tJJt O]IC~ onI\- 1)y liCC’J)-
genc~ra] \\orli foI ttlcb \\nrlll of m:lnkIntl. Iq thlq Golden Rule c.ontlnnally at work at its full g:tI~~e.
This (:olrlen Rl~le nut1 xl1 thc>e lr~wn<, that vv’nl ko ne\\
HOW TO OVERCOME LOVELESS SELF-CONCEIT
1wc~:cu<e prcwntrd ])y the ,great Tenc*hrr in a c,lraIcr and
Rt*tlirItin~ to tllp It~i+ni \~111(.11 tllr “t)r(fittIren” must learn, hhi~i per light tliaii errr lwfnrc~, w(bre nCvrrtlI(~lw~ the gist. or
nntl J)wsit~l~ tr:l\~ng <JNvI:III~ In nIlnIl thcb correction of the e,wII(‘e of the 1\Io*aic Law, and of the Lortl’h teaching9 thI ough
tcntl(snry to JlIflYrc,nnf’ nnl~thc~r, nlIr I,clrtl gi1e-i instructInns 11nw t11c J” opl1&
tlltaw 11r~,rr~ ~1ll:IlItl~~s ma7 I)(, r~r:l(llrntc~rl \\.e arc, to aql< of the NARROW
IS THE WAY
LoId the ric~c~rl~~~l 7i)(w\111~ of Iov,~ :I1111sylllJ’atb~- bhlrh \!‘I]] Our Lord intiinntw tll,lt
sucll a lift of riil cfulnc+s rc+Jx*rt-
hImlt*r lIq frnrn ~II~leing oth(~rq. ant1 \\ trirh nil1 IrelJ~ 114 in cnr- inp not only our actIon< t:ut also oiii word, ant1 (‘1vii nut \tll>’
rcct ing 0Iir 0!1 n tl(,f[ict+ If \\ e 3-k qinccrely. truly, WC will thoiiptits (‘which are the springs from ntielirc pi owwl our
rt~(*(~i~r.chi\ grnw anI1 help in thii tlirwtInn. Ant1 nlIIle n*k- words ant1 nctlons) will J,e a rerv “narrow wnv”-a ~liltirult
ing, it is niir tllity to hr scaeking the thingi which ne lack, the way. And yet It is the anlp XL:,, 1)~ nluch n;s ~xn hoJw to
htrlv kpirit, of love to fill nlir h(siIrt4 ant1 if we seek it n’c shall enter into the Iifc ancl kingdoni of ‘ioy$ whIrli aie no\\ wbt
find it \‘ir are to knor!: upon the I,nrtl’+ store-hnuqe of grace before us in the GOsJwl call. The l)ln.lct u;I~, the en-y \\:I?,
ant1 hl(4iig tby rontinuctl t~fTort*, a- ~~11 :I9 J,raJ er without the selfish ~a!-, the n-nIldJy way, tloc+ not lend to the kliig-
ceasing, ant1 :I’i a rt,Snlt it will hiirelv lw nJ)enrt] to IIS. The t10111 : on the contrary, it lentls to death--to thr wcnn(i Ilfaatll,
ailcliig, the> swking. the knnrkinp, will all imply faith in the to utter destruction. The many :,I tl goiy in that I\ a~ II~~\v,
Tjnrd, ~\hich fill 111~ J)lcLahiii:: in llis siglit. ant1 it will also imply an11 only tlIc> few fintl ,intl enter into tilt, strait z~ltr ai111 ii‘lr-
faithfrIJrwss on our pnI t ant1 a tle.Irr tn be conformed fully to row way to the klngtlom ant1 its glory, llnnnr and Ini11Io1t:l]Ity.
the Jxml’q lvill .\n11 thwc gonrl tlr\Irct> of olIr hearts shall he This tlnez not. however. either WY or 11I1plr that tllca 111cwwt
gratlliell, t~fv:lllW, 2s: n II cnrtllly Jl,trwt \\ nultl respon~l to his n~e is the only one* in whirh any nl~pol tlunity WI11 tw glvr’rl
child’s rc*qut+t for rnrthly food, 4 11ill the Lord re+pond and to escape the tle~tr~~ct~nn tnwnrrl wlr~ch the hrcx1tl FL:\y a1111
sn~‘JjJy &yaw In every time of IICWJ to his rhlldren He will not thr world tend : though it is the only way no\v 0Jwn TIIP
drwivc~ iis nor givr II~ evil tllinp-, wlwn ue deiire the good, Word of the Lnrtl t~l<e\vlIrrc pifit nllt to IIS ttlnt after tllP
hut 1%II] tlo for 113c~~rcrdlnglg nllllntl:tI)tl~ mow than n-e could select little flock, the elect churcll, the hridc, tllr lmJv of
ask or think, for is not our hc~nvrrIl:~~Father much better than C!hrist shall have hew srlectcd from nmnng*t m:1nkint]-
any imlkrrfwt hIltnan father cnnltl l~o~~il~ly hr? cnnipowd of those who sf& and walk in the n7rrnw u ‘\y-
1,1Ik(~‘~ rcbfcrcwrc to thiq tlIworlr,e ( 11 : 13) declares that after thece shall hare been glnrifietl with tllc> Redcc~mr~~.VII]
the, (root] thing that GotI will 1w ~)Jrnwl to civr there asking, rome a time n-llen. in the Lortl’s ]irnvI(lfww. a gxiitl lllgll~\ “y
sc.csking, knorkin:: nnrs, is his hole hJ)irit. And this is esartly of hnlineis shall be opened to the world of nlankintl. tlllrinp
v hat i\ ntwlr~l, as an offs& to the unholy. unloving, selfish, the Illillennial age. Khile it wll he an Ilpward way and not
~wlging ant] fault-finding spirit of the flesh, which must he a downward one. so that It will rrql”rc eflolt to \vnlk thrleon
ra\t nut The antidote for ttIc poison is that ne should he ant1 to attain to the full restitution. tile J)Ii/r at its fuI thtr
fiJl(~l v ItlI the hnJ,v spirit. thr \pirit of love, for “love wnrk- end. nwerthelew it wll he very different flom the m1’1n\v,
c>tll no 111to his neighbor :” love “sulTcreth long and is kind:” the clifirult nav now open tlefnrr thr rlec+ t*hurc~tI. GotI’s
101(’ “1s llrlt pf’rtl ll[J” to SW the fault+ of others ant1 to be peculiar penple. It will t)e a way nf Ilglltroll~ness. but not %
bli~tl to it3 own: it “\rikllntPtll not itself” to he a general way of sacrifice, as is the present nnll ow way. xxliirh thu+
critic,, fanlt-finder ant1 “Iaeruher of the brethren.” Love is srlt4s the “rnyal prirsthnod,” enrli olie of whom mud pIrW,t
ympathrtir, hrblpful, the spirit of C:otl -1 Car. 13.4; Rom. his hndy a 1ivIng sncrlfice, in order to make his calling and
13 10 c~lwtinn ‘inI e.
“WORKING IN YOU THAT WHIOH IS WELLPLEASING IN HIS So lion< -Ii:\11 1~ in that er:1ntl 3lill(~nni:ll lligllway : Iloth-
SIGHT”-Heb. 13:21 inp to Iiult or cIP.tlny or intinlr~latc~ fitrm \\cll-11oing: not!liIIz
to SwlllcY~ ni tn cic~v:)iii a< :I J)rey tllnw~ ~110 wcbl; to w.llk
I~~_rlltiwllhlv nn~! to rnme lJ3Cli into ll.~llnnn~~ witli tllc, 7.0111:
\\i)rrcnd nil tlrc+ l)rVtnlenth :I),’ now :ltb[pllt II.. lwraliw~ S:lt:\Il,
thr 1’1 inw of tliik wnrlll, I< htIl1 iInl)onnd. ( I%, 3.7 . 8. !) ;
Tirr “0 ‘2) &ill who now c;ltc~ tllca “11x1 I n71 \\:ly” i’,v 1’1111l-
pclltvl to fjrllt :I Foot1 tight, to ront~~ntl rnlllc+tlv fol t!le f.Ilth.
to ifiiht the tle\11. If ttiey \rnllltl htvIlrt\ t’l:B gr(‘rtel “l~~iw”
of 0111 11igli wlliri,rr \\.e mllyt not olrl\ r~,,ntt~llil \\lill tllr
\vpnkrlcb~ of tllc Il,srl~. \\lllrll \I<’ ll~l\P i~lllrlltcvl. tlllt I\(?
In1y.t >lJ.o v rc*.tJ(t 11 itI! 11 if.1 wl c:)ll It+ i;l r\altcll l’l~lV(+ I l<l’Il
(j l?\. tmt tllv IOl,I c~lv?tJl I,. tlrcx ,',"I(' gl.rl'cb. tlllt t~l~‘l1’11~
\V~X1~:)~ coinc ,r!t’ son<ll1eror* tlIrollcll IiIm who lo\-wl ni ant]
t:oll!:llt II, ;‘ltli ‘ri- OW:I J)l’WIf;\,~ I,inotJ.-1 7’111, C,. 12 : .Jntle
3 : .J.I b 4.7: l;~tlil. H:3i.
1lARCII 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (77-78)

we are to rememher that the Lord and hi; disciples were the Ln7tl nnr the T.ortl’- 3 people are entertained, nor his cnuie
\\ell lxnmn in that vicinity for Tears, and that probably srrvefl in th(m. Snrh a house and home loses a grrat blesq-
Matthew had not only knowledge ot our Lord, but also faith inp. ant! tllc lrentl of such a house has serInu\ reasnn to
in hinl, nr tile ?r!es>inh. Sot until nox. howerrr, had .Tesus question whether or not he is overcoming, and therefore an
invltetl him to hecomc one of His immediate disciples; not “overromer,“ to whom only the prize is nromisrd-or whether
until now. therefore. could Matthew ebsav to herome such. he is being nverrome 11p a’dverse- influcncl&.
Thelc ev itlently were many who heard the Lord discourse The Lord dcslres a cnuraveous nennle. a ncnnle so full of
time ant1 again. and who were to he rerkonrfl as amongst his faith, and 10x-e to him and ‘his. tiiat’key Wlii ronqnw ad-
friends, but who were hy no means inrltefl to become special verse influcwfw in the Merest of righteousness. What would
followers. companions an d associates in the ministry of the we think of Jlatthew if he had said to the Lord: 1Jaqter. I
Gospc~l, as we& the twelve. would much like to hare a hnnquet at mv home. and to invite
Sor ale we to suppose that Matthew left his money- there somr of my friend<, that I mqht introtlllre vo11 to them,
drawcsr open, and his accounts lrith the Roman government and that th77s a favnrnlrle influence mieht he exert&l on hehnlf
nnqettlrtl. to immrdintclv follow the l\Iaiter. Rather, we of the truth; hut I have no liberty in my nw7 hnmr-my vvlfc
mnv n\sume that it mav’hare taken davs. or possibly weeks, wniilfl not hear Of it for a. moment.---or. my f*!lJltlrrn are un-
to *\tra1ghten his affairs and to enable him to-respond t0 the? rnly, have no respect for me as a parent, ant1 would create
T,ord’- ~a11 to aaostleshin. Ke sho77lfl remrmlJer that the a F1rlnt tli5tu~h~ncr if T v\crc to mrntinn surh a tliing a4 a
hi+tnrv of severai veers, and manv fli~conrse~, eonrerhations lianf!uct in ynnr honor, so greatlv are thfy nffrnflefl that I
ant1 ibvirlrntq, are &owtled in the ‘Gospel narrative into very am glv ing up my lncrativf~ business. and so fr:81ful ale they
that they nil1 not harr the same snrial \tandlng as hefore,
or the same pririlrars of cstrarnganre?
11-e wo7ilfl consider him a most nnfit man to hr an apostle,
or to occupy even tile position of elder or denc7ni in thy
con ~~ho’farrn~l the tares and the puhl~c revenue. The name chiirf~h. nccnrdina to the terms laid flown 1~ the ~Annitlc Paul.
“]“!1l!IV.7n” ant1 tile prnfcysion were 1~0th rxtrrmely odious to ( 1 Tim. 3 :1, .‘i’! IT-r would esteem h71l.l; an nub 7iiiwoJ thy
t!nL .Tc\\ .s \\I10 verv rrluctantlv snlimitted thrm~elfes to the of any responsible pn’itinn in the rhiirc~li, ant1 so drficaicnt in
t:7\ rcy77l,ttion, Of *the Roman;. Pnlil1rnns were counted un- the oualitirs of an “nverrnmer” tllat he wnulfl lsa JiJ arent
il;itl iotlc* tl~~loval to their own nation, in tlint ther acceptefl dam& of losIng the prize. unless he promptly in<titlitrd n
ilw w11 i1.t. of an alien pnl-ernment. ant1 made 77W nf their reform of his character. Tt is only nllat WC sholllt! rupcact, to
l,JJ~~~~lt~tl~~~ nf tllvir ro77nt7y 27ntl jxw!~le in :7\iicting tn rollfAct find 1\IattIiew’s case xerv fliffcrent frnm this-tn finfl tliat lie
rr\ f’llllf’. fl~~c~mefl iinjii~t The n!fice. as will hc readily seen, hn~l a strnn!: character: Snr can \\c e\prct that the lras-
Oft’c’lfYI ,,,<,lJ\~ oplml tuilitips for dikhonv-tr aJ7tl extortino. tw would have saitl to !?im. “Follow me.” llnlrsr- lie hat1 ~77~11
character that wniilfl pfarmit liim to follow in tllr 1Taster’s
footsteps, for surely nur Lord .Trsus, while PCntle. kint! and
may 11~1 snre lift wn77ld not Ilk\-e 1tec.n f3liwl to the apostleship loving. was never weak or characterless.
:I,,(! \\oll!tI not linvc rprponrletl to the fsall. for we are not to A’nd nhat wn7ild wt have thou::ht of Ptlatthew’s wife and
foi’rc~t that it i5 writtrn. “So man ran come to me except the family, had they ohierted to the hanqurt? \\‘r wnnld have
14’:rtlltar n hic~h spnt me tlraw him “-qTohn fl : 11. consIdered thrm rather hnprlfhss as rrsperts saintship. ant1
THE CONSECRATED HOME HONORED that his wife had not learn4 even the first clemrnt of wife-
1\T,lttlww was n man of inflnenre. and 2s soon as he ac- hood:-that she was a hintlerrr instrnd of a helninrr mate.
rr!~tc~tl the Lord’s call, and respondrd hv consecrating him- As it was we may he as+nrrd that wit11 thr Lord ‘came a
<elf and lli, all. he set nlJtr17t to use his influence in drawing special blessing to that home.
ntllc~l. to tllp Saviour. TTe would announCe his own devotion SPIRITUAL FOOD AT THE BANQWET
to tllc r;\i1.(% in hi~(~li a manner and under su~~li favorable cir- Tt would seem from ntlrrr narratives of thiq same hnnquet
c~1lni~:anfw a+ if pos~~hlc woultl win some. To these ends he (which was probably several werks after Jlatthcv’s ~111) that
n77<rn,rretla lJanq77($ for t!Je Lord and his rliwipleb at his ho77se. a large number nf pwplc w(rc pathcretl at hlatthew’s house,
.11r,1 Illvltr~~! 111,1n~-of !li< fricntls ant1 l)li-ineqs nwJci:itrs. aside from thnsr who partock of that hanq77et (Lnkr 5.29),
The-c, 111our lc..son are called “1Iany pnhlicans ant1 sinners.” and from the connection of the narrative it i+ suppnhed that
I\ e IIPVP hw77 why the p771117rnnswere nbt,rncised 1Jy the it was on one of the rerrnlar fast dnvs of the T’l~arisers. These
ccrJ/Joi ant! P!7ariww--not herause tlJw we:‘e wicked, but facts led to the two questinns: *
!,rc~;ru\r their !m<lness w:,s tli\e<teemrd : a’ntl being thus cut off ( 1 ! TVhy t!nc+ yollr 1’(,:1rh(‘r a<~nciatt~ v it11 t!lc$c !~o!‘lc,
~c1:11l\~ from tllca 771tr;7-rc17~in77+.the n77l~lirnn~ \vrre forced to who do not nrnfess sanctification? T11t nhlrction was not
llal-(8 1JJo.t of tlJcsJ7 snri,ll inie7cO77rse wJ’tl7 the non-rfli$oll+, !Jy that nllr Lord should not trach the pulrlic*a’nr and sinners,
way of f*ontrast rallccl “hinnrrs.” By the term sinners we lJ77t that Ike slini7!f! not wt 11 it17 them. 17 llirlt im7Jlif~tl n 50~~7:71
are not nec(ssari!y to understand vile persons and evildoers, equality. and the Pharls& evidently rrrngni7~tl that our
lmt rather persons who did not profess nor attempt the holi- Lord and his apostles were professing and Irving lives of
ness claimed 11r the Pharisees--persons who did not claim to entire consecration to God.
11fa :ileollltc kec:l~i~ of the dlvinr Inn-who flit1 not profess t0 In answer to this query n77r Lord said, “Thev that are
make the outside of the cup or platter ahsohltely clean, tho whole need not a phphician. hut they that are “sick;” the
perhal,< 111many instances the inside was as clean or more imnbratinn hrina that the nhv\ician had a liaht to ‘co to and
rltbnn than were the hearts of the Phnrl~res. who professed mingle with those whom hd sought to relieve. and might
perfrrt holiness. This o77r J,nrd intimated 017 srv~ral occa- mingle with them in whatrvrr manner he saw to br expedient
sion+. \\IJ(w. t!Jw(lfoJ v. WC’resd t!):rt onr T,OIC! \~:a~ thcl friend for their Cure. Thus lanaulpe dn~s not imnlv that the Phar-
nf p11lilJf311s :111d \innris we arc’ not to 77nfln~t;\nfl that he ~see\ vt(~ v not si(.k, and that thev did n& “need our Lord’s
matlt~ ~~om!n~n~on~of t!lc* rf~wdlts or mfrr;ll lepers of III\ timr. minictrv. tlio tlls, i:!ct wns that not ndmittina that thcv were
\Ve aIt% ~,ct!lc~l lo understand that in the usage of that time
one 1.1,1svof .JVWS WHS (lf~~i~ni~t.(‘(l the holy proplc (T’harlsres).
and anotllclr 1.1.1ssflf~signatf~fl as not profr+inq RlJ5017lte hnl7-
nc’-- I ~JJJn(~J. I.
3riltthr\\‘. nitlcavor to bring his frienflq and ssxnc*lntcs
into (.nJJtact v\fltll the JIasttr and his tc~a~~hinfs is certainlv
~~oJrJ7rJ~~Jif!:7!~!t~, ;IIIC! 15 ii good Illustiatlon of what eac.11one who
t~ntfV s t11ta J,ord’, Il0c.k SlJflllld do. lG7rh +hnlJld reek to exert
his intliic~(~ wllcre it is greatest, amnnght thoqe with whom thcrcfnre vv~‘1(1 llcttrl ‘41 for the truth than others. Our
llr is acf!iiainted ant! who are acquainted with him, and upon Lo~tl intimated thrs m his narahle of the nublican’s and the
whelm taithel 111spast honest,v and good rharart~~r should have P11aj i<(he’il !)ravel \. ii~\ill ing:‘ns that 111(+c,ci’< \l:rht thch pu1111-
an ~nflucnce, or else those to whom his r.ldiral change of life ran had the Iletter qtantling, 1Irrause of his ;Ic~knnwlrdgment of
wonltl he the mn<t manifest. Another lesson for us is the impPrfe&ions and his prtitlnn for mercy.
propriety of using hospitality as a channel fsr the advance- -4nother of the> Erangcllsts atltls other; of nur Lord’s
ment of thcl trllth-the homes of those ml70 have ronrwratcd wnrflh-“Go ye and lr:7riJ‘ 11 h:lt t!Jat mf~.lnt+li : I will have
them~rl\ es to th(i Told should he con+rcrnte’tl homes. in whic.11 mwf*v ant! not sac~rifiw ” (Matt. 9.131 Our Lord here
tlits tir\t rnnsitlrr:itinn should be tlica servlre of the l\lnstel; cbvitltntlv q1~otc~l from lloh~n (i.C,. Tllcl Iraqson the Pharisees
and its inflllrncar qllnlll(! he to draw ollt frlcbnrls to the T,ord. Ghnuld have learned from this WHS that in tlmir particsularlty
llnit -thev niiglit 1Jr taught of him. Tfw frrq77ciJtlv the uJn- rc+!)ectlna <acrific*r5, <elf-tlenlalc. tithing of miJit, Rnise, riim-
secratinn of the home is overlooked and1 a1,l:caonistle influ- min. etc , thr \erv tlilnpq 1n whic~li thry !~n:i~t~~f! 3s endences
ences are permittefl to dominate. wvlth t!le re.llll that neither of thrlr liolinr~~ were tllinrr, ~liI(~li (:nd dlf! Ilot appreciate
c25911
 Ill- dl.~ l,,l(‘. \\Iwltl ,Il!tlrlllt~~ .Ol Ir,\4’. \,.I. ‘cllvtlrcl rctct M11l(.h

JT.rtl 11v nttcmptell to , onl1~111~~ (‘111lati,tllltv v It11 .TII~~,\I-I~I

the rcsnlt would ha\-c 1wci1 diwihtloii9 to Iwtl,. flbl tllc,) ,,I 0
opposites-thr one demanding al~~olll:cl1~s~ ot I.lglltc'oll~llc'...
whic*li wah inlposs,ble to qinnrrs; the other tlrniantlin~ 11181
thr in,pnc+:l,,lity of perwnal 1,ghtconsncss shnultl 11c iI~l<tlo\\l-
dpd. ,iiid that faith should 11r the only condition ot t01.
,zil ~w(w dntl merry.
((41 ‘I’hr same leswn was illuc.tl atrd 1~ llir cii&m~ of
that timr in the u9c of skins of .wimals a’~ incteatl of tlilb
haiirlh and l,o?tles of today-intlerd. siirlt hkinq arc nwl tcj
the prewnt time in rariouq parts of thr \\oild, nntl called
hottlea. ?iew wlnc put into such hkins in fclnirntinp would
strrtch tlicm to almost burhting point. aid huc11 +~III, could
never lw used again for new wine. berausc t hrJ ,slahti(a,tv ha\
ing go~tc nut of ‘them the ne\v nine in fclIncnting woultl .11rcly
101,,1~1fil?tillg a \ :,l,Ia’l,16S Ill~‘illlh to tlii4 Pll(l. burst them. The lesson whirh our Lord tai,ellt hrrr i. that
1:11t f,l~tlllL’ ha* il tvn,c*:,l h,gnlfican(.P---lt 1.1r:in~ -elf-denial. Judaism I~arlng had its day. had accnmpli~l~rtl It4 ~III pow.
and that it was not tbca ciirinc intention that it ~hnnl~l 11,~
rcfornied. as his hearrrs cspertrd. The system 11nd hccom,~
ctll’rtc. and to l,nrc attrmptr~l to p,,t into .Tudaism the 1,,#\\
tlnctrincs. the new wine of the Gnhpcl. I\ onld l,n\-c mcnnt t II,, t
llnt only thr Jewish nnt,nn would hare bern convulwd .,n11
werked by the spirit of the new teachings, but also that tlw
doctrines themselves would hare gone down n it11 the wlc( 1.
of tlic nation. Consequentlv it was the tli\:nc nlnn that ,I
new Israel should br s?nrteci. “a holy7 nation. 2 peruliar pc,a-
pie.” and that it should bc the receptacle of the nw\- gl‘ll (’
and truth then due.
Similarl,v now in the end of the Gospel xpc v,’ lo, ( ~‘~1(.
the imnossibilitv of imttine
Y I
the new xine w111c~l1thcs lla.tcl
<.

is now prol iding into thr old wine skin< of sertar,:,ni-1,).

and all sectarians realize thiq ton-they rc:lliJe tl,at to rrrt’l\(’
what is now being presented :I* nrehent truth Into thci, cl&,-
nominations would unquestionablr mean tlic utter w cc.1~(It
the denominationq. God is thereforr now. as iii the rntl (Ii
the Jewish age, calling out of the whole system su(.h a~ a,c
Israelitrs intlerd, that they may receive at his hands the uink~
(doctrine) of the new dis1~enwtion iust at hand. As for thtb
old institutions. they have srrred n “purpose, partlv good ant1
nartlv had. Their work. so far as the dlrinc nian 1. (‘,,,I
;AerncYl. is at an end. “The leoire of the Br:de&onm .~ntl ,):
the bride shall no mow br heard” in Babylon it all. (r&n\
lS:23) Bahvlon will not nrrmit them to 1,~ henId. Th(s
voice, the teaiahing of prcsrnt truth is consequently nut:.ltlc 11~1
walls; and whoever has an car for the truth, !rllnevcr dchlrc-
to be filled with present truth, mnst come ouiside of se&r-
ianism before he can thus be filled and blessed and used as a
\cssrl in lwarinrr the blessing to ntl,eiq.-Rev. 18:1. 2:.

THE MEMORIAL SUPPER

0111. Il.il.11 cu-iwl1 (II , ,~I?111 atIll, (r our dear Rcdcemrr’s death Our celebration has nothing in common with that of tllc
G1,,)iq :1,11,1\-~r.;,r\~ \\ ill b,b fnllnwctl this year by n larger num- .Tews: indeed what theg celebrate is the “Feast” week; while
l)cr \\ r lwlir\-c. tllnn rx 01 I)c~fOl(‘. ‘J’bc date I\-ill be the evening we relehrate on the day precedin, v their Feast the death of the
of *\pril 12th after (i 1’. x.. -that dntc cn,lesponding to “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. The
fou,tccnih tl:~~ of the lirst month” Jcwn11 time. day WC celebrate represents the entire Gospel age, in which
Ol,r I,or,l. ah tlic antitype of ihr I’n~wrer hlllJ ( 1 COr. the entire church-the body of Christ Jesus, the Head-must
5:;). 11as rrll(‘l lied the tl:,\ brforc the “1,‘east of Passover” suffer with him as voluntary sacrifices. The Feast week to us
bcgnn ; ant1 ‘ ,,I, tlic sil,,,c I,,gl,t in xhicl, hc \\a3 betraped” typifies the glory and joy soon to be introduced,-in tl,e Nil-
he tool< brcatl, 1cl” csentii,g his Ilryh. ant1 “fl1,it of the vinr.” lennium.
rclJrc:‘cnting llii I,loc,tl. nntl with thesr instituted a 1lCW lllC- “Our LOI d’s word5 respecting this Memorial are. 7%~
mol ial 1)y \\l,ich thr spirit,ial Tsr.wlitea wrc to crlebratc tin ye in remrnibrance of me.” 3nd the Spnstle adds. “A4~
their grpatpr .~ntit~],irnl Pasiovcr, -ccurrd 1~). his “blood Of oft as ye do tllis yc do show forth the Lord’s death till he
sprinkling” npplled 1)~ faith, and lli: flc:h. cSltcn by faith, come”-till he in his kin,ndom shali have come in power and
“meat indred.“-.Tol,n G:X. shall hare gathered you unto himself. Many Christian people
[2592]
ha? (’ a:sunietl the libeity to celchint(~ Ilii- _\lcmor~,rl at vnri~>li- ‘1 hc ncl1icc of our Loili to tlie early disciples. at tli15 time
times-weekly, monthly, quartei ly. et c . hut in 11a1many ~1stir of the ~enr, seems still specially appropriate, ‘ \Vatch and
the eaily church we understand oui Lo:11 to mean that \ve ,:I :!\ l,s:t T c enter into temptation ?” And recogni7ing this
should celebrate this as WC celebrate an> other event-on its the ’ older ‘Sy;tcms Roman Cat!iolic anal Epi5copalinn <till
anniversary; just, as we now mtglit >a>-. ,1s 0it as the Fourt!i picccdc t!ie 1\Iemorinl with a faqt or Lenten season-which
of July is celehrntcd it shows forth the Indel~endencc of thi3 cnteietl into not formally but in the spirit \~\e believe i3 a
nation. \ rry hcll~iul custom to many-not only physically but rlnrlt-
Those who celebrate our Lord’s tlccc/il iI1 t11e ‘.Lnit Supper” uall-.
at noon every Sunday, mistake it for the ~1&lv “Lore Feast” “Good 13 i~la~ ” ~1,I’: iub=titutcd foi the Xemoi i,il ~51il~p~‘i
as oiiginnllv ob>.rrvc! 11;: the I,rr~t!‘. people-the s> stem of
,-~r “Breaking of Bread” practiced every Lorci’s Day by the couuting being ilightlv changi~~l. ‘1‘11~moie fii-quent cclchrn
,hailv cliuidi in memory of our Lorll’s ,.esic,‘i‘ectfolL and his
spening of the ryes of their undcistanding in the breaking of tion5 0I the I.Ol.cl'-i Srlilp"T by Pl(lti'it~llt4 :tle ba5ctl I:poll
bread. Rightly undrrstood, nothing in thc~~:c\\cekly feasts of Papacy’s celt>lnation of the ’ I\Lls;.” :in institir! Ion whir 11 1Joth
1x1 fact nnti theory i+ 21) n!~orri~n,~tion to our Lord---rlrn1 lnz
lo!/ rcscmbled the annual coninieiimi ntion of our 3laster’s
5oirow and death-nor is the “cup” evtxr n,cntioned in con- 3s it doe5 t!ic ful!iiccL CI~ the efli~3cy of the 01iginal sat.*‘i(i, II
nection with them. at Calvary
11-e trnit ti;:it ills> l.rjrLi'L ~w'plt ~~\,~lnvll~~I ,' \\ 111 . IlO Ilris”
The church at Allegheny will celel~i.~tc the Bfemorial in rcmembrnnre of the gre,it sin-~acrillcc-not rnei~~l~~ a~ an
Supper commemorative of our Redecnmr’s tlecctk for us, and outward memorial but ,11so ant1 spWi:ill,v at the <:ime tin1.s
of our Ynss-over from death unto life t!lrough the merit of feeding on the Lnrtl bv f,iith in their hearts, anal nfre-l>
ills sacrifice, and of our consecration to “be dc,ld with him”- pledging their con+rcrat’ion unto death with him while par’
to drink his “cup’‘-on the eremnp of April 12th at 7:X0 taking of the “cup” Fc,r further lnil titular, iec olir 1ss11~~
o’clock at Bible House chapel, Allegheny-, Pa. Friends of the of Jlarch 1. 1SOX.
truth who can make it convenient to meet. with US will bc \Vc xvi11 be glad to have prompt po~t~il cn~d icp~ort~ ~IOIU
\~elcomcd cordially: but we advise that wherever there sic’ the appointed secretary or scribe of each little group-Ulierc-
home-meetings or wherever such gatherings seem possible they ever “two or three” meet in his dear name to do this. Make
be not deserted. No other season seems so favorable for the all your arrangements beforehand that t.hc precious season
(!rnwing of the hearts of the Lord’s people closely together;- of heart “comniunion” be not disturbed by business affairs.
,‘vcn as it seems also to be specially an hour of temptation Let us not only unittA in player and communion, but also so
to all professing to be the Lord’s followers, who like Peter of far as practicable in our son,~ “5 of praise-using numbers 23.
old s(‘pm to be specially sifted at this season of the year. 122 and 1 of H?ymns of 1Jn1c11.

AVOID FLATTERY
In a recent letter one of the “Pilgiims.” after giving Could you not in some nav through the TOWER suggest to the
particulars respecting his efforts to feed the Lord’s sheep friends not to praise a ‘pilgrim’ to his face: they do not
aud lambs concludes thus :- know what ‘offences’ they sometimes cause, what feelings of
“Pray for me. dear brother, that I may be kept a ‘servant.’ latent pride they arouse.”
___
\-i)L. SSI ALLEGHEKY. PA., MARCH 15 AND APRIL 1. 1900 KOS. 6 ASD 7
_--~--

WHICH IS THE TRUE GOSPEL?

“I am vot 9skmed of the Gospel of Christ.“---Rom. 1 :lO.
-\ Discourse by P<istor C. T. Russell of Allegheny, Pa., delivered at The Florida Chautauqua .Issembly, Defuniak Sin ings.
Fla.. March 4, 1900, as reported by the Associated Piess.
So apology seems necessary for our subject-“Which is Gospel-the one of which the -1postle was not ashamed. ad
the true Gospel of which the Apostle was not ashamed?” If of which, therefore, none of us need feel ashamed,-the Gos-
time and thought may be profitably expended in the study pel, therefore, which should more and more move and enc~gize.
of the earthly sciences-sociology, finance, etc., etc., built us as the power of God unto salvation.
largely upon human inferences and conjecturrs-surely none No one of intelligence will disnute the meaning ot tllln
could tlispute the propriety of studying the science of divine word “Gospel;” it signifies “good* tidings,” good ne\v a,--.\
:evelation. If it be profitable to investigate the physical dis- good message. Nevertheless, in snme unaccour~tnblc mnnnci .
eases of mankind and their causes. and the laws of medicine by common consent, .(rl real Gospel se1mon” is almost univei
and of sanitation for the offset of’ these, it surely cannot be sally understood to signify bad tidings-tidings of eternal
disputed that the Gospel which God has prcscnted as the miserv to the areat mass of our race-to all except the little
antidote for soul-sickness and soul-death, and as the science flock bf God’s Faithful people. As a ronsequence the preachei
pertaining to life eternal, is worthy of still greater and more of a “Gospel sermon” is espected to figuratively shake the
profound consideration. congregation over an abyss of everlasting torture. making a+
The greatest minds, the noblest specimens of our race, have strong an effort as possible to intimidate them thereby to a.
ndmitted OLII- topic to be the one above all others in impor- thorough reformation of life, in hope of thus escapmg au
tame. and have Tveiahed it carefully-whether as a result awful eternity.
ther accepted or rejecled it. We are”not now discussing the True, this that we might term “the Gospel ( ?) of tlarnun-
wecght of mental acumen enlisted for and against the Gospel: tion” is not so generally preached as it once was, because
we are mcrelv notina the fact that all men of abilitv have more enlightened minds of cultured people rcpildiate it as a
recognized th>t the ‘subiect is woithg of their careful con- fetich of the past. Yet tliis pcrveision of the Gospel is still
sideration, and as having claims upon their attention para- to be heard in country placaes, at camp mretings, occasionally
mount to anv and all oth,?rs. Indeed, it mav be set down as in the city pulpit, and universally in Salvation Army meet-
a fact that qvhoerer has given the subject of” religion no con- ings. Nothing is further from our intention than a criticism
>ideration is one of three things,-a novice iu mental exer- of the consciences and honestv of intention of those who thus
cise, or a near relative to “the fool who hath said in his preach. It is no part of our” mission to criticise persons and
heart, There is no God,” or a coward, preyed upon by fears, motives, but “With malice toward none and with charity
instigated by Satan to hinder honest investigation of the toward all” WC consid-r it not only our privilege but 0~11
divine message of love and mercy. duty to criticise doctrines, that th&eby the truth may be
Even a hasty glance into the intelligent faces of this large more freelv established. and error brought into disrenute.
audience assures me that you all hare given some thought Before Uwe proceed to the consideracon of the Gbspel of
to our theme;-though experience assures me that compara- which the Apostle was not ashamed-the Gospel set forth
tirelv few of vou have ever reached conclusions on this sub- in the Scriptures-it will be expedient for us to take a glance
ject ‘fully sat&factory to yourselves. Hence your faith and at the different gospels set forth by the various denomina-
love and zeal toward God and your zeal for the Gospel are tions of Christendom. It is not our thought that each de-
less strong than you could desire. Let us hope that as we nomination represents a different gospel, for the differences
reason together on this great subject to-day, we may, by God’s in many instances are chiefly respecting ceremonies, forms,
grace, see more clearly than ever before which is the true methods of government, name, etc., and not in respect to the
125931
 (84-85) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Plr.

meSSage or gospel held forth. Severthelesz. there are three It means, according to Calvinism, that God, who knew the end
diqtmct lines of faith. or doctrinethrze distinct gor;nels set from the beginning, before creating this world and mankind
forth in Christendom, all rerognlzed as “01 tbodox,” because upon it, determined that he would “pass by” and not elect
they all contain RS their fundamental the doctrine of the those forty-seven thousand millions of his creatures to life
eternal tormcbnt of all mankind, except the comparatively and happiness. but would predestine them to an eternity of
few “%lr‘Yl.” Rncah of the-c three go\pels has mlllions of torture, and that carrying out this diabolical plan, he Dre-
supporters, divided into numerous denominations. These in pared a great place larie enough to hold forty-&en thous&nd
point of numbers are millions, and fuel sufficient to nroduce the necessarv com-
(1 j The Roman Catholic faith. or ynqpel. in which con- bustion there to all eternity-d&l all this with a full ap-
cur the (irrrk Catholicts and Armenian Catholirs, and some preciation of all the awful facts and rircnmrtances of the
of the high-rhurcoh Episcopalians. case.
(2 I The Calviniitir po<pc~l, which is held h’ the various Moreover, we remember the statement of Calvinism which
Prc;lq?rrlan tlcnomln Itinn<. the Congregntionahsts. Baptists, many of us learned in our youth, to the effect that God’s
and many l,nthcrnns and EplGcnpnlInns. favor toward the elect is not because of anv worthiness on
(3 I The Arminlan go-pcl, held and rhicsflv represented their part, nor because of any works which” thev had done,
11~ tllc 3I(~tbotlistq of various nnmci and rnnnectinns. and hp but “of his own sovereign grace” he saves them &nm all the
the l:rc,c-\\.ill l!:ll)tlitq llonfwr, many of the denominn- horrible ronditions which he has prrdestinctl shall be upon
tlnns at hc:lrt nrc~opt the Arminlan gnbpel. while their church the others. h‘ow if the salvation of the elert iq not because
c+nnncsrtlon< itl(sntlfv thcxm with the (‘nlvlnictlc gn’pel. Hence of their works or worthiness, but because of God’s sovereign
n-c may h:i,v. so fnr ilS l’rntc+tnntiim is cnnrc~rncd, that the grace only, the simplest mind can see that God micrht with-
Armlnlan ikntl the (‘;Llviniit gospels arc about equally sup- out any violation df primiple have estended tllat sorereign
pnrtcd. grace to others-to all, since it was not hecausr of worthi-
11 may not hr pn<\illlr for II$ to llantllr 3ur suhjert prnp- ness nor becauqe of works, but merclv of his own volition
erly ant1 thnrn~l~hly wltllont, offrrillg borne criticism of these that any are saved,-arrnrding to Cal&nism.
thl cc* gtr~pf~lh \v111f,ll for f~f~ntur1rs II;IVC~ entrfnnf 11catlthemselves The celebrated Jonathan Edwards, when prraching upon
1n (‘III I\tl:ln mlnfl\, cnc,l~ fortified IIV the dcci+ns of Its 0~11 this subject in Kew England Fears ago, after picturing the
Cniin~il~. haf~kfd hv \ 0111m1noii5 nl;inion5 from their several awful torment of the non-elect, was asked the quc\tion. Would
tl~oolo~iral scLminarlt)q. but we can and :~ssul edly will stren- not the thought of the anguish of the lost mar the bliss of
11nusl\r a\nirl saying one snlitarv wnrtl in crilic:ism of there God’s people in glory? His answer In cubstance was, No:
who ne b(alica\c conqc*iclntinu\ly uijhold the\? se\ era1 rnnflicting you will be so changed that such matters ~111 not affect mu.
~:o~pd. \\‘(a ~111 mu to witnr\s that we are all Scripturally you will look over the battlements of heaven and see in-tort
en10111cfl to “(‘nntisntl rarnc\tly for thfb faith once delivered ment your nei,~hbors and friends, yen, ITnur own pnrrnts and
to t1,c h:lIllt~” (111‘~ trnr &spcl 1, at tile same time that we children. b~otber~ and sisters, and turiing round niII praise
arc (Lnlotnctl 1,~ the \arnp anthoritp to “Speak rvil of no man.” God the louder hecnnse his justice is matlc nlanifeit.
lyf~ h11all f~ndf~arnr to lcc~f~p sfrictl? wvlthin tllrce admittedly ?iow. mr dear friends. I do nnt charge any who are here
prnpclr IinfBu. anIl. :r(ltliti9nnlly, ns the 22pnstle nflmnnislie~, prcscnt with having in false a virw of the ciivinc character
“C;
*P eak the truth in love.” nnfl I)lan :ii this. Indeed. 1 am g!lnfl to notr that our Cal-
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ROMAN CATHOLICISM rini<tir friend3 in genrrnl are repudiating this tloctrinr, re-
T11cx L“Vq,<‘l n‘wrflln" to liomnn (‘;lthnlic*l\m is that all alizing th?t there is in it a serious lark, nnt only as respects
men ff~ll”int’n sin and nndrr scsntchnrc of rtrrnnl torment: that divine love, but also as respects divine justirr. I waq glad
Christ, arcnmpl tshrtl a retlfamptive wnrk whirall. supplemented some years ago to note that some of our l’re<brtrrian friends
t,v thfb saf~rific~f~s of the mn\s. and 11~ pr:lvors ant1 penances. were so moved hy higher and nobler cnnceptibns of the Al-
marmits ~11 I~:~l~f~\er~ I Roman (‘atIrolic+ 1 to esrapr that mighty that they wished to rid themsrlrrs of any part in SO
GtcKni iormf~nt, whif.11 will IW the sure portion of xl1 Iifaretirs, blnsplicnious a statement resprcting his chrnrtrr and his
rf~gar(llf~si of their good v,nrkh or mor.llq. AS for iti own
plan. I nas sorry, however, that when the matter of “the
p~‘flpl~‘, it llc~lfl~ tll:1 t e\t’n iti lrighe<t nffic*inls, inrlufllng I+- revision of the Preshrtrrinn standards” WI< takrn up it was
hops ant] Popes. go to l’llrgatnrv for refincxment, purlficatlon found that only a minority was in favor of rrvlsion, and I
from iin antI to 11th prcbpartd for’hcnvcn. It claims that some was still mnre sorry to note that that minnrltv of intellirrent,
xv111 spf~nd only a short t1mc In Piirgatnrp. :I\sistefl out of it
godly people was willing to continue to &frss to s&h n
hv the mcbrit of prnvrrq. masses. rtr.. on their hchalf h.y their hnrrlble mis-statement of their true view-willing, shall I
f;ictntly nftckr death L But their r\pckrtntlon is that ultimately say, to continue to “blaspheme that holy name” because a
Purgatory will 1~. no mnre. its tl~niisnnds of millions being majority of their brethren were unnilling that such blnsphem-
prcpa I fnfl for :I I,c,tter and happIer conthtinn. But according ous misrepresentations should he discontinued.
to all tllc* grfsat, thcnloginns of 1’;rpncp. and arrordinf to all
the Papal bnllh, all l’rotrqtant5. all rrlcftrrs of Papacy’s
I am glad to believe that if this matter were hronght to
X\ill hllfffT c,ndl(ass tormfwt. Thih is the Roman the intelligent attention of Presbvterians in general. a larrre m
trnf*liing\,
majority &ould be found willing: nay, anxlnu~, . C’ to undo the
C3 tllolif, ~‘oinel fairly presented, as we undWstand it. It
clots not ‘+r&n to 114’ to he rrry good news--not very good wrong and to make such reparation as would be within their
tltlincr<. OV(‘D to tllo+ ~11:) crt the very best it has to offer, power, by way of honoring the great Jehovrlh and attesting
and rt rertalnly would 1~ v&y had tidings to all out of har- their appreciation of his love and his justice, as well as of
mony wit11 l’:lI):l~‘y his wisdom and of his power. This is ln<t thp point: Cal-
1,rt 11. 11c,\t 1O~lk nt 111? Frc:lt Prntrstnnt dortrine repro- wn18m. in its anYictr to rstal)lish the w1sdm11 ilntl power of
+entcbfl ill tllta 1~01 tl (‘alrinlsm-tile tlo(*t rine oi the election Gnfl, 1114foreknowledge and his ability to early nut his plan,
of tllc, f.l111r(.ll ant1 tllc, rc~p~c)l,:ltinn of ill1 ntllc>iG. llaq c~oncel\-ed nt a plan whirl1 is far from the corrc,ct one,
lacking l)oth in justice and in love.
THE GOSPEL PRESENTED BY CALVINISM
It may be argued that lore is a gr:lce ant1 that its exer-
(‘:11\11:1+n, rl liltI* tll,rt faith in Christ ir cs<rntial to sal- cise 1s not mrutibent upon Jehovah: that all that rnnld be
vation ant1 it :iflmlts th,it f:lith rnrnca\ lly lieiirin~ antI hcbaring asked or expected of him would be simDlc ln\tirc. and some
l,r tltct \\.(,I (1 ot (iotl. C‘llvlni+m rc’qui~r~ more than :I mere might be reY&l,v to claim that for God ‘to eternallv torment
kno\\~l‘~llgf~ of (‘111l\t and belitsf in hiln :\q a gOofI ant1 es-
these forty-seven thousand millions “passed by” w&Id be in
Pmplilrv man. who flit4 R ma1 tyr to llis csxtrrmr convictions.
strict accord with justice. This we denv’ IL’e claim that
It rtql;lr(+ fait11 in Clkriht’q flcath n+ a satrififae for man’s having the poller to create mankind wou’ld not justify their
sin, and at lcbast snme manifcstat~nn towards righteousness creation if the Creator saw that the result would be the ever-
of life before any could be rec*npnizrtl as bein<? of the elect lasting torture of a single creature. Justice would sav that
church. Consequently. aWordIng to Calvinism, the elect power is not to be exercised to the injury of anoth<r, and
church roultl not inc.lndr the hrathen of the prepent time and that to exercise the creative power under such foreknown
all the way bark through thr past. who hare never heard of conditions would be injustice. And wisdom attuned to justice
the only I;amr given undrr heaven or amon,nqt men whereby would say, Better a thousand times never to have created
we muit be saved. Stretched to its very broadest, Calvinism anybody than to have created one being to suffer unjustly
could not inrludr more than one in twenty of earth’s fifty eternally.
thousand millions that are estimated to have lived from
This statement, dear friends, is a fair, imparlial state-
Adam’s day until the present time. In other words. according
to the broadest pnssihle estimate of this view. more than ment of the poq)el accorfling to our beloved brother, John
fort\,-seven thnuqand millions of humanity were. in the lan- Calvin, ant1 those who subscribe to the Westmin?ter Confrs-
pua&e of the \\‘rstminstcr C’nnfossion of Faith, “pas\ed by” sinn, ant1 their alliec. This surely is not the gospel of which
r tile .4portle Paul. in our text, declared. “I am not ashamed
li non-elect in the divine plan.
And what [lops this mpan-“pa’sed h;v” or “non-eleetv” of the Gospel of Christ.” Paul would assuredly have been
[ 25941
MARCH 15 AND APRIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (85-86)

ashamed of such a Gospel, and so are al1 true Christians, who divine justice and love: of any other we must needs be
have the true spirit of love and iustlre,-none more so, ner- ashamed.
haps, than thoqe who unfortunately, through circum&a&es DISTINCTIONS WITHOUT PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE
of birth, etc., and hitherto without realizing what it meant. But, my dear friends, we may as well now as at any time
have been lending their name and influen:e to -this greai concede that there is comparatively little difference in the
blasphemy against the divine character. outcome of these two popular Protestant Gospels-the differ-
THE ARMINIAN VIEW OF THE GOSPEL ence is merely a theoretical one respecting how the results
Let us nom examine the Arminian view. This view is are to be reached. The results themselves are the same in
growing popular. Its message or gospel is, God is love-he both cases-the eternal doom and torment of over fortv-
loves ~011; he loves evervbodv: he is doinP all that he can to seven thousand millions of human creatures. For our Arm&-
snre everybody ; if you”are”ibst it will lot be God’s fault, ian friends no less than Calvinists agree that there is no
but your own. On the surface, at least, this theory seems salvation aside from faith in Christ. the oniv name given: and
much more loving and much more just than the one-already they admit also that of those who’beiieve in Chri$ only the
examined, but before we PO far we will also find it verv de- sanctified are of the real church: and their Gospel is also
fective, v&v far from heini either a reasonable or a Scripiurai that only the real church is to he saved and that ail others
Go\pei. \Ve will find it inconsistent with its own statement-- are to he eternally and most horribly tormented;-some claim
ilioglcai. in literal flames, others say by the torments, and gnawing
For instance, while it sounds nice theoretirally to say that of conscience and remorse, which they proceed to say will be
God is doing ail that he can do to save the whole world at Vorhe than the literal flame.-and \\e respond, If worse, so
the present time, everybody knows that this 19 not true; that much worse for the argument.
on the rontrarv you or I or any other intelligent human he- Ail surely agree as respects thece two theories or Gospels
ing if posses&l” of the one-thbusandth part- of the divine held out to the wnlid bv Protestant Christendom that it
Dower and wisdom could sneediiv accomniish the evanpeiiza- would make no differen& to the forty-seven thousand mii-
&on of the whole world. g-or will it do-to sdy that Ggd has lions, whether they go into that awful state of hopeless woe
committed hlmseif to a certain mode of procedure through his h? divine predestination and lack of lore and justice, or by
church, and that if the church fails to contribute with su& divine incapacity and lack of foreknowledge and proper ar-
cient liberality both money and evangelists the heathen will rangements.
.~, We believe that no true Christian will be readv
not hear of “the only name given under healen or amongst after examining the subject thus far to say that he fully ap’-
men whereby we must he saved,” but will go to eternal tor- Droves either of these theories. and that he is not ashamed
ment, etc. “h’either will it do to say that-Gnd is doing ail of both of them.
that he can do and is hammered bv the lack of interest in CONSIDER NOW THE TRUE GOSPEL
the church ; because his wisdom and foreknowledge foresaw Let us now proceed to examine what is the true Gospel,
ail thesr conditions as they are, and he could not justly be presented to us in the Word of God-the Gospel of which the
excusrd from the real responsibility of the matter, since he is Apostle was not ashamed.
the Creator, and in him is vested the all-power as well as The word “gospel” itself should he the clue--should save
the ail-wisdom. Surh a claim as this would he tantamount the intelligent Christian from belnrr misled bv the various
to snylng that God has erred in wisdom when he thought to theories of bad titling5 of great mi&v for neaily nil people,
leave the ronrersmn of the world to the church, seeing that miscalled “gospel.” He who thinks it good news that one
the churc~h has not arcompiished this. Such a claim would out of a thousand of the human family is to be saved and
he merely excusing God from doing ail that he can do, in- the remaining QQQ to be cterna!ip tormented, is either not a
stenti of showing that he is doing ail that he can do. Christian at ail, or he is decidedly undeveloped in Christian
But let us look more critically into this matter. If this character, in mercy, in love. in iustire. In our oninion he is
view NC are rliticising is correct, if God is doing ail that he at most only a “bibe in Christ” &ho has need firstLof the milk
can to save the wnrid, and if he has been doing this during of the Korti and subscauentlv of the “stronrr meat” thereof.
ail the past ngeq, then without question the world’s conver- that he may grow up into Christ in ail thing;, and be able td
sion is a hopeie~s thing, and we can never expect to see better romprehend with ail saints the lengths nnd breadths and
results than at preqent. This theory presupposes a race or heights and depths of the love of God which passeth all un-
battle het\\ren the Almighty and Satan, each seeking to cap- derstanding -Eph. 3: 18, 19.
ture the hmmnn family, and to the discredit of the theory When occasionally we come across some ono who wives
it s11ow~ Satan the victor thus far. Starting out with one evidence of being a Christian, and who still entertains zuch
pair, both on the Lord’s side, the first 1656 y&rs ended with horribly blasphemous views respecting the Heavenly Father’s
a flood in which the whole wnrid of mankind waq hlntted nut rh:,rac,ter, we feel like quoting to him the Lord’s words
hecnltse of n-icketlne<s, and oniv eight personr reckonccl sufi- thl rmz!l t’le 1’1nphet, “311 T\av% are n+ as vniir w3v$, nor
ciently I lylltenny to be preserved. lli J tllnll~lltr 33 vniir tllnught~, for ;I< the hc~:~vc;,~ are
Startin,? again with those
eight 1~1hnnb csountetl sutliclently rightroils for preservation, hirrh~~r thnn thr rarth so arc ntp \vapR ilrgller 111,111 vnur wavs
n-e fit111 that thele are in the world todav sixtrc,n hundred and m,v plans higher than your plalls.” (Tsa 55d.Q) A&
ni~llion~. ;~ntl tllat nut of that whole numb& thc,Ir are about part of our ohiect in this disrnur?c, dear frirndc, iq to have
one huntllc~ti I:aillions nominal Roman Catholic, anti one thpse. whose eyes are anointecl of the T,nrd. that ti1c.v mav see
hlnrlllc ti millions nominal Protestants aml a very much qpirituai thinjis. dinrern snme of the J>nrd’s hi~hrr ‘w:>vd and
~m:~ll~~r nuttlbet of true “saints of God.” hipher plans whlcsh he preqents to us in his Word under the
name “Gncpei’‘-good tidings.
\\‘hat would he the lesson from this if t!l~ Arminian
theory tse ~ortrct, that God is doing ail that he can do to save NOT UNIVERSAL SALVATION BUT A UNIVERSAL OPPOR-
TUNITY FOR SALVATION
the 1;orid? The lesson would he’>that with all his good in-
tentions of lore and mercy our God is thoroughly incapable Thr -4posthb tells 114 that God l)reachrtl the Gnrprl bcfore-
of the work he lmdertook to do. And if theqe arc the results hnn~l to Abrnham, “l~eforc~l~antl” ilgnifv1ng t)efore it \vns due
in sic thousantl years, what could we hope for in the future? to begin: for the Gospel tliti not h+n I\ it11 ~2bti3hilm, hut
How many hundrecis of millions of vears would it he before the 11it11 nui T.ortl .J~ws Christ, as th(l &41)ostle ag;iiu (irrinrcs
whole woEid would be converted? . We answer that according this snlvati~~n “l)ec;rn to 1~ tltcl,iretl 1)~ 011r J,ortl :,nYl ,,-a:
to statlstlcs it would never he, for statistic+ show that the ronfirn~etl ul:tn 11’:hl, them that heard 111m.” (ITPl) 2.7) Ali
natural inrrease of population throughout the world is far, that ever vent h(bfnrr our T,ord’s prc:jrhinK w<~r: not the GOS-
far beyond the l)roportion of even nominal conversions from pel. hut merely typecs and nrotnIs*Y whirl1 fm~+hntln\\r(l it.
heathcndom. Indeed, according to some good reckonings, the I>(+ us notire nr\-t 11lint. 7rcnrtll,,g to 11~ Apn5tlc, ron~titlltecl
percentage of Christians every vear is decreasing. the births thl.4 fnre\t:tcmrnt of the Gocp’cl to Ahrnham; hca S:IVS that it
bf heath& i,~n~ls so far outnl;miermg the hirths=Af Christian waq mitr~hc~! in thr wor(l9. “ln tI1c.e :Ind 111t1lv scac~lshall all
lands-even countmg ail the children horn in Christendom nationi: 1~ I~icr~rtl ” ((:a1 2.16. 2!1) Xotc tlils r.3rrfuitv:
as Christians. it tlnc-, not .a\‘, Tn thy se,~l shall onr nut of a thnux:lntl o\lt
Js any (‘?lrictinn. in view of the%e facts, prepared to claim of the flmilie3 of the enrtll 1~ hir~sc~i, an11 the remaintier
that nllr (‘n:l 112s hecn doing all that he could do for the he doomed to nn intlr~scrihnhly horribir eternitv, but that the
conversion of the world? If so. that Christian mav as well ~holr Gnqpei ia a Gospel of hics4ng, nppiirahle to nil the
write upon 111shopes at once the word “Irhahotl.” if we saw families of the ralth-through Christ, the true seed of Abra-
that the Cairinistic view magnifies the wisdom and power ham.
of God at the expeme of his justice and iovc, ne find on the When our Lnr(l .Jesus was horn into the \\.orld, the Heav-
other hand that the Arminian view magnifies the love of God enly Father sent a messsge respecting him, and the angels
at the expense of his wisdom and power. ‘l’hc true Gospri nho hore that mesage declared that it was a Gospel message.
must show divine wisdom and power in full accord with Let us hearken to what the angels said about the pternai
[2595]
tor,omt of the vast ma~o1it.v of our race. They said to the the next age. the ~Iillenmum. the whole world alli be brought.
dW?pllCTdS. “B?hol~l \\ 6? bring Toi1 good tidings [gospel] IJf to a knowledge of the way of righteousness and love and
glext joy. which shall 116~unto all peoplr.” ( TJuke 2: IO) Let peace, and will see the divine law in prartlcal nperation, and
It bc tlibtmctly notetl that the Gospel of tlic angels, like tlltb witness its beneficent results in all those who will come into
(:ospcl communicated to Abraham. contams no reference to harmony with the great Mediator.
the damnation and eternal misery of any of the Lord’s nea- Thus mankind learns the lesson of evil and its conse-
t.rirea. and that consequently our friends of the Salvation quences first in the present life, and the lesson of righteous-
Army and nthcrs ~110 in ignorance preach damnation and call ness and its blessed results under divine providence, in the
It the Gospel. i11’C doing so in utter violation of the meaning Millennium ; and when thus fully eqmpped with knowledge
of the ~ortl and of the uses of that word throughout the on both sides of the question and instructed by the Royai
V ilpt.urcq. JInwcrer well they mtr mean, they are 1n this Priesthood. (the completed and glorified elect Gospel church),
(‘1tainly r~lmiilittiiig a wrong. n grievous wrong, and 11e long mankind will be ready for the tests, that will be applied by
IO ice the li,:ht, of the knowled~c of the goodness of God slime the Lord *Jesus. under which the ohedient and faithful will
Into their hrart* ant1 rclicrc them of this blindness; wlllch be granted full perfection and eternal life. and the disobedient
gonies not from (:r~d nor from his Kortl, but from the piince and incorrigible will “be destroyed from amongst the people.”
c:t ~l:lllill~~,~.---‘) (‘(l1.. 4: 4. -Acts 3 ~22. 23.
It ~111 rrclnile all tlrc hllllenninl a,or: (which is to follow “IF YE BE CHRIST’S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM’S SEED ANL
~III- Gospel ape in whic.li we live) to bless all the families or‘ HEIRS”
111~earth with the inrfnl knnwledee of divine grace in Christ. Bnother matter, reallv the kev to the wholr oucstlon which
111st L;Osurelv :IS tll;b ‘fortv--even thousand mill&ns went down we are dlscussmg, 1s re&alcd in God’s Word. 117 . that in the
11110Il(*ntll 1; ithollt IIC:~Iin,~ of Ille Savionl, wvlthout cnmm:: divine purpose the nromised “Seed of Abraham” that should
TII ‘I ( 1cn1 I,iio~~l~~tl~:c~of thr triith. 11lthout the good tiding- perfor& tile great aork of blessing all the families of the
ttf ~w:it iov rcntliin~ their cars.-inht hn surely must they all earth, is to be one, in the sense of one kind, hut not in the
~WRIC~forill. from th& grave that tiii< very Go&l message of sense of one person-that is to say, that the seed of ,\blah~~l~~
‘~ootl tltlin~h” mar JJP declared to them. and that thev mar consists of .Teaus Christ the Head, and of the church which I.
1,;. tc~.irtl t,;;,, ,Slb\ n,1,1 ,~itlivr h :Icccpted to eternal 1ifc”or cl;- thr body. Sot the nominal or professing church. lout the true
,t 1n?-cd a+ unworthy of life, in the second death. We say c%iircli. “whose names are written in heaven.” ant1 who walk
Iuct ,o hnrelv. for three reasons’ in the footsteps of their Lord, and are found faithful unto
il/ ‘fh’ illliloiili(.cJiiCiit of tlicx Gospel to Xbraham says. d&11, and shall be granted with their J,nrtl the crown ni
‘III thy- * ~~(1 hl1,111a11 tlro f,lrnillca% of tbr earth be blessed.” life.
.1nt1 all of these forty-se\en thousand millions belong to this This Gospel age intervening between the time of the ertwt
t la*+ sperified. the families of the earth-and they hare not sin offering and t‘ile time whe; the blessing of earth’s lliiiiorl-
! rbt !JWn lllessed with this knowlctlge of the Only name where- will commence, God has set apart for the work of selcctlnr
111i> the blessing. or electing the body of Christ, the church. the bride, the
(‘L ) 7’hC H:lk iS trllc of thr meSSage )Jy the angelS,- “little flock,” the “royal priesthood,” the Joint heirs wltli
the zond tidinos of treat inc 15 for all neonle, and these fortr- Christ in his kingdom. These, like their Head. ale c.alled wltll
WV& thousal;; miilinns “oi humanity age surely the greit a “high calling,” a “heavenly Cillli~l~,” nil,1 the snlvntion 1)) o-
hl11k Of all pCYJpk? vlded for them is higher than that which Go11 1)nrpow< tot
, .4 I \\ c i11c sure that thii tc~htiniony must be given to the world in general. He is selectine thic; “littlr flock” and
ill,*m 111tllcb future because the Srriptural declaration is that trying them &d proving them, fittigg them and pollshinE
’ ( III i<t tlictl fo;- the ungodly: ” “he tasted death for every them for the heavenly kingdom, and it is to these, as thth
miln.” :~nd as n consequence ercry man must have an oppor- Apostle *Peter declares, God has given “excecdine great and
tltnit\ glnntctl him for henefitin, cr hy tJJ;lt tkath, alid Of avail- precious promises [far beyond aiy promises g&en to an\
ITI,~ liimsclf of IJlr Ijrivilrpe of rtrrnnl life \\hich was sernred other of his creatures1 that bv these lnromiscsl me mielit
II\/ ,111r 1,nrd’s ransom sacriiire. become partakers of tl;e divineYIlatllre,“‘knd join&he&s \v?th
DID CHRIST DIE FOR THE OHURCH ONLY? his Son. This is deuomiuatcd a. “heavenly calling” in con-
i{nt some one wonld perhaps say, Christ died only for thr trast with the rarthlv ”
salratiou intended for whn3ocl-er ~111
~1n4 of t,llca churn+ and not for the sins of the world. and con- “in due time.”
.eclllentJv the sins of the world rannot be forgiven them. We This true view of the calling and election of tltc church
iin;wclr. ‘So; the Scriptural declaration mo& positively is is another feature of the Gospel. If it is splendid, good ne\\ 5
that “.lcsuq Christ by the grarr of God tasted death for every to know that ultimately all families of the cart11 are to 1~
man.” “t n be testified in tine time.” And, additionally, the blessed with opportunities for salvation through the Christ, it
Ano-tlr hays. “ITe is a nronitiation 1 ,
rsatisfactionl for our lthe is still an additional feature to the good news to know that
chur~11’sl bins. ant1 not for ours only, but also for the iins God has invited us to become members of the Christ company.
of the ~holc* world.“- 1 ,Jnhn 2:2. “members in particular of the body of Christ.” Xo wonder
\\%at could he plainer than this? If the price for the the Apostle calls this our “high calling,” our ‘*heavenly call-
.~US of thr u-hnl(L -\\nrltl 1~1s bren paid to Justice, we may ing”: it is to the attainment of this great prize that the
rest well assured thnt .Justice will furnish opportunity througil 4postle exhorts all the fait,hful to lay aside evrry wright and
the Redeemer wherehv all these whose sins were atoned for ever-y besetment and to run with patience the race set before
may come to a knowl&e of Christ. and to an opportunity of us in the Gospel, looking unto Jesus, the anthor, until he
arcepting divine grace through him. shall have become the finisher of our faith.
But Pome one will say. Why should God adopt a plan This is the true Gospel, dear friends. the one xv-e find set
whlrh would necrssitatr i re&rection of the dead, an^d a forth in the Scriptures, set forth by Paul himself, and of
no&-resurrection trial for rtemal life exceDt for all the elect which he was not ashamed. This Gospel showy the character
;hurch of this Gospel age? of our Creator in a most wonderful light.-hia wisdom, able
WC answer.-- ( 1 I Tt is not for us to inquire why the Lord to discern the end from the beginning; his power, able to
adoPts certain n1a11s which differ from those which our Poor accomplish that which he pleases; his justice, squaring every
fIni& minds might arrange for him: rather it is for u‘s to feature of the plan from first to last, according to the most
acknowledee that our wisdom is insufficient on such a subiect absolute features of righteousness; his love, whose lengths
and that & should corn,’ humbly to the Lord to hear from”his and breadths and heights and depths we have not yet been
Word whatever he may be pleased to inform us respecting his able to explore; a love which sympathizes with his creatures
nurpnscs. (2) As a matter of fact onlv those who approach in their fallen estate; a love which provided a Saviour, and a
ihe*question from this standpoint need 6xpect to see tlie’ truth great one; a love which prompted that Saviour to give his life
or to “romnrchend with all saints the lenptbs and breadths as our ransom price; a love which met all the requirements
and heights’ and drpths of tbcb love of Go;.“--Eph. 3:18; 1 of divine justice for us; a love which still pursues mankind,
(‘nr. 2:12 and in this Gospel age calls us to ioint heirshiu with his Son
God has been pleasrtl. however. to reveal to us some of in a nature and kinidom far above angels, pr&ipalities and
111s rea<ons for arranging his plan as we see it. He assures powers, of which the Apostle says:
us of his full wiqdnm and powcar to manage every featurr of “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
his own work according to his own good pleawre, assuring upon us that we should be called the SOIIR of God.” This
w that he knows the rnd from the buginn’ing, and that thi divine love, still pursuing its original plan for man’s salva-
( ntl will fullv lllqtlfv ev(‘rv strl) that hr has t,akcrI. IIis tion, will use the “elect” glorified house of sons, of which
Ll’rrrtl. no I&s “than’ nl,srr~ation’ . shnwq us that, dunng all Christ Jrsus is the Head (Eph. 1:22). in blessing all families
lhcsrs six thousand yrars the world has been getting a l&son of the earth with full opportunity of knolvledge and full
resnertme the csrcedinr sinfulness of sin and it9 waees of assistance up the highway of holiness (Isa. 35:8) that so
man7 aq ~111 mn,v attain to ~r~titntinn to :111that was lost in
~14ltcn 15 Ah” ,fPRIL 1 1900 ZlOX’S W.4TCH TOWER IRSWI

.4dam ivy coming back into harmony with God through the patience. mc~ekIle4b) fo1. strange to ~av. tllca,v iv111 find bitlcr
great Mediator.-Acts 3 : 19-23. opposition from proicsscd servants if the 1.01tl \5110 h;~vt*
NONE NBED BE ASHAMED OF THE TBUE GOSPEL been blinded and prejudiecd 1)~ Satan’s Inisrc~IJrcsclitntions of
Verily, dear friends, of this Gospel we arc not ashamed. the Gospel.-+ which he seeks to d~ire from the J,ord all
“for it is the power of Gnd unto salvation to creryone that wllo have a Iemnant of reiiqon in tlrcir religious thinking.
bel~cveth.” It has in our hearts a trnnqformrng and renewing All uho have eari to hear. and HIIO tlo hear tllcb true Gosprl.
[‘OMcr, a sanrtifying powel \\hicll no (‘11’01’ c.nuld possibly ~$111quickly d1stmgwsh it from the mlsernblc counterfelts
have. and which all the theories of ctcrn:\l torment ha\c whlc~h for FO long hare passed cvrwnt among God’s penpIt>
never equaled and never will. Let us more and more “~110~ I&. all such remember that ability to hear i3 an evit1twc.c of
fol tll the plni~es of our God, who bntb called us out of dark- tl~\inc favor. and let them not bc :~shnmerl. lwt xlnrlfy (2nd on
ness into his marvelous light,” by renouncing all God-dishon- this behalf. Let such remember. alsn, that thclr ac~c~cptanc~f~
01irg (.rwds and tlirorieq, ant1 instratI linl(1 forth the Wortl of nf truth aq due, in the fucc of nnpopularit~, 1. a part of their
life, and witness the good confession--the “good tidrnps cut’ tc+tmg. The Lord puts his plan. his Word. ac: 111src~pre+nt:l
great joy whirh hhnll he to all pcopl~.” tive

WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES CONCERNING HELL?

A corlcct understanding of this slll,ject hcls become almost 1)~ almost fr,intlc In tllcoir eflorts to I(~Y~II(’ thr p~~~.llilr;
a necessity to Christian steatlfar;tnc~ss. For centuries it has The plain inferrncc 1s that t1lc.y do not belie\-c It. ‘l%
been the teaching of “orthodoxy,” of all shades, that God. only class of people that to any degree show their faittk in It
before creatinc man. had crrated it great abyss of fire and hp their works is the Salvation 4rmy; and thCsc are the sub
terrors, capable of dontaining all thg billions’ of the human Jccts of ridicule from almost alI other Christians, brcau~ they
family which he purposed to bring into being; that this abyss are somewhat consistent with t,heir helief. Yet their prciilinr.
ht. bat1 named “11~11:” and that all of the nromisrs and tlireat- and often absurd, methods. 50 strikingl,v in contrast t\itlt
IWI~~S nf tbc 13il)le wele designed to deter&as many as pos;ibltB those of the Lord of whom it was written, “HP shall not rry.
( :I “little flock”) from such wrong-doing as would make this nor lift up. nnr cause his voice to bc heard iii tllcb ~trret” ( 15.1
:~\rful place their perpetual home 42:2), are very mild compared with what might be expected
As knowledge increases and superstitions fade, this if thev were fully ronvinced of the tloctrinct. \Ve cannot
monstrous view of the divine arrangement and character is lmagiie how sincere believers of this terrible doctrine go from
losine itq force: and thinking people rannot but disbeliere da? to day about the ordinary affairs of life, or meet quietI>
the iigend, which used to be %st&ed on the church walls in elegance every Sunday to hear an casny from the pulpIt on
111the hinlreqt
_ dezrcr of art and realism. samples of which the peculiar subjects often advertised. Could they do 50 while,
are still to he seenTin Europe. Some now claim ihat the place really believing all the time that fellow mortal:: :~rc tlying at
is literal. but the fire svmbolic, etc., etc., while others re- the rate of one hundred a minute. and *zntcring
I~~ldintc tlicb tloctrinc of “‘hell” in ercrv sense and degrecb. “That lone land of deen desnnir.” n-11~(1
\\-llile zlatl to qce sunrrstitions fall, a& truer ideas of the “So God regnrds thei; bitier prayer”9
great, And wise, and j;lst, and loving Creator prevail, we are Tf they really bclieced this few saints could conip~tcentl~
alarmed to notice that the tendcncv with all who abandon sit there and think of those hurrying every moment Into that
this lonf revered doctrine is toivard doubt, skepticism. awful state described by that. good, well-meaning, but great11
infidelity. deluded man, Isaac Kattn (whose own heart was immcasru
TVhy should this be the case, when the mind is merely ably warmer’ and larger thRn that lie nsrril~rtl 10 tluh groat
IIcing dclircrctl from an error:-do xou ask? Because Chris- .Jehovah~, when he wrote the hymn-
I i:lri pcoplc llil\ c so long been taught that the foundation fol “Tempests of angry fire shall roll
thi. awful blnsphcm~ against God’s character and government To blast the rebel worm.
1s deep-laid, and firmly fixed, in the Word of God-the Bible .lnd beat upon the nakrd soul
-arid. consequently, to whatever degree thnt belief in “hell” In one eternal storm.”
I+ shaken. to that extent their fait11 in the Bible, as the People often become frantic with grief whc~ friel& IIRW
I c.v(llatiou OF the true God, iq shaken also ;--SO that thos(* I~en c31iglit 111sonic terrible cntastropl;e, as a fin r. or a wrrck.
who have dropped their belief in a “hell ” of some kind of though they know they will soon be reliered by death: yet
(lndless torment, are often open infidels, add qroffers at God’s they pretend to believe that God is less loving than them-
Word. selves. and that he can look with indifference. if not with
Guided bv the Lord’s providence to n realization that the deli,&t. at billion4 of his creatures rnduring :,I, eternity of
l3ible has bien slandered, as well as its divine Author, and torture far more terrible, which hc prepare- for them and
that. rightly understood, it teaches nothing on this subject prevents any escape from forever. Tot only sn. but they
derogatory to God’s rharartar nor to an intelligent reason, we expect that they will get literally into .\l~r,~li:~m’~ bosom, and
will nttempt to lav bnre the Scripture teaching on this suh- will then look xrross the gulf and WC and IWW the agoniec
iret,, Illat *thereby” faith tn God -and his Wor;l may bc re- of thr multitudes (some of whom they non- lnrr and wceyr
established. in thb heart.4 of his Deople. on a better, a rcason- over) : ant1 thcp imagine that they will hr 40 clinnpetl, and
able foundition. Tndeed, it is o& opinion that whoever shall hecome w like ‘their present idea n‘f Cotl, so hardened a&inqt
hereby find that his false view rested upon human misconcep- all pity. and so barren of lore an11 synipntliy. that they will
tions and misinterpretations. will, at the same time. learn to delight in such a God and in such a plan.
trust hereafter le& to his own and other men’s imaginings. It is wondrrful that otherwise sensible men and wome~~.
and, by faith, to grasp more firmly the Word of God, which 11Ii0 lore their frllow9, and 11ho establish liospitnls, orpllnli-
is able to make wise unto salvation. ages. nsvlums, and societies for the prercntinn of cruelty even
That the advorates of the doctrine of rternnl torment have to the brute creation, are so unbalanced mrntnlly that the\
little or no faith in it is verv manifest from the fact that it can believe and subscribe to mrh :I doctrinr. and yet br so
has no power over their rdhrse of action. l\hile all the indifTelciit about investigating it5 authority!
denominitions of Christendom sustain the doctrine that eter- Only one exception &n WC?think of-those Mho hold the
nal torment and endless. honeless despair will constitute the ultra-Calvinistic doctrine: who believe that God has &weed
punishment of the wickkd, ihey arc rhostly quite at case in it tlrlts. that all the rffdrts they could put forth could not
allowing tile wicked to take their (‘nurse. while they pursue alter the result with a single person; and that all the prayers
t,he even tenor of their way. Chiming hells and pealing they could offer would not change one iota of the awful plan
organs. artistic chnirs, and costl,v rdif%~c. and upholstered they believe God has marked out for his and their eternal
prws. and polished oratory whirl] mnrr and more avoids any pleasure. These indeed could sit still. so far a4 effort for
reference to this alarming theme. afford rest and entertain- their fellows is concerned: hut why sing the p&ises of such
ment, to fashionable conp?egatinns that gather on the Lord’s a scheme for the damnation of their neighbors whom God
dnv and are known to the world as churche4 of Christ and haq told them to love as thrmsrlves9
re&esmtatives of his doctrines. But they Feem little con- \vby not ratbrr hrgin to doubt this “doctrine of devils,”
ceined nhniit, thr eternal wrlfnrc of the muititudes, or even of this l,la~pllen1~ :l~:litlst the grrat God, hatched in the “dark
themqclves and their own farnil&. thou,oh one would naturally a~~;.” n hcsn :I cr.lfty Inirsthnnd tau:bt that it i+ right to
do rvil that good mnr rr5iilt 9
IrI- 44 [25971
 :89-91) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY PA.

The doctrine of eternal torment was undoubtedlv intro- lay aside human opinions and theories and come to the Word
ducecl by Papacy to induce pagans to Join her and *support of God, the only authority on the subject, remembermg that
her s.vsteni. It flourished at the same time that “bull finhts” “God is His own Interpreter, and He will make it plain.”
and ~ladlatorial contests were the public amusements Gist
“HELL,” AS AN ENGLISH WORD
enjoyed ; when the Crusades were called “1~01~ wars,” and
when men and women were called “heretics” and were often In the fir\t l)lnc~ bent in mind that the Old Testament
slaughtcrecl for thinkmg or speaking contrarv to the teach- Scriptures were \;ritten in the Hebrew language, and the hew
lngs of the Papacy; at a time when- the sun-of gospel truth Testament in the Greek. The word “hell” is an English word
n as obseurc ; when the Word of God had fallen mto disuse sometimes selected by the translators of the Er,gllsh Bible to
and waq prohihited to be read by any but the clergy, whose expre5is the sense of the Heblew word sheol ant1 the Greek
love of their neighbors was often shown in torturing “heretics” words. hades, turtaroo and gehcIlna,-somctitnes rendered
to induce them to recant and deny thrlr faith and their Bibles “grave” and “pit.”
-to save them, if possible, th6y esplained, from the more The word “hell” in old English usage, before Papal
awful futilre of “hcr&ics.“-eternal toI ture. Thev did not theologians picked it up and gave it a new and special sig-
borrow this doctrine from the heathen, for no heathen people nificance to suit their own purposes, simply meant to conceal,
in the \\orltl hare a tloctrine so cruel. 90 fientlish and so to lizde, to corer: hence the co?lceuled, htdden or co~retl plncc.
unll1.t. Flntl it. T\hocvrr can, nn(l show It up in all its black- In nltl Englihh literature records mag be found of the 71cll-
ness. that. if possit,le. it ma! 1~ qho\rn that tile essence of t,lg of potatoes-putting potatoes into pits: and of the 7Lc7Z-
hnrl)ai iim, malice. hate and un~ofllincss has not been ex- ing of a house-covering or thatching it. The word 71clZwas
C*lllSl\C4> :lpl)ie~iate’tl lo\- those \;,hnm Got1 has mnqt hi&& therefore Dronerlv used svnonvmously with the words “grave”
faxoretl with light from everv quarter, and to whom he ha\ and “pit,” td trnnslate the w;rds s~col and hndcs as slg:nlfy-
ronirr~lttrtl the nnlr oracle-l;is \I’nrtl. Oh! the shame and fvinnc-- the secret or hidden condition of death. Hnwevei. the
rnnfii<inn that will cover thf* fncrq of man-v, even good men, shame spirit which was willing to twist the word to teriolizc
xlln vc~l~lr thought thnt they t11d Got1 service wh‘ile propa- the ignorant is willing still to perpetuate t,hc error ;-pre-
gnt:n:: tltiq l~l:~s~~hcmnus tlnrtrinc. when thev awake in the sumably saying-“Let us do evil that good may follow.”
rc~urrc~rtinii. to ‘learn of the love and justice of God, and If the translators of the Revised Version Bible had been
n hcbn tltcay rnme to know that the Bible does not teach this thoroughly disentangled from the Papal error, and thoroughly
Gotl-tllsllnnnnn,rr, love-extinguishing, truth-heclouding, saint- honest, they would have done more to help the EngIish student
hindrring, sinner-hardening, “damnable heresy” of eternal than merelv to substitute the Hebrew worcl s7jeoZ and the
torment.-2 Pet. 2 : 1. Greek word”hndes as thev have done. Thev shnuld hare trans-
But me repeat that, in the light and moral development lated the words. But t’hev were evident& afraid to tell the
of this day, sensible people do not believe this doctrine. How- truth, and ashamed to tell” the lie; and s6 gave us sheol and
ever, since they think that the Bible teaches it, every step hades untranhlated, and permitted the inference that these
they progress in real intelligence and brotherly kindness, words mean the same as the word “hell” has become per-
wlilch hlntlrrs belief in eternal torment, is in most cases a verted to mean. Their course. while it for a time shI;ald<
gtrp away from God’s word, which is falsely accused of being themselves. dishonors God and the Bible. which the common
the authority for this teaching. Henre the second crop of Deonle still suppose teaches a “hell” of torment in the words
rvil fruit, which the devil’s engraftment of this error is pro- :hekZ and had&: Yet anyone can see that if it was proper to
during. is skenticism. The intelligent. honest thinkers are translate the word sheol thirtv-one times “g~avc” and three
thus ilriren frdm the Bible into vain”Dhiiosonhies and sciences. times “pit,” it could not ha;e been improper to have so
fnlsc,ly \n-rnllrd, and into infidelity.- Nor -do the “worldlv” translated it in every other instance.
renllv believe this doctrine. nor is it a restraint to crinie. A peculiarity to be observed in comparinrr these cases. as
for convicts ant1 the lower’ classes are the firmest believers we wiil do shoitly, is that in those teits where the torment
in it. idea would be an absurditv the translators of the Kine James
But, says one, Has not the error done some good? Have version have used the w&ds “grave” or “pit”; whil: in all
not nlnnT been broll_rrht into the churches bv” the meaching I of other cases they have used the-word “hell-” and the reader,
this dortrine in ths’past? lone schooled in the Papal idea of torment. reads the word
Xo prior, we answer, ever did real good, but alwavs harm. “hill” and thinks of it as signifying a pIa& of torment. in-
Those nllnrn rirnr bring< into a chluc;, and whom {he truth stead of the grave, the hidden or covered place nr condition.
would not move, are an iniurv to the church. The thousands For example, compare Job 14: 13 with Psa. 8G: 13. The for-
terrorized, hut not at he&” converted, which this doctrine mer read&--“Oh, -that thou wouldst hide me in the grave
forced into Papacy, and whirh swelled her numbers and her [ sheol], etc.,” while the latter reads,-*‘Thou hast delivered
wealth. diluted what little truth was held before, and min- m-y soul from the lowest hell [sheol] .” The Hebrew word
gled it \\~th their unholv sentiments, ant1 errors 80 that. to b&g the same in both cases, there is no reason why the same
meet the changed condit’ion of things. the “clrrev”C.. found it word “grave” should not be used in both. But how absurd it
needful to ndd‘error to error, and resorted to methods, forms, would have been for Job to have prayed to God to hide him
etc., not taught in the Scriptures and useless to the truly in a hell of eternal torture! The Enelish reader would have
converted whom the truth controls. Amono these were nic- asked questions and the secret would heave gotten nut speedily.
tiirrq . . images, beads, vestments, candles, irand cathedrils, While the translators of the Reformation times are some-
altars, etc., to help the unconverted heathen to a form of what excusable for their mental bias in this matter. as thev
gndlineSs more nearly corresponding to their fnrm& heathen were just hreaking aw?y from the nld Papal system. 0u.r
wor<hip. hut larking all the power of vital pntlliness. modern translators, specially those of the recent Revised Ver-
Tlltk heathen were not henefiled. for thrv were still heathen sion, are not entitled to any such consicleratlon. Theological
in God’s sight, but deluded into aping ‘what thpv did not profeqsnrs and pastors of congregat,ions ronsider that the>; are
nntlc~r~tnnd or do from the heart. They were nddbd “t7res” < . iustified in followux the course of the revisers in not esnlaln-
to choke the “whent,” without being’ profited themselves. ing the meaning of Tither the Hebrew nr Greek words sh>oZ or
T11c T,nrtl tells who snwcd the sped of this ennrmnus crop. hndes and by their use of the words they albn give their con-
(hfatt. 13:3n,. The same is true of those who acsurne the fiding flocks to understand that a place of torture. a lske of
nnmr “Chri4ian” tndav. whn are nnt renllv st hrart rnnrerted fire, is meant. While attributing *to the ignorant only the
by thr truth. hut merely frightened hv the error, or allured best of motives. it is manifestlv onlv dunlicitv
Y . I .,
and cowardice
bv promised earthly ncl;antnFcs of a &is1 or huqincsq kind. 11hich indures educated men, who know the truth on this sub-
Snrh add nothing to the true rhurrh: hv their idraq and ject, to prefer to continue to teach the error inferentially.
manners they become stnmblinn hlorks to the* trulv ronse- But not all ministers know of the errors of the translators
rratctl. ant1 hv thrir innl)illtv to tlirrrst the truth. ‘the real and deliberately cover and hide those errors from the people.
fond of the saints, thev !~rl e‘ren the few t,iur pastors to Manv, indeed, do not know of them, having mrrely accepted,
drfrant! the true “sheep” in nldcr to satisfy tlif demands of without investigation, the theories of their seminarv pro-
these “gnn ts” for somethinn pleaqinrr to thrir unconverted fessors. It is the professors and learmsd ones who ar; host
tnntP% No: in no way llnq ‘this &or arrompli4~ed good hlnmcworthy. These hare kept back the truth ahout “hell”
e.urrpt in the sense that God is ahlr to make eyen the wrath for several reasons. First, there is cvidertlv a sort of under-
of An to praise him. So also he mill orrrrnle this evil stnm1in.q or etiquette among them, that if they wish to main-
thing evenrually to serve his lmrpnqes. When hv and hv all tain their standing in the “profession” thev “must not tell
men (during the Millennium) shall come to SW ‘thronnh’ this tales ant of school;” i. e., they must not di&lge professional
prent dercpt!nn by which Satan has blinded -the w&Id to secrets to the “common people;” the “laity.” S‘econd, they all
Grid’s true character, it will perhaps awake:1 in them a fear that to let it be known that they have been teaching an
wnrmer, stronger love for God. unscriptural doctrine for years would break down the popular
Seeing, then, the unreasonableness of man’s view, let us respect and reverence for the “clergy,” the denominations and
[2698J
illARCH 15 AND JIPRIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOlVER o-93,

the theological schools, and unsettle confidence in their mis- tion of the destruction, the utter ruin, of Israel as a nation-
dOIll. And, oh, how much denends upon confidence and rever- “wrath to the uttermost,” as the Apostle called it, God’s
ence for men; when God’s ‘Word fs so generally ignored ! anger burning that nation to the “lowest deep,” as Leeyer
Third. thev know that manv of the members of their sects are here translates the word shwl.-1 Thes. 2: Iti 1
not const;ained by “the l;ve of Christ” (2 Cor. 5: 14), but (11) Job 11:8.-“It [God’s wisdom] is as high as heaven;
merrlv bv the fear of hell, and thev see clearly, therefore, that what canst thou do? deeper than hell I than any pit] ; what
to let- the truth be known now wo&l sonn cut loose the names canst thou know?”
and the dollars of many in their flocks; and this, to those (12) Job 26:6.-‘ITell [the tomb] is naked before him,
who “desire to make a fair show in the flesh” (Gal. 6: 12) and destruction hath no covering.”
would seem to be a great calamity. (13) Prov. 5*5.-“Her feet go down to death; her steps
But what will be the judgment of God, whose character take hold on IzeZZ [i. e.. lead to the grave].”
and plan are traduced by the blasphemous doctrine which (14) Prov. 7:27.-“Her house is the way to 1lelZ [the
these untranslated words help to support? Will he commend grave], going down to the chambers of death.”
these unfaithful servants? Will he justify their course? Will (15) Prov. 9:18.--“He knoweth not that the dead are
the Chief Shepherd call these his beloved friends, and make there, and that her guests are in the depths FF hell.” [Here
known to them his further plans (John 15:16) that they may the harlot’s guests are represented as dead, diseased or dvmg.
misrepresent them also to preserve their own dignity and and many of the victims of sensuality in premature g&rc~
reverence 7 Will he continue to send forth “things new and from diseases which also hurry off their posterity to the
old,” “meat in due season,” to the household of faith, by the tomb.]
hand of the unfaithful servants? No. such shall not con- (16) Prov. 15:11.-“ Hell and destruction are before the
tinue to be his mouthpiece or to shepherd his flock. (Ezek. Lord.‘, [Here the gral*e is associated with destruction and
34:R. 10) He will choose instead, as at the first advent, from not with a life of torment.]
among the laity- “the common people,,-mouthpieces, and (17) Prov. 15:24.-“The path of life (lead&h) upward
will give them words which none of the chief priests shall be for the wise, that he may depart from hell henenth.” [This
able to gainsay or resist. (Luke 21:15) And, as foretold, illustrates the hope of resurrection from the tomb.]
“the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the under- (18) Prov. 23:14.-“Thou shalt beat) him with the rod,
standing of their prudent men shall be hid.“-Isa. 29:9-19. and shalt deliver his soul from hell” li. e., wise correction
“HELL” IN THE OLD TESTAMENT will save a child from vicious ways which lead to premature
death, and may also possibly prepare him to esrape the
The word “hc~ll’, occurs thirty-one times in the Old Testa- ‘csecoml dfuth”l.
ment. and in evcrv instance it is slzeol in the Hebrew. It does ( 19) Prov. Jk7:20.--“‘Hell [the grave] and destruction are
not mean a lake-of fire and brimstone, nor anything at all never full: so the eves of man are never satisfied.”
resemb!ing that thought: not in the slightest dfglec! Quite (20) Isa. 5: Id--“Therefore heZZ bath cn!arged herself
the reverse : instead of a place of blazing fire it is described and opened her mouth without measure.”
in the context as a state of “darkness” (Job. 10:21) ; instead [Here the grace
is a symbol of destructio%.l
of a nlace where shrieks and groans arc heard, it is described (21, 22) Isa. 14:9, 15.-“l?eZZ [margin, grave] from
in thk rontext as a place of “‘silence,, (Psa. 115: 17) ; instead beneath is moved for thee, to meet thee at thy coming.” . . . .
of representing in anv sense pain and suffering, or remorse, “Thou shalt be brought down to Itell” [the grave-so rendered
the eontext describes ‘it as a place or condition of forgetful- in verse 111.
neic. (I’M. 88.11, 12) “There is no work, nor device, nor
(23) Isa. 57:9.-“ And didst debase thyself even unto
know!edge, in the grare [sheol] whither thou goest.“-Eccles. hell.” [Here figuratively of deep degradation.1
9:lO. (24, 25) Ezek. 31:15-17.-“In the dav when he went
The meaning of s7~~1 is “the hidden state,” as applied to down to the grave, . . . . I made the nations to shake at
man’s condition in death, in and beyond which all is hidden, the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with
errept to the eye of faith; hence, by proper and close associa- them that descend into the pit. . . . Thev also went down
tion, the word was often used in the sense of gmre-the tomb, into hell with him, unto them that be slain with the sword.”
the hidden place, or place beyond which only those who have [Figurative and prophetic description of the fall of Babylon
the enlightened eve of the understanding can see resurrection, into destruction, silence, the grave.]
restitution of being. And be it particularly noted that this (26) Ezek. 32:21.--” The strong among the mighty shalI
identical word she02 is translated “grave” thirty-one times speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help
and “pit” three times in our common version by the Sante him.” [A continuation of the same figure rrpresenting Egypt’s
t,‘n,Islators--more times than it is translated “hell”: and overthrow as a nation to join Babylon in rlentrrtctio,l-bllried.]
twice, where it is translated “hell,” it seemed so absurd, (27) Ezek. 32:2i’.L”And thev shall not lie with the
according to the present accepted meaning of the English mighty that are fallen of the nneircumrised, whi(sh are gone
word “hell,” that scholars have felt it necessary to explain down to hell with their weapons of war: and thcv have laid
in the margin of modern Bibles. that it means grave. (Isa. their swords under their heads; but their iniquities shall be
14 :I)) and Jonah 2 :2.) In the latter ease, the hidden state, upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mightv
or grave. was the belly of the fish in which’ Jonah was buried in the land of the living.” [The grave is ths only “heljf,
alive, and from which he cried to God. where fallen ones are buried and lie with their weapons of
ALL TEXTS IN WHICH “SHEOL” IS TRANSLATED “HELL” war under their heads.]
(1) ~1mos 9:2-“Thouah thcv dip into haJT, thence shall (28) Hab. 2:5.-“ Who enlarpeth his decire as hefl [the
mine hand take them.” [A figurative cxpre+ion; but cer- grave] and as death, and cannot be satisfied.,’
tainlv pits of the earth are the only hells men can d?g into.1 129, .Torrah 0 : 1, 2 -“Then .Tnnnh pray~l unto the ILord
(0) Pss. 16: IO-“Thou wilt not leave mv soul iu hell: his C;od. nut, of thr fish’s bellv. ant1 said. T cried 11v reason nf
neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” wine affliction unto the Lortl, and Ire> hrnrtl 111~:‘omit of the
[This refers to our Lord’s three days in the tomb.-Acts. bellv of 71cll. rricd 1. and thou heard& mv vnlw *’ [The
2:31: 3:15.1 brllv of the fish was for a time his ql-cr~.r-w~e mararn.1
(3. 4) &a. 18: 5 and 2 Sam. 22.6--margin.-“The cords (30, 31 ) Isa. 28: 15-1R.-“Bc,c,:rl1sl, ye have said, We have
of hd comuassed me about.” 1A figure in whirh trouble is mndc a csownnnt with death. and with hell [the grave] are
represented ‘as hastening one to-the tomb.3 we at agreement; When the orrrflowng wnurze shall nass
(5) Psa. 55: 15.- “Let them go down quick into hell”-- through, it shall not romc untn IIS, for we h.ivc ‘made Iies’our
margin, “the grave.” refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: There-
(6) Psa. 9: 17.--“The wirked shall be turned into hell, fore; saith the Lord, . . . . Your covenant with death shall
and all the nations that forget God,” ‘This text will be treated be disannulled, and your agreement with hell [the grave]
later. under a separate heading. shall not stand.” IGod thus derlares that the present
(i) Psa. 86:i3.-“ Thou ha& delivered my soul from the prevalent idea, by which death and the grave are represented
lowest hell”-margin, “the grave.” as friends, rather than enemies, shall cease; and men shall
(8) Psa. 116 :3.-“The sorrows of death compassed me, learn that death is the wuges of sin, now and that is in
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.” [ fiickness and Satan’s power (Rom. 6 :23; Web. 2: 14) and not an angel
trouble are the figurative hands of the grave to grasp us.] sent by God.]
(9) Psa. 139:8.-“If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou ALL OTHER TEXTS WHERE “SHEOL” OCCURS-RENDERED
art there.” IGod’s Dower is unlimited: even over those in the “BRAVE” AND “PIT”
tomb he can -and will exert it and bring forth all that are in Gen. 37 : 35.-“ I will go down into the glace unto my
the graves.-‘John 5 :28.] son .”
(10) Deut. 32:22.- “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, Gen. 42 :%S.-“Then shall ye bring down my gray hairs
and shall burn into the lowest hell.” [A figurative representa- with sorrow to the graze.” [See also the same expression in
[2699)
 esact1y to t11e Nehrrw \ro1tl shcol. ;4> proof SW the quota-
trons of the Aoostlrs from the Old Testament,, III which the\
render it had&. For inst,~nce. Acts 2 :27, “Thou wilt not
leave my soul in lia&s,” is a quotation from Psa. lli.l(l,
“Thou &lt not lea\ e my -0~1 in shfol.” -41~1 in 1 Cor. 15 :61.
T,.i , “Death is s~allo\~t~l up in victor-. 0 death, where i-,
thy bting? 0 grave Llfat/r;l. \vhe~e ;, t!iv victorv?” is nli
allusion to Isa. 25:s. “He will sw~tllo~ un ‘death in victory.”
and to Hon. 13: 11, “0 dratl: I wl!l be t!Ly plagues; 0 slrtyol
1 will he thy drstructinn.”
“HELL” FROM THE GREEK WORD “HADES”
Xatt. I1 :23.-“And tlioil, Capern,ium, which al t r.\altcIJ

nrtd cpportiinlty the tit? was highly favored: or, figuratl\-cllx

c,\\nltrll unto hens en ;” olxt becnu.e of inisn~;c of God’s fnvoi . .
It. \v~~lll~l hc dcl):lsrd. or, flnuratirely, ~‘1st tlnuu to 71fldcs. ov~'l-
thrown, destroyed. It is nom so thoroughly bzcrret? in obliviorl.
that evrn the site where it stood is a matter of dls]‘Utt~
Capcrnnum is certainly destrot/Pd, thrust down to II~~(~s 1
Luke 16:23.-“In heZZ he lifted up his eyes, bring III tor-
IllCIitS.” [-4 parabolic figure explained further along. uncle1 Sk
separate heading.]
Rev 6 :S.-“And hehold a pale horse: and his name that
C’OIII,~ forth agail) in f:dd’s due tini<.-- in the morning.” sat on him was Death, and gle2l followed with him.” [Symbol
Ronl. 5.12, IS. 19 1 of destruction or the at-al c.1
Psa. 6 :5.-“Jn death there 1’1 no ~~~rnt~n~lrran~eof thee; in Matt. 16: 18.---‘Upon this rock I will build my church
tile r/rave who shall give thee thanks’)” and the gates of 7zpIZshall not prevail against it.” [Although
l’sa. 30:3.-“0 Lord thou hast brought up my soul from bitter and relentless persecution, even unto death, should
the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go afflict the churrh during the Gospel age. it should never
down to the pit.” [This passage cxpressea gratitude for nrevail to her utter extermination: and eventuallv, by her
icrovcry from danger of death.] 1

resurrection accomplished b-y her Lord, the church’ will pre

Psa. 3 1 : 17.- “Let the wicked be ashamed: Iet them hct vail over hades-the tomb ]
-ilent in the gmoe.”
CHRIST IN “HELL” (HADES) AND RESURRECTED FROM
Pea. 409 14, 15, margin.-“Like sheep they are laid in thr “HELL” (HADES”-Acts 2:l. 14. 22-31
VIUW: death shall feed on them: and the unright [the saints “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, . , . .
-Dan. 7:27] shall have dominion over them in the morning Peter . . . . lifted up his voice and said. . . . . Ye men of
1the Millennial morning] ; and their beauty shall consume, l~ael. hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved
the qrave being an hahitation to cverv one of them. But God of God among you, . . . . being delivered bi the determinate
w~ll”rcdcem my soul from the power ‘of the .g?‘uq*e.” counsel and for’eknowledge of God [‘He was delivered for our
Psa. 8X :3 -‘WV life draweth nigh unto the UWCW.” offenses’], ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified
I’sa. 89:48.--“Shall he deliver hi< soul from the hand of and slain : whom God hath raised up, having loosed the painq
t!ic qrave?” [or bands] of death, because it was not possible that 1~
Psa. 141 :7.-“Our hones arc scattered at the w-are’s should be holden of it [for the Word of Jehovah had prc
viously declared his resurrection] ; for David speaketh COW
Prov. 1 : 12.--“Let us swalIow them up alive as the grate: rerning him [personating or speaking for him], ‘I [Christ I
:lnd whole, a? thnw that. go down into the pit” [i. e., as nf foresaw the Lord [Jehovah] always before my face; for he ii
,I II rarthquakc. :IS in Kum. 16 ..30-3.31.
on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore ditl
1’1ov. 30. 1.5. 16 ---“Fc>~lr tiling% <:I!- Ilot, Tt i;: enough : thcb mv heart reioice, and mv tongue was glad; moreover also nl;\
J1).117V’.”cnti. &bh shall r&t in hope, I&au& thou &It not leave my soul in
kell rlra,des. the tomb. the state of death], neither milt thou
suffer- thin; Holy One to FCC corruption:. Thou ~Jehnrnh I
hast made known to me [Christ] the w;1~s of life.“’ Here (1111
I;ori~ of Solomon 8.6.-“.Tealousy is rruel ai thr gvure.” Lord, as personified by the prophrt David, elpresses hi, f,jith
Iw. 11. 1 l.-“'1'11~ IWIII~ i? hrourht down to the orflue.” in Jehovah’s promise of a resurrection and in the full and
glorious accomplishment of Jehovah’s plan through him, and
rcioices in the nrowect.
’ Peter then irocieds, saying-“Men and brrtllren. tet mcs
treely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried. and his senulcher is with 114 unto this dav
[so that this prophecv could not have refrrrctl to hrmseli’
personally; for David’s soul was left in “hell’‘--l&es, the
tomb. the state of death-and his flrsh did see corruption]
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
with an oath to him. that of the fruit of hi5 loins according
to the flesh. he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne‘.
he, seeing this before [prophetically], spake of the resnrrec-
tion of Christ rout of “hell”--hndes, the tomb-to which 11~
must go for our offenses], that his soul was not lpft in llcll
1If&es---the death state], neither his flesh did see corruption ”
‘I’ln~~ Peter presents a strong, logical argument, based on the
\I ords of the prophet David---showing first, that Christ, who
was delivered bv God for our offenses, went to “hell,” the
tw tfiitl fln111 llliu(’ rl (sq.” (The Lord did not ransom any from grave, the condition of death, destruction (I’sa. 16 : 10) and.
J nl:lrr of fiw r111t1 lorment. for thrre is no such nlnce: but second, that according to promise he had been delivered from
:)r’ tlirl r.~nsoni all ll~;lrlliintl from thr qru,re, from ;lentTL. the Rrll, the grave, death, destruction, by a I-esztrrerfion-a raising
1,(~n.ilt\ l)i f111~1lt lIpon all 1)~ .\d:ini’. bin. as this veiie dc- up to life; being created again. the same identical being, yet
* l:ll~~-.) more glorious, and exalted even to “the express image of the
The abnvtl liqt in(~ludes every instance of the use of the Father’s person.” (Heb. 1:3) And now “this same Jesus”
Kngli\h word “t~ell” and the Hebrew word shcol in thr Old (Acts 2:36), in his subsequent revelation to the Church,
I’<~.itnmrnt. From this rxamination it must be evident to all declares-
readers that God’s revrlations for four thousand years con- Rev. 1: 18.- “I am he that liveth, and was dead, and,
tain not a sincrle hint of a “hell.” such as the word is now behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen: and have the keys of
cmderstood to Signify. hell [I&es, the grave] and of death.”
“HELL” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Amen ! Amen! our hearts respond; for in his resurrec-
In the New Testament the Greek word ho&s corresponds tion we see the glorious outcome of the whole plan of Jehovah
to be accomplished through the power of the Resurrected One tf cbntetl as though tl1e in11~1Jfi llild Iteen #I\ eu bei~ll~~ tIlta:
who now holds the kevs of the tomb and of death and in due left Egypt. though only a tpprcdl lamb had been slain. \I llCll
tlmc will releaefb all Ihe pris&ers who are, tl~crefor;,oc~~~;~ Jerusalem was built, and the Temple-reprt:sr~rltativc of tht,
the “prisoners of hope.” (Zech. O:lZ; Luke 4:18) 2’ true temple, the rhurc~h. and the true kingdom as It will bs
or cunnine can bv a11v nossible device wrert tlxse Scriptures rstahllshrd by Christ in the 1\Iillenn~um-that people typificll
rtuh-e a&pervert th& ‘to the support of thibt monstro& and the \\orld in the l\I1llenn1al age. Their pricbt? rcpre<en!ctl
I)lasph~mouq Papal trachtion of eternal torment. Had that the glorifiecl loyal prie~tlinod, ant1 tliclr lniv and its clcn~and-
hern our nenaltv. Cl1rist. to lie our v1(ariou3 sacrifice, must of perfect olrcdlcnce rcpresenttxl tl1e Inn and cc~nclitlons ~JI&I
-till, and ‘to all’cternitp,’ endure such torment. which no o:i(’ the Sew Covennrlt. to IJc tiroliglit into opcratlon for the t~lr-s-
will claim. But clcath was our oenait\-. ant1 ’ Cllrlst died for Inz of all the obedient. and ior the concl~mnat~o:: of al1 !rhrl
)llr sin*,” xncl “also for the sfns of’ 111~ ~holc world.“-I J\ iien g:Iantel.l fullest oppoitunit~. lvill not heartily SUlJlllll tcl
(‘or. 15:3; 1 John 2:2. ihe li;~l1tcoui ruiinr> and lav- of the Great King.
Rr\-. 20: 13, lJ.--“And the sea gave up the dead \\liicl1 were Se(Jiiig then. thlt Iir,1cl’s pnhty. condition. etc . JIJ ~fi;:lJJ #,II
111it; and deatl1 and hell [the gra\oJ clc~liv~~iccl up the dead those of the world in the coniJt:g 7$:\. IlO\\ ~\p~~~~il~~~~t~~ tll.1 t \\ (
~,111rh v.~le In them: ant1 they were ludg\,d. cvtry man. accord shollltl fincl the valley or nl)y*-. (:(71(,9/1iu. .I figllle o* til\
~I~CIt9 tlicir works. And death PJI~ heill [the grave] were srcoud death, the utter cle~tlu.*t~~~n III the corrt~i~g age 0i al:
: a>t into the lake of fire: this is the second deatll.” [The lake that 1s uiiw01 thy of PI cserx atmn : aUt1 11o\v aptly. too. j, th,.
t f;i c i9 1lics .Q!/t~boZ of final 31icl c:~~rlaAin~ destruction. “) Jll~JO!. “kdd of fil C hi1 Jl!!l~ I\ itI1 bl lJli~t~~!lC’ ’ (l:W. 13 .‘LfJ I
i)eath and Itell Ithe grave] both go Illto rt. There shall be ml drawn from tliiq same Gei~ir~7. or \kll<~v of 111nnom. burning
:IIQIP clcbath; “thcl last enemy that shall :IF deitroyed is death.” continuallv with brimstone. ‘I‘lle cxpr&sinn. ‘ Inirning wit11
-1 C’or. 13.26; Rev. 21:4 I brimstone:” adds force to tl1e symbol. -fire; tn expre55 tl1t
OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THE WORD “HELL” utter and irrevocable clestructlrencss of the cec?oncldeath: for
Having examined the word sltcol. the only word in thcb burning brimstone is the most cleadlv agent known. IIn\\
1)ltl Testament rendered “hell.” and the xvo~cl 1~nde.s. n1oq:t reasonable. too, to expect that Israel ;rould h,t\e court< and
iretlucntly in the New Testament rendered ‘.hell” we 110~ Judges resemblinz or-prefipnrin,n the judgmrl‘tc: of the next
notice every remaining instance in Scripture of tlie Engllsl1 age ; and that the sentence of those f fieurafive 1 courts ni
x\o~cl “hell.” In the New Testanient two other words ale that (figurative) people under those ( fi+$a!i\c) laws tb-that
rt~iitl~~rrcl “hell .” namclv, gehenna and tartaroa. which we will (figurative ) abyss, outside that (figurative) city. wollltl
1on~lcler in th’e order -named. large!y correspond to the (real) sentences of the (real) court
“GEHENNA” RENDERED “HELL’ and Judges in the nest age. If these points are kept in mind.
‘I’liis worcl occurs in the followlng paQqagc,-in all twelve they will greatly assist 11s in understanding the words of nw
times:--Watt. 5.22. 29. 30; 10:58: 1X:9; 23:15, 33; &lark Lord in reference to Gehellna: for though the literal vallei
(1 43-47; Luke 12:.5; Jas 3:0. It is the Grecian mode of just at hand was named and referred to,-yet his words carri
.-pelling the Hebrew’ words which are translated “Valley of with them lessons concernine the future nee and thp _-., antI-
Il~1~~1orn.” This valley lap just 01ltslde the city of Jerusalen1. typical Gekejtncc-the second ‘death.
:IJI(~ -ervrd the purpose of www and garb&Kc burner to that SHALL BE IN DANGER OF GEHENNA-Matthew 5:21, 22
( it) The offal, garbage, etc., were emptied there, and Ares “ye hare heard tliat it \vHs said ~JV t,hern of old time, ‘Thou
UPJP kept continually burning to CO)ISUDZ~utterly all things shalt not kill; and whoqoerel shall ‘kill shall bP amenable tcl
dppo-Ited therein, brimqtone being added to assist combustion the judges:’ but I say unto you, that wllosoevcr is anprv witl,
.i!itl insure complete clcstruction. But no living tl1ing was
hi5 brother witliout a caiisc s7frrZZ [fntuie-under the Eegula-
~‘v~‘r nermittcd to be cast into Gc7len)rn. The Jews were not tions of the real kingdom] be anlenablo to the judges: and
‘I Il~~\\~&l to tort2lrc anv creature. whosoever shall sar to hi< brother. %a~’ [%illaln] , eliall bch
\l’hcn we conqicler* that in the people of Irrael God was in danger of tl1e 11igh council; Iwt M hosoever shall say. “l’hn~1
ci\lng 11s object lexcons illustrating l11s deal1np~ and plans. fool,’ shall be in danger of lrcll [G:che~~u] fire.”
present and ‘future. me should cl\-pcct that tl1is Valley of
Hinnom. or Gcllc,,incc. would also plav itq part in illustrating To understand tl1esc references to council and judges and
things fntiire \Ye how that Ifrit?i’4 priesthood and temple Geheuna, all sl~oulcl kno\\- something of Jewish rcgulatlon>
1llu~tratc~cl the royal priesthood, tl1e Christian clmrch as it The “Court of Judges” consisted of seven men (or twent\
\vill be, the true temple of God: and we know that their chief three,-the number is in dispute). and bad power to lud,“t,
I,ity was a figure of the Xew Jerusalem. the seat of kingdom some classes of crimes. The High Council. or Sanhcdrin~ con-
power and center of authority-the city (gorcrnment) of tl1e SiSted of SeveJJty-01X! niell of recog!lized hIrJlilig alld JllJiht\
r:rr:lt, Kinr. Immanuc~l. We remember. too, that Chrift’q This constituted tl1e 11ighc~t court of the Jews. and its sup&-
-I,\-cJ.nment”is rcpresentccl in the book of Rerel’ation (Rev. 21 : vision was over tlic p~a\cst offenses. The mott ~lious sen-
IO-5 ) under tl1e figure of a cit+he New Jerusalem. There, tenre was clcnfif : hit ccbrtain vcrv obnosious criminal* were’
,1ftcr clcscribing the class permItted to enter the privileges subjected to an indignity after dcaih, l)enlar refused burial ant1
,1ntl blessings of that kingdom-the honorable and gloriouq, cast T\itli tlie carA& of clogs, the ciiv refuqe etc.. into
and all ~110 have right to the trees of life-vc find it also Gehetlna, there to be consumc*tl. The nbjrct of tl;is IJ~IJTJJI~~
,lcrlared that there shall loot enter txfo 11 anything tl1at in Gel~e~l~a was to make tl1c crime nncl the ?I im,nal d~+(~stal)l:’
tlefileth, or that, worketh abomination, or maketh a he: but in the eyes of the people. and siynifircl that tile culprit WA. :I
onlv such as the T,amb shall write as wortl1v of life. Thi* hopeless case. It must be rcmcmbc~rc:tl tliat I:.rncll lt,~nctl f0l
Y

initv. which thus will represent the entire sax&l world in tllc, a resurrectIon from the tonill. :IJI~ 11mcc tllev 1%~n’ p:11 t 1cn1kr1
~11d of the RIillenninm, was typified in the earthly city. in caring for the corpses nt tli(sir tlcnrl. Sot rcnll/ing full\
.Terusalem : and the defiling,<,, the abominable, etc., the class God’s power, they appal cntlv Ibirrlit 11r JlPcded t\IcIy :I.,,:
lmworthy of life everlasting, who do not enter in, ivere reprc- tame to that exient: - (Esod: 12: I!;, Ileh. 11 .??: 21~t. ; I A
5entrd by the refuqe and thr filthy, lifeless carcnsses cast into 16) Hence the destruction of tllc IJO~V III (:cilcn,~~r :t ftm
Gclt~n~u outside the city,--wllose utter destruc,tion was thus death (figuratively) iruplicd the loss of’ IJo!J~ of i11tur,’ 11f(t
-rmbolizcd-the second death. -4ccordingly, we find it stated by a resurrection. Tl111s to \11cl1 G~l/~~/ltr lcprric>ntcc! ~II(%
that those not found worthy of llfc are to lye cast into tllc seconcl death in the same figurative way that tl1ey nq a pco;~lr
“1,1kr of fire” (Rev, 20: 16)-fire here. a< ever\-wllere, ht’ing represcsntcd or illustratccl n futui e or&I toi tl!ing* untlcr th*.
u~cl as a symbol of destr~~ctzon, and the symbol, lake of Are, New Co\cnant.
lleing drawn from this same Gehennn. or Valley of Hinnom. Xotice tliat 0111 IAolcl. in the, almvc word-, no1nted out tlr
Therefore, while Gehenna served a nseful purpose to the them that tl1cir ron9triirtion of the JAW, bevel c ‘tho~~gl1 it. way
cL1ty of Jerusalem as a place for garbage burni-ng,-it, like the was far below the real Import of that Ilaw, as It shall l~r
citv itself. was tvnical, and illustrated the future dealings interpreted under the real kingdom and judges. whicl1 their.
of ‘God in ‘refusing *and ‘committing to destruct ion all the im- only tppifird. Be shows that the command of tlleir la\\,
pure elements, thus preventing them from defiling the holy “Thou shalt not kill,” reached mnch farthlar than they sup-
city, the New Jerusalem, after the trial of the Millennial age posed; that maliciozls ollgrr and ritnprration “shall be” rnn-
of *judgment shall have fully proved them and separated wit11 sldrrccl a violation of God's law, nndrr the Xew Covenant.
unerring accuracv the “sheep” from the “goatb.” and that snc*h as, undrr thr favorable conditions of that new
So, ‘then, ffeh”mna was a-type or illu&ation of the second age, will not reform so tl1ornughly as to fnllv observe God’s
death-final and complete destruction, from which there can law will be counted worthy of that, which t& Gvhcnna near
be no recovery; for after that, “there remaineth no more them typified-the serond death. However. the strict sevrritv
sacrifice for z&s,” but only “fiery indignation which shnl! nf that law will be Enforced only in proportion as the discs-
derour the adversaries.“--Hcb. 10 : 26. phnc, advanttges and assistance of that ape. enablinp caclh to
Let us remember that Israel, for the purpose of being used c*nmply with its laws, shall be dislegardecl.
as types of God’s futnre dealing witlr the race. was typically Thr same thought IS rnntinurd in
[2601]
(95-97) ZION’S WATCH TOWER
Matthew 5:22-30 kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy
“Ye hare heart],” etc.. “hut I bay unto you . . . . it is both soul and body in hel/ [Gehennn].” Src also another
bettcxr for tbre to lohe one of thy members, than that thy account of the same discourse by Luke--12.4, 5.
\\hole hodv hll011ld ]Jk' cast into GVhcnlln.” Here out‘ Lord pointed out to his followers the great
Htble again the oprrntlon of Gotl’~ law under the h’ew cause they had for courage and bravery under the most trying
Cc)\ enant IS rontra+tc~d with it\ ont,ratlon under the Old or circumstances. They were to expect persecution, and to have
,Je\\~*h C’o\rnant, and the lemon of self-caontrol is urged by all manner of evil spoken against them falsely, for his sake,
the -tatthmcnt that it is far more profitahle that men &ould and for the sake of the “good tidings” of which he made them
r(-tu+c to rrlatlfv denraved desires (though tiler be dear to the ministers and heralds: yea, the time would come, that
tllt~m a> a‘ripht’ c? e,~antl apparcbntly indi;pensal;le as a right whosoever would kill them would think that he did God a
hand 1 than that tlley should gratify these, and lose, in the service. Their consolation or reward for tlns was to br re-
•CI,IIII~ tl~~ath. thl* futurcb 1ifc 111OXltletl throuph the atonement ceived. not in the nresent life. hut in the life to come. Thev
for 0 II 1, ho w11l I etnrn to per;ec?:on, holmc\k and God. were &sure& and ‘they believed, that he had come to givt his
1114.~ O\I,I~~YYI~I~Yof our Lord not only serve to show us life a ransom for many, and that all in their graves must in
the, ,,,‘) Ir I 1ff01 ( I:oln. 7 . 12) of C:o~l’y lx\\, ant1 how fully it consequence, in due time. hear the nellrerrr’s loice and rome
XV111II,. tlt~lincd and enforc*rtl in thca 1\I111(7inluin. but they forth.*either to reward (if their trial had heen passed in this
l ,‘1 \ c,tl a, a lesson to thtb .lcw\.s a!so. \\ho ~IVVIOII~V SRW lifta snrres~fullv). future trial. or iudement. :‘s must he the
tltrrlllgll >Iov+’ c~ornman(!s only the c.rutlc caxtcL;ior of tile law case with the ,r&t maInrlty <7110&I LAt. in thlr prrscbnt life,
of c:lNl S1ric71thcv fount1 it tlifR(~ult 111their falIt3 state to cnme to the necessary knowledge and opportunity eshentlal to
a complete trial.
nlli+t no\\ ~(‘(5tllcs IlnI)o\.lljilltv of tlrcair k(aeljing the finer menn- Untlor preirnt conditions men are able to kill our bodies,
inr of tllti lil\v I (‘1c~;~l(~tl1)~ Chr Ist. Had thcv undrr5tood and but nothing that they can do will affect our future 1)clng
(soul I ,* which God has Dromisrd shall be revived or restored
11y hi? power in the re&rrection day-the ti1illcnnml age.
Our revi\-rd souls will have new bodies (spiritual nr nntuml
-“tn enrh ‘seed’ his own [kind of1 bodr”), ant1 these none
will have hbrrty to kill. God alone h&s powel to tlrhtroy
?(tferl?/--snul and bodv. He alone. therefore. should be feareci.
fully to ;‘p,““““‘tV the law, and ‘able fuliy to nplnecmte and nntl ih~ nppnsltion of men errn to thr death Ih not to be
$1n!r):~tl~i/:b n 1tl1 our fallen st<;te and inheritetl weaknesses, fearrtl. if t!lcIeby we gain dlrine approval. Our Jdnrtl’s Intl-
ding then is, Fear not thrm which can terminate the nr+ent
nc7dtd grc7ltc*r forpi\ cnc+9 of sin, and lot Irim as a great (dying) life in these poor dylnp bodies. Car+> littlc ‘for it,
0111+I( Ian 11(~:1111~ antl I ehtorc us, so that we CCOTobey the its food, its clothing. its Dlewsures. in romnariinn with that
;,~.;i(ac.t I.:I\\ of (1otl front our lleart5.” Then they woul& have future existence or !%ing \?hic*h God has prniitled for you. and
fount1 Cllrist. which, if secured, may be your portion forever. Frar not the
lillt tIlli l~~con thctp t11tl not learn. for thp ears of their threats, or looks, or acts of men, whose power can extend no
und(n, itanrllrrz \v(‘x o “tl1111 of h(Bnrlnr;” hcncxe thev knew not farther than the present existence; who can harm and kill
tIl:it (:otl l&a;1 ;L~Ic*:ltlv prcp:\r(a(I the’ vcrv ljrlest a-tld cacrificc these hodies, but can do no more. Rather ha\? respect and
antI 1c:1(ll(bi :III(I r,llv;i,.ian thtbv nc~edcd.‘nho in due time re- deference to God, with whom are the issues of lzje ever-
(I()( m~tl tll0w 1ii1(l;ar’th(L tvpirai law. as wcbll as all not under lastillg-fear him who i4 ahle to destroy in Gdrenna, the sec-
1t. ant1 VII,, .tlho “in t111c‘time,” khortly, will hchpin his restor- ond death, both the present dying existence and all hope of
in? ~orl,--1 c*Ltcli1ng sight to the I)llnd eyes of their under- future existence.
,.t:lrltlln&r. itlltl hc~;lrln:: to their deaf cars. fhrn the “vail shall UNDYING WORMS AND QUENtYHLESS FIRES-Matthew 18:8, 9;
II(~ tahcn :I\\:IV”--the \ail of innnIanre, nridc anti human wis- Mark 9:43-48
dom \\111(.11Siltan now u*cs to lllind the world to God’s true Here it is conclusively shown that Gehanm as a figure
law and tlue pIan of sal\atinn in Cl111st. represented the second death-the utter destruction which
A\~~tl not 011lv did our J,ortl’s trachliing here show the Law m&t ensue in the case of all who, after having fullv received
of tllcb St%w C’o;c~n:lnt, and tc~nrh the .Jew a lesson, but it is the opportunities of a future beine or esistence throuzh our
of llcsncfit to thcx Gospel (allurch alho. Tn proportion as we Lord’; *sacrifice, prove themselves <nwort!ly of God’s @it, and
lf7I I )I thts c~\a~tnc~s~ of Gntl’s Law. am1 what wt~uld constitute refuse to accept it, by refusing obedience to his just rcquire-
lu i ftal tlon 1ind(sr itq reqiiiremt~nt~~ we set that our Redeemer merits. For it does not say that God will preserve soul or
\\il. ~‘“l-fwt, ;:II~I tlrnt wt.. tnt.\lly unal)l(~ to commend our- body in Gehenna, but that in it he can and will “destroy”
+(>I\$+ to (:(,#I il\ I,cc~I~(~r~of tlrnt IillV. c:lII find acceptance with both. Thus we are taught that any who are condemned to the
tIltA 1:;1111(,ronlv III tllcs rnc’i It of 0111‘Rrdcemcr, while none can, second death are hopelessly and forever blotted out of
l,P of tll.lt ‘%c;dy.” CO\t’t 1~1 bv the robe of his righteousness, existence.
cbxc*tallt tll<s ~‘Oll~t’~‘ri~tt’tl who e'ntlc?lVor to do only those things [Since these two passages refer to the same discourse. we
1, ~11’J)~C:I~III~ to (:otl, 11hich includes the avoitinnce of sin 30 quote from hlark-reinarking that verses 44 and 46, and part
t114, cb\ttxllt. of alnllt~. Yclt their at~cc~ptalnht~ with God rests of 45, are not found in the oldest Greek MSS.. though verse
not 111tl,csir pcnrfcBc.tInn, lnlt upon the perferllon of Christ, so 48, which reads the same, is in all manuscr1Dt.t. \Ve quote
Iolr~~ :,- tllcs\ ;rlbitlc~ in hiill. T11r.c~. nr~~ th~l~.-.. arc bpnrfited the text as found in these ancient and reliable hK3S.] ‘?! thy
hantl nfl’end thee. cut it off: it i4 better for thee to enter inta
life maimed, than having two hands to po illto Gehennn, into
the fire that never shall be quenched. ,4nd if thy foot offend
thee. cut it off: it 1s better for thee to enter halt into life,
tban having two feet to be cast into Gehennn. And if thine
e.ve offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter
into the kingdom of God with one eye, than hFLving two eyes
to be cast into Gehenluc, where the worm dies not and the
fire is not quenched.”
After reading the above. all must aeree with the Dronhet
that our Lord opened his mouth in fig&es and ohs&e iay-
ines. (Psa. 78 :2 : hlatt. 13: 35) x0 one for a moment PUD-
pdses ‘that our Lord advised ‘the people to mutilate their
bodies by cutting off their limbs, 0; g&ginp out their eyes.
Kor does he mean us to understand that the iniuries ‘and
disfijiurements of the present life will continue deyond the
grave, when we qhnll “enter into life.” The Jews, whom the
Lord addressed, having no conception of a place of everlast-
oppos1tr. <<It is brttei for thee to enter into life halt, ni ing torment. and who knew the word Gehe?lna to refer to the
,I,:I,,IIV(~. tllan 0thcI 11i*r to 1)~ r;iSt into Clfhcl~na.” It is bet- valley outside their city. which was not a place of torment,
ter that. vou hhonld denv rourselvt3 sinful erntifications than nor a place where anv living thing was cast. but a place for
that vou’shoultl loo ali f;iture life, and prrlah in the second the utfer destruction bf whatever &ht he cast into it, recog-
death. nizine the Lord’s expression regarding limbs and eves to be
ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN UBHENNA figurative, knew thai GebennaYalso ‘&as used m ihe same
Matthew 10:28; Luke 12.5 fipurative sense. to evmbolize utter destructicn.
“Fear not them n 111(*11
k1l1 thr hotly. b11t are not able to l \?‘e ~111 supply free on application a tract on “What is the Soul,”
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MARCH 15 AND APRIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (97-99)

The Lord meant simply this: The future life, which God defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of
has provided for redeemed man, is of inestlmnhle value, and nature, and [or when] it is set on fire of Gel~e)lna.”
it will richly pav you to make any sacrifice to receive and Here, in strong, symbolic language, the Apostle points out
enjoy that li”fe.- Should it even cost”an eye, 3 hand or a foot, the great and bad influence of an evil tongue-a tongue set on
so that to all eternitv vou would be oblieed to endure the loss fire (figuratively) by Gehennu (figuratively). For a tongue
of these, yet life wo&lh be cheap at evk;l such a cost. That to be set on fire of Gehennci signifies that it is set gomg in
would be better far than to retain your members and lose all evil by a perverse disposition, self-willed, selfish, hateful,
in Gehenna. Doubtless. too, the hearers dlew the lesson as malicious. the sort of disposition which, in spite of knowledge
applicable to all the affairs of life, and understood the Master and opportunity, unless controlled and reformed, will be
to mean that it would richly repay them to deny themselves counted worthv to be destroye+the class for whom the “sec-
many comforts, pleasures and tastes, dear to them as a right ond death,” tile real “lake %f fire,” the real Gchejrna, IS in-
hand, precious. as an eye, and serviceable as a foot, ratger tended. One in that attitude may bv his tongue kindle a great
than bv eratification
Y ,.
to forfeit the life to come and be utterlv fire, a destructive disturbance, ‘wtiich. wherever it has- con-
destroyed in Gehenna-the second death. tact, will work evil in the entire course of nature. A few
But what about the undying worms and the unquenchable malicious words often arouse all the evil passions of the
fire ? speaker, engender the same in others and react upon the first.
We answer, In the literal Gehenna, which is the basis of And continuance in such an evil course finally corrupts the
our Lord’s illustration, the bodies of animals, etc., frequently entire man, and brings him under sentence as utterly unworthy
ceyo;pon ledges of rocks and not into the fire kept burning of life.
Thus exposed, these would breed worms and be de- “TARTAROO” RENDERED “HELL”
destrdved by them, as completely and as surely as those which The Greek word tartaroo occurs but once in the Scriptureq,
burned. No one was allowed to disturb the contents of this and is translated hell. It is found in 2 Pet. 2:4, which reads
valley; hence the worm and the fire toyether ccmpleted the thus :
work of destnrctzon-the fire was not quenched and the worms “God spared not the angels who sinned, but cast [them]
died not. This would not imply a neverendmg fire, nor ever- down to hell rtartarooj. and delivered them into chains of
lasting worms. The thought is that the worms did not die off darkness, to bd reserved’ unto judgment.”
and leave the carcasses there, but continued and completed Havinp examined all other words rendered “hell,” in the
the work of destruction. So with the fire: it was not Bible, and all the texts in which they occur, \\e conclude the
quenrhrd, it burned on until all was consumed. Just so if a examination with this text, which is the 0111~ one in which
house were ablaze and the fire could not be controlled or the word tartaroo occurs. In the above quutntion. all the
quenched, but burned until the building was destroyed, we words shown in Italic type are translated from the one Greek
might properly call such an “unquenchable fire.” word tartaroo. Evidentiy the translators were at a loss to
Our Lord wished to impress the thought of the complete- know how to translate the word. but conc~luded they knew
npqs ant1 finality of the second death, symbolized in Gehenna. where the evil angels ought to be: and so they made bold to
All who go into the second death will be thoroughly and put them into “hell,” though it took six words to twist the
completely and forever destroyed; no ransom will ever again idea into the shape they had pre-determined it must take.
be &-en ior any (Kom. 6:9) ; for none worthy of life wiG be The word tartaroo, used by Peter, very closely resembles
Cast into tlrca sccontl death. or lake of fire. but onlv those who tartarus, a word used in Grecian mythology as the name for
lol>e unrighteousness after coming to the knov;ledge of the a dark abyss or prison. But tartaroo seems to refer more to
truth. an act than to a place. The fall of the angels who sinned was
Ynt only in the above instances is the second death point- from honor and dignity, into dishonor and condemnation, and
edly illustrated by Gehenna, but it is evident that the same the thought seems to be-“God spared not thr angels who
Tencher used the same figure to represent the s?me thing in sinned, but degraded them, and delivered them into chains of
the symbols of Revelation,-though there it is not called darkness.”
Gchcnncr, but a “lake of fire.” This certainly agrees with the facts known to us through
The same valley was once before used as the basis of a other Scrintures:
1
for these fallen spirits frequented the earth
diGcourse bv the Pronhet Isaiah. (Isa. 66:24) Though he in the days of dur Lord and the apostles. -Hence they were
gives it no‘nnme, he -describes it; and all should noticpUthat not down in some place, but “down” in the sense of being
he Ppeaks. not as some with false ideas might expect, of degraded from former honor and liberty, and restrained under
billions alive in flames and torture, but of the carcasses of dalkness, as by a chain. Whenever these fallen spirits, in
those nho transgressed against the Lord, who are thus repre- spiritualiqtic seances, manifest their powers throl;gb mediums,
sentpd as utterlv destroved in the second death. pretending to be certain dead human helngs, they must always
The two preckding verses show the time when this prophecy do their work in the dark, hecause darknesr is the chain by
will be fulfilled, and it is in perfect harmony with the sym- which thev are bound until the great Millenuial dpy of judg
holy of Revelation: it appertains to the new dispensation, the ment. 1vhether this implies that in the immrdlate future
Millennium. the “new heavens and new earth” condition of they will be able to materialize in daylight is difficult to de-
things. Then all the righteous will see the jurtice as well as termine. Tf PO, it would greatly increase &tan’s power to
the wisdom of the utter destrurtion of the ineorripihle. wilful blind and deceive for a short season-until the Sun of Right-
rncmicq of ~i~htcnu~ncss, as it is written: “They shall be an eousne\s has fully risen and Satan is fully hound.
abhorring unto all flesh.” Thus we clnqe our investipatlnn of thr Bihlc 11~ of the>
Matthew 23:15, 33 word “1~~~11.” Thank God, we“find no suc.11 place of (*\r~l:lht-
The class here addressed was not the heathen who had no ing torture as the creeds and hymn-hooks, sitI many pulpits,
knowledge of the truth. nor the lowest and most ignorant of crronrnuslr teClph. Yet we hare found a “hell,” shcol. htrdes,
the .Jewish nation. but thr Scribes and Pharisees, outwardlv to which all our rare were contlt~mncd on ncrount of ,\d,lm’s
the most rrlioiouq. and the leaders and teachers of the nconlb. sin. and from xvhicb all are r~d~~erned l)y ollr T,ortl’s tltbnth ;
To these our‘ Lord said, “ How can ye escape the judgm’eni of and that “hell” is the tomb-the death concitinn. And we
Gehcnna?” Thcaqe men were hvoocritiral: thcv were not t,rne find another “hell” (Gehennn-the srrnnd rrrrtlh--ntter de-
to their convictions. Ahnndaht’ tcstimonv of’ the truth had qtl uctlon) brought to our attcntinn as th(b final pen:lltv 111m~
been hornc to them, hut they refused t; accept it, and en- all whn. after being rrdeemed and brought to lhr full knowl-
deavored to counteract its influence and to discourage the edge of the truth. and to FUZZ ability to obey it, shall yet
proplc from accepting it. And in thus resiqtinq the holy spirit choose dttath by rhoosinp a cnurse of nppnsltlon to Got1 and
of light and truth, they were hardeninp their hearts against rightenusnesj. And our hearts say. Amrn! True and right-
the vt=ry ag:rncv nhlch God designed for their blessing. Hence eous are thy wavs, thou King of nations’ Who shall not
they wcrc wlckcdly reqisting his grace, and such a course, if venerate thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thv name7 For thou art
pursued, muqt eventually end in condemnation to the second entirely holy. And all nations shall come and worship before
death, Gelrennn. Every step in the direction oi wilful blind- thrc, because thy righteous dealings are made manifest.-Rev.
ness and opposition to the truth makes return more difficult, 15:3, 4.
and makes the wrongdoer more and more OF the character PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS-Luke 16:19-31
which God abhors, and which the second death is intended to The great difficultv with many in reading this scripture is
utterly dcstloy. The Scribes and PharlqCcs were progressing that, though they regard it as h parable. thpy leason on it
rapidly in that course: henrp thp wrlrnmcr incruirv of our and draw conclusions from it RS though it were a literal
Ldrd, “How can ye escape?” etc. The sense ‘ii thi’s,-Although statement. To revard it as a literal statement inrolves scXvcral
you boast of your piety, you will surely be destroyed In absurdities; for &stance. that the rich man went to “hell”
Gehenna, unless you rhange your course. because he had enjoyed many earthly bleaslnfs and gave
SET ON FIRE OF GEHENNA-James 3:6 nothing but crumbs to Lazarus. Xot a word is said ahout his
“So [important] is the tongue among our members, that it wickedness. Again, Lazarus was blessed, not because he was
[2603]
:t sincere child of God. full of faltb and trusr, not because he Ichildren], and heirs according to the [Abrahanncl promise.”
uas good, but, simply because he was poor and sick. If tblh -Gal 3 :29.
he interpreted literallv. the only logical lesson to be drawn Yes, the termination of the condition of thmgs then esist-
from it ‘is, that unless we are poor -beggars full of sores, we ing was well illustrated by the figure, death-the dissolution
xv111 never enter into future bliss: and that if now we wear of the Jewish polity and the withdrawal of the favors which
anv fine linen and purple, and have plenty to eat every day. Israel had so long enjoyed. There they were cast off and
\tc’ are sure of future tormcJnt. Again, the coveted place of have since been shown “no favor,” whiIe the poor Gentiles,
favor is “-ihraham’s bo\om ; ‘* and if the whole statement bc who before had been “aliens from the commonwealth [thr
Iltcslnl. tile bosom must aI50 I)c literal. and it surely would not polity] of Israel and strangers from the covrnant of promise
l1~11dxny many of earth’s millions of sick and poor. [up to this time given to Israel only? having no hope and
JIII~ why consider absurdities? As a parable, it is easy of without God in the world.” were then “made nigh by the
II11c,ll)rctatlon. In a parable the tiling said ir never the thing blood of Christ” and reconciled to God.-Eph. 2 : 12, 13.
rllc~:lllt \Vc know this from our Lord’s own cxplanatlons of To the symbolisms of death and burial used to illustrate
Ill. ]‘;ir”blc~. \Vhcn he said “wheat,” he meant “children of the dissolution of Israel and their burial or hiding among
I~IP hlligdom:” when he said “tares.” he meant “the children the other nations. our Lord added a furthrr figure-“In hell
or 1III%r1c.1iI ,” when 11~.sail1 “leapers” 111sservants were to be [hades, the gravel he lifted UD his eves. beine in torments.
Ilrlrlr~l .T.OOd. etc. Ixitt. 13) The same c*laiscs were rraprc’- and s&h Abraham afar off,” *etc. Tke ‘dead cannot lift ui
.(.1111*11 II!- tlifYrro;t \> iubols in dinerent parables. Thus -the their eyes, nor see either near or far, nor converse; for it is
\\ Ill’i\f.” of one parahl~~ correspond to the “faithful servants.” distinctly stated, “There is no work, nor device, nor knowl-
:Il,tl tllcb “nlse virgins” of others. So, in this parable, the edge, nor wisdom. in the grave;” and the dead are described
.I 1~11 nian” represents a class and ‘.Lazrirus” represents an- as those who “go down into silence.” (Ertl. 9:lO; PSI.
otllc~l c~ltrsv 115: 17) But the Lord wished to show that L:.reat sufferine?
In attempting to expound a parable sucil a< this. an (I\- or “torments” would be added to the Jews a~~‘:) nation a&
1~1:1n:ltmn of whxh the Lord does not furnish us, modesty in their national dissolution and burial amonrst the other neo-
+‘uprpqslng our opinion regardiyg it is certainly appropriate plcs dead in trespasses and sins; and that?h& &oulb-pieail
\\‘c therefore oficr the followmg explanation without any in vain for release and comfort at the hand 0; the formerly
.kttcmnt to fotcc our views upon the reader, except so far as despised Lazarus class.
III< o\;n truth-enlightened judlnent may commend them as in And history has borne out this parabolic prophecy. I’or
.~(~orrl with God’s Word ‘and nlan. To our understanding, eighteen hundred years the Jews have not only been-in dis-
.\hraham represented God, and ihe “rich man” represented tl;e tress of mind over their casting out from the favor of God
.rc~\ish natibn. At the time of the utteranne of- the parable, and the loss of their temple and other necessaries to the
.rnd for a long time previous, the Jews had “fared sumptu- offering of their sacrifices,- hut thev have been reientlesslr
~~u.1~ c~ry day”-being the especial recipients of God’s favors. nersecnted bv all c,lasses. including nrofesscd Christians. it
1s I’,anl savs “What,~ advantare. then. bath the Jew? Much bas from t&e latter that the Jew& ‘have cxpwtrci mercy, a?
vwr,v wny. rhicflg, because io’ the& were committed thr expressed in the parahle-“Send Lazarus, thai 111’map dip’thr
~,rnc Irz ot (;c~l [Law and Prophecy].” The promises to Abra- tin of his finger in water and cool mv tongue:” hut the ereat
Ilam and I):tr~d and their organization as n typical kingdom p;lf fixed between them hinders that: Se&tbelrss, God-&Ill
of God invertctl that people with royalty, as rcprescnted by recognize the relationship established in his covenant with
the ric Ii man’s “purple.” The typical sacrifices of the law them, and addresses them as children of the covenant. (Verse
~~on~tltutetl them, in a typrcal sense, a holv (righteous) nation, 25) These “torments” have been the penalties attached to
rc~prc~~cnted by the r1(alI man’s “fine ‘linen,“-symbolic of the violation of their covenant, and were as certain to be
rlphteous~less.--ne\. I!) :8. visited upon them as the blessings promised for obedience.-
Lazarus rcpreseutrd tbc outcasts from divine favor under Set- Ler. 26.
I 11c law. n-ho, sin-sick, hungered and thirsted after righteous- The “great gulf fixed” represents the wide differnIce lx-
ne4-. “Piiblicanq and sinners” of Israel, seeking a better life, t.ween the Gospel church and the Jew-the former enjoying
.Ind trnth-hungry (icntiles who were “feeling aiter God” con- free grace, joy, comfort,, and peace. as trur hens of God. and
.tltuttd t11c La/llrus (*lass. These. at the time of the utter- the latter holding to the law, which condemns and torments
:tncch of this naral)lc. were entirely destitute of those special Prejudice, pride and error, from the Jewish side, form thr
~II~IIIV blessin& \\bich Jsr.lcl enjoyed. They lay at the gate bulwark-q of tlliq gulf which hinder the Jew from coming into
of the rich man. So rich promise3 of royalty were theirs; the condition of true sons of God by accepting Christ and the
Ilot. (‘\ cn typically wcrc thqy* cleansed; hut,- in koral sickness, :o-pel of his grace. The bulwark of this gl;if which hinder4
pollution ;~ntl sin, they were companions of “dogs.” Dogs
true sons of God from eoinp to the Jew-under the bondaec c
wvcrc rrpardrd 3s dctt~stnbl~~ rreaturcs in those days, and the of the law-is
Y ‘/

their knowledge that by the deeds of the la\\

t vplc’allv clean Jew c;llletl thr outsidrrs “heathen” and “dogs,” none can be justified before God, and that if any man keep
.~;id wol,ltl nevrr eat with tllem, nor marry, nor have an! the law (put himself under it to try to commend himself
~lcxlm-+ with thrm.-,John 4:9. to God by reason of obedience to it), Christ shall profit him
_\s to how these atr of the “crumbs” of divine favor whic>h nothing. (Gal. 5:2-4) So, then, we whn are of the Lazaruc
icll from Israel’s tnhlta of bounties. the Lord’s words to thr class should not attempt to mix the Lam and the Gospel.
q:rro-Phomician woman glv(’ us a key. He said to this Gen- knowing that they cannot be mixed, and that we can do- nc;
f110 woman-“It is not meet [proper] to take the children’s rood to those who still cline to the law and reject the sacrl
I Israrlitrs’l bread :tnd to cast it to dogs [Gentiles] ;” and she ‘fee for sins given by our LLord. And they, got seeing thr
.inswcBred. “Truth, Lord, but the dogs ‘eat of the c!&mbs that change of dispensation which took place, argue that to den?-
in11 from their ma&r’s tahlr.” f Matt. 15:2G. 27) Jesus the Law as the power to save would be to deny all the past
!~t~al~d her daughter, thus gibing the desired cI;mh ‘of favor.
history of their race, and to deny all of God’s special dealings
But there came :I great dlspensational change in Israel’s with the “fathers,” (promises and dealings which through
hl’torv when as R nation theav reiected and crucified the Son pride and selfishness they failed rightly to apprehend and
#Bf Goti ‘I’hcn thclr typical” ri&teousness ceaked-then the use) ; hence they cannot come over to the bosom of Abraham.
, a of rovaltv cra&b to be-theirs. and the kingdom was into the true rest and peace-the portion of all the true
~~~~‘~rorn them’to he given to a nation bringing forth the children of faith,-John 8:39; Rom. 4:16; Gal. 3:29.
iruitq thereof--the Gospel Church, “a holy nation, a peculiar
pNlplt~.” ~Titus 2 14: 1 Pet. 2:7, 9; Matt. 21:43) Thus the True, a few Jews probably came into the Christian faith
“rl~h man” &t=Or to all these special advantages. and soon he all the way down the Gospel age, but so few as to be ignored
thg: .Jcwi.iqh nation) found himself in a ca&o# condition.- in s narable which renresented the Jewish people as a whole.
In trlbulatinn and affliction. In surh condition that nation As ad the first, Dives-represented the orth&oi Jews, and not
nac sufl’rrcd from that day to this. the “outcasts of Israel,” so down to the close of the parablc
T,:I~S:ITII~ also tlwd the condition ot thr humblp Gentiles he continues to represent a similar class, and hence does not
.~nd thr God-errking “outcasts” of Tsrsel underwent a great renresent such Jews as have renounced the Law Covenant
r,iirr~gc. bring carried by the angels (messengers-apdstles, :$I embraced the *K;cw Covenant, or such as have becomt
4~. 1 to Abraham’s bosom. Abraham is renresented as the infidels.
‘atIter of tbc faithful, and receives all the ihildren of faith. The plea of the “rich man” for the sending of “Lazarus”
who ;Irr thn; rrropnixtad as the heirs of all tile promises made to his fire brethren lve interpret as follows:
to -jllrnli:tni. for thy cshildrcn of the flesh arc nni the children The people of Judea, at the time of our T,ord’s utteranrc
G,f &xl. “but the chiltlrtm of ihr promise are counted for thr of this parable, were repeatedly referred to as “Israel,”
seed” ichIldren of Ahrnbnmi . “which seed is Christ:“--nntl “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” “citieq of Israel,” etr
l See June 15. 1919. iww, for cr:tical exnll~lnntlol* rf Covenax+
MARCH 15 AND AI-RIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (100-101)

because all of the tribes were represented there: but actually dawns; nor should we be surprised to hear of great awaken-
the majority of the people were of the tribes. Judah and ings among the Jews, and many coming to acknowledge
Benjamin, but few of the ten tribes having returned from Christ. They will thus leave their hudetrll state (nationas
Babylon under Cyrus’ general permission. If the nation of death) and torment, and come, the firit of the nntlonq. to
the Jews (chiefly two tribes) were represented in the one be blessed by the true s(,ed of Abraham, nhich is Chri+t, Head
“rich man,” it would be a harmony of numbers to understand and body. Their bu!nark of race prcJu~l~c~~and priilr 1s fnll-
the “five brethren” to represent the ten tribes chiefly scattered ing in some places and the humble, the poor in sp:rlt. are
abroad. The request relative to them was doubtless intro- beginning already to look upon him whnm they have pierced,
duced to show that all special favor of God ceased to all and to Inquire, Is not this the Christ? And as they look the
Israel (the ten tribes, as well as to the two more directly Lord pours upon them the spirit of favor ant1 supplication.
addressed). It seems to us evident that Israel only was (Zech. 12 : 10) Therefore, “C: I-P rak ve romfortnhly to Jerusa-
meant for no other nation than Israel had “Moses and the lem, and cry unto her that her appointed time is accom-
proph&” as instructors. (Verse 20) The majority of the plished.“--Isa. 40 : 1, 2, margin.
ten tribes had so far disregarded Moses and the nronhets that In a word, this parable seems to teach precicelv wh:lt
they- did not return to the land of promise, but’ prbferred to Paul exnlained in Rom. 11 :I!>-:~% Becaukc of unbelief the
dwell among idolators : and hence it would be useless to at- natural branches wvtlre broken off am1 tl!e wi!(l br:lnclleq
tempt further communication with them, even bp one from grafted into the Abrahamic root-promiie. The p:rr.ll~lc l~~,~v~~s
the dead-the fieurativrly dead, but now figuratively risen the Jews in their trouble and does not refer to t!lrir final
Lazarus class.-Eph. 2 :5. restoration to favor-doubtless because it UYIS not p?rtlnent
Though the parable mentions no bridging of this “great to the feature of the sublect treated; but Paul a.rureq us
g11lf," other portions of Scripture indicate that it was to be that when the fulness of the GentlIes-the full nunlber from
“fiscd” onl,v throughout the Gospel age, and that at its among the Gentiles necessary to make up the britlc of Chrl-t
cloqe the “rich man,” having received the measurement of -is come in, “they [natural Israel] shall obtain mercy
punishment for his sins,* will walk out of his fiery troubles through your [the Church’s] mercy.” He asqures 11s tlr,lt
over the bridge of God’s promises yet unfulfilled to that this is God’s covenant with fleshly Israel (who lost his hi::her,
natlon. spiritual promises, but are still the po+sesser5 of certain
Thou& for centuries the Jews have been bitterly per- earthlv nromises. to become the chief nation of earth, etc.
secuted bv pagans, Mohammednns and professed Chri$tians, In prOofA of this ‘statement, he quotes from the prophet, say-
thcv are ‘now ~rnduallv risincr to nolitical freedom and in- ing. “The deliverer shall come out of Zion [the glnrifirtl
K&nce ; and al%ough Omuch o‘f “Jncob’s trouble” is just at churchl. and shall turn awav nn,rrodlineqq from .Jacob [the
hand, yet as a people they will be very prominent among the fleshly seed] .” “As concerni@ the ‘C*ospel [high c:lll1)1:l]. they
nations in the beginning. of the Millennium. The “vail” (2 are enemies [cast ofT] for your snkrq. but a9 touc*hinq tlic
Cor. 3: 13-16) of prejutllce stil! exists, but it will be grad- election, they are beloved for the father’s ~:lkeq.” “For (iotl
unllv takep away as the light of the Millennial morning hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might, hnrr merry
See Isa 40 1, 2, margin;
l Rom. 11:27-31, and MILLENNIAL DAWN,
upon all. 0 the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and
VOL. II, page 227. knowledge of God!“-Rom. 11:2(X3.

FAITHFUL CO-LABORERS HEARD FROM

DEAR TSROTIIER RUSSELL:-I have gust been reading again DEAR BROTHER Rr~ssr,r,~--I hare the pleasure at this time
in the To\\EK of March 1st the article entitled “Jlark the of writing to you, and I assure you thnt It is a ple.~~lirc
Pet fe?t l\Ian,” etc., and want you to know how much I have indeed. You are burdrnrd no doubt with lcattcar+ from the
enloyc,l it anal profited by it. Aftcsr thanking the Giver of friends of the fnlth, but your kind patienc+ta sc’(‘n1s so llrotnl-
*vet). good and l”‘~ f& gift I tlinnl\ vou, nncl continually play nent in your writlnps that I am quite sure J'OLI will al)l)~~~(~(:Lte
that the favor of the Lord Jeszs d’hrlst he with you it1 all a letter, even from me.
your ~nrk, and that you may ever be d:~fendcd from the as- The faith in thr coming Kingdom has grown at tllis place
sault9 of the adversary. I’uttinrr myself for a moment in under mv care until we have a few-a
Y
little b~liitl of fl~ll(l\\l’lr
your 111~1ce.I was able ‘to see that”>oli would rrloiccx to know of the Lo&--who, I trust, arc pre~entln~ li\ IIlK c ‘(‘1 Ific,<9
that the> i~on~ehnl~l were annr,aclnt%in_rr the things “new and unto him who boug!it them. T11c work 1~ nr,~f’h\:lril\~ ~.(O\V
nltl,” nnil I n-nntcd by thiq ii’ttle nc1te”t.o help %ld up” Four and the path not very smooth so far nq thlr wot!cl ‘in cons
hands. Please do not trouble to acknowledge this, but be- cerned. We meet with a good nlnnv ollhtac,l,as. :I+ <(I m.Inv
llevc me. have bern prejudiI*etl by tile 1111nd ‘th,lt, arc. l(*.i(illlg th(‘m;
Tours in the Lord, ELLIOTT H. TIIOXPSOX,--Wasi. still we arc In hnlwc; tlrnt some ~11 me tllcl ligllt C’V~‘II in hrlc*h
darkness as here’prevails.
DEAR BROTHER RVSSELL:--I wish I could tell the two dear I thought it might be proper to mention that WC Il.;\-e
sisters who azranzed the Index how much I appreciate it. It great deulrcs for another “l’ll~rim” v~<il. \\‘I, l101),~ tll,rt
in csnctly what i’hnve needed. It certainly &quired a good one is hratl(~tl tllis UYIT’. and c‘~n ktt~rb \vltll 11, for :L fry\- ~1~11A.
dr:rl of patient work to nroduce it and I hone I all of the
TOUXII rc&tlrrs will appreccate it.
How much I would like to be at Allegheny at the great
‘Plltmnrial and enjoy the sacred season with you all. Not that
I \\nuld be willmg to be absent from Scrnnton at that time,
hut the remembrance of five years ago when I was there and hat11 called us nut’of darkne.,s Into 111qn;,l~\vllo11-: 11-111 ” I>
the rich blt,\smgs I received at thnt time makes me long for the prayer of one who is the leaht to II(~ 1~.~11(~1 <I hlb11 1-011t,
onr more such precious season. 0 whzt a ble+yed five years in IIis srrvlce, E. I,. BxKWs,--f ,ttl. TC,,“.
it h:lq bcrn! Every day has been full of a ~~on~clou~ncss of
the dear Lord’s faGor, &I the I cannot say that I have al- WATCII TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
ways done the verv hest I mirht hsvct clone. still it has been Krxn Sras:-Comin_n out of nur little chapel lait Lnrd’e
on; continual effoit to follo& our l~leswl LIcntier and Guide
on tltr narrow way. All of the timr L have begun conscious
of liiq tender love. and his favors have bern more numerous blessed and thank God It W.I~ thrown ii; rely n ,I!. :I y J I\ x-q
thnn the hairs of’mv head. And you. Brother l~us~ell, you hungry for such truths. I am nn old laxly in n 11011~~~of f:litil
hare been a true an’d faithful under-sheoherd and kind and and prayer and cannot liuy such things. I was hl) l’al’l’y ni ttnr
loving pnstor to LIJ all and I hope that :111have had a keen careful leading to find on the bark of the litlle imok tllnt ~OII
appreciation of this. some I know have, for many time have would contribute a paper to any of the Corti’q :>,rr~l who rrruld
I heard prayers go up from consecrated hearts for you. not huv the same. I am anxious to read solncthin~ tlflite,l
Brothers Woodworth and Hodges are hnth growing young by the”author of &IKr,F,NNIhT, DZWN, for I sc:lrr?lv c.ipWt to
men, and are indeed getting to 11r “able rninlstprq of the be able to get hold of the three vnlmncs of th.\t wonderful
Word.” Thry are capahl@ of stnndiny for Its tlcfrncc anv- message and will hr so thankful for anythinS you can >cn:l
where. Hopi& this may find vnn nll ~~11 nnil happy .rt All& me frw Perhaps thrnuch mr it will rrnch qc),nta OIJF :>ntl do
Fhenv. I send greetings to tile Church thrxre in the ndmc cf great snnd. God wil1 h&s the bcnutiful truths sc>nt out from
thr little company at Scranton. l,nvinylv your 1,1olhflr in vour house. Anvthing that one of his a& q:tintq ran do, to
Christ, HAYDEN Samox,--Ibznsylvania. tssist will be done by &IRS. CARBIE bk&mE,--fit. Louis.
[ 2605]
 PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
“These shall go away znto everlastwg punzshment, brrt the rtghtcow into life eter)laZ.“-Matt. 25:31-46.
While the Scriptures, as we have shown, do not teach the Here is that glorious city (government), prepared as a
hln~phemous doctrines of everlasting torment, they do most bride adorned foi her husband (Rev. 21:2 j, and early in the
emphatically teach the everlasting punwhment of the wicked, dawn of the Millennium the nations will begin to walk in
the cl:\<4 rcpreqcnted in the parable as “goats ” Let us ex- the light of it. (Verse 24) These may bring lheir glory and
amine the parable, and then the sentence pronounced at its honor into it, hut “there shall in no wise enter into it [or
cfow become a part of it] anything that defileth,” etc. (Verse 27)
It has heen truly said that “Order is Heaven’s first law;” Here, from the midst of the throne, proceeds a pure river
yet frw. we think, have realized how emphatically this is of water of life (truth unmixed with error), and the Spirit
trucl. In plnnclnp hark over the plan of the ages, there 1s and the bride say, Come, and take it freely. (Rev. 22 : 17 )
nothing ul11c11 girrq \uch cnnrlu~lre evidence of a Divine Hpre hepms the world’s probation, the world’s great judg-
Dli wtnl :I< thr o~dcr ohserveti in all its parts. ment day-a thousand years.*
Got1 has had drfinrte anti stated times and seasons for But even in this favored time of blessing and healing of
every part of his work ; and in the end of each of these sea- the nations. when Satan is bound, evil restrained. mankind
snn\ thprr hai hem a finishing up of its work and a clearing in process of release from the grasp of death, and when the
ofT of the rnl)l)ish, preparatory to the beginning of the new knowledge of the Lord fills the earth, two classes will be de-
v Irrk of th(b tli\orn-atinn
1
to follow Thus in the end of the veloped, which our Lord here likens to sheep and goats.
.Jr.w1-h age order is ohsrrrrti-a harvesting and complete These, he tells us, he will separate. The sheep class-those
sel)aration nf thcb “uheat” class from the “chaff ,” and an who are meek, teachable and willing to be led, shall, during
enter (a rcllcctinn of tlrr, latter claqs from God’s favor. w1t11 the Millennial age, be gathered at the Judge’s right hand-
the fe?v jutlpeti \\orthy in the end of that age, a new age- symbol of his approval and favor; hut the goat class, self-
t!lcs (:r~~~d~l ago-began l\nd now we find our+lves amui w~llcd and stubhorn, always climbing on the- rocks--seeking
the clo31ng \crnts, the “harvest.” of this age. the “wheat” prominence and approval among m&--and feeding on mise<
an:1 thv %rf+” nhirh hnrr grown together during this age able refuse, while the sheep graze in the rich pastures of the
are l~ir:g l (~paratc~l. \Yith the former class, of which our Lord truth furnished hy the Good Shepherd-these are gathered
.Te\l~, IS. tlltb TIcad, a new age is ahout to he inaugurated, and to the Judge’s left hand, the opposite of the position of favor
thr+t~ “\vhf~:lt” .arP to reign as kings and priests in that new -as sublects of his disfavor and condemnation.
tli~pcn~ntion. while the “tare” element is judged as utterly This work of separating sheep and goats will require all
un\\nrthv of tlrat favor. of the Rlillennial age for its acromplishm~nt. During that
\\.hile nl)scarving this order with reference to the .Tewish age. each individual, as he comrs gradually to a knowledge of
agt’ and thr one just closing. our Lord informs us through God and his will, takes his nlacc at the riairt hand of favor
the pnrnhle nntlcr cnnsideratinn that the same order will be or the left hand of disfavor, ac~cnrding ‘IS htl improves or mis-
improves the onnortunities of that enlden a~‘? Bv the end
obscrve~l with reference to the age to follow th14 Gospel age. of -that age, ail- thf ~orlrl of mankind nrll 11nvc arranged
The harv& of the .lewi<h age wni likened to the separa- themselves, as shown in the parable, into two clns~s
tion of \vhpat from ch;rff; the harvest of this age to the separ-
ation of \1lirat from tares: and the harvest of the Millennial The end of that age will he the rnd of the world’s trial
ag:cato the scparatinn of shrrp from goats. nr judgment, and thm final disposition will be made of tile
two classes. The reward of this “sheep” cxl,\ss will he granted
That the pnrnhlt~ of the sheep and the goats refers to the
them herause, f1urin.g the age of trial and disriplinr, they
3lillc~nnial ngcb IS clearly indicated in verses 31 and 32- cultivated and mamfested the heantiful eharactcr of lore,
“\\ hw the CON of man shall. come tn hw glory, and all the which Paul desrrihes as the fuIfilling of the law of God. (Rnm.
holy angel3 with him, that shall he sit upon the throne of his 13.10) They will have manifested it to racsll nthrr in their
ghnv, anti l)cBfnrc* him shall be gathered all nations; and he time of sorest need: and what thev will iiavc done for one
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd di- another the Lord will count as done unto him, rolinting them
vitirth his shrrp from the goats.” As in the present age every all his brethren-children of God. though they will be of the
act of those on trial (the church) goes to make a part of human nature, while he is of the divine.
that (aharartrr whirh, in due time, will determine the final The condemnation of the “goat” class is shown to 1)~ for
dc~ci~ic,n of the .Tritlge in our case. so will it he with the world the lack of this spirit of love. LTntler the same farnrahle
(thr “nations”) in the age to come. As in the presenb age circumstances as the “sheep,” thev wilfullv resist the mould-
the t,rial of the maioritv of the individual memhrrs of the ing influence of the Lord’s discipline, and harden their hearts.
rhurch ends. and the deiisinn of their case is reached, long The .goodness of God does not lead them to true rrnentance:
hefore the end of the age (2 Tim. 4:7-g), so under the Mil- hut, ‘like Pharaoh, they take advantage of his gootinesq and
lennial rcirrn the tlerision of snme individual cases will be do evil. The “gnats.” who will not have d~~vrlnpetl the rlrment
reached lnnrfi hefore the end of the age (Isa. 65 :20) ; but in of lore. the law of God’s being and kingdom. will he rnunted
each age there i9 a “ harvest” or general separating time in unworthy of everlasting life, and will be drstrnycd; while
thfb rn;t of the agr. the “sheep,” who will have d~reloi~etl God-likeness (love),
In the dawn of the. hIillmnia1 age, after the “time of and n ho wiI1 hare exhibited it in their characters. are to be
trnulrlc.” there ~111 IIC a gathering of the living nations installed as the subordinate rulers of earth for futurca 3ee9.
hefore Chri.t, and, in their appointc~d timcl and order, the In thr end of the Millennial age, in the final adiust&nt
de 1t1 of all nation+ shall 1~ cnllrd to appear hefore the judg-
of human affairs. Christ thus addresses his sherp: “Come, ye
nr(lnt 5cl:rt, of (‘llrl~t--not to receive an ~n~nWtlinte sentence,
blessed, . . . . inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
l)rit to r(‘reivc a fair ant1 impartial, intlivitlunl trial (Ezek.
IS 2-l. l!). 20) iintltr the m&t fax orahlr tit ~~iimhtance4, the the fnlmdatinn of the world.”
rf+ult of w1ric.h trial w111 hf. a final 6:cntcnc~e. as worthy or It 1s manifest the “sheep” hrre addressed, at the close of
unworthy of crcrla\ting life.* the Millennium, are not the sheep of the Gospel age, the
The s(~ne of this parable therefore, is laid after the time Gospel church. hut those “other sheen” to whom the T,orrl
of troulrlc. mhcn thcb nations shall ha\ e 11e~~ suljdued. Satan referred in John 10 :lB. And the kingdom prepared for them
hound (Rev. ‘LO 1, 2) and the authnrity of C’llrist’s kingdom in the divine plan, from the foundation of the world. is not
c~.t:rl,ll.hc~d. 1S1e this, the hrific of C’llrist (1111,overcoming the kingdom prepared for the Gospel church. The church mill
c hiirc II 1 1~ill have lbctn seated \\ith him in his throne of rereive her kingdom at the beginning of the Millennium:
sl)rritual IN’WW and will have taken part in c,xecuting the hut this is the kingdom prepared for the “sheep” of the 1111:
0
iufllrmrnth of t!le arCat flnv of urath.
<.
Then t.1~ Fnn of man lnininl ape. Their kingdom will he the dominion of earth
and his hritle, tlie glnrififfifi c*lrurc.h. will bl> rc\ ealeo and he seen which was oripinnllv given to Adam, hut which was loyt
IIV mcu. ~1ith the (‘vcq of their untl~rstandin~ and shall “shine through sin, and which is again to be restored when man is
f;,rtli as the sun ‘in the king:tiom of their F:&thcr.“-Mntt. Inought to perfection. and so made fit to receive and enjoy it.
13 -1.3. That dominion will not he a dominion of some of the race over
Herr is thr Sew deru<alom as ,To!ln saw it (Rev. 21 ) , “that others, hut a joint dominion, in which everv man will be a
holy city [s!/mhoZ of gorcrvmclltl . coming down from king, and all will have equal rights and privileges in appro-
God orit of h<~il\.f~n.” During the time of trouble it will be lninting and tnloying every earthly good. It will he a sover-
coming down. and hefnrr the end of it. it will have touched eign pcnplr-a great and grand republic on a basis of perfect
the e;trtlr. This is the >tone rut nut of the mountains with- rightrnusness, wherein the rights of every. man will be con-
nut 11ands (hut hv the power of God). and it ~111 then have serrrd ; because the golden rule will he mscrihed on every
hrcnmc a great mountain (kingdom), filling the whole earth heart, and every man will love his neighbor as himself. The
(Dan. 2.3.5). its COWIZ~ICI ha\ing broken to nic’pes the evil kinrr- dominion of all‘ nil1 he over the whole-earth, and all its rich
and hnuntiful stnreq of blessing. (Gen. 1:28 : Psn. 8 :5-S ) The
l See THE PLAN OF THE AGES,Chap. 8, The Day of Judgment.
(101-102) [26061
MARCH 15 AND APRIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (102-103)

kingdom of the world, to be given to the perfected and worthy Further, these are said to be “sick and in prison” (more
ones of the redeemed race at the close of the Millennium. is properly, under ward or watch). The grave is the great
clearly distinguished from all others by being called the king- prison where the millions of humanity have been held in un-
dom prepared for them “from the foundation of the world,” conscious captivity; but when released from the grave, the
the earth having been made to be the everlasting home and restoration to perfection is not to he an instantaneous work.
kingdom of perfect men. But the kingdom bestowed upon Being not yet perfect, they may properly be termed sick,
Christ, of which the church, his “bride,” becomes joint-heir, and under ward: not dead, neither are they yet perfected in
is a spiritual kingdom, “far above angels, principalities and life: and any condition between those two may be properly
powers.” and it also shall “have no end”-Christ’s Millennial symbolized by sickness. And they will continue to be under
kingdom, 11hich ~~11 end being merely a beginning of Christ’s watch or ward until made well-physically: mentally and
power and rule. (1 Cor. 15:25-28) This endless heavenly, morally perfect. During that time there will he abundant
spiritual kingdom was prepared long before the earth was opportumty for mutual helpfulness, sympathy, in5tl u&ion and
founded-its inception being recognized in Christ, “the begin- encouragement, and any failure to asyist will mark a lack of
ning of the creation of God.” It was intended for Christ the Lord’s spirit of love.
Jesus. the First Begotten; but even the church, his bride and Since all mankind will not be raised at once. hut gradually,
joint-heir, was chosen or designed also, in him, before the during the thousand years. each new group will finz an army
foundation of the world.-Eph. 1:4. of helpers in those who will have preceded it. The love and
benevolence which men will then show to each other (the
The kingdom or rule of earth, is the kingdom that has brethren of Christ) the King will count as shown to him.
been in preparation for manlcind from the fozrndation of the
No areat deeds are assigned as the ground for the honors and
world. It was expedient that man should sufrer six thousand favo;s conferred upon ihe righteous: they will have simply
years under the dominion of evil, to learn its inevitable re- come into harmony with God’s law of lore and proved it by
sults of misery and death, in order by contrast to prove the their works. “Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom.
justice, wisdom and goodness of God’s law of love. Then it So, when man is restored again
will require the seventh thousand-years, under the reign of 13:10), and “God is love.”
to the image of Cfod-“very good”-man also will be a living
Christ, to restore him from ruin and death, to the perfect
condition, thereby fitting him to “inherit the kingdom pre- expression of love.
pared for him from the foundation of the world.” -“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founda-
tion of the world.” does not signifv a rule indenendent of
That kingdom, in which all will be kings, will be one the divine law and’ supremacy: f& aithough God gave earth’s
grand, universal republic, whose stability, &l blessed in- dominion to man at first, and de-ignr reytoring it to him when
fluence will be assured by the perfection of its every citizen, he has prepared him for the great trust, we are not to suppose
a result now much desired. but an impossibilitv because of sin. that God intends man to rule it, otherwise than as under,
The kingdom of Christ during the Millpnniui will be. on the or in harmony with, his supreme law. “Thv will be done in
contrary: a theocracy, whichcwill rule the world (duiing the earth as in heaven,” must forever be the principle of govern-
period of its imperfertion and restoration) without regard ment. Man thenceforth will rule his dominion in harmony
to its consent or approval. with the law of heaven-delighting continually to do his will
The brethren of the Gospel church are not the only in whose favor is life. and at whose “right hand [condition
“brethren” of Christ. All who at that time will have been of favor] there are pleasures forevermore.” (ha. 16:ll)
restored to perfection will be recognized as sons of God-sons Oh! who would not sav. “Haste ve along. ages of elorv!”
in the same sense that Adam was a son of God (Luke 3:38) and give glory and ho&r to hi; -whose’loGing pl&s “are
-human sons. And all of God’s sons, whether on the human, blossoming into such fulness of blessing?
the angelic or the divine plan, are brethren. Our Lord’s Let us now examine the message to those on the left-
love for these, his human brethren, is here expressed. As “Depart from me, ye cursed” (condemned) --condemned as
the world now has the opportunity to minister to those who unfit vessels for the glory and honor of life, who would
are shortly to be the divine sons of God, and hrethren of not yield to the moulding and shaping influences of divine
Christ, so they will have ahundant opportunity during the age love. When these, “brethren.” were hungry and thirsty, or
to come to minister to (each other) the human brethren. naked, sick, and in prison, ye ministered not to their necessi-
The dead nations when again brought into existence will ties, thus continuall$ provirig yourselves out of hnrmonv with
nerd food, rniment and shelter. However great may have the heavenlv citv (kinndom) : for “there shall in no case
been their possesiions in this life, death will have brought enter into idanyihinb th‘it defileth.” The decision or sentence
all to a common level: the infant and the man of mature re,narding this class is-“Deljart from me into everlasting
years, the millionaire and the pauper, the learned and the fire [symbol of destruction], prepared for the devil and h&
unlearned, the cultured and the ignorant and degraded: all annels.” Elsewhere (Heb. 2 : 14) we read without svmbol that
will have an abundant opportunitv for the exercise of benero- Ch”rist “will destl-071 . . . . hi& that had the pane; of death,
lence, and thus they will be privileged to be co-workers with that is, the devil.”
God. We are here reminded of the illustration given in the “And these [the “goats”] shall go away into everlasting
c.l-e of Lazarus. .Jesuq onlv awakened him from death. ant1 [Greek, azonios-lasting] punishment, but the righteous into
then ~rre the rejoicing friends permitted to loose him from life eternal [Greek, aionios-lasting.]” The punishment will
his grave clothes and to clothe and feed him. be as ln;tmg as the rellnrd. Both 11ill be eveI la*tlng.

EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT
The everlastingness of the punishment being thus estab- ble. taught ever since the great “falling away.” uhicll rrll-
lished, only one point is left open for discussion; namely, the minatetl 111Papacy, and initilled intn our mint]< flnm rliiltl-
nature of the punishment. Take your Concordance and search hootl, are alone r&ponslble for the view generallv hcltl. that
out what saith the great Judge regarding the punishment the ererlastinz Dunzshme)zt nrovidetl for 11ilfnl kinnc.1, Is n
of wilful sinners who despise and reject all 1119blessed pro- life of torliient’ *This view i; lleltl. notn lth~tantllng t!le many
vlcions for them through Christ. What do you find? Does clear statements of Gotl’s n-oitl that th(air punishment iy to
God there say-All sinners shall live in torture forever? No: Iw dcnllr. l+ear Paul itnte VCIV e\l)licitlv uhat tllr jninih-
we find not a single text where life in any condition is prom- ilirnt i9 to hc. Speaking of the .,lnle ~Illlrnnl,\l Day, ant1 of
ised to that class. the same r&q, who, despite all the favolnble opportunltirs
God’s declarations assure us that ultimatelv he will have and the fulness of knowledge then, will not come into har-
a clean universe, free from the blight of sin *and sinners,- mony with Christ, and hence will “know not God.” in the true
because “All the wicked will he destroy.“--Psa. 14.5:20. sense and “obey not,” he savs-“who shall be pmishcd.” Ah,
But while we do not find one verse of the Bible saying yes 1 hut iww punished? He tells us how: They “shall be
that this class can have life in torment, or in any other con- l~~mishcrl with eredastinq (IesfruCt~ou” [a destruction from
dition, we do find numerous passages teaching the reverse. which there &all be no recoverv, no redemr>tlon or resurrec-
Of these we give a few merely as samples-“The wages of sin tlon-Heb. 10.26-291 from the l;~e~nicc~ of the Lord and from
is death” (Rom. 6.23) . t “The soul that sinnetll. it shall dze.” the rLrrlorv of his Dower.” (2 Tlrr.. I:!)) This tle<trnction
(Ezek. 18.4, 20) “The wicked shall perish.” (Psa. 37 :20) ii repre&tctl in the parable as the evrllastlng “fire” pre-
“Yet a little while and the wicked shall not be.” I Psa. pared for the devil and his angels: it is “the lake of fire and
37 : 10) Thus God has told is plainly the nature of the kver- brimstone,” which is the second death (Rev. 20: 14)) into
lasting pllnishment of the nicked-that It will be death, de- whirh the “goat” class of this parable are sent.-Matt. 25341.
struction. Thus the meaning and reasonableness of this statement
The false ideas of God’s plan of dealing with the incorrigi- concerning everlasting punishment are readily seen when
[ 26071
(I@-105) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY.F i..

looked at from the cxorrect standr~olnt. The fire of the narable. stone” (Rev. 19 :20), the element brimstone being mentioned
by wh1c.11the punishment (destr;ct,lon) is to be atcom’pllhhrd; to mtensifv the svmbol nf destruction. the second death:
~111 not be literal fire. for the “fire” is ax much a svmhol burning briynrtonc tJ>ing one of the most d&dIy elementr kno\\u.
as thfb “sheep” and “gciats” are symbols.. l’lre here. a; ii&r It 1. destructive to all fo1m.r of life.
\\ he] e, symbolire ilrstructlon. and not in any sense pl eservu- The symbolism of this lake of fire is further shown by the
tion fatat that ihe symbolic “beast” and the svmholic “false proihet.”
\Ve might wNr.11Ica\e this suiJIel*t here, and consider that and death and hell Ihadesl. as well as the devil anti
we hale fully shown that thcb evcarlastlng punishment of the hi:, followere, are destroyed I6 it.-Rev. lb :20; 20: 10, 14.
“goat” cl:i*s will hr tli~~truction : but we direct attention to 15: 21:s.
one other point which c.linc*hre the truth upon this subJect. This destruction or death iq called the Second death in
\Ve refer to the Greek \vol tl X-o(astn. translated “nun~shm~~nt.” c.ontradistinction to the First or Adamic death, and not to
in lerse 46. This word IlilR not 1;J it the 1emirteht itftaa of Flgnify that everything which goes into it dies a second time
torincnt. Its primary qnilication i5 to c~ct of, or prune, or For instance. death (the first or Adamic death). and hacks
lop off. as III the prunlnx of trro<: and a +ecorltlary nic,iiiing the grave. a;e to be Gast into it;-this work nlli require the
1s to rf~straln. The w~:,krd ~111 he evcrlastlngly rc:straint,d, entire Xlillennium to accomnlish, --, it. and in no sense will they
cut off from life in the ec~l~ontl death. Illiihrration oi thr taver have been destroyed brfore. so also “fh dev11,” Ylk
llw of kolrfs~ra ran en<iIy \JC IIdd from Grech calah-1ca1 writings beast.” and “the false prophet,” will never lyre been iIt>-
The (ireck word for “tormcant” i+ tfrsrr!os, a nerd totally un- stroved before.
rcl:~tcd to the word kolnsln. I&om the first. or Atlamic death. a rllsltlrec.tlnn has IJWII
lif~l~fst12, the word iii131 in 3latt. 23: 16, occurs in but one pro\ ided. All that are in their graves shr11i therefore come
otllc*r 1~lacr in the Blblr. \ iz., 1 John 1:lS. where it is im- forth. The Revelator propheticalfi derlares: “Tlrr spa gave
l,roI”Briy rc~ndercd “torment” in thla commou’ version, whereas up tlJe dead mhirh were in it, and death and hell [hades, tht,
it ~lroultl rlbad, “Fear bath rctstraint ” Those who nossess a grave] gave up the dead which were in them. . . . And
copy of Young’s Analytirxl Concanrdnnce will &’ from it 1 saw the dcah, small and great, stand before God, and the
( IUL’l’ !)!I.:) that the definition of thtb word ko1asl.y i< “prun- books were opened.” (Rev. 20:1X I21 Tt nas in view of
2?1q, ri~\frrrlnc~c/, rcytraint ” z4nit tlicl author of the E:mphatic t:od’s plan fnF redeemin’g the racr from Ailnmic death that in
Ix:~plott. after translating kolnslu in 3lal.t. 26:46 ~JY the both the Old and New ‘i’estaments it is ralled a “sleep.” In
wurils “i3ltting off,” says in a foot note: Jsrxel’s historv of the eood and the wicked It is reaeatedlr
“‘111f~ common version and many modr,rn ones render stated that tiley “slept” with their fathers ” The ;Ipostl&
lcoZnsJn c(JonloJJ. ‘cvfrlastlng punlshmrnt,’ conveying the idea, usrd the same sbmhol, and our Lord also. nut no surh svni
as g~~ncrally interpretcil, of bffsfnos, tnrmcnt. 1ioZasi~~ in its bol is used in deference to the Second death. On the con-
varJ(lu- form- oc.eurq in only three* other placer 111the K;t~w trary. thr strongest figures of total and uttrr rlcsfntctlon are
Te~larnc~nt~ A& 4:21; 2 Pet. :!:!I; 1 ,Tohn 4:lH. It is de- used to svmholize It: viz.. “fire and lJrimstnnc1:” because that
\\ ili IJP ii dcitruction from which there \\iII bc no recover!
13lcsscd thollpht! the Adamica death (\\h~c*h c*lalmed the
‘l’hc~ (41P,~LY writ,%--‘The ‘( harintrer restrains [&la&j his wlJo1~~race for ‘the -in of their prngenltor) shall be forever
ficary +tc~~~tl~.’ 3. 7’0 duc+fl:c. to punish. To cut off an in- ~w:~llowcd up. and chall W:~W in this Sec*ontl dealh into wlJ~clt
(II\ Ifl~lil I ironi lift, or froni ho(.Jctv. or even to restrain. i3 Jt. is to be cast by the great Rrdt~emer who lJou,nht the wholr
world with thr oarrificc of IJJrnGcIf. Thus God tells us throueh
tlJc> Prophet.. “1 will ransom them from the Dower of t’lc
#rat c’ [.&co/ 1. 1 will rrd~+~m them from dttath 0
I III, WC ,,I,~11 111~‘111:~1~1.1,t tt,,; .l~J1t,~lJ,~c. tlJus pr& \ ing tllcl force, Era\ tb I skroll 1 will hc fhv tlestruc+on.” I Hoc. 1:3:14i ‘771,~
ariil hi~aut~v ot tlic antitlJi~+i~. The righteous go to Zrfr, the iirht 0; AdnLic deatlJ sh:;Il no longer IJav;~ IJlll~rty or’po\\eJ
~~1thl~i1 tab 1111~rrrttinq turf frnm life. deulh.--2 Thes. 1:9.” o\er meu. as Jt, hah Ilad for the pa*t $1~ tlloll+;~nd years; IJO
So\\ (Y)IJ.I(~~~Ic*:Jrc~fully 111~ text, and note the ant,ithesis, 1olJgcr shall any die for Adam’n bin. (Ram 5. I?. .lcr. 31 .29.
tllcs c~~rrl1.15i +howt~ I)tlt\\rc*n tlJc> rcwartl of the “sheep” and the 30 : ISzck. IS.“) T1x.n:efnrth tlJc& New C’nvenant, sealed
I,~\\:IJI~ fit 111ta . :n:tth.” \vtlllalJ the correct idea of lcolasin with the pre&us IJlood, shall he in fnrcy, JJnd only ~~~7f1~7
c’i\1+ 1111* ,111,. 1’I:lhY gorx Into everlasting Zzie, while the tranqreSsionr will be counted as SIIJ and lmuJ+hed with tlJt>
CJIIIVI I. cvrlla~tiilg rit o[f from life-forkver.restraine~ in wng~s of qin-death-the Second death I’~II~ will the AdamJc
llt~:ltlJ .\nd tiliq cxac%Iv agrchc+ with what the Scrintures death he idant into and swallowed up by thy secsond drath
Bnd hndes and &&---the dark, secarct c~ontlltion. the gravt’.
\\lJich 111the 1JrrRent time speaks to us of a hope of futuJ (*
Ilfc I,\ (~otl’a r&urrection power in Chribt-shall be no rnort’
for the swond death will devour no heinc fit for life-noric~
for \\hom there remains a shadow of hop,:: hut hll(Bh only iltJ.
r;.y the unerring Judge, hare 1~cw1 full\ . ’ iinpartially iIll
~t~lli\ idually found worthy of dcstrtrction And Satan. that
1~111ytrmptchr who deceived and ruined the rac(l, and who, with
y~r cirtent encrpr and cunning. has rnugllt Continnillly to
1hitart the purp’ose of God for our ~al~,ttion through Christ.
an11 with him iI1 who arr of his spirit, “hi9 ang!~ls:” shall 1)(x
(if3 flvl IlCd. and shall never awake from death to troulrlc thr
wnrld”agaln. Hwe 11~ is snid to he cilht Inlo “the lnkr OI
fiw.” -the sec*nnd death: and Paul in TIeh. 2 l-1. referring to
t!Jca ~~llnr thlny. (3113 it tlestrllctlO~P-“tllilt he might tIf31rO11
d(ailtlt. and hiin that hrlth the po”t’r of tlt~ath. float iq thin
dtb\ 11.” r\ntl “the tJeaht, and the false nrnlshet.” the prrat

C’hr~~thutlom, shall ne\(*r ~s&pe -horn it. Thl3c.e systems are

.c.Jitl
L to he cayt “ali\r” (that is. wliilc thev ,lr(b still oreanizrtl
.
anil opthrati\ca I I!!to tIrt* I:rbr of fire burning with brimstone.-
II,.\ l!) .%O.
The gre.tt time of trouble. the Lord’s juclgmcqt. which
will uttrrlv drstrov thc\e svstemq. will undoubtedlv caiic(L
great so(*l;li. financial and reI”igious difficulty and pai; tc) all
“THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONB, WHICH IS THE those idrnt ificd with these deceived and deceiving systems,
SECOND DEATH”-ml:,.\ 19 ‘2,I 20 10. 14. 15. 21 d before they .tre utterly destroyed. These sycfems will be cant
“‘1’11~ l.~I,l~ IIF tir(x #lnd brimstone” is several times men- in. clestrni c&d. at th; hrgin&g of the bIJIlrnnium, while
1IOIIV~ III tll(a IKJO~ Of Iler~~lntlnn. whit+ all Christians admit 8atan.n drstructlon w reserved until its VIOW. when all the
to IIf. :I l,lM~l< 11t ‘? ~JJlJol* lIo~e\cr. they gemrally think and “goats” shall have been separated from thtb “rl;eep,” and thev
C(~~‘#i I\ cjf tl117 1):li tlclilar hvmbol ah a literal statement ci\- shall perish with Satan in the Second dt%atlJ. ax “his angels, .,*
11,:: \t~oltg sii1,&rt to the .torment doctrine. notwithstanding nJ(~\st*ngerk or servantr. None of these abominable character-
the laf*t, that, the qvmbol oh calearlv defined as meanine the among. men, who, knowing the truth, vet love unrighteous-
~,~lYJrlll ll,~;ltll “Aud death and heli were cast-into the lckc of neRh--none of “the fearful and unbelicvirl~“---tl~o~ who will
p-r ‘I’htr is thr second death,” etc. (Rev. 20:14) It I* not trust God after all the manifestations ybf his grace afford-
‘.Ol!lt’t lIlJ,‘S; ~~)~ll~l’ll llf RG “il IaLe of fire burning with brim- ed during tIlta Millennial reign of Christ; nor tl~e abominahle
[ 26OrCl
 ZION’S W.tiTCH TOll’ER (in6 if17~

who at hea] t a, c JrJurdereJ s .rntl 11IJorenJon~rrs and sorcerers ll:lrJnolJ\ :llld lWYfckt ],.li.\lJf 0 Of J""tlW, \\ ldOllJ, lUVC, ;~1111
and idolaters and liars: none of these *hall escape from the powrr ih the DJriJJc Ruler.
second death, to defile the earth a.gaJn. A11 such-after a full Revelatlon 2 1: 8
and abundant oi~uoilunitr IA
for reformation, will be judged The true clJar,ictcr IA the goat cl.ihs is portrayed. 111,
unworthy of life, and wJ’ll be forever cut off in the scc&d fe,r I fill and imbelicrin:: [I\ Iro Iv111 riot ti ust God], the nlK)Jii
death, spmbolJzcd by the lnhe oi Iire and brimstone. IlJ~l]~]P. murderers [ ln’nther-haters1 , \I 1101cmorJgeJ h, sorcer~J -.
SVVCJ.RIprophetJc pen l)ictuJc~ of the Millennial age and its idnlatri s [ wch RS JnJaappropi iatc ant1 Jnihnse divine fnvol -
w-o~k Jn chapters 20 and 21 of Kerclatlon. clearly show the Itlro vJ\-c to \elf or ;1JJv other cre,ltiJJc or thing tllat scJ vJc~
obiet t and result of that age trf trial. Jn hnlmony with tht .llll1 ]lOllOJ’ M ]llf’]J bC]ml: to God]. anal all 1iaJs”-‘.\~lJo=i,cl-cJ
i eJn:JJndcr of tlJc ScripturcL ali rxd,Y noted. lnrrtli ant1 mnkrtll n lie” [iii n 11nrtl. a11 u 110 do not lnrch tilt
Uianter 20, verses 2. 1, 11, with verses 1, 2, 10, 11 of tlrltll nnd wck it. nIlI at n*,v co.1 t]f~ff~Jlt] :lllt] holtl it] * -IIn
rlJnpter’21, show the beginning of that Age of Judgment, and llnrc tlJcir IJart in 111~1:1kc I\-1iiclJ I>111 JJrtlJ n 1111fire nnll 111JJ!l-
TllC 1 ~~trnlllln~ of l~lilltllrlL! cri 0,s an11 JJii4eulinp Lystemq. <toiJe [C:c:7teJrJJrr,~~ml~ol of utter tlrhtJJictJoii], uhicli i- tltc
The “iwt#‘ I and the ‘&fnlk prol,lJet” are the chief s.! mholq, Second death.” ~llC]J C~Jll]l;lJl.\~ \i 011]1: lw lqmlhl\.C to .111!
:iJid Jf~pJrwnt tlic oi,~~,JJi~.itJ;lJl,- cbr c\--tcnJz of error which. IJnJJcst. JJlJJight bcinr. It i> hnrtl to tolcJ .~tc IlJrm nn\v. I\ lirlj
lfwf tilt 1. fY,ll*tltutc “J’,dlI 1011.” -riiJq* iucl~meiit against the v ,’ can svmpnthizc u 1111tlirm, kno\\ ing that hiJclJ &sposJtJ~~Jr-
“t’j;rones” of the present time, nut1 ag&st “the beak and the :lJc now’in geat Jnea>uJc 1!1(>Jcsnlt of iiilieJitrt1 wcnknr+ (11
f:1I.c 1’1 q’llet” sI/Yfc)ns fcJllOl\ G slw~hly upon the introduction tlic flesh. tic are mo\ cd to a ~~c:I~~JI~c of s\inpntlrp by ilIt
of thi5 hlillenninl judgment IcJgn. The thrones of the present ~ttnembrance that iu o:,r own case; oftrn, V~I~JI IVC wnultl tic
dominion of earth will be “cast down,” and the dominion zond. evil is nrescnt uitli Ii<:. I:ut iii thr tlow nf tlw Jr11
traJJ>ferred to the gwat PJophet, Priest, King and Judge,
“~,rl~ow rirrht it is.” ((‘6)JiiJ)ar~~ IIan. 7: 14. r’:!: E~(ak;. 21 :t?i) iJ.)r r giGrn ‘cvciv ‘ntl\niitSlpc ant1 OppOllUlJit~ of l;JJn\\ l(*tl;rl* illlli
1‘111.nthe 5y~tcwJ* of f’iJ01 ‘IYJII 1~ ipf~edily judged worthy of :Il,ilJtr. ilriq ~19;s xi11 1)~ an nlJ11oJrrJJcr ant1 tlt~tc5t:JtinJJ tl* nil
f!P<t,‘11ct10r2,“the lake of fi1 c.” “the second death.“-Rev
1’1 20.
‘I‘hus the second tlritluetion (or dcathI hegins quite early
tn the new iiitl~inmt : it hegins with the false systems wm-
IKIIIL(~~ hy tl;c benqt. fa1.e p;ophet. etc. but it will JJot r&r11
tilt wnrltl of mankind. nq intliridunl~. until thcv have first hat1 THE DEVIL, THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET
Full trial, -G.ith full &oitiinit~ to’choosc lii‘e and live for- TORMENTED
(‘V,‘, Chapter4 20: 12. 1.1. and 21 :3-7, indicate the bleswtl.
f.lvolnblc t&l in which all. both dead and living (except thp
c 11111 ch. uho. 11ith .Jewr C’IIJi-t. :Jrc kinrs. nriests. ioint-heit s
:~IIU~ ~~Jf]gw); will be brought to n full k&&edge df ‘the truth.
rc11c~x rtl from arrow and ijaiii, and freed from every blintlinp
(‘1Jtlr ant1 prpJJi(lice. and trietl “according to their wod~s.”
The grant1 outcome of that tJin1 will be a. clean universe.
\. the Rrvrlatnr eqiirww it. “Et cr,t/ wcatwc nhich is in
lwn~ fw and on the earth . . . . heard I saying, Blessing and
hnt~or nJJd glory and powr Iw untn him that sitteth upon the
i IIJ oJJP. and unto the J.nmh fmcrc~r ” But this result will hc
:~~~c~mplislir~l iii hninlnny with all God’s dealings past and
1'1 (‘Lent, u liich Iin\ c a111aye rcco,~ni~rd man’s frrwloin of n ill
to ( hoosr gontl or roll, lifr or tle:rth.
\Vr cnnnnt doubt tllfw that in the close of the Ali]]ennia]
ngr Gntl x1111 ng:liJl for n. “little season” permit evJ1 t.n
trJuJJJph. in oJdt,r t1Jerchy to twt his rrcature; (~110 wJ]l bv
1 II:, t t i tllr 11nvc bccomr thnronghl~v acquainted with both go&l
ant1 e\ il, a~(1 the cnnwqurnccs of each, and 1x411have had his
iu*tice ant1 lore frilly demonstrated to them), that those ,4r]ln
tiJJllll\’ pJY*f?i :JJJtl cl~orl-c>r\-Jl ma\- Iw c1Jt fbff--t]citloypf]. ‘r]lJJs
1:n11 11ill for all rtrJrJJi v J enJo\ ~1 all 15110 do JJot iore rigllt-
~o:~~Jicss x11(1lJ<xtr JJJiqJJitv.
T1-c rend. regnrtlini that testing, that Satan will endeavor
to lwtl astray all 1~mnkJnt1, \~lrose numberq will then l,p a+
tirr wntl of the l ‘a for multitude; but that manv of them
~111 follow Fatan’\ wil example and choose evii and &s-
r~hr~i~t~~~re. I\ ith lJ:lz-t r\prrirncr brfore thrm. and unhamneretl

.,J,‘~“‘SC. ITO\\ P\-cr. 111if~Ji Gnll tloci Jiot tell 115 riChrJ tlir
JllJrtiileJ or thr 1~JolJoJtioiJ of tlJo>cs to be found wrthv of lift.

‘r’]l:lt llftf’l alit] ]lnlW]f’+ t]P-tlWctlOJl i;. iJltf‘Jl~]cd oil]\ fol

:JJJc,lhcr 0lJpnJ tunltx- of lifr for JiJ.iJJ. JJJitcatl of lc,it1111~ :111to

:lJi :ilJhoi rcJJce of <iii. \\ill lc,l~l MBJJJCto ‘;iJ1,1Jn~(’lll.Jt C,IH~ i9
ton loving lo rut tlJc&Jn off JJJ t:tct wrnJJ!l tlts.ltli. nJ t11:lt If lrcs
dial w he \\nultl $1 P tlJ(‘lJJ othct :111(1I ct ntlicr fiitiJJ (’ o~J!,nJ
tiuJiiif3. EuilclJJJg tliJJ\ JJpt,JJ :J 5JJ,Ji,ow,l wcnkuc,su JJ; tlir
rlivJJJc cliarnctrr~. tllwr Jiiax lrc* 11~1to tJv to t:il;r atl\,:uit 15’
ZION’S WATCH TOWER

)r negligent of God’s favors enjoyed, and of their duriei and

~I~lisation~ fo him. sliall hltat e the fate of tl1e trtllrt77ll “I\ icked.”
I ”

ml I,e cait Into tlw hwolld t1cat11.

In further proof of this, we find that the Hehrew word
sl~zrb, which in our test is translated “turned.” signifies tttrtxd
b<tcli. as to n prevtnus phtcc or condition. Those rcfrrrcd to
in thts text ha\Te been et-ther in sheol or liable to enter it, hut
king retl(aemed by tl1c pt(~cintts ltlood of Christ, \\ill he brought
out of slteol. If then they aie ~ic7;crl. they, and all who
for@ (;otl, shall he 120.~2cdbftcl; or Icttl,ncd to shc07.
DID THE JEWS BELIEVE IN EVERLASTING TORMENT?
Sotinp That \I ta tlxcli that tlir dnctrittr of cvet l:i~t1t1~ tor-
mrnt \\ :I. eti~taftetl itnon the doctrines of thr Cht ititian cliurch
tlnring tht ;T,eriod oi tlte npobta*y, thr .gtcat falling il w‘1.y
wllich rultntnnte~l in Pal’acy. hottle 11avc tttqltit rtl \\ 11rtlter tt
tlors not 5cem. accnrrlttt g to tllr \rnrlts of .Tosrphtts;. that thtr
tlortiitie \vas fitmly held by the .Te\vs; and, if ho. tl1ey a-l;,
tloc* It not seem eritlrttt tlt:ct the early Cllristinns, being
largely converts from .Jutlai~nt. brought this doctrtne with
them. tn the very nutstnrt of Christianity?
\Yr nns\v(~r, To: thta tlockritie of evcrla\ting torment sprang
nat1lrally from tltc tlncttinc of 11ttt11:1nit11n1ortaltty. n-liicsh a+ a
pl1tlosol)hir cliie5tiott n-:1. fir-t ltlnt11tt1,~ m*ttctl it1 anrtliing ltkc tllc
lbty+rnt fort11 1,~ the l’l;rt~~tiic irl1001 of (:tcciAt1 l~l1110~0l~lt~.
7’1)cw fit ,t aflit itirtl tlint c.1r11 t11ntt c~otttntnrtl :I f1 agment of
tlcit),. ant1 that this w01tltl p1 crrnt hit1t ftont cvcr (1) ittg. This
fo1ttid;1tion Iaitl. it was as t’ii\v to tlcWttl)r~ a l)lC1v(bfor PI-ll-
doeis as for lvell-tloetr. lint ‘to the credit of t Iiov lic:~theti
11hilosoplterc, 1~. tt ~~otclctl that they failc,l to tlt~vclop, or at
leait to manifest. that tlrp’th of tlrgt‘adnt inn frot11 I~tlc~v~llcnce
and rensnn and pity. nerr+ary to paint, hy word nntl pen
ant1 brush. such details of horrot s and agonies as 11ere *not1
incorporated into their tloct1 inc. illltl :I hrlief tllvl cv)f tlrc~larctl
“necessary to halrntioti” in the profeskctl chtitcli of Christ.
To apprecintp the caie. it is ttrrrswt ~7 to I cwtc~tt1lwr that.
n-hen the Clirtrtian churcli \\a‘: cit,thlishc~tl, (;tcrrcl <toot1 at
tlte ltend of itttelltgcttcr ntid civtlt7:3tintt. ;\lrwntlw thv (;tc:tt
hat1 concliterrd thh \\nrltl. ant1 hat1 ~piea(l tc%.lxd for (:I ewe
ever\‘\\ littt e : ant1 tltowh. ftott, a t1ltlitntv Iloit1t of \icl\\-, Rontc
hat1 taken her place. it vn~ otltrru isr tit lttc~t.ttlu(‘. l:r,r r(fitt-
tiirteh. (Grecian l~hilosol~l1cr~ ant1 l~hiln~nl~l1tt~s 1~1 tllca intrl-
Icctttal n niltl, ant1 imp epnn ted ant1 all‘cctrll 0\1*1>tlltng. It
hcc;lme cuskm1ary for l~l1ilo~nl~ltct 9 ant1 ttVclrc.1 y of clthc,r
throt icq to claim that thtxir svstetiis ant1 tlleorlry wet (2 tlcS1rl)
tl1e yatne aq those of tltc C;tcr’inttb. ant1 to cndw\-c:r tl, 1’(~11lI~\X
cliffe~~~nces hrtIveett their nltl thenrieh ant1 tltc pl~ttl:tr (;I (‘(‘t:ltt
\ien s. And sntt1r fiougl1t to make cnpitnl by rlnitttinp 1ltat
their system eti~lnxcetl all the good points of I’lntolll*tn \\ ltll
others wl1ich Plato tlitl tint we.
Of tl115 ~1~35 were the teacher5 in the Chti~tmn clit1rch in
the seconcl, tl1irtl an(l fourtli eentut irs. Cnt1cc~tltt1~ tlic pop-
ularl\~ aecel)ted tort rctnr<% of thr phtlnsopl1eri. thry cl litned
that ’ the same gone! fLs;rtttte< of l~hilosoplty Uerr fount1 it1
C’11rist’5 tracl1ing., ant1 tlint lie wit5 one of the prcatc+t plrtl\~~-
onhers. etc. Tl~its a l~lrtttlit1~ of Plntoni5111 and Chrtsttan1ty
tonk place. T~IIS l,ecamr tl1ct more prnnottncrtl as kin,%.:. ant1
fmncrorq hczati to hct utinizr t eligio11s teachtt1~4. ant1 to favor
t11o.r tnoht <-ltkelr to nwr thta !wople and 111ake thc1n law-
nl~itlttip. \i-hilt heathen tc~acliers \\ete truckling to SIIC!I im-
pcrial srr1tttny. ant1 tcnrlIing an rvetla=kitig l~nnisl1tnrnt for
those nl1n \-iolatc>tl the ln\vs of thr rtnlxrors (nho tulcd as
clivn1c~1~ npl~oititctl) . 11-e caxnnt suppow otllet wIw2 tll:ln that
the att1l~itiou~ chnractet~ iii tile ch~~~cll at tll:lt tllrre, who uere
swhitt~~ to tlihplarc ltcatheniim and to hecomr the dnn1inant
1eligiG1s po\ver itiitead. wn111d make prominent such doctrines
as \\-oul(l in the r\TeS of the empetors seem to hare fit1 equal
linltl ttpun tlte fva& ant1 preJttdice5 of the people. Alld WltRt
rottlcl 1~ tnnre to the purpc than the doctrtne of the endless
totnirnt of tlte refiactorg~
Tlir same ntntire3 cvitlt~ntly operated’with .Josrphus when
writing eoncetnin, cp tl1e hrlicf of the .Jews. His works qhnuld
hp tcatl a5 apologies for .Judaistn, and as rfforts to exalt that
ttatiot1 in the cytls cof R1nl1r ant1 the wnrltl. It should he re-
t1!ct11l,ete,l that tl1e .JCMs had the reputation of being n very
I c~l)cllio11s pcol)lc. vet\- liti\\ 1lling to bc rulrtl evc’ii by the
C’:r>nl. Thrv 17ctc hnl’it1g. in hnrmonv v it11 Goal’5 protnises.
to hccomc tl;e cl1ief nation. Many rebellious outbrenl;~ had
nccttt ted atttnttg tlicm. ati~l their peculiar religion, tltffetfnt
ftntn all otl1ct+. ratt1r in fot iti, ihare of blame for fnvortng
too t11i1c11the slttrtt of liht)t t7.
.Tn\fnl)litt< ]1;1tl at1 ol,ject in xlriting his two principal works,
“A~tlti~uitics” and “\\‘a~, of the ,Je\\ \.” He wrote them in
the (:teelc langttage \\hilc ltving at Rome, nherc 116% \\:Is the
ft 1~1,l and gut=t succ.rqsi\.ely of the Roman ctnpetor~ T es-
[2610-j
blhRC~ 15 AND .\PRIL 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (108-109)

pasian. Titus ant1 Domitinn. and where he was in constant inspired Apostle Paul, not only in regard to what the Jews
&tact with the Grecian philosophers. These hooks were writ- believed, but also as to what he and the early church believed;
ten for the nurnnse of showinp off the Jewish ueonle. their and we repeat, that the theory of the everlasting torment of
courage, laws, e’thirs, etc.. to fhe best advantag; before the the nicked, based upon the theory that the human soul cannot
Grecian philosophers ant1 Roman dignitaries. This object is die, iq contrary to both the Old and the Kew TGastarnent teach-
covertly admitted m his preface to his “Bntiquities,” in which ings. and was introduced among Jews and Christians by Gre-
he says: cian philosophers. Thank God for the purer philosophy of
“I have undertaken the present work as thinking it will the Scriptures, which teaches that tlw tlwtll of thr soul
appear to ~11 the Grrck~ worthy of their study. . . . Those (being) is the penalty of sin (Eyek. lS.20) ; that all souls
that read my book ma? won&r that my discourse of laws condemned throuph r2dam’s sin 11cl v rt~tlt~emed bv<I Christ’s -
and historical fart< contains so much of philosophy. . . . soul (Isa. 53:1Oj-‘; and that only for wilflll, individual sin
However. those that hare a mind to know the reasons of \vlll any die the Second death-an evcllastlng 1~~1~1sh,~le,tt,but
everything may find here a v-rry curious philosophical theory.” not an everlasting torment.
In a nord, as a shrewtl man who himself had become CHOOSE LIFE THAT YE MAY LIVE
imbued with the spirit of the Grecian philosophers then pre- “I have set before thee thiq day life and gootl. drath and
vailing. Josephuq dlew from the Law and the Prophets, and evil.” “I have set before thee life and dcntll, l,lt+hin,rr and
frcjm the traditions of the elders and the theories of the curiinp: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed
various sects of the .Tewy all he could find- that in the most may live.“-Dent. 30.15, 10.
remote degree would tend to show.- We come now to the consideration of other Scripture state-
Firit, that tllc .Jewish religion wnq not far behind popular ments in harmony with the conclusions set forth in the pre-
C+r~~~i:ln1~1111o~pl1~: but that S(IUWNhat analogous theories had ceding ar titles.
hcrn tl1:1\\ n from l\loses’ law, and hrltl hg some Jews, long The words here quoted are flom ?rlo~q to Islnel. To ap-
before the Grcrian philoqnpherq broached them. nreciate them we must rc~memhrr that lslatil nq a people, and
Secondly, that it was not their religious ideas which made all their corenan&, sacrifices, etc.. hat1 a tvpiral s’lgnlficance.
the .Tcns RS a people hard to control or “rebellious,” as all God knew that tber could not obtain life 11v krcninp the
lil,rl tr-lore15 Tl ere e\termtl 1~ the Czepsars. Hence he attempts Law, no matter how milch they would cl~oosc to ;lo Pn: he&use
to prOvc. at a tiinc when vi1 tue was esteemed to consist mai;lly thev. like all others of the fallen rare. wpre weak, depraved
in sltl)misslon. that AInies' law “taught first of all that God through the effect of the “sour grape” of sin which Ada?m had
is tile Fatllcr am1 Lord of all things, and bestows a happy eaten. and which his children had continued to eat. (Jer.
life unon thoqr that follow him. hut rjlunees such as do not 31 .Z!r’) Thus. as Paul drclnreq, the law gl\en to lyracl c;)uld
Mnlk 111the paths of virtue into inevit’ahle miseries.” And it not give them life because of the weaknesse< n1 deprnvlty of
ic 1n ~iipl)oit of tliic idea. and for such purposes, evidently, their fallen natuir-Rom. 8:3, Heb. 7:lg: 10.1-10.
that .Tow~~hus. aftrr inying: “There are three philosophical r\‘evel theless. God foresaw a benefit, to them from even an
sc~rt. an>nn~~ the .Jrw\: firqt, the Phnriqeeq: 5erond. the Sad- unsuccessful attempt to live perfectly : nniiif~ly. tllnt it would
due ccc. and third, the E,yenes,” pinceeds to hire an account of develop them. as well as show them the neetl of the better
their tlircc thcorieq. esperinlly -detailing any features which sacrifice (the ransom which our Lord .Trsw gave) and a
rc+t*ml,lctl Grecian nhlloinnhr. 1 .
And because the last and least. c/r-ea/tr deliverer than Xoses. And \\itli all thlr their trial
the l<:*kpneq. mnct leseml,lrtl the dnctrines of the Stoics ani furnished a pattern or shadow of tllr individual trial insured
lthatllllg (Grecian tlreoricq. .Trlcephns devotes nearly ten times as to the whole wolld (\\hich Israel tylufird) and srcured by the
much -place to thnr \-icx\c as to the views of both Sadducees better sacrifices for sin, whirl1 \\ere thcare prefigured, to be
anti I’lldrl\t~e\ rnmhinrd. And yet the Esscnrs were so insig- arcomphshed by the great plophet of \\hom bln\c:, \\a* but a
nitic,rllt a sect that the Sew Testament does not even men- type.
tlnll tll~wl. ~1hilr ,Jnsephns himself admits they were fem. Thus seeing that the trial for life or tlenth pt(~srntrtl to
\\ Ilatts\ t’r vie\\ c: they hr~lll. thelefnre. on any subject, cannot Israel nas but typical of the individual trial of the nhole
he clainletl nq having .Tewish sanction, when the vast majority world. and its issues of life ant1 th~ath (of eteinal life or
of .Te\\\ held contrary opinions. The very fart that our Lord the second death), may help some to \ce that thr great thou-
ant1 tllr apostle+ did‘ not refer to them ik good evidence that sand-year-day of trial, of which 0111 T~ord Jesus has been ap-
the l<+fsnp9’ nh~ln~nnhv bv no mpans represented the Jewish pnlntctl the .Jutlge, contains the t/co issues, life ant1 drath.
idfin\. Tbiq snlall hbrt p’obahly grew ui later and probably All will then be called upon to drci(lr. under that most fxvor-
ab~nll~ctl from c:reclan philosophy its idea9 concerning immor- able oppoi tunity, for rightcouhnehs nncl life or sin and death,
tahty and the everlasting torment of the non-virtuous. It and a choice murt bc made. And. althnnzh there will be re-
shoul(1 lie rcmcsmhrretl that .Tnsephus was not born until three wards and “stripes” according to the (&ds of the nresont
year< after our Lord’s crurifisinn. and that he published his life, as well a$ ,?ccortlinp to -their roiillnct undrr tbnlt tllal
“\\.ar+* ,\. D. 75 and “Sntlquities” ,4 D. 03-at-a time when (.lnhn 3 l!): Nntt. lo:.%:!: Jfatt 11 20-21) _ tll(a vrrclict, In
he and other Jews. llke all the reqt of the world. were eaperlv the tntl ~11 be ln harmony nitil the clloic~c: casl>tG.\ed by the
swallon Inp (Grecian phllo*ophy and science falsely so cgle& conduct of each dul ing that age of tiinl
agalnqt \\-hirh Pan1 \xarnr~l the church.-Cnl. 2.5; i Tim. B:20. ‘The second trial, it\ h(Lntenrp and itr ieilllt, :II (’ al-n slio\vn
.Tn+ephus tlirectctl special attention to the Essenes because in the \\ords of Aloses quoted hy Petrr (Acts 3:22, 23) : “A
it suited his oblect to ‘do so. He admits that the Sadducees, Pronhct sllall the Loltl voiir (:od rai\e 111)uiltn ~‘011 of vollr
nest to the larzreit bodv of Jewish neonle. did not believe m bret‘hren, hke unto me. 'HIM shall ? c hc~lr' 111all thing,-x~yll~~
human immortality. And of the PhAri&ek views he makes a soever he shall say unto you. And it sl~nll comr to t,ass that
blind statement, calculated to mislead, as follows: “Thev every soul [beingj whicl; will not hear [obey] that& Prophet
also believe that souls have an ~~)t)tzo~taZvfgor in them [Th& ran,1 thus choosr Ztfcl sh:111 be destrowtl fl om amon_n thp
might be understood to mean that the Pharisees did not people.” In few worsts this calls attention to tile ivirld’s
believe as the Sadtlucees that death ended all existence. but great trial. yet futurr. It slio\vs the grrat Prophet or
believed in a vigor or life beyond the grave-by a res&rec- Teacher raised up by Got1 to give a new jlltlgmcant or trial to
tinn of the deadl. and that under the earth there will be the condemned lace which hr has rrdcrmt~tl from tbc rnndem-
rewards and punishments, according as they have lived rir- nation which came ulxxi it through it+ progenitor, Adam. It.
tuouslp or viciously in this life: and that the latter are to shows, too, the contlltions of eternal llfr to 1~. righteous
be detnined in an eirerlasting p-won [death-not torture], but obedience, and that with the close of that trial sonle will be
that the former [the virtuous1 shall have DoLuer to leuive axd judged worthy of that life, and some worthy of dchtructlon-
It Le ngnk" - the second death.
Is it not apparent that Josephus has whittled and stretched Our Lord Jesus, having redeemed all bv llis nrrfect and
the views of the Pharisees, as much as his elastic conscience precious sacrifice, is the Head of tbir gi;sat 1’i;pllct; and
would allow, to show a harmony between them and the phllos- durinLrCI the Gospel I ane
v God has been selectmv thck mcmbera of
ophies of Greecr? Paul, who had been a Pharisee, contradicts his body, who, with Christ Jesus, shall beOGod’s agents in
Josephus. F%%ile Josephus says they believed ‘(&at only the judging the world. Together they will be that Great Prophet
virtuous would revive and Iire ugazn [Does not this imply a or Teacher promised. “Do ye not know that the saints shall
resurrection, and implr also that the others would not iiae judge the world ?“-I Cor. 0:2.
again, but ‘remain $e&, in the great prison-the tomb?l” The first trial was of mankind only, and hence its penalty
I%ul,‘on the contrary, says: “I hc\Te holye toward God, which or rurie, the first death, was only upon man. But the seconi
thev themselves also allow. that there shall be a resurrection trial ii to be much mnle comprehrniive. It will not only be
of ihe dead, both of the just and unjust.“--Acts 24: 15. tllr trial of fallen and imperfect mankind, but it will include
We have no hesitancy about accepting the testimony of the r\ely other thing and principle and bemg out of harmony
[2611]
 Thesr :irv irnpcjrtant qubtion\. ehl)f~,~i,l II! to t IIC NO, Ill.
:Intl \v(sII Vo11lt1 it 1~6,for them if tile!- f~c311ltlIC*.III/C, thrir ,*,I-
JI~IIt.lncrb ant1 J’rofit thereby. Thev :I,(’ 11ll,)~ll tdllt Al.0 to ttk!
c.llurrli, I)ecdu3e Of our interest i;l ttle world. C~ntl I~fwkuw of
Our drsirr to understand and tear11 correctly our l’nther’~
plan>.
We tl.f\f* Ie~lnetl that thr sCL(‘Iif& of Cllt 1-t +ciireh for
all mnnl;intl, however vile. an n\b,.lkeninq from dfbatll. and t 11~
Jnirilfage of ttielt~nfter coming to pt~rfection. :fnfl. if t1ir.v will.
of lib Iiig foiever. “There A111 lx, a r(‘y111rcrt1nn Of the dead.
Iboth of tllca jll7t and tile riniust.” (.\rt- 2-l : 1.J 1 ‘i’lbfa nbl~~c~t
of their Ibeing again tblought into cui+tc*ncch \\ ill be to plvf*
tti(fini ii fa\ or.lhlr (~l)l1111 tunitv to ~t’cui (s ~v(fiiI.lnting life, on tllf.
conditloii- whirli Go11 rec~~~lreh-obetlie~l~~~ to hi. rqhtroll+
will \Vr Ita\-c no intimation whatever itr tile Scl iJ)t 111t+ tllat,
whf~ii ,rw,~kc~n~tl. tIlta mo1.11 rrnttlitinn 0: 111,‘n\I ill h.lvc c~liangf*d,
IjIlt \Vf’ II‘IVC~ lllIlcll. 111 ))otlb reAlsoll i111(l Ic~\-~~latlon, to hIlOX
that a+ tlift)- wtarlt Into 81ratll \\rak nntl tlcJ)r,ivrd ho they will
come out of it. A< there ii "no work. nor flcvirf~. nor kllowl-
edge, nor wisdom 111 the grnvc” (Eccl. !l . 10 1. they will lnlvtb
learned nothing; and since they wcrc siunrr. nntl un\\Ol tll,! oi
life and divine f,l\or when they died, tllry will $.till 1)t* UII-
,,.oI tl)v : and a+ thev ll~~vr leccired neither fIllI rew.ll tl+ 1101! U/I
J&i&ents for tl& deed5 Of the present lift, it i- cl\-itl(*nt illat
iclst sucl~ a time of nw.lkrning as Cotl ha- Jbront1+(~fl tllll Ill::
the 3Iillennlum i. *leressi*y:--fol i~~uarcting. ntltl plllll~lllllg:.
antl clivina m all mankind the oppnrtunit! fill fBtc,l ll:ll lltv it’-
cuik(Y t)v ‘Chri*t’e great ran~oln-qRcrifir,,
Whiie strictlv spaking. the world I. not now OII 111.11.
that is, the p&&t iz not the time fol iti fIllI iIn{ (‘onlpll’tl*
trial, get men are not no\!-, nor have thry ever I)~YLII rnt iff*ly
nithorit light ant1 ability, for the use of \\liirli they nre .I(‘-
co~lntable. In the darkest day4 of the wort(l’r Il1ytol> . anIl III
the tleeJx+t degradation Of savage life. thrlc II:L+ al\\-nya INV~
at 1eab.t a measure of the light of conszienrc J)ointinp IIIOI c 01
less directly to rlghteousnesq and virtue>. Th.tt thca clued- or
tile J)wsent tit,* have much to do with tile flltlllcn, I’,IIII tnltght
very cleally x\hen. before Felix, 11~ rcba~onc~l of 111-tIr(b :III~I
,~~lf-~o~crr~~rlc~lt, in lipl\- of thr judgmc’nt to (*oIll(‘. co tll.11
)‘eli\: trrmbled.-Actti 24:%, Diaglott tran>latinn
.lt the lirst advent of our Lord. ‘111 incrc~.lsctl iileahllr(’

is ronj(b into the world, and 1l1en lovetl tlarkney. rathrr tlhlll
Ilpht.. Iw,~:I~Is~ their deeds wele e\il.” (.lohn 3 19) For tll()+t:
evil tlrett~ rc,mrnitted against the light pn-r~-~~~l, v hrthrr Ot
(*on9ci~q)cc Or Of revelation. men will ha\ e to glV,h nn account.
and will receive,. in thrir day of judgment, a just rt’cnmpen*r
of reward. And, likewise, t,n the extent Of their effort to Ilrc*
I ightc~ou*ly: they H ill receivca their rr\\,~rtl 1n the ttny of tllal
--~latt. 10 : 42
If men \\Ooultl consider what even renbon tli~rrrns. that a
fintr of 1rckoninr. of judgment, is c.oniing. tllat (:otl will Ilot
fores-cl Jjermit e\it to .triilmph, and that in MIIW LV:I~ he u ill
puniztl e\ll-doers, it wvoultl undoubtedI), .a\ e them llli~ll~~ ior-
rev Y and chastisements in the age to come Said the l’ro-
ptl’.t. .‘\Voc* unto them that beck tleel) to llitle their counnel
flnm tile Lortl. and their lvorks are in the dark. and th_r,
,hy. \\ Ii0 -eeth us ? and I\ ho knoweth 11s”” ( Isaiah 29 : 1.a1
13ehnlt1, “The eyes of the Lord are in every J’larr. behohl-
lrl~ tll(* e\ il and the g:onrl" I l'lnv. I.5 :3) ; nlltl -(hl sflkllt
\\ IIIIV 111(% hcIIlbtIIIf+ tf~af'll that the present
Gospel age i4 bring rrcrj work into judgment. witI1 every secrcxt thing,
1 Iit* ~lllll cI1’* .Jri~lgmrnt-tiny Or Jjerind Of trial,
and that the whether It be gOOd. or whether it be e\ il.” (Eccl. I?:141
uortfl's .Intl~~~~f~llt-d;l~ or time of tl inl will be thr hIlllennia1 Hp “w111 bring to light the hidden thing?: Of darknrtis. :~nd
,~ge it 15 II(~\csithc*lr+s. :t it~a~oiial~l~~ qurstion to ask.-To what will make manlfr,t the counsels of thr hearts.“---1 Co,. A:.>.
cB\trnt uill tlioyca \\lio arc not of the consecrated church he The age Of Chrikt’s reign will be a time of lust jur!p-
Iield ~c~spnn~ihlc. in tllrb i\lIllrnni.~l age. for their misdeeds. of ment : and though it \\ ill be an age of golden oppOrtun~tif+
,aruelty. tlihhonestr an,1 immolnlity. Of the present time? -AntI to all. it wltl be a time Of severe discipline, trial and J,un-
to what ll\trnt n’ill those of the same class then be rewarded irhment to many. That the judgment \\ill be fair and im-
for present eft’niti to Ilvr moral and I~encrcblent li\-eF? partial. and with due consideration fnr the clrcum$tances and
HARCH 15 ANDAPRIL. 1, 1300 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (111-112)

the opportunities of each individual, is also assured-by the a course of discipline and correction-as the necessary means
character of the Judge (the Chris&John 5 :22 ; 1 Cor. 6:2), for their perfecting, or, otherwise, their condemnation to the
by his perfect knowledge, by his unwavering justice and second death.
eoodness. bv his divine Dower and bv his great love as shown The man who, in this life, by fraud and injustice, ac-
Tn his sac&ice to redeim men from dear%, that they might cumulated and hoarded great wealth, which was scattered
enjoy the privilege of this favorable, individual trial. to the winds when he was laid in the dust, will doubtless
The varied circumstances and onnortunities of men, in awake to lament his loss, and bewail his poverty and his
this and past ages, indicate that a just judgment will recog- utter inability under the new order of things to repeat un-
nize differences in the degree of individual responsibility, lawful measures to accumulate a fortune. With many it will
which will also necessitate differences in the Lord’s future be a severe chastisement and a hitter experience to overcome
dealings with them. And this reasonable deduction we find the propensities to avarice, selfishness, pride, ambition and
clearly confirmed by the Scriptures. The Judge has been, idleness, fostered and pampered for years in the present life.
and still is, taking minute cognizance of men’s actions and Occasionally we see an illustration of this form of punish-
words (Prov. 5 :21), although they have been entirejy, un- ment now, when a man of great wealth suddenly loses all,
Aware of it: and he declares that “Every idle [‘pernicious,’ and the haughty spirit of himself and family must fall.
injurious or malicious] word that men shall speak,.they shall We are told (Dan. 12:2) that some shall awake to shame
eive account thereof in the dav of iudement” (Matt. 12:36) ; and age-lasting contempt. And who can douht that, when
&rd that even a cup of cold water: giGen to one of his little every secret thing is brought into judgment (Ecrl. 12:14),
ones, because he is Christ’s, shall in nowise lose its re- and the dark side of many a character that now stands meas-
ward. (Matt. 10:42) The context shows that the “per- urably approved among men is then made known, many a
nicious” words to which Jesus referred were words of wilful face will blush and hide itself in confusion? CYhen the man
and malicious onnosition spoken against manifest light. (Matt. who steals is reauired to refund the stolen property to its
12:24, 31, 32) iie also affirmed &at it would he more tolerable rightful owner, with the addition of twenty per cent -interest,
for Tvre. Sidon and Sodom in the dav of iudament than for and the man who deceives, falsely accuses or otherwise wrongs
Choryzin; Bethsaida and Capernaum, “whicd hgd misimproved his neighbor, is required to acknowledge his crimes and so
greater advantages of light and opportunity.-Matt. 11:20-24. far as possible to repair damages, on peril of an eternal loss
In the very nature of things, we can see that the pun- of life, will not this be retributive justice? Note the clear
rshments of that age will be in proportion to past guilt. Ev- statement of this in God’s tvpical deslings with Israel, whom
ery sin indulged, and every evil propensity cultivated, hardens hP made to renresent the world.-1 Cor. 1O:ll; Lev. 6:1-7.
the heart and makes the way ba-ck ‘to purity and virtue more See also “Tabernacle Shadows,” page 99.
difficult. Conseauentlv. sins wilfullv indulged now. will re- As we are thus permitted to look into the perfect plan of
quire punishment and’ discipline in’ the a.ie to come; and God, how forciblv we are reminded of his word through the
the more deeply the soul is dyed in willmg sin, the more prophet Isaiah, “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and
severe will be the measures required to correct it. As a righteousness to the plummet.” (Isa. 28 : 17 ) We also see the
wise parent would punish a wayward child, so Christ will wholesome influence of such discipline. Parents, in disciplin-
punish the wicked for their good. ing their children, realize the imperative necessity of mak-
His punishments will always be administered in justice, ing their punishments proportionate to the character of the
tempered with mercy, and relreved by his approval and re- offences ; and so in God’s government: great punishments
ward to tbosc who are rightly exercised thereby. And it following great offences are not greater than is necessary
will only be when punishments, instruction and encourage- to establish justice and to effect great moral reforms.
ments fail; in short, when love and mercy have done all that Seeing that the Lord will thus equitably adjust human
wisdom can approve (which is all that could be asked), that affairs in his own due time, we can afford to endure hardness
any will meet the final punishment which his case demands- for the present, and resist evil with good, even at the cost of
the second death. present ‘disadvantage. Therefore, “Recompense to no man
None of the world will meet that penalty until they evil for evil.” “Let this mind be in you. which was also in
have first had all the blessed opportunities of the age to come. Christ Jesus our Lord.“-Rom. 12 : 17119 ; Phil. 2:5.
And while this is true of the world, the same principle ap- The present order of things will not always continue:
plies now to the consecrated children of God in this our judg- a time of reckoning is coming. The just Judge of all the
ment (trial) day. We now receive God’s favors (through earth says, “Vengeance is mine,-1 will repay”; and the Apostle
faith), while the world will receive them in the next age, viz., Peter adds. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the eodlv
instruction, assistance, encouragement, discipline and punish- out of temptation and to reserve the unjust unto the- day
ment. “For what son is he whom the Father chastiseth not? of jud,ment to he punished.” (2 Pet. 2:9) And, as we have
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, seen, those punishments will be adapted to the nature of the
then are ye bastards and not sons.” Therefore, when we re- offences, and the benevolent object in view-man’s perma-
ceive grievous chastisement, we should sccept it as from a nent establishment in righteousness.
loving Father for our correction, not forgetting “the exhorta- Other Scriptures corroborative of this view of future
tion which speaketh unto us as unto children, My son, despise rewards and punishments are as follows: 2 Sam. 3 ~39; Matt.
not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art 16:2i; 1 Pet. 3:12; Psa. 19:ll; 91:8; Prov. 11:18; Iwd.
rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and 4O:lO; 49:4; Matt. 5:12; 10:41, 42; Luke 6:35; Rev. 22:12;
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.“-Heb. 12:4-13. Rom. 14:11, 12.
How just and equal are God’s ways! Read carefully the
rules of the coming age-Jer. 31:29-34 and Ezek. 18:20-32. LET HONESTY AND TRUTH PREVAIL
Thev move to us. beyond the nossibilitv of a doubt, the sin- Having demonstrated that neither the Bible nor reason
cerity-and reality of -all his professions-of love to men: “As offers the slightest support to the doctrine that eternal tor-
I live. saith the Lord God. I have no measure in the death ment is the nenaltv for sin, we note the fact that the various
of the wi&d; but that -the wicked tu;n from his way and church creeds, and confessions, and hymn-books, and theo-
live: Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye logical treatises, are its only supports; and that under the
die?“-Ezek . 33.11
. . increasing light of our day, and the consequent emancipation
All who in this life repent of sin, and, as the term re- of reason, belief in this horrible, fiendish doctrine of the
pentance implies, begin and continue the work of reformation dark ages is fast dying out. But alas! this is not because
to the best of their ability, will form character which will Christian people generally are zealous for the truth of God’s
be a benefit to them in the age to come; when awakened in Word and for his character, and willing to destroy their grim
the resurrection age, they will be to that extent advanced creed-idols. Ah no! they still bow before their admitted
towards perfection, and their progress will be more rapid and falsities ; they still pledge themselves to their defense, and
easy; while with others it will be more slow, tedious and dif- spend time and money for their support, though at heart
ficult. This is implied in the words of our Lord (John 5 :29, ashamed of them, and privately denying them.
30-Diaglott ) : “The hour is coming in the which all that The general influence of all this is, to cause the honest-
are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; hearted of the world to despise Christianity and the Bible;
they that have done good unto the resurrection of life [those and to make hypocrites and semi-infidels of nominal Chris-
whose trial is past, and who were judged worthy of life, will tians. Because the nominal church clings to this old blas-
be raised perfect-the faithful of past ages to perfect human phemy, and falsely presents its own error as the teaching of
life, the overcomers of the gospel age to perfect life as divine the Bible, the Word of God, though still nominally rev-
beings], and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection erenced, is being practically repudiated. Thus the Bible, the
of judgment.“- These are awakened to judgment-to receive great anchor of truth and liberty, is being cut loose from,
III-45 126131
(II&116) ZION’S /d’.4TCH TOWER ALLEGHPNY, PA.

by the very ones who, if not deceived regarding its teachings, ignominiously wlthhold his name from his published pro-
would be held and blessed by it. tests.
The general effect, not far distant, will be, first open in- If professed Christians would be honest with themselveb
fidelity, then anarchy. For much, very much of this, luke- and true to God, they would soon learn that “their fear
warm Christians, both in pulpit and pews, who know or toward God is taught by the precepts of men.” (Isa. 29:13)
ought to know better, are responsible. Many such are will- If all would decide to let God be true, though it should prove
ing to compromise the truth, to slander God’s character, and every man a liar (Rom. 3:4), and show all human creeds to
to stultify and deceive themselves, for the sake of peace, or be imperfect and misleading. there would be a great creed
ease. or irecent earthly advantage. And any minister, who, smashing work done very shortly. Then the Bible would be
bv utterinz a word for an unnonular truth, will ribk the loss studied and appreciated as never before; and its testlmony
oi his stiiend and his reputatibn for being “established” in that the wages of sin is death (extmction), would be recog-
the bog of error, is considered a bold man, even though he nized as a “just recompense of reward.”

ALLEGHENY, PA., APRIL 15, 1000 No. f

-_____--- _~- --

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

1 IIt, “chaking” of the ccc.lesiastical “heavens” continues. Surely it ~~oultl have been mucah more to Dr. Hilli5’ credit
Dr. li~lli-’ tlcnunciatlon of the \Vestminster Confession of to have ‘first reblgned all relatlonshlp to Preshytcrianlcm and
Faith. w1lic.h as a Presbyterian he has supported for many then in a VU v huml)lc manner to have confe~sctl to Pl!.mouth
year-. 1. ahout as stronrr as he could make it. He is credited church hi? bh’orttominp~ of the paht and ~IIP rrsolut~ol; hence-
G.~th the follnwlng la&age in his discourse to the Plymouth forth to l)reJc’h the truth, or at lea\t hi< convictions reqpect-
C’IIIIIC h Brooklyn, N. Y., on Sunday, March 25:- iiig it.
’ The C’clnfehqion of Faith says that certain men and angels I) * *
are f~~leortlalned to everlasting- death, being particularly &d Rev. Dr. Donehoo, of Pittsburgh, the very next Sunday
unihan~~~:llJlv tle~itmetl. and their number is so certain and (9pril 1s~) took a similar stand against the \\-estmincter COII-
tl(.Allitc: that” it c.a;lnot ‘be either increased or tlimini\hed, and feeiion. whlrh when ordained. he colemnlv vowed that he
r\-ery ;-oung man who enters the Presbyterian church has to hellered and would teach. Yet, while still ‘posing as a Pres-
solcmnlv swear to believe and teach this frightful view. And hyterlan and doing violence to hi\ oath of office. he confessed
everv ,;ttc*mpt to rc\ l\c and expel that ht;;tement from the in the followinrr language. quoted in the da11y press. that he
cre&l ~RS 1)ten successfully cornhated by a majority that wishes has for the ma’;lv years- of *his PresbyterIan ;n&nherrhip and
to retain the dortrinc. It would seem as if a man would prefer ministry been a&ing a lie-he cnnfecses he “ne(.cr cotrItZ be-
to 1~ 1)nrncd at tltc stake rather than hold or assert or charge liel c” what he professed. We quote:-
such infinite crneltv unon the all-mrrciful and all-loving God. “The question suggested to me by the text is the following,
The tlav the schnlndir’s wrote that chapter in the Con‘feseion ‘Are men foreordained to be damned‘f’ It is ahnut the hluntcst,
of Fait\] thry xot tllca tlcril c#nnfusPd with God. harshest, most unreasonable one that an unpreludiretl trader
“I would ratllc>r shake my fict In the fare of the Eternal of the Bible could have presented for his consitleratlon. I am
ant1 Ilrnn cverv vile rinithct toward his stainleqs throne. where sorrv to sav that it is one that has been prekent in my
eternal ‘mcrcv’ sits with tile world’s atoning Sarior. than lift tho&hts frdm mv earliest recollection. I have heard it dis-
mv hand nit’h that c*rcetl hefore God’s throne and affirm that
Y
cus&d In the puldit, have read many works on the suhlect, and
I tali’_‘llt or hrlieved it.” have often graveiv ‘considered it il; private cnnrrrsatlon with
The matter iy before tile Chicago Presbytery, which is di- hrethren. tho I liare never for one instant had any doubts
v~tlccl in uclntimpnt-many of its mcamhers averring that they on the &hject so far as I am concerned. \T’haterer the IVest-
a~rce to 1)r. Ililli~’ views of the subiect. The gentleman pro- minster divines may have believed on the suhjert. their
pnscs to r(xcign hi* c*onnection with Prrshyterianism if -the language as now understood expresses in unmlstakal~le phrase
lattc,r nl)lrc+s to his attacks upon It flom the inside. The that such was their belief. Thus they decelare: ‘By the de
worlll look\ on annrorinely, and Says. Bravo, Dr. Hillis! But tree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men
to our \-icw the &~tlrm:;n‘has little to he proud of; for, grant. and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others
in_rr that. as he savs. he has held nrivatelv for years the views are foriordainrci to everlasting death. and their number 1s sc
he-now cxprrsscs “p~~blicly. it follbws &t for ‘all those years rertain and definite. that it cannot be either increased or
itr l~\ed a lie hefort, the whole world. And if for those years diminished.’
he krpt GlltLncc hrc*au~ IIC was making a personal name and “I never could believe such a thing, and I pray to God to
fame and fnllnwin,rr, \\111(.11he has now attained, it follows that preserve me from ever either unwlttingiv endorslnd or so much
for nil thnsc yeais, nc~c~ording to the gentlcman’r own words as entertaining such an insane thou& in mv heart. Nor
cluotc~tl al~o\c. hr waq tloin_rr morqe than “shaking his fist in the would I refer-to this at all were it >ot iust ;iow published
Ian of tlic Eternal”--\\oFsca than to have “flimg--cver.v vile all over the land that the great Preshy’ierian ch&ch was
1’1)1tllcbtto\\artl (:nd’s ~tainlr~s throne where eternal mercy sits about to drae a faithful minister of the gospel to trial for
111111tl,ca \\oil~l’~ atoning SavInr ” protesting ag-:inst the idea that any man-is -foreordained of
\\.?tat :a11 nstolmtlinp ronfeqsinn this is to he c(,nt forth to bod to Ge damned to all eternity. -If such a sifting protest
thr \\orltl ! \\.e arc iLnindcd of n11r T~old’s wnrd4. “Out of as that iust now hinted at was to be fearlesslv put in force
thlnc mv11 mont11 I ~111 iudne thrc!” Ant1 vet this side of the throughGut the church. and every man who preach& and prays
c*aqe QlIkri: \-cry few. iThi? Berau<e thiv are in a similar every Sabbath day of his life the very opposite of this horrible
pIl,~lit ha\ iug been for pear< dirertly or ilidirt,ctly upholding dogma, whether he has the brains or the courage to admit it
fhic snin~ rrectl and thlls to the extent of their influence (either or not, there would be such a depletion in the ranks of the
a< rninlLfcl< anal offlrrrs nr ~1s~ as common member- of churches rhurrh as would throw St. Bartholomew in the shade.”
avn\\ in? thcie crrctls) they. too. hnvr l)clen thur hlnspheming The gentleman frankly avows that he would have kept quiet
the Ktcxrnnl ant1 hiq stainle5c: throne. Othrr ministers in Prrs- htill longer. and have continued to tacitlv endorse the slander
brtPrl;\n (~hllr(~hrq look with envy at Dr Hillis freedom and against ‘God had it not been his fear that”a hunt for “heretics”
wi.11 that tllcl fimc might sonn come that they would have miPrht he started in Preshvterian circles. He hones that R
slllfic.ic,llt 1trt11\1111li1linflwncc and prestige to stand alone, that suk;cient number of Preshycerian ministers will gro&wl to deter
they, too. mlgllt tl(>rlare tllrir independence and cease their the others from enforcing-the laws and rules of ‘ihe denomina-
blit~l~llt’lll~ a::lin-t thcl (111lnc rharncter which rauqes uneasi- tion. Yet strange to sav. the men who stav inside the
nrqc. no?\\ ~lll.fal~~l~tlg long II+RW to It and notwithstanding the denomination ani’ denounce’ it, and declare their perfidy in
fact th:lt “cltlltbr< tlo tlir <Rme.” -4dtletl to this iq now another respect to its teachings and their unfaithfulness to God’s char-
fear. that the tidr of puhl~r crntimcnt is on the turn-that the acter and Word, are honored; while honest men who refuse
ppw-s. If they law\\ a~ m1wl1 aq the pulpits respecting such mat- thus to stultifv themselves and to blaspheme God‘s holy name
terc, wnllltl br n111(.11 more honest :--RII~ that the risk nf jump- for hread and ‘(‘honor one of another” are disesteemed. After
in_rr nut too hnon ai “refnrmcrs.” and fhus losing nrestiee and all then the chief fault is with the DeonIe;-the Dreachers
p&sil,ly bread ant1 butter. may 1,~ offset snnn by’ the Reverse merely dehase themselves to supply thepoGul& demaid. It is
risk of not jumping soon enough to get glory as a “reformer” time for all who have anv moral honestv to show it. “Come
d
and on the contrary being covered with odium as those who out of her, my people, that ye he not partakers of her sins
have deceijcd the prople ac long as pocsihle. and that ye receive not of her plagues.“-Rev. 18:4.
[2614]
 SELF-DENIAL AND CROSS-BEARING CONDITIONS
“Then said Jesus unto his disczples, Zf any man will come after me [be my follower], let hzm deny himself, and take up his crow”
Matt. 16 : 24.
Generally the thought attached to this passage in the
minds of Christian people is that the Lord is here laying down
the terms and conditions upon which eternal torment mav he
escaped. This result of false teaching, received from earliest
infancy, thus casts a false shadow tipon very many of the
utterances of our Lord and the apostles. To the Jew, however,
who had no thought in his mini of eternal torment for any:
body, the above utterance would have no such significance. The
disciples, to whom it was addressed, received it exactly for
what it says. To understand it as they did let us take their
standpoint: As Jews they shared the nation’s hopes, based
upon the Abrahamic promise, viz., that in due time God pro-
posed to bless all naiions, and that Israel was to be his- in-
strumentalitv * throueh which the blessings would flow. We
are to remember that based upon this hope all Israel was in
expectation of a Messiah whose first w-ork it would be to
organize Israel in some sense of the word, and then, as its
great Head and Guide, bring to pass the blessed conditions.
The disciples knew that Jesus claimed to be this great
Messiah, and they had left all to follow him, in order that they
might have a share with him in his kingdom,-according to
his promise, a very honorable share in it, a seat in his throne.
When, therefore, he addressed them on this subject in the
above words nothing could have been further from their
thoughts than that he should mean that only those who would
conform to these strict rules would escape an eternity of
torture: on the contrary, their understanding would be that
all who would not conform to these rules, and be close fol-
lowers of Jesus’ example, would fail to share with him in the
kmgdom glories and hbn&s-fail to be associated with him as
joint-heirs of the kingdom. Thev certainlv exnected that his
kingdom, when orga$zed, would bless all” natlions, and if it
would bless all other nations assuredly it would bless also
the Jewish nation, out of which the Master was proposing to
select his joint-heirs. From this standpoint our Lord’s words
are reasonable. and from no other standpoint.
It would be thoroughly unreasonable every way to sup-
nose that the Lord laid down the hard and fast condition that
&ervone who would not become his follower and a cross-bearer
to the full extent of self-denial, even of parents and children
if need be, would be tormented on this account, or even
destroyed. In fact, we know that the same great Teacher de-
clared, “No man can come unto me except the Father which
sent me draw him,” and we see most evidently that but a
small proportion of the nations was at that time drawn to
Jesus by the Father through the word of grace. We see that
the great majority were blinded. How evident, then, it is that
our Lord had no reference to the blinded ones who did not be-
come his dlsclples, but intended his remarks exclusively for the
class addressed, whose eyes had been opened and whose ears
had been unstopped, and who had become his followers by a
consecration. Note the Master’s words, “Blessed are your eyes,
for thev see, and vour ears, for thev hear;“-here is the sug-
gestion”that’ the Majority of the Je& did not see and did not
hear. and hence had no call to be followers of Jesus in the
same special sense; the majority being not even drawn of the
Father, not being in a condition of heart to be drawn by the
truth.
Note how our Lord refers to this matter, and speaks of the
Jewish leaders, saying that they were blind guides, leading
the blind people, and all about to “fall into the ditch.” (Matt.
13:14) This falling into the ditch seems to those who are
deluded bv the eternal torment theory, to be but another sug-
gestion thkt all the Jewish nation, boih leaders and people were
fast hastening to “hell,” to torment. But on the contrarv. the
Scriptures &ow clearly that the ditch to which they” were
hastening was the great time of trouble which came upon their
nation after our Lord’s crucifixion, and which culminated with
the utter destruction of their city by the army of Titus in the
year 70 A. D.-since which time they have been nationally dis-
integrated and destroved.
?hat the apostles”did not understand that all who did not
follow with them in the narrow wav of self-sacrifice, self-de-
nial, croqs-hearing, were to be tormented, is testified by the
Apostle Peter who. speaking under the inspiration of the holy
spirit, declared to these same Jews that thev had crucified
Messiah, and then he adds, “But I wot that ‘in ignorance ye
did it, as did also your rulers.“-Acts 3: 17.
This blind ignorance is referred to also by the Apostle Paul:
in discussing the matter in his Epistle to the Romans he
pointed out that Israel was blinded and did stumble and fall
into the ditch, and did not attain the great prize which it
was seeking, and that the elect only obtained that prize. He
points us to the elect “remnant” selected from the nation be-
[2615]
fore its complete disintegration, and informs us that this
remnant, being less than the number which God had pre-
determined, the elect church, is to be completed during this
Gospel age by the selection -of the remainher from amongst
the Gentiles to be fellow-heirs with the Israelites in the same
promise made to Abraham. These are denominated “spiritual
Israel,” and the Apostle points out that this change in the
divine operation was foreknown to the Lord, and was a part
of his plan, as revealed through the prophets-that the Gen-
tiles also should be fellow-heirs of the same promise.-Rom.
11:7-12.
The Anostle Droceeds to show that the blindness will con-
tinue upoi fleshly Israel until the Gospel church is completed,
and that then blindness will be turned from them, and they
shall see; and God’s favor shall come upon them, and they will
be amongst the first to be blessed under the new order of
things following the glorification of the elect church.
With these thoughts in our minds, putting ourselves ex-
actly in the place of the apostles, we are much better pre-
pared to understand the meaning of the Master’s words, “If
any man will be my follower he must deny himself and take
up his cross.” The Apostle points us to the same thought,
saying that it is only if we suffer with him that we shall
reign with him; if we be dead with him, that we shall live
with him. The reference is exclusively to those on the “nar-
row way,” and does not at all refer to the world of mankind.
The verses following, a part of the same discourse, declare
that whosoever would save his life shall lose it. and whoso-
ever shall lose his life for the Lord’s sake shall’ find it; this
also is exclusively applicable to those who had had their eyes
opened, and had become his followers, and is not at all ap-
plicable to others.
All who become Jesus’ followers first take two steps, viz.,
justification and consecration, or sanctification. Justification
is imputed to them as the result of faith in Christ as their
Redeemer, and its obiect is to nlace fallen sinful human beings
on such a reckonediy perfect- plane or standing before GGd
as would permit them to present their bodies living sacrifices,
“holy and acceptable to God” through Christ. Consecration,
self-surrender, sanctification, called in our text self-denial, con-
sists in the giving up of our wills to the will of the Lord: and
our wills controlling this implies our all.
This class. having received their share of the ransom,
(justificationj and l&ving used it, exchanging its hope3 of
restitution for the heavenlv hones. “heavenlv calline.” snirit-
ual prosperity and prospeciive jbin&heirshipUwith ChYiat,~have
no longer anv earthlv rights or hopes: hence such murt either
aain the sni;itual liie thev have started out for or must lose
all life. ind the terms orUconditions upon which the heavenly
life is to be attained are the sacarifice of the earthly
life and its interests. Therefore, a< here stated. in respect to
this class, whoever of them saves his rnrthly life (refusing to
sacrifice it, etc.) after having made the consecration. lo& it
entirely-loses all hope of a future life. And on the other
hand, those of this class who are now faithful in laying down
the present life for the Lord’s sake shall find life eternal
under the glorious conditions of the kingdom. “If we be dead
with with kim, we shall also live with h’im.“-2 Tim. 2: 11, 12.
The succeeding verse (26) is a part of the same disrourse,
not to people in general, but applicable to the disciples, the
followe& and cross-bearers only,- the little flock. It reads:
“What is a man nrofited if he shall nain the whole world and
lose his own soul* (being, existenre) , “or what shall a man give
in exchange for his soul (his future existence) 1” We are to
remember that onlv one offer of life eternal has vet been made
to mankind; and this was the offer that Jesus was making to
his followers, and that has since been made throqhout this
Gospel age to whoever has ears to hear and a will to walk in
the narrow way. There is no offer of eternal life to the world
yet, altho the Scriptures clearly show us that there is to be
an offer of eternal life under other conditions during the
Millennial age; but none can either accept or reject those con-
ditions yet, for they are not offered to any.
Those now invited to eternal life under its most glorious
conditions of “glorv, honor, immortality,” and joint-heirship
with the Redeemer”in the kingdom are exhorted bv our Lord
to appreciate highly the value of eternal life; and it is implied
that anvone who will at all ronsider the matter will readily
acknowledge that to give all that he haq of earthly life and its
vanities in exchange for his life eternal would be to get that
great boon at a very small price-at a great bargain; We see
men who as death draws near, are willing to give their all to
retain their hold a little longer on the present life; how
much more should we be willing to lay down our lives
(116-117)
(118-119) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

voluntary sacrifices, in daily self-denials, in sharing the suffer- continually, so that they not only maligned his name, but in
ings of Christ in this present time. that we mav therebv at- their hatred sought his life and finally obtained it. Note that
tain, according to God’s good promise in Christ: the glo>ious they were not worldly people, as that word is generally under-
and eternal life promised to the overcomers. stood, but members of the leading denominations of his day:
WHAT CONSTITUTES CBOSS-BEABING? and that the so-called holiness people of that da were his
But now we come back to the original proposition of our most bitter assailants. He could indeed have 7allen into
text. and inquire particularly respecting the declared terms line with the Pharisees or with the Sadducees, and have been
of discipleship, What do they signify, and how do they apply considered “respectable,” and have had a large following,
to us individually in our daily lives? What is it for us to but fidelity to the truth would not permit him to do this, but
deny ourstllvc%? It signifies that having consecrated ourselves forced him to take a stand independent of all sects and parties,
to the Lord wc should have no wills of our own; self should and this brouaht against him the wrath of all of them. and
be irnorctl. or. as the Apostle Paul expresses it, “Ye are dead, was his cont&ual and dailv cross-bearing, that had to be
and your life iq hid with Christ in God.” “Reckon ye your- borne. if he would “overcome” and be graded association with
selves dead indeed unto sm. but, alive unto God.” Self-denial, the Father in the kingdom. And mav not all of his faithful
then. mean; to ignorcb self-will, self-gratification: followers expect similar experiences, ;nder similar conditions
and this how? We think so; we know so; they have such experiences.
rnclu~lrs ~11 the eartblp ambttlon~ and desires, the sinful, and
no lcis 1hoic, that are lau~lablc and proper. We pledge our- The Apostle mentions some of these crosses. and declares
sel\~~q at tllr vrry 11cpnt11ng that w(’ aie not following our own that the endurance of them arc marks of his fnithfulnesq
inr811nntirln5 :tnd 0111 own wills. but are to be wholly subject to as a servant of the Lord: “In much patience, in afllictions, in
tip ~111 of our ITead, thr Lord .Icsu~, if we mav be in turn necessities, in distresses, in strines. in imurisonmentq. in
cnnnlrtl in 115 members in parti(.ul:Lr of his bodp, the elect tumults, in labors, in wntchings, in fastings,” ‘hy dishonor, by
~~hurc~b. evil rrpnrt. as deceivers and. yet true. as sorrowful, yet always
Very graciously. tbc T,ortl vail< fro],! our si,cht at the be- rejoiciug, as poor. yet maliing many rich. as having nothing,
ginning of tlicl way somr of tllc trials of the flrsb and con- yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor. G:4-16) How much our
fli(*fq bc+wccBn tile mint1 of tllc flc<lt an11 111~npv,’ mind. which Master knew of being counted a deceiver, while yet he was the
this full con+cration rrm\t In\olrr if n’cp preys along the line true one. of being called Beelzebuh. while reallv the Prime of
toward the mark whlc11 hr h:c\ <et for 119 as the standard of life! What a crnsq it must hare been to endure mu+ slnnder-
c~llarxvtc~r. Could w(b SPC all tll.lt, i\ Implied from the very be- nus miareprrsentations. and contradictions of sinners agniust
yinnin: of the rare wtt woulrl IIC tli\h(bartcned no douht. hut, as himself; and how faithfully he horr the Cross. And shall not
we yrow in grarr. and I,~~~OIIIV-Ti on:: in the T,nrd and in thr all of hiq followers expect to similarly share this cross with
power of hi< rni$t. wc xro\v :I~v) in knowletlzr and in love him, and be misunderstood, misrepresented. misjudged. hg those
toward tlrc Tort1 and to\\a1,1 all \lbo arc in fellowship with who are more or less blinded hg the adversary! fhicb dia-
him, and thrls it. becomes llnily e:tsicbr for 115. as we sing. honor, such evil reports, are amongst the things whirh our
“ . . 111(xpath\\av Lord sprcificallv declared would be a part of our cross-bear-
emontliq ing when he said. “Blessed are ve when men shall revilr and
Sinrp firit we lcarncd to ln\c it.” persecute you, and sav all manner of evil against you falselr
As n icalilt, by and 11y thr trial.1 wbilll rame at first beeni for mv sake. Rcioiie and be rxceedinn clad fin all such
to 111xaq n~~tbing, tlllt olhrr trials come instead. as we discern cross-bearings), for great is your rewarci‘ in heaven.”
Innlo tliqt inr*tly; rnorp c*lcarly. the r:nntl. the arceptable, the
CHRIST’S FOLLOWERS SHARE HIS CROSS
perfect will of (:otl. ‘l’hlls our trial rendition progresses, and
what. ia rrquirrtl of 114 iq that strp l)v qtrp w(’ shall he faith- In a word, our Lord calls upon his disriplrr to follow
ful to wb~\t wr SW to bc the Lord’4 will. and shall seek lo the him, in direct ounosition to tho world-current. TTe declare<
bc;t of our alnlitv to submit nurscslrc; t1ierrt.o. ‘l’his iq self- that the disciple ‘must not expect to be ahove his Lord in
dcninl.-for snkini all rlsr lo 1~ ,TWIIS disciples. being spared such experiences, but promises great, rewards
Crnq\-bcknrinp ia closely rrlated to self-denial, and get a at the end of the journey-life eternal, with esreecling glory
~lrstimtinn Mwccn tbrm may tt(x notrd. Self-drnial relate:: The awfulness of the teaching of the creeds of ChriLtrndom
more partic ulnrlv to paqsivr obrdicncc> and rndiiranrc for the respecting the fate of the world in general is only grasped
l,ord’q sake: ( rn5<-l:cs:?ring rela& more partirularlv to ac- when we begin to seriously consider the narrowness of the
tivitics in tlrr T,nrd’s serv’icr. which we find to he coiitrarv lo way in which all of the Lord’s true followers are called to
our nntrrral inctlinntinus. Faithfulnc~ss in self-denial meau? walk in his fnotstepq. Surely, if all except surb faithful
c*oiirnp:t and zcanl; cross-benrin,g nirauq rirtory, overcomine saints, an extremelv “little flock.” are to bc etcrnnllv tor-
Our qclf-dcbninlq may 1)r x icztorirq g::inrd in our own liearts. of mented, it wnuld mean that therc’nre to br many members of
which ntbcxr5 ni,lv know nothing. and nf which thev should every family on earth consigned to that awful and unendin=
know nolliinz. ii’ we dcsirr to h:ivc tllcl fulneqs of the Lord’,3 ngony. How absurd is the proposition. bow unrrnsnn:ll~lr, how
blr5\inz. for w(’ ar, to m:llir siir(> tll,rt wr do not daiv niir- unscriptural, when the Srriptures are rightly understood!
sdre\ to lw ~WII of 111w. hut nlc~rc~lr for the I,nrd’s anurnval. But how reasonable iq the proper interpretation of our text.
Ollr crndc-lk~ariii,rrs, Ilowrvrr. may l;r srcn. to some e&t at how reasonable its anplicatinn to those who have hrrn drawn
l(*nst. llv tboV who arc in clo.ca fvb~11:1(4, with us, and eqprcially of the Father to the Son, and who then hnvc ac-rptcd of the
lay thnGr%wl10 arr \vall;in: in tllr c;\mf’ “narrow way.” Son and his rrcat ~acrific~e for sin. and who have cnnqidered
CROSS-BEARERS GENERALLY MISUNDERSTOOD it a reasonable srrvice to presrnt their bodies living qarrifices.
And bow appropriate it is that all rross-brarers hlmuld and have consecrated thri; nll to him, that they might have
remcnizr f~:rc~l~othr1 . and br nblr to sympatliixr with nnr an- fellowshin in hiq snfferines. and ultimate fell&shin alqo in
t)thrr :ind ::i\ (a an rncouragiii~ word. :I sympathizing look or his glory: Thrse ran ser ‘rradilv that the kingdom honor and
:t hrlpinc 11nntl. :I+ rlpportunity mar offer. As for others. we glO* to-which thev are ralled. are blessings so‘grent, honors sn
(*annot cup1~~~1 sympatliv from thrm. for from their standpoint nrofound. and their wnrks as kings and nrie<ts and iudnes in
we are c*ountrtl fool- (Acts 26:2-t; 1 Cnr. l:l8; 2:14; 3:18). ihc Millennial age so particular, ‘that ali of these tefitirlgs of
unwi9e. foll~0wiiifi an ilnwise courdr. bringing our difficiiltieq faith, patience. lore and obedience are wholly reasonable to
upon onr\clvc~~, Ia*c:iiicr \VP insist oii following an ideal Pat- them.
trrn. tbr uattrrn of nur dear Rcdc~cmcr, instead of following ,411 such we exhort, especially at this particular season of
tlrc patlrr’n of rhiirc~liianitv and tbr world Such. of rniirsi’. the commemoration of our dear Redeemer’s death. that ther
~IRVC onlv snrrrq for ibr failbful. and often no doubt t,hink catch not merely at the outward form of self-denial, practiced
of tbr,m ‘as they sprak of tbcm. ‘nq l)rin,g hypocrites. This hp nominal Christendom during the Lenten season. hut that.
Indrrtl is all part of the cro4!:.bearillg. especially wheu thosp whatever of outward self-denial they may practice they may
who deride and who snr(r arc tlrn\c whom wc love and w110se learn the full meaning of self-consecration and immolation
csttrm wr would rniop. if v-r rould have it in conjunction which our Lord’s words signify: and that they be not content
with the ITastrr’5 “\Ycll done, good and faithful servant.” with the wearing of a cross as an ornament, but grasp fully
look, for instancr, at our Lord Jesus. and the cross which and clearly the purport of the Master’s words respecting
he bore-not the literal Cross of wood whirl1 he bore to the true cross-bearing, that in due time they may also attain
Calvary, amid shame and jeers, but the cross-bearing which Ilr to the crown-wearing promised as a reward to the faithful.
prarti&l continually throughout the three and a .half years Let us at this seas”on of the year renew our covenant of
of hiq ministrv from the time of his consecration at Jordan. sacrifice with the Lord. determined. in the words of the
Nntr bow faithfulness to the truth. in testifying respecting his Apostle, that we will more zealouslv than ever-Lav aside
mission. the kingdom that he was establishing: and the terms every weight, and every besetting sin: and run with patience
and conditions of memhershin in it, beinn misunderstood bv the race set before us in the Gospel, looking unto Jesus, in
the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees,~ led to opposition whose footsteps we spek to run.-Heb. 12.1
[2616]
 CHRIST THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD
MAEtK 5~22-24, ~~-~~.--APRIL 15.
“He is risen, as he said.“-Matt. 28 :6.
The selection of the narrative of the awakening of the apostles on so many occasions is not to be esteemed as simply
daughter of Jairus as an Easter lesson was no doubt under the a selfish partiality but rather as an indication that these three
common but mistaken supposition that the miracle performed who were specialiy zealous amongst the apostles were further
unon this child was similar to the miracle of our Lord’s advanced in sniritual things. and best able to annreciate the
r&urrection, which Easter Sunday generally celebrates. We privileges granted them. “Their selection was ‘but another
will examine the lesson on its own merits, and then see that manifestation of what our Lord called attention to in one of
the Scriptures distinctly and pointedly distinguish between his parables as being the divine principle of government, viz.,
the two miracles-and that the miracle performed upon Jairus’ that “to him that hath shall be given, and he shall have more
daughter is nowhere designated a resurrection, nor was it such abundantly”-to him that hath used, and profited by divine
III fact. favor most faithfully, shall proportionately more and larger
Jairus was evidently a man of considerable influence in his favors be granted; because he more than others has by his
community, for to be a ruler of the synagogue meant, in the faithfulness become capable of enjoying and appreciating and
custom of that time, that he was also a member of the local profiting by additional favors. The Lord evidently loves
Sanhedrin, the court which tried certain classes of offenders, fervency (warmth) of spirit or disposition. No doubt he ap-
preserved general order, convened the assembly, etc. The rul- preciates some who are naturally cold and phlegmatic, but just
ers of the svnaaoaue had its affairs in charge also, and invited as evidently he appreciates
-. still more those who have a keener
its rearlers”andv speakers, managed the srhools in connection interest, a- warmer love, and more intense manifestations.
with it, etc. As a man of high station in the city, he 110 Noting our Lord’s annreciation of zeal should lead ,111who arc
doubt was acauainted with the nobleman of the same city his followers today ‘to strive after greater fervency of spirit,
(Capernaum) , ’ whose bon Jesus had healed, as recorded in greater zeal and ener,gv in running the race set bcforc us in
.John 4:46-33. His knowledge of that caqc no doul)t hellmd the Gospel-greater interest in the JIastcr’s canoe in all its
to increase his own faith in the Lord’+ power co remark- branches.
ably manifested in the circumstances of this lesson. The journey both way- had consumed considcrahle time,
It was while Jesus was at the house of 11latthew (Le\i. and the preparations for tbe burial were far advanced at the
the publiran-see lesson of RIarch 18 ) , rnjoying the hnnquet time of our J,nrd’< arrival. for it was the .Jewish rustnm to
which &tthew had intentlctl qhouid bring hid publican friend, have a spcedv burial aftrr death. The hired rnolll ncrs (whom
in rontact with the JIahtPr, and prob,tbly toward the ron- ~latthew desianates “minstrels”) were alrradv th,arc*. ant1 the
elusion of the banquet, that .lairus arri\ cd on he qcrnc to usual unseemlv tumult of thn time was in nr0are.s. Our Lord
bcseec h our Lord for the rct’orery of 111h daughter. In the rebuked the mourners and spoke of 111~maid as -hqJillg, just
account as given by Matthew (9 :i8) the ruler-is rqpre~entetl ar he similarly said of Lazarus, “Our friend Lasnrnq sleep&h :
as saying that his tluughter was aircody dead, wllllc in the I go that I may awake him.” This aroused tl:c lnu,oh nf
account before us the itnplir*at)on is th,rt altho she waj in scorn, his hearers not npprcciatin~ what he mc+lnt. even a9
an csticme condition life itill remained. The probability ii the disrinies did not annrrriate I .
the word “hlccn.” when 11ictl
that at the time Jailus left hir cahild F~ICwas in an estremelv in connection with Lazarus, until our I,ord’ s,i!tl plainlv.
critical condition, and that he surmised that by t!m time 11”~ “Lazarus is dead.”
was taiking with the Loid she was quite probably dead-( and The use of the word “sleep” for death is very frequent in
such was the case and the servants already enroute to notify Ihe Scriptures, both Old and New Tectamrnts. 111 the Old
Jairus) . Quite poisibly Jairuq mcntionctl the matter from Testament the patriarczhs are said to “sleep with th*zir fathers.”
this stantlpoint: She was at thr point of death when I left and this was said alike of both anod and b:‘tl. kirmq and
her; ahc ia no doubt tlcad now, but come and lay thy hands prophets and commnn people. In ‘the Sew Tc;tam&t thr
on her that she may be healed and live. It was a wonder- Apostle <peaks of those that “rlccp in Jesus,” for whom we
ful exhibition of faith. nncl one which our Lord evidently fully are to sorrow not as others who hate no hnpc, because we
annreriated. for he did not hesitate to PO with him. believe in the resurrection of the dead. In lhr C‘IIC of St,r-
* ‘It was durintr this journev from the’home of Matthew to phen it ia said that he “fell ac,lccp,” and the .\noctle in
the home of Jasus, a great-throng of people accompanying snealiinn of the clo&m of the Goincl :!L’c tlcclar~~.l that wrnc
L < 1 ,

him. that the poor woman who had an issue of blood twel\-c of the church wonlrl not thus slrrp. saving, “\\Ic l hall not
year,, and had spent all that she had and was nothing bct- all sleep, but we shall all be chnn!rctl.” (1 Ring- 2.10 : ;1rtc
tered, but rather grew worse. concciveJ the thought that if 7:GO; 1 Thes. 4:lJ: 1 Car. 15:51). Dr. r,ip11t foot cdl3 2 t-
she could but touch the hem of tJesus’ garment hhe should 1~ tention to the fnct that the ,Tew~sh thenlo~i~~al WI itin?q, the
cured-and by the exercise of her faith in this manner \vaq Talmud. coniain the tbxpresqinn %IIPII lie Llc)kt *’ lutndreds
healed. \Vc can imagine the feelings of Jairus in COIIW- of times, as sipnifving the timr of death: all~l our word rc’me-
qucncc of this delay; while it added to his fait,11 in the power terv mean$ “\lrepino. nl,lcc.” Dr. Trcncb. the nnl~tl ccbolar.
of Jesus. it at the same time tested his faith in respect to sa;q of this word slcen, “Thcrcl,v the rc>alitv of d,*:(r)1 is not
the rccoverv of his child. The test became more severe, be- denied. hut onlv the fact inmlic.ltlv as~unn’(i that dc:tth will
cause just kt this juncture messengers arrived from his wife. be followed by’ a resurrection. .I’: sl(Vp ir ( follow ce<I) by an
saving that the child was dead. and that it would therefore awakening.”
be* unnecessary to trouble the great Teacher. Death would not have hcrn CCVII fipurativcaly (*,~llctl sleep,
Similar are the Lord’s providential dealings with many of except for the provision for a re<urre~tinn, nor wo’rld it have
his poeple: he gives us a ground for faith, and then, as we been appropriate had no swakcnin, v of the rlcad born intcndetl.
exercise that faith and act in harmony with it, he gives fresh And altho this awakening could not take place wllmut a re-
corroboration ; meanwhile testing it, by permitting various dif- demption, and altho the redemption prirc scruring 111,.awaken-
ficulties, contrary suggestions, doubts, fears, etc.-not only ing was not naid until Calvary. nercrthcless all of (:0(1’s peo-
such as woulcl arise in our minds, but such as would be brought pie who had ‘faith in l’is prornisp rnnfl,’ to .\bralrnrn (“III thy
to us through others, sometimes those nearest and dearest. need shall all the families of the cart11 be Illr~Vrl”) realize1
Yet our experiences have been that in all such trials of faith that what God had promised hc would surrly iulfll. and that
the Lord has been ready to speak peace, comfort and full since millions of the fantilirss of the earth llatl p211c down into
assurance to our hearts, ‘if we would hut listen to his words. death ptior to the promise. and hcforc t,he rorn)ncl of the Scr~l
So it was with Jairua. When the servants arrived. and said. of Abraham, therefore tile fulfillment of that promi+e significti
Hope is gone, submit to the inevitahle; Jesus also spoke a n general awakening from thr +lecp of death for all mnnkind-
word. saving. “Be not afraid: onlv believe.” 0. how much in order that all might have the opportunity of bring bles~~l
there is rn faith! How necessarv God causes that it shall be by the glorious Seed of Abraham.
during this present age. He desires that His people shall It was from this standpoint that nnr Lord spekc and acted :
“Walk hy faith.” ‘Without faith it is impossihle to please he was already, sinre llis haptism at Jordan, in prnc~eqs of pay-
God,” and the Apostle assures us that “This is the victory that ing the ransom-his entire life was conserrated and had been
overcometh the world, even your faith.” Indeed, in many rc- accepted of the Father, nltho the sacrifirr had not yet hern
snects faith (not credulitv) is the nrime essential of an “orer- finished, and was not romplctetl until on Calvary hr cried in
comer.” No one can he a&’ overcomer without it; with it any- his dying moment, “It is flnishprl.” As a rrznlt of the
once can be an “overcomer.” God’s grace in Christ making full finishing of the ransom there, our Lord declared that in due
nrovision for all such. Divine nromises and hlessine are to time the prison-house of death would br opened and that all
ihe faith-full only--both as r&pects the present ‘and the the sleeping prisoners would cnmc forth; he declared, “Ail
eternal life. that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of
Jesus when he had come to Jairus’ house, permitted only Man, and come forth;” they that have done well (those now
Peter, James and John to accompany him as witnesses of the on trial, and approved by the Lord as overcomers) unto the
power of God. The favor manifested toward thenp three resurrection of life, and they that have done ill (those who
[26173 1119-I?01
(121422) ZION’S WATCH TOWER AI,LEGKENY. PA.

have not escaped the condemnation, nor been approved of ments” or restitution during the Millennial age-unless at
God) unto a resurrection b judgment-trial.-John 5:28, 29.)some subseauent time she accepted the Gospel of the Lord
That judgment-trial wiI 1 be their blessed opportunity of
Jesus, and &became one of his* followers, a-member of the
coming to a knowledge of the truth respecting the divine church of this Gospel age; in which event she would, if faith-
character and plan, and if they will of coming into harmony ful, be accounted worthy of a part in the chief or first resur-
with it, and by the development of character during the Mil- rection to glory, honor and immortality. But the point we
lennium reaching full perfection of restitution at its close.here make is merely that this lesson does not treat of her
Meantime, they sleep-“sleep in Jesus,” in the sense that a resurrection, but of her awakening.
hope of awakening in the resurrection morning centers in In harmony with this is the plain statement of the Scrip-
Jesus by divine arrangement, through the atonement sacrifice tures that our Lord Jesus himself, in his resurrection, was “the
which by the grace of God, he gave a ransom for all.- first fruits of them that slept.” (1 Cor. 15:20) Again, the
1 Tim. 2:6. Apostle makes the same point very emphatic in his discourse
Thus we see that the future life held out before us in the to Agrippa, saying that all of his preaching was in harmony
Scriptures is a resurrection hope. In harmony with this the with the statements of Moses and the prophets: “That Christ
Apostle declared, “Of the hope and resurrection of the dead should suffer. and that he should be the first that should rise
am I called in question.” (Acts 23:6), and again it is de- from the dead.“-Acts 26:23.
clared that his constant theme in preaching was “Jesus and These nlain statements of Scrinture cannot be ignored with
the resurrection.” (Acts 17:lS) There is no hope of a future impunity by those who desire & be taught of God, and to
life without a resurrection, and there is no hope of a resur- rid themselves of erroneous theories and speculations respect-
rection except in Jesus-that he died for our sins, and thus ing the word resurrection. Our Lord’s resurrection was indeed
paid the death penaltv which was against us, and thus per- the first, and hence the others were not resurrections at all.
mitted the wages of sin, death, to become merely a temporary Our Lord was raised up-clear up-all the way up-out of
“sleep,” from which he will awaken mankind, that they may death-into the full nerfection of life. It was not necessary
be hlcssed under all the great and wonderful privileges of his that he should be riised to the perfection of human nature
kingdom during the Millennial age, otherwise in Scripture again, for indeed it was the human nature of Jesus that was
called the day of judgment, or trial for the world, as this sacrificed on our behalf-one sacrifice forever-which could
present Gospel age is the day of trial for the church. never be taken back or rescinded-otherwise it would have
When readv. in the nresence of his three chosen disciples meant the repeal of man’s redemption-the undoing of the
and the fathe%’ and mdther of the maiden, Jesus took -her at-one-ment work.
by the hand, saying, “Talitha cumi.” These words are in the Rather, we are to remember that when our Lord Jesus
Aramaic language spoken by the common people of that time. made his consecration at baptism he was ‘begotten of the
“Talitha” in the ordinary dialect of the people, is a word of spirit,” a spirit being-and that which was begotten of the
endearment to a young maiden, so that the words are spirit was in due time “born of the spirit,” a spirit being--
equivalent to ‘Rise, my child.’ ‘--blford. and referring to this spirit birth, his resurrection, we read that
AWAKENING OF THE DEAD NOT RESURRECYl’ION he was “the first-born from the dead.” “the first-born among
The maid awakrnetl to life and consciousness. She did many brethren.” (Rom. 8:29 ; Cal. 1: 18) These are additional
not come back from heaven or from hell, but merely awakened uroof texts to the effect that neither Lazarus nor Jairus’
out of the sleep of death, and renewed the experiences of life ‘dauahter. nor the son of the widow of Nain, nor the young
as before. Such an awakening from sleep-such a restoration man’ whom the Apostle Paul awakened, nor Dorcas, whom
of the life forces that had been temporarily suspended, is of Peter awakened. nor the child of the Shunnamite woman
the nature of a resurrection, but is not a resurrection. We whom Elisha awakened, were “born from the dead” in any
are to rememhcr that the maiden was not alive before- sense of the word, either on the fleshly or on the spiritual
that perfect life has not been enjoyed by any member of plane.
Adam’s race since father Adam’s fall into disobedience and Let us. then, in thinking of our dear Redeemer’s resurrec-
under the divine sentence of death. As the Apostle declares, tion, seek more and more to grasp its greatness, and to
“In Adam all die,” and again, “Death passed upon all,” and realize that nothing of the kind ever occurred before, and that
this maiden was no exception to the rule. Our Lord, in speak- as he was the firstyborn from the dead, so his “brethren,” the
ine on the subicct. implied that none have life in anv sense church, are to come next in order. Let us remember also that
of-the word, rs&pt tho;ie who accept him, and they only in a his resurrection to spirit nature is quite a different resurrec-
reckoned sense bv faith. His words were. “Let the dead burv tion from what the world of mankind may ever hope to share
their dead.” Hey that hath the Son hath ‘life.” As the maiden -theirs being a restitution resurrection to human conditions,
was therefore legally dead, without perfect life, and without human nerfection and life. The higher. chief, or first resur-
the rieht to it. before she fell asleep. so likewise. when she rection which our Lord experienced; is promised as a special
awakened, in answer to our Loid’s command, she awakened reward to his faithful church and to no others. It is this
merely to that death rondition in which she previously was. that the Apostle calls the resurrection of the dead, which
To have resurrected her he would have meant to have lifted he describes in 1 Cor. 15:42-44. Our great endeavor, there-
her completely out of death in every sense of the word, out fore. as followers in the footsteps of Jesus, should be the same
of mental. moral and physical degradation, up to the grand that was before the mind of the great Apostle, when he said.
heights of perfection of mind and body, as represented in the “That I may know the power of his resurrection (the first
person of father Adam, and our Lord did nothing of this resurrection, to spiritual conditions, glory, honor and im-
kind. He merely awakened her, leaving her upon the same mortality), and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
plane of death on which she had been born, and had thus far comformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain
lived for twelve venrs. The maiden will still have her op- unto the (special, chief) resurrection of the dead.“-Phil.
portunity of sharing in the general “resurrection by judg 3 :9-l&

THE VOLUNTEER WORK

Since the sending forth of the double number of our
journal last issue, the “Volunteer” enlistments have increased
wonderfully. The dear friends of the truth everywhere seem
to think that if this issue is to be the “ammunition” used by
the Volunteers the results will be momentous; hence many are
anxiolis to enlist in the service which promises nothing of
earthly fame or reward, but large appreciation by the Captain
of our salvation, and large rewards in the world to come.
There are probably as many as a hundred colored brethren
on the Watch Tower liqts, some of them very clear in the
truth, and very earne.t in its service, financially and other-
wise. We have received letters from several of these, who had
intended engaging in the volunteer work, expressing surprise
that in the call for volunteers in the March 1st issue we re-
stricted the inquiry to white Protestant churches. They
rightly realized that we have not the slightest of race
prejudice, and that we love the colored brethren with just the
same warmth of heart that we love the white, and they queried
[2618]
therefore why such a distinction should be made in the call.
The reason is that so far as we are able to judge, colored
people have less education than whites-many of them quite
insufficient to permit them to profit by such reading as we
have to give forth. Our conclusion therefore is based upon the
supposition that reading matter distributed to a colored
congregation would more than half of it be utterly wasted, and
a very small percentage indeed likely to yield good results.
We advise, therefore, that where the Watch Tower literature.
is introduced to colored people it be not by promiscuous cir-
rulation, but only to those who give evidence of some ear
for the truth.
We avoid, so far as possible, putting the pearls of present
truth into the hands of the vicious and depraved, whites as well
as blacks. Wherever we have reason to believe that people
love sin rather than righteousness, we have no desire to re-
move from their minds any of the shackles which ignorance
and superstition have put upon them; rather, we would leave
APRIL 15, l?OO ZION’S WATCH TOWER (122-123)

them l~ound until, in the Millennial age, when thebe shackles laborers are few comparatively, and the wages promised by
shall all be removed. they will be under the strong hand of a the Ilaster are enormous-“ glory, honor and immortality”
strong governor, who will recompense every iniquity as well to the faithful.
as every rfort toward righteousness. * * *
Similarly. the exclusion of Roman Catholic churches was Your succe‘s. and the kind of a reception you receive when
not intendrtl 39 any slight upon the people connected with circulating the truth, will in many m&ances depend largely
them, for whom we have only the greatest good will and best upon your own nnlnner. It is an old saying that “Like begets
\I i&es. Sor did it indicate that we thought none of the like,” and if you go forth with your hearts full of love for the
Roman Catholics amenable to the truth, for, on the contrary, dear “brethren” whom you seek to serve, and if previous
there are quite a number of very zealous friends of the truth to starting you go on iour knees to the Lord to ask his
who were reared in Catholicism: indeed. onlv last, Sundav blessing upon your4elve.. as his servant<. and upon your effort
(April 1st) at our meeting in &e Bible-‘Hou:e Chapel, fe& in his service, praying for wisdom, grace and a fulness of his
Roman Catholics made public profession of faith in the spirit of lore. your manner mill not be bold and blatant: hut
Redeemer and of full consecration to him, and symbolized it in kind, courteous. humble. yet withal courageous, for you are
water immersion. We excluded Roman Catholic churches from there as a brother on the business of the Elder Brother, the
the Volunteer service because the vast majority of their at- King. and have nothing whatever to be ashamed of.
tmtlants are either too ignorant or too bigoted to read and Tour mission is both honorable and laudable. It is an ap-
think for themselves. True, much of this would apply also peal, not to the passion5 and prejudices of the people, but to
to Protestants : hut the percentage of hopefuls amongst the their intelle& and their hearts. This kind of preaching is as
latter i; so mm*11 greater as to justify, we think, the enormous honorable 214 that done from the platform; yea, much more
expunge Involved in this circulation of free reading matter at honorable, for many ministers are confessing in public from
the rhur,l~rs throughout this country. time to time, and to their shame. that for years they have
+ * * been preaching, contrary to their consciences, a God-dishonor-
ing, inconsistent, unreasonable and unscriptural message.
Tlltl \nluntt~er service is open to all of the Lord’s dear peo-
ple. brrthrcn and sisterr, white and colored, who have a de- They have been charging good round salaries for this falsifica-
hire tliuq to serve the great Captain of our salvation, and to tion and defamation, while you, on the contrary, as a true
help (1.‘11\cr their “brethren” minister of the Lord and the truth, not only serve to others
from the bondage of Babylon
into t hcs Ilbcrty wherewith Christ hath made us free from “meat in due season” from the Master’s table, but do it with
sec*tnri:(ni~m. superstition good tonscience, and without raithly reward or any hope of
and every yoke of bondage. Nor
do wz &uire to place this service as a yoke or burden upon name or fame.
any, blit as thr word indicat.es, it is only for “volunteers.” EFFECTUAL VOLUNTEER WORK
1r.e Iteltcvca that the Lord would not have any conscriptions or
draft+ c~onnc&tl with his service. .AR to whether or not this One dear brother, whose letter appears in this itisue. had
iq a rn;~p in which you can serve the Lord’s cause is not for the “Dawn” in his possessIon, but was too prejudiced to study
uLI hut for vou to tlcc~itle. We merely give you our opinion, it, until he witnessed a “ \ ’ olunteer distribution” at a church
that this ix one of the best means of serving the truth- he attended, and saw amongst the Volunteers one whom he
preaching the Gospel of the kingdom-breaking the chains of recognized as the head of a large mercantile business. He said
error that are upon the “brethren’‘-honoring the name and to himself at once, “There is something real and tangible about
<hnrac*ter of our heavenly Father, and extolling the great re- the faith of these Christian people, and I must study the
demption accomplished by Jesus our Saviour It is a “harvest” literature to find the basis of such self-denial and rross-bear-
work, in that it is gathering to the Lord his true people,- ing.” He did investigate. and as a result is now a Volunteer
gathering them out of the various sects-not into another I&self. He iq a man of coIIege education, good natural
se& but into heart-union with the Lord and with all who are ability, fills a fine position, and is not ash,imed of the Lord,
at one with him through oneness of spirit, engendered by nor of the word of his grace, which has established his own
low of the truth. heart and given him a faith and a hope beyond all compare.
His present aspirations are, to be humble and faithful until
WRAPPERS ADDRESSED FOR SAMPLE TOWEES death, and then to be a sharer. a joint-heir with the Lord in
\Vr dry e\pe(ting great results from the volunteer fiervice his hlillcnn~al kingdom, which shall bless the world.
this year, ant1 those who engage in it to any degree will, we In addition to meekness and love, manifested in look. in
believe. look bdck with great. pleasure to their share in it. word and in act, we advise the dear volunteers to lie(I) a
But regardless of how much blessing may come to others by reasonable distance away from rhurch etlifi(es whose tongre-
this service. we are convinced that great blessings are coming gations they seek to serve. A reasonable distnme will. of
to the Lord’s people, througli the self-denial and cross-bear- course, depend somewltat upon eirrumstanccs. -1 quarter or
ing which thi, \oIunteer servicae implies. The bringing of our a half block would not be loo distant, if thereby tin> people
hearts into such a condition of devotion to the Master means could be well served. Of course. no one should tahe offcn\e at
a iplritual bIe+Ging and a ,haracter-development which surely a gratuitous distribution of spiritual food dircctlr at the
wtlI be great aid3 in the attainment of the kingdom. However, church door ; yet cspcrience show? that some do take otfcnse
to 1113own master each servant stands or falls, and we are to at this, and feel a~ dir? the Ph,irisces of old rehnectinp the
remember not to judge or offend one another, but rather to I‘ord’s ‘message, when they a&etI, “Are we bIind*aIsov” It
assiLt each other. is we!1 to avoid arousing prcjutlire. Our ammunition is
In harmony with this we are quite willing to co-operate not intended to wound, to hurt, to kill. but to do good, to
with XII the Lord’s dear ncople in whichever of the various comfort, to inspire with new Christian life and hop.
methods of serving the tr&h-they may decide to be the most l l l
annronriate
11 1 and best suited to tlieir circumstances. conditions.
zeal, etc \Ve will therefore not restrict this “ammunition” to We have derided to discontinue the general volunteer cir-
the volunteer work at tin> churches, but will supply it freely culation of the “Bible versus Evolution” namnhlet. and to
to others, for use amongst their friends, or in any manner use this volunteer number everya here instea tl. * Consequently
that, they may be ahle to use it. For instance, some have al- all the new recruits to this volunteer service will be supplied
I(~;III~~qent 11sin numerous addresses of persons whom they have with the new ammunition, and the various companies may get
reacon to believe might be amenable to the influence of the together at once and, through one of their number. appobted
truth. ant1 otliers have gotten extras for loaning amongst their as-secretary or Iientenant, communicate with UP, mforining us
friends and neighbors. While these may not be strictly iesnectina ‘the number of Protestant white churches. and so far
count4 in amongst the volunteers, we mav consider them a as they may he ahle to judge, the average dttendance at each,
kind of sln~rpshootcrs and “guerillas.” ” and the number of volunteers with their names. The Captain-
Those ~110 ni\lr 11s to mail samnlrx to their friends direct General of our forces is the Lord Jesus, under whoqr banner
from our trfK,e choul~l write the addiesses on wrappers of about alone we are enrolled, and whose cause alone we serve.
the kanlc <lze I\!’ nip in mailing the Watch Tower (12 by 8
inche+-the ac1dreb.s to IIC written lengthwise of the sheet. “From victorv unto victory
and about one and a h.llf inches from the top), and these His army shall he lead, -
addressed wrappers should be mailed to us, a postal card ac- Till every foe IS vanquished,
companying them in explanation. The harvest is great, the And Christ is Lord indeed.”
[2619]
 A KIND MASTER, A GOOD SERVANT
LUKE 7 : 1-10.--BPRIL 22.
“1,1/x as CClather pitieth his chiZ&ren, so the Lord nitzcth them that fear him.“--Psalm 103:13.
Masters and servants in the olden times occupied a much such power as the Lord Jesus manifested had agencies at his
r.loser relatlon~hlp to earl] other than they do toJay-a reln- command which would not require him to personally see and
tionshiD which took on more of naternal sentiment. The touch the servant in order to heal him, even as the centurion
r.hanxe’ha5 hren hrnught ahout grad&lg, and is not the result himself was accustomed to perform various matters through
of great men of tod;iy having-less heart than great men of the mstrumentality of his servants.
the olden tlmri. nor of rmplovecs being leqs faithful than em- This was a wonderful illustration, both of meekness and
ployees of olden times: it IS I:ather the result of changed con- of faith, and it was appreciated by our Lord accordingly.
Ilitionq-tile rcb?ult of grc::ter individuality and independence, There is a lesson in it for all of the Lord’s people, to the effect
wl1ic.h lcatls the c~mploycc~ to prcfcr tn sell his time nnd c’nergy that the more we exercise faith in the Lord along reasonable
,111a St1 ic,tl,v ~c,n;mc~rc1~11basis rather than on a paternal hasls. lines, in halmony with the teachings of his Word, the more
Sti\ crtlielc y.. tli(l =cllrral inflliencc is iinfavoral,lt~ in many he will be pleased with us. This same thing was illustrated in
rccpwts. f11\t, 11(%(‘inh~ iIlc*l of gr(hat mental power and in- the case of Thomas, who, being absent at the time of om
tliienc*e are to \onir extent Tinder proyerit arrangements cut off Lord’s first appearance to the eleven, declared that nothing
from fcllo\\ \111p ;intl svrnp,ll hy with their employees. and would satisfv him resuectina the Lord’s resurrection except
:tlthouph tlie (l;l\i tllstin;~iic,n? are not lest ma~ketl Ih,ln in the the putting ‘of his finiers &to the nail-prints of his hands.
1)x-t. nor t\cn :I. n111(.1iho, vet clas. i ii-alrj dntl miimo>ity is Our Lord, while granting him the demonstration which he
po\+1111;,~pr,*:ltrar tll,lri c’\“r . asked. intimated that he would have had a neater blessing
if he’could have exercised a greater faith, saying, “(More;
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Let all of the Lord? people remember this, and instead of
doubting the Lord’s willingness to perform what he has prom-
ised, and requiring signs and further evidences and assurances
let 113 rather rest content that he who has 50 graciously donp
for us in the past more than we could have asked or thought
is equally faiihful today, and will fulfill to uq all the good
I
momises of his Word. The more heartilv we shall aceem? hi3
promises. the more fully we shall trust fb his prapiorlq ‘provi-
jences, the more peace”of heart we shall have-ourselveh, and
the more the Lord will delight himself in us as his servant&
and brethren, and the more he will be pleased to favor us am!
to use us.
Our Lord’s remark: “I have not found so great faith, no.
not in Israel,” was a grand tribute of approval for the Gentile
!liInWli ~3% (‘i IhJi$ an 0rd~~rl.v man. and such mPn usually centurion. It distinctly indicates that the facat that the Lord’s
CWk fOJ arid OlJtiliIl orderlv servants. Furthermore. in his favor which for over eighteen hundred years had been confined
Y

c,onvcrcation with Our Lord 11~ decalarcs that he was accus-
tonlrd to lli~\in~ llis qer\:Ints do what he bade them.-Verse
Tile centurion himself waq. of course. a Roman-not a Jew.
llc w.1~. tllr~rc~forc, d(+arred in a general way from the Lord’s
blf,nsingil. which IN, tlcrlarrd on another occasion were for the
children of thr I.inptlon~ (Israelites) onlg. and not for stlang-
crs. No dorrllt l~w~usc he Jwlized himself ns out+ldc Judaism
-an nlirn :rnd :L <trxngcr, and forergncr from the covenants
and hlrwinrs of God hrstnwetl rr~orr lhrncl. (Eph. 2 : l2), that
hc ohtainrrl IlJc cniilwrxtion of ‘the leading J&s of the city,
that tlrcv noI:ltl favor hii cpnnsr with the Lord, and intercede
that hi*’ petitrorr might Ire ~rnrrtrrl.
Wc notice 111~eood derds of this centurion. He evidently
rcsqpectrd the religion of the Jews, rntl had used his wealth in
I hr inriltlinr of a \vnazocuc. the ruirrq of which are supposed
to IJIVe hcG;i found‘ rt&ntly. Of tliesr JYliIJS Edershrim ‘says,
“‘I%~ rcmxins now, after e.i,ghtern crnturie<, in their rirhne?s
of (alaborate cnrv~ngn of cornices and tablets, of capital9 and
nirheq, show with n-hat liberal ha11C1hc had dealt his votive
offerings.” It is presumed that thi- miracle preceded the
awakpniny of .T:tilu~’ daughter, and it is not unrra+onable to
suppow that Jairns lrimqelf was one of the elders of the Jews
who eamr to qJrsrl+ in the interest of the centurion: and this
to some extent lirlpq to awount for hih jireat faith irr our
T,ord’q powrr to ,(a\ ivt* hi3 daughter, been though dead
Our J,nrtl q((brns to 11nvc readily granted the centurion’s
rrflurSt : :1nr1 tlic fact t.lr:1t it was not presented personally i7
p&rimrtl not. to signify any lack of r&pect, hut-the very re-
verse. a rralimtion on 11iq iart that Jrwa wrrt’ xvrrse to har-
in:! anv tlr:ilinzlq w it11 Gclniiles. except alon,g strirztly huqine$-,
11rtrs. ‘Hi< further rnc,ctr;tv and mepknrs; were manifest in the
fact that brforc .Tc~us h&l reached his house he sent friends
(not pervantn) to hindrr ,Jr~u? from defiling himself hr com-
ing into a Grrrtile’q honw. For nlthn hc was a man of irJfluence
and Dower, hr rcaliacd tlrr harrier between himqelf and the
.Irwl.q: arrordin~ lo nhirh the Pharicecq would have considered
that thrv dcfilcd themselrrs bv entcrirrr his house. HC accord-
ingly su’gb’ested that mlr Lord would &rrelg speak the word.
and that he l~atl frr11wt tonfidcnc~c fII>\t the word rould be
spoken :I$ will outhitlc ai inqidv tllc Ilou;e-that 011e possessing
to Israel was not merely because the Israelites were alone
8. worthy, nor because in them alone Was found such faith aq
that on account of which father Abraham wa4 blessed, and
the blessing pronounced on his children. But altho the Lord
found greater faith in the centurion than amongst others 111
Israel, nevertheless he could not and did not invite the cen-
turion to become one of his disciples, because “the gifts nntl
callings of God are not things to be repented of.” and the
divine favor to Israelites must and did continue down to thr
full end of the “seventy weeks” of favor promised through
Daniel, the prophet-altho the national favor reased three and
a half years sooner, in the midst of the seventieth week, five
days before our Lord’s crucifixion, when he said of that nation.
“Your house is left unto you desolate; ye shall see me no
more until that day. “-%Iatt. 23 i38 ; Dan. 9:24.
It is certainly within the range of possibility that thl<
centurion, whose good works and alms were so highly com-
mended hy the Jews, and whose faith was so highly spoken of
by our Lord, might have been removed by Roman authority
from Capernaum to Cesarea, another fortress, and that he
may have been the centurion named Cornelius, the first Gentile
accepted to t,he privileges and favors of the Gospel church, at
the expiration of the “seventy weeks” of favor confined to thr
Israelites.-Acts 10: l-35.
One lesson connected with this subject which should spe-
ciallv commend itself to anv of the Lord’s people who are
masters or employers is theYlesson of kindness for servants
If a Gentile w&id be so careful for the interests of his servant.
and thus bestir and trouble himself much to secure his release
from pain. much more should every true Christian not only
feel a kindliness for those who are of the household of faith
but alro be disDnsed to do good unto all men as they may have
opportunity. &e may be-sure that all such evidhnces‘of in
terest.
“_..-_ in .~~ iellow-creat;res.
.~ all surh evidences of the spirit of
love and kindness, are pleasing in the Lord’s sight; and not
only so, but that every time we exercise ourselves along such
lines we deepen them and strengthen, confirm and establish
c*haracter alone the lines of love and mercy. This is one of
tllc ways in whirh we are to develop ourselves more and more
ad copies of C,od’s dear Son.-Rom. 8:29.

THE DISAPPOINTED PROPHET’S WISE COURSE

Lurtr: i : IS-~&-APRIL 29.
“Ilc Iroth rlo+lc ull things well.“--Mark 7~37.
\Vhile tTe5un was performing man) miracles, making nu- .John the Baptiser. Yet this was only in accordance with
merouq disciples, and meeting with romparatively little oppo- what John himself had prophesied, saying, “He must increase,
sition, things were going very differently with his cousin, but I must decrease.” John was in prison. about 120 miles
f 134-125) [26201
.\PRI~, 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (125-125)

from where Jesus was laboring so successfully. To be shut up inquiringly-and be set at rest by his Word. We may not be
m a dark dungeon of the kind usual at that time, and to have able to hear the Lord’s words with our own ears, but we can
our Lord proceeding with his work, and raising no voice of receive it second hand as did John-through the testimonies
nrotest on his behalf, and exercising none of his mighty power of the apostles and prophets, by whose writings God has pro-
?or his deliverance, probably seemed very strange-to John- \-ided in advance replie to all proper queries.
especially in view of his expectations respecting the work of The question arises, Was John imprisoned on account of
the Messiah-that he would be a great earthly general and nff~cious&s-on account of trymg to mind Herod’. business?
king, in harmony with the general Jewish expectations. Or was hc imnrisoned because of his faithfulness in the dir-
We see how readily John might have permitted doubts and charge of that* duty? Was it right or was it wrong for him
fears to enter his mind. He might have said, This whole to rgprove the king, and to say ti him that it was rlot lawful
matter is a fraud, and Jesus and I have been deceiving OW- for him to take as his wife his brother Philin’s wife? There
selves. HP might have lost all faith in God’s providential is no question that Hrrotl w.1~ in the wrong, Aantl that John’>
dealings in theOpast, and ail heart and hope for -the present expres;lon on the suhjcct was a corrrct o!l<, and that Hero.:
and for the future; but notwithstanding the great disappoint- was livinp in adultcrv. a , but the nuestion is. \1:as this any of
ment he felt, his faith continued its firm hold on the Lord. ~John’s buziness? Did he need to nieddle witd the king’s affairs,
This is indicated in his sending of his disciples to Jesus, to and thus get himself into trouble? And if it was John’s duty
make inquiry, and also in the character of the inquiry. He to reprove Herod on this subJcct, was it not the duty of 0111
sloes not say, Is this whole matter a farce, and are we deluded? Lord Jesus to have done the same, and m addition to have
but on the contrary his question was a sound one, and ex- uttered a protest against the imprisonment of John, and in
presses the conviction that thus far the Lord has been leading, general to have raised a great hubbub over the injustice being
‘Lnd that the only doubt in the prophet’s mind was whether done by the wicked ruler 1 Snd if ,John wa\ right in this mat-
or not, as he was the forerunner of Jesus, Jesus in turn, ter was our Lord Jesus wrong in not follo\\ing the same
greater than he, might be the forerunner of some one else still course? Or if Jesus was ri-rrht in not followin John’s course
greater :and yet to come. And strictly speaking, this was in reproving Herod, does it”prove that .John ;&cd in giving
ctuactly the rnse; for Jesus in the flesh was indeed the fore- the reproof 1
runner and precarer of the way before the still greater glo- We answer that our Lord’s conlluct is certainly to be con-
I lfietl Christ of the second advent. who will accomplish the sidered as above reproach, iincc “in him was no sin, neither
great ilntl wonderful things foretoltl by all the holy-prophets was guile found in his mouth;” but this does not prove guile
*inre the world began.-Acts 3:21-23. and sin on John’s part in following a difYclent course. We are
Our Lord, it will be noticed, did not answer John’s question to remember that in manv Iesne& John and his ministry
directly-he did not sag that there was not another coming differed widely from our L&d alid his ministry. For instan?;,
:lnd s&l1 greater work -than that which he was performing the uncouth skin-girdle which John wore was vcrv different
but he did eive John to understand distinctlv that the work from the seamless-robe whit-h the Lord wnre; antlUthe %rip-
tic was then-doing was the very work which gad been foretold tures call attention to the fact that .rohn li\ctl a very abPtem-
In the prnphets, and the proper thing to be done at that time. ious life, “neither eating nor drinking” ordinary food. but
\Vhilc .Tohn’s messengers were with Jesus a number of miracles practicing a rontinual fasting or self-denial as respects these
were performed in their sight, and Jesus sent them back to comforts, while our Lord Jesu1~ ramc “both eating and drink-
.John with instructions that they bear witness to him of the ing,” attended wedding feasts and banquets made In his honor.
work of the Lord progressing in his hands, and to say to John The lesson i? that these grand charactrrs eacoh fulfilled his own
that while the opportunities to stumble at Jesus, his work and mission, according to the divine arrangement, but that they
his word-, were many, and while many would stumble at these, had different missions. John’s mission was nre-emincntlv that
as the prophet had declared (Isa. 8:14) yet a special blessing of a reprover and reformer, and we arp to l&derytand &at as
would rckt upon all who would not stumble, but whose faith a prophet he was supernaturallv ,rrllidcd in respect to the
In thr T,ord would continue, despite various disappointments various features of the course whic.11 he took Our TJnrd’s
IIf expectation respecting his work and their fulfilments- mission, on the contrarv, was a dilferrnt one; he was adth-
thron~h misapprehension of the lengths and breadths and ering to himself those whom .John’s ministrv s&ved to afnuqe
Ikeights and depths of the divine plan, which, as the heavens to righteousness and to zeal to know and do’the T,ord’s will.
:jre higher than the earth, were higher than human conception 1?e who are called to be the “body” of Chri-t and to follow
(,ould have foreseen. For instance what Jew could have him, may learn a lesson in this as rhspPrts our proper course:
thourrht for a moment of the still h&her than Jewish expec- we are not sent forth as .John was. to dwell in the wilderness.
t.lt&s of the kingdom-of the spiriiual kingdom-class to be living and dressing uncouthly, and to cariticise and denounce
selected first hefore the establishment of the earthly kingdom, everything and everybody. Some of the Lord’s dear people
and to he sharers with-Messiah in his glory,
- I. honor and immor: fail to notice that such commisqions are snerial and rerv rare.
tnlity? and sometimes in following the wrong Aropy. und&nedl~
-411 of the Lord’s faithful servants need to remember the bring reproach upon the Lord’s cause. Wo are to he copies
Game lcqqons which were thus forcefully impressed upon John: of God’s dear Son. nur Lord. and not to be rnpicq of .Jnhn the
they need to remember that when sometimes matters turn out Baptiser. We are nr)t to stir up strife hy tryi;g to mind nt,hrr
verk differently with themselves than what they had expected, neonle’s husiness. nor to seek to ,rrnvprn all the afilirs of this
when they receive injuries, reproaches and oppression, as the \Yoild, reproving emperors, king;: governors, etc , hnt to thr
rewards of faithfulness to duty and to truth, it does not mean contrary of thiq are eshorted by the Apo&le to rc~mrmber that
that God has forgotten them, nor that they were misled in what God sees fit to permit we ran SPPfit to endure.
their nrevious service to the Lord: nor does it mean that the Even tho we find many things whirl1 v;r cannot cnmmcmd
J,ord ‘has changed his plan; nor that he is careless or indif- or indnrqe, we may equnily finit nurirlvpq :tlllc to nroitl any
ferent respecting their rondltion. True, their first thought fperial denunciation of them--ennrc*iallv of thinci: whicah h:lve
l houltl 1~ whether or not present unfavorable conditions are nb hearing whatever upon fhc lj’rnprr ‘~lrrdrr~tan;lillr and fill-
in the nature of chastisements or the results of an.y misdoings filling of the LorII’s Word. Thr Apn~tll~ points out our pr<bprr
on their part,, or failures to qerve the Lord in his own wny, position, sayin,n, “Aq rnucah nq lioth rn you live pc~~c~:~hlv wit11
hut if they find their cnurse to he harmonious with the divine all men.” And our Lnrtl rmphnsized fhr samr thouyrrht. s:lving.
will and Word they should at once rest their faith upon the “Bleqqed arc the pcaccmnkers: they sh:111bc railed thr c~hil~lrcn
T,ord. and conclude that God knowq better than thev how to of God.”
manage his own work. Then while thankful to be u&d in that Some of the hnlieqt of the J,ortl’ Y proplr err on tlilS snbicrt
work for a time they should nevertheless be pleased, if it were in their own families, and nrdlrs5lp arnilsc prriiitlic*c and
the Lord’q will. to he set aside for a time-perhaps for the opposition, and makr their hnmrs unhnpp.v. by c~ontinll~lly
good of others. or perhaps for their own training in the school findin,rr fault with things which thn not II~ to the htnndnrti
of expcrienre and in the learning of lessons of patience and of saintliness: and cross-hearing. are neverthelczq not immoral
of faith. or wirkcd even in tendency. Parent< and gunrtlians are sure1.v
But such a resting in the Lord, such a centering of life in to guard n,rr;rinqt all tendenries toward immorality, etr.. but
him. can be enjoyed &ly by those who have made considerable to find fault with thosr they love mrrrly because they are nnly
nrogress. who have run a considerable distance in the wav of nominal Christians and have the spirit of worldliness. is cer-
ihe“T,ord, and who have already been exercised under” the tainly unwiqe. Their general life o’f prnrc and joy in the holy
Lord’9 prnvidences, and have learned many lessons in his Snirit is the verv best renrnnf of wnrldlir:rss
I Y
thrv ran Five
school. This, however, is the condition which all of the Lord’s 2nd the hcqt rprnmmcndatibn of the ,rrlorinu? gospel they pro-
true follower9 are to strive to nttain. as the only one thor- fess. This is the epistle that will be read, the light that will
oughly pleasing to the Lord, The proper course of all God’s reprove dnrkncss. In other words, we must not expert from
qervantl when perplexed is the one followed by John, namely, nor try to force upon the unrnnserrated the details of our own
to go to the Lord with the perplexity-not doubtingly, but self-denials. We must wait :mtil t,hey shall see full conse
[2621]
(127-131) ZlON’S WATCH TOWER

cration to be their “reasonable service” and present their the kingdom of heaven iti preached, that now whosoever will
bodies living sacrifices to God. Pastors and teachers, however, of this &vinely fatored nation may press his way and gain
should seek-to keep continually before the Lord’s consecrated an entrance into it and become a son of God.-John 12: I.
flock the high Scriuture standard. realizing that manv in- Sate in the text the clearneb> ut our Lord’s word2 re.+pect-
fluences are continually at work to iower the-standard of”holi. ing the distinction between the new institution whirl1 he was
ness and devotion. foundmg and the old institution founded by 1,foses. and which
u-as then coming to an end, .givmg place to the new. The
JOHN MORE THAN A PROPHET Apostle shows that the call ot us Gentiles during this Gospel
The multitude who stood about must have heard the mes- age to a joint-heirship in the kmgdom as members of the king-
saPre which John’s disciples brought to Jesus. and no doubt dom-class is because those of the Jews ready to receive the
q&&cd within themselv&, if not audibly, Is J&n losing faith kingdom favor upon the Lord’s terms were fewer than the pre-
in Jesus as the Messiah? If John is a DrODhet himself. should determined number. Our call is to fill the places of those
he not tJe informed by God on this s&j&t, without ‘sending “natural branches” of the Abrahamic stock. bv being grafted
to inquire of Jesus? Does not this, in connection with the into and made partakers of the original riot hf di&e’ favor
fact that John did no miracles, prove that John was not a -the Abrahamic promise-to be members of the seed of Abra-
prophet. but merelv some sort of a reformer, possibly self- ham, in which as a kingdom-class all the families of earth
nppknted? Our cord seemb to have detected &~ch a’ ques- shall be blesrcd with cer‘tain favors of knowledge and oppor-
tinning, and hence after John’s discipline were gone, so that tunity.-Compare Rom. 11: 1-33; Gal. 3: 16, 29.
his words could not he construed as a sop of flattery to hold How highlv we who belong to the new dispensation should
John’s confidence, he delivered quite a eulogy upon his faithful value its privjleges and opportunities, and seek to “make our
forerunner, which we paraphrase thus: 11 hat did you expect calling and our election sure.” (2 Pet. 1:4-11) If those u-ho
in John-a weak, pliable character, easily swayed by every were called with an earthly calling to be a “house of servants ’
wind of doctrine and fancy, as a reed is easily swayed by the rendered but a reasonable service when they engaged m the
wind? Those who <, eet such an impression respecting
1 v his char- Lord’s work zealouslv, as did John the Bantist. and have been
acter are deceiving themselves. - On the contrary, he is a faithful, how much-more zeal and eneriy eight we to put
prophet, yea, more than a prophet-he is a special ambassador forth who have been favored so much more highly! “What
and messenger of God at this present time, to do an intro- manner of persons ought we to be. in all holy conversation and
ductory work related to the kingdom which I am now preach- godliness!” Let us remember that this “high-calling,” this
ing. He is referred to hy Malachi the prophet (3: 1) . Indeed, “heavenly calling,” to joint-heirship with our Lord in the
I declare to you that there has never arisen a greater prophet kingdom, is a very special and a very limited call, that it
than John, and yet I say to you that the least one in the king- will soon end, and that so far as the divine revelation shows.
dom-rlaqs IS greater than he; for he does not belong to the it will never be repeated. In view of these things let us lay
kingdom-class at all, but to the previous dispensation-“the aside every weight, and run with patience the race set before
house of servants.” “The law and the prophets were until us in the gospel, looking unto Jesus. the author, until he shall
John” (and he is the last of the prophets), and since then have become the finisher. of our faith.-Heb. 12 : 1.

VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., MAY 1, 1900 No. 9

,
THE MEMORIAL SUPPER
Each year seems to add to the interest of the Lord’s peo- self, as the antitype. We noted also the approprintenesi of
ple in the celebration of the great event which lies at the the emblems which Jesus choose to represent his flesh and his
foundation of all our Christian hopes-the celebration of the blood; we saw that unleavened bread most beautifullv illus-
death of “Christ, our Passover.” Each year the matter seems trated the purity, the sinlessness, of our dear Redeemkr, and
to be more clearly grasped by a larger number, and cor- that the CUD. the fruit of the vine. remesented his sufferinas-
respondingly the solemnity and holy joy proper to the occa- not sufferin& that were arievous,‘bui ioyous. endured wilhne-
“”
sion seems to be the more intense, and the overflowing bles- I.‘; gladly, on our behalf, and we rejoiced in these things.
sing to be more pronounced. We considered how we were to feed unon the Lord in our
Xlany of the little companies of the Lord’s people who hearts while using the bread emblematic’ally-that- we could
celebratell on the evening of April 12th have responded to feed upon his flesh in the sense of calling to mind the fact
our requeqt for information resbecting the numbers partici- that only through his sacrifice could we have life, only by his
natine. and the measure of the Lord’s Soirit and blessing becoming our substitute in death could we, as a race, be set
breiayiing. From these reports we judge’ that the numbe? free from the condemnation that was upon us through father
participntmg this year was considerably more than last year. Adam’s transgression. We considered the fruit of -the vine,
Though we have not heard from nearly so many, the totals are the svmbol of our Lord’s blood. as the sealing of the n’ew
larger. 1Ve believe, too, from the letters that the meaning Cove<ant under which God, throbgh Christ, could be merciful
of the institution was very deeply appreciated, not only as toward our imperfection<. accepting our intentions, even though
marking the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, but also as the weaknesses of the flesh might sometimes hinder us from
marking the consecration of his people to be one with him attaining all the desired results.
in his sacrifice. Then we viewed the matter from the other standpoint-
The Allegheny church had a moqt blessed season, about 290 the secondary one mentioned by the Apostle in 1 Cor. 10: 16,
participating. \Yc first rcrie\\ed the general meaning of the 17, viz., that the entire church is one loaf, and that it is the
Passover, as it was instituted with the *Jews, tracing the re- duty and the privilege of all who have become members of
lationship between the typical Passover Lamb and Christ the the one loaf, the one body of Christ, to be broken in the
Lamb of God, our Passover, and saw in the first-born of service of the Head and in the service of each other, that thus
Israel passed over in that night a type of the church of the we might have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings and
first-horn. ullirh Chtl iq passing over during this Gospel ultimately he sharers in his glory. We saw that the cup of
night. 1Ve saw that subsequently these first-born ones became blessing with which we bless is indeed our communion or
the lcaderi of Israel as a whole, and their deliverers from fellowship in the blood [sufferings] of Christ, our mingling of
Epptlan bondage, and we saw that the anti-type of that our lives with his life, our joining with him in “filling up
deliverance w111 be the ultimate deliverance of all who love that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” We sought
God and who desire to serve him, from the bondage of the to enter into the very deep meaning of the beautiful symbol,
world and of sin, and of Satan, the antitype of Pharaoh, and and to have it in our hearts a power of God, leading us to
that this ultimate deliverance would be during the Millennial keener appreciation of our dear Saviour, and to a keener de-
age. when “the church of the first-born” ones will be as- votion as his disciples, to walk in his footsteps.
sociated with Christ in the Millennial kingdom. Then, after a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the living
Next we saw how that the Jews had celebrated the type for Bread that came down from heaven-for Jesus, who was not
over sixteen centuries, with no knowledge of the antitype, and a condemned member of the human family, but a specially
yet that in God’s due time Christ, the antitypical Lamb, was nrovided one. suitable to be our Saviour. our Bread. our Life-
slain on the very same day of the month that the typical Hiver, and ior all the blessing which ‘we have through his
Lamb was slain; and that on the very same day in which great sacrifice, we partook of the bread. After this we gave
he and his disciples met as Jews to celebrate the typical Lamb thanks for the cup, acknowledging that we have no righteous-
and the typical passing over, our Lord instituted a new ness of our own, even though all the past were forgiven, and
memorial, which would not look back to the type, but to him- that we could not hope to stand before God acceptably or
[2622]
MAY 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (132-134)

to have any dealings with him except under the gracious pro- how the majority of the responses he received were in the
visions of the *New Covenant. sealed with the nrecious blood nature of scoffings. We hope that our dear brother will put
of Christ. We gave thanks also that by God’s ‘,raee we have his address into writing that we may lay it before the larger
been called to fellowship with Jesus, and told the Lord of our church some time in the near future.
hopes thnr. by his grace we might run our course with faithful- We have received reports, all of them excellent, from
ness and eventually be received to joint-heirship with our 280 celebrations-from every State of the Union and from
Master in his glory when we are partakers with him of the Canada. A few of these were from solitary individuals, who
joys of the kingdom. had no opportunity of meeting with others, but to whom
The simple but impressive memorial being ended, it was the Lord granted much blessing, compensating them for their
requested that in order that the solemnity of the hour might loneliness otherwise. It may be interesting that we give the
abide with us, to our mutual comfort and joy, we should nulnbers pnrtiripatmg at some of the gatherings reported, as
part on that evening without entering into any conversation follows :-
likely to attract our minds from the precious things which Baltimore, Md., 20 ; Brantford, Ont:, 29; New York, 18;
filled them, but rather might, for the hours following, remem- Poughkeepsie, N. IT.. 16; Washington City, 23; Scranton. Pa.,
ber the severe trials of the disciples, and the dear Master’s 28; Bcston, Mass., 97; Philadelphia, Pa., 55; Toronto, Ont.,
trials, and seek to enter into close sympathy with his faith- 37; Tiflin, 0.. 22; Fhppo, O., 19; Younpstown, 0.. 25: Cleve-
fulness, and to be all the more on guard against the wiles land, O., 38;. Colum& 0.; 27;’ Canton, O., -22;. Toledo, O.,
of the adversary, which seems to be so potent at this season 28: Wheeling. UJ. Va. 16: Davton. 0.. 16: Indiananolis. Ind..
of the year. Then singing the first hymn we were dismissed. 34; Chicago.: Ill., 70; ‘Sagina;, Mich.,’ 18 ;’ St. Paul and &Ii&
An incident which added to our blessing in connection neapolis, Mum., 23; Weatherford, Tex., 24; St. Louis, MO.,
with this service was the fact that our dear Brother Horace 55;-Omaha, Neb., 19; Council Bluffs, Ia., 16; Vanetia; Tex.;
A. Randle, who for about twenty years has been a missionary 16: Los Angeles. Cal.. 61: Alleghenv. 290.
in China, was with us, and took part in the service with evi- ‘We are -not ‘foolish ehough-to “think that these figures
dent pleasure to himself and profit to us all. Bro. Randle .gire any occasion for boasting; for the total amounts to only
wrote us in January last that he was about to start on his a few over 2,600, and we have every reason to suppose th&
long journey of 16,000 miles, with the desire and intention we have heard from two-thirds of those who celebrated: for-
to reach Allegheny in time for this Memorial service. He eign reports will come later. However, we have every reason
arrive11 just tile c:ay before, and was very warmly welcomed to believe that these numbers represent people who not only
bv us all. He addressed us on Easter Sundav. amongst other profess Christ, but who also are seeking daily to live the
good things telling us of his great joy in t& harve% truth, Christ-life. Moreover, they are full of the Jubilee music,
and of hip- intense desire to make known the grace of God and having heard the joyful sound they are all repeating it far
to all the Lord’s dear people, and of some efforts he had and near. Consequently we expect a much larger showing
already put forth, and some of the fruitage which the Lord next year, as others of the Lord’s truth-hungry, famished
had permitted him to see amongst the missionaries of his household are found and fed with things new and old now
acquaintance. Yet with regret he told us of how few of the supplied us by our Lord.
mi:sionaries seem to have any interest in these matters, and Boston reports the largest numbers of immersions pre-
* see Jme 15, 1919, issue, for critical exammatlon of Covenants. ceding the Memorial, viz., 23.

KNOWLEDGE INCREASES RESPONSIBILITIES

&IATT. 11:20-~O.-&~AY 6.
“Come u~lto me, all ye labor and are heavy laden, and I will gice you rest.”
that
Our Lord would seem to have been somewhat disappointed an immoral city? Are these people decent or indecent? The
at the result of his ministry, especially in Capernaum, where question whicti the Lord w&h~ examine rather would be,
he had resided a considerable time. and our lesson opens with What is the heart attitude of this neonle or that neonle. this ~7 -~

a warning to the people of Capernaum, Chorazin and Beth- individual or that indlridunl~ ’ I is he aim&,
What ‘striving
saida, that having been favored -with many mighty works and for ?--how would he be effected thereby if granted clearer
manv evidences of Jesus’ Messiashin. and that the kingdom light respecting the divine will? Hence, if we look at our-
was- being offered to them, etc., t&y would be held &re- selves, and find that we are not immoral, not coarse, sensual,
spondingly responsible. As Capernaum had been greatly blessed brutish, but more refined than many others, this is well; it
highly exalted, or, figuratively, “exalted up to heaven” in its is what we should be in view of our favors, privileges and
privileges and opportunities, the result to it would be greater mercies: but we are to remember that we might still be very
degradation. and eventually it would be brought low into the far short of what would be pleasing to the Lord, and that
dust-destroyed, “brought- down to hell,” in-the text, signi- if God should favor us with certain privileges and blessings
fvinp brought down to hades. the death state. And surelv and opportunities, and we were to reject them, our attitidde
this-was f;lfilled in the trouble which came upon the Jews, an& in his sight might be worse than that of the immoral.
which destroyed their nationality, as a result of their having Turning to Capernaum, most favored of all, our Lord
failed to accept the Messiah, and the kingdom which he offered contrasts her with Sodom, whose wickedness was very great,
to establish. so that it brought upon her a fierce destruction from the
But though our Lord was disappointed that he was so Lord. Capernaum is clearly told that from the Lord’s stand-
generally rejected, he cannot have expected that he would be point of view her people were more wicked, less worthy of
widely welcomed by the people. He must have known, as he divine favor, more worthy of punishment, than the people
elsewhere describes to his disciples, quoting from the pro- of Sodom. This was a severe arraignment, and yet, we can
phecies, that he would be rejected by Israel, and that the see, a just one, for the poor Sodomites, walking in the way
kingdom offer would pass by them. 9s a matter of fact his of sin, ignorance of God, etc., gradually went down and down,
rejection on their part incidentally permitted the sending of according to the course of fallen nature, while the people of
the gracious call to the kingdom honors to believers among Capernaum had much advantage every way as Jews, whom
the Gentiles, and thus we are favored at the present time. the Lord had blessed with a knowledge of himself, and to
The contrast which the Master draws between Bethsaida whom now, finally, he had sent Messiah, and whose miracles
and Chorazin and Tyre and Sidon is a strong one. The they had seen repeatedly, and with whose beautiful character
latter two were flourishing Gentile cities, yet, as was com- and teaching they had been brought much in contact through
mon in such, very full of wickedness and immorality, so that his considerable residence in their midst.
evidently their names were synonymous for that which was In view of these privileges and mercies, their rejection of
unholy, licentious, unclean. So then, for our Lord to say Messiah and failure to grasp their opportunities branded
that if his mighty works had been done in those unholy cities them, so to speak, as being inferior to the Sodomites, in ap-
they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes, preciation of righteousness and truth; for our Lord declares
that is, with deep contrition, was to say that the people of that the Sodomites would not have met the end they did
Bethsaida and Chorazin were in very much worse condition had they had similar privileges and mercies bestowed upon
of heart than those Gentiles: futher from such a condition them.
as God could bless. The question naturally arises, Why did not our Lord grant
From this we may gather that God takes a different the Sotlomites as good an opportunity as hr granted the peo-
standpoint of viewing such matters from that taken by the ple of Capcrnaum, and why did he not grant the people of
majority of people. He does not merely say, Is this a moral or Tgre and Sidon, who were still living, as favorable an op-
[2623]
(135-136) ZION’S WATCH TOWER
portunity aa he granted to the people of Chorazin and Beth- have refused it. What a blessed promise is this one, of a
saida? We answer, that none of these people were granted future judgment or trial ! How much it means to the whole
in trial for eternal life. The Sodomites did -not have-such a groaning creation, that God, who let the sentence of Adam
trial : the neonle of Tvre and Sidon had no trial of anv kind: fall on all without giving them an individual trial, has pro-
nor did thb p’eople of” Palestine have a trial for life “eternal: vided a redemntion for all from that first sentence. and has
The trial which they did have was a trial respecting their provided that each member of the race shall individually have
love for the T,ord and for righteousness, and of their readiness a trial, a judgment, in due time, at the hands of him who
to ho his people and supporters of his kingdom. The result died for all. And then, how favorable the conditions are to
of the trial 4owcd that they were not sufficiently in love be, under which that trial will be granted! Satan is to be
with righteousness to appreciate the Lord’s kingdom, nor to bound, and the earth is to be filled with the knowledge of the
brro:nr its frmntls and servants; and in consequence of this Lord and his goodness and his gracious arrangements on behalf
their citv and their land, and thev as a people were rejected of his fallen creatures, whom he desires shall not perish, but,
by the Lord from being his age&e? in connection with the if they will, have eternal life through Christ.
c&rbli~hment, of his kingdom. However, as our Lord distinctly intimates (v. !5), these
That no individual trial for eternal life had yet come to things respecting the coming judgment and the blessed op-
:~ny r,f tlrc<c. pcopic is evident from several facts: (1) that portunities which shall be accorded to every member of Adam’s
the whole \pnrld was under condemnation through Adam’s race, are hidden from the majoritv-especially do they seem
t~nnh~rf~~~inu : (2) that no one could be relieved”from that to be hidden from the worldlv-&se and nrudent. who in-
~~antlrrnnatron, so as to have a fresh individual trial for life, stead of accepting so gracious > plan, are rather inclined to
lmtil tile ranwrn price was paid, and it was not yet finished; teach the people that the poor Sodomites went to eternal tor-
(3) this is further imnlied bv our Tord’s statement (verse ment without ever having had a chance, and with no prospect
i!*) that, there would i,e n day of judgment future-a day of ever having a chance in the future, although our Lord de-
of f(3tinn, :I tl:~y of trial, i\ d:~p to set \vho wo111tl be worthy clares that if they had had as good an opportunity as the
of c&ma1 life and who unworthy. (Acts 17:31) In that propie of Capernaum they would have repented with a deep
lll~l!Zm~nt tla?. the ~Iill~*nni:~l age. all are to h:~vp a rhnc-e contrition. The wise and prudent are inclined to tell us also
for everlasting life ; for the granting of this very chance to that the people of Tyre and Sidon, although not favored with
~11 IIf Atl.rm’s rape \v:~s thr very object of our Redeemer’s our Lord’s blessing, are also to be considered dnomed to
tk;lfh RIeantirlr, thr people of Bethsaida. Chornzin and eternal torment, though they would have repented had they
~‘l:l~w~~ii~lll~l. having rcjcctc~l the T,orcl and having been re- had as good an opportunity as the people of Palestine: and
,iec.tc\j b) ilirn. 11e nc.\crthelc5< fnlrnd some there and has been finally they tell us that these people of Palestine, having re-
bflwtiri~ others sincr. of n <pecial class, which he is calling jected our Lord, must necessarily be sufferers of eternal tor-
to iornt-h(sir*hip with himself in that iIiillennin1 kingdom, ment, and not merely losers of the kingdom. Thev fail to
under whop’ beneficent reign of ri,ghteouqness a full and im- see : thcv are blind to the truth-blinded by the traditions of
parti‘ll IrltlLmlent or trial for life shall be granted to all. He their religious teachers-as the Jews were.
:vn~~l~l Ilarch lliq hc~arcrs uutlrr~tnntl. however, that in that Then, to add to their confusion, they begin to attempt
futnrc trial time thr peol~lr of Trre and Sidon and Sodom to apply the Lord’s words respecting a day of judgment. and
wo111tl be treatrd with more cnnqidcrntion and allowance than of course internret it to mean a day of damnation, instead
thnscx. who hnvin: manv mnre privileges, hacl hardened their of a tlav of trial. Thev fail to note ‘that their riaim is that
hen+ again.t what thev did hoe ant1 know. “It shall be more the Sodomites were already in hell, suffering torments of
tolrrnlde for th land of Sodom in the day of judgment than the severest form for nearly two thousand years, at the time
for thee.” Capernaiir~i. our Lord uttered these words. Do they think that the Sotlom-
Tlo\\ scathing ~a\ the rtl)ul;r of thee words. that the ites could suffer any more after the day of judgment than
pf?OplP of Sodom. nntnrinrrs for their wickedness. licentious- they describe them as suffering now? What do thev undcr-
11PSS rtc* , sho111rl fintl more favor. more tolerance, at the stand by the words “day of judgment,” anyway? Evidently
Lord’9 hand. uhrn he Lihould begin the work of judging man- thev have no proper conception of the meaning of the words.
kind. than themselves. who had been God’s favored people, Thev see that our Lord referred it to a future time, and they
blrt whn had not appreclatctl his favors, and had done despite are “hopelessly confused and thoroughly unable to give any
unto his gontlncsq! But if any infer from this th=rt the reasonable explanation of the matter, either in harmony with
people of Capernaum, when they shall be on trial for life dur- God’s character or in harmony with their own wretched and
ing the ?lilltnnial ape. will be unkindly treated. it would God-dishonoring theories.-See Dawn, Vol I, page 137.
be a (Treat mistake: because the derlnration of the Lord’s How comforting are our Lord’s words, that these things
Wor,1 :listinctlv is that the world shall he “judged in right- are revealed, nevertheless, to some-to babes, to those who
enlt.ncw-“- not’ in wrath, malice, not with a desire to do are not great, not wise, according to the course of this world;
them in jrrry, blrt with a drsirc to do them every good POS- to those who are of humble mind, ready to be taught of the
yil,lr-llcnre it will be “tnlcrnl~lc” for the people of Caper- Lord, instead of wishing to teach the Lord. This great bles-
naum in th;rt dnv-very tolerable-it will he a grand and sing, dearly beloved, is ours, and let us be very careful that
hlrssed nppnrtlrnity for them to come to a full, clear knowl- we maintain the attitude of childlikeness and slmplicitg, that
edge of th(. L,nrd: but it will be still more tolerable for the we may continue to be taught of God, and to “know the things
ptol)l,s of Sodom and Gomorrah. because their sins, although that are freely given unto us of God.” Let us rejoice in
greater in some respcrts. were less heinous in the sight of them and use them, and let the light shine out to others.
God-they were 1~4s against character, more sins of @Or- The explanation of the fact that the divine plan is
ance. hidden from the great majority of the learned, the doctors of
WC mav a~,me, thrrefnrr, that during the Millennial age divinity, et?.. is that so it has pleased the Father to let “the
tliqc;irlllr,pq,’ h~~dl prnplr ns thnsca of Tvrr and Sidnn and thoqe wise be taken in their own craftiness,” and to reveal his pur-
of Snllom. \V)IO 11nd never known God to nnv degree. who had poses to those of an humble mind. “Even so, Father, for SO
never I;nr,wrn \liu laws, will be in a cnnditinn of heart much it seemed good in thy sight.” (1 Cor. 3:19) The Father
IrlrJl I( ro:ldilv :rnlenal)lr to the influences and requirements drew to the Son at the first advent, not the doctors of the
of tl):lt time than will I)r some otlirru-the people of Chnrazin, law, the srrihes and the notables, but certain “Tsraelites in-
f+tll,;rida :rnr1 faper naum. whn having known more respecting deed,” in wham was no guile, though they were but an humble
(:O,J b,,,j mirlr<Pd t)le npportllnities of the present life-who few. And the same class has received the blessing all down
btXAP ~lr~wt~ therr rlr:lrnc4rrs instead of building them. the nge.
.\I:~] t)l,..e are mc~relv enc:lrnl)l(~s, for we know that all The alaster realized that his special instructions must
t,h+~,~ th:lt :I) (. ITI the gr:irc’s slhnll hrnr the voice of the Son be toward those whom the Father had given unto him, rather
of IL1in. ,,n,l come f0l tb--“tliev that hare dnne goal [the saints. than toward the unready and unwilling ones who would not
i!W ,,v~:7~~~r7le1~)llntn tile resurrection of life, and they that receive his testimony because not in a proper contlition of
b:r~e rlon61 ,vil [;111 nl:lnl;in~l olrtsi[lr of the saints] unto the heart to annreciate. To his faithful disciples, therefore. and
7esur radiation nf jllilcment “--.Tnlrn 5 .28. 29. to all of ‘the same class since, he declared that all things
WI, I’., 1, lT:rtl i I \’ \(‘I’. 1111121 nlonv with our Lord’s derinra- he nnsscqsed he had received of the Father; he claimed noth-
tinn in tlliq Ic+nn. that man\* uhn in the present life have ina’of himself; and further, he asserted that no one knew
no knn\~l(:d~e ant1 no npl)or tllnitv may be nnthing diqad- hi”m trlrlv, fullv, intimately, but the Father, and that no man
vfint;ly(v1 tl~erel,g in that jlrtlgment time, hilt nn the cnntrnry knew the Ibtiler except himself, the Son, and he to whom
may 1;. more 7irsrcptil)le to the gnod inflrrences of the kingdom t.he Son revealed him. The average reader gets very little
and its lawr tlmn some others will be who have had contact meaning nut of this passage at first. The Christian who has
with the light to some extent in the present life, but who been making progress for years, growing in grace and in the
[26241
XAY 1, 19011 ZION’S WATCH
knowledge of the Lord, can appreciate it much better. He
realizes that while he had some knowledge about Jesus and
about the Father at first, from the very inception of his
Christian experience, yet it was a different matter to come
to know the Father and to know the Son in the intimate sense,
in the sense of becoming well acquainted with them, know:
ing their mind as one knows the mind, the heart, of an in-
timate friend. It is a privilege to receive such an acquaint-
ance. It is not to be had by everybody; it requires seeking
for and knocking for, and such seeking and knocking implies
an earnest desire to have an intimate fellowship and com-
munion. Such a growth in grace should be earnestly sought
by all of the Lord’s true followers who seek to be his joint-
heirs in the kingdom; for without it they cannot make pro-
qress. In proportion as we know the Father and know the
Son we will love them and seek more and more to do those
things which are pleasing in their sight.
COME! WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN
Still addressing the same class, and implying that there
were some present of the right disposition who had not yet
become his disciples, our Lord appealed to his hearers indi-
vidually, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.” The difficulty with most
of the people would seem to have been that they were neither
weary nor heavy laden, but on the contrary pretty well self-
contented. We cannot suppose that physical weariness and
physical burdens was the- ‘thought bdfore our Lord’s mind,
but rather the heart-burden and sin-weariness. which all true
Tsraelitra must have felt, if they were honest with them-
wives.
We are to remember that they were under the Law Cove-
nant. fhat its requirements were very exacting, and that it
niadc no allowance for weaknesses, imperfections, errors, etc. ;
~~onscr(uent1.y. all of those Jews should have felt themselves
( ontiiually. condemned in striving to carry the burden of the
T,aw of Sinai. Not that the law was an uniust one or im-
1)ossihle to he kept by a perfect man, but because all being
Imperfect and fallen they were unable to keep the Law Cove-
nant. So we may suppose that amongst the Jews at that
time. while the majority were professing to be holy, law-
keepers. who did no sin. there were some who honestly ad-
n&d to themselves and to others that they did not, could
not. keen the law nerfectlv. and who therefore felt burdened
I Yl
,rnd wr:;ried with their fruitless endeavors. Such felt their
need of a burden-bearer, such felt their soul-sickness and need
Inf the good Physician, and to such Jesus addressed himself,
Inviting them to come to him and receive rest, relief.
This coming to Christ for rest is the first step toward a
Christian life; it is justification, the acceptance of him as the
satisfnction for our sins; and from the time we thus accept
him, as the Apostle declares, we have joy and peace through
believing. (Rom. 5:l; 15:13) But having been thus re-
Ileiverl and blessed, there is something more for us to do, viz.,
to learn that there is another burden and another yoke which
we should take upon us voluntarily.
A yoke is a symbol of servitude, and so our Lord implies
that those who are set free (either from the yoke of the Law
Covenant, as were the believing Jews, or from the yoke of
Satan, as were the believing Gentiles) should become his
\ervants, should take his yoke, should learn to do his will.
I yoke generally is arranged for two, and our Lord speaks of
it as his voke. bv which we are to understand that he also
I ,
1%a servant; having come to do the Father’s will, and having
put on the yoke of servitude, he invites us to become true
yoke-fellows with himself in the doing of the Father’s will,
co-laborers together with Christ in the great work of the
world’s deliverance from sin and death.
The secret of the ability to wear this yoke, and to have
companionship with Christ in his service, and to have as a
TWO TYPES OF SINNERS
Luar:, 7: 36-SO.--MAY 13.
“Thy faith
Simon was a very common name amongst the .Jews, and
hence it is not so remarkable that there were two Slmons at
whose homes Jesus was entertained. It is a little peculiar,
however. that there are sn many features of similarity con-
netted with the two entertainments-that at both of them
our Lord’s feet were anointed, etc. (Compare Matt. 26:6-13)
lt iR supposed that about a year and a half elapsed between
the two events, that recorded by Matthew being just prior
to our Lord’9 death, “anointing for my hurial.”
[2625]
TOWER (137-138)
result a great blessing in our own hearts, a rest unto our
80~18, lies, he explains, in our learning to be meek and lowly
of heart as he was. It will be impossible for those who are
proud, haughty, self-willed, ambitious, worldly-wise, etc., to
labor in the same yoke with Jesus, or to find the true rest
of soul which we properly seek. But if we are meek, teachable,
humble-minded, ready to know and to do the Lord’s will at
any cost, then indeed we shall find rest to our 80~1’s satis-
faction-the peace of God which passeth all understanding
will rule in our hearts.
We notice a difference between the two rests of vs. 28 and
29. Of the first it is said that the Lord will give it to him
who comes to him in faith; of the second, it is said that he
finds this rest to his soul through becoming a yoke-fellow with
Jesus. And so it is: there are two blessings ; the first blee-
sing is that of justification-the joy of having our sins for-
given, realizing ourselves no longer stran,ners and foreigners
from our heavenly Father, but brought nigh by the hlood of
Christ; the second is the joy which comes more gradually, a
fruitage, a grace, a development in the heart, the growing
and abiding peace and joy of the holy spirit. This stsrond
blessing, however, is attained by very few; the majority of
nominal Christians know nothing of it; and yet it is the very
object of the calling of this Gospel age, and those who fGl
to come to the Lord and to take his yoke. and to learn of him,
to become thus “copies of God’s dear Son,” will fail utterly
of the special purpose and call of this Gospel age. and will
have neither part nor lot in the kingdom. The blessing of
justification by faith is merely to fit and prepare us to take
the yoke and to become a co-lnborcr with the Lord in the
Father’s service.
This yoke which Jesus invites us to come under with
him is a very formidable affair from the standpoint of the
world; to them it seems to be a most unreasonable yoke, a
most terrible burden-to consecrate life, time, means. cvery-
thing to the service of God; but from the standpoint of those
who have come unto Jesus, and to whom he has spoken peace
and re+, through justification, the matter is very different.
To such it must seem a “reasonable service,” that since the
Lord has graciously redeemed our lives and our all, we should
use what remains of that life to his praise and glory: snd
after we have fastened the yoke upon ourselves we find that
it is an easy one, and that with it any burden, nnv duty,
any trial. any difficulty, any vexation of spirit, any burden of
any kind that could come to us. would be light indeed, because
of this yoke.
Why? Because those who wear this yoke have the as-
surances of the divine Word, that all things are working to-
gether for good to them; that the heavier the burden that
may be attached the greater will be the blessing and the
reward bv and by: thp more severe th(> experiences dr1r11: the
present time, the hrighter shall be the glory, and thr brighter
shall be their character and the more sure shall they be of
bping fitted and polished for the heavenly kingdom. From
this standpoint every burden is light, because our *yoke is
appreciated, and is so easy, so reasonable; and additionally
it is so light because the Lord is with us in this yoke. He
is the gre:lt Burden-bearer. and will not suffer us to be tempted
nor to be pressed with more of the burdens of life than we
should probably be able to endure. He is watching out for
the interests of all those who take his yoke upon them. Their
burdens are his burdens, their trials are his trials, their
interests are his interests: ven, all things shall work for good
to them bt,cause they love h’im.
Let uq remember, however, that the Lord takes no slaves
in this way; he does not fasten the poke upon any; he mtarely
invites us to come, and then to fasten his yoke upon ourselves,
to make n full consecration of o111.~~1ves to him and to his
service.
hath saved thee.”
In this lesson we see Simon, a PhnrisPe. cvidentlr con-
sidcrnhly impressed with our Lord’s rll>racter nntl tcLachin,ns,
and more favorably inclined tnw:lrtl him than the rna!o~ity.
Hr thought it would be plrnsant to Inritr <JCSII~ to allnner,
thus to honor him. 2nd pns4bl.v hn\e n little notoriety hlmrelf
in connection nith the noted NayarPnP.
\%hrn our J,nrd ncreptetl the invltntion and attcnJed the
dinner Simon treated him kindly ant1 pnlltely. bllt did not go
to any cvtreme of politeness in his entertainment; perhaps
(138-139) ZION'S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa

thinking of him as not being used to special attentions, but feet, and of the self-satisfied Pharisee who entertained him.
rather as being a companion of fishermen and common people was planning a way by which he might do good to both of
generally. Simon therefore did not salute him with a kiss them-a way by which he might set before all present a great
on his arrival, as was usual with honored guests, for that truth. Therefore he put a parable to Simon. saving that a
would have seemed like bestowing too much honor upon an certain creditor had &two debtors, the one ‘owing”a large
ordinary person whom he, as a Pharisee, was not yet prepared amount, the other a small amount, and when they were total-
to fully endorse; nor did he send the servant to take off the ly unable to pay he cheerfully and promptly forgave them
Master’s sandals and to wash his feet. accordina to the custom both. Then our Lord pointed his lesson on this little parable,
of the best entertainers of that time. He rngy have said to by enquiring which of the two forgiven ones would be most
himself: This man and his disciples are not used to being appreciative of the creditor’s leniency? Simon, who had not
entertained in such style, and my servants would recognize as yet caught the import of the parable, promptly answered
themselves as being on a par at least with any of these men that the one who had the largest debt forgiven would un-
except the Teacher himself. Without, therefore, going to the doubtedly be the one who wodd be most appreciative, and
extremes of polite entertaining, the Pharisee had \ev&theless our Lord annroved this answer. Then directinn attention to
cordiallv welcomed the Lord to his table. feeline no doubt that the woman: *he reminded Simon that although” he had been
in doing this he was honoring the Lord, and-not sufficiently kind in inviting him to dinner, and although he appreciated
realizing that he was the one who was being honored, in the his attentions. nevertheless the still sreater attentions of the
privilege of entertaining so noble a guest. How will Simon &man, and the still greater marks gf respect which sbr had
regard the matter when, in the resurrection time (during the showed, were evidences that while they botb loved, the woman
Millennium), Ire ascertains that 111sguest was “the Only Be- loved the more: and the intimation clearly is that the greater
gotten of the Father, full of grace and truth?” love was developed by a greater realization of sin and a
The Apostle urges upon us all, “Be not forgetful to enter- greater desire to be relieved from it.
tain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels [God’s Of course, in one sense of the word, all are sinners, all
messengers] unawares.” The Lord wishes his people to be have come short of the alorv of God. and are houeless without
generous with such things as they have (but not to be vain- forgiveness; get the Pbaiise;! occupied a tlifferentAporition from
gloriously extravagant) ,-hence it-is written again, “There is the woman, because under the Jewish Law Covenant he was
that scatter&h and vet incrtaseth: and there is that witb- already occupying a standpoint of tvpical justification, and
holdeth more than is meet [proper] and it tendeth to pov- was seeking to maintain that standing hv living a life of
erty.” It is a part of our present lesson to learn of our own strict regard for the divine Law. On the other band, the
mean selfishness. which all have inherited through the fall. woman, although under the same covenant, by living an aban-
and gradually, under the instruction of the Lord% Word, to doned life in open violation of the law, had lost her interest
get the victory over this and become more generous-more in the national typical justification, and was therefore in a
like our Father in Heaven. much larger sense of the word a sinner. Simon knew very
Let 115 be specially generous and hospitable toward the well that while he was trying to keep the law he was not
“brethren,” who really represent the Lord himself; not only keeping it perfectly, but infracted it in various ways from
as “ambassadors for God,” but also as “members of the body time to time, and yet, he was not wilfully an infractor of the
of Christ.” Law, as was the woman; hence in this sense of the word
there was the wide difference between great sin and less sin;
The “woman of the citr” mentioned. was evidently a com-
yet both needed the Saviour, and if the Pharisee had realized
mon character, widely known to the people of the city, though the truth of the matter he needed the Saviour iust as much as
she might not be known to Jesus and the disciples, who were did the woman; for the Law Covenant could not give him
not residents. Whatever the woman’s previous life may have everlasting life-to attain that he must admit his sin and
been, she had experienced deep contrition of heart, and a accept forgiveness and salvation from sin and its penalty,
desire to live a better life. She had heard about Jesus, the death, as a gift from the Saviour who honored him by con-
great Teacher, and that unlike the Pharisess he did not dis- senting to be his guest.
dain to speak with and to encourage fallen ones and to help
them up again. She felt that she would like to go to the Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to her, “Thy
Lord in prayer for forgiveness, and would like to make a fresh sins are forgiven.” What words those must have been to her!
start in life, to seek thereafter to live more consistently. She Her prayer was answered-a prayer, which had arisen in her
knew not how to approach the matter; she knew not what hear6 and which had express&d itself through tears and oint-
to eav resnectinp herself; she would merely take a little offer- ment, had been heard and she was forgiven and all the past
ing in her handy and while he was reclinmg at dinner, after treated as forever blotted out. How thankful she must save
the custom of that time, and while his feet would be easily felt! Poor Simon, however, so far as we know, did not come
accessible to her, she would venture to anoint them with the to the uoint of saving, Lord, I also am a sinner. and even
fine ointmt~nt wb’ich she had bi ought with hrr. Saying not a though -1 have loved less than this woman I also ‘need to be
word, her heart too full for utterance, she reached the Master’s forgiven, and I pray for the forgiveness of my sins, that I
feet. and there her tears trickled over them. Bv her tears he may be counted one of your followers. No; the very fact that
Ghould know, more eloquently than she could &ice her senti- he had a religious standing in the nominal church, and had
ments in words, what were the true longings of her heart for made a profession of holiness, seems to have stood in his way,
forgiveness and for reconciliation. and to have hindered him from accenting the grace of God
and the forgiveness of sins. And so it izright-along. How
110~~ mrrciful and considerate of our needs, is the Lord’s frequently do we see that people who have been living moral
provision tbnt when we come penitently to his feet for for- lives. evidentlv seeking to walk in paths of riehteousness. are
gileness we are not required to approach him through another, much less prepared t”o accept forgiveness through the Lord
nor to formulate our petition in some exact form of language Jesus Christ than are some others who have been living more
-he can read our hearts and accepts our tears and even our carelessly and who awaken to a realization of their undone
bumbleit cafl’orts to make amends and to serve the “members condition, and go to the Lord more contritely and more
of his body.” Snd even though he may delay the message earnestly, and exercise a greater faith, and feel for him
of forgirencss it is but to let the roots of penitence and faith consequently a greater love!
sink deeper in our hearts. There is no intimation, however, that because of his fail-
.TPSUS for a time seemed to heed her not, and she may have ure to ask forgiveness and to become a follower of Jesus,
questioned whether or not he was misunderstanding her mo- Simon was condemned to “hell,” etc.; quite to the contrary,
tives and her prayer, but the fullness of her heart found he simple followed the course of his nation (blinded bv oreiu-
vent in still more tears, and tenderly she wined his feet and dice and” false traditions of men). Their rejection of ‘Jesus
anointed them with the ointment. ‘The Pharisee, meantime, lost to them the privileges of joint-heirship in Christ’s king-
was saying within himself: Now it is most fortunate that I dom. and led to their national reiection from God’s favor until
invited Jesus to dinner to-day, and it is fortunate that this the ‘opening of the Millennial “age. Then, as the Apostle
woman came in; it affords a proof, a test, respecting the clearly shows, their blindness shall be removed and they shall
ability of Jesus to read the hearts of. those about him. -If he be blest with a much clearer knowledae of the truth. Then
were a uroohct. if he were sueciallv emwwered and enliaht- the Lord will “pour upon them the spyrit of prayer and sup-
ened of’ God, he would have kno& the character of This plication, and they shall look upon him whom the-y pierced,
woman; but he evidently dots not know her character, and and shall mourn because of him:” Then when they weep as
therefore is permitting her to anoint his feet, and this seems did the woman with the ointment. God, through the elorified
to be a proof that he is not a prophet. Christ, will have mercy on them and forgive their sing Then
But Jesus, fully conscious of all that was going on, and their trial for everlasting life will begin.-See Rom. 11:25-32;
with a clear knowledge of the heart of the poor woman at his Zech. 12 : 10.
126261

The other guests at the table were particularly struck with
our Lord’s declaration that the woman’s sins were forgiven
her. Sot recognizing the speaker to be the Messiah, the Son
of God, they questioned the propriety of such words, lut this
was one reason why our Lord uttered the words; it was one
of his unostentatious methods of calling attention to t!le fact
that he was the Messiah, and that as such, and in view of the
work which he was yet to do all power to forgive sins was in
his hands.
Then he said to the woman, “Thy faith hath saved thee:
go in peace.” He wished her to know that it was not her
tears that had brought the forgiveness; that it was not the
value of the ointment that had moved him to forgive her, but
that the thing which was pleasing in his sight, and on account
of which her sins were forgiven, was her faith. She not only
realized her own sinful condition, but she had realized that
this great Teacher had the power to forgive her and to restore
her, and she had trusted, and acted upon this, and our Lord
wished her to realize that the reward she had received was
oecause of exercise of this faith. And so we may realize in
respect to all of the Lord’s favors in the case of each one of
his people. When we come unto the Lord, with tears of peni-
THE PARABLE
MATT. 13:1-S, 1%23.-MAY
“The seed is the word of God.“-Luke
Jesus and his disciples had just returned to Capernaum,
his home, from a tour of Galilee, and the multitudes. many
of whom had heard him before and witnessed his miracles,
gathered about him as he sat on the beach of Lake Galilee,
assuredly expecting that they would hear some gracious words
from his lins. And the Master never seemed wearv of nre-
sentmg his Amessage, although frequently, as in this “case, *the pared for the new sowing time of the new age, under circum-
mass of his hearers understood but dimly his parables. There stances more favorable
was a fishing-boat lying near, quite possibly owned by some of
his friends or relatives, and evidently with the owner’s con-
sent Jesus used the boat as his pulpit, speaking to the multi-
tude which lined the beach, which at this point is said to rise
rapidly, and which therefore would give the general effect of
an amphitheatre. a traveler once made an experiment, to see
how well the voice would carry under such circumstances, at
this Spot, and says, “It was remarkable how distinctly every Civilized customs have popularized at least an outward imita-
word n-as heard, though our voices were not raised, even at
three hundred yards off; and it was very easy to comprehend
how, in this clear air, a preacher sitting in a boat could
address a vast multitude sitting upon the shore.”
The Ilaster had no difficulty in finding a topic. Quite pos-
sibly 1113eye rested on a seed-sower, and as a result we have
this parable, designed to show that there are different classes
of hearers, and that it is not merely the eloquence or force or
truthfulness of the message that determines the result, but
chiefly the attitude of the heart that hears; hence the impor-
tance of the injunction, “Take heed how ye hear”-see that stratum of their character will not permit them to endure
your heart is in a right condition to receive the truth, if you
would expect a benefit from it; do not expect that the mere
hearing of the truth will profit you, irrespective of your own
character conditions.
The good seed of the parable is the Word of God, the truth,
even as false teaching, human philosophies and doctrines of
devils, are not wheat-seed but tare-seed; our Lord is not show-
ing in this parable what will be the result of sowing good or
bad seed, but merely that the good seed can accomplish its
work only in certain classes of hearts.
The class of heart that is like the “wavside,” solid and
compact with selfishness, not open and generous,‘is very un-
favorable around for the truth: nothine need be exnected from
such ground. The sower will ‘let as l%tle as poss’ible fall on
such, but whatever does fall upon it the Sdversary will soon
take away. “Wayside” hearers-are not necessarily bad people,
in the sense of erosslv wicked, but thev are bad in the sense
of being unsuited to the Lord’s present work and call. They
will need to have the furrow run through them again and
again, that troubles of various kinds may make them more
generous, more open, more ready for the message. But in
many instances the Lord will not run the plowshare of truth
through such soil in this present age; rather, he will leave it
for the Millennial age, when he will be dealing, not only with
these hearts that were partially prepared and which have
become unsuitable, but when also he will have a work to do
with the great masses of mankind, which, like the virgin
forests and prairies of earth, are yet uncleared, unplowed and
unbroken. The great time of trouble at the beginning of the
[ 26271
(139-140)
tence, we are to knew that they do not prevaii; and if we
present gifts we are to know that they do not prevail, and
that the tears and the offerings could avail us nothing except
as we present to the Lord our faith, acceptine him as the one
~-ho has power to forgive sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. And not onlv is this necessarv at the begin-
ning-of the Christian way, but similarly faith cs necessary-all
the journey through. If we do not continue in faith we can-
not progress. “According to thy faith be it unto thee,” would
seem to be the Lord’s method of dealing with all who are his
disciples, from first to last of their Christian walk and expe-
rience.
Ths center of the lesson, then, is abiding faith in the Lord:
faith when he seems not to notice us; faith when things
seem to be going prosperously with us in our spiritual affairs
and in our temporal affairs and faith equally strong when the
currents and forces seem all to be against us. The victorv
that overcometh the world is the faith that in all condition-s
is able to look up to the Lord with absolute confidence in his
goodness and faithfulness, and to realize that according to his
promise eventually all things will work together for good to
us because we are his people.-1 John 5:5; Rom. 8 :29.
OF THE SOWER
20.
8 : 11.
Millennial age will be a time, we believe, in which the Lord
will run the plowshare of truth in every direction throughout
the world, as it is written, “The plowman shall follow close
after the reaper.” (Amos. 9:13) And, “When the judgments
of the Lord are abroad in the earth the inhabitants of the
world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9), and thus be pre-
in some respects than the present,
though less favorable in other respects.
Another class upon which the same good truth falls at the
present time is one that has a good appearance upon the sur-
face-fine soil, etc.., but underneath, and but a few inches
from the surface, is rock. The soil on the surface is but a
veneer to hide the rock; it has the appearance of depth of
character, sympathy and love, but this is merely a deception.
tion of the graces of the holy spirit, and appearances of good
heartedness, but down below in the real heart and intention is
selfishness, that would merely follow the ways of righteousness
because of popularity or because of some hoped-for gain, but
thoroughly unable to annreciate self-sacrifice for anything or
anybody. ” This class ofkihallow characters sometimes receives
the truth with avidity, with joy, and seems to contain some
of the truth’s most enthusiastic followers; but this is merelv
for a little while, because of novelty or pride to show off, and
not from love of the truth. The selfishness which is the sub-
hardness for the truth’s sake. Consequently, as soon as thev
find that with the truth always goes something of persecu-
tion and tribulation they are surprised, thoroughly tlisheart-
ened, and all their interest speedily dies out. This class has
no hope for the kingdom either. They are not of the kind that
the sower expects will yield a crop to maturity in the present
harvest.
The third class of hearers favored by the truth in this
present time is referred to by our Lord as “thorny ground.”
This does not mean poor ground, for the thorns are to be
found in the very best of ground, especially the thorns of
Palestine, to which our Lord undoubtedly had reference. Of
these Prof. Thomson says, “These thorns are not biinr huhes
or brambles, but are an after-growth of a variety of thistles.
which come up quickly in every wheat-field of PalestIne.” n-e
may say, then, that every Christian who receives the wheat
or word of God into a good and honest heart during this Gos-
pel age is in danger of having it choked with the thorns, and
of thus becoming one of the class referred to in the parable, a
class that was favored, that had every advantage, but which
brought forth no crop worth gathering, because the thorns
took possession of it to such an extent as to choke out the
wheat-seed.
We have heard Christian people describe the thorns which
threaten the good seed in the hearts of God’s people to be
theaters, card-playing, carousals, etc., etc., but this is a great
mistake; the hearts that are beset with such things are prob-
ably not good ground in any sense of the word, and probably
have never received the good seed. But how reasonable is the
1141-142) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECIIENY. Pr

mterpretatlon which our Lord himself gives-the thorns are much to do with this matter of the amount of fruitage which
the cares of t,hls life an,1 the deccitfulncss of riches-just we yield to the Lord; it will be measured by the degree of our
exactly \\ hat every Cttrlstlan realizes. The cares of this life zeal, our love for him; consequently the class bringinK forth
are not gross immoralities, but the home duties, family cares, the hundred fold represents those Christians who love the
husinc+ c:lr(ts, ctr TllV ~lccelttulne~s of lieIre is not merelv Lord the most, fervently, whose hearts are warmest for him, his
tlir I~.III~,~II~influence \:li~(~li i5 P\CI ci9ctl upon those who p095es”s truth and his people. The Apostle Paul was undoubtedly one
riches, bllt especially it, Icpresents the snaics, the difHculties, of this hundred-fold class, the Apostle Peter was another, and
the c,nt,ln::Ic,nient~, tlte Inl;lenOings of efl’olts tr, become rich. no doubt there have been many in humble positions unknown
!I()\\ nl:‘ll,y Christ 1,111 people can testify that thoir spirituality, to fame, 11hose love for the Lord, and zeal for his cause have
tht II‘ ISI\a>for the 1.o111 .Intl for the truth and for the kinndom bfaen counted to them as hundred fold return for every seed of
ha V,’ t~r~c~nchol,rtl 111 grttat mcasurt~ by wealth-coveting ant1 truth thev received. Let us each with more and more care
~wc%lltI1 WJ,ill~I’ 1lo\; Illany ~111 testify that tlie cares of this seek to biing forth much fruit., and as one mean3 to this end
11fc tt.ltl* ~rnu111~11nrtt tllclr fvllov;sllip \\ltll the Lord, and the to kpc~p down the thorns and evervthlng that wouhl cahoke 01
pou t’ I I f l;iq \\III~I in tl~~~ir lie,irts , and how a? a result their hinder the influence of the truth ‘in our hearts, in our daiij-
ii \ (‘h .‘!~a Ihrrlc~ll. ilrlil lllt fill tlf anytlrlrl~ in the way of cllaiac- 11vc\. and in our ~1aids. Let ii13 cultiv.ltc the scetl ant1 nc;t
ter II{,\* i,~l~~:~(.nt. -(‘I \ 1(‘t* of (;o,l anI1 iur the “brethren” .lnd the thorns.
ottlt~r -
THE MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM
Luke says, “The yeed is the Word of God”; &latthem saps.
‘The word of the kingdom.” Our Lord no doubt used both
expressions-the good seed is God’s word or message of thtt
kingdom. Indeed, the message of the kingdom may be said to
be the only rneh5age Gcd has yet qivcn to mankind as a mc~-
sage of hope. He intimated the kingdom to Abr:lh:lm whcu
he promised him that in his seed all tile f.lmilicq of the raltll
-should be blessed; the intimation was that, Abraham’s qeed
If ;- .t difllt.lLlt 111.1t 11br to pet 1id elf theye thorns. if they should be blessed 1~~ being granted kingdom powers which
spri:t;l 11r):1n0 ::rt \\,‘I1 llntlrr \\a~ ,tftcar ~(8 hare received the should prove a blessing to the world at !arge. Israel, :7t thy
wtrt%lI IIIJ it will 1117~1~:1l1ly bc a slow :1iif1 tec!ious business to time of this uarable. was honix to attain this WI\' I)IOI~IS~~
loot il11~11~ r11t: :1n:l 11,1(’ in whic.11 \v(d could not hope at all for All the promise$ throuih ‘the prophets peltn’in’ to tirt,
PIIVY -5 ‘j.1’ nlllv~i\(~;. llllilltl~~ll. -111 such must go to the Lord kingdom, the time when it shall be establi3het1, the blessinp-
himh(Llf iclr t!ie ,111)11ills II 11tsalonc~ can pvt', and the method which shall flow from it to the uttermost paits of the tnrth
and ,)ro!*cis by wli~t*h the l.ord ~111 nysist them will be in when all shall know the Lord, from the least to the grc+itrst
t.he trln4foxmill;; of thcxir minds so that they will mind not when ri.chteousnesa shall flourish throughout the world. antI
t9rt hly things but lic9\enly things, <et their affections on when sin and sinners and Satan himself will be subiectcd to
tblnqs :~br~ve, not on things beneath, set their affections upon the nowers of rirrhteousness. in the hands of the Xessinh. ,4t
frur rirah*,q of the clivillc nature and high calling, instead of the iime of the”utterance of this parable the seed, word IIT
on ear tbly riclle<. whwh are but transitory and unsatisfactory, message of the kingdom had taken bn a special form, viz., ali
t’ven if ;~lt:lili~~~I.--~l:Itt. ti:l%‘21. invitation to some to become ioint-heirs with the 3Iessinh. thqx
A1111t,ht. \\,ly 11, c,fltsct tlciu tlan+forming of the mind, this heir of the kingdom. ”
uproof vnfi of the tlrorn9. ir to draw time and attention away Whoe\-er has never heard anything about the kingdom ha-
from t!tc, (~arlhly thlncs in a compulsory manner, limiting the never heard anything about the Gospel, for it is the “Goapei
iinicb th,lt uc uill gilt, to earthly Lhings, and devoting more of the kingdom,” as our Lord declared. Hence we SCP that
autl more tlmc lo sl)iritll:ll interrsts in our own hearts and in much of the preaching of eternal torment and other thlnps
111~ li(~iirt+ 0 f a)ur i:lmrl icsr and friends. This will mean more falsely called the Gospel of the kingdom, are delusions which
timcb for th+ :,t1:1lv ant1 practice of the truth: and as the are not of God, not his word, not the good seed that noultl
t.ruth ~IJIIICX in It ,~~ill I)(, ~OUII~ to be the sanctifying power of bring forth the good fruit. The false messages have brought
f;otl 1,hitch alont~ can unroot the cares of this life. the deceit- forth “t%res”
< in abundance. This good seed of the kingdoll;
fulne+ of riches, a1111!&p our hearts in the right attitude to it is that rightly received into a g;od heart cannot be bnsily
~KSII nlllt,il fruit lo c111r,\laster’s praise. choked with earthlv hones or ambitions-for the kingdon,
‘l‘l:,* “pwl ‘qY,lllId” hc.lrers are those whose hearts are in hope is above all. ‘grand, pre-eminent. soul-saticfying. n The
2°C1,I f3,n-lil ion. r~~.\Oy for the word of the Lord, plowed and kingdom hope is as an anchor to the soul, and does not pel-
furrc)\\t.*! by p\p’r!~*n~ (IS Thiq c&s free from thorns, is ready mit the cares of this life to seem large and to crush it out
to I), ill2 I Irth .IrI ::lmn(lant harvest. and yet even of this On the contrary, to honest hearts which have received the
<I RL.1 :tii n1:t:’ i:of !,i~,icl (hr same amount. of fiuitage to our ”arood seed of the kingdom the cares of this life are merely
Il.rQttTr -: w~uirly. fclr II<* wprrwnts that qome will bring forth mcidental trials which are to be overcome, that thereby chal
thirty. ..o:nal -i\ty .11it1 (-onic an hundred fold. HP does not, acter may be formed, much fruit brought forth, to the Lord’\
>,N~,lI\ Il!rl:rirl;!l\~ crl tl:o-rl \\liirh brinz fort!! but the thirty praise, and a share in the kingdom atained. “He that hat11
Ce)l~l.III~! l(,:?\(a< ,t to 1x\ to discel n tllat ihosc who brnq forth this hope in him purifieth himself,” and bringeth forth much
I~U\ b~n~l:~d fold :\rc the mod pleasing in his sight. We have fruit.

NEWS FROM THE “BRITISH BRANCH”

matter which in your last you termed a “pleasant surprise”
for British brethren. Bro. Henninges’ visit to us is indeed a
joyful privilege and to hear him set forth things “new anti
old” is a pleasure that words cannot describe. We certainI\-
feel that there is scope for much work on the lines that ou\
brother has come over to adopt, if the way be made plain to
him by the Lord.
Of course it, is not for us to urge or push this matter
undulr. however mnch we feel It would gratify us, but this we
can offer, that if the Lord makes plain the way to vnu and
him our sympathies can then take practical form. These arc
my personal feelings, but I know I am only voicing those of
many of our dear brethren hele. It would have done your
hrnrt good to have seen the little gatherings of glad faces at
the last four or five meetings: to feel the warm, sympathetic
hand-prasps and the cheery, honest words of encouragement
and the earnest God-speeds given to our dear Bro. Henninges
and his dear wife. Not but that we always have joy in
meeting together and great joy indeed, but, this joy seems a
super-added one--n joy abounding.
We give thanks to our Lord that he has made you such a
[2628]
hfAv 1, 1900 ZION’S W.4TCH TOWER (142-143,

channel of blessing to us, and ne pray that our eyes and If there are any suggestions from you to us as to how we
hearts may be anointed and that we may be given that may aid in this present scheme for additionally helping our
discerning spirit, which discriminates betneell that which English brethren we shall be glad lo hear from you. In the
harmonizes with and that which militates against our Fa- meantime we are one with you in this Gospel of the kingdom.
ther’s revealed plan. So with the boldness and assurance born in unity of spirit, in the bond of love and in righteousness of
of sad experience we can confidently approach our Father’s life. Yours in our present Lord,
throne with requests according to his will. BRO. AND SISTER GUARD.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ABOUT MAGNETIC-HYPNOTIC CURES, ETU. WHO IS BORN OF GOD?
Question.-The world is full of aches and pains, diseases, Question.-In 2 John 5: 1 we read, “\Vhosoe\rr belic+vrth
and-naturally we look about us for relief. Yo; have alrexdJ that Jesus is thr Christ is born of God.” Does this signif)
exnressed vour iudgment that the cures effected bv Christian that we are begotten of the spilit at the same moment that
Scientists “and “Sp&tualists are probably produled by im- we are justified through faith?
proper spiritual mfluences, although exercised to some extent An&er.---No ; the .Apostle, in the woid4 quoted, is not
at least in harmony with natural laws. I desire now to attemntintr to nive the comnlete DhilOSODhV of salvation. that,
inquire respecting cures by hypnotism, and still other cures being ‘giv& in ‘>ther parts hf his’ own &&nony, and &at of
by so-c;lllctl magnetic healer+. \r’hat shall we think of these, the other apostles. He is discussing the condition of :X bc
and will it be proper for the Lord’s consecrated people to liever who has not, only been justified through faith, but who
avail themselves of such means for attaining health? continuing to be a behever. is actiug upon that faith ,lntl the
AnsfAer.--U’e feel suspicious of magnetic and mental heal- Lord’s call which comes to the justified, and who, in harmony
ing. In our judgment thky in many i&ances are allied with with that justification and cali, ha4 presented himself :t Ii;-
or related to hvnnotism : vet it is uarticularlv difficult to inz sacrifice to the Lord. and has been begotten of the hoI\
draw the line h&z, becaule”we all know that th”ere is such a Scirit. He is still n believer, must alway; continue to he 1~
thing as a legitimate mental influence which we all eselciee believer, must always continue to maintain his faith, which ii
upon one another, favorably or unfavorably. We know, for the foundation of his reckoned new nature in Christ.
instance, that hope and faith, love and joy, are healing and The word here rendered “born” should be rendered “begot~
helpful influences, and that doubt and despair, anger and ten;” it, is the same word in the Greek as the word rendered
malice, are injurious influences whether csercised by our own “begotten” following it in the same verse.
minds upon our own bodies, or upon others. In this proper Numerous Scriptures show us that our condition as sin-
sense of the lord every child of God possessing the spirit of ners is Such that we cannot be begotten of God through his
love, the spirit of a sound mind, is a mental healer, and a holy spirit until after we have been justified through faith
heart healer, a wound healer; wherever he or she may be, the As sinners we were “children of wrath even as others.” and
Influence will be uplifting, comforting, strengthening to good were “called to repentance” (but not called to the “hizh
impulses. If therefore the Lord’s consecrated ones visit the calling”) : as repen’tant sinners we are pointed to the Lc~d
sick, their presence should be a refreshment, comforting, Jesus as the Wav. the Truth and the Lift>. bv whom alone wc
cheering and helpful, and so much the more if they carry in can return to l&,ony with the Father: ‘When we accept
their hearts and communicate with their lips the exceedin.g Christ, as our Saviour and his sacrifice as our ranqom price
great, and precious promises of our Father’s Word. With this we are justified by faith-reckonedly perfected-and have
much of mental healing we are most thoroughly in accord. peace with God, and realize that we are no longer children
But Christian Science, Mind Healing and Magnetic Heal- of wrath, aliens, strangers and foreigners, being brought nigh
mg, running upon this same line, seem to us to carry it to by the hlood of Christ. Our justification, however, is not our
an extreme-in the case of Christian Science to the extreme begetting to new nature, but, as the Word itself signiticxs, a
of lying to oneself and believing the lie, and thus gradually making right of our old natures-a compensating ou nul
becoming a liar, self-deceived and deceivin,v others in respect Lord’s part for the weaknesses and imperfections of the tlesh
to all oi’ lift’s affairs. \\‘e cannot believe ‘that any course so which are ours through the fall, so that we are reckoned as
ODDOSed to that which the Scriptures
LX
mark out can be of God, tho we were perfect men-like father Adam before he sinned
nor can we believe that the cures it at, times effects are either It is to such justified or reckonedly perfect, men and
natural or of God; we can only suppose, therefore, that the women that the Lord sends the “high calling” of this Gospel
Adversary favors this lying and deceiving process to the intent age-a call to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, a call to suffer
that he may beguile the mind through further lies and decep- with him for righteousness’ sake in this present time. with a
tions far from God and the truth. promise of sharing with him glory, honor and immortality in
Magnetic Healing is more on the order of hypnotic heal- the future, of being joint-heirs with him in the kingdom which
~ng; that is to say, the magnetic healer gains a control over is to bring restitutibn blessings to all mankind. ._
the mind of his subject which is somewhat akin to the con- The call of this Gdspel age is to find the “royal priest-
trol gained by mesmerists and hypnotists, and akin to the hood,” of which our Lord Jesus is the Head or Cliief Priest,
soirit control of sniritualism
L 1
over its mediums. We can have and all his faithful ones the under priests. The work of this
no sympathy with anything of this kind, for even if we were priesthond is especially future-during the Millennial age the
satisfied that the power of control was merely a human instruction. guidance and teachina of the world of mankind.
power and not, a Satanic one (and we are not satisfied of The call to ‘this priesthood inclu’cies two things: (1) A call
this), \\e cannot feel that it is right for one human being to in the present time to faithfulness even unto sacrifice. and
subject. his mind, his will, to another, when the evidences none can bc in this priesthood except he offers up himself a
prove that every such subjection decreases his will power and willing sacrifice in the divine service. (2) It inclutlcs the
places the subject more and more in the position of a slave glorification that shall follow the exaltation of the SaCrifieers.
or machine, suhiect to the influence or control of others- The thing which each is to sacrifice is himself, his will,
breaking down kis personality. his life. his all (Heb. 5:3: Rom. 12: 1) : but God cannot
The Lord’s woole are admonished to make such a sub-
I accept to his holy altar any bl~~mished sacrifice, and hence he
mission of their minds to the Lord, and no one else; and we has not invited sinners to sacrifice themselves-for thev are
are confident that the Lord will take no advantage of us all hlemishetl. None but our Lord Jesus, therefore, coultl be
under such conditions, to rob us of any good quality. On actually acceptable as a sin-offerin,? on Jehovah’s altar: hence
the whole. then, we urge all of the Lord’s people to be on the provision is that his church, called to present. their bodies
guard against mind healers, magnetic healers, etc., especially living sarrifices. and to thus have fellowship in Christ’s
where, as in the case of Christian Science the mind is to be sufferings, and by and by in hi4 glory, must, first be “juqti-
given up to believe a lie, or in the case of hypnotism, it is to fied frerlv from all things” by the merit of Christ’s sacrifice,
be given up or subjected entirely to another. Our minds are before they rould be accepted as sacrificers “holy and nccept-
our greatest possession, and are to be given only to the Lord able to God” or in any degree come within the limitations of
and to each other as directed by the Word of the Lord; and the hi=11 cniling.
if we cannot have health without violating these principles, Altho the Apostle, in the verse you quote, does not partic-
we can afford to be without the health for the few more days ulari7e the three steps of (1) knowledge, (2) faith and (3)
that remain under the present. conditions, knowing that 6;~ consecration, he nevertheless implies them, as will be noticed
and by, if faithful to the Lord, we shall have the perfect from the rontext: vss. 3 and 4 tell us that the class the
resurrection bodies promised. Apostle refers to are overcomers of the world, and that they
[2629-j
t lil-117) t\LLEGHEXY, ?.+

s,Aelc to keep God’s conmandments. and do so willingly, not ning, must go on to completion-u&11 the subject shall have
feclmrr them “p-ievouQ..” Thus we see that he is speaking only been raised out of death into life. This raising up is neces-
3f the consecrated class; and since we know that there were sarily up to the point or condition from which the fall oc-
none I ighteous,-no, not one,-of all of Adam’s race, and curred, and anything short of that would not be in the proper
+~r.+ we know also that the unrighteous could not be accepted sense of the word a raising out of death and to perfection of
-15 iclint-qacrificers with Christ, we know assuredly that the life.
r?lqstle John had in mind a class of consecrated and spirit- iVhen considering the word attastasis it is proper that we
h+votten ones, who previously had been prepared by a knowl- should interpret it along this line, which is its only true and
e!!:e of Christ and bv a faith in him unto iustification. logical meaning, and if it were m any place used in a less
L That “new creature” represented by the”new mind which comprehenalre sense, it would evidently be the exceptional use
i; now berrotten of the holv snirit when the iustified believer of it, and should not, militate against, its full meaning.
reaches thoat point where dhe’sacrifices the human will and But let us look for a moment at the resurrection cf the
pre;entq himself unreservedly to the Lord, is merely “be- just ones and the resurrection of unjust, ones. There will be
gotten.” The present life is the formative period during no question as to the resurrection of just ones, that to them
Mhich there is no independent life, but merely the reckoned one anastasls means a perfect raising up to perfect conditions in
of our “motllw.” the Abrahamic Covenant. (Gal. 4.23-31) the first resurrection. Likewise, we claim, is its meaning in
Our birth will be in the first resurrection, when we shall be respect to unjust ones. It does not say that all of the unjust
“born from the dead.” Then we shall have life and our ones will be raised up, and other Scriptures show that this
mother covenant will be dead, having borne the promised seed will not be the case, but that only such of the unjust ones ad
that ihall bless all nations. Compare Co]. 1:lS; Rev. 1:5. ~111 conform themselves to the laws of the kingdom, will thus
HOW WILL THE DEAD HEAR? be raised up and that others will fall back when but p.lrtly
Qtrcstzoff.--What is implied by the expression, “The dead raised up and suffer second death;-those who refuse to hear
ghall hear the voice of the Son of Man and thev that hear (obey) their Lord in that day. Compare Acts 3 :23.
shall live?“-John 5.25
. .. JOINING TRADE UNIONS
rinszoer.-The Greek text seems to be in full harmony with Questton.-Can I consistently join a Trade Union? I
the English, and neither can be understood logically and in prefer to be free, but am threatened with loss of employment,
harmonv with other Scrintures. extent bv understanding this unless I join one.
to mea; that the dead of mankind &all “be awakened to” such An.?zcer.-The Lord’s injunctions are specifically along the
a condition as will permit them to hear, comprehend, under- lines of religion, and hence our separateness from unions
stand. tho they will still be dead from the divine standpoint should be specially along this line. A trade union has noth-
-dead in tlespas3eq and sins-dead in the sense of ing of a religious worship connected with it,, as have the
being still under divine sentence of death. Then after hear- churches and some of the secret orders. Of course: as those
ing,-comprehending, if they respond to the hearing, if they who are free indeed in Christ, me would prefer not to incur
obev the voice. the command, the instruction, of that dav any obligation except to the .Lord, but if obliged to join a
of 3ud,nmcnt, tl;ey shall eventuUlly attain to petfection of 1if”c Trade Union to obtain emnlovment. I think vou would do
---being raised to the living-point gradually ‘)y the processes of right, to join one. I would, 6owev&, Btat to’ them that I
restitution or resurrection, by (through) Judgments, during preferred not to join them (not for the sake of the dues,
the Millennium. king quite willing to pay my share of maintaining the proper
The fact is simply this, that a fall took place, a fall from nrice of labor). but from a desire to be free. lest at some
a certain standinr or condition of nerfection and life and a
‘1
iime the Union’might wish to dictate to my c&science what
redemption was provided at, Calvaiy, on account of which would not agree with it. I would therefore give them notice
there may be extended to all who fell an opportunity to rise at once that I would be obedient to the demands of the Union
arain. The rising. be it never so insignificant in its begin- so far as my conscience agreed, and that only.

ONLY A FEW MORE YEARS

-FBANCES C. SHOBE.-

Only a few more years to learn our part. Only a few more days to fill with love-
Just a few more miles the race to run; Love for all God’s creatures, friend and foe,
So gather courage fresh, 0 fainting heart! Love which shall cover every human fault,
0 weary “feet,” thy journey soon is done. And bring a balm for every earthly woe.

Onlv a few more months, but full of toil, Only a few more hours, we know, for some,
Fir In the “field” are hungry souls to feed, i?ho in this life have fought a goodly fight,
Then struggle on, 0 weary, burdened one! Henceforth for them remains a glorious crown,
For thou shalt find a strength in time of need. A rest within the radius of God’s light.
Only a few more days of willing sacrifice,
Of patient standing when our work is done;
Soon in his radiant presence we’ll rejoice,
And praise him in our everlasting home.

ALLEGHENY, PA., MAY 15, 1900 x0. 10

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

A ZIONIST LEADER’S VIEW OF JESUS
T)r. Max Nordau, a widely known Hebrew leader: not long in the Talmud. His prayer, the most beautiful that a believer
since in reply to a question concerning his view of Jesus, wrote ever formulated, is the quintessence of Jewish ideas concern-
the following:- ing the relations between man and his Creator. The Sermon
“The picture of Jesus as we have it given by the synoptic on the Mount is the substance of rabbinical ethics; its figures
gospels is a vague outline and is a typical and ideal Jewish and comparisons are common among the rabbis.
character. He observed the law; he taught the morality of “Jesus is soul of our soul, as he is flesh of our flesh, and
Hillel-love thy neighbor as thyself-he constantly occupied who, then, could think of excluding him from the people of
himself with matters of eternity; he felt himself in spiritual Israel? St. Peter will continue to be the only Jew who will
communion with God; he despised that which was mortal in say of this descendant of David: I know not the man ! If
his being and all the accidental things of this life on earth. the Jews have not to the present time paid that tribute of
All these are characteristic peculiarities of the best Jews of public honor to the esalted moral beauty of the character
the time of the Roman supremacy, especially of the Essenes. of Jesus, the ground for this is to be sought in the fact that
And as to his origin and ethical physiognomy, there. too, the those who tormented them did so in his name. The Jews
language of Jesus was throughout Jewish. For all of his concluded what the Master was from the doings of the dis-
parables, parallels can be found in greater or less abundance ciplcs. This was a wrong, but it was pardonable on the part
126301
MAY 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (147-14b:

of those who were eternally the objects of the never-ending The Methodist “tares” know that they have just as much
hatred of so-called Christians. But everv time that a Jew right to such thines as the Presbvterian “tares” and the
went back to the original sources concerni& Jesus and learned Baptist “tares ;” aLn”d though they *have been enjoying the
to study Christ witsout regard to his foll;wers, he was com- interdicted amusements for years and intend to continue so
oelled to exclaim in amazement: Without acceutinp his to do whether the conference cancels the nrohibition or not.
Messianic claims, this m& is of us! He honors our-rag and yet somehow they would feel just a little’ more free if the
we claim him as our own. as we also claim the synoptic gos- words were not there. Not that their consciences are verv
pels as examples of genuine Jewish literature. - - - tender on the subject, but that it gives some of the “wheati’
“And the revision of this trial? This had been done lonn class an opportunity to upbraid them and seems a curtail-
since. The most learned specialists in the department o‘? ment of their “tare” privileges and pleasures.
Jewish legal procedure have proved beyond the shadow of a And why should not the General Conference grant the
doubt that thl trial of Jesus, as tradition reports it, could request and expunge the article so obnoxious to the “tare”
never have taken nlace before a Jewish court of law. If element? The Methodist “wheat” need no such restrictions
Jesus was- condemn’ed to death, it was done by the Roman even as the Presbyterian and Baptist and other “wheat” need
judge, and no Jew, faithful to his law, had the least thing them not. After all, the “tares” are not “the children of the
to do with it. kingdom” and why should such restrictions give some of
“Jesus would never have been condemned to death on the them more of a deceptive appearance of bein.g “wheat?” Let
cross before a Jewish court, as this method of punishing them do what they will--the wider the difference between
criminals was not allowed by the Jewish law; and it never “wheat” and “tares” the better, and the more speedy the
could have taken place on a Friday, the evening before the separation, now that the harvest time of separation has come.
Passe\-er. as the law strinpentlv forbade anv execution on that PRESBYTERIANISM STANDS “BEFORE GOD AND MAN WITH
day. If the Jews had coidem”ned Jesus a&r the manner re- A LIE IN ITS RIGHT HAND”
ported by tradition, then they would have committed a series Says One of its Ordazned Mmisters
bf crimes, each of which would have been severely punished “Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee,” saith the
bv the Jewish law. It is accordinelv certain that the whole Lord. And they gnawed their tongues [chewed their words1
storv of the trial of Jesus can 6,’ nothing but an act of in pain, but continued to blaspheme [slander, misrepresent]
venieance intended to punish the Jews for not having recog- the God of heaven.
nized the divine mission of Christ.” The commotion amongst Presbyterians continues-some
This is inteiesting as showing the change that has come standing firm for their church creed, others repudiating it and
over the people who cried, “His blood be upon us and upon our begging-to be released from it, but not noble-minded-enough
children !” -The Doctor’s- expression is filling into line with to sten out into libertv in Christ (as thev might so readilv
the Proohet’s declaration of what must soon be the attitude 40) &cause of the co&, of that liberty in” nam’k, salary. et;.
of the Jews as a people, viz., “They shall look on him whom Many thus indirectly confess that they despise the -chain
they have pierced, and shall mourn for him as one mourneth wherewith thev are bound. and have desuised it for vears.
for an exceptional son.” and have realiied it to be i lie and a blasihemy agains< God;
Undoubtedly the best reading matter for the Jew is the and after confessing to this acting and confessing a lie for
Sew Testament. whose simple Gospel narratire and whose years they beg to be released without cost or loss either of
masterful Pauline arguments refer him freely to the Old human or divine favor, and especially without loss of bread
Testament and show prophecy and fulfilment. hype and anti- and butter.
type. However. we are not to exoect Israel’s blindness to Note the expression of Rev. Samuel T. Carter in a Pres-
f?ly drpart before the divinely ap’pointed time;-when the byterian journal-The Evangelist. He says:-
elect Gospel church shall have been completed and glorified. “It must be admitted that if a church is honest, that
3or are we then to expect their blessing and enlightenment which stands in its Confession is its faith. It must be ac-
except through the great trouble in which they will share knowledged that what is contained in its Confession is the
nith all others, and out of which they shall be saved and faith of anv honest church. The Westminister Confession of
blest by the glorified spiritual Israel.-Rom. 11.25-22, 31. Faith is sti’il the unquestioned Confession of the Presbyterian
church. Is the Presbyterian church honest in its zeal for
METHODISM MORE DEMOCRATIC purity first and peace afterward?
The basis of the Methodist Episcopal church is hierarchi- “Be it known, then, to all the world that the Presbyterian
cal. exclusive, all power and authority being rested in the church by its Confession declares that all the heathen perish,
hands of the “clergy.” But for some years public sentiment that many men are hopelessly lost from all eternity hy the
has hcen gro\ylng in favor of a more democratic arrangement. dprree of God. and that there are infants in hell. . . . In
culminating in % demand that the “laity” be granted equal realitv the church does not helieve these dreadful doctrines.
renresentation and voice with the ministers and bishons I- in Then&it stands before God and man with a lie in its right
thk regulation of the RI. E. church’s affairs. hand.”
The ministers were 10th to part with anv measure of their The Independent, a high-class religious journal of West-
‘Laufl~ority” and power, but finding the ““laity” persistent minster proclivities, makes some very sensible remarks on the
th:g have with as good grace as possible finally yielded the situation as follows:-
point. as the following dispatch from the General Conference “The time for removal of error is always; and now revision
at Chicago shows:- of some sort begins to be exigent. The Presbyterian church
“CHICAGO, May 2.-The pulpit and the pew will hereafter is suffering for it. The arguments for it are those of truth
share equally in the highest governmental body of the Metho- and charily; the argument- against it is that it will delay
dist Episcopal church. Without a dissenting vote the Gen- union with the Southern Presbvterian church. which in not
eral Conferenre which opened at the Au&orium to-day, yet ready for revision. But wed doubt very m&h if re&sion
ratified the action of the annual conferences in extending is the best course to be pursued. Let the old Confession
equal representation to the laity. The 157 provisional dell remain as a historical document. It expressed the views of
gates were admitted without a contest. the Westminster Assembly. It answered its purpose then.
“The step taken makes the Methodist church a democratic It was a noble but faulty document. It gave forth all the
body, and the rule of the preacher passes with the century. light its makers had. Put it where it belongs, as an expres-
As the roll was made up to-day there are 356 Dreachers and s&n, not of what we must believe, but of &hat its makers
236 laymen on the regular list: At least 50 reserve laymen believed. Thev did ErandIv exoress their own faith. but
will close some of the breaches in the deleeation.” they had no ;ight to “enslav; our’ faith, any more than God
Radical as- this step is, it has little meaning and will has a right to enslave our will. There is no nobler intel-
have little effect in the affairs of Methodism, and it is because lectual work that a man can do than to formulate what
the preachers realize this that they yield the point without he believes about God. Theology is the noblest of the sciences
special contest. They well know that the name and form of -a man of intelligence ought never to t\re of making creeds
liberty and power are all that their “laity” care for or know for himself. He ought to revise his creed every year. A man’s
how to appreciate. So long as the preachers can keep “their conduct, and so his religion, depends on what he believes
people” in ignorance on the subject of hell, etc., they can about the relation between God and man. More evidence,
manipulate them just as well in conference as elsewhere. more discovev, more study, more enlightenment from the
I) * * Holy Spirit, w-ill change his-belief, his creed, and so affect his
A memorial has been drafted for presentation to this Gen- religious dutv. We would leave the formulation of a creed
eral M. E. Conference requesting that the strictures of the to Gch man’; own conscientious study.”
Methodist discipline against dancing, theatre-going, etc., be We are surprised and gratified to have so able a journal
explmged. as The Zndependent come forward thus boldly in advocacy of a
[2631]
,149- 150, ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA

view we have been seeking to promulgate for years; namely, How strange that the simple and rational way of feeding
that each individual Christian should have his oum creed. his “milk” and then “meat,” which affords both pleasure and
own faith or belief respecting the things which God has re- nourishment, should have been discarded for the wickedly
gealed to his people by his spirit through his Word ;-and injurious practice of imposing upon the “babes” doctrinal
that each Christian should keep adding to his knowledge and pills which not only afford no nourishment but which hinder
his faith daily from the inspired record, the Bible, using all all growth, and as a result has filled Churchianity with
the helps obtainable to this end. This is the thought of the “babes” who as respects spiritual things have never had their
Apostle when he speaks of grolotl~ in grace and knowledge senses exercised to discern the true from the false and are
and approach to the stature of manhood in Christ. He sug- utterly unable to follow the Apostle’s counsel to “rightly di-
nrrests that the beeinner in the Christian wav is but a “babe” vide the word of truth” and to “try the spirits” (doctrines)
who nerds “the &mere milk of the Word that he may grow whether they be of God or are human fabrications.
thereby,” and that when further advanced he will need the A SIMPLE CONFESSION NECESSARY
“strong meat” of truth which is for the more matured. However, a simple public confession is necessary to demon-
W’ith such an arrangement there is no room for the meth- strate who are “babes” in Christ-to distinguish such from
ods in vogue among Christians of all denominations which just “children of this world.” But this confession should be very
now ir causing Presbyterianism so much trouble-namely, simple-so that the merest “babe” in Christ could compre-
the fixing hv the Doctors of Divinitv of each denomination of hend and fully endorse it as his own. (1) It should declare
a, crccrl ‘~tlaimed to contain all the“‘milk” as well as all the faith in Christ as a personal Saviour; that he was sent of the
“stronc n meat” of Gorl’s Word) which each “babe” as it is Father and gave his life a Tonsom for all mankind. (2) A
rrwivc~rl is required to swallow. and which it is instructed personal acceptance of him as a personal Saviour and a de-
will supply all the spiritual nutriment proper for it to re- termination to forsake sin. (3) A full consecration to be a
ceive to thra end of life. Surb doses or pills are administered follower of Jesus in every respect and to lay down life itself
by- cvcrv se&-\ome sugar-contcrl to conceal the real contents in his service. Whoever could not confess these should, not
from the “babe” * , and <ome like the Presbyterian creed. plain. be esteemed a “babe” in Christ at all-nor he fed as such.
honest ant1 terribly bittrr. nor expected to grow up into Christ in all things.
A gentlrmen in Allcghenv related to us his conversation May we expect the church nominal to follow this program
with a I’rr,*byterinn pa;tor before his withdrawal from that --or that the voice of the Zndependent will be more potent
chni rub. The crentlrmnn said. “Pastor.
.~ - 0
I find manv things than our own in hringing to pass such conditions? By no
in nnr Confession of Faitlr which upon now more mature con- means. Churchianity contains too many “tares” and not
sitl~~raltnn I cannot endorse nor continue to be identified with, enough “wheat” for such suggestions to be impressive. She
nnlras you can help me to reason them out.” The pastor re- will soon go down in the great time of trouble; and not until
plied, “My dear brothrr, you are getting at this matter from the kingdom has been set up need we expect a better general
11ic wrong st:~nrll~nint : our Confession must he swallowed arrangement. Then it wili apply not to the elect church,
whole or not at all. It is like a Brandreth pill; if you at- which will then be completed and glorified, but to the restitu-
tempt to chew it [reason it out1 you can never swallow it.” tion class, then being developed.-Acts 3: 19-21.

THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE

‘Tllis work is now nobly started and just in time, we trust. of the matter circulated. The results cannot be even ap-
to set’ it well accnmplishcrl before .Tuly, when so many church proximatetl this side the vail.
nttcnrlants are apt to absent themselves for the summer. The Order more “ammunition” as you find you will need it
hrrthrcsn ant1 sisters engaging in this service seems to be proflt- We have a good supply now. But be careful, please, not to
order more than you ~111 faithfully and promptly use-for it
ing by it spiritually thrmsclves and it is difficult to conceive is expensive. Letters on this slrbjert should have the word
of any other form of prearhing present truth that could be “Volunteer” at the head, and “Order No. 2” or “Order NO
more rffcd.ive. The fact tbnt this matter is handed out by 3” as the case may be. Initial orders should invariably be
Christian gcntlemcn and ladies adds to the weight and force made out along t,he line mentioned in March 1st Tower.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRITISH FRIENDS

\Ve have pleanlrre in annolrncing to the friends in England, to hear of many fresh enlistments in this branch of the service
Trrland, Srotlnnrl ant1 \Valrs that our London branch office is Any who feel disposed to enter the Colportenr work in
open at thlb address givrn above. It is or will shortly be well Great Britain are invited to write there for full instructions
how to work, where to work, terms, etc., etc.
storked with Dhwns. bonl~lets, tracts and WATCH TOWERS.
Friends there desirous of visits from “Pilgrims” to hold
This will greatly crmrenicnre you all, we are sure, not only
public and parlor meetings in Great Britain are also invited
\aring time but also postage. and permitting you to use to write. Address all such letters to
~lomr23lic initcatl of ff)relgn RTonry Orders. WATCI~ TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY,
Volnntr~cr ordcls will 1)e filled from there also and we hope 131 Gipsy Lane, Forest Gate, London E., England.

PROGRESS OF THE TRUTH IN CHINA

Our &:I I’ Brotlirr Ramllr. formerly a Baptist missionary PRESENT TRUTH IN THE FAR EAST
m C!IIII.~. has hern with 11s at Alleghenv for about a month. There has heen in China for years one solitary witness
anal w’s lI:Ivr lerrnt~l to love him tlcnrlv”as one of the Lord’s for the present truth, Miss Downing, of Chefoo. This lady
'i,lV1 II1 ml." llr 11:1-:\\rittcn for tbc *TOWER a littlr sketch was fnrmerly a missionary of the Presbyterian Board and she
rlf llis 1(>(,(*rlt r\prrienr’rs in receirin~g the t,rnth and of his chnnrerl to meet with a stray WATCH TOWER, about the year
.*iTr,ltq to Ital it hlliiir~ forth in tnrn lo others. \1 c know it 1833. in which she read an artirle on restitution, and at once
5vill )pf il~l~rr(~intc~rl. Tile blnther’s depth of interest is well tleeitled to suhsrribe for the paper. She was the means of
4tlwtrvi l)y hi5 long j[.ilrncy of 16.0Ou milrs to Allrpheny. leading hlr. Flrller (n hose letter is published at the end of
II, 1” c,,,nic>i s~‘cl:rllr,l-’ tllc I <m:1inrlrr nf his r:irtbly Ii fo in VOL. Ill.) to sturlv the DAWNS which proved so great a hles-
.,1111111111’_ tltfb rJ1~l~iI~~~~ ‘1’1Illiipr~t--tll(l Gosprl of tllp kinqlom. sing to him. He died in 1894.
hr \\ 111 pinlmhly irlrbrt Crcat Britnin. his fnrmrr borne. as Amongst the missionaries of Shantung I am afraid Sister
-bl\ flit ljw (ir~lrl ‘for Ilnrvcb\t work-preaching, and colporteur- Downing was con\irlrred a queer old lady having some odd
f’r” tllrh I‘)lWY~. notions. F11p pr(availed on me, ho\\ever, to subscribe rn 189?
I?~~f~~r(~ lt7ving tliiu rnuntry he has consmted to do some for the WATCII TOWER ant1 to get the Zhaglott. The lntter I
“1’11~11~1” \\nik. llr IY llO\\’ visitrng a nrinibc~r of little mllrh wantefl 1 rcxad a little hrre ant1 there in the TOU’ER,
gatlict in,:% in Ohio and trrstrrn T’rnns\ lvnnia. ant1 latrr on will bllt too raslllv ronr~lurled that it was the organ of snme kind
mracbt \XII 11 thra rhllrrhrq at \\Iashington, Rlltimnrc, Rmbmonrl, of rlnivc~rsnli~m. which I did not lvant to corrupt my nrtho-
Philnrl~~ll~l~in, New York City, etc., inclnding some on the douv, $0 tllrrw them aside.
Hndson Rlvcr. \Ve cnnfitlently assure him a most hearty wel- I was too much afraid of the word “Universalism.” Now
come frnrtr all I\-ATCII TOWER readers he may be permitted to I know that snme things m-e universal. God’s sunshine is
me&. His article follows :- universal ; it shines from pole to pole, upon both the just and
[2632]
Y4r 15. 19lJo ZION’S‘ WATCH TOWER (150-1Sl)

the unjust. So is his love. (John 3:16) Light and truth The vast majority ignored our appeal. This we fully er-
are vet to be universal (John 1:9 : Isaiah 11:9). and so is petted, for we know that many are much too full of work
the iestimony of the ransom. ( 1 Tim. 2:6 : John’12 :32) Be- for the Lord to hear him speaking to them. Still many replies
cause of my prejudice then I continued four years longer in were received, varying much in tone and spirit. No Lisa than
darkness. four accused me of blasphemy. One Doctor of Divinity
Toward the end of that time I saw MILLENNIAL DAWN thought I had lost my- head; one predicted that I had begun
advertised in the London Tznles, and having been interested for to drift toward infidelity. Some deplored my departure from
years in the Lord’s return, I had a growing desire to read the faith, while yet others, more kindly in intention, Itegged
that book. In the summer of 1896 Miss Downine lent me VOL. me to return to the simplicity of tht> Gospel; but none of
I,, but a day or two later I received another copy from Eng them knew the pearl of great price I had found.
land, sent to me (without my request) by my dear mother. One wrote to me thus:-“1 am very grieved that you
I retrtrned Miss Downing her-copy, and st&ing for my mis- should have been so led away by the wicked one, and would
sion station. four davs iournev from Chefoo. I first read the solemnly urge you not to become one of Satan’s agents. and a
PLAN OF THE AQES in i muli-litter. It wonderfully opened ‘seducing spirit.’ . . . We are living in perjlo& times,
my eyes, and I became more and more astonished at the and I would warn vou to beware of him who not onlv eoeth
be”antifu1 Bible exegesis it revealed. Later on I received about as a roaring -lion, but also as an angel of iight:‘,0 An-
VOLS II. and III.. and continued to read with admiration. other wrote:-“It is just as Paul told Timothy. evil men
In November of the same year I wrote my first letter to will wax worse and worse, deceiving and bcin;r -deceived. I
Allegheny, asking for the TOWER, and more information of any am so sorrv to think that vou. Dr. Kandle. are one ~110 is
kind along the same lines. After reading the three volumer being decei;ed bv these evil’ men.,, These are both personal
myself, I read them again with my wife, an? afterwards with and esteemed fri‘ends, from whom, RP from many more, I am
my children, and God has been graciously pleased to lead now counted alienated. May the Lord deal very graciously
both my wife and my eldest daughter into a joyour reception with them.
of thr present truth.
Tn 1897 I began to speak with my missionary collelgties Others wrote thankfully, and shnwrd their readinesx for
the harvest message. A well-educate11 Chinece woman wrote
about the character of the Judgment Day, for I was rcsjoicing
in the strong consolation it gave me to see that God’s pur- -“I have been reading the tracts you so kindly left me. first
with interest, then with delight, and 1 feel so mnch happier
poseq regarding the heathen-to give them a grneious .md full
than I have been for a long time: the ntnrd [ rpnd the tnorr
opportlmity to enter into life-were infinit,eIy more grnnd and
bencficc~nt than I had ever dreamcAd. I want to read and the more light I get, but there is still
?\ hrn the cluestion of the Trinity loomed up it gave me much I want to know. I would like to have MII.CE”JKIAI.
:t tp1n~~orar.v shock. but I soon saw that I ~lioultl neither DAWN and the pamphlet on HeZZ. If Jnu tell me how to send
honnr the Father nor the Son by making the Lord .Jcsus the money I will be ever so much obliged.”
more thin thr Bible clearly teacheq, when examined without In all we sold 90 DAWNS and 38 pamphlets on Hell, Tab-
preiuflice. and I recognized not only that all men should ernacle Shadows, etc. One missionarv, a young rl’an who
“hnttor thr Son even a5 thev honor the Father.” but also that bought the four volumes, and has learned to appreci7tr and
it was tile supreme will of- the Father to have it so. love the precious truths therein expounded, came ciut from
In 1898, being persuaded that this testimony is from God, Brethrenism, and is now standing alane in North China, brar-
and 1s in conflict with nominal Chrlstianitv, I did not con- ing his testimony for the present trnrh. Four other miqsion-
5idt.r it neces$arv to confer with flesh 2nd blood. but rrsioned aries are reading and studying the DAWNS with ioy and prolit.
my connection \;lith both the Baptist cl~urcb, and the M&ion but have not yet come out of Babylon. which is to them no
Boar11 with which I ~RS connected. Bein.; now free from the easy thing. I-was also able to leaie 2.5 volumes in Shanghai
qrrrtls and traditions of men my first desire was to tell to for fnrther Salk, and will be able to send more out if reclllired.
other- the truth that had given me such comfort and joy. so that I trust the harvest work in the far East may &tinue
I was able to hold about a dozen meetings amonp mis- to develop, until all shall have received at least some testi-
sionatier in several stations, but my principal effort IO reach mony to the light of present truth.
the missionaries of the far East had to be done by corre- How true it is that the vast majority of the houerhold of
spontlcnre. for they are scattered over thousands of miles of faith have no ear to hear the harvest message! 89 it was
coiintrv. in some 500 different stations. For thii; purpose I in Christ’s first presence, so it is now. Immersed in their
had n ‘circular letter printed (a copy of which appeared .in the own work, many are preaching in his name, and doing won-
l’o\VrR. *June 15. 1899. nape 157). To each of t11~w letter:: derful works for him (Mntt. 7:22), and yet they are as b!ind
we atltl~d something further in writin?, ant1 enclosing one or and deaf as the Pharisees of old, neither knowing nor doing
mor(’ tracts, sent them all out by letter poit, which we con- the will of their Father in heaven. It is a strait gate indeed,
Firler(~~I to be much more likrlv to command a leading than and a narrow way, and verily few are finding tKe Iif,, thcv
if the* whole thing had been pfinl,ed and sent out as printcjl lead to. Mav we never cease to humblv and dilirentlv
* <.
inon&
mattrr. In all we despatched the folIowiny:-1%l7 to Iilir- what is the Father’s will concerning us, and abitling i’n Cl;rist.
sion:lt its in China; 385’to missionarirs in .Jnpan ; 72 to mism that we may receive his spirit, may we be enabled not onlv
sionalies in Corea; 20 to missiondries in Siam, etc.; Innking to do that will, but also to see the loving-kindness that in
a total of 2324. The number of tracts sent out was abo*lt in it!
5,000. HORACE A. RANIKE.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM

m4TT. 13 :24-xb--~~AY 27.
“The field is the world; the pod
seed are the children of ihe Rmgdorn.”
Parables of the kin&m are really word-pictures of the mnnp as were ready, and the remainder from amon@ the
kinetlnm. No one of these parables represents the complete Genttles durin,rr this Gospel nge
viea of the subject, hut merpiv one phase of it. Tlt~ attrntive Nntnrally enough. the Jews did not grasp the situation,
Bil)lr student will nnticta that the theme of the Goqrlel from htlt, w(bre lrloking for our Lord to eL;t.lt~lt~h a flt~qhly kingdom
firqf to I.,st is the kingdom. The mcssnge first aivrii to I~.lthrr in their midst; and it was to cniintrrnct this ~~r~~npoiw
Shrnh:lm was that hiq pnsteritv would hlpsq tbr worl&-- thnu,ght th:lt .lCquS nttcrrd these pnrnl~lw of the kin~:clotl~-
th;lt is to say, be a king!tlnm cauercisin,n control ovrr the world, abnllt nine of them-three htling embraced in this lp\qon. ‘1‘llP
ant1 for its hen&t and I1plifting. This hope \rnq hefnre the scrips began with thp pnr:lblr nf the snwrr, e\aminc~ll in our
Jewish mind for over sixteen lluntlred years, tbrir expectation lnst isslIp. which showed thnt there was but one trne $(*?(I or
being that they would be exalted by. God to that ‘kir@nn meqsnge of the kin,rrtlnm, and that the fruitfulness of that wed
pnsitlntl and bless all the f:lt)lilies of the PartI), rcconriting would tlcpnd upon the cbarnctrr of hrart into which it would
them to God. Our Lord’s proclamation nnd tll:lt of his apns- fall. Next we have in order the narable of
tlr4, :lt tlip first advent was: “The kingdom of Gnrl iq at hnntl’,
--Got1 iq now readv t,o ~~st:ll,lish his kinrr~loni if thr twonl~ il re THE WHEAT AND THE TARES
ready to rcreive it.i -“Hut his n\jn rc~cc~iY~rd hitn tint.‘, a;141the Here thr good seed or the mesqnge of the kingdom which
kingdom was taken frntn them as a nation. to br $vrn to the our 1,nrd planted is represpntrd as springing up in bcblievers,
holy nation, the peculiar people, the royal pric~~thnotl, whom and constituting them cttiltlrcbn or hpirs of the kingdom. It
the Lord would select,--choosing first from fleshly Israel so is very proper here to note that there is no other method at
[2633]
~152-153) ZION'S WATCH TOWER ALLEC~IENY,Pti.

present of becomi77g n child of God, an heir of the kingdom,
except through the acceptance of the kingdom message, with
all that it implies of consecration to the Lord, even unto
death-“if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also
~101ificd together ’ in his kingdom.-Ron]. Y: 17.
The object of these parables, then, was not to depict to
o77r minds what the kinedom would be like after it has been
established in the world, but rather to picture before our
minds something respecting the processes of development by
whicah the kinidom-class Tvould - be selected from- among&
mankind :17ld made readr for the kinedom which is to be set
1 i
np at the second coming of Christ in power and great glory:
-when he ~hnll cstablisJ7 that hi7llennial kingdom for the ve7y
purpose of granting a judgment or trial to all the families
of the* cartI:-Jlcrn(Jvr~ntnt e untIcr the f:rio:;rbJc opJ)ortnn1tits
of knowle~l~e, etp , then granted 77nto them. 7nanp may choose
life tbiough ol,c~tlic~nc:cto God and attain it.
2Zs in thp prcrccting Jjarable the Lord Jc~u~, hlm\elf was
the sow\‘Cr of tJ1c too11 ,scrd, PO in this p”7ablc. It wag Jes17s
who mai so\ving tllc sect13 of truth, the J)7omiscs. etc., which,
To have attempted to root out all the tares, and to have
thus cleansed the wheatfield, at any time in the past, would
have meant, as the parable shows, a complete shaking through-
out the entire field, a commotion which would not have serred
the best interests of the wheat; hence the Lord has permitted
for all these centuries that the two classes should live s7de
by side and co-operate in church work, and unitedly profess
to be his people, intending the separation to be manifest in the
end of the age. And surely nhen the separation does occ77r
it will cause a wonderful commotion in nominal Zion-
“Uahylon.”
The reapers are first to gather the tares and bind them
in bundles to burn them. They do not burn them at once, Ijut
proceed to gather the wheat into the garner; and not 77ntil
After tJ1c wheat is garnered does tl7e f&e co&me the tares.
We are to remember that tJ7is is a uarable. and that the tire
is as much a symbol as the tarrs. tlte wheat and the Earner;
hence we are n&, to expect a lit&xl burning of the m&es of
Christendom in a literal fire, after the little flock, the faith-
f771 wheat class. tJ7e children of the kingdom. have been Y ,

sprin::i772 711’i71 the liearts of J7is disc7pJeq. transformed them
to newness of life, making of them nc::v crcaturcs. and operat-
7n= thro77gl1 them as his mo77thp7e~~c~~ rdr7 ietl similar blessings
wllerever tl7e message, the Gosl~l of the kingdom, has gone.
“While 7ncn slept” the enemy of the sower of the good
scsed, viz., Satan, came and sowed tares amongst the wheat.
The Lord himself not only made possible the kingdom by
7cderming n7iu7kmd, bnt nnnolmced his willingness to receive
some as joint-17elrs of it, and then departed for the far coun-
try. even I~raven itself, not to ret777n ur7t71 the time for his
kingdom to be established in glory and po\\er. (Mark 13 :34)
IJis chosen apostJes faitJifuJJy g77arded tlin field so long as
thr;v 17vet1, but when they fell asleep in dcat!l, as the Lord has
folcst’en and here predicted. the adv(Brcary found good op-
J)ortnn7ty to bring in f;7lsc doctrlnca, to sow error, and throngh
gathrred into the barn. the garner, the heavenly condition.
Tile fire which will then come upon the whentfield, from
whicl7 the wheat has been gathered, and in which the tares
are h77ndled. will be what the Scriutures elsewhere denominate
“a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation”
-social trouble, financial trouble, xelipious trouble, accom-
panied by famine and pestilence, and the end of it will be the
disruption of a?1 law. ordrr and relieion and the nrcvalcnre
of a~arcliy. In that’trouble all the ?arc3 will br jestroved
in the srnqe that none of them thereafter will rlaim td bi
what they are no&-none of them will claim to be God’s con-
secrated people. The various inducements by which they were
brought to claim themselves to be Christ’s followers, wl7cn
they-were not, will then be at an end. Xo longer will ‘such a
claim rain for them social or financial or otl7er standinrr or
‘2

the error to prc~l77cr :iluonpst the whent a crop of tare+-- advantage, and no longer will they make the false claim.
tla111rl. Tar65 h,\vc tl~cb J)cc77linrity that while growing tliey Explaining the pnl:7ble privately to hip disciples. our Lord
1 cry tlccitlctlly re~c!+ll~lc \\ hc.lt, so th:7t 7t i? nlmost impossible showed them-that the gath&ing of the whe:7t into the Farncr
to tell them :7I”t7 t untit a cc7ta7n &Lgrrr of m.7turity i? meant thp comrdetion of the work of this Gosuel ace-the
ieac*lird: the77 1111,~lilYc.~ei7ce is clearly diecernib!e to 311 of completion of the kingdom class that shall blesi the~wo7ld,
caI)cricliicc. and he says, “Then &ll the righteous shine forth nc the
\\.C Fre the f77IliIn~c7lt of this feature of the palable in s77n in the Jilnrrdom of their Father.”
‘a
Thus the S77n of Ri&t- 7.
Christendom to&7y; tl7e wheat waq sown broadcast over a eousness that is to arise in the Millennial morning, and \\hich
WI tain pz7rt of the field, the world of 7nankind. especially is t,o bless tl7e whole world with the light of the knowledge
tlrro77~ho77t I’:II~~~[v :7nd America. and the tare-seed. , the_. error of the goodness of God in Christ, is to be composed, not only
ant1 f’.;l,(k c!octlill’c. -iac7ns to hnvc been r-own still more liber- of our Lord Jesus himself. the upreat licht. but ~150 of tllo~
ally; and looking 1);1& we date tl7nt sowing as commencing chosen to be his ioint-heirs in the ki‘ipdom. his acsociate~
as L(oon as the npo-tlvs were “f:7llc77 asleep.” In consequence in the shining forth of the light of truth. ’
wc !intl to-day (>hristinrl+, tlnc Chri\tians, genuine Christianr. This was a totallv different roncrution of t!r~ kinrrtlon~
l~e~otton of t11c \Vo~d of (:otl’* plomlses. and fully in accord
~ltl7 it, nnd ~c~cl,in:: to brinx faith good fruit in their live?;
ant? 1, (1 nlio SCP 311 almbt irin77lnc:r:7b!e tare-class of imitation
(.Thri\tiatls. bqntten 7lot of tllcs truth no1 of the word of the
kingtlom, nttc7 lg 7gno1,7nt of it indeed ; begotten of excitement,
bcgottcn of fear of 1~~11,ircbg.)ttcn of hopes of worldly ad-
van tncy ?)y ?olning a nomi7:nl church, bt*gottrn of pride and THE PARAELE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
:7 dcsirc fn ?W in ,good Loci+. begott of socinl and finnntinl ‘I Jle ili!rd J):7r’ib:~-J’ictiir(, rlf t!ie l~i7igdoni in its prcse77t
:~rnllitlclll. P1(. c*11!111\oii~, ( q,tl\li1ioii of de\ c!~~!~rn~*nt1c intc~ntled to show that
fl OIII :I 1 fry ~nnll I@nniny tlu~ nominal cllttrch of this Gos-
J”‘1 !7Yi’ v 077ld ntt,ain to q77ilc cdonsiderablc proJ1ortions. It5
it:77 t 1\ Il1~~11car1 to t1r.b hl17:?!17tii7&al~l-s~~trl. I\-hlch :7ttai77s to the
\I:I+~cI tlr~~l.~ic~tl tll:7t ‘t’1lc.v \\c7(’ to be pcr7nitt&J ih’gro\\* to: largZrs<t 47,: of it- ~?:13sof lir7l~s. Yet this large development
:cstIlcbr until the. 1~7 vcit-t;777i,. 1~17cntile 7ipenirlg of both under doe> not necc\rarily signify ndvantnge or wnythi7lg special!!-
111+*(i(.:ilcBr light nf the hnr\c-i-time woald manifest eacl7 class tl~~sir:lble. but on tllc contln ry it become7 a disadvantage, 177
tlr;l7 nli-lily and distinctlv, ant1 t!lvll :I q~nrntiol7 would talif? that ihc! fowls of the air cnmc and lodge in its branches, and
id:,, t’ 7,rltJtbr Jiis snpcrvirh~. dcfilv it The “fowls of the air” in the preceding pRrab?e of
‘J’t) 0771’777iticr~t:77~di7i~\\ c a7 e 17ow in the “harvest” or CIICJ tJlr sower rrJ>rcsrntcd Satan :7nd his agents, and we are, we
aif lhiq *,pc, n77d tllc light of prcscnt truth, as it shines for think, iu\tificd in making a similar application here, and
tllc I,07 d-5 ?~o?)lc \vnlkill:: in the path of the iust. which 7nterprgting this to me& that the cJ77&h planted by the
-IIIIJ~W 711orc-nn;l 11107 c ul:.to tl7e J&cct day, as ire11 as the Lord ,Tews flo77risl7cd ranidlv and exceedinelv. and that be-
li=Jlt r,i Ijrc56’7& truth as it i-h shil7ing 71p017the world and its cc771~~lnf itb attainment\~ &rngtJ7, etc., ST&n through his
wx ial :771d li71;777cin? and crirntific questions, is tending to :r!:pnts. came and lodged in thr various branches of the church.
~~JWII lmtll 111~11heat and tllc t:7le%. The tare class no longer ‘l’bey 11;1rc brcan lodping in the branches of this Gospel church
-c~,k, 7r1 11i(lc Itsc.lf, bnt c7tller secma to claim that it ic. ihc for li~c,sc~manp cenl.urirs. and are still to be founr! in her.
gwl:~ln~. nrticlr, the hcicntliic cl:7as. evolutionists, higher- a d&line elc7iir.nt. Thev come in, not for the benefit of the
7itit all,? in yc71~1:71the worldly-wise. The wheat class is n777~t:1rd-~cc~l tree or \&rub bttt for their own convenience
:7!sr) l)ecolttin:: 17707~’and more discernible, as it ripens in t?7r :1~,? bcn?Iit. It is iu h:trnrc~77v with this that in the present
f:rith :7r,d 1loJ~ :771tl joy begotten of the Gosprl of t<e kingdom. time tbc i.nrtl s&lks nf I!*>bylnn. nominal Christendbm, as
.I’?;(, Lrpnrat inr. IYork mentioned in the unrable is not onlv nt “the ho111 of cw~.y for7J tjbird, and a cage of every unclean
h;~nti, i)17t in‘ progrrss; a cleavng:c and separation between :~qd Jl:,tefnl bir!I.“--T?cr. 15 :2.
nornrn:~I Christi.lna ( t.lrcs) a77d tr77e Christians (mbf~at ) . as l’his ccntnlrinntion of ilrc original good planting, by the
nr;7llg cwv~~ one ~170 iq awake discerns: a77d this scp:iration n.ivcrs:7r~ :ind 11is :i;entE, i7 as J>rominent in this parable
17ill IPCmoip 2nd IIIDW disrernible rear hr year as t?7e h;7rr<+t :I< in tiir ;mr:tbJe of t1t.A tares, merely showing it from a
wvb Ivogwsw, until it5 clov. tJiEc’rPr;t c+aFtJrrrint
[2634]
MAY 15. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (154-155)

THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN symbol of righteousness as that he would not use leprosy as
Here again we have a word-picture of the Lord’s church a symbol of holiness.
during this Gospel age of her development and preparation How then shall we apply this parable? We answer, that
for the kingdom glory to follow. the grace of God given to his people in the beginning of this
age, ( 1) the faith once delivered to the saints, (2 ) the hope
In this parable we have brought to our attention the set before us in the Gospel, (3) love, the bond of perfectness,
Lord’s nrovision for the necessities of his neonle during this summed up the three measures of the Lord’s provision for
~;s~~,ld~ge-he did not leave them withoui a: proper &pply his people,-in partaking of which they were to become
. The three measures of meal, equivalent to one strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. But
ephah, constituted a good, liberal househoid supply. Like gradually a woman arose, a false woman, represented in
all of the Lord’s nrovisions. it was pood and nure. but as in Revelation as a harlot, and as “that woman Jezebel.” This
the other parables’ the adve&ry int;oduced &purity, falsity, Roman Catholic system obtained great power over the three
etc.. so in this one leaven is introduced into the meal. Leaven measures of meal provided for God’s household, and pro-
repreqents corruption throughout the Scriptures: in every ceeded to mix therewith the leaven of her own impurity. The
other instance of its Scriptural u5e it is represented as an evil, result was that all the family food, all the holy doctrines
an impurity, something that is defiling. For instance, the ISI ael- were contaminated with her false doctrines-nothing was
ites were to put away all leaven, all impurity, at the time of the left pure and clean, as handed to us originally bv the apostles.
Passover, that they might come the nearer to the Lord in holi- The faith once delivered to the saints was distorted out of
nrqs, etc. Again, our Lord Jesus refers to leaven as a corruption, all semblance to its original simplicity; the hope set before
bidding his disciples “Beware of the leaven of the scribes us in the Gosnel was changed to another hope entirely, unlike
and Pharisees” -beware of the false doctrines, the corrupt the original; ihe spirit of-the Lord, love, w’as perveited to a
influence, proceeding from the scribes and Pharisees. Again, selfish love of creeds of men and human institutions. Alas !
the Apostle Paul represents the leaven as an evil thing, say- no wonder all Christendom is spiritually sick, because of
ing, “Purge out the old leaven.“-Exod. 13:7; Luke 12: 1; this adulteration in its food supply.
1 Cor. 5:7. From this standpoint we readily see the force and mean-
It would not seem reasonable that our Lord should use the ing of the Master’s declaration, that at his return he would
word leaven here as Christian people generally suppose. in a eird himself. and come forth and serve his people. and that
good sense, a4 implying some grace of the hol,v spirit. On gemwould seid forth at the hands of his serv& things both
the contrary, we recognize consistency in all of his teachings, new and old from the storehouse of his grace, “meat in due
and we may be as sure that he would not use leaven as a season.”

THE HARVEST PLENTEOUS-THE LABORERS FEW

MATT. 9 : 35-10 :S.-JUSE 3.
“It is not ye thnt speak, but the spirit of LOUTFather that speakcth in you.“-Matt. 10:20.
It is a great tribute to the spirit of liberty which pre- has been extended so that whosoever has an ear to hear,
vailed amongst the Jews, that our Lord could and did preach amonFst the Gentiles or amongst the Samaritans. has the
the Go-pel of the kingdom from city to city in their syna- privil&e of reconciliation duri<g this Gospel age; but the
gogues without molestation. In contrast, we may feel sure great time of opening deaf ears and causing all to know the
that nere he to attempt to teach in any of the churches of Lord, from the least to the greatest, will be in the Millennial
to-clay, of any denomination, he would be refused the privilege age to follow this one.
-no matter how faithfully he should adhere to the Scriptural Compassion, however, will be an element of the Lord’s
declal ation, and the more explicit his teachings the more character so long as there are any who need help, and desire
unsatisfactory would they he to those now in -charge, who it ; and this will be until the close of the Millennial age
have a theory of their own respecting the kingdom, which will when all willing to receive the help will have received it,
not stand investigation, and whose weakness they would and the only ones not blessed thereby will be those who shall
not wiih to have exposed. And this loss of liberty amongst have deliberately rejected his help. Then, and not until then,
Christians, as compared with the Jews, in religious matters, will his comnassion cease to be esercised, for then there will
1s tn their iniurv-making it that much the more difficult be no need df compassion, that which is ‘perfect having come
for them to hiar ‘the joyful’ sound of the present harvest mes- through the grace of God in Christ.
sage. Our Lord’s compassion for the multitude sugge;jtetl the
Sothnithstanding all the healing of disease which our sending forth of representatives, clothed with the power to
Lord accomnlished. there were still multitudes of sick who heal the sick, etc., and in order to bring his disciples into
flocked flony various directions to him, in hope of relief, and line with his thought he told them that the ha&vest was
when we read that he was moved with compassion for the nlenteous. but the laborers were few. and that theI. should
distressed sheep of Israel, it gives us a deeper appreciation Offer pra$er on this subject. The substance of thei’r prayer
of his kindness, his love, his mercy, and we do not feel that would necessarily be,-Lord of the harvest, send forth me
it was strange that he who had left the glory of the Father as a reaper in the harvest. Jesus himself was the Lord of
and the holy angels, and had humbled himself to man’s the harvest; the whole matter was in his hands, and evident-
estate, should now feel compassion for the weak and sinful, ly the twelve apostles quickly caught his thought and spirit
the degraded, depraved and pained. Rather, n-e say, It was respecting the increase of the harvest Tvork, and In conse-
just like him! Without sucll a spirit of compassion how quence he sent them forth two and two; yet he restricted
would he have become our Redeemer, how would he have left their going, even as he had restricted his own ministry. to
the henrenlv glory on our behalf! And when we think of him fleshly Israel, because all of God’s covenants and promises
as being still the same it gives us fresh confidence, that not- mereVstill confined to that nation, and would not be-open to
withstanding our weaknesses and imperfections, and the im- others until a due time which the Father had fixed. and
perfections and weaknesses of the whole world, “the groan- specified through the Prophet Daniel-viz., the end of Israel’s
ing creation,” this same Jesus has comnassion, not only seventy weeks of favor-three and a half years beyond our
ugon his pedple, but in a large sense in d;le time will hate Lord’s crucifixion.
compassion upon all the families of the earth, and grant “And he gave them power [authority] over unclean spirit-,
to all a full onDortunitr of recoverv from the blights of sin, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and sick-
mental, moral ALnd ph&cal. Sureiy he only wayts for the ness.” This power was holy Spirit power, the same and yet
due time-the time appointed of th”e Father-; then with his different from that which they received later on at Pentecost
faithful. his kingdom-class. as the Seed of Sbraham. he shall from the Father. It was the same, in that the holy spirit or
indeed, ‘in times-of restitition, bless all the familiks of the power of God is always the same power even tho it have dif-
earth with a full opportunity of reconciliation to God, and ferences of manifestation. It was holy, in that it was the
thus of the attainment of life eternal. snirit of our Lord Jesus, the holy Spirit or power which was
At the time of our lesson his work had not yet taken G&ted without measure unto him,-which he at this time
this broad sweep; nor has it yet, altho it has advanced be- communicated to these apostles, that they might, as his
yond the confines of that time. Then his message of recon- representatives, do a work in his name.
ciliation and his help were extended only to the lost sheep Indeed, we may surmise that as the curing of disease
of the household of natural Israel-not to the Samaritans caused vitality to go out of our Lord Jesus, to effect the
nor to the Gentiles. Since then the blessing of reconciliation cure, and that thus every cure meant the robbing of himself
[2635]
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of his own life-powers, his own vitality, so in this case we he seems to speak to these, saying that the harvest is great
should understand that the nowcr for the heaiinp of the sick and that the laborers are few. and that if we have his spirit
was *Jesus power, that thc’disclpies did not ute their own in the matter, and entreat him to send us forth in his se&ice.
vitaiitr, hut merely his, which he communicated to them, he will be pleased to do so. And many are thus praying from
and authorized them to use, saying, “Freely ye have re- day to day, and seeking to see mhnt more their fian& can
cxived, freely give.” They \\cre pvlng what cost them noth- find to do in the harvest work. And the Lord is eraciousir
inc, but whicii was (Lusting .~esns much daiiv and hourlv. It with such to guide their servlcc and to -bless the YesuIts t>
is-whc,n \\c get this thoight of our Lord’s yieitltng tip his their own good as well as to the good of others. As ail of
life &lily In doing good to otllers that \ve can best aplueciate the disripies then prayed this prayer, and got opportunity to
how hlq perfect life \Y:IS $0 thoroughly used up in the short engage in some part of the harvest work, so now ail true
spnrc of tl:rce and a half years. disciples should be praying this prayer, and should be expects
ing and utili*ing opportunities for service.
The methods of the harvezt work then and IKW may be
hii_rriitlv different. and vet thev are cnnsiderabiv alike. Thih
is ‘&‘the fleshly Israe:, nnd ihe tilessinpr sent’nt the hand8
of the harvest reapers are not temporal blessings-not tilk
he:illngs of physical disease; but they are better than these-
the opening of eyes of undersrantling, a far greater blessing
than the opening of natural eyes, the removal of deafness
8s respects the Lord’s great plan. a far more precious boo11
thnn the reiteration of natural hearing, etc. Likewise, the
offering of the kingdom now is much more tangible and can
be demonstnrted much more clenlly than was possible then.
n-<SVCfiItllcslc\L \\e r,,:,> prc\ume lhat the influence of thiq
for it is nigh, eveu at the doors, and even the world can SW
miss1ou work tlrroltghout Israel w:>s not entirely lost, and the shakings of the present institutions, preparatory to their
that :~frcr our Lonl’q clur~fiuion, and aftrr the holy Spirit removal, that those things of truth and grace which cannot
had ~)mc 1r1,on t!lc. fli~ci1~l(~s at l’enteco+. and thpp preached be shaken may remain, may be established, under the Lord’>
the Gospel of ttir kinqlorn from a diKerent standpoint, in-
reign of righteousness.
vitlng all true Ihr:tciitcq to unite with Christ, and thus be-
comr jnlnt-heirs of thta kinptlnm with him-then it \\as that As the harvest laborers going forth now seek the ripe
manv. no 110111,i.of 1hrsc \\ It0 had henrtl previously and wit- wheat of this Gosoei ace. tach should remember the words
nesscad ttl,. miraclrq. \\err that much b&tcr pi epnred to enter addressed to the laborers iu the Jewish harvest, “It is not
the NI~~,I>O~K Impl~rm, thts ~111iiCII thrortKh consecration of me that speak, but the spirit of your Father that qwaketh
tllc!lTl5(~lIT~ to th Lord. And thr conversion of several thou- in you.” Not th:it we are to expect to hnve mirnculou~
santls v. itltin :t few tlaj-s after Pentecost corroborate\ this. powers of spfwli granted us. hut that we are to bp fillctl with
Th(l tt:lr\cst iti thrb cnfl of tile .Irwish age foreshadowed the truth and its spirit, and then indeed it will be tluc that
or t.vl)ifilLtl the 1ialvCst 01 thiq Gospel are. And now, as then, it ~111 not be our own wisdom th;rt \ve shall speak, nor our
.JF,~Is il the I,nrtl of the h:lrvr\l, and his tiiiciplcs, his mes- own plan that we shall declare, but the wisdom that comet)]
sc~n~cr9. nre his :lq!nt* iii tllc gathering woiic. Now, as then, from above, and the plan of the Lord our God

A WICKED WOMAN AND A WEAK MAN

29.-JUHE 10.
is excess; but he ye filled With the spirit.“-Eph. 5, IS.
Others of the world have such ambitions as had Herodias
they are ambitions for wealth, or for social position and dis-
play, or for title and honor amongst men. These are all \elfish
ambitions, yet they are the powers that are moving polltict;
and business and society every day-and we are sorry to sn>
these gre the ambitions whirl1 are moving many in the pulpits
ant1 li:any in various i ciig1ous \vorks. Those are nil \\rong
nmhitions, and tho they may not all result as evilly as did
that of Ilerodias they are ail selfish, and ail tend at least
in the same general‘ direction toward evil and man.v are
setlnrrd hv their selfish ambitions into dninrr those thinnsc
which the>r conscienres do not approve, and many such be-
cnme seducers of others into evil deeds and rcprehensibir
schemes.
The Christian has before him the onlg proper, iegitimatt
and worthy ambition possible at the present time: nor does
the average or nominal Christian have these correct ambitions
hut rnt1lt.r only such Chrlqtians as are taught of God. qucli
ns hc<lr and heed the Word of the Lord. Brfnre these are
s.ct the nloqt nnhlr. lofty nmhitinns: they are invited into the
SorirtSv. frientlshil> and. fellowship of tl;e King of king? and
I,nr:i of inltls. ‘l’ht~v are Invitc~tl to herome his comnnninns. his
‘i’lll~ ~horiromin~+ nntl fnilule of other9 should beccmc to hrrthren. co-work& together with him in the pr&t wnrI< he
\IC v:~ll~ni~iv 1c97on4. In t,hc c<14c of llerndia3 hrfnrr 113 wc is nnw nrrnml~lisiiin~~, “and also tn he joint-hkirs with him
4cc itlust rat~tl the pn” cr of :nilhitinn, and how impnrt:?nt it iq in the r*rent wnrk of the Millennial kinedom which 11~ is
that ollr :Irnl)itionq b(b nnhlth and true and pure. Xcarly a11 qhnrtly -to inaugurate. &nld thrre he g higher ambition
thrrca IS of coed ncconipli~hetl in the wnri(l is somehow or than this qet before mortal man? Surely not. Moreover.
ofhrr cc>nncctrd wit11 good nmhitions. and likewise nearly all it is an nmhitinn which tends to develop all the highcar quaii-
the r\il in the world iq somrlinw or other assnriated with tie5 of mind and charnctcr, for the terms and conditions of
wrong ,Iitiblt inns. Tlnn important that we should irarn to this f[~lln\r\hip are b?sed upon purity of heart, devotion to
guard our nml)itions, nllr tlc+irca<. nlir i~opcs, our aims: we the Lord. etc. so that he that hnth these ambitions and hopes
cfinnnt acromplisli anything without hopes and aims and in him purifirth himself even as he is pure with whom hr has
ambitions: lirnce the necessity fnr qccliring good ones. And brrnmca aqrocin ttd. Let us have these true ambitions before
here let 114 note the fart that the maiorltv of mankin, hare us. that they may crowd out and trample down the inferior
little or no nmbitinn, and thrrrfnre arc’ passinn throuyh life ambitions of earth and sensuality, that lead to sin, groveling
in a kintl of maze, nrcompii~hin~ conip:ir:itively little for illld dcxviliqhness.
themsciveq or nthrrs. This is a wrong condition; every man, Herotlias. having gained her point thus far, and finding
woman and child should have a nol~lc amhitinn. and should herse!f in the coveted position of queen, undouhted!y felt
labor constantly for thr attainment of that ambition. greatly elated, flushed with her success; but in the midst of
126361
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this elation came the news respecting John the Baptist. and the half of his kingdom; and then boastfully he would make
how he had had an interview with Herod the kine. and in the oath to his liberality. The girl, no doubt, was instructed of
presence of courtiers and others had declared tha% it was not her mother what to espect, and yet the crafty woman had
lawful for him to have Herodias for his wife. This was a kept the design wholly within her own grasp. Her daughter
<hock to Herodias. Who would have thought that any man should not know in advance, lest she should make some error;
would have been bold enough to have spoken to the king on she would merely first have the king’s word that she would
such a subject; and who would have thought that the king
would have heard him patiently, and even have seemed in- have her desire: then she was to come to her mother and
terested in _him, and have considered him a. prophet of the receive instructions. Childlike, she seems not to hare had
l.ord God? great ambitions and wishes of her own, and hence sbc at
once adOpted her mother’s wish, and asked for the head of
What wonder Herodias was angry with .John the Tlnptist, John the Baptist on a platter.
:lnd sou&t to wreck upon him her vengeance ! Had she
plotted and planned for years to reach her present position, How horrible it seems, that anyone should hnvp such a
and was she to be thwarted now, and to be cast out at the desire, such a murderous condition of heart ! How strange
word of such a man as this? Mo;.eover, if she were now cast it seems that a refined, educated woman should have such
out, it would mean a worse condition than ever. for of course sentiments as would prompt surh a request! Yet it was but
&he could not wit11 decency go back to her busbnnd PhilIp, the natural operation of the evil in the fallen heart. As the
and expect to be kindly received of him. Hmce. if Herod Apostle James says, the beginning of temptation is to bc drawn
~honlti give ear to John the Baptist, and should permit his awav of desire. of ambition-enticed therehv. Then, when
message to influence him, it might mean that Herotlina would desi;c (ambition) has conceived, it bringeth faith sin; and sin
Lucerne an outcast. Can we wonder. then, that the evil am- when it is finished bringcth forth death.---James 1:14, 15.
ljition-nhich had thus far ruled tl& wornan’s heart should Even the wesk and despicable Herod was shocked by the
uow move her against the great prophet? We could only ~a;’ request. He had been trapped, and he s:kw it; he realized
Illat it would be the lezitimate fruitaee of such evil ambl- at once that this was a scheme on the part of his wife. and
t rons a9 she had for years been cultivaying at the expense of that now, as on former occasions, she had proven more than
w:‘cry ln inciple. It had not hesitated thus far at anything, a match for him. What would 1~ do? \\‘ould he lcsrnt such
.rntl w11v should it hesitate even at murder, now in its greatL& infamous conduct, and denounce his wife and her dnuqhter
cdxtremi’ty ? as murderers. plottei .i against innocrnt blood of a riglittouu
Sn it is with all evil, selfish ambition--the tendency is man 1 Would he take his stand for justice and for truth.
;~lrvnys downward, going from evil tu evil, from sin to sin, and resolve that now, seeing the depth of wickedness into
11om crime to crime. On the contT,+iy, the ambitions w!1jcll which he had been ensnared. he wnuld strive to turn about
:ire lnsnircd of the Lord tend niw~vs upward and upward, in his course. and follow the advice of this prophet of the
lliqlrhcr ‘anti higher-whatsoever things a;e just, whatsoever Lord, and reform ?
thin3 21~ true, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things arc holy, whatsoever things arc in harnmnv with clod EVIL RESULTS OF A WRONG STANDARD
--thi; is the tendency and impulse of the ambiti’Jn which No: he had not suficient character for that; and from
t:od irlqpires, the wisdom which cometh down from above, his wrong standpoint of view dutv appeared to lit on the
wbi~~11is first pure, then peaceable and easy of entreatment. other side : First, had he not given his word, and should
f1111of mercy and good fruits. not the word of a king, .civen on his birthday, and at a feast.
- .I.

and in the presence of 111schief generals a& supporters, be

THE KING OUTWITTER BY HIS WIFE
inviolable? Moreover, in his maudlin condition be had riveted
lic~~~~dlashad sufficient influence over her husband to secure the matter with an oath, and now from his wrong stnntipnint
lhe arrest and imprisonment of John: but apparently she was pride asserted itself, and would not permit him to t:lkcb thv
tlmgrined that she could not accomplish her desires to the right course. Here again we see in an exaggerated form :I
in11 in securino his death. This was not so much because principle which applies daily to worldly people in all of their
llcrotl had a gind of his own, but rather, as the narrative affairs. They have a wrong standard before their minds. It
~lcclarcs. because of his fear. He knew John to be a righteous is a standard of pride and self-esteem and love\ of approba-
~)UD ant1 holy, and, as the Revised Version expresses iti, “kept tion of others, and not a love for rightcnusness, fol
him snf(a”- Dossiblv fearing that if John were set at libert) truth, and of deference for the Lord: and hence n1xn.v have
llt~tln~~ aduld f6d agent; for his destruction. Apparently found themselves like Herod, led step by step, by what seems
.lolm wds granted unusual liberties in prison, for his disciples to them to be fate, and as they would say, beyond thrir con-
Itnd opport‘unity to come to him and to bear messages to and trol: but such matters are beyond the control of men because
t I oni him : and the intimation is that Herod was perplexed they are not under the proper control, because they are not the
~cspecting’ how he should deal with him, and occasibnally Lord’s people; because they have not given thrlr he:11 ts to
-(lnt for him and heard him with interest. him. i’herefore the affairs of life, instead of working for
Herodias concluded that this was a dangerous condition good to them and bringing them valuable lessons. helpful
of things, and again her tact and shrewdness came to her and elevating, are bringing them experiences which lead down-
assistance. Herod’s birthday was approaching, and knowing ward continually. The lesson here for the Lord’s people is to
that it was generally celebrated she @posed to make a special make a proper start, to recognize the Lord, his will, his
csffort on that occasion to secure her ends. These birthdav feasts word. as the standard of iusticc and of truth, and to walk
were occasions of carousal; the Icing would be surrounded accordingly. A further le&on is, that wherever we may be,
by the notable men of his .realm; all would be considerably wherever the truth may find us, in a downward course, the
llnder the influence of wine. and then would be Herodias’ OD- only proper method is to at once recognize the voice of the
portunitv for securing her wishes. She was crafty, howe&-, TArd, the voice of right as paramount, and to obrv that
and realized that John had an influence upon the king that to voice, regardless of how matters may seem or appear to f,lllen
qome extent at least off-set her own. Shk realized then that fellow men.
the l,ing knew well her heart. and that he would hesitatr to That the king was sorry is indeed an indication that 1113
make a” broad and liberal offir to her, and so she prepared heart was not utterly corrupt, but that he should. yield tcr
her young daughter, educated in Rome, beautiful, attractive. what he knew to be wrong, through pride. IS an evidence of
that she should take the place before the king of the ordinary utter lack of character. Iiistory show; that a certain amount
clanrin,a girls who usuallv served on such occasions of revelry. of retribution came upon these guilty people forthwith: the
Th& iras supposedly i rare treat, a high honor to the king, sending back of his first wife led to a war between Hcrnd and
that his niece, a young lady of refinement, should take the his father-in-lam, the king of Abrabia, in which Herod’s force::
Dosition ordinarilv occuDied bv one of a low class. The ruse were worsted seriously. Later on Herodias prompted Herod
;vas successful; t6e kind and ihe court were charmed with the to apply to Rome for an enlargement of his dignity and
qirl’s beauty, and Herod’s mind, inflamed with the wine, was Dower, but his application was rejected, and instead he was
generous and unselfish to the extreme. It was customary to bethroned, lost ali -his title, power .and influence, and the only
remunerate the dancing girls liberally on such occasions, in redeeming aualitv noted in the case of Herndias is that she
proportion to the dignity of the entertainer and now how shared I&&d’s l&s and banishment. Poor woman ! Perhaps
llherally should he treat this one, who had so bewitchingly finally she learned that earthly ambitions are much like the
1)leased himself and the company, and who was his own niece anules of Sodom : DerhaDs she learned the follv of the course
and step-daughter ? He would ask her what she would like &pursued, that ‘it briught no true joy, nc; true blessing.
IO have, and in her natural hesitancy he would press the but only excitement and one disappointment after another.
nlatter upon her, to mention whatever it might be, even to Perhaps, too, King Herod learned some lessons. We read that
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(1s 16CI) ZION'S IVATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa

he heard cf Jesus and his wonderful works, and that super- by avoiding them in our lives. Let us remember, too, that
stiouslv he concluded that this must be John risen from the all ambitions and temptations are not on the large and ter-
dead “Altllo not a .Jew, but of the family of Esau, he never- rible scale of this picture before us, yet that the same princi-
theless hat1 some knowledge of God and of the hopes set be- ples are involved. Let us learn to recognize principles,
fore the J~raclltea, and possibly his evil experiences brought whether operating in little things or in great ones, and that
him some valuable lessons. he who is faithful to right principles in small things will
So wit11 many of the world in the present time: their be faithful in greater trials. Let us first of all learn that the
experiences arc- bid and yet they impress-lessons upon them- proper course for us is to consecrate ourselves to the Lord,
selves, :uitl uJ)on otlierh which ultimately may be of service, and then seek to have the lawful and laudable ambition6
of VallW AL nc !ook at their mictake? Jet us learn to profit which he will inculcate through the Word.

FAITHFUL CO-LABORERS HEARD FROM

hJR (' T. li1-S~EI.1, human, that, battle as one will, the prevailing @it of in-
l)L~R +11:.-J t,ll\t the o!lJ)nrtunlty to write to you, in difference brings at times a keen sense of disappointment.
nl.llllfe-i:~l~on of m>r Linrcsrc, and !le.iitfeJt approval of your The truth is so glorious that one is saddened at the receJJtion
nin~nrlic c,nt \\orJ,s. now In riiy hantl. Your volume3 of JlrL- it meets from the vast majority. But then, of courc~. God’s
I.rv\;Il\i. I).\\vu I 1111l<t bolt! ant1 ronfeis to be a veritable “due time” is the grand refupe and sweetener; the “lamps”
Hil~lp Kry. Iii\tJy tlrqnvin g tire appellation tllry bear-Helps of the “ten virgins” are not intended to take tire plnre of the
for i<illJcz St~i(Jcnt+ I Irnvc in my po~s~~~~ion volumes one to sun. but to light their individual Tjathway. EacJl mll+t__ _ have _
fi\cb. iii .icJtlit inn to 11‘71rctS/r,/ l7lc Rc,.l7jlrc,‘es Jfiolct nell? and his own Jamp’and oil in it. The- Rreat ‘buJ\varJ< of error is
h !,I, I1IS,,,. Fir. before offei ing any opinion or remarks, per leaning upon others; true faith must be individual. endur-
mit nii’ ?o “IV fir\t. tlilt wit11 regnrtl lo ynilr little work on ance likewise. A mob of sheep rushing after a Jrnder of their
ll~lr~rt Put/ flrr Scr~pf~crcs :ibo~tf Ilrlll T (10 a little Greek own nature is the general position; the Good SJleJ~Jlerll leads
rtlatllnp I hnnw nothing of Hebrew, but I must confess that his sheep and calls them each by name. The body of Christ
it 1:117/1~~1iw l~~cmd III~~R~III‘~~ to fintl out \\here our early is to be one. RR a collective number (John 14:21-2R), but tJlis
inter J" etc.1 q of tJlr Scril>t 11x(+ found tJle iubstance or founda- oneness is contributed to by each individual.
tion of that horrible dnct~inc. t\ntl gaining mu&, very much How the truth isolates! It demands a strong indivitluality
knou lctlze on tJlc> ~~111~~~t 11~ rcntllnp- that little work, I have in each. Surely the life of Cllrist shows this most clearly.
to ;1<1; the questinn. “\\.J,at V:IF tlleir motive for establishing He was a reflex of the Father, Jle was the Father’s great .lnd
this Ji(,ll tn;ment tlnct 1inc 7” Tile only answer I can find is perfect representative. “I seek not mine own will. ljut his
that it wac fr nm wiw ~Jfish rut1 to frinllten men into Chris- that sent me.” And y.et wJiat a wondrous persol,cfllt r/! Ilis
Ii2nity. n plari tl~r .\Jmi~Jlt~ never inten;lrd, having made man was not a passive servlte, he was not a mncllinr (ho!!- Spirit
a frrap agent to chooic~ for J;in1WJf. Biit tllrse “devil doctiines” does not destroy personality) but an artivr. I\-illin:. r+pon-
\riJJ .c,nii ha\ 11to gl\r Wily to tllr liglit of present clay truth. qive being, God’s “vessel unto honor.” CJiriit’s moral n,itiire
My profcs+ion Jacking that of Christian wnrk-a catechist and responded to the touch of God like a bud to tile lay- of the
s~llnoJrna~t(,r-in the latter J>obition I sometimes, find it difi- sun or a grand organ to the fingers of a musician. Jlut Ilr was
r\llt intlcc~tl. after tlrno\ing a trst, to know \\here to begin or alone, in the most complete sense, so far as this wnrltl was
1, Ilf~l ,’ tc, vntl . not iw(i~ii~~~ \\c,itl. fail iii~~ lbut from tlw fart concerned. His motives, ideals and practices wrre so tllffrrcnt.
that the* (lrlc+rinrs I ha\-c heen brought up in wfre so twisted “He dwelt amongst us.” Fellowship with God ~1. Jlic only
and dictortc,tl tllnt I (lid not know where was solid ground. source of companionship. “God was with him.” \Vlry y “Be-
I ani not arhninrd to cnnfP?Q that many passages aJ<peared cause I do always those things whirh please Jlim.” Surely
so (JlfJicllJt tllat I l)rcafcrrctl to Jenre them to themselves. But this is our pattern: individual fellowship and service iq the
thanks to ycmr in~~;~J~~nhJc helps, many such confounding pas- one means for individual strength. “Stndv to show thyself
sage< arc iio\v as clear to me as daylight. Fir, I hold that nppoved unto God.” The bride of the Lahb when gathered
AJmicJrty (lot1 Jlimaclf ha\ raised you up to be the purveyor into one is plural, but its building ~13 is in the singular.
of lic*.1\c,nJy f~~c~~lfol Iii, fallll~hi~g clliltlrcn : so that I need Wliat a grand J)rnSpect tlie “truth” prrsents a< the goal of
not qay nnrtllinp mnic tJi3n ni*hlng you a fair share of his this individual diqcipline! A perfect nature, “sntisfiell when
diviric l,lcbh;iiry. 1 a111 <till ic~ading and studying my volumes. I awake in thy likeness;” the goal of human creeds iq J>aJtry,
At fil st tJlt,I (2 ~(‘1 v an~c* tJ)ingr tJl.lt rfcsmetl to conflict with my absurtJ.-a future state of locality merely-going to heaven,
vi+,\\ s :rntl oJ)inl(uls. and WJIWC tli-a,creement crept in, but missing “hell !”
that. 1 J~c~lcl.\3.,< Iw~.III.~ 1 did not gr’.-p tlic full J~urJKnt of There is beentiful scenery on earth, but it does not give
the ~nl~ic~ct. for no snnnrr than graspetl, disagreement dis- rest or peace or happiness. Our restless nature is like a
nJ~pca1rt1. Icaving tile aJ>J)rnvaJ to rc>main. I nrver quickly troubled sea, nothing outsitle can calm it; the troub!e is in
ngrc’ to :I CJWCI~J+lll)jcct or Jjomt, Ilcforc I tlm~nnghly qift man ; that is wllere it started, and that iq where tile rrform
ant1 qtr.liri .~iid J)r\- into it to fintl its fnuntlatinn and Jiar- must be made. The chief value of heaven is because of God’s
many. I CYIIIIV io thiq rountly in Sorem!)rr, 1898, under the presence and nature, “it is his throne;” so with tlie earth:
nppointmellt of tli,, Jli~JioJ~ of .7amaira. Bcfnie I left nly far greater planets roll in space. but Christ places tllis planet
is!nntl 1 oiir(L 11:ltJ thr oJ)J)nltllnity of seeing tlir filst vnJun~e a5 next in importance to God’s throne, not because of its
of l).l\\ X. \\ Ilic.1, a fl irnsl J)n+o+sctJ, J)nt partly destroyed- intrinsic value, but because of God’s promises, purpose and
Izatk :1nal in-ltlc lr:ivr* \\rrr Ignnr. I tletcrmined to find out presence. “The earth is my footstool,” hrnce Jrius says,
the niitJior~lli1) ant1 w,7\ gratifir(J in having my win11 zuJq3Jied.
“Swear not by it.” “Forever with the Lord,” in his nature,
31r. .\. .\I. J~~o\\nfic~Jtl is tile man frnm ~\Jlnm I obtainetl all. throne and work is the perfect goal.
H(, i& III\ (on.tant ri%itor +incr. There is nJ=o another brother
VJII, 1~. ~iltt~ii nie fioin (‘olon. aftei Je.irning I was a reade: But surely this perfect goal embraces even more; it is
of D.\w\-, liin. T~inli Ric~liaid~. Pir, I am ynur tJi<cipJe, I not merely for the individual believer and overcomer. “\Vhat
ran n~~iiit‘ !oii: ant1 I bnJ)P one tiny to find myself whtie SO11 shall they do. that are baptised for the dead?” etc. TJle joy
are. Thih. 1 hnJl(*, is but the first of tile many letters I CX- set before Christ embraced more than his own perfect bliss.
pect to \\iitr. Youis in Cllllst, His glorified body is not only perfect, but it is a conquering
one, “acording to the working whereby he is able to suhdue all
H. E. \\-TSTER,-ZS~~~~ZILS of Patfama.
things to himself.” Preeminently this feature separates the
DE \R l:~co~rii~n R~~hs~r.r:-~\Iany tJl.lnk< for tlie J<intJlv “triitli” from all human conceptions. Snmething to (70,
wnrtls ant1 tokrn of your letter of Dec. 25th. The graceful- something to realize, “to show forth the praises of him who
*iesL of voiir action manifests an imitation of him who wa4 hath called us,” etc. “The glory that shall be revealed in us.”
the embr;tJimc~nt of grace. (Psalm 45:2) Oh, to get nearer to Service is the grandest law of God’s universe. “My Father
him in tlmu~llt. word and deed! The Christ-like spirit is SO ?corl;et7b Jlitherto, and I work.” His angels are rnmistering
very rare, but the grnuine article so very piecious. I I trust spirits; perfect happiness and rest will only be realized by a.
you will alwars bear in mind Jiow very much we treasure up perfect nature perforncing perfect service. May it be ours
iour many Jninors nf Jove. and Jiow o& unceasing desire an;l more and more to enter now into the true glorg of service
nraver is. that ,Tebovah’s richest blessing may constantly
1 ,
to see its lofty standard, its eternal basis, and by and by to
rest’ npnn you and tile great work committed t’o your care. see his face and enter into his joy.
In our work here we are striving to do what we can. Your brother in the one blessed ~IOJW,
We are not realizing all we desire, for our Jleartp, are so -\l.FRED ~AR!WX -\-C/L ,)OUth I\-CtleS.

[2638]
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE 1, 1900 No. 11

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

WHY REV. LYMAN ABBOTT IS NOT A UNIVERSALIST all men righteous; otherwise he would not be a righteous
At a General Convention of Universalists one session was God. But I start from the other pole. I begin with my
set apart as “Interdenominational Evening,” and amongst own absolute freedom. I recognize as a fact, in my life, in my
other speakers was Dr. Lyman Abbott, a representative Con- philosophy and in my preaching, that, in the last analysis, the
gregationalist, who gave his reasons for not believing in uni- destiny of every man is in his own hands. Father may per-
versal salvation. Speaking as a liberal Congregationalist he suade. mother mav entice, influences mav environ, God himself
declared that modern Congregationalism does not accept the may surround wcth all possible persu&ions, but in the last
doctrine of ete-rnxzl putishment as preached by the celebrated analysis the destiny of every man is in his own hands. And
Jonathan Edwards of the last century. what he will do with it I do not know.
We make quotations from Dr. Abbott’s discourse as fol- “Why, if God be good, has he made a world in which
lows :- there is sin? Whv has he not made a world sinless? Could
“I do not believe that any one of God’s creatures will be he not? Certain&; he not only could, he has. The birds
kept by God in eternal existence simply that he may go on are sinless. But he could not make a world in which are
in sin and misery forever. The proposition has long since free moral agents able to choose the good without giving them
become spiritually unthinkable to me. I might perhaps believe at the same time power to choose the evil. Power to choose
that a soul could suffer eternally; but I can not believe that the one is power to choose the other; and a world in which
anv beine that God ever made will be kept in existence by there are some men who choose shame, dishonor, sin and
Go*d that-he may go on in sin eternally. - death, is a better world, I dare to say, than a world made of
machines that could choose neither the good nor the evil.”
“What was the old doctrine of eternal punishment? The We fully concur with the foregoing, reminding our readers
Savoy Confession, up to about the middle of this century, nevertheless of the necessity for remembering the two opposite
was the recognized expression of orthodox Congregationalism. views of free agency which may properly be taken from dif-
Not that it was binding on orthodox Congregationalists; but ferent standpoints. as shown in our issue of Dec. 1, 1899,
it was the only historic creed they possessed. Except in the page 264. A ’
matter of polity, and one or two minor matters, it was But two queries naturally arise:
identical with the Westminister Confession of Faith; and ( 1) How does Dr. Abbott harmonize his two propositions,
this was the substance of its statement: It declared that our fa) that the decision respecting his harmony or disharmony
first narents fell bv eating the forbidden fruit: that. thev with God lies with man himself, individually; (b) that God
being’the root of ail mankind, their guilt was imputed and has made no provision for the eternal torture of any? The
their sinful and corrupted nature was conveyed to all their logical mind will surely inquire, What then will become of
posterity; that as a result we are ‘utterly indisposed, disabled, the wicked who are wnuxilling to be saved on divine terms and
and made opposite to all good;’ that from the race thus lost hence unfit for the rewards of eternal bliss, if the time is to
and ruined in the Fall, ‘by the decree of God, for the man- come when “every creature that is in heaven and on earth
ifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined and under the earth and such as are in the sea shall give
unto everlasting life, and others are foreordained to everlasting praise and glorv to the God of their salvation”?
death ;’ that those not effectually called, God was pleased, * Is it po%sibie that so fine a logician as Dr. Abbott has
‘for the glory of his sovereign power over His creatures, to overlooked the logic of his own exuressions ? Oh no! We
pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their answer, The conn&ing link in the Doctor’s logic is clear to
sin, to the praise of his glorious justice;’ and that those his own mind, but he does not care to make it very public
‘not elected, nltho they may be called by the ministry of the because it is not very popular yet-the same is true of many
Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, others of the ablest ministers in all denominations. The
yet they never truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be connecting link of his logic will be seen at once when it is
saved.’ stated.-he believes in the utter destruction of the incorririblv
“Specifically, and clause by clause, I disown that state- v 1
wicked, as we do, and as we teach publicly.
ment. . . . . This doctrine is inconsistent with the character But public teachers who keep silence on this subject and
of a righteous God. I might fear such a God; I might tremble put their light under a bushel, do so at a great cost-the
before such a God; I might, because I was a coward, obey cost of further guidance of the Lord into the “all truth”
such a God; but I could not reverence such a God. It is promised. Oh, how many ministers in seeking to avoid the
inconsistent with the faith that Jesus Christ is God manifest senseless charge, “Annihilationist,” have suffered God’s char-
in the flesh, for it was not His nature to pass any by or to acter to be blasphemed and his people to be deluded by the
ordain any to dishonor and wrath. It is inconsistent with doctrine of an eternal tmment of the unsaintly ;-preferring
the Scripture; inconsistent with the parable of the prodigal numbers and popularity and honor among men and the financial
son, which is Christ’s eoitome of the Gospel; inconsistent with emoluments of these rather than the truth! Alas! thev seek
the declaration of Paul.that ‘every knee should bow and every to be wise and prudent according to this world’s standards,
tongue canfess Jesus Christ to be the Lord, to the glory of entirelv overlookina the fact that the Lord declares he will not
God the Father’: inconsistent with the verv chapters of Roman3 reveal*his secrets t”o such. Our Lord pointed this out, saying,
on nhich it is ‘supposed to be founded,” for they close with “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
the declaration that ‘Cod bath concluded all i7t unbelzef. ~II that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prqcdent and
he mtght have mercy upon all;’ inconsistent with the splendid hast revealed them unto babes”-who will utter the truth
picture John paints, of the time when every creature that is regardless of consequences.-Matt. 11: 25.
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and such as are (2) Some one will say then, If Dr. Ahbott believes thus
in the sea, shall give praise and glory to the God of their in the final reign of righteousness and the destruction of the
salvation.” incorrigibly wicked, is he not very close to the truth and a
These noble words and logical arguments surely appeal very hopeful subject?
to all God-loving and God-honoring hearts and heads: and We answer, go. At one time, so far as we might judge
we are glad so ‘io think: it is a sign of heart enlargement of any man’s heart by his writings, Dr. Abbott was very
which should be admired, even tho the speaker (like other close to the truth-a believer not only as above but also
great men of our times) has swerved far from the Bible in the Atonement and in the second coming of him who made
under the influence of Evolution and Higher Criticism, and is the atonement with his own precious blood. But the Doctor
no longer trusting in the great sacrifice for sins “finished” at seems to have nermitted himself to become one of the “wise
Calvarv for salvation. But Dr. Abbott said some more good and prudent” who prefer honor one of another rather than
thins? “in that discourse. In telling his Universalist audience that which cometh from God only. (John 5:44) At any rate,
why he does not believe in universal salvation, he displayed instead of coming out more and more boldlv for the truth
excellent logic. In reasoning that “the ultimate fact in human on these unpopul& subjects, he seems to ha;e put the light
life is the freedom of the human will,” he said:- he had under a bushel until it has gone out. For according
“I know that I can choose the good, and therefore I can to Dr. Abbott’s present teachings he undoubtedly is now an
choose the evil. What I find true in myself I believe to be Evolutionist with all that implies of rejection of the Bible
true in every other man; he can choose the good, and therefore doctrine of a fall by our first parents (and we in them) from
he can choose the evil. And while I wistfully desire-yea, perfection and harmony with God-into sin and its mental,
and sometimes devoutly hope-that when the great drama moral and physical degeneration and death. And the rejection
of life here and hereafter is ended, all God’s creatures will of this implies a rejection of the Atonement; for if man did
have chosen the good-1 do not know. If I were a Calvinist, not fall he needed no redemption from the fall-no Redeemer.
I should be a Universalist. If I believed that God could And if the “ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6) is denied, then
make all men righteous, I should be sure that he would make logically “times of restitution” to a former estate (Acts
126391 (163-164)
3: 19-21; Ezek. 16:55, 61) must be denied also. And accord- Texa-, 11i,~lntamed a4 the result of experiments on the Hounder
ingly there would be no object in establishing the Millennial and lower species, that the reactions of these creat,ures against
kingdom-for Evolutionists argue the world is progressing injury do not indicate pain sensations at all.
nplenditlly under Evolution and needs Christ’s kingdom no more “Certain motions are said to express pain, because the?
than it needed a sin-offering when it had committed no sin always accompany injury. Since they do accompany injury
.rntl was under no condemnation. they are said to indicate that the injury causes the nl:lmal
Thus nearly all the great and wise prudent according to suffer. Thiq, the professor says. is a mele argument in
to the course of this world, professing themselves to be wise, a circle. He regards movements as the immediate c~nsc-
have by lraving the truth of God’s revelation, the teachings quence of physical stimulation. To prove his position hc
I~F the Bible, become foolish, and their foolish hearts hare made a considerable number of experiments.
hecornc darkened. Indeed we brlievc this to be the secret of “The most striking and classic of these experiments werr
the grclater blindness and more rapid falling away of ministers made on the common earth worm. If such -a low animal
th.ln other Christians from the very hub of revealed t,ruth, lie tlirided at its middle transversely, only the posterior half
the rnn:.om, ant1 hence from all truth. With greater advan- shows those squirming and jerking movements which, anthro-
tagc’s for learning the truth than others they have not Zr)@~d pomorphically *viewed,-seem to iudycate pain ; th(x anterior half
truth so as to scnrch for It, especially when they perceived (containing the brain) crawls, AS ordinarily, away. Now, it
th,lt their search wo111tl not only cost time and energy; but each of these halves bc halved again, thr posterior segment
the truth being now as ever unpopular would cost thrnl of each squirms while the anterior halves claw1 awar. Thiq
po~~rrZ~:rrt?y with all cla5ses xrctlded to rrlois. same procc3s may bc continued nith l)Ircisely like result
In P~~RC~IJCIICC many rnini~tcin lia\e so trifled \\itli truth iintil the pieces ale no longer large ennllgh to crawl indr-
.11x(1\I it.11 thclr o\\n consclenccs that they not only have lost pendrntly.
lovr anal relish for truth as tenth, but ha\-e txvcn lo& much “This Ftriking phenomrnon is csplaincci in part by tl~c
ttf thnt kc,cbn l~(‘rcciJtlon fnr tl11111 whirh always accompanies two srts of muscular fibers in the worm. one lon:itudin~l,
.I trn(l(~r :Intl t i:nnctl ronscicn( (2. This is ncll attestrtl bv tlltb causing the squirming and jerking, and the othcr‘~clr~*ulal.
which prnducc the crn\\lmg. \Ytiv in the pnstcrinr segments
the former set should bc initlnllv siimulntetl a:ltl in t!le antcriol
the latter set, Professor Snrm~xx hays 11e does not know.
“The abdomen of a hermit crab may be cut in t\\ o witho(l:
any ‘but a very slight ?es~ioiibc’ from any remaining ninv:lMr
organ. ‘Limulus stops a few seconds whrn four or fi\ c al)-
tlominal segments are cut a\\ a?, tllen proc(w13 qltit kly l>rrat 1~
ing as before.
“ ‘Geophilu5 cut in t\\o in the middle colltinlic-s it9 i*t‘aM I-
ine, the front half ,rroinQ forward ;\nd the rrnI halt harlc\~;ard
Millipedes divided while \\*alkiug do not h.19trn uor stop nor
ierk.
Y
Drilrron flies lose uart ot tlieir abdorncns wlthorrt auy
G I

appreciable change in position Eels rontiuue to cat \rh*:~i

tl&Gr abdomens &e cut-away tlllriug the prnccss.
“Lastlv. sharks and flountlel s, provitletl a cnrrrnt of \\ :Itcar
falst~lv, openly niitl 1)~ iii~inilat ifp the evil lms-ioIl*
Y ,

ioll, to stir rirculatrs through their gills, \iill ‘allow t11e lnoht tedwllb nnd
of thcxir tlf~lntlc~l folln\\ern to rejrct illltl to oucif7/ the t?u//L’ c!rep-<going operations on their beads ~itl~n??t the sli~Ihtc*-1
\Vnc is srlrrly roil\irtg upwl ~11 such liypncri‘tical scriltei npplcciable movement indicnti\-r of pain.”
lntl l’har iqerq, v 110 \cill nrlthcr cntrr the kingdom thcn1- * * *
wlvr~ nor Iieriilit tlioqe nlin wonltl lit so inclined to enter -.
(‘onlp:l?C IHntt. 23: 1::. Manv friends of the trutll have qurl rctl \\h&hrr 01 uot
God’s nlan reveals nnv nrnvisinn tnr the ln\hri anim,ll+.
Y L
‘I’hc~\
LOWER ANIMALS SUFFER LESS THAN MAN query whether or not thercl v ill be death< ,lmong tilr 1owr~1
fnli(lrlity’h hyper-cl itirism has ch~Jrgrt1 Ihr I?ible and tlu* animal9 during the Millrnnium and if so, ii tlinr, wo171Sl not
I:rbl~‘s (:otl Mit11 uu~~mp:~thetic brlltalit>r in cnmmandinp 191ael cause pain to their human frientls, etc.
tn R:ICIifirr sbcc~p, OXPI~. plats .n~tl do\ r< by the tens of Scripture promisrs arc atltlressrd only to 1)ian .\nd lefcr to
t Iioils:\ntlr-~:iiisiilg thrsr inuoc*ciit ci c:~luI es iiitcnsc pail\ the lower animals only as they stand related to man’s wcl-
Inctrc~ly to l!/pt/tl holnethin,n IutnIc. %lni ro\ er, it id tlaimc~il fare. ITor instance, tl; promise that the lion shall eat draw
1bat lhc mrthnrl romm:indctl by Jlosca’ law for tlic killing of l?kr the o\; and lie down ncacenblv with the lamb. is for ?JIRII’~
Y

:Inim,lls for fnntl---tlnmrl\ by bleeding to clcath-is barbarou\. romfni t and asyurancr, and liy ii0 mean5 inlplirs Qvrrlastiuy
t .cils;lny nc~~llr~ 1’1ololl~:~tinn nf the ailiinal’a ~iilfcrin:rs: ,711gt lifr to the lamb. Altho all animals hare sulf(br(Td by the
t hr llintluq of Ill~lii~ ;IIC I>ointcd to ‘14 examples tar Chris- fall of man. it is lntlirectlv. in that their ruler. their kina.
tians. hrcnusc th(:\l will not’tastc atrimal food e& if -tal\inn lost his bala’uce, his full &ity, and hence has been uuable to
whercbas the foundtar of Christlanitv. wliilr zivinrr hi; follower> regulate and govern properlv his subjects. licstitutinii time<
therefore will brine its bl&ings chietlv to man, who because
of his much high& and finrr-nrganis”m ha9 suffered by his
(le,nratlatinn and death sentence immeasur.lbly more than the
We m.ly expect death among the lower animals durlllg tht>
.h i-11 I:lw \\(‘r(’ l~?wrrilif~~l a3 food for man. In 0111’npiltion Millennium ap, thev shall hve out their neriocls of uaefuluesr;
Y

the ~~llttin~ of t11cbthroat. while it tlocs not e\llalist life in- and by rrnsnn of the contrast the everlasting life lllovided
&lntlv. flfws ? fwtlf~r those nn?rt1;11~ ??ncfmscin:is so thnt, tlI\y- for nlan (made in God’s image) will be the more apprcrintrtl.
-iilTcar 110pain \\h:~trvc~I . ‘ll~r 1x411~~ant1 the (lop. not prrillit tc~l Snc~3 summer and winter are to continue (Gen. 8 :22) we may
t11c .I(?ra as footl. ,z:l\-r manv inxtaucc3 of !:rcatclr llclvf’-M tl’l- know that the flowers and all vegetation will like\+ise die
tivr??m3 than (10 tlic oY, sl1Crp. rtc.. niid mni r than :I??y ol lie? and revive perennially, remindin, m r&tored snd perfected mdn
.inini,llq. tlio \CI~ niucli lrsw tll:?l? i11a11. I)niibl lr5s tlw w?i-~- of the blessed chan_ae that came to him bv divine zac’c
tivrnc9x of these tcvo is de~ip?rtl to ?iiai,e tlleii? innw tr.lc t;rlilr through Jesus, his I~‘edeemer and Lord. ”
to IJ~:~??‘R control and tliel eforr iiinw ilsefnl ant1 cniilli:\l!l~~il.ll~Ic These conditions prevailing in the animal and rrgetablc
to hi?n. worlds 11ill bring noA pain, ncitber sorrow nor crying-- (Rev.
\\‘P clip frnin tlic 1’fttsbllr rl f’t?\u au articic rorrobol.~l1\ I’ 21 :a) because (t/Z of the formrr things will have nassed a\vav.
of thf> above that may bc both intclesting :I?JI\ p?‘otit:?i)l(- .\mn&st these will be present mzszonceptionst& which \\c
readin?, as fnllons:- are inclined to attlibutc to the lower animals human feeling3
Animals Which Have no Pain-Recent Experiments Show That :lntl sentiments-some even carrying these mistaken notions
Lower Orders are not Sensitive to flowers-loving and talking to their ilowers as others do
“The old writers, actnrdin,o to science. assumed that :I?I to n pet dog-imagining reciprocal feelings and sentiment<.
Insect has sensations and feeiinga rcsrmbimg our own-that Re&itution will -not only bring to men greater knowledgr
it sreq what we see and suffers as we would suffer if tleatt~~l but also sounder minds. in harmnnv with the divine mind.-
In the same way. Recently the pendulum has swung in the* so that their loves and hopes, like” the divine promises, will
other direction, and high authorities practically deny that measurably pass by the lower creatures and think and plan
the lowest organisms feel anything that can properly be c,rllf~~l for and be absorbed in unlifting man-“the groaning creation.”
pain And alreadv those whd rrce&e a knoale‘oige of “the tlivinr
“Thus the late Prof. W. W. Norman, of the Univrriit,v of plan and \<ith it the spirit of the Lord, find tbemsrlvcs no
JUNE 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER 1166’-168)

longer disposed to waste valuable time and affection upon dogs, may be fully awakened also in the Lord’s consecrated soldiers
flowers, etc., while the Lord’s “brethren” need sympathy and of the cross, that they may become valiant for righteousness,
aid and co&se1 in the narrow way, and while iankihd in courageous for the truth as “good soldiers of the Lord *Jesus
general are in so deplorable a condition as at present- Christ,” and be zealous to the extent of enduring hardness -
mental, moral and physical. And such a change of sentiment shame, contempt, evil speaking and general opposition from
is an evidence of their attaining more of “the spirit of a sound the world, the flesh, the devil and the nominal church which,
mind.“-See 2 Tim. 1:7. blinded by false doctrines, Satan is so grievously misleading.
THE WAR SPIRIT GROWING This thought respecting the Lord’s soldiers, and the true
For years Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Russia nobility of character, and deadness to the world, and alive-
have had military fever, as is well known; and now the ness to God necessary to victory over self and the world.
same has spread in virulent form to Great Britain and her much impressed us recently on the occasion of our visit to the
colonies and to the United States. Just what bearing this Washington City church. We found that, out of a total of
may have on the great time of trouble impending is somewhat twenty-seven p&fessing full consecration to the Lord, three-
difficult to prognosticate, but it forcefully reminds us of the fourths were “volunteers.” and the other fourth tlerirour of
Prophet’s pion&ncement.respecting our diy: “Proclaim ye this being such and only hindered by circumstances tlrev c~uhl not
among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men. so far control. The Editor had the pleasure of JGining thesrh
let all the men of war draw near; let them come up [to soldiers of the Lord in their campaign against error and for
battle] : heat your plowshares into swords, and your pr;ning the liberation of “brethren” still bound in Babylon :-a cam
hooks into spears: let the weak sav, I am strong.” The paign, a warfare for a purpose, a nob!e purpose, ;I loving
context follo&g clearly describes the”&rent day of trouble in purpose; a warfare for God and truth and liberty, \\l\icJj in-
which the symbolic sun and moon shall be darkened and the jure’s ndne and can &end none except the great &Jversary 01
voice of the T>ord shall be heard in rebuke of evil and the those whom he has blinded. The I’:tlitor has 1ong:ctl to ‘jnilc
present symbolic heavens and earth shall be shaken.--Joel in thir service in Allegheny, but thus f.lr has bet’l~ rP~traInc(l
3 .‘3-1G; Heb. 23:26-20. by the fear that harm rather than gootl might result IWWUHI~oi
In the light of the Boer war and the resistance shown his being known to bc closely itlentitie(l l\lth tile pllbllcatior!
to be possible for a weak nation when well arnied with modern It n ould be credited to a desire to “blow hi* o\:ii horn” ratlit I‘
weapons, we need not wonder if some of the small, weak than as the blowing of the Jubilee Trumpet, proclain~in~ the
nations now feel themselves comparatively strong, and if they times of restitution of all things spoken by the !n~~uth of
will be proportionately independent--even to arrogance. Bel- all the holy prophets.-Lev. 25:9, 10; Acts 3: 10-21.
gium for mstance and S\\itzerland are amongst the weak R’e are thankful that we can record that this war fever
nation? now feeling themselves strong: and it is said that the is sureading as well as the evil life-de&lo\-ina
‘1 ”
OJIC.
.>
The
latter is now spendin:: on its military forcer and armaments sold&rs of the cross are becoming more and more rotrr.l::rou-
(pro rata to its population) more than anp other nation of and coming more and more to realize that. if “we olJf;llt also
Europe. to la!/ do11)t our Zzces for the brethren.” this woultl imrtlv L Y our
Of course tllis war spirit may quiet do\\n: but while it willi&ness to lav down any and ever-y lesser thing-t lmz.
lasts-while every boy’s heart is throbbing with military en- influc&e, etc. Tb”e Boston cl&ch ( numbering about seventy 1
thusiasm and every schoolyard is a drill-ground-when even we understand has enlisted in this “volunteet” work ,JlmosL
the Sunday School scholarr are organized into “Rays’ Brigades” without an exception. WC have sent thcnl 1:?,8OO of th(a
-when nrofessed Christians arc so infected with the fever “volunteer” TOWERS which they are hastening to distributka
as to bh blinded to justice and love and pity,-things are before the warm weather thins the congregations they woul~i
not favorable to peace. It looks very much as tho the Inter- serve.
national Peace Congress cried Peace! Peace! when there is WJlat a privilege is here for such as Iin\ (’ played (:od for
no peace-because the spirit of avarice controls the world opportunity to serve him and his cause! Counting t list cacil
and not the spirit of the Lord, the spirit of love and benevo- of thebe double TOWERS repreqents four SerlnOJl~, a!Jd that
lence. ITowcver, we who look from the Watch Tower can each should reach and be read by at least three pcwgbn*, V~JJ
note thtxse things with equanimity. In the world but not of any one point out any other method for rc~;t(*lliJl~ III;. .,:jmsl
It, \\e can sympathize with all the contestants, realizing that desirable class of “brethren” at the same low WQ~:/ It wr
tlacll nation is more or less blinded and misled by the sJ>irit of know of no other method of ~csc~hing this (.I:I+ (It cram/ [jl’icc,
pride which forgets or has never learned that only “right- and if we Jtnow of 910 otlrer wa.v by which I\(’ ~~nil~l 1~ro31~1J til
eousncss exalt&h a nation ; but sin is a reproach to any them the true gwpel. why 4muld not all ot t11~ J,o~(l’~ mn
r,eol~lt~.“-Prov. 14 :34. sccratWl peoJ)Je who fn ioy the light of Jlrl’h+‘nt 11II~II :IVXI~
i<\erv evil course amongst men stems to be the reiult themqrlvcs oi the privilege? The f<lc+ t11at Ii 1. :I, iIf-f(’ r:rVthoc!
of thca r”nisdirection or perversion of a yootl quality: and sn of pre,Lching is nothing. Jt i,; rllrc1.v :L L:II(.IW~II~I n~c~thc~cl
It is in thi4 war spirit: it is the misdirection of combatlrc- not 0pl.v as respects the “brethren” we w~)iil~l :litl, biit :!I911
rlcss :lnd destrrcctlvencss,--tag o qualit& absolutely intlispen5ihlc 3 s respects those who have covenantcrl 1ilc~mWl\(~~ a*
to Jnogress. But very few even of Christians have learned living sacrifices to the Lord and 111s (YIIIW. a\ll who ~~II;-:J~zc~ in
of the Lord’s Word and spirit how to use these faculties this service a$ ?nmcJtJiin,rr done for :IJ~C] JJJJto llJtb T,o~tl ai i’ <iJr(’
J>roprrly-in fighting the good fight, in overcoming and dc- to be correspondingly blessed. Let all \t ho (‘t,,l \ccur(J .I siln~+~
strovin:: the forces of sin in thenbselues and in opposing err01 in this bJ?ssinz. See the item in oiir i5\11c, 01 .\nrJl 1.7111. tlis
\~ith truth, the darkness with the light-“Spenhing the truth cussing the rvkli, method, etc., Hearken to tll(b ic;yful C~IIIII~ at
in IOW.” the .Jlll,iJ(xc Triinipct an(l becornca cntJlll+cd I\I~JI :JICB ‘JIITI! oi
\\-r pray that as the spirit of walfare rises in otherr it this holv wwrfarc.

PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION, JUNE 16-18

Short notice 1s not always a disadvantage. and :ve fruqt convention hall arc very centrally loc~:itctl, i1(‘:1I to d(bJ81 r- .i\ 11
~111 not be in this instance. Arrangements for the Phila- littlc strut car fare need he esprntlctl.
delpbin convention hat1 not. hcen completed when our Iact (3 i The convention will open $:l:nrtl.ly 1~011111:~..JI:,Io I (j
ISSUC went to pres;p. The above (late girt:< us the advanrnrc The forenoon will be dtlvotrd to mcctin:: arr1v1nz Fricsllfi- ;:vt-
of the low rates ,rrrantetl 1~ all railroads to the Repnblic+~n tipg nrquaintrtl, etc. On that morning rCpl(*+nt:ltl\~‘~ <Ii thth
partv convention-namely &e fare for the round trip from PJiilntJeJphix church will be at tJlc varioii; J:IJ]\v:I\ (i(,l~t-
al’ dirwtions. Tltr sea& of the vear is vervY favorable and to mcel nlriving fi icntlq. who will lx, r\pcbc.twl 11) itlrlll 1f.v ihcm
we anticipate a large attendance. * r;cJ\cc: hy c!icpJnying coJJ~picllnll~i~ t]JP fiorrt p,J;:c- of cl \\.?‘rcll
The convention will be held undrr the auspicses of the TOWI I{ Shollld a~jp fall tn 1~. ItJerttJfic>tl i11(8~ will II I b/t, no
Watch Tower Ruble and Tract NocMy. The church at Phila- diffirulty in finding St. George’s TTnll ac: nlroke ~ii11 tlJltrc% it
delphia, our hosts or entertainers for the occasion, have made reception committee (rc>cognizabJc by a silk hatlg*,) will lool,
bointifnl arrangement8 as follows:- out for their welfare.
f 1) St. George’s Hall. corner of 13th and Arch streets, has (4) Any of the friends wlln can attcntl. but wlhb rarrnot
been secured for- the use’ of the convention. It is one oi the afford more than one clollar a tiny pxpenw t1111ing their stnj.
finest halIS in Philadelphia. will be assisted hy others more al)Jc, out of a fllntl alrend\
(2) The Lincoln Hotel, No. 12,, O” Locust street, haq been provided: and any who cannot afford the motlcst 4nm of ontt
engaged upon moderate terms for the class of accommodation, dollar prr day, if thrv Pan arrancrt their railwnv fi11t1. wi!l b6,
narrelv, one dollar a day each person for lodgings. Meals can provided for imtls. ‘Come, all \\;lln can, who hive the T,ord’d
be had at various restaurants in that vicinity at fifteen cents spirit and who seek more of it. Tll? assemhlincr of ourselves
and upward. It will be safe for those of limited mpans to t&ether for the consideration of our Father’s W&l will surely
reckon expenses at two dnllars per day, for the hotel and hrinp a hleqaing as he has promised.
[26411
(169-170) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

(5) When purchasing your ticket, ask for-“Excursion (8) No collections will be taken up, nor other solicitations
ticket to Republican Convention at Philadelphia.” The rail- for money made. Our assemblings are for spiritual refreeh-
road people assure us that such tickets will be satisfactory ment and for the acquirement of heaven1 riches for all.
to them. (9) Only Christians, who trust in C6 rmt as the “ru~som
(6) Decide about your going as speedily as possible, and for all,” are invited to this convention. It is hoped and earn-
if you decide to attend, at once address: “Receptaon Commit- estly requested that all such who come will seek preparation
tee,” P. 0. Box No. 3084, Philadelphia, Pa., stating by what of heart for a blessing-hunger and thirst after righteousness,
road you will travel, and if possible the hour of your train’s truth, purity, holiness; and all who come humbly in this con-
arrival on Saturday morning or afternoon. The convention dition will surely not only get a blessing, but also bestow
program will be announced at its first session and posted up blessings upon others. To these desirable ends let us each
for reference. We cannot now announce the sneakers. but make the convention and our own association therein a sub-
among them, D. V., will be Brother Randle (formerly a’ mis- ject of prayer. We bespeak for it also the prayers of all of
sionary in China) and the Editor of this journal. the Lord’s consecrated people who cannot attend: and thus
(7) An opportunity will be afforded (Monday afternoon, they will no doubt participate in the blessings.
June 18th) for any confessing baptism into Christ’s death to Other conventions for this season will be as follows: At
svmbolize this in water ban&m. Robes and towels will be Chicago, about Sentember 1; at Dallas. Texas. September 29,
p>ovided, and the service will be preceded by a discourse delin- 30 and ‘October 1: Particulars respecting the last two will
inq and explaining Baptism and its import. appear later.

FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH

PSALM 23 : 6.
“A’vlrely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my lzfe, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Saint Paul speaks of the full assurance of hope and of full dom: such receive God’s grace in vain, profiting nothing by
a--urance of faith as being the proper conditions for the Lord’s it over and above the world, which as yet lies in darkness and
people. (Heb. 6:ll; 10:22) And this is the thought ex- blindness.
pressed by the Prophet, in our text-full confidence that he What should such do? They should at once resolve that
vl ho has beeun a rood work in us is both able and willing to to render all they have to the Lord’s service is not only a rea-
complete it” (Phil. 1:6) But how few Christians, compara- sonable thing, but an offering far too small-far less than
tively, have this full assurance of faith; how few can- say, what thev would like to render to him who has manifested
Surely. undoubtedlv. goodness and mercv shall follow me such com”passion and grace toward us. And we should feel
henceforth through “life”. and by God’s grace I ultimately shall thus, even if there were no rewards attached to such a con-
oain the heavenly kingdom and the glorious things which secration of ourselves. But inasmuch as God has attached
God has nromi5etl to them that love him! The few who can great rewards and blessings, we should feel not only that a
enter fully into s+vmpnthv with the Apostle and Prophet in refusal to accept would be an indication of non-appreciation
the-e expreshions leave therein a great joy, a great blessing, a of divine mercy, but an indication also of a wcakneis of mind,
great rcbst of heart whic.11 others do not nossess. Let us there- of judgment, which is unable to balance the trifling and tran:
fore inquire why it iy that the number who thus enter into sitorv nleasures of self-will for a few shoi t veali. with an
the rest of faith is so small. What are the hindrances to the eternity of joy and blessing and glory, in harmony with the
othrrs, and how can those hindrances be removed, that a Lord.
larger number of tltc Lord.5 people may enjoy their patri- And more than this, the consecrated are the only ones who
mony ? really fully and truly enjoy this present life, for they indeed
The hindrances are nf two kinds: (1) Many who are on have a peace of heart which the norld can neither give nor
tile Lo~tl’s side, and who have been greatly blessed of him, and take amav-a condition which all the woild is cnvetiug and
wlro have matle considerable progress in the knowledge of the seeking after, but finding not because they seek it not in the
trutlt, and who are trusting in the merit of the Lord Jesus’ Lord’s wav of full self-surrender to him. We urge. then. UDOn
;nti.ri!icc as tlte onlp hope of a future life, and who are thus the class *now addressed that thev promptlv make their cove-
ill-trfirtl, have ncveithrle-s failed to take the second step nant with the Lord, and thus be~!ome he-irs” of his gnod prnm-
ne,e<Iarv to their full induction into sonship in God’s family ises uertaininn
I
to the life that now is. and also of that which
an11 into ioint-heir~hin with (‘hri<t to all the exceeding great is to come, and that thus they lav the forrndatbon for entering
and prrc*torir promises’ wltic*lr extend only to those who ‘become into “full assurance of the faith” and full assurance of the
hli SOllS. This step. c++ntial to becoming snns and joint-heirs, hope that God’s mercy and goodness shall follow them all the
is t!re purpose of full conscrration-the full surrender of our days of the present life, and that they shall dwell in the
o\zn wills. inc~luding all tlte aims and objects and purposes of heavenly home forever.
life. am1 including’also all that WC have in the way of time, (2) But amongst those who are real Christians, and who
influence. meani. ~epatatinn. etc. Not having taken this step, have made a full covenant of sacrifice unto the Lord, we find
not having taken up the crohs to follow the Lamb whither; many who say, and more who think it without saying-“0
soever ltr goeth, thi, large class verv properly feels that it is that. I could feel sure that God’s goodness and mercv would
rllie~tinnat,le to vvhat extent the Lord’s promises, either for the continue with me all the days of my life, and that I should
lift that now is or for the life that is to come, belong to them. attain unto his kinedom! 0 that I might have a full assur-
Ant1 in this they are right; for none of the promises, present ance of faith. a full”assurance that I am accepted of the Lord,
or future, belong to thrm, nor to any, until they have come and that by his grace I shall ultimately be an overcomer!”
under the terms‘ of a full self-surrender, consecration, present- What is the difficultv with this class? Whv is it that these
inr their bodies living sacrifices to God. holv.I acceptable.
” , do not possess this full assurance of faith? UWe answer, that
t!:inuglt .Jcsus Christ our Lord. their difficulty is a lack of faith in God, and such a lack of
Our advice to these. tlten, is that realizing the situation, faith is not pleasing to God, for “without faith it is impos-
they do not longer delav, but hasten at once to avail them- sible to please God.” Such lack of faith, moreover, is a
sel~tbs of the greatest privilege that could possibly be offered, constant hindrance to their overcoming. as it is written, “This
even l)r the Almiehtv. Jf thev stand still thev are. in the lan- is the victorv that overcometh theY&orld. even our ‘faith.”
&ia~&e “of the Ap%e, receiving the grace o’f God in vain- The Christian who has not the shield of faith, and a large one,
iailinc to use it. (2 Cnr. 6: 1) God’s grace, as freely be- is continually at disadvantage before the adversary.-Heb.
stowetl upon those who have come to a knowledge of the re- 11:6; 1 John 5:4.
demption which ii in Christ .Jesus, is the grace of the forgive- What must be done to overcome this lack of faith, and to
nc-s of sins. of justification through faith; and the very object have an increase of faith? We answer. that like the apostles
of this grace is to pprmlt or gzlalifq us to become living sac- of old he should pray, “Lord, increase ‘our faith.” And then.
rifice-, acceptable to God’s altar through the great sacrifice acting in harmony with this l/prayer, each should cultivate
of our Redeemer. faith in his own heart: (a) By refreshing his memorv cnn-
Whoever, therefore, shall advance thus far and know of his tinually with the divine promise:, becoming’very familiar with
pri\-tlege, and yet refuse to present his little all, has failed these in the Father’s Word. (b) He should seek more and
tn be ronstrained by the love of Christ, has failed to appre- more to remember that havinp made his covenant with the
rinte the divine favor bestowed upon him. and manifests this Lord these promises are his, and in his heart and with his
failure by his neglect to use his opportunities, by his neglect lins he should claim them as his before the Lord in nraver
to sacrifice the imperfert fragment of this present life, that with thanksgiving. He should claim them as his in h& own
he might obtain in exchange the areat pri7e of glory, honor thou,nhts. and in his ronferences on holy things with the
a.ntl immortality. and joint-lrrirsliip with Jesur in the king- brethren.
[ 26421
JUNE 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (170-171)

M-hen trials or difficulties or perplexities arise, he should
think of these promises, remembering that they belong to him
-because God has promised them to such as love him-who
have made a covenant by self-sacrifice. (Psa. 50:5; Mal.
3: 17) He should resolve henceforth to trust the word of the
heavenly Father implicitly. Thus, if some seeming accident
befall him, let him call to his mind the promise that “All
things work together for good to them that love God, to them
that are called according to his purpose,” and assure himself
that the seemins accident would not have occurred had God
c1
not seen a way to make it the channel of a needed lesson or
blessing. Let him refresh his mind with the thought that he
comes under tllc provisions of this promise because he loves
the Lord, and so loved him as to make a full consecration of
himself to him; thus he is assured that this promise was
intended for him.
Let such also remember the language of the Apostle, that
if God loved us while we were yet &n& so that he provided
for us the great salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. much
more does hg love us now, since we have been justified through
faith in the great atonement, and have made a full consecra-
tion of ourselves to him, and thus come under the terms of
adoption into his family. Let him remember, too, that he who
hasSbegnn the good work changes never, and that.if our hearts
are still in harmonv with him. if our faith is still clear and
firm in the great atonement, if our consecration is still full
and complete, so that we seek not our own wills but his will
to be done in our allairs, then we may indeed have the full
ashurancc of faith, because knowing that God is unchangeable,
and knowing that we are still in line with his promises and
arrangements, we know that all of his gracious provideneed
are still being exercised on our hehalf. This is full assur-
anc’t’ of faith-full confidence in the Lord.
(3 I It I:, pa&ble, however, for the true Christian who has
tdk(tn the step of justification and the step of consecration
and adoption into God’s family, and who has had the blessing
of full assurance of faith-it is possible for such to lose thi3,
if he become overcharged with the cares of this life, cold and
indifferent as respects the Lord, his kingdom, his brethren,
his cause. etc. Such, of course. should not have a full assur-
ance of faith: God does not intend it for them, but rather
intends that if we leave the proper consecrated attitude we
should also lose the joys and consolations which belong to it.
And this is not merelv as a retribution or uunishment. but
designed specially to awaken US to a realizaiion of what we
are losing, to the intent that such as have “lost their first
love” may be revived, may renew their consecration vows, and
thus return to the Lord, who will abundantly pardon and
restore unto them the joys of his salvation.
So then, reviewing our text, we say that this assurance of
faith that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us all the
days of our lives, and that we shall ultimately by his grace
attain to the kingdom, is for the class mentioned in this
Psalm, viz., the Lord’s sheep-those who are following him,
and who are having the esperiences outlined in this Psalm.
One of these experiences is that following the GluTherd they
are not left to hunger and thirst. but are bountifully supplied
in the green pastures and by the still waters of the truth.
Moreover. it atmlies to those who eruerience the Khenherd’s
II I I
care, his rod and staff, correcting. reproviq or guiding them.
Such sheep as learn to love and have confidence in the Shep-
herd and in his guidance. and to take comfort and blessing
out of all the afflictions and trials of life which mav be per-
mitted to come upon them, realizing that they are providen-
tial. and for their blesqing-such continue to follow the Shen-
herd, continue to have tI;k experiences of sheep, and may re-
joice with full assurance of faith that he who began the gocd
work of shepherding them and leading them out from the hy-
ways of sin and of selfishness into ‘the full blcising of the
heaveniv Father, will continue this work and complete it, if
they abide in him.--.John 16 :a-6.

“GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”

MATT. 6:ll; JOHN 6:5-IL-JUNE 17.

Jesus and the apostles, entering a boat, sailed across the in the five barley loaves and two small fIAcs possesEed lay one
northerly end of Lake Galilee. The boat was in full view of of the company.
the shore for probably all of this distance, and the multitudes, Combining the tr<timonies of the tlill’ercnt Erangeli\ts we
not only of those who had heard Jesus, but other multitudes might suppose the dialogue between Jesus and the disciples
on their way to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover, to have been about as follows:
going bv slow journey afoot, saw the boat and judged of its Jcszts.--“Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat 7”
objective point,‘and many, desirous of seeing the great Prophet P7tzZip.-“Two hundred pennyworth of Itread is not sufli-
Jesus, of whom they had heard many things, deviated their rient for them, that every one may take a little ”
course toward the point of the hoat’s landing. And so it was All the apostles.-“Send the multitude awav that tlicv mav
that after ,Jesus and the disciples had reached their destina- go into the towns and country round about, ant1 lodge and ge?
tion (and he had been for some time instructing them in victuals.” (L?th-e. )
things pertaining to the kingdom) looking up they beheld a Jeszts.-“Give ye them to eat.” (Lrrlie.)
vast concourse of people approaching the spot. All the apostles.--“Shall we go and hny two hundred pen-
Je,ur of course knew that with the vast majority at least nyworth of bread and give them to eat?” (Mark.)
the ObJeCt in coming was merely curiosity, not faith nor desire Jesus.-“How many‘loaves have ye? Go and see.” (Jlark.)
for instruction. Nevertheless. as always, his generous heart Andrelc;.---“There is d lad here which bath fi\c barleo
was full of sympathy. He beheld the”m. as sheep having no loaves and twc small fishes; hut what are tln$ among so
sheuherd. as following Moses and the Doctors of the Law in a many ?”
blind. almost irrational manner, and having comparatively Thus did our Lord prepare the minds of hi\ (liscipl~s to
little capacity or hearing for the good tidings which he had appreciate the miracle he was about to perform, and then
to give. Nevertheless. notwithstanding the fact that they were instructed them to seat the people for the proposed meal.
not in a condition to receive spiritual truths slicli as be could This was a comparatively easy tack. btc*ause it was a grassy
give to his disciples, he proposed to give them a gcnerxl object country, wc are told, and the people wrre ac~cuhtnnic~tl to a cer-
lesson ahirh might do them good physically at the time, and tain method of arranging themselves in groups of fifties and
which might be a channel for blessing in the future, as they hundreds for reneral feasts.
would look hack and remember the event. He proposed to feed The fact &at our Lord Jesus gave thanks for the bread
the multitude with natural food, and to do it in such a manner and fish should be an imnortant lesson to all who seek in anv
as would impress them favorahly. and besides, teach a great degree to he his followe&. If it waq appropriate that h”f
lesson of faith and trust to his auostleq. who would need in should render thanks to the heavenly Father for snme plain
future times the faith and confidence inspired by the miracle barley bread (the poorest and cheap& snlt), and for some
which he intended to work. dried fish, how appropriate it is that we who bv nature are
Philip, one of the apostles, resided in a citv not far from sinners and under condemna;‘-n, and onlv permitted to call
where they were; hence it was with special appropriateness God our Father through the reconciliation that is in Christ
that our Lord addressed to him the auestion of sunnlies- Jesus-how appropriate that we should lift our hearts and
where sufficiency of bread could he obtained, etc.; not: -as the voices in thankfulness to the heavenly Father as the author
Spostle explains, that Jesus was in any question on thlq hub- of every good blessing and gift which NP r~linv !
iett, hut that he wished to stimulate the thought of Philin and We-cannot understand how any C%rist&nY dare neglect to
‘the ‘other apostles, and thus to prove or test them and de’velop render thanks for his daily food, ant1 wr thoroughly helrere
their faith in him. Philip, however, took the question in a that those who do neglect this propriety are great losers
nureIv DracticaI form, and reulied that it would reouire two thereby. God, of course, loses notbiug, for giving does not
hundred pennyworth ($34) of bread to satisfy even ‘partiallv impoverish him, neither would withholtling make him rich;
so large a comuanv. But Andrew. auuarentlr‘thinkino of ol;r hut the Christian who has learned in e’verything to give
Lord’svpower, but “scarcely able to realize so” great a ‘miracle, thanks, and to make acknowledgment to thr heavenelv Father.
suggested that there was a beginning of the supply at least, has learned to appreciate and t‘e enJOy hi* blrqsing more than
[ 26431
i 172.173) ZION’S WATCH TOU’ER
others. To 5uch thankful hearts the plainest of food will be experience today in connection with the spread of the harvest
more applcclatcd, more happifying, more satisfying than to message ? Out of the little of means and talent, opportunity
~jtl!er~ And 1t 1~ undoubtedly a fact. that a peaceful, thank- and ability, what God hath wrought! How many have been
1111,happy mind 1s not only a biessing of Itself, but addi- fed and are being fed!
~~ortally an aid to thgrition and to the obtalnmg of good The miracle was all the Lord’s, and yet a great blessing
Iwlrcfit.s from the food which we eat. How many dyspeptics came to the apostles, in that they were privileged to be co-
know that, 1t I> possible to eat without satisfying, and to have workers with the Lord. And similarly here, in the dissenn-
!filcnty, and ;\ct tic1 unable to derive therefrom comfort and nation of the harvest message, we recognize that it is all of
111c)perIIOUI r4tttiwtt ! And perhaps there is no better antidote our Lord, the present Bridegroom, King, Reaper, and yet that
to tly-pep+l.t than a thankful , grateful heart, \vhich acknowl- he is pleased to use as disseminators of the truth all those
~I;:te di\inc I)tchsings :tncl seek3 to 11s~ them. not only with who have faith in him and who gladly accept his eerv1re. As
ilt~l~ll~illlll~~ss. ItIlt wit.11 (ontcntment, and thu> has great gain. our Lord couid have Derfo1med the miracle of feeding the five
‘Irl1cx. GotI tloci not 1e5cnt fnilurrs to ncknowledgc him in thousand without the* instrumentality of his disciples, so now
!!I ,111, ,L:t>.. t)lrt, ro11tiiiuc\ 1(~ cnusc the 11111to shunt upon he could feed the hungry Israelites mdeed-who are famished,
‘111’ I’\ II > I!(1 ~1[1011I IlC ecd, and to send the rain al1ke upon not for bread and not for water. but for the heannE of the
t12 ![I.t alIt tll‘h IlrlJll.t, :tnd to prrm1t many of the blPs5ings \Vord of the Lord (Amos 8: 1I )-without our aid. -Let us
tL ttkr3 t)rr-c’n: 1ifc to c~~nt11111c \vith those wl101make no l~roprr gratrful!v thank him for the nrivilene of beinrr ro-workers 111
,I h~:u\~lc~~I~ltlc~ill of tll”rrl. NC\ crthclcss, SW I1 c,nnnot hJne to any capn’city, and let, us the m&e &iously doy\ith our might
whatsoever our hands find to do.
Another great lesson taught by thiq miracle was that of
economy; for the apostles who di&r1hutctl the food were re-
quircd ‘to gather up ior their own future use the su1t:tblc frag-
men& which remained. and each one accordinelv fillrd his bay-
ket or haversack, which they wrre accustomed”& carry 111their
journeys. The mirarlr would have haal 01x1~ half 1ls weight
without thiq rlosing lesson of economy. The tl1sciples and the
multitude might have learned to think of (;od’s powers in an
impioprr IigKt, and to hare expected ~ufli pro\ i+~ioii :iq woul~l
compensate for their carelessness and nrotlirralitv. Ullt t1w
gatliering of the fragments showed, fir-t-of ail, the imnlrns1t>
ttorc!~ t,c~l~iti~lf IICC.” ( I’w:rn SO.16, 17) In a word, then, there of the 1nlrarle, and. secondly. it taught the 1es~o11th.lt we ait’
1%just one ri:tlt w:iy to brr[in to bra ttllb Lord’s followers, and to use the meanu, which God has put into OIIY hands, anIl not
f110~c MIto 11r)not w1iI1 to tqin according to the Lord’s direc- to expect unnecessary miracle+.
-l$m, 111*(llf t ~~)n.c~crntion.II:IV(: 1.0 1ipht to suppose that outward HOW many of the Lord’s dear people Ned to learn th14
,.r.i.i c,f i01 1ilat1 -tic piety arp ;lcccpt>lble or pleasing to God. lesson of economy? How many are wasteful of tl1c daily fool1
K-c. rnll,t II t \t t)c~~omettic 1,orrl’s before XYCen11 hope that any which the Lord prcrides ? How many WOlild be the more
~or~l~il) or WI rice from IIS will be acceptable to him through blessed by learning to practice careful economy, not only that
lf-ll’i. they might have in the future. but also that, thcv might 111
‘i’ttr fait11 of tl!c, apo<ttcs I 3 well demonstrated in the fart emergency supply to others spiritual or natural foot1 :I$ opput.
1ht tlrc,y p1 c~c+cdrtl to \r;rt tl1c people. according to the Lord’s tunity afforded? Let aIt who are disposed to be extr:~r:q::nt
IrlHt I.lt:~tiOl:~ , ;11rt1 tllc*n PI c~~~dctl to (Ii\ 1tle to them the. at and wasteful well consider this lcscon from the grc,lt, ‘l+:1c~hc~r.
tirht. v( ry linli!c~tl qu:iiicity of food. \Vithout faith in the t,l1at nothing is to t1c wasted, that we have a reqpo11\ihllit>
I ,or!I tl1cby \\o111(1 l111tloul1tetlly have rcbfused to take any part in respect to all that God has provided for IIP, either di1cctl)
ItI i he proc*crtlingy. fc,11in:: that it would bring reproach and or indirectly, and that after asking divine blessing upon 0111
ridicule iipoit tl1cinscl\(~*. The I(+son whic$ 1hey learned in affairs, and thus signifvin g our appreciation of them. we all’
[Ilin coniirc~l ion 110 tlorit)t went \i ith them through subsequent to seek to wisely use them, a< wc think would be plrasing in
year\. tcac*hin:: the1n that they ~oultl do a11 things by the his sight, and frugally, economically.
power of (!Ilrlht, if l:lhoring under his command. And the Tile same lesson might be applied also to our spiritual food.
-RrtlP !(‘~~011~~Oltt(~s fOrc*~fully to 11s all. Xcitlier 011r duties nor The fact that the Lord Iraq riven us bountifullv “thinps nts\\
‘lur pri\rlcgc~. arc’ wllollv 1tl~~itSUrWl bv ollr own abilities. A and old” does not mean thit we are to treatU those <lessed
prop& faith in th(b lio1d permits us tYj rctalizr hi-l omnipotent truth3 carelessly, when wr have eaten thereof and found sat-
power. and that if IIP hc with us, fo1 in~l,tncc in that dibtri- isfaction to our souls; rather, we are to be careful of nil tht,
brltion ot ~pir1tirnl food to the hungry, the little of means and fragments, and are to gather and preserve them for furthe
.thil1tg and oIjI)ortunity at our dicposal may IX $0 bles>cd as to and future use, esteeming them none the less the Lord’s pro-
.1~*c~on1pli~lini:t1 \cloii+ t tiingq. Tntleed. ha\c w(’ 1tot this very vision than when first we received them from his hands.

REVIEW OF THE QUARTER’S STUDIES

“l’lry, l.Gn~pLom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heave?&.”
Rcl jewin:: tltc studies of the quattcr we find that nearly (5) We saw how the faith of John the Baptist was tested
:, 11 of thrm ;I t c closelv 1elntcd to our Qoltlt:tt Text. by reason of the fact that the kingdom work did not come in his
( 1 ) \f’c had the iJe:ttihldW-th? conditions of heart and day just as he had expected it would, and we saw how care-
~~haractcr cs\cntial to our participation in this kingdom class fully our T,ord explained to him wherein his expectations had
that Cod ha; dcclarcd hc 1s selecting from the world, and been partly erroneous, and indicated how events as they were
whit+ hy and tlv he ~111 glorify with the King Emmanuel in in progress were in full accord with the testimony of the
his hIill~nnia1 k’ingdom. prophets. Snd so we have learned in respect to the estab-
(2) We had certain precrpts. ~iomises and warnings re- iish-ing of the spiritual kingdom now, to t&t not to our own
+pcct inf ltow tl1is kingdom class m& make developmen‘t, not imaginations. but to PO rather to the Word of the Lord. and
in sitting ill Judgment llpon others IIOW, but rather by judg to <ice what ‘therein & written, and so doing we are adle to
III~ nothing I,cfore the t1mp, whcu thry shall be granted the note today what we would not otherwise be able to discern
pow(‘rq of jntlpmcnt in siwh <qlorioiis measure as will permit how that our Lord’s great plan is grandly progressing in har-
their iutlfiina to be a Messinz to the world. and that tliuq mony with what was written aforetime.
this kingdo glass must seek ihe narrow way to glory, honor (6) We saw, in our Lord’s denunciation of Capernaum,
,lnd immortality. Chorazin and Bethsaida, how possible it is for some in our
(2) We had the miracle of the awakening of the daughter day to have great privileges, as those cities had great knowl-
of *Jairun, an illustration of the great work of the kingdom edge, great opportunities of coming into accord with the Lord’s
when it shall br set up, and when all mankind shall be re- kingdom, and yet through lack of faith to fail utterly-to fail
leased from the prison-house of death. more miserably as respects pleasing God than did such heathen
(4) \Ve had the healing of the centurion’s servant, an- cities as Sodom and Tyre and &don. We saw, nevertheless,
other picture of restitution blessings which are to be eenrral that the full number bf the elect church or kingdom class
:kt the-time that our Lord’s prayer, ?n our Golden Text. is real- would be found in God’s due time, and that then will commence
ized, and God’s kingdom shall come and his will he done on the great Judgment Day of thb world, in which it will be
parth a3 it is in heaven. tolerable for all, under the righteous judgment of the great
[2644]
JUNE 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (174-175)

King, but more tolerable for such as Sodom and Gomorrah
than for those who have had the greater privileges and knowl-
edge and misused them.
(7) VV:e found, in the case of Simon and the woman that
was a sinner, that some who occupy important positions in
the nommal church may be much further from the kingdom
of God as reqpects their hearts than are some others who have
outwardlv been living a less correct life, and that some of
the latte;, reforming, may become more ‘zealous toward the
Lord and more accentable with him. and hence more eligible
to the kingdom.
(8) The parable of the sower showed us the importance of
having our hearts in a correct attitude toward God. not full
of worldly ambitions and cares, which as “thorns ’ ” would
choke the very best seed, but freed from these that we should
be ready to receive “the good seed of the kingdom” into our
hearts, and to be exercised thereby into seeking first the king-
dom of God.
(9 ) We saw various parables of the kingdom, illustrating
to us the church’s present experiences, while waiting for the
completion of the elect number and the full inauguration then
of the kingdom glory and power to bless the world. We saw
the true C’hri~tians renresented bv the “wheat,” the outgrowth
I
of pure doctrine, the good seed of the kingdom. We saw false
Chiistrans represented by the “tares,” and the false doctrines
which produce such, which were sown by the adversary. We
saw the growth of the nominal church represented as being
very great, but as resulting in inviting into it the fowl-
“every unrlean and hateful bird.” We saw that the spiritual
food provided for the Lord’s household had been corrupted by
the “woman” everywhere predominant throughout the Scrip-
tures, the wine-cup of whose abominations have made drunk
all nations.-Rev. -18 :2, 3.
(10) We have seen that the sending forth of the twelve
apostles was with the same message, the same Gospel of the
kingdom, that the Master declared, and that similarly who-
ever is sent out of the Lord today as a servant of the truth
has the same message, the Gospel of the kingdom, under which,
when it is established, God’s will shall be done on earth as it
is done in heaven.
(11) The lesson of Herodias and her wicked ambition and
sinful course, in which Herod shared, taught us that earthly
ambitions lead downward and sinward, away from God and
into degradation, but that the ambition set before the church,
viz., to be God’s kingdom, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Jesus Christ our Lord. if so be that we suffer with him, is the
lawful ambition which leads upward and is elevating. in its
every influence and purifying as respects our hearts and lives.
(12) Finally, in the feeding of the multitude, we see illus-
trated our Lord’s compassion for the people, which compassion
during the hlillennial kingdom will have fullest sway, when
the bread of life shall be broken to all of the hungry, and
when all shall be privileged to share in the blessings which
the Lord’s kingdom will bring, and that then those who have
followed him in the present time shall be associated with him
in the work of blessing the multitude under the glorious king-
dom conditions.
We may well pray from the heart. in the language of our
Golden Text, Lord, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on
earth as it is done in heaven.”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

WHEN PERSECUTED. FLEE as being much more modest than the frequest use of “I said,”
Question.-How should we understand and apply Matt. “I think.” ‘I exnect.” “Z believe.” Z find. etc. And this custom
10:23-“When thev persecute vou in this citv,I flee ge to an-
” ”
i< followed in the ablest newspapers and journals of our land.
other; for verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over Of course, incidentally, we voice the sentiments of many
the cites of Israel till the Son of Man be come?” of our readers when voicing our own; because they and we
Anszoer.-These instructions were given primarily to the recognize the Bible as a divine revelation, the onlv standard
twelle Apostles, and doubtless were understood by them to of truth, and endeavor to keep close to its letter -and spirit.
mean that their mission was not to stay long in a place, but But “we” will neither bind others to “our” convictions nor
that RS persecution arose, and the people were unwilling to permit any to bind “us” to theirs. The only fixed creed we
hear their message, thev ‘were to gd to other cities and-vil- recognize is the simple and fundamental one-that God sent
lages. full of the conr<ction that the time for their snecial his Son, who died for our sins; and that through faith in this,
tcitimonv of the kingdom at hand was limited, and thai they and obedience to him, to the extent of our ability, we shall be
woul~l not mnre than have accomplished their proclamation saved. All who so confess are “Christians” and are to be
in all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man would be nre- trea.ted as “brethren.” Thev should be assisted to grow in
sented as King, and the testing of the nation reach its climax. knowledge and grace, but should be accorded fullest Bberty-
Thiq climax was reached when, at the end of his three and a “The libertv wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Neither
half vrars’ ministrv, our Lord rode to them on the ass, as directly no; indirectly has any one a right to make a creed for
their -King, and fafling to be received (in harmony with’the them nor to otherwise speak for them and then imply their
nroohecv) declared their house henceforth left desolate.- “disloyalty” and “heresy” if they attempt to resent misrep-
L&e 13 .‘35. resentations.
But while this was the primary signification of the Lord’s WATCH TOWFB readers are supposed to be, and urged to be,
words, we believe that like most of his teachings to Israel after the Lord’s freemen, and at the same time the Lord’s bond-
the flesh it had a still larger meaning than was then due to servants ; and to call no man master; because one alone is
be understood-an application to the parallel cloiing of this their hIaster and Lord--Jesus. This liberty, however, does not
Gospel age. As there was a “harvest” i-n the end of the Jewish hinder them from appreciating one another as “brethren”-
age. in which natural Israel was tested. so in the end of this “Whose kind designs to serve and please
a,& there is a “harvest” in which spiritual Israel will be Through all their actions run.”
tested. And as there was a proclamation of Jesus m the flesh, Each is free to love and esteem each other for their work’\
as King, so there must be correspondingly a proclamation of sake, and to seek to note how the Master is pleased to use one
Jesus, the new creature, as King of Glory. And as in that and another in serving “the body of Christ.” Earh free one,
“harvest” some were sent forth with the harvest message, and loyal to the Lord, is pleased to recognize as special servant?
it was to reach all the Israelites within the borders of the of “the body” those whom the Lords specrallv uses. Those
promised land, so now we understand that in the present har- who are not free with the liberty wherewith Christ makes free,
vest the messaec is aoing forth. “Behold the bridegroom.” and are enslaved to decisions of men and to rustoms and theories,
the further lnnouficement to Zion, “Thy Gods reigneth.” and are not at liberty to follow the leadings of divine provi-
(Matt. 25 :6 ; Isa. 52 : 7 ) This harvest message is also to be dence and the testimonies of the divine Word.
understood as limited in time, and the bearers of it are not WHEN WILL SATAN BE BOUND?
to dallv, but to exercise diligence, realizing that the time is
”

short. and that thev shall have time and n% more to go over Question-In the DAWNS you have intimated that the
all the rities of sniritual Israel. before the arand consumma- binding of Satan in the end of this age will be accomplished
tion shall be reached, and the ‘Son of Man“shall have com- by the&increase of general intelligence~light. etc. Is this the
pleted the first part of his work, the collection of his saints, only sense in whirh you consider that he will be found?
the “jewels,” the “little flock,” and thus the kingdom be set Ansrcer.-Bv no means. The binding of Satan with the
great chain, an-d the putting of him intd’the abyss mentioned
up in power.
in Rev. 20.1-3. is all figurative: but the fiaures are all mean-
OF WHOM MD FOR WHOM DO WE SPEAK? ingful. To ~1s they signify a cdmplete re&aint of Satan and
Question.-When in the WATCH TOWER and Dawns and all his powers of evil. The great chain represents restraint.
Old Thaology Tracts we read “we believe,” “our views,” etc., The word abyss, in our common version rendered “bottomless
are we to underqtand that a church or society or creed so pit,” represents oblivion. The seal upon it represents divine
teaches? If not, how shall we understand such expressions? rare that none shall interfere with God’s arrangement, but
Answer.-No; we speak for no party or sect or creed or that it shall all be carried out strictlv in accordanre with the
confession, but merely for ourself-the Editor. Long ago we divine prearrangement. Our suggestion respecting the in-
adopted the plural pronoun in referring to our personal views fluence of the increased light of the present time is that a pre-
III-47 [2645]
(175-i79) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Ph.

linunary restraint of evil results from turning on the light
of present truth, which makes the evil the more manifest and
the- less able to deceive. But this is not all, by any means.
The thought is that the are&t King, who is now about to take
full control of the world, has full”‘power to bind, to restrain
Satan and every evil power and influence, that nothing may
hurt or iniure that which is good throughout the Millennial
age, as ha”s been the case d&ng the present age, when the
kinedom of heaven (the church in its incinient state) suffereth
violence, and the violent take it by for& misusing the mem-
bers of the body of Christ, even as they misused also the Head
of the body-our Lord.
\Vhether Satan and his associates, the fallen angels, will
remain associated with this earth we do not know, but it is
quite sufficient for us to have the Lord’s assurance that they
will no longer he nrince and powers of the air, able to mia-
represent and deeGive mankrnd, a5 at presmt. Some ha\e
surmised that Satan and his aneels would be deported during
the Mlllrnnial prriod, but while‘fhere is no Scripture that we
are aware of which would settle this point, our view is to the
contrary of this. We believe that they will not be deported
but remain, powerless to deceive. Our reason for so supposing
is two-fold :
(1) This earth has been the scene of their original trans-
gressions and subsequent misdeeds, and it would seem proper
that they should untness the marvelous transformation which
will ensue after the Prince of Light, the Prince of Peace,
Emmanuel, shall assume the reins of power, and bring bles-
sings to all the families of the earth.
(2) The Scriptures assure us that the work of the glorified
church will not only be to give trial to or “judge the world”
of mankind during the Millennial age, but that it will include
also the judgment or trial of these fallen angels: and if both
mankind and the angels are to be judged, during the same
period, it would seem entirely reasonable that both should be
associated with the earth and its atmosphere.-1 Cor. 6:s;
2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6.

“I THAT SPEAK AM HE”

JOI~N 4:26; 9:37.
She came, the thirsty one, to fill hc9 pitc*lifir. They turned him from the synagogue accursed,
:1nd found a strancer sittina on thr brink: W’hose gift of sight the Savior had bestowed:
And while she poured’for him ‘the well’s refreshment. And, bur&p under grief and indignation,
He gave the precious cup of lrfe to drmh. He sought again the well-remembered road.
And when she wondered at her life’s rcvealrng, ,4nd while he mused upon his kindly patron,
Snd if 3Icssiah deeper depths could see. - And if he could indeed Messiah bi, -
He graciously her ri\ing faith enc*onragcd.- Lo, One with beaming countenance adclrr~+tl him
“1 that speak to ilice am Hc I” “I that speak to thee am He’”

And so when we, blest Master, come, all empty. Snd so, dear Lord, when our dim eyes are opened.
To fountains, we but drink. and drink in rain; And one-time friends thv healing power desspisr.
Be thou with ‘satisfying waters waiting, Be thou anear with words of cheer and comfort.
That we mav drink. and never thirst again. To grant our saddest hour a glad surprise.
Our wayward ‘hearts true inwardness disclosing, And when life’s subtle mysteries perplex 115,
Constrain our timid faith to hope in thee, Unlock to us with faith’s unfailing key,
And let us hear again the gracious mecsage- That we may hear from out the oprn postal+.
“I that speak to Ihee am He’” “I that speak to thee am He !”
The proud and haughty still a sign requiring,
In vain the zenith and horizon scan,
While walks among them One with vesture girded,
To wield the purging and discerning fan.
But he who humbly treads the path of duty,
\Vith eyes unsealed shall his Deliv’rer see;
His trial hour shall brighten wit11 this token-
“I that speak to thee am He!”
R. B. HENNIECES.
1
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE 15, 1900 No. 12
L ____ -

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THOUGHTFUL WORDS OF AN ABLE MAN by many other notable reverend gentlemen and Doctors of
-4n exchange quotes epigrammatic statements from various Divinity, also “orthodox,” must be considered equally as
addresses delivered before the “Ecumenical Mission Confer- “orthodox” a conference as the one which met in New York
ence,” held recrntly in New York City, and among them all City. Yet note the wide difference in these applications of the
none impressed us so much as the following bv Mr. Beniamin term “orthodox ;” for the Boston Convention accepted and
Harrison. ex-President of the United State;: U heard all religions-Christian, anti-Christian, Buddhist and
“The natural man lives to be ministered unto-he lays his Brahmin, Confucian on a common level.
imposts upon others. He buvs slaves that thev mav fan him As a matter of fact this word orthodox, which signifies
to-sleep, bring him the jewelrd cup, dance before him. and die “ccwect or sound doctrine,” is claimed by everyb0d.y; for no
in the arena -for his sport. Into such a world there came a one could conscientiously hold to anything he consrdered un-
Kinc, ‘not to be minister unto, but to minister.’ The rough sound or incorrect. But in applying the term to others is the
winds fanned his sleep; he drank of the mountain brook and difficulty: how for instance can a Methodist agree that Pres-
made not the water wine for himself; would not use his power byterian doctrine of foreordination and predestination is cor-
to stay his own hunger. but had 6ompassion on the multitude. rect or “orthodox” and still refuse to accept it? Or how can
He ralled them hc had bought with a great price no more a Presbyterian agree that Methodist doctrine is “orthodox”
servants but friends. He entered the bloody arena alone. and, when it differs so radically from his own ? And how can “Dis-
dyinr, broke all chains and brought life and immortality to ciples” and “Baptists” recognize as “orthodom” or correct and
light.” soultd other doctrines whirh ignore water immersion, which
THE ANOMALIES OF “ORTHODOXY” Baptists and Disciples strenuously claim is absolutely essen-
The “Ecumenical Conference” on missions recently in ses- tial to a membership in the church of Christ, and to the sal-
sion in New York City, considering ways and means for vation which they claim is provided only for the church?
prearhing the gospel to Brahmins, Buddhists, Confucians, The fact is that the various sects were much more con-
Greek Catholics and Roman Catholirs-in its very name ignor- sistent when they each denied that the other was “orthodox”
ing Romanism as anti-Christian, since its missions were not and each claimed that itself alone was the “orthodox,” the
recognized or included under the comprehensive term Ecu- correct and doctrinally sound church.
menzcaGwas of course “orthodox.” At the same time there What brought about this change? We answer, Two things
was in session in the city of Boston another and quite different conspired to produce the present inconsistent condition.
convention or Religious Congress, which being under the lead ( 1) Religious doctrinal convictions have softened, though
of the famous “orthodox” preacher, Heber Newton, supported the profes,Go~ continue as hard and ctout as ever. Instead of
[26461
JU.E 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (180-181)

con*&iorr has come uncel tainty, doubt, skepticism and the Boston Theological Seminary. The students resigned, intend-
general feeling that “nobody knows-me may be right, you ing to 80 to other M. E. colleges presumed to be sound on the
may be right or all may be wrong.” Scriptures; but to their surpiise- they found a solid denomi-
(2) Not knowing who is right we will simply stick to our national front aeainst them. which consuired so successfully
oum church [not to Christ’s one, true church, “whose names that they were &fused admittance to any. This means thit
are written in heaven”] as being as good as any other man- infidelity to the Bible, under the name of “higher criticism,”
made church, and merelv recognize all others claiming the is being imuressed uuon everv M. E. minister now issuing from
name of Christ and having influence, wealth and numbers as these ~em&ries. And it means that the greatest poGer of
being also “orthodox.” correct also-for all we know to the Methodism, its ministry, scattered all over the land,- is to be
contiary. But in preventing any advanced thought being exerted to the gradual undermining of the faith of Meth-
known as “orthodox” all are agreed-they have already sufli- odists. And, “lykc priest like people,” it means that Meth-
cient confusion unavoidably covered by that term-unavoid- odism will soon be fighting God’s Word stealthily, covertly,
ably, because to denv the term “orthodox” to any popular from the inside-inside the house of its professed friends.
system would be to cnvite it to denounce yours as “unorth- However, this will only awaken some of the Lord’s true saints
odox.” and thus to raise a doctrinal discussion which neither in that house and show them that it is high time for them
cares to risk before the people, lest the weaknesses and falla- to come out from Babylon-and from its confusion of false
cies of all be disclosed to those now “at ease in Zion,” dozing, doctrines.
if not sound asleep, on all such subjects. Zion’s Herald publishes the results of an investigation re-
This is the meaning of the peneral onposition of all denomi- upecting the number of “oorwersions” made by two hundred
nations to what we are prese&ng
.A

from the Scriptures as pres- M. E. ministers. educated in the Boston Seminarv since Higher
ent truth: they see that it is a positive doctrine and that Criticism and Evolution began to be taught therk fifteen $ars
those who receive it have convictions: thev see, too. that these ago. The results are reported with great satisfaction as giv-
appeal to the Bible and apply its statemeits in a manner that ina evidence that Methodism is urosuerinn exceedinelv under
brings order out of the hitherto confusion and babe1 of the th< diet which repudiates the doctiine gf the ra&Gm and
sects: they perceive, too, that it is reasonable (which they makes void the Word of God. These two hundred ministers
know none of the others are) and they each individually and report 6,023 “convertions” during the six months preceding
all collectively fear that if heard upon its merits it would March 1, 1900. The argument drawn from this is that M. E.
sweep all theories before it into oblivion. It is therefore “Self- prosperity lies in that direction, and that the sooner the old
preservation, the first law of nature,” which incites the SO- fogy believers in the Bible and the Cross wake up and abandon
called “orthodox” against the glad tidings of great joy which these the more rapidly will Methodism prosper. Hence it was
shall be unto all ueonle. For iust the same reasons the various taken as bevond auestion that the General Conference would
sects and partiesLof ‘the dews: however diverse, united against certainly not raise’ its voice to interrupt successful procedure.
the true light as God revealed it in the close of the Jewish But to what were these 6,023 persons “convei Led ?” To
age. Methodism’ Posqibly a very few of them mav have been con-
We of course claim that the WATCH TOWER presentations verted to the Lord. Yet when one remembers that nearly all
are orthodox, correct, sound doctrinally-otherwise we would such so-called converts are children of from eight to fifteen
not promulgate them. 9nd we go farther and deny that the years, it seems amusing to credit their “conversion” to either
various inconsistent, unreasonable and unscriptural doctrines truth or error or to call them “conversions” at all.
of Babylon are orthodox W‘c claim that although almost all Principle seems to be disappearing in respect to religious
the creeds of Christendom contain some grains of truth. thev matters. Churchianity of all denominations seems to be get-
contain much more errnr, whiclr quite beclouds and nullifies ting to be a business governed by “rules of trade” and “lawc
their elements of truth. of supply and demand.” What do the people want? What
Nevertheless, we claim that our standard of “orthodoxy” will draw the crowd, add to the church list and treasury t
is not narrow when armlied to Christian ueonle. thoueh it is Evidently these are the queries which cause preachers most of
so erclusive as respe& all the rreeds of ~Chr’istendom~ It is their anxious thoughts rather than-What message does the
just as broad as the Bible will permit; and who that acknowl- Lord’s Word give me for his people? What is the Truth and
edges its authority has a right to ask for more or to accept how can T best make it plain to the Lord’s sheep?
less 7 But then again, how could we expect these wise “higher
Our standard of orthodoxy as applied not to sects but to critics” to lav much emphasis on the words of our Lord and
Chxl5tian~, personally, recognizes as correct and sound in do?- the apostles “and prophets when they have concluded them-
trine all who acknowledge the following points: ( 1) That he selves to be wiser than thev-claiming
I I
that our Lord and the
is by nature a member of the fallen. condemned race and hence apostles made numerous and grievous mistakes in quoting
a child of wrath even as others. and iustlv under the divine from Moses, David, Isaiah and other prophets, words which
sentence of condemnation, (2) ‘That Chri& died for the un- these modern wise men declare were never uttered by these
godly, for -4dam and all his condemned race: and hence God prophets. The conclusion is that if the Lord and the apostles
can now be iust in iuqtifving him and all who believe in erred in these matters they were not infallibly inspired respect-
Jesus. (3) That his justification is the basis of his call to full ing others : and if they, the “higher critics,” could correct
consecration in self-sacrifice, and that he has thus devoted his them on these points they could give them general instruction,
all to the Lord, in exchange for the share in the Millennial and are surely more competent authorities themselves.
kingdom which the Lord has promised to all such “over- Alas for the poor sheep 1 How many may he expected to
comers.“-Rev. 2:26; 3:12, 21. follow the pernicious wavs of these false sheuherds! None
All the above described class are properly recognized as too extravagant is the prophetic declaration, ‘Athousand shall
“orthodox” and “brethren,” however they may differ on minor fall at thvY side”--onlv “. the sanctified in Christ ,Tesus. conies
details in the correct knowledge of which thev may be ex- of God’s dear Son, ~111 be ahle tn stand complete in him.
pected to grow under the Lord’s guidance; building one an- These will be the “very elect,” and it will not be possible for
other up in [the details of] their most holy faith, as revealed them to be deceived and ensnared: for God will eive his mes-
in the Word of the Lord, which, as they come more and more sengers a charge [a message] for them lpresen; truth] and
to understand it, will make them wiser and wiser respecting thus these “feet” of the body of Christ shall be upheld that
the good and acceptable and perfect will of God-unto salva- they stumble not.-Psa. 91 :l, 7, 11, 12.
tion-until salvation actual, the “crown of life,” with glory. EDUUATED WHITE SAVAGES
honor and immortalitv. IX
shall be the grand outcome of the That education is valuable no one will dispute, nor is it
finished race. to be denied that it frequently puts a refined polish upon the
Who knows any fault to find with this Bible standard of actions and words of men and women who are therefore known
“orthodoxv?” No one! But this is the chief around of obiec- as gentle-men and gentle-women. It is a mistake. however, to
tion to it in the eyes of churchianity: it antagonizes and confound this kind of surface polishing with the “begetting of
would sneedilv destrov not onlv one but all sects: hence all the spirit, ” “a new heart.”
oppose ii-the
Y .I

far-seeing preachers leading their ever-confiding The one is a gilding of the surface
manners, the other a transformation of the entire being affect-
flocks into the battle against the Lord and his truth, in which ing the sentiment as well as the conduct.
through temporary success they eventually are the sad losers.
- As a painful lesson on this subject, proving that fine educa-
METHODISM AND HIGHER CRITICISM tion may leave men still savage at heart and onlv needing
It was expected that the General M. E. Conference would opportunity to develop it, we quote below an article” from th;
be asked to take some stand for or against “higher criticism;” Lzteraru Dzaest. It relates soeciallv to colleae bred men of
but so far we have seen no mention of it. The expectation two nations; both of which combine Religious &d secular-edu-
was based upon the protest made by a few students against cation-Protestant Germany and Roman Catholic Belgium :
‘Higher Crticism,” Evolution, etc., being taught at the M. E. the representatives of the former probably were three-fourths
[2647]
(182-183) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECHENY. Pa.

Protestants and one-fourth Catholics and of the latter all “The following statement which appears in the contmental
Catholics. corresponding to the populations of those rountries. papers speaks for itself:
Both clr~tm to IJP “Chrlqtian nations,” kingdoms of God, and “Coxco STATE, DISTRICT BEKGALA :-Before me, Agent of
their coins declare that their rulers reign “by the grace of the antwerp Trading Society, appeared at Mandika, the ser-
God.” We are glad fhat we hope for a very murh better king- geants Massamboko and Mulanda, and the privates Mutuana
dom for whlrh all the more we pray, “Thv kingdom come, thy and Ponga, all of the Station of Mandikn, who swore as fol-
will be done on earth ewn as it is done in heaven.” The ar- lows :
ticle follows : “ ‘White Man ! We have returned from the war. We
“The White Man’s Savagery in Africa” marched thirty hours’ distance with the white man Imela
( Van Eykep ) . He ordered us to enter the villages, to see if
“While it is customary to speak of the African natives as the inhabitants had gathered enough rubber. If they had not,
‘savages.’ and to deplore the cruelty of the Sultan of Turkey, we were to kill them. In one village we told him we had ful-
who pernut> the slave tratle to Aouriih between his dominions
filled his orders. He told us we had not done enough. He told
and the ea\t conit of Afr~ra, late revelations Drove that men us to cut up the men, placing the pieces on poles; the bodies
of more c~vll~zctl nationalities (‘an be quite-as cruel. The of the women and children we were to put in a big scaffold in
Brussels I’ctlt Z1Zelcerelates the followlnp* the shape of a cross. Returning through N’Dobe we found
‘I ‘The ri\e nf the I%und,ln tribes against the Kongo authori- all the natives treated like that. We swear that this is true.
ties w,ts cau<cd by Bclglnn tyranny. Hundreds of men died Follow marks and agent’s name: >Ioray.’
with Lothaire and other Kong0 agents in defense of the cruel “Acrordine to other resorts hundreds of natives have had
prartirc9 there. The agent Jlorap says: ‘The rebellion of the their hands Ghopped off because they did not furnish the re-
Mongall~ legion iq tllle wl~lv to the cruelty with which the quired quantity of rubber. Similar cruelties are reported
natIves are treated. Rubljer is the bootv of ‘the white invader from the French Sudan. Several high officials formerly In the
now. If, In a village of 100 male inhabitants able to work, German employ have also hecn punished as offenders of this
only fifty app<‘ar with the requlretl amount of rubber, soldiers kind. The Dutch papers remark that the French. English and
are sent to kill tile ntller fifty. The ‘loyal’ natives are used Spaniards hare a great advantage in the patriotic discipline
to fight :tgain\t tile ‘tll~loyal,’ anal as all are man-eaters, it is of their newspapers, for while the Dutch and German papers
easy to rewartl the loyalists by promises of feasts on the will report an outrage of their countrymen immediately,
corpses of the clain.’ Frenchmen and Englishmen will exercise patriotic prudence.”

“KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD”

JUDE 21.
We cannot keep ourselves in this love unless we have got- The Apostle Paul sums up this transformatinn from sel-
ten into it. ;\nd that all mea do not possess it, or are not fishness to the love of God in a few words, saving, “Wvc our-
in this condition of heart, is not only manifested to our senses selves a190 were at one time foolish, disobedient, deceived,
through the eupericanres of life, but testified to bv our Lord serving divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and
Jesus, who said to some of the holiness people of “his day, “I envy, hateful and hating one another; but when the goodness
know that ye have not the love of God in vou.“-John 5 :42. and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared he saved UC
WP are- to distinguish then between &tural love and the [delivered us from this evil condition of heart], not on account
love of God. All mankind bar some share at least of natural of works of righteousness which we had done, but according to
love--relf-love. love for family, lore of friends. Our Lord, his own mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration
speaking of thlr kind of love. implies that it is not the love and renewing of the holy Spirit, which he shed on us abun-
01 God, _saying, “If ye love them-that love you, what thank dantlv through Jesus Christ. our Saviour.“--Titus 3 : 3-6.-
have ye? For sinners also do even the same.” (Luke 6:32) See Biuglott.-
The love of God. therefore, is a diflerent kind of love to that This newness of spirit, this new mind, this mind in accord
which is common to the natural man, and we need to be di- with the lore of God. the Anostle assures us is not received
rected into it, and to grow or develop in it, as the Apostle except by those who receive tGe holy Spirit. Those who merely
testifies, SayinK. “The TJord direct Your hearts into the love take the step of justification may to some extent experience n
of God.” 12 Thess. 3 :5) We are directed into this love reformation of life, so that inqtead of living an openly evil
thronah the divine Word which brings to our attention the course they will seek to live at least moral lives. But none
peculiarity of God’s love as distingu&hed from that of the can expect to receive the begetting of the holy Spirit of love,
natural fallen man. \Vhile love in -the natural man is more and thus to become possessed of “the love of God.” a self-
or Ipsq selfish. even in our very hest exercise of it, on behalf sacrificing love, unless he takes the step of consecration to the
of friends, God commendcth his love toward us as being of a Lord, which brings him into the condition in which hr may
superior kind, in that while we were yet sinners, aliens, indeed have the holy Spirit, the spirit of divine love, shed
strangers, enrmirq through wicked works, under his gracious, abroad in his heart. Let none then hope to obtain the love
loving plan ChriSt died for uq. This kind of unmerited. sac- of God in any other way than the way which God has pro-
rificinr: low is wholly dlffcrrnt from anything that is known vided. Undoubtedly in the Millennial age it will be made
to fallen h7lmanitv. As our Lord Jesus said. the Lrreatest love possihle for the natural man to come into “the love of God”
amongst men wou’ld be that a man should lai dowi his life for through a process of restitution; as he shall more and more
his frlanrls. but to lay down his life for his enemies iq certainly attain to the perfection of human nature in that time he may
a much higher type of love-unselfish, gracious, heavenly- to that extent more and more become possessed of the love of
John 15:lR; Rnm. 5:7. God until, when finally perfected, he may posqess this love of
The first blcisinf that comes to II?, as the eyes of our un- God in full measure-because humanity, in its perfect condi-
derstanding open and we come to some knowledge of the tion, is a fleshly image of the inrisihle God. But now. while
divine (xharartcr and love. iq that we perceive or discern or we still have these mortal bodies that are imperfect, and while
come to 1wli7e this hightar type of lore-the lnvc of Gad. restitution has not commenced, there is only the one way of
As the Apnctlc cn;vq, “Hereby perceil>e we the lore of God, be- attaining the lore of God-bv
I..
obedience to the call of this age,
cauw hr [Chrlctl laid down his hfe for us.” “Herein was to present our bodies living<sacrifices, holy and acceptable ~to
manlfcstcd the low of God toward us, because God sent his God. through Jesus our Lord.
only bcgottcn Son into the world that we might live through The new creature is to grow and to be more and more
him.“-1 ,John 3.16; 4.9. filled with the holy Spirit-more and more filled with the love
It is after we have thur perceived the love of God that it of God; hence we may expect that there will be differences of
begins to operate upon us. if we are in a favorahle condition athinment in this matter, and we should know what to look
-if our hearts are gnnd ground, prepared under divine provi- for as evidences of cmr growth in grace and of our attainment
dence for this knowledge. Of Such the Apostle says, “The love of this love of God The Apostle John declares, “This is
of Christ constrain&h us”--draw5 us. awakens a rrcinrncatine [proof of our possession of] the love of God, that we keep his
love in onr hearts. $0 that in turn we love God. Not’ that w” commandments. and do not find them grievous.” (1 John
first loved God. but that hi4 love attrnrted and develoned 5:s) He who keeps the Lord’s commandments, but who finds
ours. (1 -John 4: 10) The effect of this love unon the pood- them grievous. has thus an evidence that he is not in heart-
ground heart is that very shortly it decides tha’t it could do harmoiy with them, that he has not made a full consecration
nothing less than lore similarlv i’n return. and thus he willine of himself to the Lord-the obedience of such an one would be
to lap down life itcelf in God’s service. It esteems that thi: no proof whatever of the possession of “the love of God.” But
would be hut a reasonable service, a reasonable recompense for whoever of the T,ord’s people is so in harmony with him that
divine favors. they delight to do his will. have in this an evidence that the
[2648]
JOKE 15, 1300 ZION’S WATCH TOIVEEK (183-184)

love of God is dwelling in them richly and abounding. This is the affairs of life, leading the one who enjoys it to “walk in
the same thought which the Apostle agAin expresses, saying, love,” “forbearing one another in love.” (Eph. 5:2; 4:2)
“Whosoever keepeth his word [loves the word of God, and And even were it-necessary to speak an unpalat‘able truth, the
takes pleasure not in turning, twisting and endeavorin to smrit of the Lord. “the love of God.” will dictate the sneak-
I

avoid the force of that Word, but who keepeth or cheris %eth mg of the truth in love, which the Apostle assures us is es-
it, loveth it, and seeketh to conform thereto] in him verily is sential to our growth in ~Christ.-Eph. -4 : 15.
the love of God nerfected.“--1 John 2 :5. Knowledge is valuable. but onlv incidentallv: of itself the
This remintlsAus of our dear Redeemer, in whom verily the Apostle as&es us knowledge would be inclined to puff us up,
love of the Father was perfected, and who is represented by make us vain and boastfuc and thus quite out of harmony
the Prophet as saying, “I delight to do thy will, 0 God; yea, with the snirit of God. the suirit of love, meekness, gentle-
thy law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:s) And our Lord ness. Knowledge might’ make ;s merely tinkling cymbals, giv-
marked out the sami spirit, as ‘being essential to those who ing out a sound, but possessing no real merit in the Lord’s
would be his disciules. saving. “If ve keen mv commandments. sight. But knowledge, when it serves its proper purpose,
ye shall abide in &my’ loxYe, &en ai I have kept my Father’s brings us to the appreciation of “the love [that is] of God”
commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:lO) There and to a realization of the wisdom of copying his character,
is no suggestion in any of these or in other Scriptures that that we should seek so far as possible to be like our Father
mere outward formalistic obedience and piety count anything which is in heaven, copies of his dear Son, our Lord. The
with the Lord. The Lsrd “seeketh such to worship him as Apostle brings this position clearly to our attention when he
worship him in spirit and in truth”-such as have the spirit says, “That ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able
of righteousness, love for righteousness. love for truth, love to-comprehend with-all saints what is the breadth and length
for all the qualities of the divine character, and a desire to and denth and heinht and to know lannreciatel tht love of
conform thereto in thought, word and deed. Christ : . . and be “filled with all the- f&less of. God.“-Eph.
Nor are we to make the mistake that some have made, of 3: 17-19.
supposing that the commandments referred to by our Lord are Undoubtedly love is the principal thing to be studied. to
the Ten Commandments upon which hung the covenant which be appreciated, to be copied and practiced in our lives. We
God made with the Jews. We are not Jews, and henre have trusi -that a large proportion of ?he WATCH TOWZR readers
nothing whatever to do with their covenant, given through have alreadv become nartakers of this “love of God.” and that
Moses, its mediator, at Sinai, nor with the Law upon which all such ar: seeking *to have it perfected in them, and to be
it was based. We are Christians, and have to do wit‘h a better rooted and grounded in it. We have the Apostle’s assurance
covenant. sealed with the precious blood of Christ our “Me- that only those who take this standpoint can make perma-
diator, and based upon a still higher law than the Decalogue nent and thorough progress in grace and knowledge. Those
-a law which instead of saying, “Thou shalt not” do this, who have entered the school of Christ, and who refuye to
“Thou shalt not” do that, is positive, and declares what we progress in it toward perfection, may assuredly expert that
shall do, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all sooner or later their knowledge of the divine plan will slip
heart, with all thy mind, with all thy being, with all thy from them; while those who do make progress in this proper
strength; and thou shalt lose thv neiehbor as thvself.” This direction may expect that the lengths and breadths of the
is a higher law, of which our Law-givkr, Jesus, said, “A new divine plan will continue opening before them, and that their
commandment I give unto vou. that ve love.” and of which erowth in knowledge will keen nace with their erowth in love.
the Apostle said.-“ Love is Ythe fulfilling oft’ the law.” The a Finally, in hargony witly dur text, let us Ternember that
Apostle .John says. “He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God; this is not a matter that God attends to, but a matter which
he that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.“-1 John requires our own attention. God has made all the provisions
4:8. lf? whereby we may know of his love, and may be constrained by
Altho the first evidence of the possession of “the love of it, and may be accepted into it, but it devolves upon us to
God” is a love for God. nevertheless the Scrintures distinctlv keep ourselves in the love of God: and we can only thus keep
point out ta us that an additional requirement is specified, ourselves in his lore by seeking to practice in the daily affairs
-:
\IZ., love for the brethren-for those who have the spirit of of life the principles of his love: permitting the love of God
God, especiallv. but in a general wav at least a svmnathetic to constrain us daily to sacrifice ourselves in the Lord’s serv-
love’ for all mankind. Thus the Apogtle says, “If we iove one ice, for his honor and for the spread of his truth; permitting
another. [it is an evidence that] God dbelleth in us, and the love of the brethren to so fill our hearts that, as the
[that] his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4.12) The same Apostle expresses it, WC mav be glad to “lav down our lives
Apostles emphasizes this same point,‘saying. “Whosoever hath fo> the brethren” (1 John :7: 16)‘; permitting a sympathetic
this world’s goods [interests. affairsl. and seeth his brother love for mankind in general. the “nroaninr creation.” in all of
have need, and shutteth up his bowels-of compassion from him, its trials and difficult&s, to exerris: our hearts so that we shall
how dwelleth the love of God in him?” ( 1 John 3: 17 ) The more and more feel kindly and generously toward all with
intimation is that such a lack of love and sympathy, and such whom we have contact and to make us helpful to them as we
a restraint of assistance from a brother in need, would imply have opportunity; permitting this love even to extend to the
that the love of God either did not at all dwell in such an brute creation under our care, so that we will not be negligent
one, or that it was but slightly developed-far from being of their interests; all this seems essential to our keeping our-
perfected. selves in this love of God. Let us more and more practice,
Nor does this love merely exercise itself toward the breth- and thus become more and more perfected in this love, which
ren in matters of temporal necessities; rather, it affects all is the spirit of our Father, the spirit of nur Lord. and the
l See lsstle July 15, 1916, “Mediator and Advocate Contrasted ” spirit of a.11who are truly members of the body of Christ.

JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA

MATT. 14:22-33.-JULY 1.
“Of a truth thou art the iTon of God.”
Our last lesson, respecting the feeding of above five thou- Father in secret.” (Matt. 6:6) All Christians of experience
sand persons with five barley loaves and two small fish, and have realized the value of such secret personal communion
the twelve haversacks of fragments gathered, and the illustra- with the heavenly Father, nor are we surprised that our Lord
tion this afforded of divine ability to care for the Lord’s peo- Jesus felt the need of a similar communion. His knowledge
pie, and at the same time the propriety of frugality on their of the Father, and his fellowship with him before the world
part, was followed that same night by another miracle and was made, so far from satisfying him and rendering prayer
another lesson. After the multitudes had been fed, toward the unnecessary, rather stimulated his desire for further iellow-
close of the day, they evidently were 10th to leave the com- ship and communion, especially as he was alone in the world
pany of one so able and willing to care for their necessities, -even his beloved disciples, not having yet been begotten of
and probably it was to expedite their dispersion that our Lord the Spirit (John 7:39). could not enter ‘into fellowship with
urged the apostles to start in their boat for Capernaum. him in respect to spiritual things, nor appreciate the trials
Our Lord, after dispersing the multitudes, sought the soli- which came to him as a perfect man, in a way in which they
tude of the mountain in prayer. Though he sometimes prayed do not come to fallen humanity. He needed such fellowship
with his disciples in their hearing, so that they recorded the with the heavenly Father for the refreshment of his own zeal,
words of his prayer, it is evident that he was not content for the keeping warm of his own love and devotion, which
with merely these opportunities, but frequently sought the was the basis of his consecration and his daily sacrificing of
Father alone, as he has counseled his disciples to do, saying. himself as a man, even unto death.
“Enter into thy closet [private apartment] and pray to thy There is no intimation given that our Lord spent much
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(185486) ZI OAT’S W.-i TCH TO WEK

time at prayer, morning and evening, yet we may reasonably born, whose names are written in heaven.” (Heb. 12:23) This
suppose that he never neglected to seek the Father’s face; but true church has indeed had a stormy time since parting with her
these brief seasons of worship and prayer daily were evidently Lord who ascended to the Father. The darkness came down
supplemented by occasions like the one mentioned in thiq upon them-darkness of error and superstition; and the great
lesson, in which our Lord spent, apparently, considerable of adversary, through the anti-Christ and many less anti-Christs,
the night in prayer and communion with the Father. There has aroused all through this Gospel age a great storm against
is a lesson in this for the Lord’s people. The duties of life, the Lord’s faithful few. The difficulties of their position have
pressing upon us daily. are not to be neglected; each is to feel, caused them to bend every effort to make progress against such
as our Lord exnressed it. “I must be about mv* Father’s busi-
I
fearful opposition, of which one of the apostles declares, “We
ness,” and this would imply. ordinarily, short prayers, which wrestle not against flesh and blood [merely], but against prin-
our Lord commended, saying, “When ye pray, use not vain cipalities, and against powers, against the rulers of the dark-
~epetitiona. as the heathen do; for they think they shall be ness of this world, and against wicked spirit- in high posi-
heard for their mnck speaking. Be ye not therefore like unto tions.” (Eph. 6: 12) This battle against adverse influences
them; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of has continued throuahout the night-time of this Gospel age,
before ye ask him.” (Matt. 6:7., 8) And the example of a and yet the church -has not reaghed the harbor nor has the
prayer, given his disciples, is brief. Nevertheless, in propor- storm abated.
tion aq we feel the importance of the great work in which, by As our Lord came to the disciples in the midst of the
the Lord’s favor, we are privileged to be co-laborers with him, storm, in the fourth watch of the night (that is, in the early
our hearts should be and will be drawn to seasons of spiritual morning), so his second coming in the Millennial dawn is to
communion : not neressarily a prayer in the sense of making the church and to “help her,” rescue her from her toil and
wpests of the Father, for much of such seasons will doubt weariness and peril, as the Prophet says, “The Lord shall
le\s bc devoted to thanksgiving for the mercies and favors help her early in the morning.” (Psa. 46:5) And as the
already experienced, and for the gracious promises upon which manner of our Lord’s coming to his disciples was different
we bake our faith for the future, and communion with the from that they had expected, so the manner of his second
Lord. in the sense of pondering his will respecting us, and advent differs from what has been expected, and Peter would
how we may most acceptably serve and please him. seem to represent a class living now, in the end of the age,
\Vhile our Lord was thus holding communion with the who being fully convinced of the Lord’s presence are privi-
Father, the apostles rowing the boat were having difficulty to leged to walk to him by faith. But as Peter’s faith was un-
make headway, a strong head-wind having arisen, which made equal to the occasion, except as the Lord came to his rescue,
thr lake very rough, boisterous, billowy. John, who was one so all of the faithful now will need the Master’s hand stretched
cpf thoie in the boat, tells us that they had only gotten about to their relief, otherwise they would sink in discouragement,
twc,nty-five or thirty furlongs (two and a half to three miles) because of the lack of faith.
f~~rtrl the shore, in the several hours they had been rowing. Is there not a good lesson here for all who have been faith-
This was what is termed the fourth watch of the night, viz., fullv laborina in self-control. and in the Lord’s service. to
between three and six o’clock in the morning. While thus br&g all thei; thoughts and words and doings into full accord
rowing hard, worn and sleepy, they saw the figure of a man with the will of God in Christ, and who experience from the
near them. walking on the water, and apparently intending to world and the flesh and the adversary serious opposition as
psss their boat. (&lark 6:48-50) Some of them cried out in the Lord’s people? The lesson here, in harmony with its pres-
fear, thinking that they had seen a supernatural being. and entations ehsewhere in the Scriptures, is that- little progress
that it foreboded some calnmitv. but it was Jesus who spoke can be made bv the Lord’s neonle until the Master himself
to them, and set at rest their fears. Y I I

The boldness of Peter’s faith was then most strikingly
illustrated by his request that the T,ord should bid him walk
on the water; and havin<g received the permission, his faith
was so strong that he dtd walk for a few steps, until seem-
ingly appalled by his own temerity and the boisterousness of
the water, lie began to sink, and cried to the Lord for help,
which may impede and weary us are amenable to his control.
miracle of the loaves attested the superhuman authority of
our Lord, so likewise did this manifestation of his power
attest the same: and if the former illustrated his power to
protect his people from want and to supply all their necessi-
tire. this last manifested that divine power is unlimited and
able to preqerre his people in all the storms and difficulties
and trials of life.
This is a good lesqon for us to apply individually, realiz-
ing, as we all must, that our Lord has supernaturally fed us
with spiritual food, and that during the darkness of the night-
time which precedes the Millennial dawn and sunlight there
will he storms and difficulties arising which would overwhelm
114 without the Lord’s nid. We are to rememher that not only
the natural minds and waveq obey his power and command,
but that all the storms and billows of trouble and persecution
which may impede and weary us arc amenable to his control.
The mnre we are aldc to realize this, the more of iov and
nencc we will experience, because tile stronger will be our” faith
in him who is aide to succor II$ and who ltas promised event-
uallv to do so. and that meantime all thines shall be over-
ruled for our highest welfare, if we abide in”‘him.
But the boat and the twelve toiling rowers, and the storm
arid darkness of the night, all picture still more perfectly the
esperiences of the Lord’s people as a whole-not the experiences
of a sectarian church, but the experiences of the one true
rhurch, of whtch the Lord is the Head, the “church of the first-
shall join them: and that then their blessedness and pririlezes
will be proportioned to the measure of their faith. How
strongly this speaks to us, then, of continued faithfulness and
of growth in faith, not in ourselves but in the Lord, and of his
ultimate deliverance of all who put their trust in him.
In John’s account we learn that as soon as the Lord and
Peter got into the boat, immediately the wind and storm
ceased and the ship was at the harbor. So it will be with
lhe Lord’s neonle, the “little flock;” so soon as their faith has
been fully &tested at the Lord’s second presence. he will join
their number. and immediatelv the trials and storms. &fTi-
culties and oppositions will he at an end, and the desired
haven of heaven!y condition will have been reached, the king-
dom will have come. Courage, then, dear brother mariners,
on the sea of experience, seeking to make your calling and
election sure ! Let us note carefully the Master’s words to
Peter as especially applicable to ourselves, viz., that all that
will hinder us from walking out to meet the Lord is lack of
faith. “0 thou of little faith; wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Let us learn to trust the Lord, not only in the matters
which pertain to his church and all of its interests and affairs,
but also in all of the matters and interests of ourselves and
families. The lessons will be profitable to us, and prepare
us for larger measures of divine favor, and for the joys
of the kingdom. And all this faith is based unon I a clear
realization of our Golden Text, viz., that our Lord Jesus is
truly the Son of God. If the Son of God, he is true, and if
he is true then all the exceeding great and precious promises
which he left for us may be relied upon, built upon, anchored
into; and such reliance in them will give us the faith requisite
for the orercomina of all the difficulties and obstacles of life,
that we may comgoff more than conquerors through him who
loved uq and who bought us with his own precious blood.

Ilty sllip i+ tnsq’d by wind and wave. Yes, Jesus walks upon the sea.
But there is ~,tie whoqe power can save: And in the storm he comes to thee:
Across the bea hc hastes to bring Then trust in him, rejoice and sing:
Both rest ;lnd peace.-the Lord is King. He calms the waves,-the Lord iy King.

He stretches out his hand to thee.

And from thy fears he sets thee free;
Beneath the shadow of his wing
He keeps thee safe-the Lord is King.
[2650]
 “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”
JOHN 6:22-40.-Jmn
Some of the multitude who dined on the five loaves and
two fish were evidently very deeply impressed with the
miracle, and inspired with great respect for Jesus. -4 num-
ber of them (we cannot suppose very many) concluded that
they would follow this great Teacher, possessed of such
wonderful powers, feeling assured that becommg his disciples
would at least safeguard them from want; and this, to a peo-
ple of their kind and under those conditions, was evidently
quite an inducement. However, when they found the Lord on
t,he other side of the lake, at Capernaum, and expressed to him
their interest, and how it had led them to follow him, he told
them plainly that theirs was a selfish or mercenary interest,
and not the kind that he desired to cultivate, namely, an
interest in the truth.
Taking advantage of the situation, our Lord gave, not
only to these but also to his disciples and to us through them.
a most valuable lesson on the proper things to be sought after;
pointing out that the chief aim and desire and object of life
should not be the meat that perisheth, earthly food, earthly
comforts, earthly pleasures, which at very most can be but
transit01 y, but that on the contrary the chief aim of all should
be to attain life eternal, beyond the present dying condition.
He points out that God’s provision for his creatures is not
merely earthly for the sustenance of our natural bodies for a
little time, but much more important, a spiritual nourishment,
of which, if we partake, we shall attain eternal life.
He would have them see that the miracle which he had
performed, and whose blessing they had shared, was merely an
illu~tlntion of a Treater gift, of a more valuable bread of
life, that he, the &on of God,. was alone able to give them-
and the same is true of us and of all. Bv wav of assuring
them that he was able to provide the bread 03 eternal lif;
as he had shown himself able to provide the natural food, he
declared himself to be the Son of God; and that the heavenly
Father had sealed him, marked him, granted him the evidences
and proofs of sonship in the powers conferred upon him. The
seal was the holy spirit, the holy power of God, which acting
upon our Lord Jesus enabled him to turn the water into
wine and to increase the broken barley loaves and two little
fish so as to feed the multitude. These powers were the
evidences or outward manfestations to men that God’s holy
spirit was with him, the mark or seal of his relationship to
God as an honored representative, a Son. On the strength
of these eridenres, the witnesses having the right condition of
heart should have been prepared to heed our Lord’s testi-
mony, a3 a message from the Father.
The discourse was not without its effect: the hearers felt
the force of the suggestion that the important food to be
sought after was tha&hich would give the life eternal, and as
Jews they had hefore their minds the further thought that
God had *lnntle a covenant of works with their nati%, with
promises of eternal life attached thereto-the Mosaic Law
Covenant. Hence their inquiry, What works shall we do that
would bc pleasing to God, and that thereby we might have
c+inal life 7 Give us whItever message you have that will
help us in this matter.
Our Lord’s answer may at first seem to us a peculiar one,
in that he declares that to believe on him would be a “u;ork”
-the walk most acceptable before God-the only work that
could possibly make them acceptable to God. What is meant
by this we will consider further along. His hearers evidently
understood exactlv what he meant, z)ix., that the thing most
pleasing in God’s iight would be that they should acknowledge
him as the Son of God, the Messiah, coming into the world
according to divine promise, to establish the kingdom of God,
and to begin the blessing of all the families of the earth. But
now theg asked a sign of his Messiahship, instead of realizing
that they had already seen the sign or signet or seal of God
upon the Lord Jesus, as manifested not only in his spirit of
love, kindness, generosity, goodness, purity and truth, as well
as in his doctrines, but additionally that they had seen out-
ward manifestations and evidences of the divine Dower uDon
him, as shown, for instance, in the miracle of the-day before.
This was because they were hard-hearted, as the Scriptures
elsewhere express the matter (Mark 3 :5: John 12 :40). that is
to say, they \I-ere in a faithless’attitude, not readily impression-
able but rather inclined to be skentical: hence these sienn
.z or
evidences of the seal of God upon *Jesus were not sufficient for
them.
We can readily see. however, that if sign upon sign had
been given. the same “evil heart of unbelief” could reiect ten
signs-as well as it could reject one. Just so it was in the
case of Pharoah: he was really more impressed with the first
sign given by Moses than by the succeeding ones, each of which
being received in an improper spirit tended to make his
[2651]
5.
heart the harder, until the last. Just so, it is with some today
m respect to the Lord’s promises. They incline to ask, Did
the Apostle say this, that-is contrary to”my prejudices? And
if convinced of the fact thev would want to know whether
anv other -4poi;tle had said i:, and thirdly, whether the Lord
h&self had said it, and fourthly, whether any of the prophets
had said it,-seeking not so much to believe as for an excuse
for disbelieving. S&h persons usually, if they had all of
these evidences. would be no more convinced bv the multinlicitv
of testimony. ’ On the contrary, he who rc&lly believes th%
Bible to be God’s Word believes its every authentic testimony,
whether by the Lord or an apostle or prophet.. and whether
stated once or many times reiterated.
The morkivg of skepticism in the minds of our Lord’s
auditors is evidenced by their statement. In substance they
said, “We cannot acknowledge that your mlraclc was so great
or so wonderful as necessarily to imply that you are the
Son of God, for we remember that Moses exercised a power
something of this kind; in fact, he provided bread enough
for our forefathers, the whole nation of Israel, for quite a long
time in the wilderness, and that without any loaves and fish to
begin with,-we refer to the manna.”
Our Lord’s response is that the manna war not produced
by Moses, that he had nothing whatever to do with sending it;
that it came directly as a provision of the heavenly Father,
Moses not being even an agent in the matter. And then our
Lord pointed out that the manna given in the wilderness was
typic;1 of the true Manna, the trugbrcad of eternal life-him-
self and the truth he n~oclaimed-which lie now desired them
to receive at his hands.
They did not yet get the thought that hc referred to him-
self, but rather were getting a crude and natural thought, that
as God had given manna from heaven that sustained their
fathers in thc%lderness, so now this great Teachrr, Jecus. was
telling them of a still higher class of manna, the partaking
of which would yield eternal life, and hence they exclaimed,
“Lord, evermore give us this bread”’ Our Lord then ex-
plained the figure or parable, decl,tring, in the language of our
Golden Text. “I am the bread of life: he that comet11 to me
shall never hunger, and he that helieveth on me shall never
thirst.”
It is evident that in the words “corn&h to me” our Lord
did not mean to approach him as his hearers had done, coming
across the lake. The expression “comcth to me” must lx under-
stood, therefore, as coming to the Lord with hunger and thirst
for righteousness, with a desire for the life eternal, and hence
for the bread of life by whirl1 it might be attained. All who
would thus come to Jesus, in this proprr attitude of heart,
would find him to be indeed a satisfying portion. Likewise
the expession, “He that believeth on me shall never thirst,”
must be understood to mean more than merely believing that
such a person lived, for it is written that “devils also believe
and tremble:” to “believe,” therefore, must be understood
to signify accepting the Lord, not merely mtcllectually, but
with the heart, as it is written, “With the henrt man Eclieweth
unto r2ghteousfless” [to a change of heart which aspires to
righteousness.] He who thus believes in the Lord flom the
heart. recoenizine him as the Son of God, throu,nh whom
are to be fulfilled all the exceeding great and precious promises
of the divine Word, receives such a refreshment, such a slack-
ing of thirst, such a satisfaction, as will never end so long
as he maintains this faith. (Rom. IO : 10) Such fintl the divine
provision in Christ so abundant Chat they could not ask for
more, and exclaim,-“It satisfies my longings, as nothing else
could do.”
And now we see the mraning of our Lord’s words of verse
29, “This is the aooork of God [the work which God would be
pleased with], that we bekcre on him whom he hath sent.”
There is a u-o& connected with believing;-not a work with
our hands, but a work with our heads and our hearts: and
no work that we could do with our hands would be as accept-
able in the Lord’s sight as this. Indeed, when WC realize
that in our fallen and imperfect condition it is impossible for
us to do anything perfectly, when we remember also that God
is perfect, that all his work is perfect, and that he cannot
therefore be in sympathy with imperfection, or any degree of
sin, we can readily see that the very best works we could
offer him aside from faith would be unacceptable.
But God has proposed to do a great work for us-he
has done that great work in that he has provided the Redeemer,
through whom the ransom-price has been paid for our race:
and now God can be just and yet be the justifier of him that
believeth in Jesus. Hence, while no work that we can do
could be accepted of the Lord so long as we are under con-
clemnation, yet he can, by his own provision, accept our faith
(186-187)
(188-BY) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLSGIIENY, PA.

in Chrljt, and justify us through that faith: this, our first the message) ; not so much in respect to who all shall be
work possible, is therefore what God calls for. He will ac- drawn by the message of his grace in Christ (tho he has
cept no other work, except it is preceded by this one and to do with the drawing, and in the present time is drawing
based upon this one. 0 that all could realize the importance only a particular class) ; not so much with reference to the
of faith m the Lord’s sight! “Without faith it is impossible call that goes forth to all who accept Jesus, inviting them to
to please God,” and the more faith we exercise the more do we run the r’ace of self-sacrifice in his footsteps (tho -‘he is in-
Dlease him: not credulitv. not a belief of something which God terested in this call. and suDervises the affairs of those who
has not said; not a b&ef in our own imaginicgs or those accept this call, causing thit all things shall work together
of other men; but a belief in what God has said, and a firm, for their good) ; but especially he has predestinated in
confident trust therein: this is acceptable with God, and be- resnect to the number who shall constitute the bride of Christ,
comes to all who exercise it the around or base of iustification. ani to the character of all who shall be in that company: that
that “bezng justified by faith w’e might have peace with God it shall be composed of such and such only as shall during this
throuch our Lord Jesus Christ.“-Rom. 5 : 1. GosDel ape. while in the school of Christ. learn thoroughlv the
Tl; Lord did not here discuss the further step to the high lessons tf ‘faith and obedience, developing characters-of like
calling of this Gospel age; hence we will not discuss it now. pattern to that so gloriously manifested in Jesus, whom the
He i, dealing merely with our first necessary step in ap- Father sent forth to be not only our Redeemer, but also our
proaching God.-Justification. The thing necessary, in order to Pattern.
justlfic*atlon. is tbe acceptance of Christ as the Bread of Life It is the Father’s will that every one who thus obeys the
-which must be Dreceded hv the realization that we have no leadings of divine providence, and attains to the likeness of
life 111 ourselves, -death haying passed upon all of our race the Lord Jesus in his heart. his will, his intention (not per-
throulrh father Adam’s transeression: and that the Lord fection of the flesh), shall everyone of them be saved in ihis
Jesusas made flr\h in order rhat he &ight meet the penalty great salvation, and be sharers with Jesus in the “first resur-
that nas upon father Adam, and thus upon the race; and that rection,” and in the glory, honor and immortality to which it
nou., therefore, whoever accepts this free grace of God in leads. Not one of these shall be lost; every one of them shall
Christ, whoever appropriates to himself the merit of Christ’s be raised up to that glorious station at the appointed time-
sacnfire is thereby -eat’lnmo, partaking of the great benefits and “the last day.” the seventh of the great week of thousand-year
bles*nrgs provided hy God in the Anointed one, who gave his days,-the Millennial day. And as-the Prophet declares, it-will
life for the life of the world, a ranSom price. Whoever mentailv be early in that day for “God shall help her [Zion] and that
accepts thiy fact. and feeds upon it in his heart, is represent& right early [in the morning].”
as feedInE unon the flesh of the Son of Man-nartaking of the
human righ&, privileges and blessings of restit&ion [OF in this MILLENNIAL AGE DRAWING TO YIELD LARGE RESULTS
age justification] provided in him. The 40th verse does not refer to those whom the Father
Our Lord pointed out to his hearers the fact that their specially gives to the Son to be companions and joint-heirs in
slow~rr+ to recseive him, and the slowness of the people of the kingdom. and whom he draws through his providences dur-
Israel In general. was not an rvidence that he was not the ing thi”s age: it refers to the remainder of -mankind whose
Messiclh. hut rather was an evidence that, thev were not in raisom p&e our Lord Jesus has paid, and who. according
a condition to receive the Messiah. And further, that it wits to the Father’s Drogram, our Lord Jesus himself is to draw
not God’s purpose that he should attract the whole Jewi& unto himself, du;ini the’Millennia1 age: as it is written, “I,
people, but merrlv that he should draw to himself, by the if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” But even as
grac*ious words which should proceed out of his mouth, and the Father’s drawing is not a compulsory drawing. so likewise
by the mirarles or cvitlcnrcs of power of the Lord in him, such the drawing of the Son will not be compulsory. But since we
as the Fathrr had “given” him-such as were pleasing to the may assume that the majority of those who now resist the
Father, such as were ready to receive a f&her ‘blessing Father’s drawing do so because of blindness, ignnrance, etc..
through this channel which the Father had nrorided. And he because the prince of this world is now reigning and
assurhd them that while not expecting all to be thus drawn to deceiving, we may reasonably suppose that when our dear
him. nevertheless all who would be drawn thus of the Father Redeemer’s Millennial kingdom shall have heen established. and
he nould most eladlv welcome. because he was not in the world when Satan, the prince of this world, has been “hound” (Rev.
on a mission oi“his “own merely. but to fufil the Father’s pur- 20 :2), and when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole
poses.-with which he was in full harmony. earth,-then the drawing influence upon the world of mankind
exerted by the Redeemer himself and by the church, his body,
TWO CLASSES OP SAVED ONES
associated with him in glory, will be a drawing which will yield
In the tno verses following, our Lord seems to distinguish much larger results, so that many ~111 yield to it and come
between the two cslasses of saved ones. verse 39 referring to to the Lord truly and heartily, and receive of the blessings
the c1rc.t ,,lass of this Gospel age. and verse 40 to the gel&al which God has provided in him;-all except those who wil-
blessing upon mankind to follow this age, during the Mil- fully love sin and refuse the terms of the kingdom, faith and
lennium-and to the opportunitv that will then be afforded obedience.
to e\clp rrcatnre to hc‘glessed Jcith this great gift of eternal Of this class our Lord declares (verse 40)) that it iq his
life. pur(*h:~scd hv our Lord at such hieh cost as his own life. Father’s will that, all such shall see the Son (their blinded
The elect ar;! frqucntly. as here’,> spoken of a$ specially eyes being opened in that Millennial day, as the Lord has
grrcrr to Jesus, while the whole of mankind are referred to promised through the prophets.-Zech. 12: 10) Their eyes of
ai III. 1kKa~lw houqht with his own precious blood. The understanding being then opened, they will be ahle to ap-
Father tlrawq to the Son durin g this see a special class, and preciate, as they cannot now appreciate, the Lord and the
gi\(+ <11(.11a cl.1~5 to him to be companions, joint-heirs in his covenant of eternal life whirh he offers to all who obey him.
?rItllienni:ll kinpflom-these are somet&es called his They will not thus see him, however, until the god of this
“brctlirc~n.” #a4 nbcan it is saitl that .Tesus was “the first-born world, who now blinds the eyes of their understaning, shall
nrnou:: ni:lnv hrc+ikren” (Rom. A-2Q) ; and again, they are he bound for the thousand years, and his baneful Influence
tlrslpn:~tetl 1;~ hl idc and joint-heir. in contradi&inction to the offset with the light of the knowledge of God which will then
qarcrl of the world of mankind. who will he recognized as the shine out to the GorId from the great Sun of Righteousness -
c~hiltlren of Christ. and of whom he will be the‘*‘Everlasting the Lord and the glorified church, his bodv.
Fatller.“-Rev. 21:Q: 22:17: Rom. S:li’: Isa. 9:6. It is God’s wilTthat all who shall accept Christ then shall
Our Lord declare: it to-lie the Father’,s~will that all whom have everlasting life too: and that they shall be raised up by
he ha\ “given” him shall be saved, shall be raised up-not the Lord Jes& to perfection also.-%ho theirs will be an
one of this class shall be lost. Who, then, are these thus earthly, and not like the others a heavenly, perfection; and
sure of snlvntion? Wr answer that the Apostle Paul adds a their raising up will also be “at the last day,” but not at its
word of evnlnnation alonz this line, informing us of the class beginning as with the “elect” of the “first resurrection.” The
whom thcb ‘ Father has Elected and predestinated: thry are overcomers of this Gospel age, the bodv of Christ, will be
sucsh a5 rec’talre the Lord Jesus now by faith, and who hearing Derfected in his likeness in amoment, in” the twinkling of an
the invitation of thic, Gospel aBe, the “hizh ralllng,” are so ;ve, and then subsequently, throughout that age, the work of
Impressed with it that they lay &side every weight and run r&sine UD the world of mankind out of sin and depravity and
with natirncc thp rare set befork them in the cospel;-and so derraiatihn will go gradually and grandly forwaid until by
doing: llndrr divine providence and direction ihe; are molded the close of the Millennial ace all the willing and ohedient shall
and -fashioned as resperts their charartrrs CO thad they become have eaten to their fill of the bread from heaven and shall he
“conieq of God’s dear Son.“-Ram. 8 :29.-Dzaalott. fully raised up, out of sin and death, to life eternal-in the
i‘be henvcnnlv Fnthel fixed the marks and ionditions of his image and likeness of God as was Adam before sin, but with
predestination bf this claqs, not so much in respect to all who characters perfected and tested in righteousness by their Mil-
shall hear the good tidings (altho he has to do with sending lennial experiences.
[2652]
 ATTENTION, WATCH
1Ve have learned recently of some readers of this journal
who have not read the MILLENKIAL DAWN volumes entlrr. This
iq a great mistake. None can rightly understand or appreciate
the precious truths presented herein unless he first have a
clearlv outlined view of the great divine plan of the ages:
and h>nce we urge upon all th& they begin this study at &we.
All on our list are supplied the DAWXS at wholesale rates
(to assist in their wide circulation through loaning, etc.) and
any too poor to pay even this small sum ~11 be supplied gratis
“LORD, HELP ME ! ‘*-MATT.
MARK 7 :24-30.-JULY
After our Lord’s discourse on the bread from heaven (we
know not how long after) he and his disciples went west-
wai d to tlir I)ortlcr of Phtenici~~. There, entering into a houqe
with the evident dehlgn of secluding himself-from general
notice, and posqlblp to pain quiet and rest, the Lord was
quickly dlscovrled by a Syro-Pheniclan mother, whose daughter
wa+ possesqed of a demon, and who availed herself of this
opportunity to lmpol tune the Lord for her daughter’s deliver-
ance. Thr fame of Je\ns and hii miracles, in healing of the
sick, etc., had e\itlently extended throughout that region, yet it
mu\t alqc) have been known that *Jesus was a Jew, and that
111smlr,lcles and fa\ ors were confined to his own race.
\\.(I can xeadlly see that there were numerous obstacles to
the UYIIII~II’~ faith. and the strength of faith which surmounted
them c~oni~)t~lsatlmlration.
(1 ) $1~ was a foreigner, a heathen, for whom God had
man~ft~+~tl no favors. “ without God and havlnr no hope in the
\: “1 Id.” (I:ph. 2.12 1’ Hence. coming to Jesus ihe not bnly had
to ovcrcaonle tile l)relutllre\ of her own heathen ideas and in-
sti uction floiil infnnry but bat1 al,0 to overcome evelgtbing
ahln to pilde and th; fear of being despised and rejected as
one unwclrtlly of the favor she sought.
(2 J :I- a poor and uneducated woman she would naturally
ha\ (’ gi eat tliliidenc~c in al)proaehing a learned man, especially
niic 50 not~~blc as tliis gicat Piophet of Israel, of whom no
tloitl)t \11,~had hrard mucah.
Sot\\ ltbstandlng theie obstaclec, her love for her tl‘lughter,
and her c*onfidcnce in Jesus, lvrre so great that she sought
liim out; and after the manner of that time and place. in a
loud \oi(‘c ant1 prnl)nbl~ with weeping, “cried” to the Lord
for compas\ion and n+l<tance, in her trouhlc, saying, “Have
mercy upon me, 0 Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is
grlelouhlv vexed with a devil.” She met with a rebuff at the
very start, for according to Matthew’s account (15:23) our
Lord ignored her entirely. not answering her a word. To many
this would have been suficient to have discouraged faith, and
sent thrm awa,? weeping; but not so with this woman; she
kept up her CI les and importunities. Sloe was confident that
the Lord had thck power to assist her, and had not yet refused
to do so, and hence her faith continued to cling.
The disciples seem to have been annoyed with her cries,
wbic*b probablv kept up for some time, and Jesus and the dis-
ciples bad evihently left the house in whlrh they were lodging
and proceedetl on their journey, the woman still following and
crvlng out for assistance. The disciples came and besought
hi’m. saying, “Send her away, for she crleth after us. But he
answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the
house of Israel.”
Our Lord’s answer to the disciples would seem to indicate
that the meaning of the apostles’ words was that he should
grant her reque& and send- her awav; and his answer shows
ahv he delaved so doinz. The bles&s he had to eive were
for’ Gnd’q rbrenanted people, the typ~ical seed of 14braham.
and this woman was not of that nation to which God had
granted much favors every way; she was of a heathen nation,
with whom God had not entered into any covenant relatlonship
whatever. and for whom as yet he hsd done nothing. Our
Lord explained this to the disciples. and in the hearing of the
woman, not merely for their benefit and hers, but also, we
may presume, fnr our admonition.
riltho our Lord would seem to have been resisting the
woman and unwilling to grant her favor, we consider it not
unreasonable to suppose that he thoroughly understood the
c*ase from the beginning, and that he adopted the method he
did to draw out her faith, preparatory to the giving of the
blessing desirrd.
And herein we have a lesson respecting persiqtencp in
entreating the Lord for relief from the power of the devil, how-
rver exercised, whether in our friends or in ourselves. As the
woman knew that the case was a hopeless one a4 respected
relief from any other quarter. so we know to hope for relief
from the adversary only throuch the Lord’s interposition. Like
this woman, therefore, our faith should he equal to the emer-
TOWER READERS!
for their own readmg if they will let us know, requesting
under tbih offer.
In view of the fact that our “earthen vessels” are so leaky
we all need to replenish our stock of gracae and truth con-
tinually ; and hence we advise repeated readings of the DAWNS.
\vhen i-eading them you are really reading thg Bible; for they
are merely an arranged and systematized Bible. It is for this
reason that like the Bible they do not glow old to the truth-
hungry.
15:25
1%
gencr, and should perrihtcntly hold on to the Lnltl for the
blesiing nhich, with a Ilreater kiiow~~~~e tllan she, we mav
be sure he will he plea& to grant in his own due time ana
way. “Shall not the Lord avenge his own rlect. winch cry
dav and nlj;‘ht unto him. tbo he bear long wit11 tliem ?” (Luke
18:i) If in our case the Lord shall not see b(lht to grant a
prompt response to our prayer. “Abandon 119 not in tcmpta-
tion, but deliver uh from the evil one” (1Iatt. 6: l:%I, \ve may
be buie that it is not from lack of interest 111our \vt~lfiIW. for
has he not manifested his interest bv redeeming II<, and by
calling us to ioint-heirshin in the liea\.cnlv kinrdom ) If then
the l&ponse “<hall not &me in the wavd or di the time we
had inclmttl to hope, let faith still hold’hrr anc,horag:c in the
dirine goodness and power, and 1n the e~cctllng great and
precious promises. and let us remember that acc*ording to these
the time, at very farthest. will not be long. lint11 the Mlllcnnial
kmgdom. when the great at11erhary <hall be bound, and tlclirer-
ante full and complete from hlh powrr &lll be .~rnntetl. not
only to ourhelres a;id those Immetliatelv drpendent. but ali0 to
all of the “groaning cieation” now ungier 111silaneful influence.
The he&ing of‘ the rearon whv she h,ltl lIeen ignol cd. so
far from (11s~ouraging the poor &man scemlngly convinced
her the more that Jrsus had the nowvcr to lleln her. and. quite
~~robabl,v in front of him. hhr p;ohtr;\ted heil+cbIf at bi. ‘feet,
after the cuctom of the East. so clnrcsiirr of humilitr. de-
pendence and entreaty. arc*ompnn>fi;,g tlili wit11 tlle~’ plea,
“Lord, help me!” (Rhtt. 15 324-Z) \Yben finally oul Lord
addressed the poor 1~oinan prnstl attx at iris f(Lrt. inipn: tuning
I& nhsistance. hi, ~o~tls \vcL~,’ :12ilin a hnir. r.\l(*lll,rtctl to III--
hearten one of little faith, but c~nrrr*ponrlinglv to strengthtIn a
great faith His answrr to her WHY not nnb of tllrdn~n and
&ontempt. nor of intliffrrenrc to her wne: for indeed we \\ell
know that our dear Lord had no such f(,rlinrr* toward any. It
implied interrst and sympathv. but esplainrd to her a reacor,
why she was not a proper subject, namclv, that as tbc children
of a household wnuid he provided for fir’it. before the dngs, so
it was proper that the Lord’s covenant nrnl)lr. lhr <Jews.
should lie ministered unto. healed, taught aid l;lcsbetl,‘first,~
before these blessings should in any mnnnrr or degree be
extended to the Gentile<. wbo in comparison were nq tbc dog5
of the household. -4nd. by tbc way, we qhoultl notice hcrc that
nltho dngq amongst the .Jrws were spokrn of frcqnentlv with
great &respect. as for instnnre. in Rev. 29:15, “\\‘lth&t are
dogs,” rtr . referring to the wild dogs whirh roamed the coun-
try and were pests. yet the Jewi: mere in the hallit of having
house dog* which were esteemed and petted bv the family,
and the word that is here used by our Lord and alin 1)s the
woman, signifies these house dogs or little claps. pet dncs. and
not the objectionable kind.
The woman triumphed over the obstacle of the Lord’s argu-
ment, and with wonderful keennrsq and humility she acknowl-
(,tlged that she was not one of the children w110 had a right
to the Father’s blessing. but was merely one of the dogs
under the table. desiring a stray rrumb of divine favor. Then
o11r Lord, appreciating such great faith and earnestness, said,
“For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone nut of thy
tl,kughter.” and that the woman’s faith was of the proper
kind was demonstrated by the fart that she believed the T,ord’s
word, ceased her importuninps, and went to her home, to find
the matter even as Jrsus had said.
How different is our case in many respects from that of
this poor woman 1 So far from resisting us the Lord has
graciously called us to a knowledge of himself and of his
gracious plan, and we who were once aliens and strangers and
foreigners have not only been redeemed with the precious blood,
hut upon making a covenant with the Lord have been adopted
into his family, have been privileged to surround his table,
and he has set hefore 113 as “meat in due season” in preat
abundance, all the exceeding great and precious promises of
his Wnrd We need not to imDortune for these: thev are
our9 for the taking. Ke simply iced by faith to a&eptythem
and to ure them. And if the poor woman of this narrative
could eyer(ice cuch faith in the Lord, and could get so great
(190-191)
(194 195) ZiOh:‘S 14’.4TC’M TOlIVER Al! ECHEYY, I’\

a bles&ig:, it evideucej tlti our minds what ii abuudantly bt3tad m God, 1s one of those heart-qualities which we can bring to
elsewhere 111SWIIJ~LIL.~, that nothing that we have or could offer the Lord, that he will not despise; honesty of heart is another,
to the Lord would be more acceptable in his sight than faith- humility, realizing our utter dependence upon him, and con-
faith in him, in his power, in his love and in his promises. fessing it, is another. These various sentiments were expresed
Whoever will not exercise faith in these things cannot grow in by the woman in the narrative, by her actions and by her
knowledge of the Lord, cannot make development, cannot be words, and as these brought to her divine favor. even before
overcomers, gaining the desired victory, for, “This is the it was due to come to the Gentiles, much more should our
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,” and humility, faith and candor prevail and make us endeavor
‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.“-1 John 5:4; to do that which 1s pleasing to God, who has already accepted
Heb. 11:6. us in the Beloved, and with whom he is well-pleased in prq-
There is little that any of US possess that we could reason- portion to the measure of our accepting through the Lord
ably hope would be acceptable to God outside those mercies all the exceeding riches of his grace, which he has promised
which he has bestowed upon us through Christ-faith, trust to them that love, reverence, trust and obey him.
- -- ---__-- - -__ ~~____
VOL. SYI ALLEGHENY, PA., JULY 1. 1900 - No. 13
~-
____ --____- ---___ ~~__
“THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE, BUT BE
GENTLE UNTO ALL”
2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26.
Vv’e commend this text and its context to the careful con- and to apologize if asked to move off it. If possible it is dr-
sitlcration of all-espcciallv do the “Volunteers” need to re- sirable to keep at such a distance from the building as to
member it in connection with the service they are seeking to avoid seeming to want to serve its attendants more than other
render to the Lord’s true sheep still in Babylon. All thus en- passers-by.
gaged are “ministers” L
and “telchers” and hence amenable to Especially make sure that your heart is so full of the love
the same instructions as Timothy. of the Lord and his brethren that it will shine out in your
Some have exposed themselves to rebuke and criticism face;-then it will not be necessary to urge your gift, but
justly, by intruding into church property uninvited. It is merely to say-Accept a free paper! Lay stress upon the
usually best to keep off the pavement fronting a church where word free, because some refuse thinking that either a price
there is any reason to think the service would give offence;- or dmafion will be expected in return.

“LOVE AS BRETHREN; BE SYMPATHETIC; BE COURTEOUS”

“ketr, all of you be sublect one to another, and be clothed with humility: fcr God vesisteth tke proud, nad showeiib faror to the
hnmblr, Humble yourselves, t7Lerefore, under the mighty hand of God, thrrt ?le may exalt yo~c 2% &cc time.”
1 PETER 3-8.., 6.6*>. 6
The Apostle has been addressing the elders of the church. bickerings, rivalries, ambitions, strifes as to who ia greatest,
exhorting them to give attention to the feeding of God’s flock, etc.
and pointing out what should be the constraining influence Manifestly, whoever occupies the position of au eldrr
to such a service. That they may feel his sympathy with amongst the Lord’s people, however small the group may be.
them he points out that he also is an elder, and then warns occupies a position fraught with responsibilities to the Lord
them against a tendency, natural to all fallen humanity in and to the flick, as well as with besetments to himself. Great
any place of influence, to misconstrue their position, and to care should therefore be exercised by every companv of the
think of themselves as lords of God’s heritage rather than Lord’s people, to so far as possible select for the position of
as servants of tlie flock. leaders or elders in the church such persons as would not be
In our day, the natural tendency in this direction is greatly likel? to be injured by the privilege of service-such as oc-
accentuated bv the long established custom of all denomina- cupying this post would indeed be ensamples of the flock in
tions of Chris’tians to regard the ministers or servants of the humility and in all of the graces of the Lord’s spirit. It
church as of a different class from the others of the flock,-a would seem to be with reference to the special trial of such
rlasq vested with authority from God, and not amenable as occupy this position of service in the church that the Apos-
to the same regulations which govern all the members tle speaks, saying, “Be not many of you teachers. brethren,
of the body. But how great a mistake this is! The Apostle knowing that we roecupying such a position] shall receive,
distinctly points out that a servant is not a ruler, that a ser- the severer testing.“--.Tames 3 : 1.
vant has no authority. Indeed, so far as the true church is It may not be amiss that here we notice tlw fact that al-
concerned, the only authority in it is the Lord, the Head of tho the word “E:lder” has the significance of “older,” yet
the church, and his Word, and the words of those whom he amongst the Lord’s brethren it is not merely years of natural
specially chose to be his mouth-piece, the apostles. life that is to be taken into consideration; in the Jord’s fam-
Where these speak. all of the body of Christ are to give ily we sometimes see “babes” with gray hairs. Nor can we
attention to hear. Where these are silent, no one has author- even count eldership according to the number of years that
ity to spenk.And while an elder should be chosen to the posi- have elapsed since the begetting of the spirit, for some grow
tion of serving and feeding the flock becarrse of special aptness rapidly and mature quickly; others who receive the truth per-
to teach (to point out the instructions of our Lord and the mit the “thorns” of cares of this life and the deceitfulness of
apostles upon any subject), and while such an elder should. riches to choke the word, and hence never get beyond the
therefore, in this way be specially helpful to the body of position of “babes,‘‘-never bring forth the ripe fruits of the
Christ in drawing the attention of all to the inspired author- spirit.
ity of the Word, neverthrless any member of the body of Nor can we reckon this matter of relationship merely
Christ has the same privilege-not of exercising authority, according. to the degree of knowledge of the divine ulsn at-
but of calling the attention of his fellows to the W’ord of au- tained; for, as the Apoqtle assures us, it is possible for some
thoi ity. The Apostle exhorts the elders that so far from in to have much knowledee and vet be but “tinklina cvmbnls”
any manner or degree exercising a lordly or authoritative po- according to the LoFd’s standpoint of estima&nU While
sition in the church, they should r;rther bp “erlsaalples to the therefore an elder, in order to be “apt to teach,” must have
flock.” They should be examples in the matter of meekness, a.ttained to some conqidernble degree of knowledge of the di-
in the matter of patience, in the matter of brotherly kindness, vine plan, nevertheless the real evidence of his fitness for the
in the matter of courtesy, so that the more any of the service of an elder must not be determined by his knowledge
brethren would copy these elders the more would the spirit ~7lere7~, hut additionally must be measured by his growth in
nf the TArd nrevail in the flock, and the fruits and maces of grace. So then such of the brethren in any place as possess
the spirit be’~manifested. On the contrary, we know that if clear knowledge of the divine plan and are “apt to teach,”
the elder or leader of a little company of the Lord’s people and who additionally give unmistakable evidence that they
be self-assertive, dogmatic, imperious in manner, tone or look, have grown in grace and are bearing in daily life the fruits of
the effect upon the company under his influence is to produce the spirit of the Lord, in considerable measure of maturity,
[ 26641
ILL\ 1. l’)@O ZIUN’S WATCH TOWER (196-1?F)

may be considered qualified to bc* etderb;-and such may prop- upon the humble. Everv Drover incentive and inducement
erly be chosen to the eldership by their brethren, regardless of sJK’aks to us, saying,-Himble -yourself: become more like a
their age according to the flesh. little child, forgetful of self, devoid of selfish ambition: be
According to the flesh Peter and several others of the apos- actuated merely by a desire to serve the Lord, to serve his
tles of our ‘Lord were his elders, but according to the spirit flock, and to serve his cause, the truth; forget self entirely.
our Lord is the Elder Brother of all accented to the family Perhaps, as a result, the Lord may increase our oppor-
of God. Alcording to the flesh both Timothy and Titus were tunities and responsibilities in service in the present life, and
young men-young in years-so that the Apostle needed to perhaps he may not; but no matter for this. It is not for
write to one of them, “Let no man despise thy youth.” (1 the present life that we are seeking and striving, bllt for the
Tim. 4:12) And yet these young men the Apostle recognized glory, honor and immortality which t,he Lord has promised
as elders in the church, who, because of their spiritual de~el- to them that love hin ;-that love him so much that they
opment a& knowledge of the divine plan, and aptness to hearken to his Word and seek to develop those elements of
teach. were well aualified to feed the flock of God and to be character which are pleasing in his sight, seeking to become
overseers in itdut not lords, not rulers, not masters, and more and more copies of God’s dear Son.
not vested with any authority-merely privileged to call to
the attention of the flock the voice of the great Shepherd and The Apostle adds, “Casting all your care upon him.” All
his twelve chosen assistants, and to lead them to the green true saints of God are care-full. They have an interest in
pastures and still waters of divine truth. the Lord’s work; they have a care in respect to it. They
Jt was after specially enjoining modesty and humility cannot be indifferent to the interests of Zion. Altho their
hearts and affections and cares have been lifted from a sec-
upon the ones most advanced and most capable of the flock tarian channel, it is only that they should be placed upon
t6at the Apostle, in the language of our texi, urges that each true people of spiritual Zion. whose names are written in
one of the Lord’s sheen. so far from seeking to be a leader in
1he sense of a ruler 0; iord or master, should seek to be sub- heaven. ‘Of couruk, therefore, kvery elder inthe chur& must
ject one to another-to hear gladly from the humblest of the feel such a care, especially for the flock in connection with
flock, and to be willing to yield his own preference. RO far as which he has been appointed to service, “to feed the flock of
his iudrmcnt and conscience would permit. A church operat- Christ:“-not to shear them, not to frighten them, not to
ing “uncikr this spirit would not be likely to be rent wit% con- club them, not to exercise authority and lordship over them,
tention, for each would be so anxious for the interests of the but to feed them.
cause and so willing to condescend to the wishes of others. This care, affecting the chosen elders (and all the elders or
lhnt even the will of the majority would not be considered advanced ones in the church), altho it is a right sentiment in
%atisfactorv, but rather all would seek, if possible, to reach itself, might easily be so perverted as to be dangerous. The
\uch a mndiiied conclusion as would meet with nearly or quit*> elders, either individually or collectively, might become so
unanimous approval. nervously careful of the flock as to destroy their own peace
The Apostle most distinctly points out that the quality and joy in the holy spirit; and it might also lead them to
rbscntial to such proper conduct on the part of elders and on take various improper steps, as in their over-zealous judg-
the part of all, is humility. How beautiful is his exhorta- ment necessary for the welfare of the flock. Many in iimes
tion, “Be clothed with humility.” The thought would seem past have been led, under the influence of such a care. to
to be that outside of every other adornment of character, and fn various ways take away the liberties of the flock in this or
rovering all others, should be this robe of humble-mindedness, that or another matter:- fearful that these liberties would
the> opposite disposition to pride. be iniurious to the cause. We see such a suirit of careful-
By way of clinching his argument, the Apostle reminds ness ‘and over-solicitude marked prominently’in th, past by
us of the principle upon which our Lord deals with his flock the various creeds and regulations and restraints put upon
and with all;-that he disapproves of pride, and that all the Lord’s flock, contrary to the Scriptures and to the liberty
who are actuated by pride may be sure that the Lord, SO far wherewith Christ makes free his people. The motive undoubt-
from receiving them, fcllowshiping them, leading them, bles- edly was in some respects a good one: the difficultv was that
-ing them, will resist them, push them from him. The natural so&e Elders, some idvanced-sheep, caring for th’k interests
inference is that thus resisted of the Lord, the tendency of of the flock. forgot that thev were onlv its servants. and that
-urh as come under the influence of a spirit of pride and am- they were ‘not Luthoriaed ‘to make &y lawn or ‘restraints
bition \\ill be not toward the truth nor toward any of the whatsoever for the flock. They forgot that the Lord him-
fruits and graces of the spirit, but further and further from self is the Good Shepherd of his flock still, that he has not
these. “The Lord resist&h the proud, but supplies his favor given over his care of it. nor his authority to anyone, to per-
to the humble.” Come then, dear brethren, says the Apostle, mit such to exercise lordship or to make lawn of anv kind
let us cultivate this humility which the Lord so loves and for it, hc having made all ihe laws and regulations”neces-
:tppreciates and promises to reward. Let us humble our- sarv. and desiring that his sheen shall be free. with the
selves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us lib&& wherewith”he made them iree. in the fulleit sense of
rn due time. the \;ord.
The Lord’s mighty hand has not yet been stretched out to The remedy for all such unauthorized over-carefulness for
take hold of mankind in general and its affairs, to bring the interests of Zion is pointed out by the Apostle, saying,-
order out of confusion; but it is stretched out over his church, “Casting all your care upon him [the Shepherd of the flock].
his flock. He has called us to be his “sheep,” and we have for he careth for you [all].” Each sheep is to rememher that
responded and have put ourselves under his care, under his the Shepherd’s mighty hand (mighty power) is still in the
powerful hand for guidance, for direction, etc., that he may midst of his people, and that because of his care we do not
ultimately make us “meet for the inheritance of the saints need to over&&& ourselves with care, nor to feel that we
In light, ” “joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord, if so bc must make chmges in. his plms and arrangements to meet
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified to- what we might fancv to be new exigencies in the case. All
gether.” such over-ca;efulness” leads to fear, aid fear indicates a lack
Seeing that we are under this mighty hand of God, and of faith, a lack of confidence in the Shepherd: and is gen-
that too by our own volition, how shall we act? Shall we erally used by the great adversary as one of his most power-
vield ourselves to his will, and permit him to “work in us ful levers to lead the Lord’s people into a wrong course.
both to will and to do his good -pleasure” and our ultimate Let us all, then (all of the advanced or elder class), hnvo
exaltation. or shall we resist the Lord’s Dower. resist his a care for the flock: yea, a deep solicitude; but let II$ cnst
Word of instruction, resist the example set’ us ih the meek the weight of this care upon the Lord, and lrt our faith trust
and lowly Lamb of God, and seek to exalt ourselves and to him that he who has been working out so giand and glorious
be somebodies, either in the world or in the church? Nay, a plan as his Word revcnls to uq now, “the plan of the anes,”
let us remember that it would be follv to attempt to work has made full provision for every feature, every circum-
against the divine arrangement; we bight indeid to some st:lnce, every condition; and let us thus be ready to co-operate
c\ tent seemingly succeed, and bring upon ourselves, and with him in harmony with his Word, hut not to run wlrerc
parhaps upon others also, more or less of separation from God we are not sent, nor’iu any manner to take our T,ord’s place,
through such resisting, on account of a wrong spirit; but nor attempt to do his work. But only the bumble-minded
in the end we should utterly fail of God’s favors, both as are likely to receive any lasting blessing, present or future,
resnerts the fellowship of the spirit now and the fellowship of at the hands of our Lord: for he rC&t?th the proud and
glory by and by. for thePe he assures 11s will be bestowed only showeth favor to the humble.
 PHILADELPHIA CO NVENTION ECHOES
All will rejoice to know that the Philadelphia Convention, impressive service to us all, and the entire congregation gave
June 16-18. was a blessed success: so far as we have heard all hearty thanks to God for the privilege of witnessing and par-
who attended got a blessing, as we had hoped. Indeed, quite ticipating. The janitor of the Baptist church remarked that
a few cxpresPed themselves as so much refreshed and profited not only had there never been such baptism service in that
that, the Lord permitting, they would also attend the next old church, but that never before had it contained a congre-
Convention, at Chicago. gation all of whose faces were so happy looking. We were
The attendance was about two hundred, except on Sunday, glad that the inner light of truth and its spirit of love was
when it ran up to about four hundred: The three cities manifest to others. We trust that they took knowledge of us
which have been 1endin-n in the “Volunteer”
-3
work were best that we had been with Jesus and been “illuminated” by his
represented at the Convention :-Boston 19, Washington City holy spirit.
13, Scranton 13. Thus it is always those most awake to note We cannot present the subjects discussed, but in a word
and use opportunities for serving the truth are the most blest would say,-It was the old, old story of God’s love exhibited
of the Lord every \:-ag,-warmrr in their love and service, in Jesus, and the coming glory of the church and blessing of
they nre less exposed to the besetment3 of the adversary: lay- the world: the story that is as fresh as ever to all in heart-
inn down their lives in the Lord’s service in fulfilment of harmony with the Lord, and which daily becomes more prec-
th:ir covenant they are in the way which leads not only to ious in the light of present truth;-things new and old.
fellowship In the sufferings of Ch&st but also in the glories None, we believe, \\ere nlnlc blessed than the Philadrlphia
to follow. brethren nhn $0 kindly and cfficientlv and generously enter-
Sinriteen states were represented-Maine, Connecticut, tainetl us. They provided a splendiri hall for the n&tingh,
Rlnssachnwtts, ru’rw York, Pennsylvania, sew Jersey, Dels- Daid for the u?e of the baatistrr. looked after the arriving
ware. blnrvland. Virginia. South Carolina. Georgia, Ohio, griends and saw to their cbmfo%, and provided free enter’:
IndIana, Iliinoiqj Ran’;as, \Visconsin, K’evada, Cali&ia and tainment for those of the visitors too poor to pay their onn
District of Columbia :-and Great Britain was represented way. May rich blessings of spiritual kind he their reward
bv Bloth~~r RantlIe. who, after dolnp a little further ‘.Pllprim” for all their services to the Lord’s hody. By an oversight
w:ork here, will for a time make England his home and labor- we neglected to call for a united vote of thanks from the
field. convention; and as this war owing chiefly to the fact that the
At the baptism service thirtv-nine adults, after making last meeting was a Question Jleeting, we think to remedy
a good public confession, symbolized their consecration to the the matter by having the closing service of future conven-
Lord, even unto death, by immersion in xvater. It was an tions a “Love Feast.”

A USEFUL STONE VERSUS A STUMBLING STONE

NATT. 16 : 13-26.-JULY 22.
“If any man comeafter me, let hzm deny himself, and take up his cross,and follow me.”
Peter, the apostle, nnc, a grant1 character. as this lcsyon all life--get it is probable that he meant morr than this. It
well illustrates : Tot. lll<P all it1 011,g charactors, hr had pro- iq probable that he meant, Thou art the Messiah, the Son of
portionate opportunities ant1 liabilities to misuse his strength God, the Living One,-the one who ha4 a right to life nc-
for evil. This lesson. relating considerablv to him, points cording to the law. \vhile all otheli, b(Bin,rr imperfect. art’ uiillcr
a moral respecting the neceq;Ity for meekness, humilitv, and condemnation of the lam and under sentence of death
wise direction of those who possess strength of character. Evidently it was a refreshment of heart, to our J,ortl to
The incidents of this lesson transpired toward the close have this full and frank statement from Peter. One, at least.
of our Lord’3 ministry, probably about six months before his of his disciples had profited 1)~ the lrwnns of the preretlmg
crllc,lfisIon. For about three rear< the T~ltl had, n-lth his dl+ three years. and had come to the noint of full assurance of
eil)lry, been l)roclaimil\, 0 the *kingdom near at hand and work- faith in him: and the others, w$ile less expreisivc, were
inrr nlit aclcbs vhlrh tc*ytifietl that he was .J(4lnvah’~ .Inolntrd probably making progress nevertheless, and would be greatly
One. Xleantime, his fame had of course spread in every direc- helped and strengthened and built up by this good confession.
tion. Hclrotl, \\IIo hat1 1)rhrndetl .John tllc Bxptiqt. seems to hare PETER A USEFUL STONE IN GOD’S HOUSE
start4 the suggestion that Jesus was John risen from the Our Lord’s response, “Blessed art thou, Simon, son of
dead-probably having little information respecting Jesus Jona,” does not so much signify, I wish or will grant a bles-
while hc had cnn\itlerable knowledge of John. Others wishing sing upon you because of this confession, but rather, You
to properly cretlit our J,ord’s wonderful works and mighty have heen blessed of God greatly in that you have been en-
acts, claimed that he was the Elijah prophesied to precede abled to discern this great truth, hidden from so many. Flesh
Messiah’s coming. Others thought of him as Jeremiah or and blood (mankind in general) do not so believe. and could
some of the great prophets risen from the dead; but very few not have so taught you nnr convinced you; you have been
seemed to have thought of him as the ?tle~~lnh,-expecting drawn of my Father in heaven, and through responding to
Messiah, when he would come, to be very kingly, very great, the leadings of his providence the eyes of your understanding
and of very high standing with thP nation and the ruling have heen opened that you are thus able to see and appreciate
Cl,?SS. T11c.v no doubt thought they greatly honored Jesus in this qrcat truth.
crediting him with being the forerunner of the Messiah. And Then fnllowed a blessing, a prophecy of coming useful-
_ - I

apparently our Lord hat1 not particularly expressed the ness, partly. at least, the result of this good confession, as
mattrr of his hltssinhqhip during these years, leaving it rather it was the result of a nrooer condition of heart :-“Thou art
to be recognizetl by those who should obtain the opening of Peter [petros, a stone, ‘a ;ock] and upon this r&k [petra-
the ryes of their untlerstanding. He spoke of himself as the this great stone or rocky mass-the great truth which you
Son of Got1 ; he spnke of his relationship to the Father, and have confessed, namely, my Messiahship] will I build my
tcstifird tllat his mighty works were done in the Father’s church.”
name ant1 pnwer, but he said little, if anything, respecting The Lord did not propose to build his church upon Peter,
his being tile Pllesiinll until non’. but upon the great truth which the Father had laid as a
Now the ploper time had come that the disciples should foundation for his plan and had revealed to Peter and which
recnrniyr tl&nitclv his office. and his question reeardinr
1 L,
what Peter had so nobly expressed. But Peter, indeed, might be
&~l;ie in general ’ said of him was merely to citroduce the one of the living stone5 of the spiritual temple erected upon
matter to the disciples. and give the opportunity to ask them, this great foundation-fact. Peter himself gives us this in-
“\!%nm \ay ye that T am?” Thrn it was that Peter dih- terpretation of the matter in his Epistle ( 1 Pet. 2 :4-7 ) , as-
playrtl not only the strength of his faith in the Lord, but al<o suring us that the whole church as a building of God is
hi3 onn strength of character and his zeal, answering prompt- growing more and more complete through the addition of
IV, “Thou art the Chri4 [Hebrew, the Messiah], the Son of each member, who, as a living stone, is built up into and
God- the Living.” ,411~~ altho we may safely assume that under the headship of Christ, the great chief corner-stone and
Peter spoke for all of the apostles, in harmony with our Lord’s capstone of the whole--the figure being that of a pyramid.-
question, nevertheless, the fact that he was the spokesman See MILLESKIAL DAWN, VOL. I.. Chap. v.; VOL. III., Chap. X.
<would imply that he was the most thoroughly iml~ued with The same thought is given in the description of the sew
the sentiment that he exnressed.
1
His statement is suite
1 Jerusalem, in which Peter is represented h;Y one of the Twelve
comprehensive, too : not onlv did he recognize Jesus as the Foundation Stones, the other apostles being equally founda-
Mea&ah, but he recognized hiS divine autho;itp and paternity, tion stones, and all the faithful in Christ being built upon
and while it is nossible that Peter meant to sav “the Son of the foundation of the divine plan, and upon the testimony of
the living God”: the Son of the God who is ‘the author of these twelve apostles. Rev. 21, see verse 12.
(198-199) [ 26561
JULY 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (199-200)

This was probably the first intimation the Lord had given second death, whose bars and gates will never open, and
of his intention to buzld a church. or that anv neriod of time against which they can never prevail. for Christ dieth no more
would elapse between the work he was then doing and the and will release - none from Athe second death.--Ram. 6:91
establishment of the kingdom. This was a gradual way of 2 Thess. 1:9 ; Acts 3 :23.
bringing great matters to the attention of the apostles,- THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
matters which necessarilv would conflict with manv of the The apostles, of course, could not understand our Lord’s
ideas and hopes that al;eady had taken possession”of their words at the time, as they did afterward, and as we now
hearts. understand them. (John 7 :39) Nevertheless, these various
It cannot be claimed that our Lord referred to any of the declarations respecting the future immediately followed, our
Christian sects when thus speaking of his church: all are Lord declaring, “I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of
forced to admit that these earthly systems are entirely heaven.” What a riddle this must have seemed to poor Peter
ignored, not only in this statement, but in every other state- and his associates! They would doubtless conclude that it
ment which our Lord ever made respecting his church. He meant that in view of Peter’s confession he would make him
never recognized more than one, nor did the apostles; and grand treasurer of the kingdom, or something of that kind;
both Jesus and the apostles reckoned that every true sheep, and only in the light of their fulfilment in subsequent events
every true grain, every wise virgin, and every faithful servant can we judge accurately the meaning of these words But
of this Gospel age would belong to the one church of Christ, looking through the experiences of Peter and the church, we
of which the Apostle says that “their names are written in find that there were two doors which required to be opened,
heaven.” (Heb. 12 :23) They need no earthly record, and and that Peter was used of the Lord in opening both of them,
such of them as are rightly informed will want no sectarian and hence that it was properly stated of him that he had
name, but will be thoroughly satisfied with the name of their the keys, the power, the -opportunity, the authority to do the
Lord; and they will want no earthly creed-fences to separate work in both instances, and he did it.
them from each other, but will desire more and more to be Our Lord himself did not open the door into the kingdom,
one in fact and in theory. in the full sense of the word. He merely called out faithful
The church of Rome, as being the oldest of all human laborers, who should afterward in his name open wide the
church systems, claims the name of Christ, and holds that doors. Indeed, the doors into the kingdom could not he
Peter was its founder, hut it can produce no evidence to this opened to any -until first of all the great” transaction of Cal-
effect, for there was no Roman Catholic church in existence vary had been accomplished. Our Lord came to give him-
until centuries after Peter’s day. The primitive church, self a ransom for mankind, because a ransom was necessary
authorized by our Lord and built upon the testimony of the before mankind could be released from the Adamic condemna-
apostles and through their minmtry, after the day of Pentecost, tion, or have any part either in the kingdom proper or in the
was a very different institution from any of the present-day hoped for blessing- promised through the kingdom to all the
man-made, creed-bound and clergy-lorded systems. We under- families of the earth. Hence the anostles (whom the Father
stand that the Lord is now calling his true people out of this had specially given to Jesus, and of*whom none were lost save
Babylon or mixed condition of present-day “churchianity” the son of perdition, whose place was subsequently filled,
into the light, the liberty, the fellowship, with him and with through the Lord’s appointment, by the Apostle Paul-John
all who are his, which properly belongs to the one flock, which 17 : 12 ; Rom. 1: 1) , did not and could not receive recognition
nas but “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” from the Father until after our Lord Jesus had finished his
Our Lord’s declaration that “the gates of hell [hades, the sacrifice and had arisen from the dead and had ascended UD
death state] shall not prevail against” his church, is worthy on high to appear in the presence of God on their behalf,:
of careful notice, especially in view of his words following this and on behalf of all men for whom he died. So soon as the
declaration, to the effect that all who would be his disciples sacrifice for man’s sin was presented to the Father, the evi-
must follow him in sacrifice into death. This must have been dence of its acceptance was indicated to mankind by God’s
an astounding thought to the apostles, as they had, so far acceptance of the faithful apostles and of all who then were
from expecting death, expected some kind of transformation in the proper condition of heart, to the plane of sonship and
to glory, honor and immortality. Our Lord’s declaration. their hegetting of the holv snirit to a new nature.-and this
therefore, that the gates of hell, the gates of the grave, shall was marked or indicated by ihe outpouring of the’holy spirit
not prevail against his church, signified not that his followers at Pentecost, accompanied by “gifts” of the spirit.
should not enter those portals of death, but that eventually It was then that Christ’s kingdom was established in those
those prison-doors of death would open,-would not be per- who had received him; and then began the work of declaring
mittetl forever to prevail against the faithful. As a matter the gnod tidings of great joy, which must eventually be to
of fact, the gates of hades did close over our dear Redeemer ~11 pwpl(s hut mhwh at ~II -t W-R< wstrirted for three ant1 n
himself for nortions of three davs. but thev did not nrevail. half years to fleshly Israel, in fulfilment of God’s covenant
On the conirary, God’s power prevailed and he arosk from with them, that favor should continue to the full end of
the dead, he left the prison-house, he came forth a victor. seventy weeks mentioned by the prophet.-Dan. 9:24. See
And so lrkewise throughout this Gospel age, the gates of death ~\IILI,E~~‘SIAL DAWX, VOL. II., Chap. III.
closed behind the apostles one after another, and after all In this work of operling the door of the kingdom to Israel
the faithful of the Lord’s people, as well as others, and our we find, arcording to the record, that Peter took the first,
Lord’s assurance then is still comforting to his followers, most prominent and initiatory part, as we read: “Peter,
that the prisonhouse of death, with its strong bars and gates, standing up with [the others of] the eleven, lifted up his
the grave, shall not prevail, shall not in the end conquer, but voice and said.” (Acts 2:14) Peter was the spokesman,
that he who was raised from the dead by the power of the Peter used the “lie:/,” Peter opened the door, the other apos-
Father will raise us up also, making us also victors over death tles co-operating and assisting.
and over the grave, so that eventually we can say, “0 death, The other of the two “keys” was not used for three and a
where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory?” But half years afterward, because not until then could the door
we cannot say this so long as we are subject to death, nor so of favor be opened to the Gentiles. But when the time came
long as we are under death’s power; but only when the de- for opening the door, we find that it was Peter who was
liverance shall come in the resurrection. specially designated of the Lord to do it, being sent from
Altho our Lord does not here speak of others than the .Toppa to Cornelius, to tell him words which should be to
church prevailing against the gates and bars of the tomb, the saving of his house-the opening to him of the privilege
he dots elsewhere give us the assurance that through his pre- of membership in the kingdom of Christ. he being the first
vailing and our subsequent prevailing through his name and Gentile converted. the first one to whom the Lord authorized
assistance, ultimately the whole world of mankind, or so the preaching of the high callin g of joint-heirship with Christ
many of them, at least, as will accept of the favor, will be in his kingdom. And the Aoostle Peter referred to this matter
delivered from the power of death into perfection of life: subsequently, saymg, “Ye know how that a good while ago
and then shall be brought to pass, in the fullest, most absolute God made choice amongst us that the Gentiles by my mouth
sense of the word, the prophecy just referred to. (Isa. should hear the word of the Gospel.“-Acts 10; 15:7.
61 :l-3) Adamic death and its victory over the human family BINDING AND LOOSING IN HEAVEN AND EARTH
will then be completely annulled, through the atonement ac- Our Lord further said to Peter, “Whatsoever thou shalt
complished by our Lord, and the restitution which he, with bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsnever thou
his church, will accomplish as a result. And ang who shall shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This state-
fail of eternal life shail not fail because of the present pre- ment has given rise to the claim amongst Romnnists that
valence of so-called Adamic death, but will be the victims Peter was the first pope, and that he had an authority super-
of their own wilful sin, and will experience its penalty, the ior to the other apostles; but we find that very nearly the
[265’7]
same words were used to all the apostles a% recorded by the l ub~tltutlon theI efor of :I plan iiiorc agl eeable to the ficsh.
same Evangelist. (Matt. 18:18) - Again, a very similar The text says that “Peter took him,” and this we may
declaration was made to them all. as recorded bv John, say- understand to signify that Peter took him apart from the
ing, ‘Whosoever sins ye remit’ they are remitted unto others-it was a private interview and exhortation, and no
them, and whosoever sins ye retain they are retained.” doubt Peter intended to bring in various support&g argu-
(John 20:23) We understand these declarations not to be ments: for instance. that the discinlen would be discouraeed
general and applicable to all of the church, but chiefly to the with $uch talk, etc.’ However, hc &~ly “began.” Jnd did ;ot
apostles, on the strength of our Lord’s words. (John 6:70; get to finish his argument, the Master being so full of the
15: 10; Rev. 21:14) \Vc deny that the popes of Rome, or any spirit of loyalty to the Father and his plan that he could
other persons, ever have been apostles, or ever have exercised not even endure a suggestion to the contrary, and must needs
apostolic authority. Jn a word, we deny the central claim hasten to repudiate such a disloyal suggestion. His answer
of Romnnism and Episcopacy, viz., “Apostolic Succession.” was a severe rebuke to Peter, yet doubtleqs was n blessinp to
\Ve underbtand this investment of Peter and the other him SO long as he lived, and probably helped him after;ard
:Iphtlh. with 1pwm1 ;iuthol ity to bind and to loose. to remit to be much more modest in the matter of ounosine II 0 his nlan
A to
and to hold, to signify that God would specially control their that of the Lord.
nttrrances, so that their decisions and writings might prop- When our Lord said, “Get thee behind me, Satan,:’ he
cbrlv br considered authoritative. Not that God bound himself did not mean that he considered Peter possessed by the ad-
to ‘tlo and to decide according to the imperfect jud,mcnts versary: rather, the word Satan in the original is “adversary.”
of
the apostles, but that he has guaranteed us that he would and was properly used in respect to any person taking a
RO guide and providentially overrule in the affairs and in the position adverse or in opposition to another. 1% adversary
languagr of these chosen and faithful ones that his people is called Satan, that word being used for him as a proper
tnight relv upon it that such things as the apostles fixed name. Our Lord turned from Peter at this time. and ad-
had the &Tine approval. For instance, it is at their mouth dressed his words BO that all the apostles might hear him,
that we learn that me arc justified from all sin through faith that the matter might be the more impressive and all the
in the redrmption; they did not make it so, but under divine more a valuable lesson to them: that they might all know
direction thrv were &ded in the st,ating of it SO; and we that their Master never compromised his Father’s will in any
may implicitiv rely ;pon their statements, which, moreover, sense or degree. “Get behind me, adversary; thou savorest
we find to be’ in full accord with the principles of righteous- Ipartakestl not the thing:9 that bc of God, but the things
TIPSS
..-. ant1
..-.- the various derlarations of the divine Word. that be of men” -you are \-iewing matters not from God’s
They inform us also that certain sins can be remitted or standpoint, but from the standpoint of fallible, fallen men.
forgiven- sins of weakness and of ignorance, traceable to So it is to-day, and ever has been with the church, the
our fallrn nature, which we have received by heredity, and th,) hly of Christ; if they are intent upon following the ‘foot-
penalty for which our Lord has already borne. They inform hteps of the Lord thev must cxnect adversaries to arise who
us :tlso that other sins, viz., wilful sins, are not forgivable, wiil seek to turn the& away frbm the path of sacrifick and
ant1 mav bc indeed sins unto death, unto the second death. duty: to make it seem too difficult, or to attract their atten-
And \\ch’ see herein reasonableness also ; for we perceive that tion to other plans or methods less costly-more in harmony
Christ did not die for any except the Adamic transgresslon, with the fleshly mind. We should remember the hiaster’s
and thn\c sins which dirrctly or indirectly may be traceable ,‘ourse and take a similar one. and point out to these, if
to it: and that ~\iilful, deliberate transgressions cannot there- they be friends, and in the truth (and such they frequently
fore bc forgiven, but must be expiated-if comlritted with are, as was Peter), that their influence is being exercised
considerable light. but not full light, the expiating penalty in a wrong direction, against the truth, against our best
may be “&ri+s,” but if committed with full wilfulness and interests, against the divine plan and hence that thev are not
against full light the penalty could be nothing short of death only adversaries to us, but ilso adversaries to the cord. We
-the second death.--1 John 5:16; Luke 12:47. 48; JIeb. should thus seek to reclaim them and to heln them to walk
6.4-6; IO.26 27. in the same way with us,-instead of leaving the narrow
CAST NOT PEARLS BEFORE SWINE way to follow their kindly meant but pernicious influence.
Following this conrcrsation with the disciples, our Lord The word here rendered “offence” would more properly
t.harge,l them particularly not to make his Messiahship gen- be translated, as in the Revised Version, “a stumbling block,”
erally known to the prople. This rorroborates the thought or a stone of stumbling. Thus we see that it was the same
:hat neither the disciples nor our Lord had previously been Peter whose noble confession had so refreshed the Lord and
~~nnncinting his Messiahship, but rather preaching that the blessed the disciples and himself, and who on this account
kingdom of heaven was at band, near at the door, without was designated a stone, indicative of strong character, that
.aying prrcisely who was to be the King. The command not was now, by reason of the same strength of character, strong
lo make the matter known was evidently because the result mindedness, strong will, in danger of becoming, not a stone
of quch a program would have been to hare aroused at least in the Lord’s temple but a stumbling stone. And should
a Ilarty spirit amongst the people, BOMe of whom accepted some of the Lord’s ‘people, strong in chzracter, become stumb-
his mirac~lc~s, etc.. ant1 would lrnvc espoused his cause, whllc ling stones to UB, we have here our Lord’s illustration of our
<dlcT'. nith the Phnrisce~. would have opposed, and thus an proper course-to turn from them, refusing to be stumbled,
incur I c3c.t ion would naturally hare followed :-besides it woul,l refusing to he lead away from t.he consecration which we
ll.ltl. III~<,Ifcrrtl ronqitlrrahlr with the ~IYXIXIII \vhich 0111 have made.
I.ortl <a\~ marked out for him in the tlivinr. \Vord.-his death Our Lnrd took this occasion to lay pointedly before his
.IS the sin-oWcrin=. IJr ditl not need to ptoplnirn his Men&h- disciples the fact that if they loved the present iife, with its
-hip. fny 11(xnlrf~:ttly I;ttr\\-. ah llr hilt1 *t.\tct1. tllat \\h,,soe\c’r advantages, etc., more than the future one, with its present
the Father would draw would come. and I hat those not drawn disadvantages, they had no business amongst his discipIen:
of the i’nthcr, and not disposed to become his disciples, should that anyone who would be his disciple should reckon sclf-
rmt,
. IX%+ncrinllr drawn bv the nroclamntinn of hla >Iepsinh- denial, self-negation, absolutely necessary to discipleship ;
-hip ant1 ’ the pknspects of’ the kfngdom. and should be prepared, with no uncertainty of mind or pm-
PETER A STUMBLING-STONE, AN ADVERSARY pose, to follow after Jesus with a cross,-not a literal cross,
tlaving prepared the minds of thr disciples. by the fore- but the crossing of human self-will with the divine will.
going derlaration, that hades, death, would not br permitted Then come the terms of discipleship very clearly stated.
to triutnph nvcr his church, etc., our Lord from that time All who become disciples, and who hope for life in the king-
for\\nrd lwpn gradually to break to them information re- dom, must expect to sacrifice t,hc present life, and whoever
ipertitlz hi\ own tl(~cenh,~and his re;urrortion from the dead does not sacrifice the present life shall not find that glorious
Jt \\;\s thc~n that thr samcb noble Pctfr forgot himself. as we eternal life which God has in reservation only for the over-
would say. ant1 undrrtonk to correct the Lord and to outline comers. Rut, our Lord reasons, what would a man be ad-
for him other things. He was moved to this, not merely by vantaged were he to gain all of this world, all of its ad-
ielfich motiyes nf prejudice and hopes of sharing in the vantages and riches (which none could hope to do) if there-
king,l~,m. and avoiding the ignominy, but doubtless also by his by he should lose his own being. his own soul, his life. his
love for the I.or,l and his desire to RCChim honored and ex- cxiatenre : or what mo1~1d a man - not be willing to give in
nltcd, rather than to be set at nought and killed. &lt, %B exchange for the perpetuation of his life eternally. (The
on another occasion this noble Apostle said t,hings “not know- word so@ in this verse, is psuche, the same Greek word ren-
ing what he said,” so now be cvident,ly did not realize the dered life in the preceding verse.) Surely anyone possessed
import of his language, and how, if it were followed, it would of a souncl mind and able, therefore, to rightly weigh the ad-
mean to nnr Lord the rejection of the Father’s plan and the vantages and disadvantages of the present life, as compared
126581
ji,Y 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH
with the eternal life in God’s kingdom of righteousness, must
confess that it would be a bad bargain to gain the whole
world in every sense and to lose his own being.
It is in view of the logic of this argument that OUF Lord
and the apostles urge all true follower9 of Christ to present
A VISION OF COMING GLORY
LUKE 9 :28-36.-JULY
“This is my beloved son-hear
Continuing his lesson9 to the apostles, showing them that
his glory and kingdom could not come until after his suffering
and death, our Lord declared, “There be some standing here
who will not taste of death until they see the Son of Man
coming in his royal maiesty.” (Matt. 16:28; 17:l) Then,
six d;ys later (or eight “day-s, counting the one in which this
wna uttered and the one in which it way fulfilled) our Lord
took Peter, James and John, the three apostles most ad-
vanced in faith and zeal, into a high mountain, and while
praying with them the transfiguration scene of our lesson
ensued.
It was a further lesson of instruction in harmony with
what he had already explained, viz., that the Son of Man
must be set at naught by the chief priests and the elders,
and must be crucified, and must rise from the dead, ere he
could enter into his glory ;-the kingdom in which he had
promised them a share. The transfiguration scene was there-
fore a picture or “vision” of the Lord’s glory in his kingdom,
and was intended to assure the apostles respecting the cer-
tainty of the kingdom, notwithstanding the apparent failure
of all kingdom-hopes in our Lord’s crucifixion. And this
vision was doubtless essential as an assistant to the apostles’
faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah, since the course of
events which would follow in the next few months would be
so different from everything that they had expected.
Peter, one of those present on this occasion, fully suh-
stantiates this view-that the transfiguration was a vision
of Christ’s dignity and glory in the kingdom-for writing re-
specting it he says: “We have not followed cunningly devised
fables in making known to you the presence and power of
our Lord Jesus, but were eye-witnesses of that majesty, for
be received fro& God the F:<ther honor and glory, when-there
came such a voice to him from the excellent glory-‘This
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ -And this voice
which came from heaven we heard when we were with him
in the holy mount.“-2 Pet. 1:16-X3.
The several accounts show that our Lord entered into the
mountain to pray, and that the apostles fell asleep during
the prayer, but subsequently awakened and beheld the vision,
the MasLer’s face shining like the sun, and his garments
glitteringly white, and in-his company two persons who, for
some reason. thev recoenized as Moses and Eliiah.
I ”
altho of
course they had never seen either of these me;, $nd would
not have known them without assistance. These they over-
heard talking with the Lord, the subject of the conv&sation
no doubt beine intended for the ears of the disciples-to
vince them t&t the matters which would occur* before long
in Jerusalem and on Mount Calvary would all be features ot
the divine plan, harmoniously working out the blessed result9
promised and longed for, through the kingdom. “They spoke
of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”
What is the interpretation of tile picture? is a proper
auestion. We renlv. that it rearesented. first of all, that
&ho our Lord J’es;$ must suff& death,’ even the death of
the cross, in harmony with the divine plan, “being made a
curse for us” (Gal 3 : 13)) nevertheless, he was still the Son
of God, whose glorious majesty and kingly power would later
on be fullv shown forth. And Moses and Elijah, represent-
ing the Law and the Prophets, illustrate how the death of
Christ,
-....__ was fullv atte&.ed beforehand. Moses spoke of the
sufferings of Christ in all the arrangements of the Law, its
sacrifices, etc., and the prophets declared not only the coming
glories, but also the sufferings which must precede them. as
our Lord subsequently poinhd out to the two disciples on
the wav to Emmaus. saving. “0 fools and slow of heart to
believe “all that the dropietl’have spoken : ought not Messiah
to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?“-
Luke 24 :25-27.
Again, this picture may be understood to represent the
kingdom during this Gospel age-the kingdom as recognized
bv the Lord’s people, but not recognized by the world. In this
view of the vision, our Lord’s race shining as the sun, and
his garments glistening white, would represent him In his
TOWER (2U3-204)
their bodies living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, and
their reasonable service;-to lay down their live9 for the
brethren, that by these means they may attest their devotion
to the Lord and attain to his kingdom and life everlasting.-
Rom. 12:l; 1 John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15; Phil. 3:10, 11.
29.
ham.”
present condition, as no longer the man Christ Jesus. but the
risen, glorified Son of the Highest, a spirit being. ’ In thlx
view of the matter, Moses might be understood to renresent
the faithful of the .past ages, &d Elijah the faithful-rdf-%%
Gospel age, the body of Christ in the flesh,* who are to be
ass&iated with him in the glory of the kingdom, and who
meantime behold his glory with the eve of faith. and recoenize
the great transaction-of “Calvary as be basis fbr all kingdom
hopes and blessings.
In harmony with this view is the fact that at the same
time that this vision was taking place the other disciples
of the twelve at the foot of the mountain were contending
with the adversary, seeking to cast out the devil from the
young man. Thus the Lord’s people of the present time are
still in the valley of conflict, still contending with the will
of the flesh and the devil; yet their eyes of faith behold at
the top of the mountain the glorious Lord, with all power
in heaven and in earth, their Friend, their Teacher, and soon
to be their deliverer, who will cause them to share in the
glories of his kingdom into which he has already entered.
We have called this scene on the mountain a vision. and so
indeed our Lord calls it, in the account given by Matthew
(17:9) : “As they came down from the mountain Jesus
charged them saying, Tell the vision. to no man until the Son
of Man be risen from the dead.” And indeed a vision was
just as useful to the purpose as a reality could have been.
Thus it was that the Lord showed manv thines later .-_ on
--- to
__
one of these three witnessing disciples 0; the I‘&e of Patmos.
He showed him in vision, angels and thrones and crowns and
multitudes and dragons, etc., in a manner which served the
purpose equally as well as tho all those beasts, dragons, etc.,
had been actually created for the purpose. So in this vision:
is Our Lord’s transfiguration was merely an appearance-actual&
he had undergone-no change. He appeared like as spirituil
beings are described, bright, shining like the sun, etc., yet
he was not yet a spirit being, and did not become such until
his resurrection from the dead; he was still “the man Christ
Jesus.” But in the “vision” his countenance and his sarmenta
were caused to appear to be bright, glistening, etc., and the
appearance served every purpose. Likewise, Moses and Elijah
a&eared to be present,-bit they were not actually present,be-
cause it was merelv a “vision.” The Anostle distinctlv in-
forms us that Mosei and Elijah and the o:hers of the ancient
worthies are not yet made perfect-and that thes cannot be
made perfect until after the church, the body df Christ, is
con- complete and glorified with the Head, “God having provided
some better thing for US, that they without us should not be
made perfect.“-Heb. 11:40; John 3 : 13; Acts 2 :34.
As a part of the “vision” came a misty cloud of light,
which enveloped the group, including the disciples, who were
fearful as they entered the cloud. This cloud as a Dart of
the vision, might properly be understood as saying *to the
apostles and to us, Altho the glory and majesty of the Lord
Jesus are unquestionably his, as testified to by the Law and
the Prophets, and as a result of his faithfulness unto death,
nevertheless that glory will in a considerable measure be
hidden, covered, obscured for a time, so that you will see your
glorious Lord and King only with the eye of faith, which,
altho more or less cloudy, will nevertheless be bright to those
who look unto him. And the voice of God speaking in that
cloud and testifying to Jesus as the Son of God, and instruct-
ing that we should hear and obey his word, would seem to
represent how that all through this Gospel age, while the
misty cloud surrounds the glory of the Lord, we will have
great need to continually hearken to the Word of the Lord,
and to repose faith in its declaration respecting the Son of
God, our Redeemer.
After the vision the Lord and the apostles descended from
the mount to engage in the duties of life-to complete the
lessons of faith and obedience, battling against the world,
the flesh and the devil; and yet, as the quotation from the
Apostle Peter’s letter clearly shows, the influence of this vision
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II, Chap. 8. “Elias Shall First Come.”
[26691
(205406) ZION’S WATCH TOTVER ALLEGHENY,FA.

continued with the apostles through coming days, as it still of faith and hope, and expect to dwell there in enraptured
encourages us today. And may we not learn a lesson to the vision always. We must remember that the duties and trials
effect that as this vision was granted when Jesus and the of present experiences in conflicts with sin and with self and
disciples were at prayer, so all those who seek God in prayer with the adversary are essential to our development ant1 part
may, to a large extent, with the eye of faith realize this
of our covenant, but like the Master we should frequently
same blessed vision of the kingdom-the glories to come-
and may, to some extent, with the hearing of faith recognize seek the heavenly Father’s blessing in prayer; and in pro-
the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son”-to some portion as we use this privilege will our hearts and our faces
extent be enabled to realize that as members of the body of shine ; and proportionately we will be enabled to “show forth
Christ their sacrifice must also be accomplished in actual the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his
death before t1u.y can enter into his glory, since it is written marvelous light,” and who has shined by his grace into our
that “if we suffer with him we shallalso reign with him.” hearts, “to give the light of the knowledge of God as it shines
\Ve cannot build tabernacles on the mountain heights in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.

LEAST AND GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM

MATT. 18: ~-~~.-AUGUST 5.
GOLDEN TEXT.-“&@er the little chaldren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such [lzkelis the Kingdom of God.”
‘I 11(*(;oltl(~n ‘I’rh\t ( IIO+II ~III this 1es~l1 1s mart inappropriate child, and seating it in the midst, he made the astounding
and misleading. It was spoken respecting children, and as in- declaration that only such as would become childlike could
dicating our Lord’s sympathy and love for them. Indeed, we enter the kingdom at all. As natural men, and most of
cannot think of any truly great man or woman who would them rather unlearned, the disciples had no doubt been aim-
not look upon clliltlhood with loving sympathy and interest; ing as far as possible from childlike simplicity, and striving
and viewing the blank pages of the life represented in them rather to assume the dignity of mind and of bearing which
be a\\ akcnctl to tcntler foclmgs resl~cting the trmls and difhcul- would suggest itself to the natural man as being appropriate
tics xntl tllwppointmcnt. q vvl11ch mu-t lie betore them in the to those who hoped soon to share regal honors in the kingdom
path of life, and with hopes and good wishes respecting their of God. \Yhat astonishment it must have caused them to
possible victories and attainments of desirable characters, learn that the Lord was looking rather for simplicity, meek-
as a * (+ult of thebe experic~iices and conflicts. That Jesus ness, teachableness, child-likeness, than for astuteness, wisdom,
lovetl children, yea, loved everything guileless and pure, is dignity, etc. !
not to 1~ cllrl+tlollc~tl, and our (+oltltn Test substantiates this Yet our Lord’s words were not merely a condemnation
conviction. of the spirit which they had been cultivating, but a lesson of
The kingdom of God will not be composed either wholly instruction regarding a change in this respect, his words
or in part of infants who died without either knowledge, intimating not merely the possibility, but the necessity of a
exnerience or character attainments. Had such been God’s change of course on the part of those who desired a share in
purpose it would not have required nearly nineteen centuries his kingdom. If, instead of reading our Lord’s words as in
to complete the “little flock” of “one hundred and forty-four the Common Version, “Except ye be converted,” we read them
tllollWIld .” ,101 \\ Olll~l It IIRV~ IWCll Sill,1 that x pod fight as in the Revised Version, “kxiept ye turn,” more will get the
must be fought and victory achieved and graces of the spirit true thought our Lord wished his followers to learn. thp word
attmnd 1)) “patient perseverance in well doing,” and that all “convert”‘>having lost its primary meaning to many by rea-
in all it must be through much tribulation to the fresh, volun- son of misuse. They must turn their ideas on the subject, and
tarily and joyfully accepted, that any can enter into the study and practice-lessons in the opposite direction-lessons
kinp~lnm. Infants can have no share under this Gospel call: of meekness. of humilitv. of child-likeness: and our Lord’s
but they will surely share the great world-blessing that will declaration that those who attain to the greatest development
speedily follow the completion of the Church and its glorifica- in meekness and simplicity of heart will be greatest in the
tron as God’s kingdom. kingdom, implies that those who strive after simplicity and
This text is misleading, in connection with this lesson, be- meekness will be granted a share in the kingdom, but that none
cause in the latter the expression “little ones” is used in a who are self-seeking and boastful will have part or lot in
figurative sense, not literally;-the Lord referring to his this matter.
humble ant1 trustful tlisciples as God’s little nnrs, God’s Having thus defined the humble-mmtletl and luno,telltatlons
children, whom he pities and cherishes as do earthly parents amongst his followers as those upon whom he would bestow
their little ones. Nor is this an exceptional case, for we the highest honors and dignities of the kingdom, Jesus pro-
find that. rcpratcdly in the Scriptures the young Christian ceeded to give a general lesson respecting s&h “little ones”
and the less developed are likened to babes, to children. Thus of his followers, saying that all who receive such humble
the Apostle Paul -exhorts: “Brethren, be not children in disciples in his name will be reckoned as having received
understandine: _I
howbeit. in malice be ve children, but in un- him, and whoever stumbles or injures one of these humble
~lerstantling be ye men.” And the Ap&tle Peter’exhorts the or “little ones” will therebv commit a crime so serious that
hrcthren, “-1s new born babes. desire the sincere milk of the it would be better for him to have lost his life-better that a
R’ord, that ye may grow thereby.“-1 Cor. 14:20; 1 Peter 2 :2. mill-stone were fastened to his neck and he be cast into the
It was apparentlv after the journey back from the Mount sea, and thus all hope of saving his life effectually destroved
of Transliauratron to Canernaum that the discourse of this -better that this great calamity should come upon one than
Irimn nrrG1 1WI. Cnmpar:‘n g the accounts as given bp Mark that he should do an iniurv to one of the Lord’s “little ones”
and Luke, we gather that the apostles on the way had a dis- -one of the humblest df the disciples, child-like, meek,
cussion respecting who of their number were the greatest, and following in the way of the Lord.
who would be the greatest or most honored in the kingdom As we thus see how great a value the Lord places upon
which the Lord had promised and in which they hoped to humility it should encourage all true disciples to cultivate
share. This discussion quite probably was instigated by the this quality daily, that thus they might grow more and more
fact that onlv three of their number had been specially favored guileless, honest, truly humble, and in the sight of the great
hy being v&h the Lord in the mount. The- discussion be- Ring become more and more great, more and -more fit fo;‘ the
tween them, altho carried on probably in subdued tones, not hieh exaltations of the kinadom to come. Seeine that with-
intended for the ears of Jesus, had become animated as the oux this meekness none can-enter into this kingdim, we need
various sides and claims were advocated. It was a little later not wonder that the Scriptures everywhere exhort the Lord’s
that our Lord inquired of them what had been the subject of people to humility-“Humble yourselves under the mighty
their earnest and animated converse as they followed him in hand of God [now1 that he may exalt you in due time” in
the way. Arcording to Iiuke’s account thcv were reticent, not the kingdom. Yet notwithstanding all these exhortations of
liking to answer hrs question and to tell of their dispute, no the Scriptures the perversity of human nature seems to be
doubt feeling rather ashamed of it. But, realizing that they such that those who become the Lord’s people and who engage
could not hide the matter from the Lord, and some of them to run in his way seem to find more trouble, more to contend
evidently anxious to have his decisive word on the subject, against, in this matter than in any other. And some who
they asked him to settle the question for them. feel themselves to be little enough seem very anxious that
Our Lord desired just such an opportunity for presenting others of the brethren shall esteem them very highly: Would
to his faithful ones a needed lesson along thus line; and ac- to God that all of the Lord’s dear people, and especially all
cording to his usual custom he illustrated it. Calling a little who seem to be leaders, and who have some natural qualifica-
JULY 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (206-207)

tions for leading, and helpfulness in the church, would study God could accept; but whoever stops with the faith without
well this lesson, and learn from it how to advance themselves the works, without the self-sacrifice, loses every hope and
in the Lord’s favor, and how to be truly great according to privilege in connection with the kingdom. To attain it we
his standard, which. alone shall prevail. - - must “strive,” must “fight the good fight,” must “endure
The word rendered “offend” in verse 6 and onward would hardness as good soldiers,” must be willing to cut off, not
be better rendered “stumbled,” the thought being that of plac- only sinful pleasures, but all things that would interfere
ing a stumbling-block in the path. The Lord intimates most with our full devotion to the Lord’s service and our fulfill-
distinctly that there will be plenty of such stumbling-blocks ment of our covenant to be dead with him; must “work out
in the way of those who are truly his, and that, too, in pro- our salvation with fear and trembling.“-assisted bv divine
portion as thev are “little’‘-humble. He declares it neces- grace sufficient for every time of needy’ and by the lxceeding
&rv bhat these difficulties, these trials, these “offences.” shall great and precious promises of God’s Word working in us
come. It is necessarv. because it is the divine will that all both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
the elect church shali’be thoroughly tested and developed in We are not to understand that any may be lacking a
character, that thus they may become strong characters, foot or a hand or an eye in the kingdom; but rather we
copies of God’s dear Son, willing to suffer for the truth’s should understand that as the offending eye represents be-
sake, and that gladly, joyfully, the loss of earthly things, setments which appeal to our natural tastes as beautiful and
that thereby they might please the Father which is in heaven, likely to charm and attract us to earthly things, and es the
-thus developing humility and obedience, that by and by offending hand would represent the doing of things that
they may be ready for the exaltation which he has promised would be contrary to our highest spiritual interests,-and as
to those only who faithfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus. the offending foot would renresent the eoinn into forbidden
Yet however necessary that the stumbling-blocks shall paths of sin- or self-gratifica’tion , so the ulop&g off of these
be in the way, and that the church, the body of Christ, shall would properly signify that it would be better that we should
be tested therebv. this does not lighten the resnonsibilitv of enter the life eternal and into the share in the kingdom with-
those who, as the agents of the zdversary, leid them&Ives out having enjoyed certain earthly privileges and gratiflca-
to his influence in placing those stumbling-blocks before the tions, than that having enjoyed all the earthly gratifications
feet of the saints; and our Lord’s words, without indicating we should thereby have missed our calling and failed to make
exactly the nature of their punishment, assure us positively our election sure.
that such evil-doers will have a reward from him who says, The “everlasting fire” and the “hell-fire” mentioned arc
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” equally symbolical %ith the other parts of the figure, and un-
In all probability many today are putting stumbling- doubtedlv refer to the destruction which is the wages of sin
blocks before the Lord’s little ones, his faithful little flock, to be visited upon wilful sinners-“everlasting d&truction
who do not realize what they are doing,-just as Peter un- from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
consciously became a stumbling stone, a rock of offence, to Dower.” That fire is used here and elsewhere in the Scrin-
the Master, when he attempted to dissuade him from the per- lures to represent not torture, hut destruction, is clearly set
formance of his consecration vow. Those who place stumb- forth in a pamphlet entitled, “What say the Scriptures About
line-blocks before the Lord’s “little ones” now similarlv seek Hell.“*
to hd them from the narrow path of full consecrati& and Branching out further along the same lines, our Lord
self-sacrifice-seeking to persuade them that another and an gives the general caution to us all: “Take heed that ye de-
easier way, a way less humbling to the natural man, a way ipise nc:t one of these little ones”-thcsc llumblc ones th.\t
more politic, more crafty, more wise, according to the course belong to the Lord. They may seem humble and insigmfi-
of this world than the narrow way, is just as good as or a cant when viewed from the worldly standpoint, but they are
great deal better than the narrow way. Such testings are God’s friends; yea, they are God’s children, for whom he
iecessary, and it is also necessary that- all who do not walk cares ; and hence whoever does injury to them is insulting
closelv in the footnrints of the Savior shall be sifted out, for and antagonizing their Father which is in heaven. Biore-
the Lord secketh only a little flock,-all of them copies of over, our-Lord assures us that each of his little ones, his
his dear Son. But there is a great responsibility upon those faithful. humble little flock. have a constant renrescntation
who aid in turning aside any of the floik-who to any extent in the Father’s presence. There is a guardian angel for each
are stumblinn-blocks. cnubes of stumbling or “offence” in the of the Lord’s people, and we are to get the thol!ght that thrre
pathway of the Lord’s people. is no delay in the bringing of any and everything which pcr-
Following this line of thought, that offences or trials and tains to their welfare and interest before the attention of
testings must come to all, our Lord urges that tho these the great King. What a thought is here for those who are
tests mean the sacrifice of pleasure or hopes or aims or cus- inclined to he heady and to despise or in any manner over-
toms or privileges, precious to us as a right eye or a right ride or mistreat the humble ones of the bodv of Christ! And
hand, or useful to us as our foot, they must nevertheless be what a lesson is here also for the humble ones-that they
overcome, if we would enter into the kingdom. This is an- are the special objects of divine care and providence, for
other way of saying what he at another time expressed in whom, therefore, all things must work well, because they be-
the ~~ortls, “Through much tnbulation shJl1 ye enter the long to the Lord!
kingdom.” Whoever has gotten the thought that the kingdom The remaining four verses seem not to be properly a part
is ‘to be granted me& on condition of belzotimg in of this lesson, and inasmuch as they will come up in another
Jesus has notten a wrong thought that is not imnarted bv lesson later on and in their proper connection, we omit the
the Scriptures. Faith isvnecess&y to our justifi&tion, b& discussion
__- of them here.
fore we can do anything in the nature of self-sacrifice that l We ~111 supply these free to appbcants who SO request

BATTLING FOR THE TRUTH

DEAR RussELr.:-At
BROTHER a recent meeting of the kind during all these centuries, lest the glorious light of the
church here the 28th chapter of Isaiah was brought up, and gospel should shine into their hearts.
it seemed plain to us that this is an exact description of the Do you think the interpretation correct? And if so, do
condition of the nominal church of the present time, from the you not think that if the attention of the brethren were called
prophets and seers, who err in vision, down to the tables which to this chapter at the present time it would serve to
are full of vomit, the bed which has become too short and strengthen those who are already in the volunteer service and
the covering which is too narrow.-See MILLENNIAL DAWN encourage others to enlist, inasmuch as the same chapter
Index references. promises strength to those who drive the battle back? With
Now in regard to that part of the chapter which refers to best wishes,
those who drive back the battle to the gate, the thought was Yours in the service of the King,
expressed that possibly this might refer to the present “vol- CONRAD KUEHN --Ohto.
unteer” work, and that the volunteers are pressing back the
battle to the gate, and that the word “gate” might possibly [In reply: We certainly do understand this chapter to
be a symbol of dominion, representing Satan’s stronghold, portray events of our day; and while all true soldiers of the
and that this stronghold is the doctrine of eternal torture, cross are now battling for the truth against error we concede
against which doctrine the present ammunition of the volun- that none are doing more valiant service than are thr “rol-
teers seems to he specially directed. Then again it was unteers.” Nor do we know of any other service or method
thought that this gate (or doctrine) might represent the re- so likely to yield the desired results.
straint which the enemy has exercised over the race of man- As to turning the battle at the gate. it might be viewed
III-48 [2661]
,318 21:) ZfON’S WATCH TOWER ALLCCHF.NY. PA.

aggressively, as you suggest. or tlefen5ively. Really we are walls that now at, last “wheat” may be distinguished from
fPn the tlefensivc-the stronghold Zion is attacked b.v enzmiei “tare?.” \\‘e know of no better Rid in this conflict than the
from without and within. The Bible is attacked by so-called “Volunteer TOWER.‘, It, is an inspiring scene to see the Al-
Higher Critics, and the cross. the doctrine of the ransom, is legheny church volunteers going forth every Sunday morn-
attacked by Evolutionists and hosts of others. and the long ing, and it must be still more so to witness the larger com-
entrenched errors of doctrine are now stumbling mnnv who panp of the Boston church-about 80 per cent, of the entire
want to be on the Lord’s side of this battle-the &de of church, we understand, are “volunteers.” The influence of
truth. The enemy of truth, Satan, and his deluded follow- such preachers and their message is bound to tell on the right,
erz must be shown up and driven completely out-i& Zion’s class.-EnIToR.]

BIBLE READING INDISPENSABLE

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:-I can hardly appreciate the How much efiort on our part is implied in the word “keep!”
advice given by you in the last ~VATCII TOWER, under caption -continuous effort,, yet ever mindful of the fact, that the
of “Attention, Watch Tower Readers!” inasmuch as I am al- Lord is the “author” as well as the “finisher of our faith.”
ways benefited by a rereading of the DAWNS, but permit. me It is t,o “pray without. ceasing,” to “quench not the spirit,”
to say that I believe there are some who may misconstrue the to “despise not prophesying,” to “prove all things and hold
last two sentences of the above ni title and think into them a fast that which is good.”
meaning it is not intended they should contain, viz., that Some three years ago, when I began to apprecintp the
you a&i advocating the reading-of the DAWNS exclusive of beauty of “pres&t trut&‘, I realized f had lost much presi-
God’s 1Vortl. I have learned from observation that those ous time. and desiring to make the best, of the little I had
&ho merely read the DAWNS without examining the context left, I thought over s&era1 plans and finally derided on this
of Scriptures quoted do not become well established in the one, “Every day I will try to become a little more like Jesus,
truth, SO that when the fire that, tries every man’s faith be- and then lie well make plain to me those things I do not now
conic-J Inure ;ntcn-c, they are unable to endure the ordeal. understand.” And I find that mv knowledee of the “deer,
It has further been my experience that, those who state that thinff-+ of God” has ever been co&mensurate with my proi-
“they” have the Bible to read, and that it is sufficient for ress in becoming more and more like God’s dear Son, but
tl& without reading the DAWNS, never come to a clear herem I became aware of the greatest struggle of my hfr,
knowledge of the truth, because they thereby ignore the in- a struggle to the death of the old nature, and oh, what a
strumentality that God has been pleased to honor in setting struggle it is, only those who have tried to stem the current
forth his truth in these last days. And in ignoring the in- of a fallen and -depraved nature know. I found arrayed
strumentality they ignore not man, but God, “who worketh against me the world, the flesh and the devil, but “thanks
all thines after the counsel of his own will;” and hence, as be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
long as-they maintain such an attitude, they cannot hop& to Christ! ” How appropriate are the words,-
be led into all truth. But happy are those who keep their “Keep striving: the winners are those who have striven
minds in a receptive condition for truth, willing to receive And fought for the prize that, no idler has won;
it through whatever agency the Lord may be pleased to send To the hand of the stedfast alone it is given,
it. to them. May the Lord enable each one of us so to be. And before it, is gained there is work to be done.”
Before closing I must tell you that I was greatly encour-
a~~(1 t,y tile article, “licep voul selvcz in the love of God.” Enclosed find order for DAWNS. With much Christian
Ilow it has refreshed me in spirit! I appreciate more fully lo\e, I am,
now the fact, that it, is one thing to possess the “love of God” Yours in our Redeemer,
and another thing to maintain it to the end of our course. E. J. Cow.kRD.-!/‘exus.
- -_~-- _~__---
RLLEGHESY, PA., JULY 15, 1900 No. 14
~__~____ ~_~~ - ____----- _~--__~~

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

IS T:TE CHINA TROUBLE PROPHETICALLY SIGNIFICANT? The Chinese are a thrifty people and peaceably disposed
Apparently a serious crisis in the world’s affairs is being and not specially patriotic,-else they would not have sub-
rearhc #I in C’!iina. For the past sixty years Europeans have mitted to these intrusions so long as thev have. Indeed,
been into utling thrnlticlves upon the Chinese, ostensibly for they are quite tolerant toward f&ei,aners “who will adopt
the I,cnrrolcnt l,urlmqc of blessing the Chinese with European their civilization, submit to their laws and mind their own
civiliz;:tion but really for commercial purposes,-supplying business. Fnderstxnding the circumstances, we cannot so
tlieir neetl: for n monev consideration. Subsequently, about much wonder at the recent uprising against foreigners under
tortv 1 car*. ,~n:b. Iln(ltnr’ compulsory rrgulntions forced upon the aurpices of an athletic society called the “Ho\ers.” It
the ’ CGinesr, C’hl istmn missionaries were permitted to enter is worthy of note that the presrnt outbreak. \v!iile it has ex-
the Flowery Empire to contradict its religious and moral tended to all missionaries and all foreigners, nevertheless
ideas rhpri\hctl fox crnturirs. The new religion brought fam- began with Roman Catholics exclusively. Much as we must
ilv stlifr-rspcclally hcc::n=.c it taught. the people that, thei deprecate the killing of many missionaries and many native
a;lc<+tol s (\\ I~mn tile Cl,il:r~c worship as demi-gods) , not bc- converts, we must admit that such an uprising would have
in,: I~~llc~vc~c: in tlrp 011ly n<tmc \vhelc,ln ih s~~lrntion, were 10-k occurred long ago among white men of any nationality.
etci,rlallv-tloon~c(l to everlasting torments. Lack of patriotic sentiment amongst the Chinese, and in.
Th&e misionnrics, and all foreign merchants who lodged fcrior armament, etc., account; for the delay of this outbreak:
with them, were spc~cinlly protected by treaty laws and rrg- the l,eople have been kept so busy providing for life’s necessi.
ulationc. ant1 thuc n-cre rsemptcd from Chinrse laws and be- tirs that love of money ha4 crowded out love of country.
came a fnvoretl people, possessed of greater privileges and EuroDe is astounded at the late uprising, for two reasons.
liberties thnn tllc 7lntircs. aloreo\ er, the missionaries (es- (1) It, offers a suggestion that a patriotic feeling may yet
l~rcinlly the Komnniats. from all accounts) attempted to ex- takp hold of the Chinese. which with their overwhelming
tclltl LilrV =ncI inl lrrntr rights to such Chinese as professed numbcls would make them a menace to Europe, for they
a1r~:VC15lc:n-t‘1.lP ;,ril .:S ‘became the attorneys of their people, could muster an almy twice as numerous as rcmld all Europe
:~r,i I,\ nr~“umc~nt+ and threats, etc., generally got their faith- combine&-an almy kcrustomed to obedience. and very eco-
frill iI& flom ch,lr::cq brought against them. nomical. (2) Even should the whites succeed in coercing the
‘! I.113 1ncl1 by :cch the white man forcibly intruded upon Chinese, and’hold the kingdom as a vassal empire, or &vide
t!le vc~llow man, lmtll tile war between China and Japan. It amongst the “more civilized,” the danger is that interna-
which displayed to the civilized world the helplessneys oi tional jealousies over shares in the spoils, “spheres of influ-
China, the second greatest. nation of the world numerically ence.” etc., woald ultimately lead to great. wars. far-reaching
(4~~0,000,000). Since then the white man’s arrogance has in- in their influence, and qui’te possibly involving all Europe.
err?sed, and the newspapers of the world have told the Chi- It 1s from this standpoint that affairs in China are of
nes” that, it. is only a question of time until their nation all1 special interest to those who know that we are living in the
no longer exist, being divided among the nations of Europe, harvest time of the Gospel age, and who are instructed from
who have grasped ports and whole districts, compelling a the Word of God to expect this age to close with a great
nominal acquiescence on the part of the Cbinese. time of trouble-beginning with international complications,
[2662]
JULY 15, 1900 ZION’S Wr4TCH TOWER

and ending with anarchy. From this standpoint we examine of thr world to Christ is near at hand: that thus the Millen-
the Scriptures and note the following as seemingly pertinent, nlal kingdom will be introduced. They will find that they
indicating that every nation of earth will be involved in the have heen uttering a false cry, saying, Peace, Peace, when
trouble, but that “Christendom,” “Babylon,” “Sheshach,” fill there is no peace, and can be no peace satisfactory or lasting
be the last to drink the cup of wrath. We quote froln *Tere- until thr Prince of Peace, Immanuel, shall establish it through
miah 25:15-33, as follows:- his kingdom, by breaking in pieces the nations as a potter?
“Thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me: Take the vessel, and establishing his kingdom on a different basis in
wine-cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations thrir stead-on their ruins. Kotc now how the same pro-
to whom I scud thee, to drmk it. And they shall drink, and phcf- refers to this despair of the pastors. etc.. of nominal
be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send Christendom, :tt the Rpoliation of their pasture iicldq. as fnl-
among them. . . . . All the kings of the north, far and lows :-
near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world “Howl, yr shepherds [pastors], and cl y : ant1 wal10~~ YOUF
which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Shes- selves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the davq of
hach shall drink after them. your slaughter and of your dispersion are come: and ye ‘shall
“Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord fall [and be ruined] like a delicate vrssel. And the shep-
of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink ye and be drunken, and herds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock
spue and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which to escape. A voice of crying from the shepherds [pastors]
1 will send among you. and an howling from the principal of the flock shall br heard.
“And it shall be if they refuye to take the cup at thine for the Lord bath spoiled their pa+ire.“-Set Jer. 25:31-37.
hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the * * *
rAortl 0f h08t9 : Ye shall certainly drink. . . . . for 1 Lord Salisbury. the Briti4 Prime ?tIinistcr, addrrssiue
will call for a sword upon all thd inhabitant4 of the earth, ‘The Soclcty for the Propagnl~o~r o/ 111~3Gospel in Fo,-ci&
5aith the Lord of hosts. . . . . The Lord hath a con- l’rr).ts, recently said :-
troversy -with the nations: he will plead with all flesh : he “Just look at this Chinese matter. You obselvc all the
will gi& them that are wicked to the sword, saith the people who are slaughtered. Do :oii imagine that they are
T.ord. . . . . hlaughtered simply because the Chmrse dislike their religion?
“Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a There is no nation in the world so indifferent on the subject
crlr,tt whirlwind shall be raised up from the coast3 [bounda- of religion as the Chinese ! It is because they and other na-
Ficsl of the rarth. :jnd tile slain of the Lord shall be at that tions have got the idea that missionary work is a mere in-
day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the htrument of the secular gouerrlmcnt to achieve thr objects it
cart11 . they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor has in view. In the East they Ilaw the proverb, ‘Fii~t the
huricd.” .\Iissionarg, then the Consul, then thcb (;pnclr,ll.’ ”
It 1* not fol 115 to prophery, hut to icek to interpret ant\ -x \ ‘i
apply prophecy : and even then we are to learn from the past
that it is not the divine purpose that matters prophetically wte Londo?l. AspPctnto?-. comnlenting 011 llw general dlsllke
of Europeans by Asiatirs, now bring c~uc~mplifird in China,
rrvcalcd shall be understood in detrctl until during or after
says :-
fulfilmrnt .--and then by those taught of God. We therefore
mcrclr suggest that, in harmony with the foregoing Scrip- “There is in China no race hatred, or color hatred, or, as
turcs’it will not surprise 113 if the Chinese are entering now we believe, hatred of creed for Chin,~~ Christians. Thcv
their share of the great day of wrath upon all nations;- could he tolerated quite well as mere idiots, but that those
nhoui, to drink their share of the cup of divine wrath, which
who dislike their ideas fear thrm also, and believe that unless
is to bring all nations low, as an experience preparatory to those who propagate them are extirpated the ideas will win.
the gr& blcqsing of all the world under the Nillennial king- The Europeans, they say, are already convincing many; they
d0n1. And if it was appropriate that Israel, the natural seed have almost persuaded our Emperor: year by year their views
of Abraham, upon rejection of Messiah should be punished are advancing among the peoplr,-if thrv and their disciples
and de3tioyetl nationally, ciphtern centuries ago, will it bc are suffered to live. our religion, our &ilizntion, our social
strarwe if other nations also be comnelled to drink of the .ystc111. all arc loit to,qct11rr. A\ for our lltc,r.lti. tll(sv wilt
<ame cup of wrath?-See verse 20.
1

he ruined first, for they are our ollicials. People wondet that
India has already been severely scourged with famine and the harmless missionaries should be the objects of such a pas-
r,c--tl teilcc, yet these may be only the brginnliiI,I ot liar shalt’ Gon, that thev should hr disrn~I~owclctl instead of m(wlv
in the cup of wrath, which we understand ~111 be to ever) I~eheatlrd : l)ut “think of thr trcatiiic7il 18f tlr(b Ci~ii<tian, 1,)
nation, as it drinks thereof, a time of trouble without prece- thr Rnnlnn Judges :IIIC~ we .h:111 lw:!111 to lll~tlcl3t:l1~,1 i 1lC
tlent. Probably the trouble will extend from nation to nation Chinese movement. Add but a little fear to the ffelings nl-
during the next few years, until finally, despite every effort ready generated, and who would answrr for the lives of Jew&
to alert it (verse 2s)) great Babylon’s turn will come-prob- in France, or Germany, or Rusqia, or’ for those of Bnarchi+
ably within ten years from now, when she must drink the very in any part of Eurone ? A6fics
I .
in all aces have believed the
dregs of the cup, suffering more severely than the heathen amalgam of beliefs and social way3 which constitutes their
ilations, even as qhc has eujoycd greater privileges and sinned civilization, to be divine and unimprnvablc, and regard those
against greatei light. “Babylon - Sheshach - shall drink wno despise it, and preach against it, and shake it, as the in
crftcr tlltWl “--v~~lw “ri. trusive Europeans certainly do, uith a horror which of itself
extinguishes the feeling of a common humanity. They hare
the “Gospel of the kingdom” was circulated through-
As
no more sense that slau<ghtering such iq wicked, than tht
nut Palestine before itr trouble and overthrow, so we believe Parisians had when they iiiaqsac.rcd th(e lliipurnot~, 01’ thnll
thr %ame Gos~wl of the I\lngdom ~1111Lc prew!wd for a mtness English sportsmen have wlirii tllq 01 :_!ani7~ ,I 1~ ttlli ni
to each nation before its trouble comes. Chiua probably con- birds.”
tains but few fully consecrated Christians, and these chiefly + l +
among the misslo~arics, and hrnce the “harvest” inessage
might quickly leach them all. In this connection it mill be General Lord Wolsley, of the British \Var Department,
interesting to note, ( 1) that under divine nrovidencc our dear takes a very pessimistic virw of thr outlook in China. which
Brother if. A. Ra;ldlc’aent a special pw&al appeal to each is corroborated by the acr~~mulatin:, r rvid~,nrrs that since tht
Christian missionarv in China. and later manv tracts and China-Japan war China haq bccm quietly drilling her troop:
DAWW, about a ye& before this trouble broke ‘out; (2) the nnd arming them with mndern wcnlmw. marhine guns, rtc.
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society sent tracts and book- ITc qaitl rccently:-
lets extensively to the same missionaries last year. True, we “China possessrs every rcql+itc for ovrrrunning the world.
cannot say that many have received the truth, but we had no She has a population of 40O,OOO.000, all speaking the same
reason to cyl”ct that ma9y would receive it. Yet the :vitncqs language, or dialect, readily underetooc? from one end of the
\vas given to all before their great time of trouble came. Snd empire to the other. She has enormously developed wealth,
who knows but what this interruption of mission work, backed and still enormous natural wealth awaiting development. I-ICI
by the truth, may set others to thinking in another direction men, if properly drilled and led, arc admirable soldiers. They
-to looking and praying for God’s kingdom to come, as the are plucky, and able to live on next to nothing. Moreover,
only hope of the world. they arc xbsolutcly fearless of death. Begin with the fnundn-
t,ion of millions upon millions 0 f such wldiers as those men
THE SHEPHERDS DISAPPOINTED AND CIZAGRINED are capable of bring madr, and tell mc. if you can, where the
Reverses in the mission fields of the world, one after an- cntl will be.”
other, will be very discouragin<g to ministers who have been A Chinese gentleman of education rxplains that the present
preaching to themselves and others that ‘a peaceful conversion trouble is occasioned by the Chinese lark of conscience: that
[2663]
(210 214) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

well-meaning missionaries are duped by many of those pro- is not one town in the whole length and breadth of China
fessing conversion. He says for instance,- that has been visited by missionaries, in which you could not
A Chinaman, an executor of a relative’s will, may decide at this moment find indisputable evidence of a case similar
to cheat the orphans under his care. He arranges the matter in all essentials to the example I have given you.”
readrly with the Mandarin ruler by promising him one-half We wonder how long it will require our dear friends in-
the booty. Later he concludes to give him but one-eighth, terested in missions to learn that God is seeking as his
and to pave the way attends mission meetings, etc. Then he “elect” not the lowest, but the highest types of man;-that
represents himself as terribly persecuted because of his new now is not the Lord’s time for judging the heathen-that as
religion, and through the missionary secures consular protec- the Apostle declares, “God hath appointed a day [the Mil-
tion which hinders him from being tried in a Chinese court. lennial day-2 Pet. 3:8] in the which he will judge the world
This step is taken months in advance of his refusal to give in righteousness.” (Acts 17 :31) When they learn this they
the hlandarin the promised one-half of his booty. will see the un-wisdom of attempting to forestall Jehovah’s
The missionary, unused to such duplicity, labors, as he plan, and will cooperate rather in his great and gracious ar-
SUppOSW, for justice for the oppressed, but the result of his rangement of first calling and preparing an “elect” church,
efforts may be summed up thus,- which by and by shall, as God’s “royal priesthood,” with their
“Net result: A misled missionary confirmed in his wrong- glorious Lord, Jesus, as fully competent missionaries, bless
heatlctlnc9s ; a wouldbe dishonest mantlarln halfled and mfurl- the heathen with the gracmus opportunity of salvation prom-
ated: two orphans robbed of their inheritance; food for nine ised. Perhaps a signal failure of present missions, and spoil-
days’ gnssip, and stirring up of hatred of ‘foreign devils’; the ing of pastures, may be God’s method for awakening his true
wholr a piece of rank injustice. servants now deluded and blinded by false doctrines contrary
“Let mc deliberately state that I am quite certain there to the Word.

PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN

The Lord’s blessing attcntls the British branch. Four col- work is going on in four sections of the city. Yesterday was
portrurs are at work there with good success. Brother Hen- the first day on “double turn” (A. hf. and P. M.) and the total
ningts writes of their work thus,-“The results of their labors number of copies of the Volunteer TOWER distributed was
for the last two months show that any one of average intelli- 4,000. At this rate we shall soon be obliged to call on you
gence and activity can, with the Lord’s blessing, sustain him- for funds for another 100,000 edition.”
self in the work. Give a clarion call from the WATCH TOWER Our Society has just rented a very desirable meeting place
for more laborers for this great field, advising would-be la- where Sunday meetings will be regularly held. It is a public
borers to write to the British branch for terms, territory, hall opposite the Great Eastern Ry. station, and near Wan-
&c.” sted Park station of Midland Ry. The entrance is No. 73
Rcapccting the “Volunteer” service Bro. H. says,-“The Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, London E. All who trust in
Volunteer work is progressing well; particularly in this city the precious blood of Christ will be cordially welcomed. Seats
(London), where we have so far put out 14,000 copies. The free. No collections.

THE COLPORTEUR WORK AT HOME

We have had many additions to this service lately, but -“the eleventh hour.” Write us for particulars if you have
still there is mom for consecrated laborers. The harvest is the desire and the opportunity to thus “preach the \Vord”
great. the laborers few, comparatively, and the time is short by printed page.

THE MINISTRY OF COMFORT

“The Lord hath n?lolnted me . . . to comfort all that mourn; to appoint [promise] unto them that mourn in Zion, to gite unto
them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they mzght be
called trees of righteousness, the p&nthg of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61: 1-3.
c)ur text is surely good tidings in a very broad and a very visions made for them, and hence they cannot receive the
deen sense. Its message is one of “comfort,” not only to Zion, blessing, the consolation, the “comfort” now, but must wait
the’consecrated church, but to all who mourn; and as men- for it until the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom, the bind-
tally we cast nur eyes over the world we are deeply impressed ing of Satan and the opening of their understanding wrth the
with the thought that the vast majority of mankind are in eye-salve of the truth.
mourning: as the Apostle expresses it, “The whole creation But as respects Zion, the consecrated church, this comfort
prnnnctll ant1 trnvarleth in pain together.” There are un- is now her privilege, and all children of Zion need to be com-
doubtedly a few who are full, satisfied, and who mourn for forted. First of all, they need the comforting knowledge that
nothing, and who, therefore, under these conditions, are ex- their sins are forgiven, and that they are no longer strangers
cluded from any share in this promised blessing: but they are and aliens and foreigners, but children of God, ioint-heirs
exceptions to the rule. Some of them are wealthy in this with Jesus Christ their Lord, if so be that they’ siffer with
world’s goods, and feel that they have need of nothing, and him. Thev need to be comforted. too. with the assurances
are kept busy with their efforts to enjoy themselves. There of the Lord’s Word that our God’is very sympathetic, “very
are others of the same full class who, tho not wealthy, have pitiful,” and that if anyone be overtaken in a fault he may
a very self-satisfied feeling as respects their moral status: be restored, and “not be utterly cast down.” If the children
they do not realize themselves as sinners; they do not realize of Zion had no such consolations as these thev surelv would
tiwr llnilv Imperfections nor their need of a Savior; and be utterly discouraged, disheartened, and faini by tie way;
are not mourning for anything, and not therefore in the way hence the Lord has provided these comforting assurances,
to be comforted with any of the comforting assurances and pointing out to them that having begun a good work in them
promises and provision which the Lord has made for those he is desirous of completing it, if they will permit him to do
who mourn. so, and that to this end they must abide in Christ bv faith,
So far as the world is concerned, our Lord’s ministry coupled with obedience to the extent of their ability.” What
of comfort to them is chiefly a future work. We rejoice, how- Christian is there who has not sha.red these consolations.
ever, that the time is sure to come when all that mourn, all these comforts, and what Christian has not needed them, ani
the “groaning creation,” shall be brought under the blessed realized that without them he would long since have been
influences and provisions of the Millennial kingdom, and shall undone?
there come to know the consolations which God has provided The Scriptures point out to us that our comfort comes
in Christ .-the balm for every trouble, every wound ; the cure through fellowship with the heavenly Father and with our
for every blight, every sin and every imperfection; and their Lord Jesus : we are comforted, not by believing that they
privilege of profiting by these to the fullest measure by giv- are ignorant of our weaknesses and shortcomings,, nor that
ing themselves unreservedly into the care of the Good Physi- thev have a low standard of righteousness and a smful basis
cian. But the poor world, blinded and deceived by the god of of iellowship, but quite to the contrary of all this, they com-
this world as respects the character and plan of Jehovah, fort us with the assurance that altho our every imperfection
can neither see, hear, nor appreciate now the wonderful pro- is known to the Lord he is yet very sympathetic, very merci-
126641
JULY 15, 1900 ZIOiV’S 1t’ATCH TOWER (215 -1161

ful: and that havmg provided, in the great qaclifice at Cal- livered to the saints, that all the terms and conditions of our
v&r\*‘. a full nronitiation (satisfaction) for all sins, the Lord covenant should be clearly held in mmd, and that the prom-
is &y pleased Ato apply,’ on behalf bf each of his adopted lses of reward at the end of the iournev might serve to com-
children, m full measure, the riches of grace necessary to the fort, strengthen and establish &e chlfdren‘-of Zion in their
cove1 ing and offsetting of every unintentional, unapproved endurance of the tribulations a4 good soldiers. This comfort.
error and failure, 1Vhat comfort is here! What consola- agam. was of the Lord, thxough >he holy spwt, through the
tion ! Wlnt privileges of fellowship with the Father and with agency of Paul and Timothy. Again, the same Apostle, speak-
the Son ! ing in the same strain, says: “\\-herefore, comfort yourselves
And this comfort, the Scriptures assure us, comes to us together and edify one another, even as also ye do.“-1 Theis.
thro:lgh the holy spirit-it is the channel, and, hence indeed, 5:ll.
calleci> the CornFort-er. (John 14:26) Those who have the -411 of the Lord’s people need to remember that in pro-
holy spirit may have the comfort; those who do not have the portion as they are ambassadors of the Lord, and his repre-
holy sl)lrlt may not have this comfort, this coniolatlon. It sentatives, it will be their privilege not only by and by in
is only as we receive of the spirit of the Lord, the mind of the kingdom to “comfort all that mourn,” and to be the trees
the Lord. his disnosition. that we are able to understand and of righteousness. whose leaves will be for the healing of the
appreciate the le&ths and breadths, the heights and depths nations (Rev. 22:2), but they should remember that in the
of his love and compassion and provision for us, and to be present life they have a ministry of comfort to perform also,
comforted thereby. toward all who mourn in Zion-toward all of th? J,ord’s peo-
Scvertheless, this comfort of the holy spirit (the channel ple who are in any tribulation, physical or mental disquiet,
of divine favor), reaches u3 through the Scriptures, for the dis-ease; and they should remember, too, that just in propor-
Scriptures are the medium, or sub-channel through which the tion as they are filled with this spirit now. it is their prlvl-
kno\\letlfre of (+od’s grace and the comfort of all knowledge lcge to bind up the broken-hearted, and comfort the mourning
reach us; in the Apostle’s language, “Whatsoever things were ones. Ko one-can have this spirit of helpfulness, this dispd:
written aforetime were written for our learning, that we sition to comfort and to strenrrthen. and to edifv. and to un-
through patience and comfort of the Scnptures might have build the household of faith, y\;cept he hare ir;‘con<itlcr:rl~e
hope.“-Rom. 15 : 4. measure the spirit of the truth, the spirit of the Lord, the
Yet while this comfort is of the Father, through the Son, spirit of love: and in proportion as each seeks to cultivate
by the holy spirit, communicated through the Scriptures, we this privilege of brotherly helpfulness, in comforting and up-
are informed that in great measure it is communicated by the building and strengthening, in that same proportion he will
members of the body of Christ one to another, as the Apostle, find the spirit of love developin g and abounding in his own
for instance, after ielating certain features of the divine plan heart, and that his likeness to the Lord Jesus, the Head of
respecting the deliverance of the church, says, “Wherefore, the body, is becoming more pronounced from day to day and
com/ort ol~e arlotller with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:lS) from pear to year.
Ym1ilarlp, the Apostle declares that he sent Tunothy to the Finally, in view of what we have seen respecting the
church at Cnhesus. and neain to the church at Colosse. that Lord’s goodness toward his people, and the methods by which
he n~ryht cori?fol-t their he&ts. This, of course, signifies that he comforts them through the holy spirit, the Scrlptureq and
hc \\ns to draw their attention to the exceeding great and the brethren, let us note one of the -4pnstle’s expressions re-
prrc~ous promises of the Lord’s Word, and that thus they specting the great comfort and consolation which God has
might drink in the holy spirit of all the promises, and that provided for his consecrated, faithful people, saying:-
thu$ they might be comforted, not only with respect to the “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord ,Jesus Christ,
things promised, but with respect to the loving compassion the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort, who comforteth
and qympnthy of him who promises them. ~t(sin all our tribulation, that we may he able to comfort them
\\‘riting to the Thessalonians, the Apostle says that he which are in any trouble, bv the comfort wherewith we our-
sent Timnth.y-“to establish you and to comfort you concern- selves are comforted of God.“-2 Cor. 1:3. 4.
ing your faith, that no man should be moved by these afflic- So then, ail of oui lessons and experiences in life in con-
tionq: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto: nection with trials and difficulties and tribulations, if we are
for verily, when we were with you we told you we should rightly exercised by them, should bring us larger experiences
hlllTc,r trllllilitition, (*Ten as it came to pa’s mifl ;\ e know-. For in the Lord’s comfort, through the gracious promises of his
tlllq c:lII5(‘. \\hen 1 ccn&l no longer forbear, I sent to know Word and the spirit of the same; and should make uq the
?our faith, Irqt 1)~ snme means the tempter had tempted you.” more capable and efficient agents and representatives of the
( 1 Then. 3.2-5) Here again it is evident that the comfort- Lord, his Word and his spirit, in communicating comfort to
ing ilgnitics ant1 implies establishment in the faith once de- others about us in their trials and difficulties.

“FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS*’

NATT. 18 :21-35.--9vcus~ 12.
,\Ilpalr~ntly this lcs3on grew out of the preceding one on who trespassrd against them to that extent-seven times.
the nec(BS<itv for guartlinr against stumbling the least of the \Vliat must have bc*rn his astnni~hmc~nt, an11 that of all thp
Lord’s littlh ones. It would :’ c appear that Peter had immr- apostles, to hear the Lord sav that fnrgircness ~hnuld hr :tc‘-
dlnte.ly attempted to put into prartire the instructionr of the corded, practically, times &thout number-ycvcnty tlmeq
previous Ics90n. anI1 it was his inquiry as to how often it seven.
nould be his duty to exercise forgiveness toward a repentant The thought wnuld seem to be that tho$e who become the
brother, that gave nur Lord the opportunity to inculcate a T,ortl’s people, partakers of his Spirit, the spirit of love. lvill.
lesson upon the subject of forgiveness. in 1)rollo1tion :1q tltev are fill~l \\~th th,~t ~1~11 It a1111I(~II IIT
The teaching of the .Jewish rabbis on the subject of for- that Spirit, be w generous, $0 magnanimous, so loving, &t
glvrnesy Iraq, that, if the wrnnrdoer repented of his evil words they \\nuld not only bc willing but glad to forg:lve a repent-
or actions and came to the aggrieved person, acknowledging ant brother;-glad to be first to extend the olive branch and
his wrong and asking forgiveness, he should be granted for- to make his way b;lc!i tcl Irronclliatmn anti II,II monv a, <mnottt
giveness aq often as three times. They based their teaching as possible. From hearts full of pride. canv,v, malice and ot1rc.r
on this subject on the statements of .Job 33 :2D-margin, and elements of the spirit of selfishness and sin, and mrrely
Arnoq 2.4. Our Lord’s teaching on the suhlert was. in many topped off with a coat of hcnevnl(hnre anI1 gcnc,rnqity. it ~111
Te\pectq, the reverse of this, and required the offended one to be impossible to dip out very much of the spirit of folcive-
go to the offendtlr to make inquiry respecting the matter, and ncss, without t1ippin.g out with it Snnie of the bittrrness and
to show him his fault,. This would require great humi1it.y hatred: and even with this mixture forgiveness could not bc
on the pait of the one who felt himqrlf aggrlerrtl, for it 19 granted very freely by an unregenerated heart. But with a
much easier to resent and avoid the injurer, than to go to heart emptied of malice, and hatred and envy, and filled with
him according to the rule which our Lord has laid down, brotherly kinllnrss, meekness, paticnc*c*. ~(~utl(*n(~~.. fo1 IN~,II-
Peter seems to have gotten the impression that the Lord’s ance, love, we may dip a cup of fnrglveness on evrrr occasion
rule, being different from that of the rabbis in this respect, and as oft as it mav be applied for, and it will be without
would also probably be more generous and require that for- a mlrture of evil, bi’tternesq, sarcasm, etc., but pure and un-
giveness be granted a larger number of times; hence Peter adulterated, generous, loving forgivc*ne5s.
adds together the three and the four times mentioned by \VP are to remenibc~1, hn\\evrr. that tlii+ holy Spirit which
Amos, making seven in all, and inquireq whether the Lord we have in our earthen vessels did not abound there at first,
would hare his followers be generous and forgiving to those but with all was merely a surface coating, as it were, to be-
[2665]
<III with. C;raduallx, as the holy Spirit increased 1n our heing heard by the church. Its decision should be considered
hearts and abounded. it dlsplacrtl the wrong spirit: hence final, and be accepted by all. If either of the brethren still
those who are able from thei hearts to dip the cup of for- have doubts as to his receiving justice in the matter he may
giveness repeatedly and without a mixture of evil thereby console himself with the thought that he \%ill surely obtain
.gire evidence that they hare been with Jesus and have a blessing by giving full and hearty assent to the Lord’s ar-
learned of him, and that they have drunk deeply of his spirit, rangements, even if he have so large a measure of self-con
.ind that they hnrc been purging out the old leaven of malice, ceit that he still believes his side of the question to be right,
.~ntL ale being sanctified-by-the truth, being made meet for notwithstanding the judgment of all the brethren to the con-
the. inhe~~tiancc of the saints in light. IVc are to remember trary.
1 hat, till. glonth in glace. \\hilc it”ha; a positive time of be- Whoever will thus humble himself 1n obedience to the
x:lhning, 111 our consecration vow, is nevertheless a gradual voice of the church will have a bIessing. and as we under-
\b’Ork. requiring patient perseverance in well-doing, requiring stand the Lord, it will be reasonable for him to expect that
also that the old nature, with its evil disposition, be mortified the voice of the church in such a matter will be supernatur-
tontiili~all!--dc,aclencd --so that our minds may be be renewed .illv guided, that tl uth and l.i~llt~~Oll~Il~i~ iJ~nv trJuJnlJh hit
under the tl;lnsforItling ~nfluencc* of thcb spilit of the truth, in amongst the Lord’s people, let: ub not forget ‘that this is: the
\iliic11 1,~ :IIC 10 elo\‘, tlail). highest tribunal, and that brother should not go to law with
‘h! “cevrllt~ 1 lll1,‘S >~~.\PlJ,” iJleJitioned by our Lord, we brother in the worldly court>, however much he may feel
\vuuld not llndel?tJntl tcl signify a limited number of times, himself aggrieved: if he have the forgiving spirit he certainly
11ut r:~thrr 211 unllmitc~l numbel-that whoever has the Lord’s will rest the matter where the ‘Lord directs, and that too
jljirlt ~111 IW gl,~tl .tt ‘I,,” tlltrt~ to ,,I1l1l~SS i, rv(wllt‘lll~y. orf without harboring any unkind or ungenerous sentimcWs.
vb iI-doers nntl to a~(01 tl thtm iorpi\ cw+. ‘I’hih does not im- This will be the errtam effect of the indwcllling of the *pirit
ply. however. that thcic ina> IW no prn.~lt~c+ nttachcd with of holiness, the spirit uf love.
the forgi\cncss; a<. for initanccs. In the dealing of a parent In respect to dealings \\ ith those who .Ire without, in the
u ith a child. tile moral ohllquity of the nuscu1d1w1 nldy be mattc~r of forgiveness, believing husbands dealing with unbe-
forgil cn, and the parent’s intllgn,~tion a*Iinst the tlisobedi- lieving wives or believing wives dealing with unbelieving hus-
~nc(* of nll\bc~h;lT 101 l,;l~~ ;I\~;I) irlllnc*diatelp, ant1 ;\ et it ma) l~alltl- 01 l)eli~\ing peison~ in business relationsliip with unbe-
he prot)cr :It frnlf5 to ittipocr wlJJ12 ]Wllillt~ 011 the trespassing lievers: the same spirit of lore and generosity and forgivr-
c*llild. In CL\vr) SUCII C~ISV. INNCI cr, it should bc clearly un- ncss will apply in every case but not exactly the same way.
~l(~ritood 1)) Ilrcs (Ilil(l that thi3 is not because of the parent’s The believer should be generous toward the unbeliever-he
II IsfiLVOl. \\hic11 ]I:(:, ((.:1+~~~1 III thr foigivcnehs. but that hii should expect in himself“a larger measure of generosity than
por*nliar ]KIICW]:I] tint) r(*qItilo~ that a It+~on shall bc taught he would exuect from the unbeliever because he has had les-
which ~1ill hc Ilclljful to t11e child in thr folmntion of char- sons and exieriences in the school of Christ which the unbe-
at tel. Iii >IIC~ a cd.ic tlita 10~ of the p”icnt will of necessity liever never- had; he has received the new mind, which the
be ~~IJ~JoIIs;. h~iil~JiLthC+ti(.. and carefill that thp punishment unbeliever knows not of. He should not onlv. therefore, be
+Ilall bc only +11cl1aq mi$t pro]H~rlv lye of benefit to the child just in his dealings, but additionally, in propo%ion as he bay
-corrcctioil iii I iplitc~ou~ncl+, imt ‘in \I ratll. llowcver. huch be able, he should bc generous, forgiving, not too exacting.
corrections as thi:, belong o111y lo p:~~cnl~ ant1 guardians. and Ilmewr. ii :II~ 11nhelievin L’ unitner has attntl1~lc~tl d fraud.
do not ploperl; cxtc9ld to 1114hr(~11III the Lord’s family, who the believing partner, while’ e;ercising a spirit .of generosity
are not eomn~~~~iont~tl to judgis .ultl to puni*h one another, toward hnm. if thp mat,tcr annears to have been wilful. should
but to assist one anotller.-the Mnstcr’s \iortls to such being deliver the offender to the ;<orld’s courts, which he &know]-
most positive and emphatic, “,rudpc nothing before the time.” ,dp.. Ilot ,)I Iw,~lltill:_l ii1 a 4pii it of angel 01 :ir:~licc~ or II,P
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place tirtl. llut a~ clr~ill(~ lrii tlut\- t~~wal tl socictg for the supl)l~‘~~l~~n
unto wrath.” “Remember him who hat11 ~;n~tl. T’cngcnnce is of evil-tiorrs iii mwlJortJo;l as the lawi and arrangemrnts of
mine. I will repay, sxith the Lortl.” the world are rdasdnahle flom a Christian standdoint. And
rven if he should fullr forciyc. concludinp that there were
“I I,Llr of the same I1IhcTit‘lll(.(h. ,xt,enliatin: c~ircumstnl;c~c~; 1, llirh would ndt requirr that he
(‘hilt1 of the self-y,ime Gorl. should deliver the guilt> one to the judges of earthly courts.
H(b Ilath hut stumhlc~l in the pat11 he might piopcil;v cuough ektecm it t,o bc his duty to have no
l\e hare in \veal;nr**+ trod.” further denlil!gs with such :I prrson. ~vhon~ he could not trust.
This would not imp11 .lny lack of forgivnrs+. hut merel> n
reasonable and commendable prudcncc~.
Indeed. the cons.?cratrtl pcBople of God are admonished by
the Apostle not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. and
this might not iiurcason:~l~l~ Iv2 npplietl. not only to marriage.
Itut al\0 to l)uGii(5s c1ug,1g(fi111r111. it1111 :1111il1lci’~. ~lniil.lrl!
the Apostle informs us that if th e unbelieving husband or
wif(s choose to depart from the belierrr, the latter may con-
clude that it is providential nnd for his deliverance from xn
unequal yoke, as the Apostle says, “Let the unbeliever de-
part”-permit hiw to cancel tlic marriage contract if hr will.
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS
As was his custom, our Lord illustrated his teaching on
this subject with a parable: the king, in the parable. first
forrrlres one of his servants a verv larce indcbtc~tllles~-tll~t
W, ‘he permits him to go free, as {ho hg had no such indebt-
edness against him, that he might do \\hat he could toward
the Davment of the debt. This servant in turn- finds a fellow-
-ervant who owes him a trifling sum. au11 who likewisr prnm-
ises its na;vment: but the unmerciful servant, not having the
+rit of the king. IS ungenwous and exa&ing, and rrfusing
forgiveness attempt3 to esact it through force. The mntt,er
lraclliny tlw ears of the l&q, he is justly incensed at finch
~~ondnc~t nil the part of nnv who has himsrlf hem so gmrl-
0iisJy treated. and, in consequrnce. he put3 in operation the
mnchinory of justice which will puniqh the unmerciful ser-
or 1 hrw 1~ elhwn of suppobecll~ good heart and larie experi- v.lnt II?, now r&ursting nf him the pavment of his full debt;
q.n,.c. ant1 tlrnl N 1thuut attrmptinr to urelutlicr their minds. :IIKI our Lord followed tile narable with the statement. “So
:tiid to a& tliehc to hear tlir &uSe and’ to” give counsel as td like\\ise shall the heavenly gather do to you if ye from’your
\GIliC I# (111,.I, ill 1’1101. \\‘hicltc\ (31’ot tr)(~ I)rethl en is iit CI I 01’ Ilcl:lrtd fnr$rp not evr’ryonc 111s brother their trespasses.”
l holil~l IW convinced by his fellow-pilgrims. whose arguments ?CTnt only did our Lord address these words to the disciples
\vltl~ ilim should he based upon the Scriptures and the spirit nntl not. t.n the multitude, hut additionally he declared that
of ;ovc:: but. if tiiHert?nceH still exist between them, and can- thv illustration was al)plirable to those reckoned members of
‘M,+ tW :):I J it,~,iJiZl~t~ 1 h1’11, .t- ;t cdllrt of hst resort, the 1Jli1t~~‘J !tie !~iug~lnui. saving, “!I hr kin@nn of heaven in likened unto”
shnnld Iu~ tal;c*n hrfore 11uardhurph-the consecrated-and after tlti+ p:~~~:~l~lc. ‘l’h~ parable. tbrrrfore. is not an illust,ration
 - - _-- - -
J,r.u 15, 1900 Z I C) N ‘S W-4 T - --

of the Lord’s dealing8 with the world of mankind, but rather
an illustration of his dealings with those who have become
separated from the world through the forgiveness of their
sins, and who additionally have become heirs of the kingdom
through consecration of themselves to the Lord Jesus, to suf-
fer with him, if so be that they may also reign with him.
The parable, therefore, is to the church, and suggest8 to us
that our original sin was not blotted out, not forgiven in
the absolute sense of the word forgiven, but in the language
of the Scriptures, “covered.” “Blessed is the man whose sin
is covered, to whom the Lord doth not impute iniquity.“-
Psalm 32:1, 2; Acts 3:lQ.
Our sins were cowered from the Lord’s sieht. and we were
treated as tho we owed him nothing, by hi; grace, exercised
toward us through Christ Jesus and his atoning sacrifice;
and this reckoned forgiveness will be made actual by and by,
and the debt entirely canceled, if, according to the *New Cov-
enant we have made with the Lord, we shall prove faithful in
cultivating his spirit of love and in becoming conies of his dear
Son, our -Lord Jesus Christ?--forgiving orhers as we would
be forgiven by the Lord, lovmg, sympathizing with and help-
ing others as we have been treated by the Lord, etc.
The parable is but an illustration of the Golden Text of
our lesson, taken from the Lord’s prayer: it is only so long
as we are willing to forgive our debtors that we may pray
with confidence to our heavenly Father and hope for his for-
giveness of our trespasses. If we forgive not our fellow-
creatures, and that not merely in word, but in deed and from
the heart, neither will our heavenly Father forgive our tres-
passes, and although he has generously covered them from his
sight, and treated us as justified by faith, he would imme-
diately remember our trespasses against us, and thus our
justification would lapse or be abrogated, by a failure on
our part to exercise the holy spirit toward the brethren and
toward all men as we have opportunity.
From this standpoint the question of forgiveness of the
brethren and forgiveness of all others is a very serious one
to the Lord’s people. It means that if they do not in a rea-
sonable time develop this spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of
love, the Snirit of God. the holv Snirit. thev cannot continue
to be recognized as Christ’s disciples, ’ they cannot continue
to be recognized as children of God, they cannot be recog
nized as having their sins covered, but, on the contrary, will
be treated as even more responsible than the world of man-
kind in general, and have executed upon them severer pun-
ishments-than will be exacted from others who knew not- the
Master’s will, and who have never tasted of his grace. and
who therefore would be less culpable in the exe&se ‘of a
selfish, uncharitable, ungenerous, unforgiving spirit.
We cannot suppose, however, that the Lord-would expect
nerfection in this matter at once, from those who are still
but “babes” in Christ. But his expectations are reasonable,
that we should grow in grace as we grow in knowledge of
him. and as exuressed in the lesson of the Vine and the
Branches ; every’ branch which in due time, after due oppor-
tunity, does not bring forth the fruitage of the vine, the
grap& of love (including forgiveness), will be cut off by the
great Husbnndman,-no longer recoanized as a branch. So in
This parable, the one who Yhad experienced such great bless-
ing from the king, and who had been reckoned for the time
an honored member of his kingdom-class, ceased to be so re-
garded and so treated, and, on the contrary, was treated by
the king without favor.
The statement that the unmerciful servant would be de-
* See June 15, 1919, issue for crltical eumlnatmn of
livered to the tormentors, until he should pay the uttermost
farthing of his debt, might be understood in either of two
ways. First, we might understand it to renresent the orig-
inai debt resting against every member of the human family
-the nenaltv of death-a nenaltv from which our Lord
Jesus iedeemed all, and from whi*ch he proposes to set free
all who will obey him. In this view of the matter the un-
merciful servant’s penalty would signify a delivery to the
second death. Or if the debt be understood as representing,
in whole or in part, the obligations of his covenant as a new
creature, then the -penalty upon him for failure to develop
and manifest the characteristics of the new creature during
the trial-time might be understood to- signify that such an
one, tho an accepted servant of the Lord, would be required
to comply with the full details of his consecration vow, by
going into the great time of trouble, and there meeting to
the full the demands of his covenant, and learning effectually
the lesson of love and sympathy, and to appreciate the grace
of God in the forgiveness of sins, as he never before appre-
ciated it. However, we are inclined to think of this matter
from the first of these standpoints, that the exaction of the
uttermost farthing would signify a hopeless case, in any of
the Lord’s people who, after experiencing divine favor in for-
giveness of their own sins, should fail within a reasonable
time to learn to exercise mercy and forgiveness toward the
brethren,-that such would, as a result, suffer the second
death.
The Lord’s people very generally And themselves in con-
siderable trouble along the line of justice. We all recognize
justice as the very foundation of all order and righteousness,
and when we feel that justice is on our side, it is proportion-
ately the more difficult to freely forgive the person whom we
believe to have been acting from the standpoint of injustice.
There is a general tendency to require others to measure up
to our standard of iustice. bv some sort of nenance, before
we forgive them. It “is against this very spirit’ that our Lord
was teaching, and to counteract which he gave this parable.
We are to remember that the Lord will require us to live
up to the standards we set for others. If our standard in
dealing with others be one of exact justice, we may expect
no mercy at the Lord’s hands. (See James 2:13) And what
would this mean as respects the sins that are past through
the forbearance of God, and what would it mean as respects
the obligations upon us every day and every hour, to whose
full requirements we are unable to measure? As we cannot
come to the Lord ourselves on the score of justice, so we are
not to deal with others uuon that standard. As we must
ask of the Lord mercy, grac’e, forgiveness, so we must be will-
ing to extend to others mercy, grace, forgiveness, when they
trespass against us ; and as heartily, quickly and freely as
we ourselves hope for.
The Lord has not laid down this rule in an arbitrary
fashion, as simply saying, If you do not forgive others I will
not forgive you. There is a deeper reason for it than thi*.
He wishes to develop in us his own spirit, his own character,
a likeness or copy of which was exhibited to us in the person
and life of his dear Son, our Lord Jesus. It is absolutely
essential, therefore, that WC shall have the character he de-
sires, or else we can never attain to the joint-heirship in the
kingdom which he is phased to extend. Hence ne are to un-
derstand that this requirement or command of forgiveness,
etc., is with a view to develop us as copies of his dear Son,
in order that he may bestow upon us, in due time, all the
riches of his grace, contained in the exceeding great and prec-
Covenants ious promises of his Word.

“WHO DID SIN, THIS MAN OR HIS PARENTS?”

Aususr IQ.-JOHN 9:1-17.
Every traveler in eastern countries is sure to be impressed in western lands can scarcely realize. There is probably no
by the fact that blindness is much more common there than country in the world, except Egypt, where this affliction is so
in Europe and America. Tabulated information on this sub- prevalent. At Gaza, for instance, it is said that one-third
ject, in Encyclopedia Americana, shows that in 1870 the pro- of the population have lost one or both eyes; and from my
portion of blind in America was one in 1900 population; in own observation in that city I should unhesitatingly say that
Europe the proportion was larger, vi-., one in 1094; while in the statcbment is not exaggerated. But amongst these cases
China the average was one in 400 population. According to it is difficult to find any born blind.”
no less an authority than Dr. Geikie, Egypt has one blind This blindness is in great measure the result of the scarc-
person to every 100 of population. Palestine lying near to ity of water and the neglect of children, whose eyes are in
Egypt, and having conditions very similar, especially amongst consequence attacked by the flies. The miracle brought to our
the lower classes, may be supposed to have had at least half attention in this lesson differs from the five other instances
as many, viz., the terribly large proportion of one in every of the healing of the blind by our Lord, mentioned in the
200 of population. Scriptures, in that this man was born blind. In our Lord’s
Canon Tristan, writing on the subject, says:- time the science of surgery had not advanced so far as at
“Blindness is common in Palestine to a degree which we present, and consequently, as herein stated by the one healed,
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the cure was a marvel, the like of which had never been part of the man, nor on the part of his parents, which oc-
heard of. Even yet we believe that there are only five cases casioned his blindness.
on record of successful operations upon those born blind. Our lf they were students of the Word they would note also
Lord’s cure of such blindness, with the simple prescription the numerous statements of Scripture which clearly point
used, would therefore be a remarkable miracle today, and out that calamities are not always punishments for sins: for
much more so was it in that day. instance, our Lord’s declaration respecting the Galileans whose
blood was mingled with the sacrifices, and those upon whom
ORIENTALISM, MORMONISM, THEOSOPRY
the tower of Snoam fell and slew them. (Luke 13:-l-5) Our
The ques,tlon of the disciples. whether it was this man’s Lord distinctlv declares that these calamities did not indicate
sin or the sin of Ills parents that caused him to be born that the suff&ers were sinners above other men. Likewise,
blind, implies either an extreme simplicity on their part, not in the case of the sickness and death of Lazarus. Our Lord
to see that the man could not have sinned before his birth, declares, not that it was because of sin on the part of Laz-
or quite possibly it implied that some of the absurd notions arus. but that it was nermitted in order to be for the glory
of the far East-of India-had reached the Jews: one of these of Gbd. So in this lesson he declares that the fact th:lT tl;
was and still is that each child born into the world had a man was born blind was not on account of sin, but on the
previous existence, in which it had done either good or evil, contrary, “that the works of God should be made manifest
the rewards or punishments of which were represented in the in him.”
condltlons of the present life. This absurdity is bemg re- WC are not denying that sin frrquently brin.gr sickness;
vived, even in Christian lands, by so-called Theosophists, and on the contrarv. w-e affirm this. and confirm this view with
by two bodlcs of people known as “Mormons,” in the United our Lord’s wor& to some of those whom he hraled, “Go $111no
States. It is scarcely nccesiary to point out that such a more, lest a worse thing come upon thee.” There is a great
tlleory fintls no support whatever in any statement of the tllfferencr. however. hct\\ren claiming that all clcknc<s 1~ of
Pcripturrr. Qultr to the contrary, it is most emphatically sin and the devil, and admitting that much of it is produced
contradirtrd by the Scriptures. which declare man’s creation or intensified by sin. We go even further than this,‘and ad-
to 11:1~ (L IN~OII:I (111cart (‘1c~ation from (:ocl--not a 1c~lnrarnation mit that in a general way all the blemishes of the present
of some being \lhich had previously existed. This thought time may be indirectly traced to our great adversary, Satan.
is consistently maintained throu,ohout the Bible, in that we For had it not been for his fall, and for the temptations
arc tlistlnctlv told that th(b ch~ltl receives its life from its which he presented to our first parents, we may suppose that
father. and inherits pootl or evil according to his course of there would have been no sin in the world: consequentlv no
life, and not accordir?g to any course of Il$e of its own in a imperfection, no sighing, no crying, no dyini. But ;t is Thor-
nrrarious condition or in another world. Thus the Lord de- oughly wrong to credit to Satan’s power all the difficulties
&r& ~that he visits ihe iniquities of the fathers upon the wnich we experience. We are glad indeed that he is limited
children to the third and fourth generation, and shows mercy and restrained; because under the weaknesses with which we
unto thousands of them that love him and keep his command- are born we find quite sufficient of evil disposition and weak-
meuts.-Exod. 20 :5 ; Deut. 5 :O, 10. ness received by heredity, and operating, -not only between
This heredity, we see, comes in the natural order of things. I
uarent and child. but between neirhbor and neighbor.
<
We
The tendency of sin is not only to break down the moral may be glad indeed that Satan’s power to deceive”is not per-
character, blit also to vitiate and impair the physical system, mitted to vitiate our minds contrary to our wills, and not
while Lrodliness. altho it cannot renair and make good the im- permitted to break down our wills, except as we give them
pairm&ts of -sin, can check these,‘and hold them-measurably over to svmnathv and contact with evil things. \Ve may be
in restraint. The Scriptures again contradict this thought, glad also” &at slickness and death working ‘i;n man are- not
in the tlcclarntion, “By one man’s disobedience, sin eutered into wholly subject to the prince of darkness, for altho tht, Scrip-
the world, and death as a result of sin, and thus death passed tures declare that Satan’s power is deathward, they also show
upon all men because [thus] all men became sinners”-by us that he does not have ihis power unlimlte;lly, \,ut c.ln (ax-
heredity. And if bv heredity then not as Theosophy, Mor- ercise it onlv under restraints and restrictions. This is most
moni~m and Orient&m declare;-not in consequence of some clearlv indihated to us in the case of Job and his family.
nrevious existence and sin on the part of the child. Rath&, the Scriptures teach that Satan’s power or influenie
* The whole matter is squared by the doctrine of the ran.~om, is the result of the Adamic death operating in mankind and
as all mav readilv see: for if our present blemishes, with renderinc all amenable to Satan’s devices and deceptions.-
which we arc ho& into this world, were the results df sins Heb. 2:i.
committed in some previous condition of existence, the death And, bp the way, Job’s case is another illustration of sick-
of our Lord -Jesus could not cancel them, and the doctrine of ness and calamities of various kinds which were not the pun-
a ransnm would be disproved. The doctrine of the ransom ishments of sin; for have we not Job’s own testimony of
is unchan~cahly linked to the doctrine that Adam was a his love for God, his confidence in him, and his faithful re-
perfect h&an ‘being in his creation, and that it was his silt liance upon him ? “Tho he slay me, yet will I trust in him !”
and condemnation that passed to all of his posterity, through Bnd more. we have the Lord’s testimony to the same effect,
the channel of natural birth. The ransom (“correspon&ng in favor of his servant. Job, and in reproof of his friends who
pmce”) given by our Lord .Tesns( was a man’s life for a man’s wromrlv renresented that his sickness and calamities
VI L
were
life : that, “as by/ n n,r~~ rame d(~:rth, ?)!I a man txlso should nunishments for sin.
come the resurrection of the dead.” Our Lord’s ransnm PRC- ’ 11’e conclude, then, upon Scriptural grounds, that not all
rifire, l,c~nx the complete and corresponding price and offset sickness is in the nature of sin penalties, but that some sick-
to fnthrr Adam’s sin, was constituted thereby an offset to all nesses are as penalties. Hence, &hen the Christian shall find
the results of his sin as they appear in his posterit;y-and himself ovcrtakt~n with sickness or otller disasters. he should
thus we all were redeemed by the one sacrifice of Christ, the first of all inquire of himself, before the Lord, whether or not
just for the unjust. his difficulties are the result of-
(1) A direct violation of the laws of his reason, as for
IS ALL SICKNESS OF THE DEVIL?
instance, indiscretion in eating, gratification of the appetite
An increasingly large number of Christian people-includ- in resnect to food which he knows is not suited to his physi-
~1

ing those who refuse medicines-are reaching the conclusion cal conditions : or violation of recognized principles oi Eon-
that all sickness is the direct result of sin and the work of duct, as, for instance, the endorsing of a note, contrary to
the devil; and therefore that godly living will prevent sick- the in,trurtlon of the Lord’s FVord (PIOV. 6: 1, 2)) \\hirh has
ness : and that in the event of sickness, if it be punishment brought disaster to many. If he does not find his troubles
for sin, medicines should not be used, but, on thk contrary, to bg the result of personal indiscretion he should look-
prayer should be made to God for the forgiveness of sin for 121 To see whether or not sin lies at his door : whether
which sickness is a punishment, and that the cure of the dis- or ioi he has -been 1ivin.e inconsistently, and might. properly
ease should be expected as a reward of repentance and faith reroqnize his sickness or trouble as a punishme& for-his sin,
exercised. bin jncnnsistencv. If he finds It to be so, he should of Course
We wonder how these Christian friends view this lesson. immediately rec’tify the wrong to the extent of his ability and
Like the disciples, they evidently would conclude that a man seek forgiveness, mercy, at the throne of the heavenly grace,
born blind must have been so born on account of sin-if not and expect that after suffering some chastisements he will
his own sin, the sins of his parents-for they account for all be released.
disease from this standpoint. Unfortunately they feel so sat- (3) Should he fail to find a cause for his difficulties in
iqfied with their conclusions on the subject that they do not either’ of the foregoing, he should consider that quite pos-
inquire of the Lord, as did the apostles. And they do not sibly his difficulty, whatever its nature. was one of the ordi-
hpar his answer here given-that it was neither sin on the nar- casualties of life from which God does not wholly fore-
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fend his children-desiring them to walk by faith and not by good principle, the God-quality is in him, say they; and to
sight : such casualtles are necessary, that we may be very whatever extent a horse or a dog may have the good prin-
sympathetic with the world’s troubles. ciples, to that extent these are Gods, and to be loved, etc.,
(4) In some instances, as in Job’s case and the case be- accordingly. Denying the Father, they of course deny also
fore us in this lesson, troubles may ultimately be found to the Son whom he sent: and altho thev acknowledge Jesus,
have been permatted by the Lord, to be channels of mercy it is not with a Christian acknowledgement. On ‘the con:
and blessing, if rightly received, as in these cases. trary, they hold that he was merely a member of the Adamic
(6) In all troubles, whether for discipline or for instruc- family, and that his pre$minence above others was 111 lrspect
tion in rititeousness and the development of character. the to his character and teachiqgs. And they claim that while,
children 01 God (and we are not considering others now) in these respects, he stood higher than other men of his day,
should forthwith begin to seek the blessing which they may yet he but feebly grasped at certain principles or truths which
be sure God has in store for them when he permits adversi- are today brought to the world by her distinguished highness,
ties. And this should not hinder their use oi any means for “Mrs Dr. Eddy,” who thus poses as being greater than Jesus,
relief upon which they can conscientiously ask the divine as an elephant is greater than a mouse; the there be certain
blessing: on the same nrincinle that we labor for and eat the resemblances.
daily d;-ead for which be priyi and which is none the less of (2) A Christian is one who believes in Christ as a Sav-
divine provision. iour from sin as well as from its consequences;-death and its
The work of God made manifest in this blind man was concomitants of nain. etc. But Christian Scientists denv that
not merely in the miracle performed upon his natural eyes. there is any sin’, and denv ~1~0, that there are any *conse-
It extended bevond this. and testified to the beholders the quences of sin; hence, lo&ally, they deny the ransom, for
power of God,*operating in Messiah. And it extended still how could there he a rn~.son~ for sinners, if nnne are
further, in the ease of the man who was healed: leadin sinners 7 Thus do they deny and ignore the very foundation
the opening of the eyes of his understanding, it inducted 52 of Christian faith, without which no one is a Christian-
into discinleshin to Christ. Had he not been born blind, had Scripturally.
he not pissed ihrough just the experiences through mhich The absurdities of Christian Science commend themselves
he did pass, how can we judge that he would have been in a onlv to those who are either Scripturally ignorant, or men-
bettrl rondition of heart to receive the Messiah than the edu- tally weak; and their chief attractions are therefore-
cated Pharisees, who, with good natural sight, were thoroughly (1) The fact that they put on, as a garment of light,
blinded respecting Messiah, his teachings and his work, so gentleness and kindness of word and manner. That these do
that they crucified him? not grow out of hearts thorough1.y converted to the Lord, and
And so it is in many instances with many who become begotten of his spirit of love. is manifest. for altho kindness
the Lord’s people. Looking back they can clearly see that and patience and gentleness are manifested, the true essence
things which at the time seemed to be adversities, disap- of these is lackinn. namelv. love. Instead of manifesting love
pointments, troubles, disadvantages, hardships, were really to be the mainspiing of their meekness, patience gen&nessy
great blessings, in that they led & the opening .of the eyes df they manifest ambition and money-love as their inspiring
their understanding,-were really providences and blessings in motives-so far as we are able to judge the tree by its fruits.
disguise. Those who do so realize the divine care, looking So far as we are able to learn, their efforts to promulgate
back can praise the way God has led them day by day. their views are confined to those who are able and willing to
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MISBELIEFS pay for the instruction good round prices: and so far as we
i\mongst the various false doctrines of today none appears are able to discern, their care of the sick shows a love of
more inconsistent from the standpoint of science and Chris- money, and love of fame; and hence very few of the poor of
tianity, than the system which brazenly and defiantly, and in this world have been injured by the doctrines of Christian
perrerqion of truth and conscience unites these two words as Science, or cured of disease by its treatment.
its name. It would be amusing, we map be sure, to hear (2) The cure of disease without medicine, and sometimes
one of the devotees of this theory explain this Scripture. For, almost miraculously, is in the nature of things calculated
notwithstanding the fact that their entire system is in oppo- to attract and interest the “groaning creation”-just as the
sition to the S&iptures, they make a cloak, -a pretense, of be- advertisements of patent medicines attract them. We un-
lie\ ing the Scriptures, and of using them in support of their hesitatingly assert our conviction, that this power, manifested
the01 v-chieflv with novices. We may be sure that the-v would through Christian Scientists, is not of God, but of the ad-
atten;pt to t&st and juggle it in so&e manner, and get it SO versary, directly, or indirectly. He no doubt directs his
far nwav from the truth and the subiect as at least to con- servants into the use of channels and means of which humanity
fuqe nlnhy people, who have very little” knolvledge of the Bible in general, and even many learned physicians, are compara-
and shallow powers of reasoning, especially those “who have tively ignorant -channels of human nature, which. DnsSiblv,
not their senses exercised by reason of use,” in connection in the future may be used by the Lord during the times &
with Scrintural subiects.-Heb. 5 : 14. restitution of all things. Our iustification in ascribinrr their
Th(blr ‘theory is “that there is no such thing as blindness, cures to an evil source, instead of to a good source, ?ieq in
that it is sim;lv a mistaken thought. a misbelief: since the the fact that they utterly repudiate the principles nf Cllrli-
parent? of the’biind man could notuha;e misbelieved that their tianity, and we may be sure God wou111 not cniipc>ratr to
chiltl would be horn blind, the child itself, me presume they nqsist with his power those who deny his very csistcncc, and
wocltl say, got this misimpression before its birth. And then who make void the gospel of the redemption through the
we have the inconsistency increased, for every one of intelli- blood of Christ. The miracle-wnlking pn\\ er in tllem \Y(’ LIP-
gence knows that the infant at hirth has no thought, correct lieve to be the same as the miracle-working power in Spirit-
or incorrect, on any subject. The fallacy of this theory i4 ism and in Orientalism, and in the charms of other Occultl+tr
likr\\Iyr proven. in the case of those born deaf and dumb. -namely, Satanic power.
But argument and reason have no more force with “Chris- If it be asked, How could Satan be interested in doing a
tian Pcientists” than have th6 Scriptures. Their infatuation good work? we answer: He does no such work amonust
with their delusion is so great that they are fully prepared those who are thoroughly and stupidly ignorant: he is do&
to wrest facts, reason, and Scriptures-and then, in perver- these works merely iti* tde most ci;ilized ‘lands, and especially
sion of all truth and consistency, they call this “Chlistian amongst the mast enliehtened of the neonle in the various
Science.” denor;l’inations of Chris’tXndom. The ad;e;sars thus assumes
\Ve are not contending with them respecting their use of the garment of an angel of light and mercy,- not to lead to
the word “Science,” for the most stupid should be able to see the Light u of the ~nrld-not to lead to the cross of Christ-
that there is nothing scientific in* connection with their not to lead to the Bible-but to lead away from thescl, to an-
thenrr: hut we do c&tend respecting their uze of the word other hope of salvation, and to another teacher: to deceive,
“Christian.” because manv do not recognize that thev have
Y
if it were possible, the very elect. And be it remembered that
not the slightest right to the use of this term. Our Yconten- our Lord’s words indicate that when matters come to this
tion is that a Christian SPientist of full development, can- condition, where Satan will cast out Satan and heal disease,
not bc a Christian in any Scriptural sense of the word. it is a marked evidence that his throne is tottering to its
(1) A Christian is one who believer in God the Father, fall-that. so to sneak. this is the last extremitv Y of the ad-
I

and in our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent to be a versary’s efforts to deceive.
propitiation for our sins, our Redeemer, and ultimately the l * Y

i)eliverer of all these who obev him. But Christian %ience The Lord’s method of giving sight to the blind man, we
denies the verv existence of Gbd. claiming to believe merelv may reasonably suppose, waq parabolic-that is to say, it
in a princzpld of Good. To whhtever e;ent a man has ‘a contains a lesson under a figure. Since our Lord did not
[2669]
(?24 227) ZION’S WAT’--- CH 1‘OWER
- - ---- .k,LEGHENY, PA.

explain the significance of his action in making a clay oint- and by our Lord Jesus, is designed in the present age to act
ment out of dust with his spittle, and anointing the man’s upon a small fragment of humanity, and to consecrate them
eyes with this. and sending him to wash them and receive and make them meet for the Master’s use in the blessing of
sight at the Pool of Siloam, we may exercise our mental pom- the world, in the anointing of the eyes of the blind. From
era in thinking of what these different things would signify. this standpoint of view, the making of the clay would repre-
But we are limited in our speculations, nevertheless, and may sent the formation of the elect church for the blessing of the
not run wild, but must restrain ourselves within the limits poor, blind world. And, quite possibly, not only in this work
of plain statements of the Word of God respecting his plan of making the clay now in progress, but perhaps some portion
of salvation. of the anointing work is now being done, 6s is intimated by
In harmony with these plain statements we may interpret the Scripture which declares that the Gospel must first be
our Lord’s symbolical act thus: The blind man would fitly preached for a witness in all the world, before the end of
represent the world of n~anliind in general, who during the this age. The world must be witnessed to during this age,
present life are mentally hlind-who cannot now see the but the world will not have the eyes of its understanding
podnew, merry. and love of God ah thpsc mag be recognized opened during this age: it must wait until the great washing
by others who are now nl)le to see them. His being born time of the Millennial age, of which the Scriptures declare,
blind WOUI~ harmonize with this thought, for the blindness “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of
that is upon the \\orltl is, to a large extent at least, a matter David for sin and for uncleanness.” (Zech. 13:l) In full
of hrrcdity. His ldintlnc~ss does not rctpresent a blindness on aqrermeut with this is the significance of the word Silonru.
the part of tlloie \\ho have nnce seen God’s grace, represented It signifies “The sending forth,” or “The fountain.”
in hi< \Vord and plan, aud ~110 have then bcccme blind there-
to. nntl ~110 would represent the clasr mentioned by the Apos- The Pharisee objected to the Lord’s goodness, becnuse,
tle a~ having once been rnhghtenetl, and w11o subsequent117 forsooth. it infracted some of their hrpcrclltical tlognla~ and
lnw that. enlightenment. (Tlcb. 6:4-(i) If then the blind ma; traditions. This is interesting, as s&wing to what extent
rrl)IC<rnts tl!ct blintl norlti ( \\IIo do not see, in the sense that religious forms and ceremonies may bind and blind intelligent
t11r 1.1111:
(11 h(‘C+, 0F \\ lloni tllca Lord said, “Blessed are your and reverential people. And this should be a lesson to all the
fves fnl thchv htaf:“), tile time of the healing of sue11 blindness intelligent and reverent, leading them to great care in juc!ging
is in the Nillrnninl age, as 8cripturnlly pointed out, when righteous judgment, according to the standard of the divine
“All thp blind eyes shall t)e opened, and the deaf ears un- Word, and not according to their prejudices and revered
stopped.” (Isa. 35 :5) And this agrees with the conditions creeds, and the traditions of the fathers.
of our Loltl’s IIIIIRC~Y. IM:I~IW w arc mformetl that this Still another lesson may be found iu the fact tllat thcb man
miracle took plarc ou the Sabbath, or seventh day, which who confessed our Lord Jesus, and who stood up in bold tlc-
corresponds to, and typifies the hlillennial day, the seventh- fence of righteousness, was greatly blessed, in that after he
thousand year period. had thus demonstrated his loyaltv to plinciplc, an11 I~ntl
Our Lord’s words, nevertheless, seem to indicate that some suffered as a result excommun’ication from the church-thclt
part of thiq symbolical picture relates to the present age, for the Lord found 7&l. Thus his faithfulness under trials and
he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me while difficulties. and his willinpness to suffer the loss of earthly
it iq day: the night rometh wherein no man can work.” In fellowship’ and honor am&gst men, led directly to a still
this statement the word “day” would seem to belong to the greater blessing, even direct fellowship and communion with
pIesent time. aud to bc illustrated in the making of clay with the Lord himself. How many are there \\lio?ie nif~ntnl ~-CR
nur Lord’s spittle, and the anointing of the blind man’s eyes. have been opened to the truth, who have been ho loyal to the
The dashing of his eyes and the curt would seem to belong Lord and so appreciative of his goodness as to be f.litlrfc11 in
to the next age, the Millennial age. The Lord’s spittle, the declaring the facts? How manv of thrse have fouud that
hecrctions of his mouth, might represent the truth as fitly such faithfulness means separation from the synagogue, from
as would the words of his mouth-it is another figure, but the church nominal? How many of these have feared to lose
seemingly of the same force and meaning. He uttered the prestige and influence, through confessing the light of present,
truth, brnngllt it in contact wvlth the dust of the earth-not truth? But all who have followed the noble course of t!lnnk-
in cont:~ct \\lth all thr (111-t of tllc earth, but with a limited fulness, loyalty, and obedience to God, have found that such
portion, an elect nr select portion.-and of this he made the obedience, while it led to a loss of fellowship in the nominal
anninting clay. The P~riptnrc~s do inform ~3, in harmony church, led also to a greater fellowship and communion. nnd
with thiq, that the IVolt of (:od’s grace, delivered through a more intimate acquaintance with the Lord himself.
-
IJor,. SS I i\T,T,EGHEXY, PA., AUGUST 1, 1900 No. 15
-__- __~ .--__

“LET US DRAW NEAR”

“IJet us draw nea.r untlb a true hem-t, in full assurance of faath, having OUT hearts sprinlcled fq.orn a comciousncss of ebil, and
our 7~~11~snp~inklnd ~1171 pwe tcater.“-Heb. 10 ~22.
Sot to sinners is this in\ it,ttion :~tltlresr;ed. The invitation The next step beyond t!le “Holy” was the “hIo.qt Holy,”
to them i4 a \-cry dllYcrent our. ri:..-Repent, acd believe on rcpresentine heaven itself; but this could be ent,rled only
the I.01 tl .Tc~u~ Clirid, and tlnis ohtniii the remission of your from the “Holy” and by passing under the Second Vail. which
sins. :tntl tllrn ?-(I11 will be 111the nttilude to receive the iniita- represmted the actual death of the priest, even as the First
tion. I>r;~w near to God. The AwAle iq addressine those who \‘ail represented the reckoned death or consecrntiou. The
haT-e x11~:,dy beliewtl unto ju<tificzation. reccivln: ~tn them- Apostle 11ns this same thought in mind when elsewhere hr men-
selves the hcnrfits of the Lord’s promise, “Thei; sins and trons the consecrated Royal Priesthood as “seated together with
iniquitieq ~111 I rcmrmbcr no more.” (Verse 17) The Apostle is Christ in heavenly p!aces”‘-- in the heavenly condition, the (‘on-
addrrsqing thr brrthrcn, and not sinner<, and urges them, dition represented by the first apartment or “IIoly” of the
Silylllg. “Having thrrcforc, 7~rcfhrc~, boldness [courage, con- Tabcarnacle and of the Temple.
ficlcnw. pxlvilege] to clltrr into the holist by the blood of
Jesus. by a new silt1 li\ ing UX~. . . . . let II* draw near.” PRIVILEGES OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
It is in reference to this proposition to advance from the
The Apn~tle’s wwds carry onr nttentloll to Tsrael’s Taber- “Court” condition of justification into the “Holy” or heavenly
nacle in tlw ailtlcrncss. nnd the spiritual things which it or spirit-begotten condition, reached through consecration
Illii5trntc~tl ‘NIP Court. cntt~rcd through tbc :_p.lt,(,.~gn~ficd the (and the closest possible approach to God) that the Apostle
state or rendition of the lustifietl, who muqt pass the Altar urges, “Let us draw near.” His language implies that there
representing Christ’s sarr&icae for sinq ; secondly, approach mqy properly be a diffidence on our part in respect to this
the Larer of water for rleansiuq from defilements; and then privilege. We might properly hesitate to expect to have
be ready to pass under the first Vnil into the apartment of the communion, fellowship, close approach to the great Creator,
Tabernacle called “The Holy.” This “Holy” apartment repre- realizing that by nature we are imperfect, “children of wrath.
sented the state or condition of God’s consecrafed DeoDle even as others,” and that in whatever degree we differ from
(typified by Tsri\el’R priests) while vet in the flesh, anh had others and are accounted worthy of such a privilege of drawing
its Golden Candlr<tirk ior their en’li_nhtcnmcnt. its table of near to God, it is not on account of personal worth on our
Slieu bread. representing thrir privilige of fellowship with part, but on account of God’s grace bestowed upon us through
God.-drawing near to him III prayer, praise and communion. .Jesus our I.ord. The Apostle therefore speaks to brliewrs in
[26’70]
Arcca 1, 1900

an encouraging v ome : **Let II. (hdw near ;” let us have *ented (Eph. 5:26) in a similar manner aa being a part of the
courage to draw near; let us have faith in God, who has made clutv and privilege of all of the Lord’s neoule throughout the
us such gracious arrangements and promises. remainder-of the& earthly lives. And \Ge c*an 3ee how beauti-
The Apostle intimates that a close approach to God can- ful is the illustration here used, that the Word of God, like
not be efIected, except we have first a “full assurance of farth.” water, is purifying, cleansing; as the Apostle declares, speak-
Only those who trust the Lord implicitly, “as a little child” ing of the Christian’s good hopes in the precious promises once
(Luke 18:17) would trust its earthly parent, can expect to delivered to the saints, “ He that bath this hope in him purifieth
progress and to have the courage, the confidence, necessary to himself, even as he [who called him1 is pure.“-1 John 3:X
approach God in this very intimate manner; and the desire to As it is necessary to a thorough cleansing of our natural
draw nearer and nearer to God must be in the justified be- bodies that we should wash with “ptlre water,” so much the
liever’s heart. else he will never eo on and attain to this his more is it necessary to this cleansing of which the A ostle
privilege. And this desire to drxw near to God is a mani- speaks, the cleansing of our moral characters. that we sK ould
festation of our hunger and thirst after righteousness. which have the pztre water of divine truth. and not, the muddy and
the Lord expects to see before he fulfils to such his engagement polluted teachings of the adversary, or of those whom he has
that they shall be filled, satisfied.-Matt. 5:6. blinded. And as we look about us upon the many streams of
Satisfaction will not be attained fully in the present life. Babylon-the various sectarian theologies which profess to be
tho the believer who progresses and draws nearer and nearer the -truth-we find that altho there is something of truth in
to God will have more and more of this satisfaction to the them all, yet it is sadly befouled and wholly incapable of
end of his journey in the present life, receiving the full cleansing their votaries from filthiness of the flesh and of
measure of satisfaction in righteousness and perfection on the the spirit,-wholly incapable of perfecting them in holiness of
other side the vail. Similarly. in our drawing near to God. the kind which the Lord reauires. For instance. false ideas
we may continue to draw nearer and nearer to him, as we of God and of his characte; and his plan are incentives to
obtain deeper experience in his grace, growing also in knowl- those who so hclievc to copy these misrepresentations and
edge and love in the present life; but the full attainment of perversions of justice and love, and are well calculated to de-
our privilege of drawing near to God will not be reached until velop in the devotees of such a theory a low standard of
we shall have passed the Second Vail-passed through death. character, because the low standard which they set for them-
and been changed from human to spirit beings, and hale selves and other fellow-mortals is really higher than that which
entered into heaven itself, the perfect heavenlv condition. they ascribe to the Creator.
There and then we shall he full; at one with t”he hearenlv How important, then, is the truth, and how much meaning
Father and with our Lord .Te&. havina drawn near to the we find in our dear Redeemer’s prayer to the Father on our
full extent of the invitation and to The full of the op- behalf,-“Sanctify them through thy truth ; thy Word is truth.”
portunities granted us in the new and living way, the narrow I,rt us not attempt to sanctify ourselves through nnr other
way to life, consecrated for us. through the vail, by our washing than this; let us not be satisfied with anything
Lord’s death as our ransom price. short of the “pure water,” the pure Word of God, the pure
There are, however, certain conditions specified as neces- truth.
sary to progress along these lines. As no one can draw “YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM”-Cal. 2: 10
near to God except by attaining a “full assurance of faith.”
neither can he have a full assurance of faith unless he have Now view the class described by the Apostle: they are
his “heart sprinkled from a consciousness of evil,” for, as the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus accepted with the
Apostle elsewhere declares, “If our heart rondemn us, God is Father through the Relored One. More than this, to them has
greater than our heart.” (1 *John 3:ZO) We may be sure that been opened up the narrow way to life, consecrated, made pos-
if our course as new creatures is condemned by our own sible, through the sacrifice offered by our great High Priest
conscienres it would also he condemned by God. Whoever, They are invited to become under-priests, sharers both of the
therefore, would make progress in drawing near to God must sufferings, and also later on, if faithful, sharers of the glories
seek continually to have a “conscience void of offense toward of Jesus, the Chief Priest of this order. As a means of at-
God and man” (Acts 24: 16) :-a conscience that is clear, that taining the glorious end of their calling thev are to cleanse
ran say. I am striving to do that which would be pleasing themselves from defilement, and for their us;? in this respect
to God. in harmonp with mv covenant of self-sacrifice. and the Word of God has been nrovided: it is at once a mirror to
I

I am striving to do that, which would be approved also by show them their blemishes, and water wherewith to cleanse
righteous men. Nothing short of this is at all permissible in themselves-the stimulus for the correction of life being the
those who have consecrated themselves to be royal priests. exceeding great and precious promises set before them in the
to offer themselves as living sacrifices in the Lord’s service, and Scriptures. Their hearts, justified by faith, and honest before
to draw near to him in the name and under the merit of the God, are fully consecrated to him and to his service, and are
great High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. to be so kept continually-by obedience to the best of their
knowledge and opportunities, and bv the blood of sprinkling
HAVING OUR HEARTS SPRINKLED which covers unintentional errors and failures. This is th<
How very much is implied in this expression, “Having our class that is callcrl to be associated wrtb tbc LOI tl in his
hearts sprinkled from a consciousness of evil!” It not only kingdom; they are styled his brethren, the royal priesthood,
means that we are to avoid sin, and to take heed that the the bride. the Lamb’s wife, and various other names repre-
WCWll; of nlrr month and thr meditations of our henrts nrr senting their near and dear relationship to the heavenly
acceptable to the Lord, but it means additionally that our Father: and all of these who are faithful to thr twd of the
hearts. having covenanted self-sacrifice. shall be able to look race-course are to be made partakers of the divine nature,
up to the L&d confidently and realize his blessing and ap- with its glory, honor and immortality.
proval, because of the honest, earnest efforts on our part But let us not deceive ourselves in this matter of having
to comply with the terms of our consecration. But since we hearts that do not condemn us; let us ~cmember that our
cannot fully comply with tne terms ourselves, it is requisite covenant was unto sacrifice and not unto self-preservation;
that we shall apply to ourselves by faith the merit of the that it was a covenant to lay our all upon the altar-time,
precious blood of Christ, the blood of sprinkling, the blood of influence, means of every kind; and that we agreed with our
consecration. and that we shall realize that our acceptance is Lord that we would reckon this our reasonable service. DO
only in the Beloved One. our hearts condemn us in this matter, or do they justify us?
Do we feel that we are doing all in our power to serve the
WASHED WITH PURE WATER Lord and his truth and our brethren? If so. let us rejoice,
The expression. “Having our bodies washed with pure and let us continue in the same way, patiently hoping for the
water,” figuratively’ represents the continued process of “cleans= glorious results promised to the faithful. But if our hearts
ina ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the suirit. condemn us, let us not be discouraged; but on the contrary
peyfecting holiness in the reverence of the Lord,” elsewhere en: remember-- that this is a Dart of the cleansina of the flesh and
joined by the Apostle. (2 Cor. 7: 1) Rv nature we are all im- of the spirit necessary to our preparation for’the kingdom, and
perfect, sullied, more or less depraved; and our devotron to let us afresh bind our sacrifices to the altar (Psa. 118:27),
the Lord is manfested. first, by our full acceptance and full and be more and more zealous in expending our little all in
assurance of faith in the merits of Christ’s sacrifice; and the service of him who loved us and who bought us with his
secondly, by our earnest efforts to put away from our flesh, own precious blond. Thus doing, it will be our privilege day
as we have already. put away from our hearts, all things by day to draw nearer and nearer to the “Most Holy,” and
defiling and displeasmg in the Lord’s sight: that thus we may thus finishing our course with ioy we shall have share in the
more and more become copies of his dear Son, our Lord. 6rat resurrection, awakening in our Lord’s likeness.-2 Car.
This “washing of water through tlw Word” is elsewhere repre- 5:14,15; Ron~. 6:s; 1 .Jobn 3 :2; Psa. 17 :15.
[26711
 THE PILGRIM HARVEST SERVICE
Ke will be glad to have at once postul curd requests for school or church bulldmg or a public hall if publtc meetinga
I’ll~rlm rlalts from all part; of the United States and Canada. are dehlred ?
(Brltlsh friend> please address cnrds to our British branch (3 ) ‘l\;ould a suitable room in a private house be provided
ofiw. London ) 1\.e are rearranging our “I’llgrim” routes for the private meetings?
and want the following lnfolmation 1n few words 011 postal (4’ How many friends of present truth reside in your
eartls (not lcatters) for easy reference. Krmemher that these vlclnltv? (5,! How many of these have been consulted and
“l’ilgrim” vibiti Inrol\-e nc, e\l,enie for tlrc: Pilgrim or his trav- concur. in the answers you are sending us? (6) How many
~11ng exljen<c<--all of wll~ch are ljornc 11~ the Society. I\-e of these ale \VA’~CH To~rzt readers? (7 ) Do you now meet
me1 (*I> 1c~~lllt~it cailtcsrt;liunlcnt for tllf, i’ll:rini during 111stwo regularly for worship and study of the Word, as per Hebrews
or three tla~ H’ stay. An>\\er tile clli(9tlon.s 11’ number as fol- 10.2.5?
lo\\ < : - Most of these questions can be answered by either Yes or
(1, I)o you hope for p~ctrl~ rrlectl?lys,-as well as for So or by figures. Fumber your answers, and add whatever
prliaL~% on(‘~ tar thoie already intrreyted ” mav seem expedient, but do not crowd the card and make it
(2, (‘orlId anti would the friend5 -ec.ure the use of a d&ult to read and understand.

THE GREAT SHEPHERD AND HIS SON, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

JOIIX IO: l-16.---9UGUST 26.
“The Good Si~t~pherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
I>:\\-111. the Psalmist. \\lote prophetically, “.Jehovah is my may follow. Our Good Shepherd has indeed set us a noble
sh~nll~~rtl. I &all not want” (Psa. 231 : for In David’s dav example. 50 that we may walk in his steps; and whoever ~111,
the’arrangclnleuts for the Shepherd and ‘the flock of this lel- to the extent of his ability, trustfully do this, will find his
i-011 hd 1iOt lJWI1 CWU[‘ktd True, the hea\tsnly Father had wants abundantly supplied, for “Yo good thing will he [the
pul pocltvl 1115 entlrc plan a\ rehpectr humamty’s redemption Shepherd] withhold from those who [thus] walk uprightly.”
and ictllrii to liii (‘are ai III- flock. 1,ut III, I1;rtl 11ot > vt w11t “He will guide them with his counsel, and afterward receive
hi< only htagotten Son, the Good Shepherd, to give III; life for them to glory. “--Psa. 84:ll; 73:24.
the sh(*(ap. to call the flock. to onen the door and to lead them Our Lorii’s parable does not tell us about the disciplines
out atIt ;nto pasturage ant< to rekt. ;h;everthelesr, in the Lord’s which the sheep are sure to receive, but these are set before
provldenc*c the* natlon of Israel had already been gathered. as us in the prophetic psalm on the sublect, In the words, “Thy
thosch who would be prepared to be the flock of the Good rod and thy staB, they comfort me.” The thought is that the
Shq)herd when he shoild *come. These were “hhut up under Shepherd, while going before and not driving the hheep, never-
the law” (Gal. 3:23), waiting for the coming of the Good theless has such an interest and care that he ~111 not suffer
Shepherd to open the door and to call them by name as 1115 one of the sheep to wander away without administering cer-
own sheep. Others. indectl. came before the Messiah, affecting taln chastisement designed for its good. and to correct It and
to 11~ the trur shenhcrtl. lc~atlers sent of God but thev were mere to bring it hack into fellowship in t’he flock. This is R comfort,
pretenders, who sought their own good and glory, &d not that and yet it should certainly be the desire of all true sheep
of the shecbp They were thieves and robbers. who sought to to follow the Shepherd so closely that the rod shall not
gain possession of the sheep for their own selfish ends. often be necessary.
The “pnrtrr” (rrpresenting the law) would not recognize The link between the Shepherd and the sheep, as here in-
any of thc+e pretentlc>\, nor approve them, nor open to them dicated, is love. The Shepherd loves the sheep, and has demon-
acwss to the sheep But when the true Shepherd came he strated this m having laid down his life for them; and the
batisfietl the law (the porter), and hought the sheep from sheep speedily learn to love the Shepherd, as their care-taker;
justice, giving hii own life as their redemption price. Thus he they recognize him through hlr voice--the Word of God. This
pained the full right to nljen the door. the full sanction of voice appeals to the hearts of all the true sheep, who quickly
the porter, the full authnrlty to lead forth the sheep to the respond, “xever man snake as this man.”
preen pastures and still waters of divine truth which then be- -The voice of the good shepherd is a hlending of various
came due to them. sounds in a manner in which they are blended by no other
At the time of the giving of this parahle our Lord was voice. His voice sounds forth the chord of Justice commin-
laving down hiq life. and at the same time uttering his gled with the rhord of love, and the whole intoned with
voice. that the true sheep might learn to know him. And wisdom and with power. Other theories, plans and schemes
not only will a11 thr true sheep learn to know the Shepherd, of men and devils, have no such harmony of cnund :I. has
but, nrrrinnq thought 1 the Shenhcrd knoweth his own sheen the message which the great Shepherd has sent 119 through
indiv;tlunlly. sn that he (*all&h Cach by name as he leads the& his Son. His voice speaks to us of a just penalty for sins-
nut Thiq sug!geqtS to us the intimacy of the relationship be- death; it speaks of love, in our redemption and the forgiveness
tween Chrlht and (iach member of hiq flork. of our sins, and the opening to us of the way of life, through
Thr treatment of sheep in this part of the world is very resurrection. This “word of grace” cnnstrninq all the true
dlffrrcnt from that drscrihctl in the parahle. which is still sheep as no other message or v’oice could do. Moreover. when
maintained in Oriental countries. Here sheep are driven, and the true sheep hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, it satisfies
have Iittlr nr no ac*crnaintanre with the her&men. But in their longings as nothine else ronld do. Thev will no longer
I’nlestinc, for insiancc:. f9-fary shraep 112s a personal acquaintance he in danger of being attracted by other &unds or voI&,
with its shc~nhcrtl and he with it. and it is said that this ac- theories or schemes, hut will reply to all,
quaintance I; w partic~ular that the shepherds have a separate “Jesus has satisfied; Jesus is mine.”
name for rba(.h 4lWp. and know each individually by its There are many false voices in the world today, seek-
narncs: auf1 that t hfa \he(,p knows it< n\\n name and uGi1 re- ing to lead the Lord’s sheep astray, and these are sometImea
spontl to a (#all from it< OWII chepherd at anv time. How sounded in deceptive tones, to imitate the Shepherd’s call, to
hcautifullv thlc lllu~trates tile rinse relatio&hip between draw away sheep after those who would be shepherds, but
C’hrl\t arch hi? flock. the church’ He .eivcs to each one of us whom the great Shepherd has not appomted. shepherds who
a nrw name. and we are each persnnallv known to him-our not only hare not purchased the sheep, but who seek to ignore
pcciilinritle~ of charactrr. temp&ament. htc., our strong points the great sacrifice bv which the Good Shepherd did purchase
and o11r ~~~:~knes~~---h~ knnwcth them all. He loves us, cares them: We might niention many such false voices, -or false
for 11%.helps 11~over our trials and diffirultieq, and shields us would-be shepherds,-Christian hcience, Thcosopy, Spiritism,
from thrb trmpt:ltlon< 1vhic.h would he too strong for us. Evolution, Higher Criticism, etc.. but we have the Good Shep-
“He ~111 not sllff(xr 11s to 1~ tcmptctl above that we are able, herd’s word for it, that his true sheep will not be deceived by
hut ~111 mith the temptation provide also a way of escape,” any of these. Kc11 do they know his voice, and its combina-
and Calluses that “all things work together for good to them tion of justice, love, and mercy cannot be duplicated by others,
that lnvfa (:otl, the called ones according to his purpose”-his -its message of redemption by the precious blood, justification
“little flock” of this Chpcl age. by faith. the high calling, the begetting of the holy spirit,
We note also the care of the Shepherd over the sheep, the by-and-hy deliverance of the sons of God, and eventually of
for he say<, “llr piittctti forth ~IIS 015 n l 11q awl gIof4tl be- all who will obey him of the entire groaning creation, through
fore them.” The words “putt&h forth” have the significance restitution.
of looking after them. that they all get started in the way This voice, once heard, can never be mistaken for another;
to the .grecn pnstunes and still waters for soul rrfre*hment. and those who know this Shenherd and his voice need never
He is not hcedlcps. careless. reqpecting them. whether they go be misled by others. The Lor*d’s true sheep, whom he knows
or do not go; nevertheless. having started them in the way he hv name and who follow him, will not herd the voice of
will not tlrl\e them: he goeth hefore them to lead, that they ctrange shepherds, but will flee from them. They know when
(3_76- 230) 126721
 ZION’S WATC-H
they hear a false voice, that it means that the adversary 1s
seeking to ensnare them; and such ml11 flee from the voice
of error that they may come the closer to the true Shepherd,
who gave his life for the sheep. If, therefore, we hce home
whom we had supposed were of the Lord’s flock heeding an-
other voice and following after strange shepherds, and heedless
of the voice that speaketh from heaven, we need not be fearful;
for if they are true sheep of the Lord’s flock thev cannot long
be deceived, if at all. i\-e mav indeed sound “out the volc~
of the Good Shepherd. callmc iheir attention afresh to the
harmonies and &a&s of tKe “voice from heaven,” but if
still they do not hear and heed, we may know that they do
not belone to the flock which our Shenherd A is now collect-
ing and sEepherding.
Amongst those who heard this parable from our Lord’s
lips, not many comprehended, not many had the hearing ear for
the true Shepherd’s voice: only a small proportion of the
Jewish people followed him and became his true sheep. Sim-
ilarly now, many are professing to be the true sheep of the
Lord’s flock, but in this clay of the Shepherd’s presence his
voice. the tlutb, become-: the test. All of the true sheep will
hear and he attracted bv the voice of truth now uttered, and
will obey it. Those Tcho are not of the Good ShepGerd’s
flock. and who hare not his snirit. he desires shall now be
separated; to this end they wili he& the voice of other shep-
herds, and be deceived thereby: because they are not truly of
the Lord’s flock.
Dr. Porter tells of a scene he witnessed, in which several
flocks of sheer, were for a time commingled. and how, when
the due time &s come, the separation togk place. He says:-
“As we sat and looked, almost spell-bound, the silent
hillsides around were in a moment filled with life and sound.
Thousands of sheep and goats were there, grouped in confused
maqseq. The shenherds stood together until all came out. and
then they separlited, each shepherd taking a different path,
and uttering. as he advanced, a shrill, peculiar call.
cheep heard them : at first the mass swayed and moved as if
shaken by some internal convulsion: then points struck out in
the directlonq taken by the shepherds. These became longer
and longer, until the confused masses were resolved in long,
living streams flowing after their leaders.”
So at the present Time there are many sheep in the nominal
Church. but ther are not all the Lord’s sheen. Some belong
to human leade& of various sects, and-some&are God’s. Thi
harvc\t, or end of this Gospel age, the time for separating
the wheat flom the tnres, is the time for separating the dlf-
fcrent flocks of sheep. In harmonv with this, we now hear
various voices calling the sheep in \;arious directions, as never
hefore. This 1s. in the Lord’s urovidence. for the nurnose of
I
separating all others from his own Yittlk flock.” ‘His sheep
will hear his voice and follow him--other sheep, consecrated
to human leaders, human Inqtltutions, human theories, human
efforts. will follow their own bents, and thus be separated
from the “little flock,” and this is now the Lord’s good
nleasure Thus be will “nather out of his kinrrdom all things
that offend and them that’ do iniquity,” before the glorifying bf
his church and the great time of trouble that will follow.
CHRIST THE DOOR OF GOD’S SHEEP-FOLD
As a further explanation of the matter, our Lord refers
to himself as the Door of the sheep-fold, the lawful, proper
entrance-gate, by which God’s people might enter into rest.
All who had ever come previously, clalmmg to be messiahs,
had attempted to climb up by some other way than that of
keeping the divine law and purchasing the sheep. Ther were
thieve9 and robbers, attempting to take what thev had not
secured a right to, and that for selfish gain. But none of
the true sheep would heed them nor follow them. Now, how-
ever, the Good Shepherd had come, and had purchased the
sheep, opening a legal door of entrance to them and liberty
for them, and it was appropriate that all of the true sheep
should know it. Now ;t hid become pusslble for the sheep
to have in Christ the llbertv so lone desired. and to be led
out and into pasturage anh refreshment and to rest and
security. Henceforth aehovah’s flock should never lack for
pasturage; because, having bought them through his Son, they
shall be cared for. They may now say, “Surely goodness and
mercv shall follow me a11 the davs of mv life. ant1 I shall
dwell in the house of the Lord fopever.”
Others who had approached the sheep. seeking to he their
I cnme to thee with all my tears,
My pain and sorrow, griefs and fears;
Thou precious Lamb who died for me,
I come to thee, I come to thee.
TOWER (231-233:
leaders, had done so selfishly; had been willing to sacrifice
the sheep in their own interest; but the Good Shepherd,
solicitous for the best interests of the sheep, demonstrated
this by the sacrifice of his own life on their behalf, that they
might have life more abundant, better than they had ever
known hitherto,-eternal life. Hireling shepherds labor for
the hire, and not from personal interest in the sheep, and
consequently, instead of being ready to lay down their lives
for the sheep in times of extremitv and persecution for right-
eousness’ sake, they are ready rather to- flee the trouble &nd
avoid nersecution. Thev think chieflv of their own ease and
cornfor?., honor and di&ity, and of ilow much of the golden
fleece they can get from the sheep. They are not very deeply
concerned respecting the spiritual progress of the sheep, their
growth in grace, and in all the fatness of love and spiritual
welfare; but specially in numbers and collectioni.
Perhaps never more than at pre\cnt ih thlq tlnth clearly
illustrated amongst those who arc profehhetlly rep1 esentdt.1~ es
of the Good Shepherd-under4lephertls in 111~flock. Many of
th.em give evidence of wanting to be on the popular side of
every question-of unwillingness to suffer anythlug for the
sake of the truth , of carelessness respecting the lea1 ~1111 Itll,ll
condition of the Ilock: of interest iathcr in the human instltu-
tions through nhich they obtain their suppo’t, and with whose
welfare their honor. dignity and titles nie associated. Of Such
shepherds Milton, the poet, w1 ate, styling them-
I‘ . . . . blind mouths.
The hungry sheep look up and ale not fed,
But. swollen with wind and the rank mist they draw,
Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread.”
The Christian philosopher, John Ruskin, commenting
upon this, says: “Tliese two monosyllablc~, ‘blind mouths,’ Ed;-
nreqs the nreclselv accurate contraries of the right character l’i
the two ireat offices of the church,-those -of blhhop and
The pastor. A bishop means a person who sees; a pastor means
one who feeds. The most unbishoply chnlacter a man
can have i;, therefore, to be blind. i‘lle most unpastoral is,
instead of feeding, to want to bo fed,-to be a mouth.”
Nevertheless, the Good Shepherd will always be represented
amongst the sheep by those who have his own characterlstlcs,
and who are seeking to walk in his footsteps; and through
these he will utter his “voice.” and lend llis n\vn bhcel) to
pasture and to rest. These will not only have the same voice,
the same Word, the same good tidings, but they will have the
same devotion to the interests of the sheep-to feed the sheep,
to lead them into the green pa4ures and by the still waters of
present truth. and to preserve their liberties in the Lold, and
not to pen them up as their own, nor to make merchandise
of them.
The Father, the great over-Shepherd, Jehovah. iti referred
to bv the Good Shenherd. Jesus. in verse 16. “The Father
kno;eth me” [has cdnfidedce in &e-has entrusted the care of
the sheep to me] and even so I know the Father [having full
confidenre in him, and recognizing him as my Shepherd,
director. leatlerl, and [it 1s in harmony with his arrange-
ment for me nntl for the sheep that] I lay down my life for
the sheep.”
The sheep that I am now calling and leading to pasture
and caring for and calling bv their own names, and who know
L.
me, are a \ely special lot-of “sheep; in all only a “little flock,”
for whom .Tchovah. he Great Sheuhrrd. 11as made special ar-
rangements and provisions in his kingdom of glory. -However,
these are not all of his sheep, the they are all yet called and
led forth. “Other sheep I have that are not of this fold.” I
bought the \\hole world with the one sacrifi(ae for SII~J, anI1 all
who have the true sheep disposition, all who desire to be in
harmony w-lth righteouhness, truth, ant1 the author of these, I
mu4 recognize as my sheep, and muht 5earc.h them nut far and
near, until every nnc of them shall l,c found. But not yet:
this will l)e hv and bv. after the prehent “little flock” shall
be clorlficd wit11 me. ‘Then they. &th me, shall be the shep-
herds who Iv111 rrather In all of the true sheen. deliverinr
them all from th”r power of the enemy, and brln&g so many
as will obey my <oire ultimately into that glorious condf-
tinn of oneness. harmonv with the hcavt~nlv Father and with
myself. in which contlition, as my sheep, tlyey will be entitled
to everlasting life. “Then there shall be one fold and ont
~hephertl,” as it i5 written. “Of whom the whole family both
in heaven and in earth 1s named “-Kp11. 3: 15
0 wondrous love’ what joy is mine.
To feel that I am truly thlne.
rlhu precious Lamb who died for me,
I come to thee, I come to thee.
[2673]
 “THE LORD APPOINTED SEVENTY OTHERS ALSO
LUKE lO:l-11, ~~-~O.-SEPT. 2.
“Tile hawest truly is great, but the laborers are few.”
Our I.ord had pre\ IUUSI) bent forth the twelve apostles, others to sacrifice time and strength and zeal, that I may rest,
ad heralds of himself and the kingdom. (Luke 9:1-6) The and have neither part nor lot in the matter, sacrificing little
iending forth of seventy was evidently some little time after- or nothing.” Onlv those are properly qualified to petition
ward, probably in the last year of his ministry. Their com- the Lord & such i subject, wh&e*hea&s-are burning-with a
mission reads almost in the same words as that given to the desire to do with their minht what their hands mav find to do.
twelve, tho they are not recognized anywhere as apostles on an accordin,o to their opportunities. Such, in pray&, would be
equality with the tlrelve. The fact that seventv men would anxious,-first of all,^b themselves be used as ser%nts of the
voluntarily go forth as ministers of the Lord, ivithout hope nreat Chief Reaner. for it is “he that reaneth that receiveth
IJf earthlr reward or salary, is sufficient evidence that a strong Gages and that &gathereth fruit unto eterial life” now, as it
influence’had alreadr been exerted bv ,Tesus’ teaching. In this was also in the Jewish harvest. Those who are most zealous to
connection we reme’mbcr the Apostic’s statement i-hat above serve the Lord, and most willing to sacrifice on behalf of his
five hundred brethren were snffk:ientlv advanced in knowledge cause, are the ones who will receive the greatest present bless-
and zeal to be accounted worthy of”meeting the Lord after ing of spiritual fellowship with the Lord, and who will be the
his resurrection. which implies a keen interest on the part best prepared to share the glories soon to be reaveled.
of selcral times that number. \Ve may reasonably suppose The Lord adopted with the seventy the same method that
that these scventr wcrc repre-mtatives of a much larger he started with the twelve; tix., of sending them two and two;
t*ompany of deeply interested ones. They were sent into the and similarly we, at the present, time, encourage the colporteur
various cities and vlllancs. whither the Lord himself would laborers in this harvest to go two and two, for mutual encour-
qo. They were to prepnr;! hi; wav by announcing the kingdom agement and helpfulness, etc. As the poet has said,
at hand. and bv nerformins thc’miraclrs intended to demon- “So when two together work, each for each
ztrate tic auth&<icity of &rir message. Is quick to plan and can the other teach;
An explanation of nby they were sent forth is given But when alone one seeks the best to know,
(rersr :! ) : it wai because the harvest was great and the labor- His skill is weaker and his thoughts are slow.”
t’rs too few to properly consummate the work in the time It is questionable just why the Lord chose seventy for this
.lppolntf?tl of tllc l%fllW. i\ll interested wcrc expected to work, However, we remember that Moses chose seventy of the
&arc in this appreciation of the g.reatness of the work, and elders of Israel for his assistants, and that this number, sev-
the necessity for more laborers being sent forth; and it is enty, was from that time onward preserved in Israel, and
hut reasonable to suppose that the seventy sent were chosen known as the “Sanhedrm,” or committee of seventy chief men
from amongst those appreciating the situation and anxious to and iudpes. In the light of this fact, it would appear that
be commissioned. if thi nition of Israel-had been in prbper condition of heart
There are several lessons for us in this matter: we too are to receive the Lord, the chiefs of that nation would already
in a harvest time--in the harvest time of the GosDel age, as have embraced his cause, and the seventy members of the
they were in the harvest of the Jewish age. No;, as-then, Sanhedrin would by that time have been proclaiming the Me+
the harvest work ir great, and the laborers are comparatively siah throuph the leneth and breath of Palestine. But since
few. and now. as then. we cannot hope that anv would SUC- they had n”ot receive; the King, and had not prayed him to
reed in doing’ harvest work unless specially com”missioned or commission them to announce him, our Lord commissioned
>ent forth bv the Chief Reaner. Hence. all who aunreciate the others, and the work went on, the honor and privilege passing
work now i& progress, nho&d pray to’the Lord t% send them bv those of influence and education who might have enjoyed
fog th in his scrrire, or if already engagrd in it. that he would it’ had they been worthy. Doubtless the seventy sent forth
graciously open to them doors of opportunity for greater use- were. like the auostles. chosen from amongst the honest-
fulness in his service. In the beginning of this harvest com- hearted of the coimon people. and not many,-if any of them,
paratively few mere used of the ‘Lord & connection with the were rich, wise or learned.
harvest work: but as we nroeress we find that the Lord is Likewise, in this harvest time, there are many ministers,
graciously ple&ed to send iort% and use more and more those professedly servants of the truth, and possessed of education,
who are zealously anxious to lay down their lives for the influence, etc., who by now should realize that we are in the
truth. harvest of the Gospel age, and should be seeking of the Lord
The expression. “The harvest is great,” does not necessarilv an opportunity to engage in the harvest work; but instead,
mean thai the ambunt of ripe “wheat” tb be garnered is greaf. they are described as “dumb dogs, lying down, refusing to
It means rather that the difficulties and oppositions, and bark”-refusing to awaken the household under their care t0
multitudes of “tlres
< ” make it diffk!ult ti reach all of the let them know that the kingdom of God is at hand, and that
“wheat” class. The aork is great here, as it was great in the all not received into the kingdom are about to be plunged into
end of the Jewish age; get only a “little flock” will be gath- a sreat time of trouble. All of the spiritual house of today
ered now. as only a remnant was gathered from Israel, as the must either receive a more than Pentecostal blessing, in being
-1postle Paul pointed out. (Rom. 9:27) The mass of Israel “changed” and made sharers of the kingdom, or else, being
professed to be the Lord’s people, hut their piety was little rejected from the kingdo?, receive a baptism of fiery trouble
more than profession. They drew nigh to the Lord in attend- -havmg their portion with the world, not being accounted
anre at the synagogues, and in celebrating the feasts, felt full worthy to escape those things coming upon the world.-Luke
and self-satisfied, and looked with nitv upon the Gentile na- 21:36.
tions, and had a ‘great spirit of misGo;ary aggressiveness, and That the Lord did not expect the seventy to convert and
“rompasqed sea and land to make a proselyte” to Judaism. gather in all Israel is vex-v distinctly shown in his statement,
Nevertheless, the Lord, who read the heart, recognized that “Behold, I send you forth as lanibs among wolves.” The
theirs was only a formal lip service, and that their hearts Master knew that the majority of the professedly consecrated
were far from him; and we see ronditions today very similar Israel of God were consecrated to self and selfishness, to sect
to thiq, in nominal spiritual Israel, and party, and not to the truth. The majority were repre-
None were fit to be sent out as heralds of the kingdom sented as voracious wolves, not sheep. Nevertheless, there
except such who thoroughly believed in the kingdom-such as were lambs and sheep amongst the goats and the wolves, and
had accented Jesus as the Messiah: such as believed in his these all must hear the message, and thus be prepared to
presence-&u$ therefore, as could speak forth with earnest- receive the Messiah. when he should present himself to them.
neqs and power the message they were sent to bear. And so it Special instructions were given to these specially sent-
;eems to be in this harvest time. The Lord is sending forth forth ones. Thev had a neculiar work to do and the con.
more laborers continually; yet only such as recognyze the ditions accorded.* They w&e not, therefore, a criterion for
kingdom as nigh, even at the door; only such as recognize subsequent workers under different circumstances. They were
the payoztsin of the Kin,n; only such as have a zeal to tell to carry neither purse, nor valise, nor extra shoes, and were
the joyful tidings to ot&s, a”re being used and blessed of to salute no man by the way. They would thus be dependent
the Lord in the gathering together of his elect,-the ripe on the generosity of those to whom they ministered the truth.
“v,hent.” his “je\yels.‘‘---I%:~. $0 :5; Mal. 3: 16, ‘17; Mat’t. And the effect of this would be beneficial in several ways. ( 1)
13339, 41. It would test the faith of those who went forth,. and keep
It is not supposable that our Lord meant that any sl~ould thrm continually depending on the Lord’s supervlslng care,
appeal to him to send forth more laborers into the harvest, and trusting that he who had sent them knew how to make
who at the same time would not be willing and anxious, to provision fgr their necessities while they complied with his
the extent of their ability, to enter this harvest service them- commands. f 2) It would furnish an opportunity for hospi-
selves. There may be some. but we trust very few, who would tality to thoie ‘to whom they preached,- and who, by reason
be prepared to pray: “0 Lord bless, I pray thee, thy work, of the necessities of the case, would be constrained to reach
and send forth more laborers; but do not send mc. Permit a decision promptly as to whether or not they were in sym-
:232- 233)
ALTGUST 1, 1900 2 I 0 N’S W-4 T C El T 0 ?V E R (234-236>

pathy with the message, and heme with the messengers, and to Satan’s fall from high glory and privilege and position
willing to entertain them. The same lesson of dependence on to his nresent attitude of chief adversarv of God. “I beheld
the Lord was implied in the provision Satan ks lightning
for no change of [as a bright one] fall from heaven.” It
raiment. Besides, it was to be but a short tour. 1s for those who deny tl1e personalitv of Satan and who deny
The injunction there are anr fallen angels, to espla~n awav these plain state-
not to salute anv one by the way may be
understood to refer to the custom ments of Scripture.
in Oriental lands of trav- The true children of God, the true sheep
elers stopping frequently who hear the voice of the Shepherd, will not be deceived upon
to chat with each other respecting
the news. The disciples had but one message, the good tid- this point any more than upon otllers. \Vhat matters it to
~ngs, and they were to give all diligence to 1tn promulgation. us that we did not see 8atan fall from his glorious condition?
and not to be general newsmongers. On arriving Our Master did, and he has borne testimony,
at a house 11ot only re-
thev were to take careful note respecting their reception, and snectinn Satan’s nersonalitv. but also respecting h1s fall from
were to anticipate this with a praver-that I&ghtn&
peace: blessing, and honor. \Vhat is it to us &at others deny that
favor. might be unon that house and’itq inmates. tl1ere .1ie fallen angels, demons: \\I10 seek to 1mpe1sonnte the
If a son of
peace: a Child of ‘God. resided there, they might expect that dead, through spiritualmm, etc. ‘! \Ve ]in\e the Blaster’s
under the Lord’s providence they would have a kind reception. words. and the word5 of the apoctlcs, to the contrary. and
and were to accept it as of the Lord’s arrangement. as true sheep WC both licar and bcetl tbr Shepherd’s voice and
If they
were not so received. they were to consider it as an evidence follow him. We 11erd not the \-oicc of Satan, uttered tl11ougn
that that was not the home of God’s people, living in core- those whom 11~controls. telling u+ tbnt tl1ere is no devil, tliat
nant there is no second death, etc.
relationnl11p with him, and were to take their departule,
feeking another and another place. Peradventure Our I,ortl proceeded to tcsll tllc +I cbnt\ tl1;it it \\‘a. 11~111117
they found
no entertainer had given tl1em the power they 11atl c11jbyed, and that it in-
in the village, they were, nevertheless, to give
tlicir te~tiinonv. Ant1 it should be given in a striking man-
tluded in1n~unitg from tlic biter of serpents and scnipions. and
ner. ? iz.. 1,~ the shaking of the dustcfrom their shoes,%ich, from all the power of the enemy-all enemies. l1ut specially
to the Oriental mind. would sianifv a rerv solemn and final tl1e pncmv, Satan: tile same nne mrntinned al<o in the prayer
testimony : and tl1en they were to * sav, ‘Lfiotwithstanding. which our Lord taught, saying, “Deliver
be 11~ from tbc evil
sure of tl1if. that the kingdom of God ‘is come nigh unto you.” 1)ne.” It mar not bc amiss to note here tllr f,ict tl1at thehe
-111 UIIO arc engaged in the prc5ent harvest work may lmwers and nLthoritics over Sitiln, poisons. serl~eirt-. ctc , Nero
learn some very profitable lessons here, applicable. indeed, to ;.nnfined to the twelve ant1 to tl1c subsequent se;-enty, and were
the Lord’s people at any time while engaged in his service. never given to the churc*h in acnernl. Tl11~ onlv Scripture
WC have no time for the ordinary converse. lvl1ich &en seems to so implv iy 81ark In:9 to the end: and
The time i4
sluu t : the llarrest work is great; the laborers are few; our tliwc vrrscs are not. fnilnd in’ tlltb nltl(n-t (:I CCli vs.. ni~tl arc:
t1mn is conqecratetl: rvidentlv
we must labor while it is called dav. interpolations. added probably about. the flftl1 cen-
knowing tl1at a night cometh wherein no man can work. tury: thry are omitted from the Rcbvisrd Version nntl others.
6’e
hn\r conrccrntctl our lives even unto death: we are commis- Rut while no surli immunity from poison4 and bites and
<ioned of the ,grcat Lord of the harvest to seek for the true 4ting:s are granted to the Gosprl c*l111rcli in griieral. we have
“\vllPR t ,” and to gather it into the barn. What time have we what serves every purpose in tbiq respect; 1 iz , tl1e Lord’s
for frivolities or worldliness promise that nothing shall 1,~ an;v nirani
or the manv social amenities? 71ul t us as new
Rather, we must content ourselves with giving very little at- creatures-that the l,nrtl will permit notlting to Imppen to
tention to these tilings. and must press along the line, engag his conqerrated ones tl1at he is not bntl1 able and w1111ng to
ing heartily in the work given 11s to do. if ne would 11ave the overrule for their good. their highrst welfare.
approval of our Master, his “Well done, good and faithful While rejoic*ing wit11 1he di~c*ipl1~n in tl1rir inrrcasrtl faitb
servant.” and joy, resulting from their activities in 11is service, and
Altho it is not customary today. as it was in Palestine in the exercise of the gifts which he l1ad bestolced upon tliem,
nineteen centuries ago. to salute a house and say, “Peace be our Lord cautioned them against 17Linkiwg ioo Airlilly of such
to this hnllsr!” nevertheless all of the Lord’s people should
miraculous gifts, and assures them that thrir rbiefest cause
be peacemakers, peace-promoters, peare-lovers, and a blessing
for joy lay in another direction-in tl1r fact tl1at thev had
of peace and restfulness should go with them wherever they ken accepted as sons into God’s family (Jnlm 1 :12) ; in the
go. Alas 1 Irow many of them are slow to learn that God has fact tl1at their nanif w?rt’ 1, rittcn in lnavcn. as prospective
not called us to strife, contentions. bickerings, anger, etc..
jointheirs with Christ in hi G I\i1r~cloiii-prnspr~t1\ t’ membrrs
hut to love. joy, peace, etc. How few, comparatively. have
of the hotly of Christ. to snffrr w1111 11im, ant1 thus attrqt
learned how to speak the truth in Tore; and always to give tbrir fitlelitv. 2nd hy ant1 1)~ to br glnriflrd ~itli liim to all
a soft answer whirh turneth away wrath; and always to avoid etrrnitr. This i4 in harmonv ~itl1 tltr .\l)nhtlr Paul’s state-
the grievnus words which stir up anger. Like the seventy of mrnt in 1 Cnr. 13 :l. whp1e I;(> assurr\ us tbnt tl1e miraculous
our lrssnn. in our daily avocations and efforts to minister to gifts conferred upon thr earlr cburcb 1~ t11e laying on of the
others. let the peace of God go with us, shining in our fares, -4postle’s hands, snrh as <iwnl,-in~ 11it11 11nI~nnwn tongues,
governing our artions and intoning our language. sn that,
interpretations of niystci Ir+, ctr , :11c not proofs of spirit-
as the Apostle expresses it, our speech shall be always sea-
begotten conditions : that a great17 proof is tlie poqsession of
soned with grace. the spirit of the Lord, the spirit of love tl1at nrver faileth.
Conditions in rivilizecl lantls tndav are verv different from The mo1c of the spirit of love l\r possrss tl1r grratcr is our
what thev were and still are in Oribntal lands. so that hc1e likeness to God’s dear Son. our R(~tletmcr. and the mnrcb will
and now’ it would be unusual to he esnected to entertall
we be fitted and prepared fn1 a harr wit11 11im in his beav-
strangers ; nevertheless. all who are of the Lord’s true people cnly glories. If, therefore, tlir T,nitl prImits us to do snine
should be on the lookout to ente1 tain hospitably any servants littlr scrrirr in the present harvest. or to bear snnic burdeni
of the Tord. who thev are sure cmrv his message. tbp Gospel in the lipat of the day, or if lir grants us the privilege of ‘uc-
of the kingdom. And, as the Apostle indicates, t&v should’be
re-;sfully cnntrntling against the great adversary and his
iust as careful not to entertain, not to assist. anti not to bid
servants, ant1 ILi~&~s 7(s frflnz hci~g strtn,o or ‘qiurt” bv tl1rir
hod-speed to any who are bearing a false gospel. and denying words nr looks or dredq, and if be grants us nppnrtu11itirs for
that the Lord bought us.-2 John 10. helping other5 out of sniilsicknrs4 bv atlministrring tlic good
REJOICE IN THINGS UNSEEN medicine of the nrcscnt truth, let 11s 1eioirc in tllesr nrivilrges
When the seventv returned from this mission they were and nppo1tunitiEs; but let 11s rcjoicr”stil1 more t&t under
full of joy: saying, “‘Lord, even the devils are subject unto tlre Lord’s nrovidrncc we arc 11is cliiltlrrn. bezotten of his
‘7

us, in thy name.” Our Lord assured them that this was what cpirit-tbnt ‘o11r namrs havr brrn rccortlrd as irienibers of his
he expected, and intended, when he sent them forth, and family, ant1 tbnt by and by WC may espcct to be joint-heirs
explained respecting his own knowledge of Satan in his pre- with nur Elder &other. Yen, in these good hopes we wil:
human condition, that there and then he had been a witness rejoice.

IS THE RESTITUTION CALL NOW OPEN?

A dear brother in the truth seems to think that the teach- taneouslp with the closing work of this Gospel age. This
ings of DAWK, Vol. V.. differ from those of DAWN, Vol. III., rlrarer statement of the subject in DAWN V. is the result of
on the question heading this article. He sees clearly that 111 our having lrarned that some had gotten the wrong impree-
DAWN, Vol. V., the view we present is that the restitution sion from vol. III. In proof of his point, the brother refers UB
call cannot begin until the last member of the Gospel church to Vol. III., page 215, where it is stated that “the stopping
has been changed, glorified, but he thinks that the third v01- of the favor or call here, in 1881, is followed, or rather lapped
ume teaches that the restitution call will be in progress simul- upon, by the general call of the whole world to the Millennial
[2675]
<236-237) ZION’S WAT CH TOWER .b,LEGHENY. PA.

blessing’: and favors on condition of faith and obedience.” the falling of the systems of error, false doctrines, etc. It is
Also pages 365 and 367 : “I’urther, where the special favor of necessary that the restitution should be recognized by God’s
the gcneial Gospel call ceased, October, 1881, the blessings people, in order to keep them from falling in this day of
unon the world would seem to be due to have a beginning.” trouble. But the message or call to restitution is not due to
..it (1X81) was the date of the closing of the high caning, and the world, to our understanding, in any sense of the word;
licnc~ the date for the beginning of the restitution call for hence it is that the efforts being made in connection with the
mankind in peneral.” dissemination of present truth are confined, so far as seems
On que%tmns of so much intricacy it is sometimes difficult reasonable and possible, to the church-to those, at least,
to use lanpuare r cl- sufficientlv exact: esneciallv if at the time of who professedly claim to be the Lord’s people, and not to the
it ritlng ol)1(*ctions or criticisms’ a& not II fully anticipated. world.
\Vcrc we to express the above points again we would try still Our brother’s letter suggests several questions, which we
liartIer. as in I)alVN V., to.glrartl our statements, and thus to here propound and answer, hoping that the answers may be
pi clvent any mi5untler~tanding. Our thought is, that the close helnful. not onlv to him hut to others.
of the hig11 (*:tIling in the year 18Hl \vas a marked date, and ‘(1)’ Quest&n.-May it not he, that both the high calling
that from that time onward we should expert manifestations and the restitution call are now open 7 Or, if only one of
along’ tlrr line of rc+titution-evitlmces that restitution bless- them, would it not seem the more probahle that the restitu-
ing, weie in p~oc(ss of development. IVe had no intention tion call alone is open now? I fail to see the force of your
,lf convevinr the thought that restitution. nhv-;ical. mental rlaim that the “door” stands open after the _~~_“call”
~.~ ceases.
,intl moral, ‘7shonld be ‘expected in 1881, and’ onward. As a Amwer.--We believe that we have shown, foregoing -that
matter of fact, we see no such process of general physical the restitution call could not hegin until the sacrifice of the
rcs+tltution in operation. nor ought we to expect it until the church is completely finished, and until the High Priest, with
Day of Atonement sacrifices (of this Gospel age-Christ and every member of his body, is fully clothed with the honors
the c.hurc*h, 111sbody) are complete. and dignities of his office, represented in the garments of glory
\Yr h:r\c already pointed this out in the pamphlet, “Tab- and beauty. We doubt if we can make the matter of the open
t*rrrac*le Shadows of Better Sacrifices,” puhli*hed in 1881. We door after the general call has ceased, any plainer than above
there \how that the high priest does not put on the glorious set forth. We think it beyond question that the Lord could
garments. rrprescnting the dignity and authoritv of rulership not call at any time a greater number than the elect vmnber,
and hlw\lnc, until the “Lord’s goat” has been killed, its bodv even tho his foreknowledge assured him that manv of the
lJurnet1 without the (*amp, its fat burned upon the altar, and called ones would not make their calling and election sure,
it, Mood carrictd into the “Mo\t Holy” and sprinkled upon and therefrjre would not be amongst the chosen. We hold,
tlie hIerc7 Seat. (We there show also that this goat typified therefore, that at such time as the full number of the elect
the chu&h. all of whose experiences there typified cannot be had been called, the general call must of neressity have
ac~comnlished until the la\t member of the hodv of Christ has ceased; and yet, since the Lord clearly foretold that a casting
flni~h&l hiq SR~II~~~Crnmpletrly.) Then it was that the high nut of snme during the inspection of the guests would follow
priest went to the altar. lifted up his hands, and began to (Matt. 22:10-14), and since the elect number must be com-
l~lc+s the pcnplc, who meantime lay prostrate in the dust plete, it follows that there must bc \nmr way of bi 111g1ng in
awaiting that very bl(,ssing, which typically represents resti- others to take the places of those who wnulti be cast out,
tutmn. after the general rall ceased and the work of inspertion began.
ln the above statement that “the stopping of the favor To our understanding this work of inspection of the guests
i~r (all her?. in 1881. is followed. or rather lapped upon. hp has been progressing for some time-since the (*ail ceased
the grncral call of the whole world to the bllllennial blessings As some were found unwnrthv of their privileges and “cast
,711tl favors.” WC hoped that the reader would have in mind into outer darkness.” similar’ to that in n-hlc*li the whole
slur further statement; that altho the call, in its open or full world is. others were admitted to the favors of the called. and
+n%r. ccaicd in 1881. it would he prolonged in a special or the attendant testings. And this work must continue until
privatt~ sense for a time, just as Iqrael’s national favor ceased the full quota of elect ones shall have passed divinr approval.
ti\-P day< Ilrfnxr our Lord’s crucifixion, when he said, “Your \Ve can think of no other way that would permit God to he
11o11seIS left lmto vou desolate.” vet in an individual sense of iust and reasonable in his dealings, since he will not arcrpt
tile word. God’s favor continued” with Israel exclusively for less than the foreordained number, and since he will not call
Ihrce and a half yrnrs following that date; only that instead to that number any who, in any sense of the word, might be
t>i being a national favor. it was a private, an individual open to disappointment. ‘+Just and true are thv ways. thou
favor. On page 219 we rndeavnr to explain this continuation King of saints!” As pointed out (Daivx:. Vnl IIT., page 222)
of thp Gospel Vi111, in another form, using the following lan- these additions are illustrated in the paraljlr by those admit-
zliafie : ted to lahnr in the vineyard at the eleventh hour, after the
“But tlln the gpnrral ‘call’ has reaypri. the ‘dnnr i4 not relrruiar calls had ceased.
\ et ihilt The rnti of the call and the shutting of the door are (2) Question.-Did not the restitution call prerede the
rlt\timt anti stpnratc. The ‘door stands open for some to Gospel call? Were not Enoch. Sbraham, Isaac, *Jacob and
Lsrltc*r the ra(*c for the great prize of joint-hrirship in the all Israel called to restitution? If this be true. then the
klngtlom aftfIr the f7ranc,rrrl ‘mll’ liar cca\ed. &cl ham. prede- Gospel call was merely a supplementary one, for the time
trrmincti a fix-cd nnmbrr to constitute the rhurrh. ‘thr hndp of being, and in that event its closing or ressation would at once
C’hriht ’ anal tltrrr ran he neither onr memher superfluous nor put ‘in force again the original call which it had temporarily
one lackinp (Src this typically taught in I.ev. 21 : 17-23) It superseded
Follows that lir c*mlltl not call or invite to that honor more Answer.-No: none of the patriarrhs were called to resti-
than no111tl c~omplctc~ the numbrr that he had determined. and tution, nor was it possihle that either they or others could
~:otl’~ \\‘ord <lrows that thi< number had been secured [railedl attain restitution blessings until after the ransom had been
in Ch+olic~r, 18Sl Blit since somr of thosp who responded paid; until after all the Atonement Day sarrifices had been
l:rrrler the rcnc~~al cnll. and mnrlr thr covenant with him. will offered. If restitution had been possihle without the ransom,
iail to keep that covenant, fail to so run as to ohtain the then Christ died in vain, so far as the world of mankind is
prize. thr ‘tlnnr’ ztantiq open after the general ‘call’ has ceased, concerned. But no: all that anyone enjoyed of restitution
to permit the rntrance to the rare. to srlf-sacrifice in the favors in the past, was what we now enjoy; viz., a knowledge
Fer\:icsc of thp trlith. nf snrnc Frlnrlrr the private or individual of them. A slight knowledge or hint at restitution was given
~~,rllI to fnl;c Ihc plnccs of quph as may. during the inspection, to father atlam and mother Eve. Subsequently a clearer
,,:iGt n+rtic the wcbtldin g garment of Christ’s righteousness; and statement of the same was made to Ahraham, and confirmed
.ilio of sl1(.11 nthrrs as. harinr made the rnrenant of self- to Isaac and *Jacob. There is a vast difference between the
-arrifirr in tlrr crrvicr. lore the present evil world, become promise of a thing and the thing itself. Had the restitution
i,\-rrcltarord with its carps or pleasures, and fail to perform (,<ill gone forth in the true sense. anvnne responding properly
the requrrrmrnts of th(,ir rnvrnant.” \vould have heen restored to perfert’ion and everlasting life.
Our thought is that thiq serrrt extension of the privileges TI~P, there was a kirld of offer of restitution made to Israel
of the rail. after it has ceased as a oenernl offer. must of under the Law Covenant-an offer that they would he re-
necessity prrcrdr the beginnin,? of the “restitutinn privileges, stored to perfection and life if they would keep their Lam
and hence that nnlv preparatnrv wnrk in respect to the resti- ColTenant inviolate. But, as we have seen, the keeping of that
tution and thr J~loc~l.lnrntion of it. will bc in oltier ilntii tllc, la\v was impossible: and hence the attainment of restitution
harvest of this Gosprl age has hem fullv gathered. The knowl- untirr it was equally impossible.
edge of restitution is granted to thr Lord’5 consecrated people The special merit of the patriarchs consisted in the fact
now, to the intent that thev should not he in darkness with that. living before anv call to overlasting life was made, and
the world in respect to the divine plan, and esperiallr in view with merelv a hint of God’s gracious purposes, they exercised
sf the approarhing great time of trouble. and also in view of -n great faith respecting the same-enduring much in their
[2676]
\I t LIST 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (235-234)

l*ndeavors to please God, and because of their confidence in evidences of our own weaknesses in our minds and bodies.
his promises. From the Apostle Paul’s account, some of them The sin3 are not blotted out; they are merely reckonedly WV-
endured, faithfully, experiences which. had they lived during ered. In the case of the church’s sins: thev will not be
this Goqpel age, would have constituted them overcomers in blotted out until death shall destroy these mo<tal bodies, and
the highest sense of the word, and ioint-heirs with Christ in until the Lord. in the first resurrection. shall zrnnt us elo-
the kingdom. But living befoie’ tbis”high calling or any other rious, spiritual; perfect bodies. In them there w;il be no t&e
call had been issued. and sufferine and endurine valiantlv and of sin or weakness or imperfection; all our sins will then be
faithfully, they are’ promised a-better resurr&tion, a md --
more actually blotted out. But now we are required to belicl~e in
favorable resurrection than that of the world, tho it will not the covering of our sins; to exercise faith in Gotl’s declara-
be so wonderful a resurrection as that of the church. As the tion. Our next step of faith IS in connection with tile high
Apostle remarks, God has promised some better thing for us calllnp to sacrifice earthlv and tcmnoral intcrrstu for the
(than for them), “that they without us should not be made gaini@ of the heavenly piol.y, honor-and immortality. Rut
perfect.“-Heb. 11 :40. the heavenly crown and blessing are seen only w1f11 the qe
Their resurrection will be better than that of the remain- of faith; and whoever run-i In the race now set before us in
ller of mankind, except the consecrated Gospel church, in that the Gospel, must not only look with the eve of faith unto
it will be an instantaneous raisine to nerfection. while the Jesus, as the author and finiqhcr of our faith. but \\lth tll+%
world’s resurrection will be a err;dual ‘one, accompanied by same e.ye of faith must see the vrown of rizlltrousncss which
disciplines and testings, and tailed by our Lord “the reaui- the Lord, the righteous Judge. has laid up ‘tor tlmsp who are
rection by judgment”-a gradual raising up of the obedient faithful. Thus our3 is nreeminentlv
L
an age of faith. of rrck-
,

and willing throughout the Millennial age, step by step, to oned conditions, and of trust in t’he promises: and It shall
,111that w,ls forfeited and lost in Eden. have its great and prccioun reward.
(3) ()~tesllo~---Will not the restitution call be a call to Not so will be the conditions of the Millennia] :~KP. whL-n
faith and to obedirnce. without sacrifice? If we cannot im- ushered in. K nnwletl,ne will he there. as we have hen: and
AKlnc such :I call as deing now in process, let me ask, Why earh dav’s euperienres will rcsnlt eithrr in mental. Inoral :,nd
not? \\:as not thiq call the one that was onen to Cornelius physical development. or in chastisements for fnilnles to rn,lke
and to ever,vhody elsr, both before and since iis time. as men- @+lgress. Such experiences will give ample dcmon4trntinn of
tionrtl 1~7 the Apostle Peter, “I perceive that in every nation what may be expected as the ultimate outcome-rc~titlrtioil as
hc that tcarctb God and worketh righteousness is acceptable the reward of obedience, or the second death as the punishment
to lilm ?” of disobedience.
dnszcer.-Peter did not mran to be understood that he The matter iq clearlv set before 11’: in the Sr*riptulc~s. wb~ch
that feared God and worked rizhteousnrs< to the best of his clearly trarh that during this age the rule of divirlc dealing
ability l~tl ctlltar/s been accent’able to God. Peter had iust 14. “According to thv faith be it unto thee,” while tbc rule
lc;lrn&l tli;lt a new dispcnsatidn had been ushered in, and &at of the judgm&t of ihc worltl in the ~lilleniii:~l age 1q c*learly
,inc*e Christ bat1 rrdeemed. not the tJew onlv. but the whole laid down in Rev. 20: 12: “I saw the dead. small nnd great,
rrorld of mankind, therefore nolo repentance U;<nd remission of stand before God : and the books wcrc opcncd: antI al;othcr
<ins were proper to bc preached in Christ’s name to every book of life waq ‘opened [the firc;t book of life Iq ca!lrcl the
I renture. C:rntl& as well .LX Jews; and that whoever sought Lamb’s Book of Life. containing the names of ttttl rl+bet church.
to (10 the I,ortl’s ~111 to the best of his ability would be ac- his bride:-this o&r book of”iife nil] be t]lcB lnok or IWOI(~
~:cr)t;tillc in t!le Lord.5 sipht. of those who shall pass the re<titlltion trial or lud~mcnt
’ The rcstltution call-ii\;;ill- be a very different one from any sntisfactorilvl. and the dead were ludec~] out of thnqe tb~~~_nrr
that has c\cr WIIP fol th aq vet. It will not be a call to faith which were written in the honks ‘[the Scriptures-.Jolln
.!nd to reckou’cd tol,?ivc~n~sd of sins, but a call to obedience 12 : 481 according to their IOOT~S.”
<tnd to the actual blotting out of sins. During the Millennial It would he a mistake to suppose that God will call man-
,~gc the world of mankind will be dealt with according to the kind to sonship during the Millennial n~c. .jnd riot rcanlllrr
c&tlition of each, and obedience to the extent of ability will them to make full ronqecration of themselves to him, and to
be requIret1 of eacsh individual. EVE-VY obedience will receive that righteousness of which he is the personal r(lpresentative.
Its reward. in the \\:ty of mental. moral ard physical recu- None ran ever have eternal life upon any other ronditinn than
peration, restitution : and every disobedience wiil receive a this-ahqolute ohedicnce. and more-nhqolnte hnrmnnv with
tuqt c~hast~~rmc~nt, and thuc throughout that age all who will the very spirit of the divine law. the law of rizhtenuSneq.s,
*hall have 1he opportuuitv of tlevrlopmcnt, mentally, phys- the law of love. And all who will be in harmony with thp
Icallr. mornllv. until. at ‘its close. if he has been obedient TJord to such an extent as this. would of necacsqit‘y sarrifice,
ro the great Teacher. Christ. he will aaain be in the image if there were onposition to the Jlord or to rizhtcourncqs
. &
which
.tntl lllc~nw~ of God. ati was Father &lam, but with ad&- would make necessary a sacrifice of any kind, rather than
tionnl experience gained-not only during the fall. but espe- deny the Lord and the principles of his holiness.
zaiallv the experiences pained under the administration of The reason why thrre will be no sacrificues required of the
(!hriGt’s pov&ment, &ring the Millennial period, while world during the Millennial age iq that sin and Satqn will
rl.ri9z.q again ; while being rcstituted out of sin and death con- no longer he in control-“this preqrnt evil world” (dispen
tlltmns. into conditions of righteousness and life. sation) will have passed away. ant1 in itc; stud will 11~1~ hcen
What is now known to ihe church of this Gospel age as ushered in “the world to come. wherein dwelleth righteous-
“Justification hp faith” (in like manner also the a&ent ness”-wherein rightronsnesq will he the rule. uhckin the,
worthies were iustified) will not be in operation during the Kinr and all in favor with him and evcrv.s feature c:f rrovern-
Jiillennial a:e,“nor he ueceqqary ; because &the conditions%‘then ment will be one of righteousness, truth and lnvr.
will he so different from present conditions. It is because “we To suppose the restitution call already rommonrPc1 would
walk bv faith and not hv sight”--because faith is now SO be to suppose that God had in some manner author171’d wmc
difficult: and therefore so’ Talk. that it is so hirhly appre- one to annonnre that hrncefnrth no one wnulll CufTcr for richt
taiated and rewarded of God. But when the Millennial age doing. but only for wrong doing; and that hcnccforth whoever
will have been ushered in, the afe of faifh will have passid souiht to do Fight to tl;;! best‘ of hiq ability, would tind him-
-that will be the age of knowledge-the age of evidence5 SO self unonpo<rd therein. and that hiq pvcrv clTort wo11111
<*Iear, SO unmistakable, that even “the wavfaring man, tho promptly- l&iny mental, moral ant1 physical &rn;rt]l ant1 I,‘-
Ignorant, shall not err therein. for the knozcledqe of the Lord cuperation, which, going on ant1 on. 0nuld 1)~ a1111I,\ l(‘lt’il
&all fill the whole earth. as the waters rover the fare of the absolute perfection. Furthermore. it would hc to nromtw
prent deem” With knowledae thus abundant. so that there that any ‘who arrrptcd this rcstitntinn call wo~lltl nc:vcr die
ihall he Ao new1 to say to die’s neighbor, “Know the Lord,” the Adamic death: hut on the cnntrarv. acc,rntinz this call
because all shall know him. it, follows that sneclal faith ~111 heartily, would find that day hy day. yeir bv .&r,the power
be impnsqihle. and hence the rewards of specikl faith will no of delth in him was being vanquished and the process of res-
longer be offered. titutinn progressing.
We do not mean to say that mankind during the Millen- When that call shall go forth, and those restitution privl-
nium will not believe: on the contrarv. none can do otherwise leges shall he offered to Mankind. it will he a9 the Prophit has
than believe: we do ‘mean to say, l;owever, that there is a declared. that no man shall thenceforth die for Adam’s sin.
difference between belie&q and exercising faith. We now nor for the sin of hiq fathers. but onlv for his own sin. (.Jer.
believe varinus things bv faith. which the world in the next 31:20, 30) We understand that this ‘time will not he rrarhed
age will believe, nor bvUfaith hut on evidence, by knowledge until after the time of trouhle-nnt until A. D. 191.5. To our
-it will he imnossiblg for them to doubt them. seeinF that understanding, from that date onward, the kinrdnm being
the evidences will be so indisputable. For instance. no% God fully established. the rall of the world to restitution priri-
tell9 uq to reckon all of our past sins forgiven, and ourselves lcges will be opened, and whoever shall then die will die for
fully justified in his sight. Nevertheless, we continually see his own sin [second death] and not for father Adam’s; and
11149 /267’7]
(240-224) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY.PA.

whoever will then be obedient to the Lord will experience the of this ignorance God winked at”-took no account of. So all
blessings of his grace in restitution-actual, perceptible re- the way down through this Gospel age, while this “high call-
covery beginning at once, as the reward to the faithful under ing” has been presented there doubtless have been some of the
the restitution call. Lord’s followers who have not clearly grasped his promises
The sense in which Millennial blessings and favors are in all their length and strength and beauty-many who did
already lapping upon the Gospel age, to our understanding, not clearly understand that the overcomers of this age are to
is this: ( 1) knowledge, inventions, etc., are bringing to the be heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, and partakers
world of mankind blessings never hitherto enjoyed, and which of glory, honor and immortality. Their ignorance, however,
are really intended for the Millennial age, and are merely did not alter the call nor the Lord’s engagement. The heav-
being gotten ready or prepared in thiq “day of Zod’s prepara- enly Father is, so to speak, dealing with Christ rather than
tion.” (2) Restitution bleismgs are lapping also, in the with us, and thus it is written that we are “accepted in the
sense that these inventions, etc., are gradually leading on to Beloved.” Whoever, therefore, during this Gospel age, has
the great time of trouble, in which present institutions, social. fully consecrated himself to the Lord as his Master, fully
financial, political, religious, will all be overthrown-that in trusting in him also as his Redeemer, and seeking to walk
their stead God may luring in the better nrovisions and ar- in his footsteps, the same is an heir of God and a joint-heir
rangements of the l\‘lillcnrnnl kingdom. (2)’ Restitution bless- with Jesus Christ, his Lord, whether he knew it or not; just
ings arc coming to thr church now. in the sense that she is as it would be in respect to an earthly inheritance.
permitted to foreice these coming blessings unon the world. It might seem strange that a son should not have some
and to rcloice cxcrrdlnyly. and to lift up her heart in thank: knowledge of his father’s wealth and of his fathrr’s intention
fulness and praise to hrm who loveth us and who bought us to give him a portion, but the son’s ignorance would not alter
with his own precious l~lootl. and to realize how it is “the in any degree the father’s will, nor hinder him from partici-
propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for pating in its provisions. So we should say respecting those
the sins of the whole world.” of the Lord’s faithful ones during this age, who have not been
(4) @estzon.-Suppose some one should say, “I wish to aware of how great things “God hath in reservation for them
give up this present world and all its honors and pleasures, that love him.” And this applies also to such an one as you
to obey and follow Christ, no difference what trials and perse- mention in this question: his ignorance will not alter the
cutions it may bring; but I have no expectation of salvation divine arrangement; and if he faithfully follow the Lord now
on the divine plane, and I am not running for that prize. we have every reason to believe that in the regeneration he
Salvatinn on the human plane is better than I deserve, no shall sit in his throne, whether he expects so great a favor or
matter how much it mav rest me to follow Christ now, in the not. Nevertheless, we should expect that now the Lord would
opening years of his rei’gn. before Satan is bound. I am glad graciously reveal to such a faithful sacrificer his goodly heri-
of an opportunity to show my loyaltv under adverse circum- tage. There surely is no Restitution Call at the present time
stances, which will prove that I am kincere.” Who may say -no offer yet of an opportunity to grow out of imperfection
that surh an one might not come in under the restitution call? and death, into perfection in God’s likeness and into life ever-
Answer.--The Apostle, on one occasion, said, “The times lasting.

“OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT”

DEAR BROTHER R~ss~~~:--About one year ago your book, closer membership in “the church of the first-born, whose
called THE PLAN OF THE AGES, fell into my hands. It came names are written in heaven” and a more zealous and more
like the day-star arising in my soul, floodin my mind with wise narticination in its mini&v of the truth.-EDITOR.]
new thoughts and conceptions as to the great pP;an of redeeming DI~R BROTHER Rvssnnn:-Some time ago Brother Wood-
this old, lost world. Since 1897 I have been out evangelizing. worth witnessed mv method of handing out the Volunteer
preaching “Christ and Him crucified,” to men throughout the TOWERS and was & well pleased with it that he made me
States, but my “advanced” views soon gave dissatisfaction promise to write to you about it. I don’t consider it any
emong the orthodox preachers, especially among the set to thing out of the ordinary, but for the sake of my promise I
whom I belonged, the Methodist Episcopal church societv. will give it to you.
It was then that I began to read in earnest every thing”1
could find along the line of nroohetic truth. I have read and With a bow and a smile I say, “Sampl+WATCH TOWEB”;
rc-read with great pleasure andAprofit the first five volumes of or “Free sample WATCH TOWER.” If any questions are
asked, I say, “An unsectarian religious magazine.” My rea-
MILLENNIAL DAWN; and am only awaiting now further issue sons for this method are, I seek to interest them thus, or
of Volume VI. I can not exnress to vou mv indebtedness to rather to arouse their curiosity in knowing what the paper is;
you for the light I have reieived fr;m th’e perusal of the rather giving them the impression that I am seeking sub-
WATCH TOWER publications. scribers. In this way they will read with an unprejudiced
May God continue to bless you with light, that you may mind-it does not arouse their antagonism by giving them
be the means in his hands of leading many more pilgrims the impression that you have something to refute the argu-
into the glorious light of the liberty of the gospel of Christ. ments they have just been listening to. If any know of the
Gince seeing the fulnesa of God’s truth, I have withdrawn WATCH TOWER and do not care for it, they can refuse t0
from the M. E. church and ministry. Pray for me that I take it. and thus one is saved for some one else. I think
may continue “to walk in the light as he is in the light.” I am iustified in giving the imnrsession that I am seeking
Yours in the Light, R. K. RICHARDSON,-Alabama. subscribers ; if anT:one becomes interested, he will become a
[To the Lord be all the praise for the Iigbt now “in due subscriber, and it ‘is for such that we specially labor. With
time” shining upon his Word and revealing to us his gracious much love, I am,
character. I am glad to hope that withdrawal from human Yours in the best of bonds,
institutions and their service means a fuller appreciation and Jos. L. HOAGLAND,--P~nSylVania.

UNTO HIM BELONCETH ALL

“Just why I suffer loss “My life is only mine
I can not know; That I may use
I onlv know my Father The gifts he lendeth me
Wills it so. As he may choose;
He leads in paths I cannot understand; And if in love some boon he doth recall,
But all the way I know is wisely planned. I know that unto him belongeth all.

“I am.his child, and I

Can safely trust;
He loves me, and I know
That he is just;
Within his love I can securely rest,
Assured that what he does for me is best.”
C26781
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., AUGUST 15, 1900 No. 16

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

REV. R. KEBBR NEWTON’S OPINION no martyrdom. . . . The claim of the innocence of Dreyfus
Doctor Newton writes to the Chrzstian Citizenship League was simply a specimen of Protestant treachery in order to
as follows : make it possible for England to occupy Fashoda, and William
“The teachings of the church, for the most part, are far II. to make his journey to Jerusalem. All the defenders of
from following the teachings of Jesus. Nay, they are far Dreyfus are open or secret Protestants.”
from recognizing what those teachings are. The organization “The Protestant Conquest ” is the title of another of these
of the church is planned and patterned upon a policy which blasts of ignorance and falsity, designed to prejudice the
is the very antithesis of a true society of Jesus. populace so that they will give Protestants and the Bible no
“Commercialism dominates the organization, and conven- hearing. It suggests the wisdom and propriety of murdering
tionality tyrannizes the pulpit. The law of the market, rather leading opponents. both political and religious, as follows:-
than the law of the mount, is accepted by the church at large. “The Catholics are too scrupulous. Nobody can bake an
“Our Protestant churches are composed, for the most part, omelet without breaking some eggs. No revolution can be
of a constituency drawn from the well-to-do classes, and they achieved without advancing over dead bodies. Do you think
see nothing essentially unsound or unethical in the economic it would be a crime to condemn and put to death such men
system of the day. The pulpit, therefore, is rarely free to as Zadok Kahn, Reinach, Schemer-Kestner, Picquart, Zola,
deliver its soul, if it has one, upon the burning questions of Brisson, Yves Guyot, Jaures, Clemenceau, Monod, and Rant,
our generation. because they have organized the Drcyfus conspiracy? I con-
“‘-Blind leaders of the blind, both seem hastening to fall fess openly that I would have no hesitancy to vote for the
into the ditch which lies before our civilization. And vet death of this Reinach, etc., and such pastors as Mono& etc.”
within the Christian church is the very ideal that the wo’rld French Protestants are justly indignant at such unscru-
hungers for the very power to solve these problems. Infin pulous methods of opposition. and are crying out for freedom
itely pathetic is the situation.” and fair and honest treatment; and to offset it are publishing
This is a very severe arraignment of orthodoxy in any pamphlets entitled, “Away from Rome,” and scattering them
case; but coming from one of its leading lights it is terrible! widely.
PROTESTANTISM IN FRANCE AND IN AMERICA
+ * 45
WithIn the past few years Protestantism has been making But now note the difference between the sentiments of
con\itlerable progress in Catholic France; but it is to he re- Protestants in France, and Protestants here. Where they are
membcrctl that there the term Protestant includes all systems in the minority they want liberty and God’s Word to pre-
of rt~ligiou and irrcligion opposed to Roman Catholicism. vail, and appeal to reccson am? the Bible as in offset to ig-
A\ might he cupected, this in turn arouses the ire of norance, superstition and priestcraft. But how is it here in
Romani*tq, eqpccially the clergy, who, long accustomed to full “the land of the free” where Protestantism controls the great
control of the masses. and to having their mandates pass malority? Ah! here we see the weakness of fallen human na-
without dispute or criticism, are now furious in their at- ture displayed; for here Protestants, like the Catholics of
tempts to hinder their people from slipping the bonds of gross France, are most bitterly opposed to any advanced light-es-
religious ignorance and sunerstition. and escauine from their pecially any further light from the Bible;-not only denying
control. ljeprived of the &vi1 power of the pasglost a cen- what they cannot gamqay Scripturally, but becoming the
turn ago-and unable to torture or destroy those who protest more angry in proportion as they find present truth un-
against their system, they nevertheless clearly show that the answerable.
spirit of the past still dominates them, and that only oppor- True, they have not published volumes in opposition to our
tunity is lacking, and this by reason of a higher civilization presentations, but this is no doubt due to two facts: (1) There
and a more generally enlightened public conscience-not be- is no opportunity to confound the gospel we preach with any
cau<e of a higher and holier religious standing. class of politicians or political aspirations; and (2) they
Words are the cruelest weapons now permitted. and these know nothing to say against our position and fear to call
are used with energy and venom and regardless of the truth. attention to it lest their closely guarded and tightly penned
For instance, the 11onne Presse, the organ of the assump- “sheep” should get a taste of “the good word of God,” and
tionists (a Roman Catholic order), and many Croix, or Cath- break away from sectarianism to the “green pastures and still
olic churrh naners, are seeking to arouse nreiudice and public waters” of divine truth. But most of their fears are ground-
sentiment aLga;nst evervthing not Catholic.” bv confo&ding less, for the majority of their flocks are not “sheep” anyway;
.Tews. Freethinkers and” Free Masons with Protestant Chris- and the “goats,” true to a perverse nature, would prefer
tians-charging all with treachery to France, etc.,-and the tin cans, paper, filthy rags, or anything of a sensational
general name of “Huguenots” has been revived as applicable character-Evolution, Higher Criticism, human philosophy,
to all those to whom Romaniqm is opposed. The inference is and “science falsely so called”-rather than the truth.
deducible from some of the writings, that their authors would United States Protestant methods differ from French
like to see these modern “Huguenots” massacred as were the Roman Catholic methods, but both have the same object;
others-for the glory of God and the peace of the Roman namely, to prejudice the minds of the people under their con-
Catholic church.-See MLLLEIL'NIAL DAWN, Vol. II., pages trol who are trusting to them as their guides and spiritual
332-353. advisers ; thus to hinder them from investigating truth on its
The names of some of the tracts and books published in merits and in the light of the divine \Vnrtl.
the interest of this crusade against Protestantism would. Having mentioned the Roman Catholic method, it in but
alone, give a clew to the character of the attack; but we will just that we cite instances illustrating the Protestant method.
give a few extracts:- For instance, some years ago the pa\tnr of the North Ave. M.
“The Protestant Peril,” of 569 pages. declares:- E church of this city made a most furious attack upon the
“The Huguenots go hand-in-hand with the traitors of the Editor of this journal, whom he had never met, and whose
fatherland and with the foreign foes of France, just as their writings he probably had never rrad-as would srem to be
religious fellows did in the year 1870. . . . . The Protestants implied by the false statements of our position made by him
force their way into the houses of the French people. ostensibly in a discourse over an hour long. What was the vrnund for
to sell Bibles. but in truth to spy out where the honest the attack? Simply that five ‘members of his ro$regation
peasant has hidden his savings. They are picking out quarters had been baptized by us the week previous, and that he
for the armv of the invasion. Therefore, we must keep a knew, in some way or other. that we believed in the im-
watch over these imbeciles and force them to leave our towns. minence of the kingdom of God. He railed at the fact that
. . . These pious gospel messengers do not prnpn+c $0 much to this teacher did not belong to any of the sects, and was not
make converts to Protestantism,. as to demoralize our good recognized by any of them, informed hzs people that hc had
people and to lay plans for facilitating the proposed invasion been specially educated so as to he able to guide them in all
of our country. We appeal to the peasants to become new spiritual matters: and that they should seek no other counsel
crusaders in the interests of the good cause.” respecting God’s Word.
“The Protestant Conspiracy” charges that the queen of He then demonstrated his wisdom and ability as “a scribe
England annually contributes five million dollars to propagate instructed respecting the kingdom” by declaring that the
Protestantism in France. and thus to make the latter a vassal second coming of Christ must be many thousands of years fu-
state to Great Britain. Another work is entitled, “The ture, beoause irt his judgment, this was clearly taught, not by
Treachery of Protestantism.” “Treason’s Formatzon” is an- the Bible writers, but by the coal fields and ore deposits of
other of these. It saps:- earth, which he thought would last that long.
“The Huguenot is a born traitor. A Catholic will die for If the learned gentleman had only thought of it he might
his faith; a Jew to save his money; but a Protestant knows have prophecied a still longer interim-millions on millions of
[2679] (243-244;
(245-246) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .\LLEGHENY. k’\

years-basing his calculations on the supply of limestone for that the “harvest” time of separation has come and that
macadam and whitewash, and on the supply of granite for a great Chief Shepherd is calling forth his own sheep to
tomb-stones. This encouraging ( 1) sermon on “The Second himself and to fellowshi with all other sheep-free from
Coming of Christ” ended with an attempt to arouse the human creed-pens. (4) I4 o wonder these worldly-wise shep-
murder spirit amongst the “goats” of his flock and to in- herds resent a teaching which would gather the few grains
timidate the “sheep” with words, understood by all to refer of “wheat” from a pa&hful of “tares? It would 100% bad
to the Editor of this journal, who was (by request of the to call his a wheat-field if there were no wheat in it. Then.
recently baptized ones) present in the audience thirty feet too, it would count in numbers (tho far less than they sup-
from the reverend and learned speaker, who in loud and angry pose-for the “tares” take little or no interest in present
tones shouted, “Do you know what they would have done to truth), and their prestige and salary depend so much on
such a man eighteen centuries ago? They would have led him numbers; how could they regard DAWN otherwise than as their
outsitle their city and would have stoned him to death!” enemy likely to bring ail kinds of trouble to their slumbering
II(,rp iq the; <ame murderous spirit manifested by the flocks bv awaking them to thought and Bible studv?
French Catholics, ant! in both Incited by n bitter hatred of the Thii seems &I make no al?owancc for hone& preachers.
trutl+-f,r Iatllrr bvw a .fcay of the tlrclk. ant1 a desire to pre- lov(>rs of the truth who should be glad to find it in DAW
qerve, by any and every means, the l&a,, organization ihev or anywhere, and glad to nroclxim it at anv co&-some one
hate hertz taulrllt to rec:lld as dz~~~c. “Bv anu means” i:9 compialns. ‘No, w”e do not’ deny that there* are gonest. God-
nonr too <iron;; for ~c’know :~f n11mcrouq i&tan;es in which fearing and truth-lovinp men 11; thr Christian miniatrv. scat-
profe+cd minl~tt~r:, of God’s tmtb hnvc most outrageously tered irobably among a‘il denominations; hut evidentli,‘as at
falsifirtl for the good of the cuzcse. as the *Jesuits would say. the first nclvcnt. the Doctors of Divinity as n clnss are, 1))
For inctancae. it makes the fillhe shepherds (who seem to their training and selfish interest, enemies of the true light, the
prrtlomin:,te ) 1cry nnzrv \r hen nicnil)cr5 of thrir flock recrirc wisdom from above’ and friends and patrons of earthly WIF-
present truth anti re’quest that their names be stricken off the dom. The malority are hlind and cannot pee the trur light
sectarian roll bccanse tbrv consider it quite enough and much and of the remainder a large proportion seems to love the
morta in awort! with the f:ord’s will and’ Word to ‘have it writ- present wet Id. and to be willing to sell the truth for its
ten nnlv in “the Lamb’s book of life.“-and auite sufficient to “mess of pottage.” Nevertheless, here and there some “for-
be rnc~n;l,c~r~of “thr church of the fir&-born, \Ghich are written sake all” for the sake of the truth,-to suffer with Christ.
in heaven,” and thus in fellow&lp nith all true “sheep,” wher- if so be that they may also reign with him by and by.
ever foiintl. In snmr instaneps reported to u9 the pastor kept Nor does it alwavs ston with threateninrr words: these In
Y I

the 1ettf.r to himsc~lf, and 1011~afterward charged the one who small towns are often followed bp social ostracism and bus]-
had withtlrawn with L~ackslidm,rr, neglect of covenant in not ness boycott too often successful. For instance, a brother
attenlling service and hencac unworthy of respect or fellowship. wrote us a short time ago, changing his address, explaining
In one ~n~;tamce a dear slqter who had been a Bible class that he had been obliged to move onto a farm because his
teachcsr of prominrnce and inflnenre \vas ho feared by her cotton-gin, saw-mill and grist mill in town had been boy-
erst\\ h11c p:i\tor tli;\t ho de!ibcrale!y, ant! with much hypocriti- cotted until he could not lonaer earn a livino-becau3e of hi::
cal show OL sorrow. circ~lulntcd the report that, she had “gone attempt to explain the tru& of the Bible ‘to his neighbors.
insan@‘-“:\ very pitialllr case.” Flig crafty satanic method The charge against him was that he “had too many different
wcTtwltTl : an,1 hcsr c~lrurrh frirnds and n&hbors “let her translations of the Bible” and “had many texts marked in his
alone,” fo;. tear thcbv would “c\;rite her” and”‘make it neces- Bible whirh neither the preacher nor his neighbors could find
sary to srntl her ic, an in=ane asylum.” Sc,etlless to say, in theirs;“- not being so well acquainted with their BilllpS XF
the si<tfsl is of muc.h ~onrr(!c~r mind than ever beforc;-of with their almanacs, dailv papers, dominoes, cards and chess
muc.h qnllntler mind than any who ran brlievr the unscriptural Alas, poor worldi It “is-still true that “mrn love dnrkneac
ant! God-t!ishonnrin(r doctrine of rternal torment. taught by rather than light.” and that this is their condemnation. lead-
the i:lrrin= crreds lah~~l(~tl “Orthotlou.” inr surely to ‘the great time of tronhlc with which this age
It \v;i~: in \ icw of sii(*h canwardly ant1 (librc!‘utillll(l ;nci!~ods is‘predicted to end, as the same love of darkness led natural
cornin= to o,,r notirc tllnt wc prCparrt1 nhat nrr kllown as Israel to its rrreat trouble and overthrow. in the end of the
“R’itlldraw:11 J,titrhr+“- setting forth the truth in kind1.y l*ln .Jewish age. ”
~:unpc---~~IIICII nc s!~ppl~ freely to all w!ln desire them. so that Yet none of these things move the Lord’s people, for the
etrch tncwbc ,‘ of tile cr~~~/~~af~on receiving one map IX truth- same light upon the Word shows not only that the Lord’s
full\ inioi mr~l :I, t 0 our I (‘a$oni for wnnuncin,q mem!wrsllip in true people will be hated and maligned even to the end of thiF
sectarian system4 : ant! tliu\, ton, tlir trmptatinn to misrepre- age, and that whosover will live godly must suflcr perseen~
cent i< t:ll,en trotn t!lcs f;lif;e hl;~np!~<~l 31. uI~~w lo\ IX for the tion; but it shows also the obiect of such tt=sts and trial*
shrc~p i< (hicfly for Ciic~l k(a or th,Lir “~0lclc7~ f!cpce.” Rut tlioqe and .sacrifircs-to fit and prepark a little flock to be faithful
kind]?-nordct! l&tc~t~ arc fearrd ant1 hated as much as the and merciful kines and nriests of God durinr the cominr ane
DAWY.8. when with their’hord, iesus. whom thcv foiinw throuril e;il
,~l’acc~ fnrl,ltlc ui IO mrntion nl]merou‘: instances of prrfldy as well as good report, they shall, as God’3 representatives
,*nd mi-rc,nrr,~c,iltnticlll br “miniiterq” azninqt our publications “iudne
,. s, the world”--eivine , , to all the fullest onnortcnitv
,‘ w to
laome back to full hnrmonv with God and riChtrousnes3.
PREPARED Td FALL INTO SPIRITISM
Tt is our expectation that Spiritism, as one of the latter
thinkln~ us \o o!‘!lo-“~l 10 01(~1*1:11 lormc,nt, tlkat 7\r \Wllltl 114 tlav delusions. is to plxv an important part In the next few
some I\!ntl (I!’ fir,- 1)rctot ;b:,l”r tll:ii. woi~ltl II~~<YIorI $0 mi!<c it yeirs in connection with the gieat fallcng away already be-
hiirn. Othc~r~ lt5.1I cillg 1!1.1t, cc~lportrllr. :I,I(! re~~(~h(~tltheir gun. in which “a thousand shall fall at thv side. and ten
rity an;! h:rc! .0111 r)\wu~ in their pariqhionrr~. bare gnne ihousand at thy right hand.” Romanism taught,’ and still
ahorlt flom 11011~ IO IIO~IW. w:Irnin~. thrr:ICcnln~ and en- tearliec, a Purgatory to which their dead go at death for
t.roatinoF. (:1~ritdl~,r! to tlicb inll~lli~enrc~ ant1 fiii~rwinl dignity nurifiration for heaven: and that while there the Dravers and
of tllc- pr%r-onI llr:lt t1lc.y \ iolatr tli(sir c~n:a:cni~uts ant1 re- ilaid masqeq of their friends on earth avail for them-tog sooner
fu\r to t,:i] e I!*(> ?9ul: and if tl!r\: :~l~~~.icly liavr lhrm to ITJeSSe---to hwvcn],y blifjc, Prntestantiqm at Its start, thrnuah
1~ burp lo lnirll t’lrcW~ Luther and it: principal exponents, denounced this as a Papal
\c’hv :I II tills wni nln:. rtca. 7 T,orr for 111~ “<~Iw!)“? Oh deception to fill its coffers with the money of its deluded
no. inllrcd t bllt lovr lor tlicm~rlvc~~;. ‘l’hev well know that people ; and failing to prasp the truth that a dead person
whrrcxvcbr tllr trllr light of thr Wnrtl of God rrne’s tlleir “craft is not alive anywhere, but awaits the resurrection of the dead
IJ in tlnnrr~~.” (SW i\rtq l(i.16-24\ Often tbrv hr.lr of their aS his only hope of a future life, Protestantiqm took its il-
“shrc,p” :rcltting into hv-p:lths nf -ill Init \vho (‘\-cr ho:ird of logical posit,inn still held--that death ends all hope. and
thrir norkill~ tl~rn~srlvr~ into a frenzv of rncrg on that ac- that all not fit for heaven go to a hell of everlasting torment.
col1rlt? \S.!li- tlren arc they $0 r\-ritrd ihe mnmrnt MILI,ENNIAL And. in harmony with this, prayers to and for the dead were
DAWX is mentioned, or s&n in the houses of their sheep? reprobated-the righteous needing none, and the wicked being
l‘bcllr fear iq (1) that if the people read the DAWNS hopelrsn.
they will know far more about the Bible. and will begin to It has often surprised us that with the thought that
think and to ask questions whirl1 thrv cannot answer. (2) It their dead are not dead. but more than ever alive and ‘%over-
will show them that thcv harp bern hiring sheDherds to lead imp” among the friends at the funeral, as some ministers ex-
them to the yreen past&es of trnlh who.< ins&ad. have been PI&in ( ?) ,-there has not been a greater disposition to fol-
penning them up in srctarixn folds and forcing them to low the lead of Sniritiqm and seek rommunion with those
subqiqt on the God-dishonoring dnrtrincs of the dark age% supposed to be al&e and near, and able to assist. The ex-
(3) It will lead the true “sheep” to get out from among the planation seems to be that Romanistn are under the control
“gnats” and “wnlvps in sheep’s clothing,” by showing them of thr priests instrurtetl who are tile saints who may he
[2SSOl
ALJCUSP15. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (247-248)

prayed to, and instructed that those who need to be prayed general apparatus, and when, not to a stray prophet here and
for can only be reached or assisted through the priests,- there Imediums?l. but to the common man wrll it be given to
who alone must do the mass-saying and praying. And Prot- stand with Bunyah’s pilgrim on the Delectable Moun&ns and
estants have been restrained by the-original dechration of the behold what was visible there.”
leaders that uravera to and for the dead were both Romish Light (Spirrtualistic, London, April 10) thinks this is a
superstitions,;&anctioned by the Word of God-to which we real, tho belated, recognition of the essential truth of the
heartily agree. Spiritualistic position. It says :-
A OHANGE ALREADY IN PROGRESS “Spiritualists have been severely criticized and 1rdiculed
But the Boer-British war has started a fresh discussion for affirming that the departed are frequently benefited by the
of the question of prayers for the dead. As Roman Catholics, advice, sympathy, and prayers of earth-dwellers. We have been
after news of a battle, repaired to their cathedrals to pray denounced for teaching that progress after death, following
for the Catholic dead. and to offer mass on their behalf in upon repentance and effort, is possible for the ignorant and
Purgatory, Protestants have been perplexed and felt their sinful dwellers on the threshold. . . .
need of somethina to offset the hard error of their creed that if “Thmk of it! Spiritualism is a ‘protest aga,lnst :ke poke
the soldier were a saint he went at once to glorv, but if not a of cutting the cable between here and the-Beyo)td!’ - Aye,
saint at once to an endless and hopeless-tor’ment in hell. and evidentlv the protest has not failed. it has not been in
Loving fathers and doting mothers were unable to hide from vain. While”the writer laments that ‘our’organs of perception
themselves that their sons, and the army in general, were far [physical, mediumistic perception, or “spiritual gifts”) seem
from being saints or “meet for the inheritance of the saints only in the most rudimentary condition,’ he suggests that in-
in light ;” and vet thev felt sure that thev were far too good difference has ‘hindered their development,’ and he fully justr-
and -noble and- patrio&c to be turned over to the care of fies u9 anal our long struggle for recognition against, not only
devils to be roasted eternally: and this coming now, at a time indifference, but prejudice, intolerance and active hostility, by
when people are thinking ‘more than ever before. and when affirming ‘develop they must, for they are umolzg 7llLntanzt~‘s
human sympathy is greatly expanded, is awakening serious most pmxless possessrons !’
thought in Britain. “After this we shall assuredly have The Chrlstzan ll’orld
As usual, however, the adversary manages to turn thought founding a ‘School of the Prophet’s for the development and
into a wrong direction; and so they fail to see that all the dead exercise of mediumship and psychical powers generally.”
must wait for the second coming of the Lord and for the res PRAYING AND FIGHTING-AN EMPEROR’S SERMON
urrection awakening then due, and that then (during the Mil- The German Emperor preached a sermon on board 111s
lennial age) the whole world will be a grand and good Purga- vacht Sundav. Julv 29. from the test. Exodus 17 :O-11. His
torg;-when Satan will be bound. and when so manv as irgument w& tha’t as’hloses prayed and got a hleqsing for
wili, can have the assistance of the royal priesthood in’get- Israel, so all Germans at home should pray tl:at their
ting rid of their errors and weaknesses, and coming back to brethren gone to war in China micht succcssfullv slaughter
perfection by a process of restitution. No, on the contrary, the heathen Chinese, who should be%like the Amal&itcr. c’ The
lhe suggestion is that the early Reformers must have erred press report of the discourse follows:-
In reletting that feature of Rome’s teachings which permits “The soldiers shall he tire stronc arm why& r~unrnlles :l-
and encourages prayers for the dead. Note the sentiments sassins. They shall be the ma&d fist 1).hicb -smltcs t il.* t
promulgated by the influential Christzan TVwZd of London. It chaotic mass. Thev shall defend. sword in hand. our holleLt
%lp .-- possessions. True “prayers can still cast the banner of t11c
“Here is theology in the roughest: its chiefest problem Dragon into the dust and plant the banner of the cross upc~l
thrust on you in a fashion which brooks no shirking. What the walls.
has really happened? Where or what is he who, a moment “Again is heard God’s command. ‘Choose us out men and
ago so near, is now at a remove to which our snace com- go out? to fight with Amalek.’ -4 hoi aud sauguinxry htluqqlc
putations offer no clew? We are all on-lookers -todav at has begun. Already a number of our brcthrcn are o\er
tragedies of this sort, and the auestions behind them ore& I~- us there under fire. Many niorc arc traveling along lio+tilr
with relentless force. Do our d’ead still think or love? Have coasts. You have seen them, the thousands who. IO the call of
we any sort of relation with them? Can we do aught for volunteers to the front who will guard the cmprre. Irave a+-
them or they for us? . . . . sembled themselves to battle wtll ridorioll~ huutv--. \vc
“What on this subiect [communion with the dead1 is the who remain at home are bound by other sacred duticy. \voc*
position of Protestant ‘Christians today? Signs are abundant unto us if we remain slothful and slua~i& <,< while thevY arc
that the stnndnoint from which it is annroached bv non-con- engaged in their diMcult ant1 bloody work, ant1 it‘ from our
formists, not 1&s than by conformists, is 8. somcwha”t, different place of security we only curiously look on while they- wrestle
one from that held by the Reformers and the Puritans. in battle.
“Thoughtful minds are now asking whether the sixteenth- “Not onlv should WC mobilize battalions of troops, but we
century onslaught on Purgatory and priest-craft did not, in should also,” and shall, set in motion an army of trained
the rush, carry away with it some precious things that it neonle to bea and entreat lGotl1 for our hrethren that thev
19 time now to restore. . . . . ma.6 strike into the wild chaos with sword in hand. Mai,
“And why should we not pray for the dead ? What is they strike for our most sacred possessions. We would pray
prayer, in the best conception of it, but the following of those that God the Lord mav make heroes of our men and lead
we love, with aspiration and affection. with desire for their those heroes to victory,Uand that then, with laurels ou their
highest good, with the whole best emotion of our soul 1 What helmets and orders on their breasts, he may lead them home
harharous infidelity has taught us that death interposes a to the land of their fathers.
limit to this out-going? The notion that those who now rest “Our fight will not he finished in one day; but let not our
in God are, because -of that, beyond the reach or need of hands grow weary or sink until victory is secured. Let our
m-aver is heathen. and not Christian. It is disloval at once prayers he as a wall of fire around the camp of our brethren.
to God, to the departed themselves, and to ou; own best Eternity will reveal the fulfilment of an old promise-‘Call
instincts. There is‘ no position, not that of heaven’s central upon me in trouble, and I will deliver thee.’ Thcrcfore pray
point; there is no condition, not that of supremest blessed- continuously.”
ness, that is outside the range of love. . . . . The Emperor and many other militant “Christians” fail
“We have neglected our dead, and in so doing have to see that Israel was used of God as a tvnical nconle and
weakened one of the most intimate of our links with the un- that the duly authorized slaughter of the *Amalckit’es was
seen. We have put un in our minds barriers that do not cor- because t.heir iniouitv
I Y
was “come to the full” (Gen. 15:16).
respond with the reality, and so have obstructed the flow of and God would use them as types of evil and evil-doers to
some of the grandest of the human insnirations.
‘1
The mind be overthrown by the antity”pica1 Moses, the antitypical
revolts against these limitations. Its prophetic instinct recog- Mediator, Christ-as Pharoah and his hosts previously typr-
nizes them as a mistake. The vagaries of Spiritualism are a fied the same thing. Similarlv the “Land of Promise,” Canaan,
rough protest against the policy of cutting the cable between was typical of thg heavenly Canaan.
here and the beyond. And that other side protests also. The Sniritual Israelite is to watch and fight and nrav,
Near to us, on the other side of a very thin veil, lies a great but against a different kind of enemies and -with different
realm of life which has the closest connection with our own. weapois -mighty through God to the pulling down of error,
What that connection is we at present only dimly discern. and the gainine of victories over sin and self and Satan.
Our organs of perception seem only in the most rudimentary “The weapons o?ozLr warfare are not carnal,” says the inspired
condition. It may he that our later indifference on this side Apostle-not swords, machine-guns and battleships.-2 Cor.
h?s hindered their development. But develop they must, for 10:4.
they are among humanity’s most priceless possessions. A As for the “Christian soldiers” going to “heathen China”
stage will yet be reached when they will be part of the sod’s from “Christian Europe” we fear they have not a true
[2681]
(248-249) ZION’S WATCH TOWER
“soldier of the crohs” among them, and but few who have any And further, there are the Chinese themselves; there are
knowledge whatever of the sword of the spirit-the Word of 400.000,000 of them, and they may prove a considerable ob-
God. They ale probably no better than the thousands of struction in the way of \Villlam’s policy. In fact, the German
their comratles already there and of whose unchristian conduct, emperor’s plan IS ahout the worst possible one that could be
after the c;lptuIe of Tlen Tsln, the telegraphic dispatches pub- announced in the present emergency. It would consolidate
lished snv. - the Chinese and turn them into a horde of fanatics that might
“This’ day ha< been devoted entirely to lootmg the na. easily turn out to be a genuine ‘yellow terror.’ It is believed
tive citv I Tlen Tsinl. The Chinese tilled manv of their that the emperor’s rash words will render the cooperation of
women to keep them from falling Into the hands 01 the allied the nowers difficult, if not lmposzlble. England and America
troops. It iy lmposslhle to cable a description of the scenes will* not set out on anv such bloodthirst-+ mission. When
that were enacted. . . . . American and Japanese troops Christiamtv seizes the sword. it mav per’lsh bv the swor\l.
were the only one? who made any attempt to restrain the Poor old Chma. in its paralysis, needs pity. So&ethmg must
civilian or soldier looters.” be done in the way of chastlhement and reorganization. but let
THE GERMAN KAISER’S HUMANE (7) EXPRESSIONS not passion seize the sword and sweep it with a besom of
deitruotion. .Ju&ce must be done, but let it he tempered
The Emncror is nrncticallv the uor~e of the German Na- with mercy. and let the Christian nations act in a Christian
tional Cliu~&h syhte<i; ne pr”ehumc ‘he’ has received the col-
leglate tIeglee of “1). I).,” ah tlld Bismarck. He is evidently and not a pagan spirit.”
another “man of 11lood ant1 iron.” IIc has surely placed him- “NOT SO PAUL WON MACEDONIA”
self, by rec.cbnt utteranc.eq, at the head of the revived ancient Rev Dr. Halderman lifts his pen against the modern and
order of C’hriitian soldiers of the period of the crusades. The erroneous methods of propagating the gospel of “peace on
“Buy5’ Brigades” should all be pointed to this fact ;-and be earth, good will toward men.” He says :-
advlsctl to leylgn and turn In the opposite direction from the “1 am ab;oluteIy sure that in the future Russia ~111 gain
aencral (‘hristian ( 71 drift of our tlav. The followinv from the supremacy. It 13 also true that, taught by IVestern genius,
the Eastern hordes will ret break in awful avalanches on the
“ ‘Y(s Ilave hrar~l tllat it bath lIeen said. Thou shalt love \\‘ebt. The greed, the rnpa,,lty, the Chllstle~~, godIe,+. selfiyh-
thy nel&l)or, ant1 hate thine rnemy ; but I say unto you, Love ners of European nations will get its reward. All the C’hri+
your cnem~cs. bIc+ them tllnt curse you, do good to them that tlanitp that has bern wvlought qn Chlna will be small, count-
hntr you, :Intl prny for them that “tlcipitef‘;lly use you and ing in the terrible final balance that shall he made against FO-
prr5Prute vou ’ 17 they massage in the German New Testa- called Christian nation<. who have poisoned China with nplum
;lwnt" 11:1s thr ICrnl),~l or' I\'il'li,lnl r\e, I cntl it? If he hai and made them look upon Chrlstinns as only another tllvlsion
he muet havr forgotten it, or loit its spirit, for last week, in of raparious foreign devilh.
di~patc~hlng Gc~rnlan troop\ to China, he is reported to have “Considered morally, there are two sides to the question.
salt1 to them. ‘Evrrv c~lvilizntion not founded on Christiamty These Chinese are fighting for their homes, their land. their
iq sure to 1~. brou@t to nau#. I send you out. If you close institutions. They know the Christian nations are ready to
with the <~u~mv, remember this: spare nobodv, make no rxis- rob and cheat them; and when they find the mlssionarles
onelLi; u*c y&r weapons so that For a thou&d years Gence backed up bv guns and swords and blnotlthlrst~ Coi+l(,ks. by
no Chinaman will dare look a\kancc at xnv German.’ The rude and godless soldiery, ready to kill and slay. they are
whole addless breathes the spirit of ruthleGs destruction to only the more infuriated and determined in the npinlon that
the Chlnrqr. The great ‘ma; lord’ doubled up his ‘mailed any n hitr man is a clexil and needs to be slain.
fiit’ and thrratcnetl to nonnd China to nieces. The vain “It wa$ not so that Paul wnn Marcdnnia and Rome. When
emprror, swollen with a sense of his own ihportance, seemed he went to Rome he did not say, ‘Down with ?jcro’ Down
to -he sublimely unrnnb(.inus of the violent -inconsistency of with the powers that I)e!’ On the rontrary. he counqeled
his fierce nxgani~m with hiq nrofesqed Christixnitv. He would Christians to recognize that here Nero’s government. bad as it
outdo RIol&nmrd in sprcadln’g religion with the s”word. There waq, was permitted hv God and that Christians should submit.
arc difficulties, however, in the way of this plan. Christ him- “It was by the blood of martyrs our church won at first:
self told Peter. who OHS eager to use it for defending the not by the blood of their foes, but their own blood; not ched
kingdom. to put np his sword, and there is no evidence that with arms in their hands. but shrd at the stake or rark or
he has handed this weapon to William II. for this purpose. block with prayer on their lips and love in their hearts.”

GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE

Bccan~c two of the Lord’s dear sheep of the Allegheny at another time, the Lord may see best to permit death to
conglrgation recentlv lost their lives in an accident. while come upon his dear one suddenly-as a shock, as a calamity:
returning home from meetinn and discussing the sermon, to teqt the faith of some. and to awaken others from Iclh,xrgy
many of the I~iethrc~n have Ileen surnrised. The inouirv arose. to vigilance,-from drowsiness to a fresh energy in running
Do ;vr not bcalicve that God * conse&nted people a;e specialld the rare toward the mark for the great prize. The sudden-
the objects of his care 1 Ant1 if SO, how was such an accident ness of the death of the two dear sheep of this Allegheny fold
possi t)Ir 7 certainly has had a good effect upon many of the dear ones
These same question4 are liable to arise in mnnv minds, most intimate wth them, and who knew them both as most
and hence we discurq the matter here for the henefit‘of all. saintly characters-ripe in the Christian graces. and fully
We advise that ca(*h ~‘ATCH TO~EK reader shall peruse ready and waiting for their “change.” Undouhtedlg many not
afresh the trnrt entitled. “Calamities: Whv God Pirmits so prepared hare been awakened to fresh vigilance, and a re-
Them.” In it we tliqruss this tonir at considerable lenath- newal of consecration vows. and zeal in self-sarrifire, by this
from the standpoint of accidents ‘to the world, and ac&lents incident and the thought-Would I have been ready had the
to the churrh. Now we will confine our remarks to the call thus suddenly come to me?
latter phase of the subject, suggestinp:- (4) If to so&e the question arises,-But what about the
(1) It is the Scripture trarhing that every member of the little children needing narental care? The answer is. that
church must die snmeliow. This wac: the purport of our conse- these parents had alyea’dy placed their children, as well as
cration-“even unto death.” Each memher of the “roval themselves, under divine care; and that care is still over
priesthood” became a member by consecrating,-presenting ‘his the children: as able to care for them now, as for hnth parents
body a living sacrifice as did our High Priest, Christ J&us. and children before. This is a place for trust-for faith.
And iust as it was necessarv for him to finish his course of Whoever cannot, trust his children to divine care does not as
dying” in actual death, so will it be with each of us. yet properly know his Heavenly Father, and needs to give re-
(2) As the Master’s death was not on a “flowery bed of newid &ligence to this impo<iant study. Such an one has
ease,” neither, prohablp. will be the death of anv of his foot- not vet attained the faith that would be acceptable to God.
step-followers. And, if it be a choice between a bed of tedious and *without which it would be impossible to’ please God,-
sickness and a sudden death by “accident,” many would choose the faith of an “overcomer.”
the latter as the less painful-the ouirker “rhance.” (5) The shock connected with our dear Redeemer’s death
(3) But it is not f’or us to rho& nn this mo;e than upon was no doubt a severe test of faith to some of the early dis-
other subjects. It is ours to accept with patience and full ciples- it seemed as tho it proved that, our Lord was in dis-
resignation whcrtever divine providenre mav permit: and this favor with the Father-“We did esteem him smitten of God,
may vary. Under some circ‘umstances it rnav be better that and afflicted.” Yet to those who stumbled not in unbelief the
death rnme thrnuph a lingering illness in which God will be shock of our Lord’s cruel death became afterward a great
glorified, and the power of his truth to sustain shall be demon- lever of sympathy for good as they fully grasped the thought,
strated in the patient, loving spirit of the dying sufferer. Or, ‘He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for sin
[2682]
XCGL'ST 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (250-251)

which brmgs peace to us was upon him, and by nis stripes surmise by 1910), we are bound to suppose that a considerable
we are healed.” The anostles also suffered violent deaths and number of these will, in some manner, die sudden or violent
learned to regard such’calamities not as marks of divme dis- deaths. And happy for us will it be if this thought that our
favor, but the reverse. “change” may come at any moment, shall be so impressed as to
(6) There can be no “uc&ent” happen to the Fortd2 assist us to be always ready to answer the summons with joy.
consecrated ones, vlewed from the divine standpoint. Let us each permit this thought to arrange our busi-
hair of their heads can be injured aslde from the Father’s ness affairs, our family affairs, our relationship to the
pcrmasswm, and what God purposely permits cannot be prop- “brethren”-our relationship to the world in general-all
erly considered an accident from his standpoint, nor from our words. and thoughts, and doings; and thus it will bring
the standpoint of those who fully trust his providence and us great blessing and assist in making us “meet for the in-
pace. \I e might even suppose a calamity in \\Illch ninety- heritance of the saints in light.”
nine children of this world and one of the Lord’s consecrated The Editor will not be surprised if his death should come
met death together. It might be purely accidental so far as suddenly; nor if by divine permission it should come in some
all hut the Lord’s one was concerned: but, to that one nothing unpleasant form that might, for the moment, seem to “jolt”
could occur unforeseen of God-nothing that God could not and interrupt the “harvest work.” Let all of the consecrated
have fully controlled. and which per;hitted must mean a be on guard against such a wavering of doubt respecting the
blessing to his child who rightly and in faith accepts it,-“For divine power to care for and carry on the work. If such a trial
we know that all things work together for good to them that does come, it will no doubt in pa&, at least, be intended of the
love (iotl.” So it was In our Lord’q casp. As he testified, the Lord to show that the work is his and not ours: and that he
Jews could not touch his life before because his “hour was is perfectly able to carry on his work, using one or another
not yet come.” And when his hour did come, our Lord testi- of his children as his servants to set the food of his providing
fied to Pilate,-“Thou couldest have no power at all against before the household of faith.
me, except it were given thee from above.” The same ib All of our affairs in dailv life are shaned to these ends:
true of every member of the body of Christ, the royal priest- to the development and brinbing forward bf others ready to
hood. But this divine supervision does not watch for the the Lord’s hand. should he at anv moment call for the trans-
unconsecrated of the world-except as they may be children fer of our stewardship and bid us “Come up higher.” And
of the saints. or others whose affairs and interests are inter- the same applies to the financial means and interests which
linked with theirs. the Lord has entrusted to our care. Let none be surprised,
(7) Expecting as we do that the living members of this then, at anything which may happen to us, but, on the con-
royal priest or “jewel” cln~q will all he gathered to glory trary, glorify God on our behalf, and press along the “narrow
sometime before A. D. 1915 (and so far as we are now able to way” with redoubled energy.

DOING, TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE

LUKE 10 : 2537.-SEPT. 9.
GOLDEN TEXT:-“Thou shalt love thy neighbor a8 thyself.“-1,ev. 19:18.
Probably while our Lord was preaching, and his audience with the conditions) all have died, none having attained
seated about him, either upon the hillside or in a synagogue, eternal life. Tell me now, what shall I do that I may not
a lawyer stood up, and thus politely intimated his desire to share the same fate of death-that I may live everlastingly?
sav a word in connection with the subiect under discussion. Our Lord answered the question with great directness, at
TGe term “lawyer,” amongst the Jews at that time, signified the same time signifying his unquestioning faith in the prom-
one versed in the Law of Moses, one claiming to be able to ises of God, that whatever God had promised he would surely
expound that Law, and to teach others its true meaning. Such fulfil-implying, therefore that if he failed to obtain eternal
peisons today we’ term theologians. These were alsc termed life it would be his own fault, and not the fault of God. Our
scribes or learned men-irrespective of their religious con- Lord practically said, I stand by the Scriptural record: you
victions, some of them adhering to one view and some to an- are versed in the law; quote, as you understand it, the teach-
other ; some being Pharisees, others Sadducees, e&-each ings of the law on this subject.
endeavoring to interpret the Law in harmony with the teach- The answer shows that this Doctor of the Law was well
ings of the sect to which he adhered. versed, for he quoted correctlv the most direct statement
Luke does not give u9 the connections, but quite possibly on the subject td be found in the law. Our Lord’s reply was
this lawyer raised his question in connection with some equally to the point: “Thou hast answered right; this do and
discourse in which our Lord held forth that he himself was thou shalt live”-1 confirm the Law; I uphold it; I vouch for
the Bread of Life, of which, if a man eat, he may live for- its truthfulness ; none who keep that Law can possibly die.
ever-or in which he had, been representing himself as the The diffirultv with all Jews who have died has been. that thev
Good Shepherd. who would$ve his life for the sheeD: or as did not fulfil that law requirement toward God ani man. *
the Redeemer who had con&, that God’s people mi&t have DISPLAY OF HEAVENLY WISDOM
life. and that more abundantlv-eternnl life. Thin lawver The Doctor of the Law was trapped. He had hoped to
(or: as some today would say, &is D. D.) was probably of ‘the entangle Jesus in a discussion, and had himself become en-
Sadducees, who denied a resurrection and any future or eternal tangled ; for the great Teacher had pointed out that the
life, interpreting the law. whirh promises life upon certain fault was not in God-that God was not unfaithful to his
conditions, aq merelv a decoy, intended to Dromote holiness agreement under the law; that the fault lay with the people.
amonrqt the Lord’s people, but nevertheless a deception, since And this included the lawver as well a- the remainder of the
the holiest and most faithful of the rape had not inhrrited race; and that he so unde&ood it is implied in the statement,
eternal life, but had gone down into death. even as others. “He. desirinn to iustifv himself. said. And who is mv neieh-
In this view of the matter thin *Jewish D. D. propounded to bar?” It was very shiewd of the la\;pyer to avoid d&us&g
our Lord a question. hoping that the answer would give room the first commandment. respectin, cr the love. for Got1 \vlth all
for a discussion. in which he would be able to show himself the heart, nuntl. soul anfl rtrengtli : hcAcausc>no nnr ran
the greater of the two teachers, and to prove to his pupils, thoroughly judge another in respect to this feature of the law;
at least (who were probably present with him), that his only Gidand each individual hkart knows absolutely whethe;
theories were correct-that no matter how faithfullv the law God is loved with every talent, every power of heart of mind
might be kept no reward of eternal life would be &ven, and and of body. But others can judge to some extent respecting
that faith in Christ would be equally futile in this respect. obedience to the second commandment: “Thou shalt love thv
The Evangelist says he asked the question, “tempting” the neighbor as thyself.” The lawyer felt that he could safely leave
Lord, that is, to prove him, to draw him out, to expose the the- first propbsition and claim that none could judge his
weakness of his argument: saying, “Master, what shall I do to heart. nrovided he could “iustifv himself” in resDect to the
inherit eternal life?” You recognize me as a scribe. a doctor seeconh1proposition, his dealing< with hiq neighbAr. Hence
of the law, a teacher; as one”, therefore, who is’ living a it is that he brought up this point, saying, “But who is my
godly and upright life, so far, at least, as his neighbors and neighbor ?”
pupils mav he able to discern. Lookinn back I Fee that the There was a difference of opinion amongst the most learned
hoiiest and best of our nation (the holiest nation in the Jews on this subject of who is the neighbor meant in the law,
world. and the only one recognized of God) have not inherited -some claiming that it meant all Jews, and Jews only.
eternal life. I see that, on the contrary, they hare died as Others claimed that the word “neighbor” would mean only
other men; I see that for some cause (whether it be the those Jews who lived holy lives. Thus the lawyer practicall-
Lord’s failure to fulfill his promise, or man’s failure to comply said, I shall be obliged to yield my contention and acknow f *
[2683]
edge you supel~ol 10 myself as a teacher, unless \\e can get only has it made it clear to many of the Lord’s dear children
into a contention on this subtect of who is the neiehbor. In the course of conduct pleasing m the Father’s sight, oin”., that
that event I shall at least ce able to bring a styong argu- of generosity, love, benevolence, etc., but it has also brought
ment that will appeal to all the hearers. But when the blessing to many who are not the Lord’s children, in that they
great Teacher had, in parable form, explained the true mean- became recipients of mercies, favors and kindnesses in adversity
mg of the word neighbor, the lawyer found himself without an which, otherwise, they might never have known.
‘1rgument. The road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho has a steep
“NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE” downward grade through a rocky country, which abounds in
Some have supposed that our Lord meant that thiq Doctor caverns, the hiding places of highway robbers. It has always
of the Law and others who heard him should understand been a dangerous road, and on it the traveler is not entirely
that the Samaritan of the parable, by doing a kind and neigh- safe to this day, unless under some kind of a protective guard
borlv act, won fnr hImself the inheritance of etcr~,aZ Izfe, and This feature oi the parable was, therefore, in ‘strict acco;dance
that our Lord meant further to teach that the lawyir and with the conditions of the time: so was the fact of the priest
all of his hearers might inherit eternal life if they would and the Levite passing, for Jericho was one of the appointed
L’O and do Ijkcwise-do as tbc Samaritan did-do good, help cities of the piiests and Levites, and it is estimated that
their neighbors. Tlll~ view is a serious error. Tn the first twelve thousand of them resided there then. These. with other
place, we do I:ot know that any Samaritan ever did just priests and Levites from other parts, took their &ns in thr
such an act of kin~lness. It was merely a parable, a sugges- service at the Temple in Jerusalem, and, consequently, were
tion : Suppose that suc*h conditions exihtctl, and suppose that frequently on this road.
a Samaritlrn bad done such an act, would he not be a good Our Lord’s parable seems to imply that the religion of
“nclghbol “:’ Tlw I(~~II tl of &inal liff> \\.I-: not offcw~l oil the Jews, instead of bringing them nearer and nearer to the
condition of bt 1n2 a good nrigbbor merely. This was one of spirit of the Law, was really, by reason of the formalities and
the c~onditions (thck one the lawyer questioned). but it was reremonies and pride connected with it, tending to separate
qluite secondary to the mail1 proposition-Than shalt love the t,hem further and further from the condition of heart which
Lord with evtbry power and talent of mind and hotly. The lcs- would be acceptable to God. The priest, most fullv conse-
eon which the lawyer and every other Jew needed to learn was crated to the service of God in the ‘temple, is represknted as
that no imprrfert man could possiblv fulfil that require- having least interest in the brother in distress. He passed by
merit,. All so learning that “Tb&e is <one righteous. no, not on the other side (of the ravine), not counting the circum-
onp” (Roni. 2: IO) would Ibe nrc~~)nrctl to look for the 1~1nmihed stance worthy of attention; reflecting, no doubi, with a self-
Me&ah as, first of all, the& sin-bearer, to justify &em and righteous feeling respecting the honor of his own position as a
to diqriplinc them anI1 make them perfect and able to servant of God. and unwilling to run the risk of ritual con-
nhey the law. tamination. The Levite, also consecrated to God and his
Our Lord in the parable represents a priest, a Levitr, and service, but not so high in office and privilege, was more dis-
a Samaritan. in order to give force to the matter. The priest posed to consider the poor brother, and to render a helping
was specially consecrated to God, the Levite also was conse- hand. He went so far as to stand and look at the sufferer.
rrated (and most of the Doctors of the Law were Levites), and to think over how much trouble would be involved in an.
while the Samaritans were outcasts, without God, and having sisting him, and how much risk he himself mi,rrht run in YU
no hope in the world, aliens and strangers from the common- doing (altho we are inclined to believe that the priests and
wealt,h of Israel. The Samaritans, altho they lived in a part TJevites were, on account of their office, generally exempted
of the land of Israel, shared none of Israel’s promises; but, from molestation by the robbers.)
as our Lord tcstifird, “Ye worship ye know not what: we EFFECTS OF TRUTH ON HONEST HEARTS
[Jews] know what we worship: for salwatiovt is of the Jews.”
The Samaritan, tltcreforc. wai ‘introduced into the parable to Then our Lord chose, as hero of his parable, a despised
make a strong contrast before the minds of the hearers, and Samaritan, unrecognized bv God and disowned bv his favored
people. This heightens the force of the picture, by suggesting
to say, A neighbor is one who does a neighborly act, however
high or however low he may be in the scale of intelligence or the thought that one who had never learned at all resnectine
tlignitv or divine favor. the true-God and his will, one who had never been bfferei
What our Lord wished to prove to the lawyer and to all eternal life on the terms of obedience to that law, might
brarers was. that the Law was just and holy and good, and nevertheless exercise so much of brothely kindness and sym-
that any Jew complying with Its conditions would inherit pathy as to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in distress.
its prnmiir-eternal Iif<*. He wished all of his hearers to And it is still true &at many who,.‘by reason of their
rralize. therefore, t.hat the fact that neither they nor their better knowledge of God. through his Word and nlan. should
fathers inherited eternal life proved, not that the law was be possessed OF a large; meast&e of his love an; grace, are
imperfect, but that they were imperfect, sold under sin, and instkad more deficient-in these qualities than some-who .have
unable, therefore, to comply with the just demands of the been less hiehlv favored. It mieht indeed be that some who
law. It was difficult for the Jew to learn this great lesson; are strange& t’o the covenants &d promises of God as yet,
viz., that he could not keep the perfeet law of Gid, and hence possess, by reason of being well born, a large measure of
that be nrc~lr(l a Savior. a Redeemer. who would keen the law natural generosity, benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and might
for him, and tlms ju&ify him before God, and who would be good Samaritans by nature, rather than by grace; and
then grant him eternal li’fo as a gift, as a favor-not of thr it may also be true that some who have been begotten again
law, but of grace. to the new life and to the new hopes may naturally have less
In harmonr with tllii, the Apostle assures us who trust in of this good Samaritan element of kindness and generosity.
the pacrifirc for sins wbi~h Je&s gave. and who have entered because low born according to the flesh-born w%h a p&i
into S(w (:nvcn:lrlt” relxl inn\bir, wit11 Got1 through him. that dominance of selfish nroclivities. However. such an one. com-
‘7 hr riehtc~nu~nc+-, of the !:~w iq fulfilled in us”-the true sense, ing under “the law-of the spirit of life’ in Christ Jisus,”
will soon be taught in Christ’s school, that love is the ful-
meaning, purport of the Law being in our hearts, Gnd accepti
this as instead of absolute fulfilment of the letter of the law. filling of the law; and if he be an obedient pupil he will
Tll~ sncrificvr oi nllr Lord desus compensating for all our im- gradually attain to a better appreciation of the heaven1
pcrfcrtinn<. for all diffcrcnces between the actual demands of Father, and in heart, in spirit, will learn to love him wit3 I
all his mind. with all his beinp. with all his strength. And
the law and our cffnrts to conform our lives thereunto, we,
wnlkin,n not after the flrsh but after the cpirit, arp reckoned so surely as’this condition obt&s, and in proport& as the
:I& no longer fle+lg heing:s hut new creatures love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. it will enlarge them
also toward our fellow-creatures, so that every “new &ature”
THE GOOD SAMARITAN must at heart come into such a degree of fullness of love toward
Altho thiq parable of the good Samaritan was not given God and toward his fellows as would make him not only an
111 illnstr:ltc 1~ what gond works the lawyer, or any other obedient and self-sacrificing son of God, hut also a good
man, *Jew or Gentile, might attain eternal life, but, on the Samaritan, a kind friend, a loving father and husband, a
contrary, \\a\ given merely to head off the argument of the generous neighbor to all with whom he stands related. He will
lanvcr. and to Icnvc him without excuse, it nevertheless con- be a living exemplification of the Apostle’s injunction,-doing
fails n rich lesson. which has hrnnght a tilessing to many. Not good unto all men as he has opportunity, especially to the
-‘SIeJunc Ii, 1919, lsslle for cr1ttcnl e\amlnatloll of Co\rnallt~ hous~holtl of faith.-Gal. 6 : 10.

Beautiful hands are they that cl0 The light of a pleasing spirit there.
Tbc work of the noble. good and trrub. It matters little if dark or fair;
13us-y for them the long day through; And truly beautiful in God’s sight.
Beaiitifnl fares are tlie,v that wear Are the precious souls who love the right
[ 26841
 “BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS”
LUKE 12 : ~%?~.-SEPT. 16.
“What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his ozon soul?“--Mark 8:36.
While Jesus was preaching on spiritual themes he was powers that be” in those countries. It is as a result of this
interrupted by one of the audience, whose heart was filled with wrong line of conduct that the good of Christianity, its moral
anxiety respecting temporal matters, esteeming that he was and civilizing influences, are specially hated and feared,-as
being wronglv dealt with bv his brother in the division of the political interferences, aimed at the destruction of the law5
parental estgte; and perhaps finding that through some tech- and institutions which to those people appear to be wise and
nicalitv he could not obtain what he considered to be his iust rrood: and which undoubtedlv are adapted to the present intel-
rights”under Jewish laws, he appealed to the great Teacher Skctual and moral conditions*of the masses of their people.
to-use his influence on his’ behalfLto speak to 117sbrother-to We cannot too strongly condemn, as contrary to the Mas-
tell his brother that he ouaht to deal aenerouslv. and nerhans ter’s teachings, modern methods of missionary efl’ort-backed
to threaten him if he failed so to do. u 1’ - * by cannon, warships and soldiers. It seems to u5 ~h01ly con-
How many there are who see just this much and no more trary to the method employed by our Lord and the apostles,
in the teachings of Christ-a channel through which to serve and advocated by tbrm It is much more in harmony with the
their own interests ; a means of securing justice to them- methods adopted during the dark ages by Papacy and by RIO-
selves. How many are ready to quote our Lord’s precepts hammedanism. Earlv Protestant mrssions seem to us to have
when it suits their convenience so to do, but who otherwise been along much more reasonable and proncr lines. The mis-
and at other times manifest little interest in them, and in sionary, in girirg himself to that work,*understood and agreed
the principles of riehteousness which thev inculcate!
”
Per- that. fiauratirelv sueakina. he took his life in his bands: he
sons-in this attitude-of heart are rarely able to grasp or cn- had ‘already sac&fi&d bis”life before starting. Neither he’nor
joy the spiritual truths which our Lord enunciated, just as the those who sent him forth thought of appealing to the govern-
young man in the lesson was failing utterly to profit by our ment to avenge his death, either witlr manv lives for the out)
Lord’s spiritual teaching, because his entire thought was life, or with large sums of money, nor witb large concession5
preoccupied with his own personal, selfish plans and schemes of land, or with large privileges of commerce. IIe ITent as :I
and views-however iust thev might have been. representative of the meek and lowly Jesus, as a “living sac-
Our Lord flatly Eefused “to interfere in the manner sug- rifice,” as tlic apostles in enrlv times went forth. witbout back-
gested, saying, “VVho made me a iudee or an arbiter over ing, ecclesiastical or civil. Like the apostles, they lvere priri-
you 7” Tlius he illustrated the gem&al-teaching of the Scrip- lerced to anneal to all the laws and moral instincts of the
tures. “Render to Cssar the things that are Casar’s, and to people in ;\‘hose midst thev wcrc living, and for whose good
God the things that are God’s” and again, “If any man sue they were laying down their lives; but more than this the\
thee at tbc law, and take away thy coat, refuse not even if he did not do, and were not authorized to do by anything in the
take similarly thy cloak also”-do not ask or expect anything Scriptures.
beyond what IS granted by the civil laws of the land in which It is the present wrong system of compassing sea and land
you live. “Be subject to-the powers that be; for the powers to make proselytes, with battleships, cannon and soldiers, that
that be are ordained [permitted1 of God.” Our Lord’s kina- is rcsponsihle for the loss of thousands of lives and awful
dom. long promised, and which eventually shall be “the desi;e misery. 7Verc the missionarv question todav left upon the
of all nations.” had not then come, and still has not been set same -footing that it occupied‘in ‘the days of the apostles, and
up. We still pray, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on again at the beginning of this century, it woulrl probably bc
earth as it is done in heaven.” lrhe Lord’s people are to less pretentious in appearance, but in realitv probably would
recognize this fact, and not to expect absolute*righteousness have found just as many of the “elect” as the prezent method:
and ,justice until present conditions cease. with the close of and would hare left undisturbed auestions tlmt nlrcadr have
this dlspcnration,%f which the Scriptures’tell us Satan is the caused much trouble, and I\hich in the near future will cause
prince or ruler. Instead of expecting justice in full measure more. It would have left millions of the poor llcathen in a
now. the Lord’s people should rather be surprised that there much more contented frame of mind tlran at nrrqcnt-would
is so large a measure of justice obtainable in many parts of have left them much more susceptible to tllc ir;Huenccs of the
the world. true Gospel, when, by and by, the great missiorr:rrv work wbirh
As our Lord was not willing to impose himself as a judge God has planned will begin in carnrst, uncler tbo ndministra-
or an arbitrator in his day, so his followers now should not tion of the kingdom of heaven. with Christ ant1 his elect church,
seek to interfere in secular affairs. The case would have been the kings and priests, to rule and blcs5 with infinite power
dnl’rrrnt had the two brothers come together to our Lord. and, and wisdom and love.
l x *
indicating that thcp vvishrd to do right, had requested his
ludgntcnt of ~bnt would be the riaht course. In that event Rut while refusing to interfere 11it11 the matter, the Lord
undoubtedlv our Lord would have favored them lvith his view made use of the intrusion to point a lcs~on on the *uhject of
of the question and tlic reasons for it. covetousnrss-a lesson wbicli \\ou!tl 1~ of benefit to botlr of the
It would be an esrellcnt thing for all of the Lord’s footstep- brothers, if they were present, and a I~WZJII, intlecd, which
follo\vcrs to lrarn \\ell tliis lesson of non-interference in secular ronld not fail to be of profit to all of his hcarcrs. The exlior-
matters-the lesson, that those who speak a3 the oracles of tation to take heed of corrtousntss \v0111tl apply to thr onr
God should speak respectin g spiritual matters, to the spiritual who had sought our Lord’s interference l’owlll\- hc hat1 hccn
class and not to the worldly-to them that have ears to bear, asking something outside of his rights and out~itlc of his
and not to the blind and deaf. This, of course, would not mean father’s will and intent-coveting wltnt iris fntllcr bad really
that the Lord’s prople should not give any advice, but merely intended should go to his brother. Or, if 11c wcrc asking only
that thev should not give advice nor otherwise interfere out- what was reasonably his due, our Lortl’y \vords would be a
side the laws, custorns‘and usages of the country in which they consolation to liim, as shoWing tlrnt wlicthci or not lit pot all
reside. The VOUIW man in the narrative undoubtedlv had aa- of his rights in tbc present life would be a conll~arntively un-
pealed to his brother and to the Jewish authorities for the important matter-r;nimportnnt as cornpnretl to his hiving
relief which he thought be ought to have; and similarlv it is such exncriences as would be f:L\-orablc to 111seternal life. and
proper for a Christian to appeal to the person immediately rightly using those experirnccs. Our Lortl’s words wollld also
inter&cd for what he considers to be just riglrts in the matter be a lesson to the other brother, if he were secking to defraud
in dispute. He may appeal also to the laws of the land in and to take uniustlv what belonccd to his hrothc-or even if
which be resides; but if he fails in this he should content him- he were covet&n+” ungenerous‘ in construing his brother’s
self with his condition and wait patiently for the Lord’s king- richts. Indeed. e;erv one who will cnrefullv consider the
~loni and its righteous-retribution. meaning of our’ Lord’s parable in illustration -of this subject
of covetousness will draw from it a valuable, a profitable
lea3on.
This principle, put into practice by Christinn missionaries
in China, would, we believe, have led to very different condi- THE RICH CHURL
tions than those which now obtain there. Rut our Lord’s ex- In this parable it is not stated that the rich xnan had
ample and various injunctions along this line have been very obtained his-wealth by any unlawful meanr. He is not charged
generallv ignored, and, to the contrary, it has been the custom with havinrr. defrauded his brother or his nciehbor.
I The record
of missionaries, who have gone to China and other lands. to merely is that he had temporal blessings in abundance, and
ignore the laws. of those lands and “the powers that be” there, that by natural increase he was wealthy; and the point of
which Grid’s ordinance has nermitted. Thev have attemnted the lesson turns upon his uuestion to himself. What shall I
to settle all kinds of disputek; interfering in a manner which do with these possessions? *
the Master, in this lesson, disapproved of. Not only so, but The rieht
<> attitude of mind. “the snirit
a of a sound mind.”
they have sought and invoked, publicly and privately, the would have answered this question somewhat after this man-
interference of various so-called Christian governments of the ner: These bounties of divine providence are a trust, and I
world on their behalf, and in violation of the laws of “the am a steward, a trustee; my position will permit me to be a
[2685] (254-255)
(255-259) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECHEIVY, PA.

source of great blessing to others of my fellow-creatures not will, in that future life, for a time handicap his efforts toward
30 bountifully supplied; in fact, I have rn my hand the power true nobility, should he then make efforts toward perfection
to make man”y fell&-creature3 comfortable and happy; and in under the gracious terms of the IvIillennial kingdom.
discharaina this stewardshin in this nroner manner I shall Tho our Lord in the parable represents the covetous per-
have mu& greater pleasur’e than if *I Endeavored selfishly son as succeeding in accumulating riches, vet, as a matter of
to use all these bounties upon myself, or to store them up for fact, the majorily of covetous people never so succeed; and
my own use in the future. their selfishness is not less reprehensible from the fact that
Such an unselfish, generous course would not only have it fails of success. The thought rather is that if a covetous
had divine approval, and thus have constituted “true riches” person who succeeds make3 a miserable failure of life, how
“laid up in heaven,” but, additionally, it would have been the much worse would be the failure of the covetous person who
most direct road to happiness for the already favored indi- gains nothing, either in the present life or in that which is
vidual himself. It is a true proverb, “There is that scattereth to rome!
and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than Our Lord, turning to his disciples at this iuncture. Pave
is meet, and it tendeth to poverty.” So, many have found a special lesson applicable to them only, a&d not to-the
that hoarding of earthly wealth leads to poverty of heart, to multitude. Literallv translated this messaae is: Be not
a meanness of disposition, which is not enjoyed by the indrvid- anx:zozhs as respects ;our earthly life, its food and its cloth-
ual himself, and which is strongly reprobated by him with ing. Think rather of the lrfe which 1s to come; remember
whom rests our eternal interests, our everlasting blessing and that this present condition is, from the divine standpoint, a
riches. On the contrary, he who uses, in harmony with his death condition. Consider that in you who believe, the new,
best judgment, the earthly wealth committed to his care, the eternal life, has already begun, and that if you will faith-
thereby purchases to himseif a rich reward of approbation on fully continue under present conditions in living for this new
the Dart of all with whom he has to do: and. through the life, and not after the flesh, it will be erfected in the First
Lord’s gracious arrangement in Christ, this cultivation”of the Resurrection. Think more of your bo 1.res than of tile rai-
spirit of love becomes a most important factor in respect to his ment which covers them: think more of your life than of the
attainment of everlasting joy and blessing. natural food bv which it is at present sustained. God is able
As illustrating the uncertainty of such selfish calculations, and wrlling to-give perfect life-and perfect bodirs and perfect
our Lord might have made the parable to close by showing conditions to those who believe in me. who walk in mv foot-
the rich man as losing all of his nossessions and being reduced steps and meet my approval. The reason why you &ed not
to beggary through some misfo&ne, such as war or” fire; or take anxious thought for these temporal things, for which
he mirrht have shown him the victim of a loathsome disease. the world takes anxious thought (and necessarily so), is this:
in wh?ch even his riches could not purchase attendance, SO you have come into harmony with God, and have been adopted
that thus he might suffer want in the midst of plenty. But he into his family; believing in me. you have been granted “lib-
chose to close the parable by merely representing the rich erty to become sons of God.” (John 1: 12) AR sons of God, with
man as dying suddenly-ceasing to have and to hold and the new life begun in you, you are to realize that everything
greedily enjoy his selfish hoardings. “Soul, take thine ease,” of the present life is quite unworthy to be compared with
etc., is merely another way of saying-Self, take thine ease, the future and eternal interests. You are to remember that,
eat drink, etc. having consecrated yourselves to the Father’s will in becoming
Our Lord, to enforce the lesson, then raises the question, my drsciples. you have given up every interest and matter to
Whose, then, shall these things be? They could no longer be his superior wisdom. Be content, therefore; be without
enjoyed by the accumulator, whoever might get them; he anxiety, knowing that so long as you abide in me, and so
would be poor indeed, whoever might enjoy them; for these long as you are walking in my footsteps, your Heavenly
were all that he had; he had given up thought and effort and Father knoweth what things vou have need of. even before
every talent to money-making and to attempted selfish enjoy- you ask him, and is both able and willing to give’what is best.
ments, and had not been rich toward God,-had not been Therefore, if in divine nrovidence vou receive novertv as
rich in good works-had not laid up treasure in heaven. His your unavoidable portion, *accept it a\ best for you. a&ord-
life had been a failure; he would enter the next life a pauper, ing to divine wisdom; remembering that it is our Redeemer
as respects mental and moral development in good qualities. who is guarding our future and eternal interest, and permit-
He would enter it with a load of selfishness. with which to ting such experiences in this present life as will be most
some extent he had been born, but to which he had added ?,eneficial to us, and as will lead most directly to eternal riches
greatly by a life of selfishness. And his load of selfishness and favors, and that in greatest measure.

VOL. ssr ALLEGHENY, PA., SEPTEMBER 1, 1900 n-0. 17

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THE CHICAGO LOVE FEAST We had a grand time! The Lord be praised! Mav the
A love feast from beginning to end! This was the public blessing 30 abundantly poured out not only be lasting in its
exprvq\lnn of manv. and :~ppnrmtlr thr sentiment of all in effect upon those who received it, but may it overflow from
attendance. Our T,ord surely poured us out a grand spiritual them upon the brethren at their various homes. and thus be-
blessing and refreshment. Surely if any went away empty come wide-spread. We know well that we had the loving
it was in part or in whole his own fault. None of our con- thoughts and earnest prayers of many thousands not nrivi-
ventions ever e\rhibited more love for the Lord and his truth leged to meet with us. Eighty-two symbolized their conse-
and his brethren. Indeed each succeeding one seems just a cration to death bv water bantism f 46 brothers. 36 sisters)
little better than its predecessors, however grand they were. It was a grand sight, such ai is seldom witnessed on earth.
And may we not expert this, as we approach nearer and We may be sure that our Lord, the great Chief Reaper, and
nearer in our journey toward “The general assembly and the saints who have already joined him “beyond the vail,”
church of the first-horns?” It would be but reasonable that and also our guardian angel3 who continually minister unto
the ripening of the hearts of a larger number should be more those who shall be heir3 of salvation, looked upon that scene
and more manifest in the exhibited fruits of the spirit. with deep interest, as did some three hundred brethren in the
The Chicago Convention was announced as a- flesh who were witnesses.
CONVENTION OF BELIEVERS IN THE ATONEMENT SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIANS TROUBLED
Through “the Precious Blood of Christ”-“A Ransom for All,” and
m His Millennial Kingdom The split between Northern and Southern Presbyterian3
It
lasted for three days, continuously-except for inter- during the Civil war made of them practically two distinct
missions for food and rest-and was followed by a colporteurs’ bodies or denominations. The troubles and suggestion3 re-
session in the interest of those already in that service, or specting the Confession of Faith have all been amongst the
about to enter it. Northern brethren, until lately. However, at the last “Gen-
The attendanre was the best we have ever had;-three im- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian church (South) ” a petition
portant items contributing: ( 1) Chicago’s large population was received from the Presbytery of Brazos, Texas, requesting
and the goodly number already interested in the truth there. that the Assembly ‘modify the statements of the Cnnfcsqion
(2) The city’s central location. (3) The unusually low regarding the eternal damnation of non-elect infants.”
rates of railroad fare granted from every direction and over The resolution was strangled in committee which reported
all roads. The number in attendance was estimated at be- adversely to any discussion of the Confession fearing no doubt
tween 500 and 600, and of these about 300 were from outside that the question once opened never would close. The repre-
Chicago. sentatives of the Brazos Presbytery asked an amendment to
/2686]
SIYTEMBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (260-272)

the Confession reading thus:-“_411 dying in infancy are elect doubt excused on the Jesuitical plea that-It is right to do
infants, and are regenerated,” etc., Chapter 10, paragraph 3. wrong if thereby you can serve God and the church. How-
Sote now the shrewd but dlshonezt treatment of that petl- ever, the church is not served by this false statement, even if
tion (formulated by the committee and adopted by the As- a sect is thereby held together a little longer. The true
sembly) in these words,--“i\e recommend that the prayer of church “whose names are written in heaven,” and which will
the overture be declined, inasmuch as the pxesent language of eventually include all the truly “elect” “little flock,” is never
the Confession cannot, by any fair interpretation, be con- benefited or served by error or falsehood; but, as our Lord
strued as tencbing that ally of those who he 171 lllfklllc~~ nX declared, only bv the truth-“Sanctify them through thy
lout.” truth, thy Word ;s truth.” Nor is God served or honored by
Let us read over this paragraph 3, Chapter 10, of the Con- such false representations of his Word and plan.
fession and see whether or not the Bravos brethren and hu- Furthermore, the specifications of “e2ect infants” implies
man1t.y m general have mis-read it. Here it is: “Elect in- that the flamers of thi3 Confession hat1 in mind Izon-elect In-
fants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ fants who die in infancy, whose fate they left to be implied
through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how by the intelligent reader, who, if he accepted this Westmin-
he pleaseth. So also ale all other elect persons who are in- ster Confession aS a whole, would lxalievr in elect and non-elect
capable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the adults, and coupling this with the specifications of the same
Word.” (‘ontessinii on predeattnatio~r woultl eonc*lude that crel F 120)2-
rlfrcf rfrlrflt must at. one tinit, II;I\-~~INW~ a tlo,~-c/ccf cn/nift,
If the General Assembly were sincere in averring that in who dying in infancy would have died non-elect and unregen-
their judgment these words do not teach that there are non- erated and unsaved by Christ through the spilit who worked
elect Infijllts ~110 dying in infancy are lost, then it follows not upon them at any time nor anywhere nor nnyho\v, be-
that the+e hrethrcn have totally repudiated the do&line of
cause he pleased not so to do, they being non-elect.
election tnlight in other paragraphs of their Confession of 0ne would suppose that our dear Presbyter ian friends,
Faith. Fnr if all iufants are elect, or if the election does not
finding themselves m such inextricable confuhlon on thiq tloc-
take plaw uutll after the period of infancy, then they must
trine of election. and yet finding mur11 nu the sul>jcct 171 the
deny all tllnt C.‘alri~li?im stands foi in the way of Predeslln~c-
Bible, would be ready. yes anxiously an11 hungrily naitiug for
tion niitl I,‘o,-en~rlc7lrfttro77. Otherwise they would be forced to the reasonable Bible-solution of the subject presented in Mil-
the po<ititrn tllnt o,rl!/ el~l persons die in infancy and hence
lr~,i~ztrlDaw17. Trt ronlparati\ rl,v fvn ot tlirni swnl to be SO.
mu<t X~+IIIUPtll,lt (:otl spcru~lly intervenes to prezjelzt the non- The only reasonable explanation is tllnt the majority are IlOt
elect fl OIII (1~II~ in infanrx, slwcially supervising the deaths
sufficiently honest with themsrlrer aud with each other, .7nd
of tlltt nlilllon~ of infants dymg annually from infanticide, with God and his Word. Tbry do not sufficiently lore the
lack of Gilt’ etc.
truth--error is preferred. They tlo not hunger and thirst
131rt to tIlink of the Cknelal Assnnl~ly taking any of the after right. Hence also the compnrativtbly ftaw MIIO ale “‘an+
above lwitioih would 1~ altogt+hel unre:lionable, and hence tified through the truth”-the lnrpe nuinber failin:! to make
\\(1 a I‘(’ IIn\!IIl11qly folrcd to think of their resolI1tiou as their calling and election sure, berau+p un~nnct~ft~tl 1)~ W:I~OII
Ind<ill~ in Il~~llc+t~. Iacl.iug in truthfulne+a, which they no nf their fal%e docti ines.

Friends of the cause naturally feel a deep interest in

PIPI rtllllt~ connc*ctctl Ill ;lll.V 111:111,,1’1 n it11 tile 11:11vt+t
WOl k. IVe hare frequently bren urged to publish the Editcn’q
picture either in the MAWNS or in these columns; but have as
persistently refused. It is the truth rather than its servant
that should be honored and proclaimed. There is too much
disposition to credit truth to the preacher. forgetful that all
truth is of God, who uses one or another servant in its proc-
lamation a< it may please him.
How-ever. when requested to publish a photo of our work-
shop, the “l:ible Hour.” we could thmk of no reasonable ob-
lt’ctioll. al111 Iic~xm It ii lwing 1r~prodi1~~~1in thi\ i-<ue.
‘1’11(~ tllii rl Ilonr is the chapel in nhich Sunday antI other serv-
II’<‘. :IiP 11~~1~1011 tlhc. tr111 Ilwir. ((*1111(, 1. tliu’ l~:~lttcll’, btndy :
THE “BIBLE HOUSE,” ALLEGHENY III-, 11~un1seat being near the window at tllr: 11e:rd (if the qulal
6 f P (‘it,, pc.
 GATHER ALL THY
Heavenly Father, Holy One !
May thy will in me be done;
Make my heart submissive, meek,
Let me ne’er mine own way seek!
Loving Savior, I would be
Ever more and more like thee,
Free from pride and self-desire,
Fervent with a holy fire.
“DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM”
“All things wlmtsocver ye u~ould that men should do to you,, do ye even so to them.“-Matt.
Whatever the tests WC apply, Jesus and his teachings are
seen to tower above all others. For instance, we are fre-
quently told that the Golden Rule is found in the writings of
Confucius as well as in the New Testament, and that this is
a proof that Confucius was a teacher equal in rank with
Jcrug. and equally sent of God. And no doubt many of those
who give this report do 90 in all honesty; for the fact is that
many Christians~ have never seen the dkpth and scope of the
Golden Rule given bv *Jesus. and misunderstand it to be the
snme a3 the maxim by Confucius, which much resembles it.
There is a wide distinction, however, and in comparison the
words of Confucius might be termed a brazen rule. His
maxim is. “Do not do to others what you would not wish
them to do to you.” 11’~ repeat that this is as much as the
majority of Christinns have ever seen in the Golden Rule
given by nur Lord.
1Ve would be glad to see the maxim of Confucius received
and acted upon throughout the whole world by every creature,
and undoubtedly the result would bc a great blessing to man-
kind-a great improvement over present conditions, in which
almost everybody except the saints who seek to walk in the
footsteps of the Lord are continually doing every day the very
thing- \\hich they would not wish their neighbors to do to
them. But even tho so great a reformation could be brought
about, it would still lenve much to be desired; it would still
leave the world far from the condition suggested by our
Lord’s prayer, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in
heaven.” i;or men might, through policy or for other rea-
3ons. doal justly with each other, refraining from the doing
of such things as they would not wish done to them, and with
all that their hearts might be very full of selfishness, mean-
ness. covetousness, etc., and very far from the condition of
love.
But \chen we note the comprehensiveness of our Lord’s
Golden Rule, we find it is absolutely a love-rule; and that it
leavp;i nothing to be desired: nothing could possibly be added
to it: it is cd&plete. It is not merei+ a negative liw : “Thou
shalt not” do an injury; it is a positive law: “Thou shalt”
do Rood. Thou shalt do thy neighbor all the good, all the
kindness, all the service, that thou wouldst have him do to
thee. This law, which the Apostle calls “the law of liberty,”
the perfect law, this Golden Rule for life, has no parallel any-
where, in any writings, and could not possibly have a superior,
-a grander sentiment could not possibly be expressed. But
how few there are who rightIy appreciate and love this rule,
and use it daily in the measurement of their awn conduct!
As already noted, the majority, even of the best people in the
world. the> vast maiorlty of Chriqtiann. fail to discern its
lengths and its breadths, and consider it merely an injunction
not to do injury to others. How few, then, joyfully and ap-
preciatively grasp its sentiments, and seek from the heart to
conform their lives thereto--none but the saints, none but the
“el&.” we may be sure, are thus in heart-harmony with the
essence and spirit of their Heavenly Father’s law of love.
There might he danger of some of the Lord’s people using
this role nmiqs and to their injury, by being overgenerous to-
ward others and not sufficiently careful of themselves; but
such instances are very rare, because in our entire race the
general result of the f.~ll has been to crowd out love and
benevolence. and to fill us with selfishness. So much is this
the ~aqe that it has brcome a worldly proverb that “Self-pre-
qervntinn is the first rule of life:” that self is always to be
numhpr one, and to he cared fnr’well and thoroughiy before
others are to he even considered.
Even after we have been begotten of the holy spirit, as
new crest,lres, after the trnnqforming of our minds has be-
mln, we all know from experience that the selfishness of the
o:d nature is qo deep-grainetl that it is likely to hold its own
\lith uq to the very end of life. We have, however, known
of come who. in their desire to conform themselves fully to
the Lord’s will, have taken an extreme view of this Golden
Rule, and have understood it as tho it said, “Thou shalt do
(261)
CHILDREN HOME
Blessed Lord, thy saints defend,
Watching o’er them to the end;
Day by day their faith increase
Keep them in thy perfect peace,
Comfort, strengthen, guide and bless,
Lead them through the wilderness;
And when thy due time shall come,
Gather all thy children home ! -G. W. F.
7: 12.
to thy neighbor as he shall wish thee to do to him”-not no
ticing that this would be a very different rule, and one which
might operate very unfavorably in every way. While few are
in danger of making a mistake in this direction, many are
inclined to reason on the matter from this standpoint, and to
say: We could not possibly carry out this Golden Rule in the
ordinary affairs of life, because, for instance, if I were to do
to my neighbor as I should wish him to do to me, I should
sell him a five-dollar pair of shoes for one dollar; or a twenty-
dollar suit of clothes for five dollars; or what he might want
of wheat or oats at half the usual price. And if I adopted
such a rule with one, I should properly adopt it with all, and
this would soon mean bankruptcy in my business; so, evi-
dently, the Golden Rule cannot be used in human affairs at
the present time.
But we answer that this is a mistaken view of the Golden
Rule. and whoever examines it should see that the difficulty
probably lies in the selfishness of his own heart. HP thinks
his neighbor might expect goods at less than cost, because he
thinks that he himself would be willzng to receive goods at
less than cost from his neighbor. The appllcatlon of the Gold-
en Rule should show him his difficulty: should teach him
the lesson that when he goes to his neighbor to buy shoes he
must do to his neighbor as he would that his neighbor should
do to him: he must pay hi4 neighbor a reasonable-pric,, for hi<
shoes; a reasonable, living nrofit. And likewise in everv other
transaction: the Golden “gule teaches us that we sh&ld be
willing to pay the farmer for his produce, and the manufar-
turer for his, as we would think just if we were the mnnu-
facturer and making the sale. Likewise, if we were making
the sale, we should not think of charging our customers a
larger profit than we would think reasonable if they were the
sellers and we the customers. Whoever of the Lord’s people.
therefore, gets thoroughly into the way of using this Golden
Rule in all of life’s affairs will certainly find that it will cle-
vate their conceptions of justice, righteousness, equity: and
these eodlike aualities will become more and more develoned
in the&, as p’arts of their characters, until they will obey
them not merely because of their harmony with the Master’s
Golden Rule, but because they will recognize their true beauty
and grandeur. and because their hearts will be in harmonv w
with -them. ’
But this rule, while thus inculcating justice, goes beyond
this and inculcates benevolence ;-such benevolence and so
much of it as we. with nronerlv balanced minds would be dis-
posed to ask of dthers ii wk were the ones in need, in straits.
0 how grandly rounded out in spiritual character would all
of the Lord’s true saints become, under the influence of this
Golden Rule! It would not only affect the actions of life,
making them first just toward all with whom they had deal-
ings, then, benevolently disposed toward all needing their as-
sistance to whatever degree they were able to render assist-
ance without doing injury to others,-and, additionally, the
same law in force would extend also to their every word.
Under the regulations of this golden measurement how few
bitter or angry or slanderous words would be used-for how
few would like to have others use such to or of them-to
speak to them in onger and with bitterness and rancor, or to
slander them. No wonder the Apostle tells us that those who
have put on Christ must put off all these-anger, malice,
hatred, strife, envy, slanders, etc. Additionally, this Golden
Rule would lead to kind words, gentle actions, considerate
demeanor; for who would not wish such from his neighbor?
As the Apostle again declares, we are to put on as Christian
graces,-gentleness, meekness, patience, longsuffering, broth-
erly kindness, love.-Col. 3:8, 12-15.
This Golden Rule, beginning with the outward actions,
and progressing to our words, would very quickly extend to
our thoughts; and as we would not wish to have others think
ungenerously or meanly of us, nor put a bad construction on
our every act of life, but would rather that they would view
our words and deeds generously and lovingly, so we in turn
[2688]
VSPTEIBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH
would find, that under the influence of this Golden Rule, our
thoughts of others would become more generous, more noble,
less suspicious, etc.
This Golden Rule is assuredly the divine law which our
dear Redeemer expressed in other words at another time, say-
ing, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” We may
safely consider, therefore, that the one rule interprets the
other, and that to love our neighbor as ourselves signifies that
we should love him and do for him as we ourselves would wish
him to love us and to do for us. And we could not under-
stand it to mean more than this. God expects of us that we
will make reasonable provision for ourselves and for those for
whom, by legal or natural ties, we are responsible-our fam-
ilies, our relatives, as the Apostle says: “He that urovideth
not for his own, and especially they- of his own house, hath
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.“-1 Tim. 5-8.
Evidently, therefore, our own households are our first
charge and responsibility, and must have reasonable attention
before we could hope to do for our neighbors. This would
indeed be putting a difference between our neighbor and our-
selves, and between our neighbor’s family and our own family,
but the matter is well adjusted by the Golden Rule, rightly
interpreted, which requires of us that we shall do for our
neighbor, in his want and extremity, as we would have him
do for us, were we in his circumstances and he in ours. And
our minds being leveled up to a plane of justice, we should
expect that if we were in distress our neighbor would first
make reasonable provision for his own family, and not give
to us to the injury or deprivation of those more immediately
and more closely dependent upon him.
IS THE GOLDEN RULE INCUMBENT?
But some one may inquire: Is it necessary for us as
Christians to attempt to carry out this Golden Rule in our
dailv lives? When we see that very few even of Christian
people appreciate the rule, or to any extent seek to carry it
out. mav we not consider that it is a verv good rule. but that
, Y - Y ”
its observance is not made incumbent upon us, and that our
attainment of eternal life and heavenly glory are not linked
with the observance of this Golden Rule? May we not con-
dider it rather as a good standard to have in mind as the
perfect law, but consider that we are not to live up to that
standard in any sense of the word?
We answer that this Golden Rule was the one by which
our dear Redeemer’s every action was measured, the one ac-
cording to which he lived, and under which he laid down his
life on our behalf, and it is essential to and incumbent upon
all those who would be his disciples, his followers. All who
hope to become his joint-heirs in the kingdom are required to
walk in his footsteps as he set us an example (1 Pet. 2:21),
or, as another Apostle declares, God has fore-ordained to have
an elect church to be joint-heirs in the kingdom with Christ,
but he has equally fore-ordained that none shall ultimately be
acceptable as members of that glorified church except such as
shall, in the present life, become copies of God’s dear Son, our
Lord’ Jesus : and to copy him means to copy the Golden Rule,
which was exemnlified in him and in his course. It follows.
therefore, that whoever expects to share the kingdom must
ive diligence to the formation of character, and that this
fi olden Rule is necessary in such formation of character-to
develop in us not the principles of equity, or justice only, but
also the spirit of love, of unselfishly doing good to others.-
Rom. 8:2X
DIVINE STRENGTH PERFECTED IN HUMAN WEAKNESS
But here again comes in the question, How can those who
hv nature are fallen and imnerfect. and full of inherited sel-
fiihness and meanness, ever’hope to keep this Golden- Rule,
which is the full measure of a perfect man’s obedience, and
which, with all his well-doing and sacrificing, was not more
than fulfilled by our Lord Jesus himself? How could we hope
to be aonroved as keeoers of this Golden Rule. in the sight of
him who can read, not only the outward conduct, but alio the
thoughts and intents of our hearts?
We answer that here comes to our relief the gracious ar-
rangement which God has provided for this Gospel age, viz.,
iustification -- bv
a---- ~4 faith. Our iustification not onlv covers “the
sins that are past” (Rom. 3:25), and makes us”acceptable to
God in Christ, so that we can offer ourselves as living sacri-
fices upon his altar, but, more than this, it stands with us all
the way down the journey of life, and according to God’s
grace in Christ it compensates for, or makes up for us all of
our unintentional deficiencies, BO that, as the Apostle says,
“The righteousness of the Law [expressed in the Golden Rule1
in fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the
spirit.“-Rom. 8 : 4.
[ 26891
TOWER (262-263)
Since we are not all alike fallen, not all alike selfish, it
follows that some walk much nearer to the spirit of the di-
vine Law, attain much closer to the measurement required by
the Golden Rule, than can others; yet no fallen creature can
walk fully up to the requirements of the Golden Rule, so long
as handicapped by the various weaknesses of the flesh; and
here the grace of God in Christ makes up our deficiencies:
those who-are able to follow the pattern most closely are still
far from following it absolutely, and consequently need to have
the merit of the precious blood of Christ imnuted to them to
make up for their shortcomings; and those who are still more
fallen, and who, with their very best efforts, are still further
from measuring up to the grand standard of the Golden Rule,
need that much more of God’s grace to compensate for their
deficiencies. Hence the Apostle declares that where sin and
imperfection abound the most, there God’s grace correspond-
ingly abounds the more; so that those who are in Christ
and seek to walk in his footsteps, who are in their hearts
measuring themselves with the-Golden Rule, and seeking to
the best of their ability to live up to its requirements, may be
succeeding variously in their endeavors, from the worldly
standpoint; but from the divine standpoint all such are
reckoned as having their blemishes fully covered with the
merit of our dear Redeemer’s sacrifice, and that therefore the
righteousness of the Law, its true meaning, its spirit, and the
true measure of the Golden Rule, is reckoned as fulfilled in
them to divine acceptance,-perfectly.
But it is not merely to have this Golden Rule thus reck-
onedly fulfilled in us for a day or for a week or for a month
that counts us “overcomers,” but that we shall faithfully con-
tinue to walk as closely in the Lord’s footsteps as we may be
able, faithfully continuing to use his Golden Rule to the best
of our ability; and that we shall do this day by day and year
by year with continued and increasing zeal, until our Master,
watching the process of development of character, shall say,
It is enough; the character is fixed: the love for rinhteous-
ness is permanent and thoroughly developed; the spirit of
love is indelibly marked, and altho there still remain in the
flesh traces of selfishness, yet they are dim and faint in com-
parison with the original mark, and give good evidence of vic-
torv gained, not in the flesh, but in the heart, in the will.
‘“They shall be mine, saith the T,ord of hosts, in that day
when I make up my jewels.“-Mal. 3:17.
ANOTHER SERIOUS ERROR MADE BY SOME IN APPLYING
THE GOLDEN RULE TO LIFE
Undoubtedly the Golden Rule has, to a considerable ex-
tent, exercised an inpue7lce over even worldly people (nominal
Christians), where such have come more in contact with the
true saints who endeavor with more or less zeal to recognize
and to use the Golden Rule in the measurement of their daily
conduct, without their being keepers of it is a rule, or even
professing so to do. And even amongst Christians who have
given themselves to the Lord, and who fully desire that his
will in every particular shall be done in them, and who recog-
nize this Golden Rule as a grand expression of the divine will.
we believe there are serious misapprehensions respecting the
proper manner of its use. For instance, among the noblest
of the Lord’s people are some who say, We will turn our
backs on society and worldly enjovments, and devote what
time we have at our disposal to the ‘improvement of the fallen
-to moral reforms, social reforms, financial reforms, the re-
forming of drunkards, etc. And still others, imbued with the
same spirit, and with the same desire to fulfil this Golden
Rule, say, We will leave home and friends, and go into
far-off lands as missionaries, to preach Christ to the heathen.
We are bound to appreciate such noble sentiments.
whether we can agree with the conclusions as to methods of
work, etc., or not. We love the noble principle which, if not
in every instance, at least in many cases, lies at the founda-
tion of such sacrifices of time, influence, convenience. etc.: it
is an outworking of the Golden Rule in these dear friends,
saying to themselves and to others, If we were in the slums
or in heathen degradation, we should wish that some of God’s
children would come to us, to lift us up and enlighten us, and
hence we should do so to others, even as we would, if our
conditions were altered, that they should do to us.
This is sound reasoning and a proper application of the
Golden Rule, and yet also: we believe,-a mistaken or wrong
one. One of the first lessons that the Christian is called
upon to learn in the School of Christ is, that his judgment
is defertive; that not only our physical powers have deeen-
erated through the fall, but that- likewise-our mental powers
have suffered: so that the whole world todav is not onlv un
sound of body, but also unsound of mind, &sound of ‘judg
(264-265) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

ment. The primary lessons of God’s children in the School attain unto eternal life and full human perfection, and that
of Christ are to the effect that we all lack wisdom. and that only the wilful sinners against light and opportunity will be
for this very reason he has provided his Book, the Bible!- utterly destroyed in the second death.-1 Cor. 15:24-28; 2
“that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished.“-2 Tim. Thess. 1:8, 9; Acts 3:23.
3:16. 17. The same Word instructs us that the Lord’s plan for the
We are taught in the Book that the work of salvation is present age does not purpose the conversion of the world;
one too ereat for humanitv itself. and that therefore God has nor its salvation in any sense of the word: nor its uplifting:
undertaken the work ; we” are taught that he has not left but that his plan, on the contrary, is simply the developmeit
the matter to operate itself at random, neither has he left it of the church, the foreordained and uredestinated number. a
to our imperfect judgments and puny efforts: we are taught “little
I

flock,“. who must all be selected from amonast men.

that the great Savior of the world planned his work “from and every one of them be copies of God’s dear Son.” (Ram:
the foundation of the world,” and yet that it was four thou- 8:29) It also informs us that this work of God in this age
sand venrs and more before he took the first great step for is the work in which we are invited to be co-workers together
its accompIiQ~ment, namely, the giving of his Son to bc the with God. It points out to us that this is the work of the
redemntion
1
mice of Adam and his race (1 Pet. 1:20) : we bride-to make herself ready for the marriage (Rev. 19 :7) ;
are taught th:Lt having begun thi\ work of salvation God has that the special work in this present time consists not only in
not ahandoned it, and does not intend to abandon it, but that the “callimg” of the church, but also in the building up of one
eventually “he shall bring forth judgment [trial] unto vic- another, among the called ones, in the most holy faith;-help-
torv;“-and that eventually our Lord Jesus shall see the ing one another to perfect holiness in the reverence of the
fruit of the travail of his soul on man’s behalf, and shall be Lord,-showing us that a large part of our work is in our
satisfied:-that eventually the knowledge of the Lord shall own hearts, cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
fill the whole earth. and all shall know him from the least to and of the spirit, helping one another to make our calling
the greatest; that’ cventualiv he shall bring in everlasting and our election sure, by perfecting in our hearts the Golden
righteousness. so that the time shall uItimateIy come when Rule.-2 Cor. 7: 1; Jude 20.
all the families of the earth shall be blessed with the knowl- But overlooking the particular service marked out for
edge of God’s goodness and grace, and with an opportunity those who would be co-workers with God in this aee. our dear
to benefit therehv: that eventuallv whosoever will not obey friends, now criticised, misuse their Golden RuI< by apply-
the great Prophei-King shall be cut off from amongst the peo- ing it outside of the class for which the Lord intended it in
ple in the second death; that, eventually there shall be no this age. It will be applicable to all the heathen world and
more dvmg. no more sighing, no more crying. no more pain
the sub-stratum of society in the Millennial age, but now it
there, because the former things of Adamm sin and its pen-
is applicable chiefly to the household of faith. True, if we
alty and blight shall have been done away.-Isa. 14:24, 27 ;
could accomplish al1 that the Lord would have us accomplish
65:ll; Matt. 12:20; Isa. 53:ll; 11:9; Jer. 31:34; Acts for the household of faith, it would then be very proper for
3:19-23; Rev. 21:3, 4 us to extend our efforts to the heathen and lower strata of
But many of God’s dear people overlook these gracious society, rather than to sit down in idleness; but so far from
provisions and promises of his Word, and partaking to a con- finding that we have not enough to engage our time in the
siderable extent of the spirit of love they forget that God’s household of faith, we find that we are in the harvest-time
love is still greater than-their own, even -as God’s wisdom is of the age, and that the harvest is great and the laborers are
rzreater than theirs: hence thev lose sight of the fact that few, and that there is much more than enough to engage all
the- entire plan of salvation is”of God, &rd that he has not our time and energies amona the “brethren” whom the Lord
abandoned it to others, but will carry it out himself in his our God has called. Hence-the Golden Rule calls us to be
own due time. It is because they forget this that they be- exercised chiefly amongst these, and not amongst those whom
come burdened with the weight of responsibility, and feel as the Lord our God has not yet called, but who are left, in the
tho the salvation of the world r&cd upon themselves-and, divine plan, for a calling and blessing of another kind in the
impressed with this feeling of self-importance and forgetful-
next age-the Millennial age.
ness of God’s Word, they go into the mission work, slum
work, and to the heathen. They forget, and are greatly dis- Looking back we see that our dear Master, who gave the
advantaged by so doing, that God has already declared, “AS Golden Rule, observed it in the manner we are now advocat-
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my plans higher ing. Living in the end of the Jewish age, and knowing that
than your plans, and my ways higher than your ways.“-Isa. the divine favors and blessings at that time were confined to
55:8, 9. fleshlv Israel. our Lord. with a full annreciation of the Golden
As a consequence of this oversight and misdirection of ef- Rule,“nevertheless used’ it in strict harmony with the Father’s
fort, these dear friends are doing works now which God in- plan ; and accordingly instructed his twelve apostles also,
tends shall be done in a future age, and which can and will saying, “Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles. and into any
be done then to very much better advantage every way. God city of the Samaritans enter ye not; for I am not sent save
has appointed the Millennial age for this work of lifting up to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 10:56; 15:
the weak. onerring the blind eyes of the barbarians, and un- 24, 26) Likewise the apostles understood that while, at the
stopping their dull ears to hear the message of divine grace. death of Christ, the middle wall of partition, which had here-
God ha9 annointctl that when his time for this great work, in tofore separated divine favor from other nations, was now
which he is’more interested than any of his creatures possibly broken down, so that, so far as God was concerned, the Gospel
could be. will come, the conditions will be favorable to the message was open to every creature,-nevertheless, that every
sucresa of his plan, which he guarantees us will succeed, and creature had not open ears for the Gospel, and that accord-
will bring blessings to all the families of the earth, and will ing to the Lord’s plan he would not open their ears until his
enlighten every man born into the world.-Gal. 3 : 16, 29; due time, the Millennial age, and hence it was that the apos-
John 1:9; Acts 3:19-21. tles sought for the class to whom the present message, the
God’s Word informs those who seek his counsel, that at high calling for the church, was intended,-“He that hath an
that time Satan shall be bound so that he may deceive the ear, let him hear.”
nations no more, as he is now doing (Rev. 20:1-3) : that dur- Pursuing this policy of searching for those who had ears
ing that period of Satan’s restraint those whom he now to hear, the Apostle Paul, sent by the Lord to be the great
blinds (2 Cor. 4:4) with various doctrines, sophistries, messenger of grace to the Gentiles, did not say within him-
superstitions, etc., will be freed from these, and have the eyes self (as some-of our dear missionary friends - seem to say
and ears of their understanding opened. It informs us also, within themselves). I will seek out the most illiterate and
that at that time he will establish as the King over all the degraded people iu’the world, that I may lift them up.- Had
earth his honored agent, who gave his life as -a ransom for this been the Apostle’s sentiment he doubtless would have
mankind: and that our Lord Jesus will establish the kinedom hastened, with his coadjutors, southward from Jerusalem into
of God amongst men, a kingdom not merely in name, but”also darkest Africa, or eastward from Jerusalem into India, with
in power and in fact; one which shall rule the world, forcibly its hundreds of millions, and still further eastward into
putting down sin, oppression, ignorance, superstition, dark- China, with its hundreds of millions, in utter ignorance of
ne.ss ; and raising up righteousness, truth, and every good God and steeped in sunerstition. But the Anostle had made
nrincinle and infiuence for the blessing and uplifting of those a better stud% of the d<vine plan. and knew that the times of
khom’ he purchased with his preciou< blood.- It informs us restitution, the Millennial age, was set apart by God for this
that, under his beneficent reian all evil shall be subdued. that 0
eeneral ualift of mankind:
~~
and that it would be a waste of
ewn clcnth shall he conquel%d: and that all mankind,‘freed effort to nndertake to do that work in advance of God’s co-
from the Adamic sentence of death, may, if they will, then operation ; in advance of his time and in advance of his ar-
[SSSO]
SEPTEMBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ‘266-267)

rangements, which his wisdom foresaw would be necessary
to the accomplishment of that work.
The Apostle reasoned, on the contrary, “God hath ap-
pointed a day in the which he will judge the world in right-
eousness” (Acts 17 :31), and that appointed day is a future
day, the Millennial day.; and if God has appointed that day
to be the time for the world’s judgment, it would be folly
on my part to attempt to bring in a judgment of the world
sooner than God intends it, even if I were able to do SO. He
reasoned, further, that if God has appointed a future day for
iudaina the world in general. then the world in general is
hot’ on-trial or under judgment in the present Gospel day, and
hence might just as well be left in their heathen darkness a
little longer. as God alreadv had left them in heathen dark-
ness for Omdre than four thousand years,-and he reasoned
wisely, logically. He was instructed of the Lord, and hence
he had the spirit of a sound mind, and did not attempt to do
an utterly impossible and hence a foolish thing. He did not
attempt to be either wiser or more loving than the Heavenly
Father, but trusting to the Heavenly Father’s wisdom and
love he sought to know the will of God now. in this nresent
age, that he might thus be an ambassador for God and a CO-
worker together with him.
Nor was he left in darkness. He was instructed of the
Lord, and he in turn instructs us, that the work of the pres-
ent age is the work of preparing the judges of the world, who,
when the great day of the world’s iudgment or trial shall
have dawned, will be prepared to execute judgment and jus-
tice in the world. and to bless with a riahteous rule all the
families of the earth. He informs us that the saints now
being tried (judged), tested and developed in character are
undergoing this severe process, and are -required to walk in
the “narrow wav.” to the intent that thev mav be fit to be
instruments of “God for judging the WO& in” righteousness
when the due time for that judgment shall have come. (1
Car. 6 :2, 3) Consequently, we find that the Apostle’s ener-
gies, so far from being directed to the substratum of society,
the heathen and the barbarians, were directed to the very op-
posite rlase. He sought the best people in the world; the
most moral people and the most intelligent; the people most
advanced in every sense of the word-believing, and rightly,
that the reasonable and gracious plan of Ggd would-com-
mend itself better to such than to the sodden and benighted
and stupefied and degraded minds of the barbarian he&hen.
Conservatively, the Apostle first sought the intelligent classes
of Asia Minor, and after having gone through various cities
(not attempting nor expecting to convert the people en
masse, but merely hoping, in harmony with the divine pro-
gram, to find a few, a little flock, and to establish these in
nrincinles of riahteousness and in the School of Christ. to
iearn ‘of him and to develop character, and to be prepared for
the future work of judgship and joint-heirship with Christ
in the kingdom)-the Apostle pressed on to find still others
who had “ears to hear.”
The declaration of the Scriptures is that he and his com-
pany purposed to go into Asia, but that under divine provi-
dence he seemed to be hindered from going there, and that
then God specially directed him in a dream, and sent him into
Europe with the message-sending him, not to barbarians, but
to the most enlightened and mosr cultured people of the then
civilized world. the neonle of Greece. (Acts 16:7-10) And
we remember that la&r &n the Lord sent the Apostle to Rome,
telling him in advance that this was his purpose, and seem-
ingly-in order to keep the Apostle in Rome he was sent there
a nrisoner. vet for three vears was wrmitted
, ”
to have full lib-
erty to preach Christ to “as many~ a$ had ears to hear. And
let us not forget a circumstance which occurred in connection
with the journey to Rome, when the Apostle was ship-
wrecked on the Island of ?Ilelita. (Acts 28:1-10) He found
there a people who, so far as we are able to judge, were on
the average- better prepared for the truth than the Chinese,
Malavs. etc.. and of these the record savs. “The barbarians
“,- , teaches that the present Gospel age is for the selection of
showed us no little kindness.” We migh”t ‘suppose that bar-
barians who were disposed to be kind and generous to people
who were ship-wrecked on their coast, would be a rather
more favorable class to approach with the gospel of Christ
than cannibals, to whom missionaries of today frequently go.
And yet what do we find as the result of the Apostle’s
stay in the midst of that people all that winter? Do we
read that he left several fiourishing little missions? Do we
read that he preached day and night unto the barbarians?
Not a word of it :no mention is made of the slightest effort
to reach them. The Apostle seemingly knew that they were
too degraded to have any ear to hear the Christian message,
[2691]
or to be called with the high calling which God during this
age is sending forth, to gather the bride for his Son. We
have every reason to believe that the Apostle made no effort
whatever to make known the Gospel of Christ to those
heathen people. Quite possibly while he was there forcibly
detained in their midst, and unable to reach those who would
have an ear to hear the good tidings, he may have attempted
to suggest to them certain moral reforms, or how to live more
comfortably, or something else that would come within the
range of their measure of intelligence. But apparently he
had no thought whatever that the Gosnel “High Calline” was
for such, and hence the Golden Rule, o’peratini in his IFfe and
governing his conduct, was limited accordingly-limited to act
in harmony with the divine revelation and the divine plan.
Why is it that the example of Jesus and his inspired apos-
tles is overlooked by so many of our dear Christian friends
today? Why is it that they use their Golden Rule without
respect to the divine plan and divine promise ? We answer,
It is because some of them are leanine to their own under-
standing, instead of seeking the divine Gord. and to be taught
of God; they think they know what ought to be done without
inquiring of God’s Word, and they are going about to do what
thev think should be done. rather than seeking to follow
heaven’s directions and Apostolic example. Many”of them, in-
deed, are not self-conceited to the extent of being careless re-
specting advice ; indeed, many of them are quite lacking in
thought on their own Dart, and onlv too willing and too anx-
ious”to take advice 02 others; bul they are “not sufficiently
careful where they get the advice.
They say to themselves, We belong to the Presbyterian
body: look at its millions; look at its education ; look at its
influence. Or, We belong to the Methodist body: look at its
numbers, influence, etc., etc. The same is true”of the others.
And then they ask, Is it possible that all these wise and
learned men should be mistaken? Do thev not all advocate
that we should thus go out to preach the gospel amongst the
heathen? Yes, we answer; this is a part of the delusion:
many of the great and worldly-wise have adopted a theory,
and are attempting to operate the Golden Rule whollv outside
of and in utter neglect‘ of the divine plan. Their ‘theory is
that God’s kingdom tis come. and thev noint to the civilized
nations of Europe and America as e&de&es and nroofs that
God’s kingdom -has come, and they say, What ‘all zealous
Christians should now do is to convert the Chinese nation, the
Japanese nation, India, and all the tribes of the earth. that
these also may become-Christian nations like those of~Europe
and America, and thus the whole world will become God’s
kingdom.
But we answer, This is false, utterlv false: the nations of
Europe and America are not God’s kinbdom, notwithstanding
the fact that they claim to be Christyan nations, and that
they put upon their coins that their monarchs reign by the
grace of God. They are all, at best and at most, “kingdoms
of this world,” under the control of Satan, “the prince of this
world.” (John 14:30) These are the kingdoms which at the
advent of Christ’s kingdom he declares shall be broken in
pieces as a potter’s vessel, as being utterly unfit for his serv-
ice, and utterly out of harmony with the principles of right-
eousness which will be established in his kingdom.-Rev. 2:26,
27; Dan. 2:45.
Alas! if these kingdoms of so-called Christendom be the
fulfillment of our dear Redeemer’s prayer which he taught us
as his disciples, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on
earth as it is done in heaven”-if we must accept these as
God’s kingdom, if we must think of their rule as being God’s
will done on earth as it is done in heaven-then some of us
are greatly disappointed, for we find that God’s will is very
little done on earth, and consequently heaven, if no better
than this, must be a pandenomium in comnarison to what we
L
had honed for.
~I ~~
-
But we are not mistaken; the Lord’s Word everywhere
the kingdom class, the saints, who by and by, in God’s due
time, shall be joint-heirs with Christ in his kingdom, and in-
heritors with him of the great promises made to-Father Abra-
ham, that this seed, Christ (head and bodv-Gal. 3 : 16. 291.
shall bless all the ‘families of the earth, “as God’s kingdo;
bringing in everlasting righteousness. Would to God that we
could assist to some-extent in opening the blinded eyes of
Christendom on this subiect: and vet we could not hone to
render any assistance to”the general mass of churchia&y,-
for it is the divine plan that not the “tares,” but only the
“wheat,” shall now understand.-Dan. 12: 10; 1 Thes. 5:3-5.
All we can hope for is that those who are the Lord’s true
(268 -269) ZION’S WATCH l-0 WEK

saints are not, and never have been, fully satisfied with the from Babylon’s bondage) they might be more fully united
position in which they are, and the work which they are do- with the Shepherd himself, and become co-workers together
ing: but renl]Pe a heart-hunger for somethmg better, more with God in his work, learning to exercise the Golden Rule
satisfactory, and more in harmony with the divine character in their own hearts, in their own lives, and to help others of
and PO\\ cr--that these n h:) have ears, and who have already the household of faith and the bride of Christ t,o do the same
heard to <nmc extent the true Gos~~cl, might now hear the true Wor are we to overlook the fact that while the present
ring of the ~Sbc~~hertl’s VOIW, :lnd thus be cnllcd away from Gospel meqsngc is for the highest types of men, it appeals spe-
Bnby!on ajjtl its confusion of error, Its jargon of contrndlc- cially to the middle class of these--the humble but intelli-
tion an.1 ln~InceIlty, lo the green pasturch and still waters of gent rather than the rich or great. “Even so, Father: for so
divine trntll-prcss”nt TVut,h---thn t ihus qcparated (delivered it seemed good in thy sight.“--l\lntt 11:25. 26.

VVATCHING AND ITS REWARD

Lc;I<E: 12 : 35.46.--sLS’T. 23.

I’ra?tlr IC gc,od, is 1s xh5olutely indi~~prnsable to Chris- reward-hc wou!d honor them by treating them as his friend>
tian lif(a It J11raii9. not onl>- d living faith, hut n Tzrowing and bring forth to them of the good things from his pantry
faith. ll\p~~r~cJJrr \\ ill prove that, neglect of either private He would indeed gird himself as a servant and serv:’ tllrer
prn!~si- (Jl.itt f;:(i) or prayer in the con;;rcgation of the faithful ones : and-for the master of the JIou\c to do thih
Lnrll’, ~x’!~flt. iAds 12:l’L: 1.14: 1G:lZ; 1 Cor. 11:4, 5; would imply the bringing forth of the very Iwqt that he IJO’
14: 19 i 1 i- sule to lead to leanncs+ of soul and lukewarm- +?SSWl. Hut in oigle,. to fnlfil tile c~ontlltlnn~ ,~vII Iw 11111~
nest. in W-IKY+ to spirltnnl thinns-urifaithfulne~s, coldness, acceptable to their mnster tllry mrjst he rcarly in \\hnt(*\er
tIea th ! in tide contr.lry, roJJJn~un~&J u it11 the Lord in prayer hour of the night he might come.
bring3 Inc~r~~:r<r~lVOJifitl~JJCC in the Lord’s supervision of our The parable, withoul question, refers to th(h second cons
aflail’ ~ncrcn-(~1 t,lJtlJ in all the euceeding great and precious ing of our Lord Jesu?. and points out to all of hi5 f?ithfn!
oronii~ei of hi, L! ortl : increnqed realization of his dealineu. servants tlie propel attitude of watchfulness :IJJ~ PI cl>nration
;ast Jntl ,ir~=d :Jt : Jni~Jt~)t-t~~l Invc~ f(,r all the b&hrPJJ of Chri;:t, to receive him at whatever time his se~nr! atlrcbnt shoulll
anrl inVl( a~11 solicitutlc for their welfare ant1 Spiritual prog- occur. It also indicates that it was tljp Lord’s g:clotl pk,~sJJrr
not lo reveal definitely and positively to his peolll(b when ttl
I expect his arrival, but” rather- that ail the D;II tl& n thjou~l~
to\! art1 Cod. the hrethiq- ai;tl all men. this niulrt-time wllicli we deqiznate the Gn4nrl a?C. anti Ivhich
c I I,
Our C:oltlc~ Tc\t s:Jp=eql s, hnivever. fhd, Jnure tljan prayinn must necessarily precctlc the morning of the ?Illllcnni;ll da),
is nece+nrv. I’r:lying tllilt does not fully represent the sent: they bhould be continually awake, alert, waiting for him
mentq of the hrdrt is apt kcry quickly to degenerate into a ready to receive him at any moment. They slJolll~l have t11c
mcrc fr,rm of \\ortls---tlrawin~ nigh to the, T,ord with the lips loins of their minds girt up and bc :Ict,i\v 111 thuugh1. 111
while liir llr:JJ t, is far frmil him,-prrk8p.L enwrapped in husi- word and in deed. in every matter kxltaininr to the AIasta’b
ne+3 or pleaqure or sin. Whoever. therefore, would make service, that they might be approved of hi;;l;--the* lamp of
prngrr=s in the +i,iJ itual way must not only pray with the the divine \T’ord. so necessarr to their enli~htrnmrnt. hhoulti
spirit, n1111 with fl~c LIII~CJ standing. hut he must also watch- bc with them, a&l well sup$iei \vith thc”oil of tiles hoi\
azainct thcx sinful tendencies of his own flesh-self-gratifica- . .
splrlt-and ncll trimmed, in the SCJIS~~ of ~i:htly (lividlng the
tion. Qelfl.llll~‘~s. also against the allur~~ments of the world word of truth, and seeking to nnder~tantl thrnll.gh it their
to\\nrO \o-r:~llc rl anridly plraqurcs, wo~.ldly ambitions, honor proper attitude of heart and contlurt, to bp pleaslng to their
amongst ,ncn. 11~ lore of n41.1nry. (ate.; alao against. the wiles Master.
I,f 1hP :lri\rl-,Ir\., \\v:ioc:r tlrrcitfnl :Jtt.ieli< usually cnme upon The parable is a very simple one, n~jcl could scnrccsly by
tllc T,nrtl’5 ~~*~plr as “an :~n~el of light”--to dpr*cive them into misapprehended by the class for whom all p‘~lables are ins
iorms an(i crr:~rrlr)ltic~s of Churehinnity, substituting before the tended--the consecrated church. Tllcse realize at once that
mind ?11r1 ::f?‘~v tim? SIJI*~ consccrntc~tl inteiitionq, human senti- the central thonght wit!] them, as the Lord’< wrnnts, mu-t
Jllrl1t- :lnf1 m~~tllotl~ .:nd \vo~kq and ol)jertive~, as instead of be such readiness of heart and mind and character as will 1)~
“111~ !ln:3p + l~i,~J $1 JJ. JJI the C+o~pel” (Col. 1 .23) and its pleasing to the Master when he shall rojne to gather hli
\,I! ioIl. , \IY~l’~lJ!lL’ L’!, I1 .IIII~ 1)~ c~~~i~)n3 1” 0misr5. 11v wl10~e In- “jewels,‘‘-his watching, faithful servants. This thoug!lf of
c"c'Jlt iv,’ tl~r’ IAJYC! IIXS chilled 11s to walk and to run, l~.y faith the return of the Lord, and of the hlessings which he has
.Intl IrrBt, 111 ~,I~ill, f81llowillg ~II th(, fnotstrp~ of nur Redeemer. promised to his faithful ones at that time, is the great incen-
0111 !,'.w,: 11scii clr:~I~ particularly with the watching; tive set before the called ones of this Gospel age. It is fol
Ill;! 111I:.lrft)nnv u itll t)lc Goldcr~ Test we know that all true the Master’s favor and the consrquent rsnlt~lxnn with 1111r,
ii ,I tt.itc.1 w Jllil\l :I ISI) 1~2 praypr~. and tljnt all fervent p:ayers to a share in his kingdom, then to he established, and a share
1, i!l :i’~ l),b w;Jicl~cr+. Pr;l\ er represents the faith ; watch- in the great work of blessin g the world of mnnkintl, then to
III;: I( I)r(‘~~‘JlJ+ rhe \vr)rL.-: whirl: n;ust nccoinpany il. so long he accomplished, th:lt al1 of the saints RIP srrking, watching
.I- l! i\ :: liviilz fsxilh: for. as the Anostle declaren. Pait,li praying, striving.
\Tell ha9 the Apnstlt~ nnid. “He t,llat h:JtlJ this ljope in hijjl
purifieth himhrlf even as he [the looked-for Alaster] is pure.”
It is this hope that Ipads the faithful selvnnts cnntinunllv
to the lamp of the divine Word, to trim it and to thereb;.
keep themselves thoroughly awake, quick of ear and quick
of eve in respect to any and every thing relating to the will
of the eupecM Master, and such conditions of heart-purlt)
and robes of riehteourncss as wnnld be plea+ and accept-
:Jl~le in his sight at his arrival.
Let all watchers fully appreciat.e this parable, and be on
guard against c~rery ensnarement of the adversary, and
against the stnlxf&g influence OF the world and its spirit.
I i f’i~w. in thca p2r;Jl)le. such srrvRnts are Jcprcccnted :Jq hnv- and against the selfishness and weaknesqes of his own flesh:
1~rr thl,ir IoiJJs FiJ t nhnut and their Iamnq bnrninrr hrirrhtlv. and let e:lch put on the gracrs of the spirit, and assist his fel-
‘1‘11~ c~jiqtorn
J.

of 0ricnl:ils at that time w:15 to wear Lng,‘ioos”c. low-servants in these preparations. that thus an entrance
Ilo\\ itI<?- roles. ‘I’hPsr. when they wtarc ic%ting, were loosened map be ministered to him into the everlasting kingdom of our
.tSI tllc giitllr i)iit when attentlinq to husineqs they were drnwn T,ord and Savior. Jesus Christ.-2 Pet. 1 :4-12.
c,ightl\ at the w,liLt \vJtlJ il girtll(b or belt, prevrrjtjjq them What great blindness and spiritual stupor respecting so
from ijitrrtc~rinp with proper service. Lamps, which vt-~e the simple a parahlr iq manifested by rn’xny who are regarded a$
I,lode of illnnJinntinJ~. were aI90 Jjrrcssary in the Jjiqht, and teachers in nominal Zion, in respect to this lesson! Note the
\hnJJl(! not he pcrmittcd to grow dim, but be trimmed as interpretation of it nflered hy one of the leading “Helps to
ncceqsitv rcquirctl. Sunday Srhnol teachers.” The writer evidently is not so
Ollr Lord points out that such faithful servanti would be blind a$ to fail to see that the parable relates in some man-
appreciated by their master, and that hr would give them a ner to the second coming of c)ur Lord; hut he is so blinded
[2692]
SEPTEMBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (269-270)

by misconceptions, false doctrines, etc., as to give the follow Is it any wonder that under such false teachings in high
ing as an explanation :- places, and the same teachings repeated with more or less of
“The cominps of the Lord are ever unexnected to us,-his ability throughout the length and breadth of Babylon-is it
coming-at dearh, his coming to judge the &orld, his cbming any wonder that my people are “perishing for lack of knowl-
in his kingdom, his coming in the harvest-times of men, his edge”? (Hos. 4:6) They have “hidden the key of knowl-
coming in the crises of our lives, his coming with opportuni- edge,” and not only fail to enter into the privileges and op-
ties and open doors, his coming with the power of the holy portunities of this Gospel age and its call, but them that
Spirit.” would enter in they hinder by their false teachings and mis-
This blind teacher thus believes in seven comings of Christ, representations, putting darkness for light, and light for dark-
additional to his first coming eighteen centuries ago. More ness.-Luke 11:52; 2 Pet. 2: 1; 3:3, 4; Amos. 8: 11; Matt.
than this, the words we quote signify that the writer believes 23: 13; Isa. 5:20.
that a coming of Christ occurs every time a death occurs (or Alas! that any whose eyes of understanding have been
possibly he limited this to the death of his saints; but other opened in any degree should be deluded into supposing t,hut
teachers of the same school of darkness, when preaching he can do God service by co-operating with Babylon in an)
funeral sermons, are accustomed to announce the Lord’s com- measure, sense or degree. Surely they are under the blinding
ing in the death, not only of saints, but of pretty nearly ev- and stupefying influence of the adversary when they do not
ervbodv) . This writer further claims a coming of Christ in
” Y
hear sharply and distinctly the Lord’s message to all of his
all the crises as well as in all the opportuni‘ties of human true people at this time, to come out of Babylon and be not
life. Hc evidently believes (may we not say, dreams?- partakers of her sins, her errors, her false teachings, and the
he surely is not awake, and surely his lamp is not crime implied in these, and on account of which severe scourg-
trimmed and burning, nor the loins of his mind girt about) ings are coming upon Babylon, and will fall with special
that there are millions of comings of Christ. Moreover, severity upon tnose who had known better, and who for anp
speaking (in his dreamr) as a mouthpiece of the *great ad- reason have refused to obey the voice of him that speaketh
versary. be speaks of the harvest-time of men-evidently to from heaven-our present Lord, King, Bridegroom.-Heb
direct attention awav from the Master’s explanation that the 12 :25-27 ; Rev. 18 :4.
harvec;t-time will be” “the end of this age,” in the which he Our Lord applied the parable in few words, saying, “Be
himself will be the great Chief Reaper, and will associate ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man cometh at an
with him his faithful servants in the work of gathering the honr that ve think not.” That is to say, wntchfulncqs for the
nhent, (his faithful) into his barn (the spiritual condition). great event of the King’s return would be absolutely indis-
--n17tt. 13.40. pensahle, and would constitute a mark or indication of those
Note another method of wresting the Scriptures, and of worthy to be called true servants or “brethren.” We are not
attracting the minds of the Lord’s people away from the great to make the mistake of supposing our Lord to mean, Watch
trnth evervwhere set forth in the Scrintures. and narticularly incessantly, for you will not know when I do come. This
enunciated. in this parable, viz., the se&d cdming bf our Lorh would be an absurdity. The central thought of the parable is
as Kin?. and the duty of all his faithful ones to be ready, that the faithful servants, awake and watching at the proper
expecting and joyously waiting for that event. This perver- time, will hear the knock, will recognize the Lord’s presence.
sion and wresting of the Scrintures is in the interest of tem- will open to him, in the sense of believing and accepting his
perance. and represents the Gatching as implying temperance presence, and will be rewarded by bim in the time of his pres-
work, thnq : “Not only those who are laboring and prqying ence by being supplied special knowledge respecting heavenly
for temperance reform, but the young people especially, things which would be “meat in due season” to their comfort
ahonld be wide awake and watchful in regard to temperance. and joy. All who are faithfully watching shall know when
They should watch the effect oi strong &ink upon- others. the event occurs, so surely as those who do not watch shall
They should watch its effect upon the communi$i’. They not know.
should he on their guard ag.ainst the smallest beginnings of The Apostle Paul speaks of this same great event and of
the halbit of using intoyicatmg liquors. They should watch the same class of watchers, designating them brethren: and
for opportnnities of helping on the cause of temperance by after evplaining that the second coming of our Lord would be
word and hy example, in public and in private.” upon the world as a thief and a snare, and that the world
IS it anv wonder we hear the Master prophesy respecting will not escape certain trouble and ovet throw of their sys-
the unfaithfulness amongst his professed people at this time, tems and politics, he explains that, on the contrary, “Ye
saying, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find the faith brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
on tlic earth?” The form of the question implies the answer. you as a thief”-you have yonr lamps trimmed and burning
No: he will not find the faith flourishing in the earth,-not As he further explains, the brethren worthy to know and to
prenominating. Other Scriptures, however, assure us that escape the troubles incidental to that time do not sleep, as do
at the time of his coming he will find a little flock of faith- others; tbeg are watchful; they are alert, and because thus
ful watchers-not many great, wise or learned, but chiefly alert they know of the BridTgroom’s arrival, of which the
“the poor of this world, rich in faith, heirs of the kingdom.” world knows not; and in the time of his presence these breth-
As for Babvlon in general, she is saying, with louder voice ren are fpd with special spiritual food, which the world knows
than cvcr, Have we not done! done! done! Are we not rich not of. The Master himself is sending forth, at the hands of
and increased in goods! Are we not compassing sea and land his servants, the needed meat in due season, thing? new and
to make nroselvtes! old for the strengthening of his household for this present
time of trial and for the perfectin, w of the saints for the work
But tie Maiter will say, Thou art poor and blind and mis-
of ministry, to which he ha9 called them.-1 Thess. 5: 1-6.
erable and naked. and knowest it not! (Rev. 3:17) Thv
collects, of which thou dost boast, are thev’not the ve& hoi- TO WHOM DOES THE PARABLE SPECIALLY APPLY?
beds”of infidelity, denying my Word-denying that my- work This was Peter’s question. He wondered whrthrr or not
was perfect in the bekinning, and that present condit’ions of the Lord meant that the specially chosen twelve apostles were
sin and degradation and death are the nenalties of violation these servants who must watch and wait for him at his srcond
of my righteous law; denying also the Value of my sacrifice coming, or whether the parable was of general application.
for dins, given that the heavenly Father might be just and and meant that everybody should watch. Ollr Lord did not
yet the justifier of him that be’lieveth in me; deny&g that answer this question directly, for to have done so would have
holy men of old spake and wrote as they were moved by the been contrary to the divine plan; to have answered dircctlr.
bolv spirit, and claiming a superior wisdom as “higher crit- to have shown that onr Lord was not coming in the cnriy
ICS,” by which they determine that myself and my chosen watrhes of the Gospel night, would thus have been in contra-
and Inspired apostles were ignorant and incompetent and diction of the very teaching of the parable, that he must br
drccxived whm we quoted the words of the prophets and ap- watched for all throngh the Goqprl night.
plied thenl: denying also my second coming, ‘to &ather my li’t- Evading this feature of Peter’s question our Lord em-
tle flock the churcll. to associate them with me in the kingdom braces the opportunity to give snme further instruction, and
promised through the prophets, which shortly shall bless all explains to Peter and to us all that at that time, “then,” i. e.,
the families of the earth; claiming, on the contrary, that all at the time of his return, his second advent, be wol11d look
things continue as they were from the beginning,-that a out and appoint a steward for the dispensing of spiritual
nrocess of evolution is in nroeress. and that no Redeemer. no food to the household of faith: and that a special I)lP<sing
redemption and no rest.it&.io’~ are necessary-some of them wonld he with that steward in thr event of his faithfulness.
going so far as to claim that no personal deity is necessary and that he would be removed from the stewardship in the
hut that what they call the laws of evolution are the creator, event of unfnithfulnesq. Faithfulness on the part of this
preserver and savior of the race. steward would imply larger and continued service in dispenq-
Ill-SO [ 26931
(271-275) ZION’S LVATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

ing the meat to the household of faith at that time. But un- shown in Matthew’s account of this parable (Matt. 24:45-51),
faithfulness on his part, and a disposition to tyrannize the there are “fellow-servants” whose duty and privilege it will
household, would be sure to result in his being cut off from be to co-operate with this steward in the dispensmg of the
further opportunities for serving the household, and lead to vrands, the feeding of the household of faith. The thought
his having a severe experience with the unbelievers in the time would seem to be that in the interest of the household and for
of trouble then to come upon the world. And altho it is not its comfort and joy and blessing the Master at an appropriate
,t-rtetl, it i3 fairly inferable that such an one bemg deposed time would furnish to some one of his servants a kev to the
from stewardship, another would take his place, subject to precious things of his Word, thus providing bo;ntifully
similar terms and conditions as to faithfulness. “things new and old” for the sustenance and iov of the house-
In certain senses of the word, and in ceriain respects, hold,-and minister these through numerous’ ?ellow-servants,
every child of God is a steward-a steward of his own tal- as well as through the one to whom the key of this steward-
ents; opportunities, privileges, abilities in the Lord’s service ; ship would be specially entrusted.
and each one is to recognize that his responsibilities as a In this connection we are to remember that every stew-
steward in these respects is toward the Master who gave him ardship brings with it weighty responsibilities, and while such
the talents, and who will require at his hands an account responsibilities are not to be shirked, neither are any of them
thereof-an increase by reason of proper use. We are not, to be undertaken lightly, without appreciating the fact that
therefore, to understand our Lord’s answer to Peter to imply every one who becomes a servant of the household of faith
that none of the household but the one are in any sense of the has thereby a larger degree of responsibility, not only toward
word regarded as stewards. Such an interpretation would the household, but toward the Master of the house, from
be in conflict with numerous Scriptures. We are to notice whom comes every commission. And every servant is to re-
that the stewardship mentioned is not a stewardship of talents member that unfaithfulness would surely lead to his removal,
and opportunities, but a stewardship of spiritual food merely. even as every manifestation of humble faithfulness on his
Neither does it imply that in the end of this age, and at part will endear him to the Master and to every faithful
the time of our Lord’s presence and the sending forth of meat member of the household, and imply his continuance in the
in due season that the special steward alone will have to do servrce until the Master shall say, “IVeIl done, good and faith-
with the dispensing of the food for the household, for, as ful servant; enter into the joys of thy Lord.”

REVIEW OF THIRD QUARTER

30.
SEPTEMBER

“Jle ye doers of the word, and nd hearers only, deceiving your OK% selves.“-James 1:22.
Kcvicws are frequently prolltable, and especially so when his favors upon his terms. All must hear eventuallv but
condlrctctl in the light of this Golden Text; with a view to comparatively few have the hearing ears at the present’ time.
notrng to what extent we have heard the voice of the Son of The prince of this world blinds the mind, closes and stupefies
>Ian, and to what extent we have been obedient to his mcs- the ear, or makes what may be heard of no effect through
sages. To f.lncy orlrselves as making spiritual progress mere- traditions of men, or through hardness and selfishness of the
ly by gaining information respecting the Lord, his miracles, hearer’s own heart. Blessed are our eyes if, seeing and hear-
his teachings, etc., is to get the nut and crack it and drop ing of the Lord’s grace and goodness toward us and toward
the kernel, tlrr thing of real value all of his creatures, we at once fall into obedience to the
It is in harmony with this thought that our Lord de- spirit of the great Teacher’s instructions. In so doing we
claretl, “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of Man, and will have passed from death unto life-gradually, until, under
thev that hear shall live.” The dead arc the entire human the ministry of the great Prophet, as sharers in the first
f:lmil;r, all of whom must hear the voice, the teaching of this resurrection, we shall be perfected and possess life in perfec-
great Prophet, whom the Father has sent, not only to redeem, tron, yea, life more abundantly-immortality-the tllvine
but IIISO restore so many of the human family as will accept nature.

VOL. xx-i ALLEGHENY, PA., SEPTEMBER 15, 1900 No. %

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

[The following, author unknown, came from India, from a Christian Missionary. It is excellent.]
WHAT IS THE END OF LIFE? of God. It may be to work or tc wart; to stand fast or to lay
The end of life is not to do good, although SO many of us still. ‘Tis he, our blessed Lord, who will keep us in his will,
think so. It is not to win souls-although I once thought so. if our eyes are fixed on him.
The end of 2tfe is-to do the till of God. That may be the How can you build up a life on that principle? Let me
line of doing good or winning souls or it may not. For the give you an outline of a little Bible reading:-
individual, the answer to the question, “What is the md of The definition of an ideal life:
my life?” is “To do the will of God, whatever that may be.” Acts 13:22-“A man after mine own heart, which shall
Spur-peon replied to an invitation to preach to an excep- fulfil all my will.”
tionnlly large audience, “I have no ambition to preach to The object of life:
~O,OOOpeople, but to do the will of God”-and he declined. Heb. 10:7--“I come to do thy till, 0 God.”
If we could bane no ambitaon past the will of God, our The first thing you need after life, is food:
lives would be successful. If we could say, “I have no ambi- John 4 : 34--” hfy meat i8 to do the will of him that
tion to go to the heathen; I have no ambition to win souls; sent me.”
my ambition is to do the will of God, whatever that may be,” The next thing you need after food is society:
that would make all lives equally great or equally small, Mark 3 :35--” Whosoever shall do the coil1 of my Father
because the only great thing in a life is what of God’s will in heaven, the same is my brother, a& sister, and mother.”
there is in it. The maximum achievement of any man’s life, You want education:
after it is all over, 1s to have done the will of God. Psa. 143:10-“Teach me to do thy will, 0 my God.”
No man or woman can have done any more with a life- You want pleasure:
no Luther, no Spurgeon, no Wesley, no Melanchthon can have Psa. 40: 8-“{ delight to do thy will, 0 my God.” A whole
done any more with their lives; and a dairymaid or a scav- life can be built up on that vertebral column, and then, when
enger can do as much. all is over,
Therefore, the supreme principle upon which we have to I John 2: 17-“ He that doeth the will of God abideth
run our lives is to adhere, through good report and ill, through forever.”
temptation and prosperity and adversity, to the will of God, THE SPREAD OF MOHABDKEDANISM
wherever ihat may lead us. It may take you to China, or If reports are to be believed Mohammedanism is spreading
you who are going to Africa may have to stay where you are; in Asia and Africa much more rapidly than is Christianity.
you who are going to be an evangelist may have to go into This is credited to three reasons. (1) Its simplicity of dot-
business ; and you who are going into business may have to trine, which makes it commendable to persons of low intel-
become an evangelist. But there is no happiness or success lectual capacity-Believe in Mohammed and obey his simple
in any life till that principle is taken possession of. And the law and have an eternity of sensuous bliss. (2) Its permia.
highest service is first, moment by moment, to be in the will sion of polygamy, common throughout those countries. (3)
[ 26941
SEPTEMBER 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (276-277)

Its uniform requirement of total abstinence from intoxicants. “The news of the official encouragement given to the Mo-
Recognizing the fact that Christianity makes few proselytes hammedan religion and the culture of its saered language,
from Mohammedanism, and that the latter is growing rapldly Bra blc, will in a very short time spread from the Atlantic to
in numbers and influence. the Britich Government has of late the Red Sea, and the wisdom of the policy that dictated it
years been attempting to gain the confidence and support of will be justified bv the resulting spread of British influence
her Mohammedan subjec+s. whnse number is estimated at one among the Moslem” populations Lf hjorth Africa. In all prob-
hundred and fiftv millions--fifty mlllzons more than all nbilitv it will lead to a corresnondinp rivalrv on the Dart of
denomznakons of ‘Protestant C%r&tians in the whole world. the I&ench, whose hold- on the’ Arab; of Al&eria is nine tot
Doubtless this change of attitude toward the very religion strong, owing to mistakes in policy and the want of character
against which all the Crusades of medieval times were waged, of many of those appointed to office.
though due to polltical policy, is barked by the changed re- “The next century no doubt has many surprises in store;
lieious sentiment of our dav;-which under the lead of the but whatever they may be, not the least strange will be the
hygher critics has declared,: ’ spectacle of the two Western nations that led in the crusades
“The hope of the rare lies in a deeper study of the great, promoting, for political and territorial reasons, the creed they
insnired writers of the past, such as Shakespeare, Homer. then tried to crush.”
DaLte and a few others, Ghose works have charmed the minds However peculiar all this mav appear from the standpoint
of people of culture. The Bible, also, though a little out-of- of nominuZ “Christendom ” it is” perfectly clear to all 01 the
date, has been recognized, in the past, as a work of inspira- “roval nriesthood.” We’ see the falla& of the claim that
tion. and you may find it helpful to include it in your course Eu;opein kingdoms are Christ’s kingdo&-that the Word of
of reading.” God never did recognize them as anything but “kingdoms of
General sentiment, therefore, resolves itself into this,- this world” ruled by “the prince of this world.” We see that
Since our wise men tell us that the Bible is unreliable, and the nominal churches are not the one true Church of “saints,”
that the death of Christ Jesus no more redeemed the world whose names are written in heaven. We see that the Crusades,
than did the death of other reformers; and since they tell US Inquisitions, and all similar attacks upon human beings and
that future happiness depends upon the cultivation of our th&r moral and religious liberties were never authorized by
mental and moral qualities, and that Shakespeare’s and other the Lord: but were whollv contrarv to his Word and spirit.
writings are quite as good or better than the Bible for such We see that it is perfectli proper &d con&tent for w&ldly
callltnrr. how do we know but that the RIohammedan’s Bible- people and governments (English, French, German or what
the Koran-is as good or better than our own, and they as not) to favor any system or all systems of education and
right as we or more so? Therefore let us not any longer say religion that will in any degree counteract vice and im-
with the Bible that there is no other name than that of Jesus morality, and preserve peace. -
given under heaven or among men whereby we must be saved; ‘True, we who have had the eyes of our understanding
but let us say, Get morality and education in the name of opened to see matters cZearZy from ihe Bible standpoint could
Mohammed or Jesus or Confucius or whomsoever you please. do nothing against the truth and in favor of error-nothing to
Such would be the logical outcome of such teachings; and foster and encourage the error or even to apparently bid it
thereby we are reminded of our Lord’s words respecting these Godspeed. But we are not in official posit&s where such
times-“When the Son of Man cometh shall he find the faith auestions could come to us: because we are “not of this world”
on the earth?“-Luke 18:s. &en as our Redeemer was not (John 17: 16)) therefore the
world disrespects us (John 17:14j, and offers us no places of
WHAT GREAT BRITAIN IS DOING FOR MOHAMMEDANISM
nublic influence. Fidelitv to our Lord’s principles thus saves
Shortly atter the capture of Khartoum by General Lord 6is faithful from perplex:ties : they have hied io worldly poli-
Kitchener. and at his instance, a Mohammedan college was tics and its aims and duties and methods, and have been
founded, known as Gordon College, and more recently another “translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son,” and are thus
Mohammedan school was founded at Sierra Leone, on the west members of the “holy gation” which has not. yet come into
roast of Afrira Thiq latter institution was opened with con- Dower and ruling authoritv-waiting for their ‘Kina to exalt
siderable ceremony under the auspices of the acting-governor, I Y
or set them up ii power and great glory at the timgwhen his
Malnr Nathan, and of it the New York Sun says editorially:- kingdom shall be revealed to the world as the supplanter of all
“The ceremony began with a prayer in Arabic offered up kingdoms of this world.
by the Imaum of the mosque, Alfa Omaru, who afterward
gave a short account of the efforts to promote education made METHODISM AND HIGHER CRITICISM
by the Sierra Leone Moslems. He referred to the years 1839 “The ‘heresy’ case of Professor Mitchell (see The Literary
and 1811, when the Mohammedan religion was considered as a Digest, January 27), has been effectively disposed of for, at
danger to the colony, when Moslems were persecuted and their least, some years to come. By the recent General Conference
mosaues pulled down bv excited mobs. Thanks, however, to
I 1
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chicago it was referred
an enlightened policy, batters were set right, and for more to the bishops, who, apparently finding it as embarrassing a
than fiftv vears the Moslems have enioved full toleration and subvert to handle as did the Conference, referred the matter
the prot&t’ion of the British Govern&&t. In 18’72 the festi- of Dr. Mitchell’s retention to the trustees of Boston Univer-
val of the Lesser Bairam had been attended by the governor, sitv. bv making him eligible to re-election for five vears-
Sir John Pope Hennessy, with a military escort, and in 1879 until, donvenie&y, after ihe next meeting of the Gcner”a1 Con-
another governor, Sir Samuel Rowe, had entertained seven ference. The fact that the trustees of one of the leading
hundred Moslems at Government House on the occasion of the Ttlethodist theological seminaries have now unanimously re-
Bairam Festival of that year. In 1891 Governor Hay handed elected Dr. Mitchell, ~110 is one of the most prominent Ameri-
o\er a fine property with commodious buildings to the Moslem can exponents of the higher criticism, and has been accused
communitv for educational nurposes, accompanied bv a grant of deviating widely from the traditional view as to the author-
for the pjyment of the teachers. These successive e;ents-were ship of certain Old Testament books, is regarded as an event
imnortaflt enochs in the historv of Islamism in West Africa. of significance. The largest Protestant denomination in. Amer-
ani the Imkum looked forward to the day when the present ica thus tacitly votes to retain an upholder of the tigher
elementary school would become the stepping-stone to a col- criticism as official instructor of her young clerics.“--lzterary
lege.” Digest.
In his reply Major Nathan cited examples of Moham- PRESBYTERIANS BEING SIFTED
medans occupying official positions in Indian and in Egypt, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church recently
and added that,- in session in St. Louis. in renlv to nvert,ures for a revision of
“He wished .them to perfect themselves in Arabic in order its Westminster Confession 0% ‘Faith, rlaferred the matter to a
that thev might know what real Mohammedanism is. When committee, whose business it shall be to learn the opinion of
they unders&d the Koran, he said, they would see that their the local Presbyters and to report to the Assembly of 1901.
religion was one telling them how to live, and not a religion The Presbyterian weekly journals give the best clue to the
of charms and gewgaws. Knowing English, they would have results, for they are generally under the care of the leaders
the literature and wisdom of the white man open to them: amongst the ministry, who generally “try to be on the winning
and with Arabic, they would be able to read not only the side.”
Koran, but the ‘Makamat’ of El Hariri, known already to From the trend of comments by these journals (The Zn-
some of them, and the ‘Alif Lailat wa Lallah,’ the translation terior and The Herald and Presbyter alone seem to urge re-
of which English people read with pleasure. In concluding, vision) we opine that the Confession will probably not be
Major Nathan urged them not to rest content until they had revised but reaffirmed. The result of this course would be to
in Sierra Leone a Moslem college whence wisdom and knowl- sift out the honest but deluded souls in pulpit and pew who
edge might go forth over the whole of West Africa.” for years have burdened their consciences (and in many in-
The Sun believes that the importance of the incident can stances hardened them) with slander against the divine char-
hardly be overestimated. It aays:- acter and deceit toward all mankind in professing the West-
[2696]
(278-279) ZION’S Wi4TCH TOWER 41 I CGtcENY. ft.

minster Confession. These have for years consoled themselves policy’s sake. The policy, as already suggested, is worldly-
with the thought that (1) the Confession is a dead letter any- wise and will serve to keep together a little longer one of the
wav, whirh todav nobodv believes, and (2) that it would soon most respected of the human oreanizations falselv stvled
be “chanped. “per’haps nekt year,-and rni conscience can stand churches;- but the end of all such is-not far distant, a’s cle&
the strain that much loneer.” If now that Confession is shown in God’s Word and nointed out in MILLENNIAL DAWN..~
reaffirmed bv the denominition these will be thereby forced VOL. III., Chaps. 4 to 7, and VOL. IV., Chaps. 11 to 13.
out to maintain even a vestige of peace with God and a good The follo,ving is the referred to-
cons&ace toward God and man. The nitv IS that their con- EXTRACT FROM THE WESTMINSTER UONFESSION OF FAITH
sciences are not more tender and their* hearts more loyal to “By the decree of God. for the manifestation of His elorv,
God and his truth that they should act more promptly. some inen and angels are predestinated unto everlasting li&
“Thp rhildren of this world [the “tares”] are wiser in their and others foreordained to everlasting death. These angels
generation than the children of light [the “wheat”],” said Our and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly
Lord. And so in this caqe undoubtedlv the reaffirmine of the
Westminster Confession is the wisest course so far”as the and unchangeably designed ; and their number is’ so certaih
preservation of the “tare” organization is concerned. For and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished
though. as above sueeested, this will drive out some of the “Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life. God,
most’ conccientious, it’will be found that they all told are but before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his
few. On the other hand were the Confession revised or repudi- eternal and immutable purpose and the secret counsel and
ated it would mean to the rank and file of Presbyterianism. good pleasure of His will, bath chosen in Christ unto eveI
‘We have lost our pods! We have admitted that we were all lasting glory, out of His mere free grace and lore, without
wrong in respect to our faith-blind men who for centuries any foresiaht of faith or aood works or verscverance in eithm
have attempted to lead the confessedly blind world into truth. of -t&m., & an$ *other th&g in the creaiure, as conditions or
and now confeqs ourselves bewildered, yea totally blind as causes moving Him thereto; and all to the praise of HiS
respects the divine plan I” Every Presbyterian would feel .,alorious grace.
aba<hPd at such a confession, and hence it is that such a “As dod hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hat11 He,
revision of creed is improbable: and if it were seen to be hv the eternal and free nurnoqe of His will. foreordainrd all
inevitahlp many would transfer their “good names” and titles tht means theleunto. i$her’efore thev who are elected. being
to other dpnohinatinna before the funeral. fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually call&d
unto faith in Christ bv his Snirit workine in due season: are
“THE PRESBYTERIAN” ARGUES AGAINST REVISION THUS,- justified, adopted, sanctified. \nd kept by-His power thr&gh
“‘l’no mucah 11~~ been said recrntly to weaken the force of faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by
our doctrinal statements. ITany who never thought of railing Christ, efectuully called, justified, adopted, sanctified and
them in question are wondering what they reallv t,each.” saved, but THE EXECT ONLY.
The pcaople would have little difficulty In deciding the mean- “The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to thr
lnc of that very explicit ond carcfullv worded “Westminster unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth
Confrcqion.” were it not that the theologians having told or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his
them. “Thrse be thy gods, 0 Presbyterians!” are fearful that sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by and to ordain
the pews (more honest than the pulpits) shall diqrnver how them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his
tcrrihlv hnmelv, vea. devilish, are these rrnds which fhev have* glorious justice.”
RO lo& wornhipied and served. DEFECTIVE EDUCATION OF MINISTERS
Continuing. The Presbyterian says, “Others who regard the
false ronstrurtions put on them as the work of adversaries. Rev. D. S. Grezorv. D. D.. savs:-
now find that even ‘Presbyterian ministers are declaring them “In a ministerial” body df $ay seven thousand there arc
legitimate inferenres. Damage is being done by the outeivings perhaps several thousands of us that nobody will hear preach:
of radirnl revisionists. The rhurrh is suffering, and will con- many more that are heard bv eood neople under stress of duty:_ ,
tinue to suffer in name and in accomplishment, with years and “comparatively few that”aye heard-gladly. . . .
of rcviqinn agitation. Her interests would be far more ad- “The psvcholozv of the average educator is fundamentally
vanced. in our judgment, by standing by the old standards of defective,-aid heGo his pcdagogi‘cs must be fatally false. Hh
faith nnd by the& reaffirmation by Our Presbyteries and recognizes the existence of a cognitzve faculty, the power of
Cfcneml Assrmbly.” acquiring the simple elements or raw materials, so to speak, of
Whnt does this lanpunge mean in plain English? Is not knowledge. in perreption external and internal; of a conserca-
the fotlowinn construrtion a reasonable one? tive faculty, or memory, the power of keeping knowledge so
For a long time now our ministers and religious editors acquired for future use: of a comparative facultzl, the power
have nrrsented a. solid front to the world. and -bv claimine of *thought for working. up the kriowledge -acqui;ed and con-
that ilark in tlib creed is white they have’ succeeded in con”- served into ronrentions. iudements. and reasonings. But iust
vinrine Preshytcrinns, at least, that the black parts are at there his psycho&y of the &elle& strikes a dea’d wall w&h
very most not darker than prey or mist and fog color. But it seems $owerles<b pass. He fails to recognize the existence
now this diqrusqinn is in danpcr of disillusionizing the people. of the sunreme intellectual facultv.“, to whirh-all the others are
Alrendv it is giving uq grrat trouble and is likely to cause merely sibordinates and for which alone thev exist-the con-
more clisturhance and dissntisfartion, not only with our Diana, struciive OT systemidng faculty. He does not And it in his
but alqn toward us, the well-paid and honored shrine-makers text-books; it has been practically ignored in educational aim2
and scxrvers. We arc not thinking about the truth and its and methods. . ”
berrirc. nor ahout the intrrests of the true church. whose This is too highflown language for the majority of readers;
name9 :IIC written in heaven; we are merely considering the we give its sense in few words thus,-The ‘average minister
tntereqts of our sert. the Presbvtrrian church. and how these learns at college to collect certain facts and theories. and to
mattrrs will affect ller intcbrcsti and worldly prosperity. We memorize them; but he never learns how to system& what he
feel prnxokrd that Prcshyterian ministers who have stifled has learned.
their c*onccic~nc~csfor vcars should be so weak. so mlsillanimous. We reply that this is true; nevertheless, it is the bulwark
1s now to chow the’white feather and confess that they and of Churrhianitv: for had honest ministers or lavmen at-
\V(’ 211 IlRW for yrnrs been hoodwinking and deceiving the tempted to sys&&ze their theology (the errors so largely pre-
Lnrci’s flncak who Cave us liberatlv of their golden fleece to dominating) they would have found long ago that all their
Irad thrhm into pasturcq of truth. ’ As for us, ‘we are commit- theories are as irrational as they are unscriptural. No
~1 to thp nrnsnrritv of Preshvterianism-all of our name and theology but the old theolo,q of the Bible-the divine nlan of
title :1nr1 &rtl;lv l;npcs are attarhrd to it, and hence, false the a&s--ran be system&&; and it is system and pl’an ant1
t,hcm~h the Confkssinn 1,~ to every instinct of justice and love, order and heautv throughout, and thus bears the imnressions
I
we mu+ stick to itsink or swim, live or die. survive or of its divine A&hor. eJihovah.
perich 1 EPISCOPAL HIGH CHURCH PERFORMANCES
Dors the foregoing seem to be an uncharitable paraphrase l’he Christia.n Commonwealth (London) desrrihes a mact
of the Pr~shyterian’s position ? Let those who so think read recently performed in St. Michael’s Church, London, as fol
rarrfrllly the following extrart from the Confession and de- lows:-
cide thrn whether anything brttcr or nobler than poliry leads “The mass ‘for the repose of the soul’ of the deceased wa&
it to rlpfrnd and call for a reaffirmation of those sentiments celebrated, and at the funeral service in the church all the
of a rlnrker period. We have too murh respect for the Pres- accessories of Vatican mummery were ohserred. Each of the
hvt&nr*‘p hrlins to suppose that it does not comprehend the congregation of ten received a little candle. whirh was lighted
Ian~ll~~~P and too murh rrspeot for its heart to suppose that before‘the Gospel was read, and blown out after the reacding.
it at &art endorses the presentation as true and just: hence The peonle’s candles were rekindled at the San&us. after
we can only conclude that it< advocacy is insincere and for incense-birning. After mass the celebrant left the chair, and
[2696]
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (279-280)

at the sedilia changed his chasuble for a black cope with yel- If our dear friends who profess to believe such blas-
lou orphreys and then headed a precession with a crucifix. phemous things respecting our Heavenly Father’s plan would
The ca‘tafaique was sprinkled with hole water, and tensed, come out honestly and state their views thus plainly we
while petitions were mumbled for the soul of the deceased. should be glad of it. It would be a great service to the truth.
After t&e clergy were gone the people were invited-to asperse It would act upon many as an emetic, and help them to get
the catafalque with the holy water.” rid of the unhea1th.y mass of error which now sickens them
CALAMITIES-WHY PERMITTED and hinders their appetite for the true heavenly manna of the
The inundation uf the city of Galveston, Texas, accom- divine Word. which then would be to all the Lord’s true
panied by great loss of life and property, has shocked the people
_ _ “sweeter than honey.”
world. And no wonder; it was surely a great calamity that Tract No. 2, of the ‘0~d Theology” series, treats this sub-
five thousand human beings should so suddenly be swept into iert of “Calamities and Whv God Permits Them.” We recom-
death-the grave. Yet the real horror, affecting many minds &end its liberal circulatioh at times like this when preat
1x1connection with this matter, is never even hinted ai in the calamities awaken thoughts respecting divine providenccsy etc.
great headlines of the daily Dress announcements. What a And we might here remark that we will not be surmised if
g’hotk it would give if the& papers were edited in so-called the next fif&en years shall witness an increasingly la&e num-
orthodox style, thus :- ber of calamities. To our understanding there are physical
JESUS CAME TO 5,000 GALVESTON PEOPLE. changes necessary to the full introduction of nlillennial condi-
OF THE HUMRER IIE FOUND ONLY ABOUT 100 SAINTS FIT FOR tions : these will probably come about gradually, and inci-
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. dentally cause great trouble and losses. These we understand
THE REMAINDER, 4,900, are so timed as to form a part of the great time of trouhle
1IE I%ANISHKD TO ETERNAL HOPELESS AGONY IN TORMENT, with which our age is to end, which, however, the T,ord designs
PREPARED FOR THPM, shall prepare man as well as the earth for further. fnture
ACCORDING TO HIS kOREI<NOWLEDGE AND blessings. “When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in
LOVING DESIc’.N. the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteous-
RKFORE THF FOUNDATTON OF THE WORLD. ness.”

“ZION’S GLAD SONGS”

Our dear Brother McPhail, who has quite a talent for short, common, and peculiar meters. These are inserted in
music, has collected a number of new and beautiful hymns,- the interest of our repular hymn book, “Poems and Hymns of
the music to the majority beinn his own composition. Thpse. Dawn,” the tunes of the remainder being cop,vriphted.
fifty-four in number, are well printed, and appropriately It is not at all the thoupht that the new book will sup-
bound in paper covers,-price 10 cents each, or $1 per dozen, plant the old one: for many of the grand old hymns cannot
postnqe frw. be equaled by any new onrs. either in word% or tunes. The
This little book, entitled “Zion’s Glad Song.s,” has another thought is to make it snpplrmcntary. As such we retwmmend
feature which we are sure will he appreciated by many, viz., it to you all. Our first edition of 6,000 is now ready and
t,he addition of the music for twenty-eight old tunes, long. orders will bc filled as received.

THE VOLUNTEER WORK

This branch of the service has lagged a little during the ing out-endeavoring to serve nearby towns. This is com-
hot weathrr, because of small attendance at church srr;ireg. m&dable. Every faithful soldier of “the cross is sure to re-
Now that cooler weather has come we expert that it will ceive blessings both now and hereafter from “the Captain of
revive. Some who have finished their own cities are branch- our salvation.” Let us be faithful.

THE DALLAS, TEXAS, CONVENTION

-SEPT. 29, 30 & OCT. I.-

We do not expect many from outside the State of Texas “\T’OODMEN’S HALT,” has been secured for the uqe of the
at this Convention; for the sperial excursion rates are re- Convention. It is centrallv located at No. 34!1 Main Street.
atrictrd to near-hy territory. Oklahoma, Indian Territory, It is an easy walk from ail drpnts. but those who desire can
Arkansas and L&is&a we believe participate. in whole or use elertric rar direct from the depots to the hall.
in part. As Texas is a very large *state kre endeavored to A RFCEPTION COMMTTTEE will RO far as possible meet all
arrance for two Conventions. but could not obtain the excur- who arrive on the morning of Sept. 29th; but any failing to
sion rites except for Dallas.’ be recognized near the Ladies’ Waiting Room door can rradilp
Our Convention will take advantage of the cheap rates of find Woodmen’s Hall as above and should proceed there at
fare granted on account of the “Dallas Fair,” and sueb once.
tickets should be called for. If you desire to attend, inquire We hope for a good attendance and warrant a warm we1
of your tirket agent at once for rates. train time, etr., and as come and a rich blessing to all true soldiers of the cross; and
soon as possible let us know on whirh road and train you to those sprkinp to find and put on the whole armnr of God
expert to-arrive; and how many will be of your party, males Come, intent upon doinp yood unto all--rsperially to the
and females; if colored, mention it. State i’f you desire room honsehnld of faith, as ~~11 as praying a blessing upon your
and board at one dollar per day. Those who rannnt afford self, and you surelv will not go nn’ay cmptv.
even this moderate expense will please sag so, and some com- Arrangements fnr wntrr hnptism will be romplptr. r&c>
fortahle arrangement will be made for t,bem also. towels, etc. Yes, “Bro. Russell” will attend

THE CHRISTIAN’S COURSE DELINEATED

David, the Prophet. in the first Psalm, has significantly etc., ran hr meant hv the wit krd. for such. yeiicrally at least.
marked out th(B proper ChristIan course and its blessings and are d~lndrd and “hinded by tbc rnd of tblq world ” $0 tb;lt
outrnnir. In the first VPITP he clrqirm?tes thrrc rl:1ss(‘s from tlirp have never sepn the trllr (:n=prl liplIt; and not srrliiz it
whom the Lord’s people should stand aloof-three classes with they hxve not had snrh r~s~mnsibllitic~~ in ronl?ec*tinn wit11 it
whom if thrg have fellowship, it will hp to their tl(trim~Xnt. as would propcbrly brand Ibern 9s wic+rd from tlir cllvine
(1) The ungodly. or mnre properly. the wirkcd (maroin. standpoint. The “wi~~kcd” are to hr lnoltrd for in the rhnrc~h.
Lerser, Tonng). (2) Sinners. (3) Thp scornful. “J3lrssrd is and in barmnny with lhis tlioiirrht is our J,nrd’s narahle
the mnn who walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor wbirh, rc,ferrinp to lhc rhurc~l, and the tnlentc bc~tnwrd upnn
standrth in the wav of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the its mpmberq, dPc,larrs rrspcrting tlie one’ Lvl10 rerci\ed the
ccornfill “-Psll. 1 : 1. tnlrnt of the Lord hut fgilrd to USP it-“Tlmu wicked iIr]d
Annlvinrr this Psalm nrnnhetirxllv. it is moper that we slntbful sprvilnt.” Thr “wic~ked” of this nqr wol~ld stem to be
;hnnl>’ dptermine whqt cl&& of pe&nns a& meant hy the those who harp enioyed tbr linbt of divinr farnr. who ~I:IVP
wicked, the sinner? and the scorn.ful. We Snnpest that under come to a knnwled_ne of the truth. bren made partakers of the
the terms of the present Gospel ape. not murderers and thieves, holy spirit, etc., and uho then, despite all these favors and
[2697]
(281-282) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECH~W. Pa.
blessings, and despite their covenant with the Lord to be his violators even. To stand with them might imply to treat
servants and to lay down their lives in his serv.me, neglect the them as companions, to enter into their plans and schemes;
same and surely all who would thus do would be likely to become
The Apostle also points out a certain class in the church partakers of their spirit, and to become careless of their
as wicked: saying of &em that if they fall away “it IS impos- consecration vows, and overcharged with earthly cares and
sible to renew them again unto renentance” (Heb. 6 :6). “for ambitions.
it had bern better for” them that ihey had never known the The “scorners” are designated as a still different class,
way of rlghteou~ne~s. than that having known it they should and might possibly represent some not of the church, but pos-
turn from the holy commandment.” (2 Pet. 2 :21) The same sessing-more or less knowledge of holy things and .rcjeciing
class is again described as those who sin wilfully after re- them, speaking of them lientlv and scornfullv. The Lord’s
ceiving a knowledge of the truth, and for whom, consequently, people are no; to be intima& associated with such, nor
no further siulrc in the sacrifice for sins remains; and conse- make them their companions and friends. They cannot. have
quentlp no hope for them in the coming age. (Heb. 10:26) In fellowship with such without receivine a inlurv. Y “I hence. so far
a word, then, -the wicked rlass of the preient age would seem, as possible the Christian is to avoid this class, in busmess
from the Lord’3 standnoint. to Lc those in the church nominal partnerships. in society, and especially in marriage. No one
who have received clear light and knowledge respecting the who could speak lmhtlv or scornfullv of our Heavenlv Father
dirme plan, and who have either sinned wilfully bv turning or of our Lord Je& ‘or of the exceeding great and”precious
away from a life of righteou\neis to a life of intentional sin, things set before the Lord’s people in his promises, could be
or thohc who icpudmtc the precious blood of Christ and the other than a hindrance to those who are seeking to gam the
atonement made for them by the same, counting the blood of prize of our high calling. He therefore who would be blessed
the covenant wherewith they were sanctified a common or of the Lord. and who would attain that for which he was
ordinary thing. “called,” should take heed to the instructions and avoid the
If then we have found a class denominated “the wicked,” scornful.
1c.t II* con-:tlrr \\hnt can be meant bv the iniunction that the This does not signify, however, as the Apostle points out,
1111x-4 of tllr Lord should not walk in the”counse1 of these that we are to have no dealings in the world wltb anv but
\v ic,hetl on(~~--il~ol~ld not follow their guidance. their suzaes- m.3 saints, for, as he tells us, in that event we would needs go out
tlonc, their instructions, their leading. ” of the world (1 Cor. 6:lO) ; but it does implv a recoynltion
Elelv m.ln and ererv woman has more or less of an influ- of the principle that evil is contagious, and that thecLord’e
ence wh;ch attracts o&r3 to walk in his way. And all who people cannot be too careful to avoid every contact with evil.
repudiate the ransom, all who denv original sin and its sen- They should separate themselves to the Lord, to holiness, and
tehce of death. and the nccessitv for our” redemption from sin seek to place themselves under influences in harmony with
and death.-all who thus denv’the foundation of the_ Gosoel. their holy and true and pure aspirations, begotten by the
the “wicked” above drscribed,d seem to make it their spe&al holy Spirit.
business to endeavor to seduce the minds of others-to lead The Prophet implies that those who have fellowship with
others astray by their evil counsel. If they cannot secure the scornful and with covenant-breakers and with the wicked
prompt attention, thcv invariablv suggest.-Walk with us who denv the precious blood of the covenant, cannot be blessed
awhlie, keep our company, and Uaee whether you will not of the Lord, because they are in a wrong attitude of heart;
groduolly come to bclrece k.s we do, that we tce;e not bought for, as his words imply, those who are in the iigbt attitude
mth a, prme, even the prcrious blood of Christ-that man of heart to be blessed of the Lord can readilv find something
needed not to’ be bouglrt; -that hr did not fall from perfection; much better, much more interesting, much “more profitable,
that he was not sold under sin by our first parents; and, than fellowship with any of these classes; “Their delight is
hence, that hr needed not a redemption in any sense of the in the Law of the Lord, and they meditate in his Law by day
word, and therefore the Scriptures are false and misleading in and by night.”
making this the centre and pith of the Gosnel. This does not imply a reading over of tlw Ten Cominand-
Their false suggestion i3&that our only need was a good merits, nor of the Mosaic ritual, but to the Christian it implies
and holy tscrmple. They are blind to the fact that all through a delight in the law of righteousness, which law is briefly
the past there were many noble esamples. and that there are comprehended in the word “love.” The right-minded Christian
many todav. far lwyon~l the ability of the average natural who is in the line of heavenly hlessinp now, and of heavenly
man to follow. and that we needed something decidedly more glory by and by, has found and will -continually find in the
ln~lpful and efhcacmu3 than an example. They seem blind to great law of love something well worthy of his tnnc and his
the, fact that an example would never justify to life one who study. He finds this law applicable to every relationship
~13 justly condemned to death. They do not seem to realize between the heavenlv Father and himself: he see3 that all of
t!mt God was jn+t in pronouming the penalty against our his conduct, his eve;y service toward God as a son, adopted
rnc~h. and that hc could by no means clear the guilty through into his family, must be the result of love. He sees also that
any process of injustice; and that. therefore, it was neces- love is the law which must govern all of his conduct toward
sary that a ransom. a corresponding price, should be paid the brethren in Christ and toward all men; and he finds in
Idol e tlw resurrection and reroncilmtion were possibilities. this abundant and satisfactory food for reflection in his leisure
(Porn. .7:26) But they say, Walk with us in our counsels and hours. so that he is interested neither in the sneculations and
see: and. as the Apostle sugge3ts. many follow their pernicious quibblings of the “scoffers,” nor in the worldl; matters which
way<. Oc-nviny tllr T,ord having bought them.-2 Pet. 2.1, 2. overcharvge the “sinners,” nor in the false Gospel which
Tl~o<o ~110 1%ould )~a of the cla<s pronounced “blessed” of engages the attention of the “wicked,” who deny the ransom.
the Lord. in our text. mutt not follow the counsel of these He finds that this Law of God contains, or is related to,
“wlck(‘d.” IJIlt. 011 t!W COlltl-ar,-. should stand firmlv bv the every feature of the divine plan) and hence his meditations
Go~pcbl of thr retlcmptlon and SP& no other. Let” ali who and studies of its various ramifications lead his thoughts
tl+lrc~ to l~tn blcshrd of thcb Lnrtl mark well t,his counsel and hither and thither, in contact with all the exceeding great-and
follow it, and hare no fcllnw4~rp whatever with the “wicked,” precious promises which God has bestowed upon them that
nor In any degree walk after their counsel3. love him, both a3 respects the life that now is and also that
“Sinners” are mention4 as anothrr class, separate and which is to come. And the more this is his attitude the more
diitinct from the ‘Lw~cl~(~d” ahove referred to. and thev are is he blessed of the Lord; and the more blessed he is of the
e\itltantlv a class whose transgression3 are much less heinous Lord the more surely will this be his attitude and experience.
in the sight of the J,nrtl. thcsc sinners we must look for in Such an one, the Lord declares through the Prophet, will
the c,llurch nl\o not in the world. Since the world is not yet be like a tree slanted near rivulets of water. which will alwavs
on trial there is nothing to demonstrate the 3tandinp of any be abundantl? refreshed and never fail in his yield of the
of it3 people. The “sinners” of our test we would undei- fruits of the spirit, which under such circumstances must
stand to bc those who, without repudiating the covenant, with- grow and flourish exceedinelv. And as his fruit will be
out denying the Lord that bought them, and thus falling zbundant, so his leaf (his h@es) will be ever green ; he can
utterlr from divine favor. are nevertheless failine 0 to ~~ live
~~ and will have faith in him who promised the coming blessings,
according to the terms of their covenant, their consecration. and whose riches of grace he comes to appreciate more and
These would \eem to ho <inners against the covenant they have more daily.
made-those who fail to carry out the covenant of self7 “All that he doeth shall nrosner.” This is literallv true.
fiacnfire. This class possibly includes some who are described though not,. perhaps, in the *wai in which the world” might
by the Lord a3 “overchargrd with the cares of this life and view the subject. But what is it that such a child of God
the deceitfulness of riches,” and who for these reasons are doeth? What is his aim? What is his obiect in life? Wealth.
sinners against their covenant, violator3 of it. The Lord’s fame, worldly honors? No, none of thkse. His aim, thai
people who would be of the “bIeRsed” of the Lord, and receive which he doeth, that which he seeketh, is to glorify his
his ultimate ‘WPII done,” are not to stand with these covenant- Heavenly Father and eventually to attain to the glory, honor
[ 26981
SEPTZMBER 15. 1900 ZIOh”S WATCH TOWER (280~283)

and immortality which God has promised to them that love considered otherwise than prospered? (Rom. 8:28) Surely
him. fRom. 2 :7 ) If then the Christian but attain these his indeed. all that he doeth shall nrosner-not because of his
objects, surely all his experiences will have been prosperous, own wisdom, not because of infillibfiity in the management
and that abundantly. What matters it to him if under divine of his affairs, but because his infallible Lord is supervising
nrovidence he was permitted to err in iudgment reenecting his interests, and outworkina them for good to him.
some business venture, so that instead of earthlv prosperity ix It is this same class of”blessed on& that our Lord ad-
brought financial loss. if it worked out sniritual pain? To dresses, saying, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and
this -blessed man the loss was prosperitv, &and he &oved the persecute you, and sav all manner of evil against you falsely
truth of the divine promise, *thai all things &all work for my sake”--thmgs’may seem to be going-contrary to your
tonether for his good. Under such a nromise, under such welfare, and hence to be working out incalculable harm; but
guidance of divine wisdom in his affair%, guaranteeing him have faith-“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your
just such experiences, trials, difficulties, earthly disappoint- reward in heaven:” and it is this heavenly reward for which
ments and disadvantages as will, under the Lord’s providence, you have been called, and for which you have entered the race,
bring him richest blessing in the attainment of the great prize and the attainment of which will be exceedingly abundant
of the future which he seeks, and for which every other thing, above all that you could ask or think.-Matt. 5: 11, 12; Eph.
interest, hope and aim has been sacrificed, how could any be 3 :20.

TIMES OF REFRESHING
The gathering at Saratoga Springs, N. P., was not expected thirty were hastilv convened. to whom we snake on “Pressing
to be a large one; because the railroad excursion rates ex- toward the mark ‘for the prize of our high *calling.” Depart
tended OVPI only a very limited area. It was therefore a locnl ina, we thanked God for the fulfilment of Mark 10:30: and
rather than a general meeting: but as such it served its pur- feE that if faithfulness to the truth had gained us many bitter
pose grandly, and brought to many clearer views of the divine enemies, it had also brought us such devoted friends as very
plan, and fresh energy in its service, because of renewed con- few in this world could boast of.
secration to the great Giver of all good. We arrived home, at Allegheny, in good seasnn for Sun-
About one hundred were in attendance, and these were day services (Sept. 9). where our joy further abounded in
nearly all visitors from abroad, as only about three WATCH addressing about two hundred of the home congregation, and
TOWER suhsrribers reside there. and few outsiders attended. in receiving their hearty welcome back after an absence of
The Lord was with the Convention and blessed the two days two Sundays. We can only wish and hope that each of the
of its session greatly; and we believe that the grace there one thousand dear brethren and sisters “scattered abroad,”
exnerienced will not onlv he a lasting blessing to those in with whom we communed and shook hands during the Past
atfrndnnce, hut that its overflow upon others nof privileged to two weeks (beginning with the Chicago Convention and end-
attend. will be a lasting icv and benefit.
0 Y I
ing at Allegheny), experienced one-half the blessing that has
En route we spent Sunday at Toronto, Canada, where an- come to your pastor. He most heartily thanks .you all for
other loral Convention of ahont. one hundred had gathered. your many kindnesses and espressions of Christian love ex-
This also WRS a feast to our souls. We thanked God for the tended to him and the associated “Pilarims:” and he thanks
tie that binds our hearts in Christian love-and realized afresh God for the privileges enjoyed in serving his flock, in Jesus’
that name.
“The fellowship of kindred minds “A table God has furnished me
Is like to that above.” In presence of my foes;
The home route permitted a meeting between trains with My head he dot11 with oil anoint,
some of the dear friends at Washington, D. C., where about And my cup overflows.”

SABBATH DINNERS AND HOW TO UTILIZE THEM

LUKE 14: 1-14.--OCT. 7.
GOI.I)I:N TEST:--“Tt’llosoe~r exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
So far as we know, our Lord Jesus never refused an invi- Our Lord well knew the extreme of fanaticism to which
tation to feasts, banquets, etc., to which he was asked, with the Jews had gone, especially the outwardly pious and formal
his disriples. The present lesson tells us of such a banquet, ones, representatives of whom were now gathered about him.
probably specially arranged in Jesus’ honor, by a Pharisee He knew that they would regard the healing of the dropsical
high in serial position as a ruler in the synagogue. The feast person as a violation of the Sabbath. Indeed, as illustrating
was aDDOlnted for the Sabbath dav. as was frequently the the sanctity of the Sabbath. the Jewish Talmud tells of an
case, m&y of the Sabbath feasts being quite sumptuous; hut instance in”which a house took fire, and three young girls were
the viands were always served cold, it being a part of the burned to death. simnlv because their friends and neighbors
A Y D-
Jewish code that fires should not be kindled nor vituals cooked interpreted the law against making a fire as implying also
on the Sabbath day. And although we, as Christians, are that it would be wrong to quench a fire on the Sahbath day,
entirelv free from the Jewish law. includina the fourth com- and when expostulated with respertinp the matter, the answer
mandment av well as all the other commandments of the Deca- was that it was “a sacrifice acceptable to God, who would
logue, but are under a new commandment, the perfect law of reward them for having allowed their dear ones to perish
love. to God and to man; nevertheless. we concede that con- rather than break his commandment!”
siderable blessing might be experienced,’ and additional oppor- Jesus wished not only to correct such a false Interpretation
tunities for sniritual develonment enioved. if Christian neonle of the law, but also, in harmony with his custom, to do a large
were to cook’ a double portion on Sa”turdav, and thus’leave proportion of his miracles on “the Sabbath day; because that
themselves freer from domestic responsibilities on the day day typified the coming Millennial day, the great seventh
which, according to the laws of the land (tho not according thousandth-year day in which, his Millennial kingdom being
to any law of the Scriptures) we appropriately observe by established. he will scatter blessinps of henlina. mental. moral
abstinence from the ordmary business of life, utilizing the and physical, amongst all the peoile. By wcy of instructing
leisure for worshin. studv and sniritual communion. his disciples and the Pharisees respecting the improper view
Evidently befoik ente”ring the dining room, probably in the of the Sabbath eenerallv entertained then hv relieious teach-
court-vard. our Lord. while surrounded bv many notahles of ers, our Lord enquired of the Pharisees whai they’had to say
the scribes’ and Pharisees, noticed a man a&icted*with dropsy ; on the subject: Is it or is it not lawful to heal on the Sab-
and it would appear that our dear Redeemer was so full of bath day ? They made no reply; no doubt feeling themselves
love and sympathy that he had a desire to bless and to heal somewhat incompetent to discuss any question with one whom
every such person with whom he came directly in contact. they had all learned to recognize as a great Teacher, however
The loving character thus manifested gives us assurance that much ther reiected his hiesaiahshil,.
when the kingdom comes and our Lord shall take uuto him- Then Jesus, as showing his own understanding of the mat-
self his great power and reign, he will assuredly bless and ter. that it would be right. that it would be in full harmonv
uplift so many as will accept his favors in a proper manner- \vith the spirit of the Liw’to heal a man on the Sdbbath da;,
so many as really desire to be blessed by him. Thus our touched the dropsical man and healed him. Then, by way of
Lord’s general character fully substantiates and corroborates nointing out to his auditors the inconsistencv of their line of
all the prophetic statements made respecting him and the ihoughcon this subject, he reminded them that it was a recog-
character of his Millennial work of blessing all the families nized privilege and duty of every Jew to deliver his ox or his
of the earth. ass, fallen into some pit or difficulty, and to consider this a
[SSSS]
tZS4-‘?65) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .b+LEGHENY, 1'~

work of necessity and mercy, ncjt forbidden by the fourth man, seeking progress back to fellowship and harmony with
rommandment of the Jewish law. Hc allowed his auditors to God, but there is in it also a lesson to the “new creature” all
draw the inference from this illustration. that as it could not through life’s Journey,-that if divine favor is desired and to
he wrong to assist a dumb animal out of dificrrltv on the Sab- be exoected it must he sought: not in nride. not in self-
bath, m;u+ 1~s could it be wrong to relieve the”distress of a suffi&ncv, but in humility. i’he’lord resiiteth the proud, the
human brinr made In the image of God. Thus hc would show self-suffic”ient. the boastf,ll. and showeth his favors unto the
that GotI’s i‘>ln s arc not albitrily, but that it is always proper humble. Thk Apostle Jades likewise calls attention to the
to do good. importance of this grace of humility, assuring us that no true
THE PROPER RIND OF TABLE TALES progress can be made in the way to God, except by the humble.
(James 4:lO) And the Apostle Peter, after exhorting to
E\ery Chri\tinn farnil? ~hnuld utiliyt’ the excellent oppor- humility, saying, “Yea. all 02 you, be subject one to anocher,
tunitlrs af?ortlcd for so&l con\crscb at meal-times. h’ot only and be clothed with humilitv.” adds. “Humble vourselves.
doe< Jll(%Wnt and profitnblc ccm~r~~ation assist digestion. and therefore, under the mightv h&d of God, that he *may exalt
tlliik l~rnvc physically lrrlpful, but, additionally, these regnlar you in due time.“--1 Pet. 6 :5, 6.
inmily pthwlnps sholild be recoFni/cd as opportunities for
mcbntal profit and for ;:rowth in knowlrdgr rrspecting both If the hearers had received the message and been corrected
tNnlK)ral anrl spiritual things. Partirnlnrlv for the last four- by it, it might indeed have worked considerable difference in
teen yciarq this has been tile custom of the bible Bousc familv their standing amongst their brethren, the Pharisees, but It
at hll~!rllc~r~~,--:lnd a very profitable onr. Our topics ar’e would also have worked a considerable difference in their
11su:11lv r)rnr,onnded in the auc\tmn form. the nrivileee of favor with God. By receiving such a spirit of humility they
qu~&minc ‘bein,o open to all’ at the table: Ansqvrrs t”o the would be coming into that relationshiu with God and the trut,h
quwtion~ are sought from rath one present, thu? stimulating which would have divine approval, and be thus the stepping-
thnunht and a proper euprescinn of it, vcrv helpful to all. as stone to further favor, by preparing their hearts to receive
sub+qu(~ntlv thc?g hay 1,; rallrd upon’tn a’nswe; such a ques- the good things which God has to give. but which cannot be
tion hcfnrr others in nublir or in nrivate. We commend the receiied by a<y exrept the bumble-Lea&d. Indeed. we know
plan to nil of onr rp:l,j?ls. suggest&g that in snch a gathering of nothing today that is so great a stumbling-block to the
the one supposed to he mnit conversant with such matters majority in nominal Christendom as the prevalent spirit of
rcs(1rvc his reply for the last. self-seecing. It is a great barrier before the minds ok many,
\Vlir~c tlie family iq cnmpnqrd wholly of “new creatures” in and out of the nulnit. contmnallv hinderine them from
the question would properlv differ somcwhst in general rhar- seeing, hearing andI obeying present truth-they love the
ncter from nhat thrp would bc if it were a mixed company: approval of men rather than that of God.
ncvnthrlc~ss, apl)ropriatc suhiecti should not be refused from The table-talk later turned in another direction. probably
nn.yone prrqent ; as. for instance. questions respecting table considerable being said in the interim that is not recorded, not
rtlquette. good breeding. proner lanrruaee. the events of the pertinent; but before the feast was ended an appropriate op
dni that do not partake’ df the nature df iossip. etc. Jt is a 1101tunity came for the Lord to present some words of munwl
~hnmc that Chriqtlan nconle. even in the humblest walks of to his host, and this was done in so kind and so wise a m:tnnel
life, and when perhap sur;onnded bv povertv, have no thouzht that it snrely caould give no offence, but, on the contrary. musl
of what valna%lc opportunities are‘njforded at such times-‘of have led the thoughts of all the hearers to higher and heavcnlv
breakinn of bread-to hrpak to their families mental or things. He advised that the banquets of the well-to-do in thiq
spirit&l food also, strrn@,hening and elevating. world’s goods be extended to thrir poorer, less fortunate
In proportion as Christian p~oplr realize their privileges neighbors and friends; assuring his hearers that such a rollrsc
and duties in such mattc,rq thcv ~111 find that coarseness and would bring the greatest blessing, as every good derd bring<
rudrnesq at the tahlr will difinppear, refinement and intel- its blessing?, forthwith -in the ronsriousness oi having done
lectnnlitv . ,, eradnallv disnlacinp them. And one of the features good; and in the reactionary effect upon one’s own heart of
moqt conducaive td’ trn: table etiquette. and the drawing to- every good deed. every benevolence. And, in addition to thrsc
gethc,r of hearts and minds in true fellowship and intellectual blessings, our Lord pointed out that for such an one therca
cnlormrnt at the times of nhvsiral repast. will be found to would be a blessing in the future also-a reward that would
he” the giving of thanks to’Gbd---the iecopnition that every fully compensate every such benefaction.
good and evprv perfect gift rometh down from our Father. Our Lord’s words were in part a commendation of the
The family which at tahltb neglects to return acknowledgement course pursued by his host in inviting himself and his apostle>
to the Giver of every good, will scarrely succeed in properly to dinner, for thky were poor. Indirectly his remarks-meant
rec,nfnizinp each other and having intellectual fellowship one that if that verv feast were given with a Proner sentiment of
with the other. heart. as we hive every reas‘on to presun& Gas the case, his
That our T,ord was prompt to avail himself of all such host might expect a reward for his conduct in the future--
table-talk opportunities. is verv manifest. On ea& occasion besides the blessing that had alreadv come to his house through
of his attcn.d*ancc at a hxnquei we And him utilizing the op- our Lord’s presence and words of instruction.
portunity for the inrulcatinn of some truth-natural or spir- Sunday School lesson comments will be found to misin-
itual. In thr preicnt in*tance he evidently did not consider terpret the blessing which our Lord derlared would come to
hiq hearers to be in a favorable condition for high spiritual those who received the poor. One of these commentaries savs
tl~ac~hing~, and hence his table-talk was on a lower plane, on this point, that “Our Lord refers to the first resurrect&,
:~tl,~r)trtl to the natnral man. vet nercrthrless inculcating lcs- mentioned in Rev. 20:4. 5. assurine n him that. he wnnld hr
<oni whit 11, if learned, would prrpare the learners fo; the raised in that resurrection as one of that glorious class. He
hc~:~\c,nlv tllincr. And this should be the thourht in everv would have the rewards that God gives, and can give only, to
famjlv ‘c,lrc*lc,-that the tendency of all convers’jtion should those who are righteous.”
br rnnobling aq well as Instructive-leading upward as well as This is a grievous mistake, a misapprehension of our Lord’&
outward. meaning. The first resurrection is not to be attained merely
The guests had bcsc,n invited to the table, and our Lord by the doing of kind acts to either the worthv or the ul;~
notircd how they wyrrp each seeking the scats of chief honor, worthy poor. As explained in the connection (Rec. 20 :4) none
t1111. <bowing the pride and amhitinn of their hearts. We will h-a, part in the first resurrectjon except thost who h‘lve
may <.Ifa*lv as~nmc that our Lord and his disciples took the been “beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of
IPi\ tl~stingnish~l seats, in harmony with the Scriptural God.” And, although this beheading is figurative and not
IIl~Ilrl' lion. “In hnnol prcfrrring nne anofher.” literal, it nevertheless has a deep significance, implying much
A f 11orablc opportunity offering, our Lord indirectly called more than making a feast to the Door. It signifies. not onlv
attcnl ion to thr wrong celf-srekin.g course.--not by saying death to self-u;zll,-bnt also to he tilt off from<;11 other head;.
:inr-tltin:: against the action in thlr particular case, but by governments and law-givers, and to recognize no “head” but
ku&cbstln:! a prnpricty of contlwt in a general way; he based Jesus, whom God hath appointed to br the Head of the church
hi? ills-tratinn upon a marriage feast, at which, more than which is his body--the &ad of every member of it.
any o(h(lr. tlistinctionq as to title, honor and position, received It means, not only to be cut off from institutional heads
much concitleration. As was his custom. he taupht bv a nara- and authorities, but also to cease to have heads and wills of
ble. prrmltting his hcarrrs to draw th; infere;ce &id hake our own, and to accept, instead, the headship. the will. of our
thr annlic~ntinn in some measure to the banouet to which thev Lord Jesus. It is ihe same thought that’ is drawn to 0111
werr ‘<hpn pathered ; and he wound it up ‘by making this ‘t attention bv the Apostle in Romans 6 :X where he declares
great lesson on a general principle; viz., that “Whosoever that we ar, baptized into the horlg of Christ, as members of
ru:+ltcJth himcelf shall he abasrd, and he that humbleth him- that body, under the one Head, Christ, h.y being baptized into
srlf Fhall he exalted “-a le:qson of vital importance to all his death,-a full consecration of cnlr wills, and ultimately a
who would be ready for and enter the kingdom. full laying down of our lives. faithfully unto death. The at-
This is a great lesson applicable, not only to the natural tainment of this first resurrection and its joint-heirship with
c27001
(‘h&t in thr Mlllennlal k~ngtlom was clearly understood by that he promised to anybody who would give even so much ar
the Apostle Paul, and was his aim: and respecting it he said. rt cup of cold water to one of his dlsclples. Ilc wihhcd to
. I count all thmgs but lobs for the excellency of the knowledgci ‘Issure them that all such would by no means lose their re
of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of ward. (Matt. 10:42) Not a reward of glory. honor, ammo,
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win tality and joint-heirship in the kingdom of Cod, but a good
Christ. . . . That I may know him, and the power of 71~s reward, more than compensating for the kindness they per-
resur?-ectzoll.” (Phil. 3:8, 10) Had St. Paul understood OUI formed. This rewarding of everyone w!lo has done good, either
Lord’s words as the above quoted Sunday School lesson corn- to the poor of this world or especially to the Lord and hiti
mentator did, he would have chosen the easy and pleasant faithful brethren walking in his foosteps, will come to them,
plan of feastmg the poor, rather than the years of pricatiou not in the first resurrection, but at that time;-after the first
and self-sacrifice in the narrow way which he pursued. And resurrection shall have glorified the church and inangurattrl
to this, St. Paul’s words on another occasion agree. “Througll tbc kingdom, then Mlllcnnixl blessing3 and the reipll of right-
much tribulation shall ye enter the kingdom.” eousness beginning will bring rewards to rreryonch who ha\
What, then, did our Lord intend to promise as a rewaltl done kindnesses. helping them forward and almndantly rewarcl-
for a good deed-done without hope of reward In the present ing them; while all who have done r\-11 sh;111 h:~\c soml’
life? 1Ve answer, that he meant to promise the same thing measure of “stripes” in compensation and retriblltioil
___--

A ROYAL BANQUET DECLINED

LUKE 14 : 15-2-L.-Oc~r. 14.
“Come, for all things are now ready.”
Jesus contmued his table-talk of our last lesson at the And thus it was that when .Jrsux came and ealled his
Pharisee’s dinner. Our Lord had led the attention of his disciples and sent them forth. the meshaye was. “The kinp-
a<sociats, not only to the proprieties of life, but to future dom-of heaven is at hand;” the great feil’st of fat things f6l
things, by the suggestion that feasts should be given in the this nation, that God has so lnnr nromi<ed, is readv: and
Interest of the Door. whose inabilitv to return the favor would whosoever &ills may come and be ‘&&ivt~d and parti&& in
insure a divine’blca$ing more than”compensating in the future it. The message of .Tesun and thr twelve. and later the
-in the kingdom. This led one of the company to a remark seventy, throughout all tJudea, was the invitation of that
\\ hich we loosely paraphrase, thus,-Ah, yes’ that kingdom, favored people to come and enjoy the great feast for which
for wl1ic.h we hope, will bc a blessed time. How blessed it will they had impatiently waited and hoped and prayed for ovel
IIC to share the bounties which God has promised in the great sixteen centuries,-the great privileges and opportunities ot
feast which he shall spread! The speaker probably was well the kingdom.
,irqugintrd with Isaiah’s prophecy respecting the kingdom But as the parable shows, when the offer of the kingdom
(Isa. 25:li ) in which God’s mercies and blessings to the world was really made, when the invitation to partake of the bless-
UC fignratively represented as a feast, in the words, “In this ings of the great feast was really put before them, it proved
mountain [kingdom] shall the Lord of hosts make unto all that thev loved the kinmlom and the future things far lesn
the people a feart of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of than they and others misht have supposed. On the rnntrary.
iat thingfs full of marrow.” the unanimity with which the invitation to the kingdom wah
Thus gradually the minds of the company present had rejected made it appear almost as though the rejectors had
lwm led from earthly things and from commonplace matters acted in concert in the matter. Their excuses for so little
dIl(! qnrial chit-chat, which might have occupied their atten- interest in the things which God had promised and which
tlnn, to the consideration of the gracious promises of God. they claimed to be eagerlv lnnginp for, were the apparent
.\nd nndoubt4dlv this was our Lord’s very object in accept- pressure of other duties which they must attend to, and which
111~the Phnrise~‘s invitation, and in leading the conversation left no time for responding to the divine invitation to the
zra~luallv in this direction. Now he had an opportunity to kingdom. With one the pressure came in the direction of
teach snhethine reanectinp this kingdom and its blessings and see&g to his farm, and th’us being not slothful in business;
the ~11 to *bare it;’ alld he improved it. His hearers. if they another felt that it might do rerv well for Dconle who had
had in mind Isaiah’s prophccv and God’s promise to Abraham, nothing else to do to g?ve attention to a spirit&l feast. but
\\-ould understand that the k’ingdom or mountain of the Lord as for him, his time was fully occupied with his property, his
\\ollld be thr house of Israel, in some glorious and exalted oxen, sheep, store-business, and what not. Another felt that
t.ondition under hlessiah. and that it was in and through his his duties, social ties, wife, children. etc., demanded all of his
kingdom that the feast’ of divine blessings, for all nitions, attention, and that therefore he could not accept the kingdom
\vas to be spread. Our Lord now, by a parable, drew atten‘ privileges.
rlnn to the Gospel call of great blessings and privileges. aild And this, which was the sentiment of fleshly Israel, 1h
would have his hearers note the fact that while in a general largely that of spiritual Israel, also, now that the spiritual
day they would all assent to the statement that the kingdom kinndom is announced. Manv seem to feel tbat what they
~nuld be a blessed one, and the feast there something to be wo;ld call the real and practical things of life need all 03
greatly desired, nevertheless when the offer of that kingdom their attintion. They want to “get along” in this world’s
would be made them temporal things closer to their hearts affairs. and to he somehodies in it, and thev find sue+ interest
would make it of no effect to the majority. in social and material matters a great hindrance to any re-
The parable represents a great feast, with a large number snonse to the divine invitation to a sh:lre in thr elnrious Mil-
of friends of the host invited in advance, that they might be l&nial kingdom. as ioint-heirs with Christ,-thc”great feast.
ready at suds a time as the feast would be ready and an- the high calling’whidh has come to us. \\‘cll, in one smsc nt
nounced. God himself is the host in this parable, and the the word this is all right. for it mcrzlv keeps ant of tlw kin!?
.Tewinh nation were his friends to whom, as a people, he had dom a class which the Lord does not” debi& should be in it.
given much advantage every way, chiefly in that to them were and which if it did come in would need to be siftrd ollt, lat(tr
committed the oracles of God,-much knowledge of the divine although< God has bidden many, he is seeking for this feart
plan for human salvation and the promises that if they, as the only such as will highly appreciate it abovc‘all other privl-
seed of Abraham, were faithful, they should have the invita- lepes-those
o-~ ~~ who would be willing to sacrifice anv and ever\
tion and privilege and opportunities of this great feast. The other thing in order to share it. ”
Lord addresses them through the Prophet, saying, “You onlv The first invitation to the feast, recounted in the parable.
have I known [recognized] of all the families of the earth.” represents the first years of our Lord’s ministry, whi& wcr(’
(Amos 3:2) Israel only was invited to this feast; but the specially directed toward interesting the scribes and Phnriqee-
feast was not ready until our Lord’s day, and hence the invita- ind D&ors of the Law, who, ai* the leading men of that
tion to partake of it did not go forth until then. Finally, nation. and as our Lord said, occupyinp Moses’ seat. reallv
however, the time had come: Christ, as represented in the bul- represented that nation as a &hole;- &nd’ the rejection of tKe
lock of the sin-offering, had’ already given- himself,-the sacri- invitation by these meant the rejection of it hv that nation
fice being counted as accomnlished from the time of its offer- as a whole. Thus our Lord was careful to bring before thca
lng, when our Lord prese&ed himself to John at Jordan, priestly class of that time the evidences of his Messiahship, so
making a full consecration ni his entire being, even unto that when, for instance, he healed the ten lrpers, he (ahIrgttl
death. In view of this sacrifite for sins, God could bepin at them to tell no man, but go and show themselves to the priests.
once to call the already promised gnests %.Qthe great f&t of Thus the priestly class was informed respecticp the mirac-
blessing and manifestation of divine favor toward those to ulous work of our Lord, perhaps more particularly than
whom Yhe had promised it so long before, through their father others. They therefore had the invitation to the feast more
Ahraham. particularly than others. Howerrr. the fact that the chief
c27011
 ZION'S WA 7 Cl1 TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA

repreqentatives of Terael acre unready for the invitation was you; but seeing ye put it from you, and Judge yourselves
not permitted to hinder. :*nci our Lord. through his disciples, unworthy of everlaptinn life. 10, we turn to the Gentiles; for
subsequently rxt~~nd~,d tile 111~ltatlnll to another class. so the fiord bath cogmanded ‘us.” (Acts 13.46, 47) They
The trial of the natl~m :‘% a wllnlt~. represented by its lead- showed themselves unworthv of this nreat blessine or gift. in
ers. cndtd at Calvarv. or rxthtlr live days before Calvarv. when that they were interested &ore in the” things that“peri& than
in the glorious promises of the everlasting future.
The Apostle P,xul calls attention to this fact in Rom. 9:27:
“Though the number OF thr children of Israel be as the sand
of the sea, a remnant [only] shall he saved.” The Apostle
furthrr show* that the call of the Gentiles to be sharers m the
kmpdom is merely the continuation of the original call, and
that we arc called in to take the places of those who neglected
~3 #rrnt <nlvation and privilege. Hc illustrates this by the
olive tree, saying that the natural branches were broken off
that we. who by nature mere wild, might be grafted in and
hrcnme partakers of the root and fatness of the olive.-Rom.
11:17.
This third call to the great feast nf the kingdom blessings
and privilepres has prngrcss(xd throughout this Gospel ape. and
to our nnderqtnnding is now nearly complete-nearly all the
places at the table hare bren provided wit11 gursts; o?llV n few
are yet vacant: and so snnn as these plares :IIC’ fillrd. the
great feast will beFin, and we shall indeed rnter Into thr joys
of our Lord, and not only be privileged to feast oursclvcs. but
thfsm ’ w(’ nrr ;i5.nrcsti tllcrfl :lr(s 11nt m2nv wlcc not minp to carry of its bounties and blessings to all thr familleb of the
groat. no! nlr,r’\- lf.~~JJld !nit chipfly tllc poor f(>r although earth.
t11c pm ilT(’ not :ilwavs hnml~lf~ br any mrxns. yet among& The same matters mhirh hindered the .Tews. under the first
th(bm propnrtlnnatrly more nere fnllntl nho were of acceptable call. from acceDtine: thir: invitation, havr hindrrrd to a large
Chai actor : amongit thl, r1t 11 and the Frcat humility would extent also m&v bf the Gentiles who hilvc heard the third
albpear to 11nvr hvn at all times rnrrqondingly scarce. call. It is imn’ossible tc; he thnrourh-going business men,
T~IIS vv~orrtl Inrlt;ttinn to the nnnr. the halt and the blind, wealthy, influential, etc., and at the &rn> time follow in the
in the qtrc>rts and lane< of th(l ‘city, as a picture wnuld be footsteps of Jesus, giving all of our hearts. talents and ener-
\ery dif?lc~ult to appreciate in our day of hospitals and alms- gies to the Lord in acceptance of his invitation to this feast.
hnust~s, (At,*.. prnvid(~d by pcneral taxation: but in the days of The arceptanre of the invitation to this feast means a drep
our Lord it would he very CW~T intlcctl to have collected a interest in it, beyond everything else, sn that all ntllcr mat-
1arFe rrnwd of indigent and Infirm in shnrt order. ters, whether houses or Iand~, father nr mother. wlfc or rhil-
It will hr ol)served that hoth of these first calls belong to dren. shall be secondary to the interest9 of the kinptlom. and
the city-that i4, Turael. the nominal kingdom of God. But to our responsibilities to the terms and conditlnns of the inri-
the two calls fa~lrd to find thp sufficient number which God tation. Consequently, what was true respectIn: Israrl has
had pretlrstinatcd should cnn~titute the kingdom clas;~. Hc been true as resDects the Gentiles. YIZ.. that the (*all to the
rnultl indeed hPv(* induced others to come in. but. on the con- kingdom has bee; generally. rejected bv’thnce who had a (aon-
trary. he purposely put the iuritatinn to the feast in such a siderable measure of this world’s bl&ings and adrantapes-
form as would repel thncr who were not of the riuht attitude those who are rich, either in honor of men or snrlal position
of heart-in surh a form a< would attract Israelites indeed. or talents or reputation or money, have found it difficult to
who felt and acknowledged their own unworthiness. and who leave these all to follow Jesus in the narrnw way: and, conse-
would he glad, on entering the feast. to have on the robe pro- ouentlv, the Scriptural assnranre IS. not only that those
vided for the ~ucsts (~vmbnlicnl of Christ’9 riehteousness). to elected in the end bf the Jewish age were chirflg. the poor and
corer the filthv rags ‘of their own imperfertion. But now, lowlv. but that the same has been true amnncst the Gentiles,
hecausc n suffi&nt number was not found in Israel to com- and ‘is true today: “Not manv wise men after the flesh. noi
plete the elect number. the message must be sent outside the many mighty, not many noble.;” but chiefly the poor of this
city, outside of .Judaism.-to the Gentiles; and thus the third world, rich in faith.-1 Cor. 1:26; James 2 :5.
message way “Go pe into the highways and whnqorver you This does not debar those who have riches of nnv kind, but
meet. compel them tn rnme in.” The word “compel,” however. really gives them all the greater privilege and opportunity;
gives a wrong thought here: it should properly be rendered, for they have that much greater talent which. if thev ~111,
urge, rJcrsiiadr. they mev sacrifice, and thus the more fully demonstrate their
Any1 thus it haq been that throughout the Gospel age, since appreria’tion of the invitation and of the feast, and be rorre-
the brincinc in to the Gnsnpl fnrnr of as manv .Jr-ws as were suondinglv aDDreciated bv the Host. Let uq all, like the
ready for it: thr mrs+agf’ 1;~s hem tllrncd to the Gentiles. “to spostleYPaul: *lap aside every weight, every hindrance, every
take nut of them a people for God’s name,” to partake of the besetment, everything precious to us of an earthly kind, that
great fta:lst with the rcmnaut of T~ra~l. AS the .4postle Paul we may run with patience the race set before US. in response
said to snrnp of thr .TPw~ in hip prcaachinp: “It was necep to this invitation to the great feast of joint-heirship with our
sary that tllr word of Gnd +onltl first have heen spoken to Lord in the kingdom.-Heb. 12:1, 2; Rom. 8.16-18; 12:l. 2.

ATXEGHFXY, PA., OCTOBER 1, 1900 No. 19

1

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THE BIBLE TRIUMPHANT mean discrimination. The pot was, indeed, his archaeological
Evidence< corroborative of the Bible’s truthfulness ac- museum, not portentious in size, but the first museum known
cumulate Gcnrqiq notes Ximrod aq the founder of the Chnldee to man, and therefore more important for the bearing it had
or ISabylnnIan empilc before Abraham’s day. (Gen. lO:S-12) on the history of civilization than any of the great museums
Thc.r and otllrr fraturrq of the narrative have been doubted in existence today. Among the articles found in it were the
and con~~drretl mvthirnl ; but explorations in Babylonia seem following tablets :
to confirm the 13ihlc ~clcaordat every point. “1. One of Sargon, which gives his titles. This particular
\Ve have already mentloned the esploration of the ruins of piere of baked clay may give information concerning the
ancient Slppur, nure the royal rapital. nommenced some doings of centuries. It was the custom in those days for each
years ago hp thr rrprcsentatil-es of the University of Pennsyl- king to inscribe a memorial tablet not only with an account
vania, U. S. A. The pa<t vear. It seems. has been a verv fruit- of his victories, but with his pedigree, showing whrre he was
ful one. the ruins vieldinc to the searchers vast literary born, who were his ant storq. the god he worshiped, and in fart,
treasures.-the once kationnl Librarv of Chaldea. The Biblzh. anything else that might serve to impress posterity with his
giveq the following interesting des&iption of the find:- personal glory. These tablets, therefore, reveal the names and
“The mnqt surprising feature of the discovery is that the origin of many of the writer’s contemporaries, predecessors,
persons who collected the tablets and placed them originally in and, as the accounts of the sucressive ltinP;9 dovetail into one
the pot was an old priest, who lived previous to and during the another. they will all in the end constitute an unbroken his-
time of Belshazzar, and who was evidently a scientist of no tory of this early civilization. There are, however, compara-
[27021
OCTOBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (D-293)

tively few of these tablets yet found which date so far back indeed, in all studies judged worthy of attention, it is evident.
as 3800 B. c., hence the vast importance of this tablet. that no examination of the contents can be too careful. It
“2. A tablet written in the reign of Ur Gur. This king is, in fact, hardly too much to sag that if the unexplored
is famous for building and remodeling the old temple of parts should prove as rich in results as that already found,
Ekur, dedicated to the god Bel. This stone tablet states there will be no example in the world’s historv. not even in
specifically that he rebuiltl the temple wall, which had origin- Egypt, of so complete a recovery of the records” of an ancient
allv been erected bv Narim Sin. He also erected manv” other civilization. . . . .
b&dings in Nippu;. “In the course of the present excavations a palace belong-
“3. A tablet, excellently preserved, stating the great hall ing to the pre-Sargonic period was uncovered beneath an ac-
of the temple was called Emakh. It also stated. to Professor cumulation of seventy feet of rubbish on the southwestern
Hilprecht’s- great amazement, that there were forty different side of the Shatt-en-Nil, dividing Nippur in two parts. Pro-
shrines in Nippur, each of which was dedicated to a distinct fessor Hilprecht himself, having never been doubtful as to the
god. This important fact will amaze Babylonian scholars, actual site of the temple library at Nippur since his first visit
because it has hitherto been supposed that there was but one to Babylonia in 1889, considers the discovery of this large
god, 1. c., Bel, worshiped in Nippur. building, with 600 feet frontage, which will probably turn
“4. A text inscribed by Ashur-etil-ilane, a king who ruled out to be the palace of the early priest-kings of Nlppur, as
a short time over Assyria. the most important result of this year’s campaign. Already
“5. An important text of Assyria’s last king, Sin-shar- the few rooms excavated have given valuable results in the
ishkun. shape of pre-Sargonic tablets, of seal cylinders of the earliest
“Near the spot where Professor Hilprecht found this type, and clay figurines of early date and great interest. The
wonderful little museum there was picked up a peculiarly palace was very extensive, and at least two stories high. I . . .
shaped barrel cylinder recording King Samsu-iluna’s restora- “Beyond doubt the greatest success of the year is that ac-
tion of part of the Temple of Bel. This was about 2006 n. C. complished by the American expedition. The importance of
Near by lay a curious truncated barrel cylinder marked with the discovery of the pre-Sargonic palace and of the library
the name of Sssur-bani-pal. a king whose name is well known of so famous a temple as that of Nippur was at once
to the exnlorers. In addition to these, two hundred Hebrew recognized. The svstematic and thorough examination which
bowls, exrellentlv preserved and some’ of them quite large, it is-hoped will be”made next year prom&es to give a full and
were unearthed ‘in another Dart of the mounds. But these detailed nicture of life in what the author of the Book of
were quite modern, having been left by the Jews who lived Genesis r:garded as one of the oldest cities in the world, and
on the mounds of Nippur as late as 700 A. D. one whose origin, even in his time, was attributed to the
“No one can rea-d an account of the work of Professor famous hunter whose name has become mythical. The results
Hilnrecht without being struck bv the fact that the neonle of of the explorations will nrobablv show that Ninnur
Y I. was as
7.060 vears ago lived v”rv muchYas we do today. The& was important* in the fifth millennium before Christ as it was in
the sa”me appreciation of”literature and art, as- shown in the the third; that it anticipated the civilization and the period
cuneiform scrims and in their sculnture. Wealthv neople when Babylon took the lead by at least two thousand years,
lived in the cities and employed attorneys to manage- their and that at this early period the human race in Babylonia
tenantry who lived in the country on farms. When they had acquired arts and knowledge which hitherto have only
bought iewelrv a written guarantv went with it. In the been attributed to a much later period.
archive ;oom ‘bf Muiashu SZns, attYorneps of ancient Nippur. * * *
there was found a tablet guaranteeing that an emerald set How does this agree with the claim of Evolutionists that
in a ring would not fall out for twenty years. Houses were Adam was but one remove from the highest type of monkey,
built on an extensive, not to say modern., plan, and were fur- and too ignorant at first to wear clothing? On the con-
nished more or less magnificently, as evidenced in the palace trary, how-these evidences of intelligence amongst the ancients
above mentioned above. Fortifications were built. wars were corroborate the old Bible. at which “higher criticism,” falsely
carried on, conquests were made, and heroes were glorified. so called sneers ! The Bible’s declaration is that the first man
Peonle. when thev died. were not thrown hastilv into the earth. was up, high up in intelligence, in the very image of God, and
but ‘were laid away carefully in clay coffins, which are found that he fell from that high estate because of sin. The fact is
today still covered with the beautiful blue glaze with which that during the 1656 vears to the flood. the fall. the denravitv
thev were decorated bv the ancient undertaker. And for the of mankind, was very-great; and that in Abraham’s day. about
benefit of posterity, &ience was studied and museums were 400 vears later. the race was still further enervated. through
planned that they might be found in the dawn of the twen- cl&tic and other influences, as shown by the fact that
tieth century, and the history of the race read as a sermon Arphaxad, born two years after the flood, ‘lived 438 years,
in stones.” while his children, during those four centuries, gradually
Commenting on these discoveries. the London Daily News declined in vitality and years, so that Terah, Abraham’s father,
says .- died at two-hundred-fire: and it is rwqonal)le to prrsiime tl\xt
‘The finfl has been much more important than could the mental vigor suffered equally with the physical. And yet
have been anticipated. In the course of three months no less the Scriptures show us Abraham. everv wav a noble specimen
than 17 290 tablets, covered with cuneiform writings, have of humanity: and now ancient’ Nippur’s-libraries, ihen in
been recovered. These are not of the character mentioned in process of formation, show us that a high drgree of intelligenre
mv former notice of the discoverv of tablets, namelv, the was then prevalent among the sons of Ham, as well as in
reiovery of private business contracts. conveyances. letters, and the family of Shem.
the like, but bear more resemblance to the contents of an But we caution all to beware of the dates ascribed to these
ordinary library. The tablets are historical, philological, and ancient tablets. cities, etc.: for thev are onlv scientific guesses:
literary. They treat of mythology, of grammar and lexico- and since they’are cnntradictorv t; Bihle chronology, we know
graphy, of science, and of mathematics. There is reason to that ther are unreliable The worldlv-wise. denressine the
believe that they will for the first time enable the world to Bible as’ unscientific, and relying on *their ’ own’ “findings.”
form an adequate idea of life in Babylonia such as could endeavor to reconcile such archaeological testimonies with
be possible onlv bv the discoverv of a national lihrarv, record- their previous errors instead of with the Bible. And srientists,
ing- the national ‘progress in literature science. and ‘thought misled into reckoning on “evolution” lines, have given to hu-
eenerallv. No document is found in this collection of a later man history an age much beyond that declared in God’s Word,
date than 2280 B. c. As this date marks the invasion of the which we accept as the onlv authority;-some of them going
Elamites, the fact adds confirmatory evidence that the library to more ahsurd extremes than other?.
was destroyed during this invasion. Blessed is the man who putteth his trust in the Lord and in
“The unexplored remains of the library are even more ex- his Word.
tensive than those already examined. The tablets are gener- MANNA FOR THE FAMISHING OF INDIA
ally arranged with regularity on clav shelves around the “The strange appearance of manna on the stems of the
rooms of the library, and Professor Hilprecht estimates that bamboo, was reported last March by the divisional forest
at their present rate of working five more years will be neces- officer, Chanda, Central Provinces, and notices of this phe-
sary to excavate and examine the contents. He thinks it nomenon have been nuhlished in the local naners. The bamboo
probable, judging from the contents already found in the forests of Chanda consist of Dmdrocalun& ‘strictus, the male
rooms excavated, and from various other reasons, that the un- bamboo, a bushy plant from twenty to thirtv feet in height,
explored part will pield 150.000 tablets to be added to those and affecting the cooler northerlv and westerlv slopes of Cen-
already discovered. ” As the library was one of great renown, tral and Southern India. This is said to be the first time in
the chief glory of the temple in early Babylonia, the chief the history of these forests that a sweet and gummy substance
college for instruction in law and religion, which, as in has been known to exude from the trees. The gum has been
all early systems, were inextricably bound together, and, exuding in some abundance, and it has been found very
[ 27031
(293-294) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALI i <.*IFNY, 1’4

palatable to the natives in the neighborhood, who have been force, or to a fixed law called Temmei. What po3blbllity i-,
consumine it as a food. The occurrence of the manna at this there of building a svstem of moralitv on belief in the
season is-all the more remarkable, since the greatest famine existence of suchy an e’ntity as this? . .*. . If we ask what
India has known is this year visiting the country, and the amount of real faith in Christianity there exists in this coun-
districts where the scarcitv is most felt are in the Central try, the answer must be discouraging. Christians dispute
Provinces.“--Nature. * about opinions and discuss this doctrine and that, but beneath
it all, it seems to me, there is little real belief. Christianity,
WKAT WILL BECOME OF PROTESTANTISM IN JAPAN
in coming to us, has had the advantage of being associated
“The Japan Advertaser has it upon the best of authority with a system of civilization whose merits are acknowledged.
that one of the American mission boards is next month to It has been represented as part and parcel of that civilization,
wlthdraw from Japan its only remaining representative. and and hence has in the past received a certain amount of prestige
IS to leave its work, henceforth, entirely in the hands of the that it is no longer likelv to retain. The feeling of the nation
.lapanese, who have become interested in It. ‘The latter( says in reference to tlhe vario”us elements composing-what is called
our contemporary) are to have the use of the buildings and Western civilization has chanced. and hence Christianitv is
property (;f no inconsiderable value), ant1 some pecuni&y aid no longer likely to be regarded-as’an inseparable part of ihat
will continue to be Lrranted them. but the work itself will be civilization. If things proceed thus, in thirty years Christian-
practically free fro$ foreign g&dance.’ ” lty in *Japan will be effaced.”
A Ilterary man, residing in *Japan, Mr. Penman, makes We cannot vouch for the correctness of these pessimistir
(nommeut on the above as follows :- views of the Protestant situation in Japan: douhtiess honest
“This extracbt show3 clearly the failure of Protestant Deoule view these things throueh various snectacles. We do
Christianity in this country; for it is failure. and not large- kno-w, however. that I&. Pengan’s picture’ rorreqponds well
bearted trust in the Ja~anrse Protestant, that has caused with what we see right here at home-that the colleges and
this retreat. There are’ at present independent Protestant theological seminaries of this so-called Christian land are hot
cahurches in *Taoan: but. in the first nlace. their Christianitv beds b’f infidelity called “advanced thought,” “higher criti-
hb become so ;ag& thit it can ha& be’called Christianiti cism,” “Evolution,” etc. We cannot wonder, then, that tht’
at all; and, in the second place, they are not making head- same spirit has reached Japanese institutions; nor can ~(1
way. A Japanese journalist, who relates his experiences in wonder that the Japanese. less bound to the Bible hv tradi-
the columns of the Kirriaato Tolc!yo Shzmbun, says that he tions of the past, shbuld be more free to speak and nc’t nut of
examined the roll of one of these churches some time ago, and their unbelief-especially when popularity, the rnac~c:s of the
found out of a total membership of 323 no less than 86 persons people, etc., would all favor such a course.
wcrc marked ahscnt. Hc was informed that out of the re- ‘Surely the shaking and sifting will he thorough (Hell
mainder, 123 persons were Christian only in name, so that 12:26) : for it is the Lord that is back of it. wlshiny to thor-
,

the work of the chur& had to he carried on by a little over oughly separate the little handful of wheat from “the vast,
100 converts ; and even out of these the average attendance quantity of tares constituting nominal “Christendom, ’ “Baby-
at church mectingq did not exreed 77. And the last re- lon.” We may be sure, however, that not one grain of the
port of the Iiumiai (Independent Japanese churches-Prot- true wheat will be neglected by the great Reaper --Matt. 24:2-l
estant, of course,) shows that the number of self-supporting SEEKING 2,000,OOO HEADS OF WHEAT AND TARES FOR
churches has fxllrn from 40 to 34, and, if the truth must be “METHODISM’S BIG FLOCK”
told there are not more than 24 or 25 of these that are self- The public press has the following announcement
supporting in reality.
“Nnt onlv arc the ‘Independent’ churches thus going back- “Methodists Seeking 2,000,OOO Converts-The Twentieth Century
Movement has Opened Offices in Chicago-200 000 Work-
ward in poi”nt of numbers; they are, as I have jist %nted, ers Enlisted-Greatest Harvest of the Year’s
eoinar wocfullv backward in rceard to doctrine as well. I Revival Expected In the Large Cities
ghali’ pive a rincretc example of-what I mean. The Doshisha “CHICAQO, Sept. 8.-The twentieth century movement of the
is a ‘fine educational in&itution estahlished by a Japanese Methodist Episcopal church to save 2,000,OOO srmlr is ~~11
Protestant who was. I believe. a sincere and able Christian. It under way.
was run for a numder of yea& as a religious establishment in “Bishop James M. Thoburn proposed the plan at the Gcn-
connection with tire American Mission Board, and of course era1 Conference of the church in May. It has been the rh]cAf
the trustees were all Christians of good standing, and gener- topic at the ministers’ meetings. The order has gone to the
allv clergymen. For some time thev u;ere Christians, but Bishops and will be handed down to each member of the
c*hanFrS--“Pntal ant1 otherwise-occu; rapidly in Japan. and church. Briefly, the scheme is to have 200.000 members each
onlv last venr thPv had nrocressed so far taward Akrnosticism pledge themselves to bring ten converts into the church before
thai a breach witi the American Mission Board oc‘curred. I Dec. 31, 1901. The Methodist church is so thoroughly organ-
visited personally some of the leaders of the movement, and ized that the movement will be carried out without a hitch
thev told mc that thcv rertainlv did not believe in the divinitv throughout the country.
of ehriqt; in fact, I iailrd to iiiscover any one point of Chris- “W. W. Cooper, secretary of the movement, has opened r~~~
tian belief that they did believe in. . . . . Ten years ago office in the Methodist Church block in Chicago.
I’rotcqtantism had a very good outlook in *Japan, and many “‘A large part of the work ought to hc done 1n the big
highly educated Japnnosc clnbraced it. But it took the ‘ad- cities,’ savs hfr. Cooper. ‘This is the beginning of a revival
vanced thinkers’ among the converts only a year or two to that will “extend thrdugh the first half of-the &king century
out-Spencer Spencer. and todav the vernacular Protestantism Everv organization connected with the church will be utilized
of ,Jn’pan is getting on a~ best- it can without rtny burning or to f&the; this grand plan. There is much dead timber in the
shinine linht whntsoevrr. The burning and &i&e linhts- church, which, it is hoped, will respond to this invitation to
In othir words, the leading native e&siastics---l&&e all extend the influence of Christ.
of them ‘pbilosopher~. and, while still professin,n t,o he Chris- “ ‘It is quite true that church membership is not increasing
tians, attmptcd to call in German and other materialism to in ratio to the census, so the Methodist church has decided to
their aid. The l<nrrlich and American missionarv bodies to start a great agitation.“’
whirl) they brlon~etl, naturally objected. The Amkrican Epis- Last vear witnessed a decrease in Methodist numhers, and
c.onaI church of Janan fell foul of Dr. Saeiura. a Jananese this and” other offsets are proposed. No doubt results’ will
mi’niitcr (nbo hai ’ had, by the way, the “advantage bf an follow. It is as much a Dart of this harvest work to cathcr
c~xwllrnt Amtarican education), who denied the miraculous the tares into “bundles” ind “bind” them, AS it is to .&tllei
hirih of Christ. Many of the leading Japanese clergymen re- the “wheat” into the light and liberty wherewith Christ‘makes
slrmerl. and, in another dire&ion, the orpan of thp Lutheran free and safe in his “earner.” Should anv rine “wheat” be
Chllrch in -Japan, a mapazine which maintained that the Eathered into these “b&dles,” we mav sur& ixpect them to
Hihlr i& a revelation. was discontinued because ‘no suitable he gathered out again, speedily; for “The Loid knoweth them
auditor could be found who was prepared to defend such a that are his.” and is callinp in a voice which all his true ones
theory.’ ” will hear aid recognize a&obey, “Come out of her, my ieople.
Mr. Penman quotes a Japanese writer in a Tokyo magazine that ye be not partakers of her sins and receive not of her
as follows * plague3 !“--2 Cor. 6:17; Rev. 18:4.
“Can it he said that our Christian philosophy has been No doubt this “Twentieth Century Movement” will spread
mnrc ~ncrrssfnl than our nreachine of moralitv? I trow not. among all denominations, and favor the “Union” movement.
After attempting to call ih Germa;; material&n to the aid of No doubt also it will lead to an increased bitterness against
Christianity with poor results, our philosophers fell bark on present truth and all who are loyal to it as the true gospel.
the ultra-idealism of Brahmanism and Buddhism, with the It would not surprise us if this led to persecution, for no doubt
outc*omc that they have gradually explained away the peraon- many now, like Saul of Tarsus, will verily think that in per-
nllty of the Christian God, reducing him to a mere controlling secuting the truth and its servants they are doing God service.
[ 27041
OcToBtP I, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (295 -296)

REV. B. A. TOBEEY’S AEBAIGNMEBT they will at once reply, Oh, no! we believe and teach that the
At the convention of Christian workers, Chicago, Sept. 19, heathen can be saved and go to heaven if they believe in
Rev. Torrey, as reported by the Chicago Evening Post, said: Mohammed or Buddha or Confucius or some other divinity,
“Unbelief is rampant. Many regard it as a mark of intel- if they do the best they know how.
lectual superiority to reject the Bible, and even faith in God You ask them. Will not heaven then be a nlace of common
and immortalitv. It is about the onlv mark of superiority rather than chdice spirits, with such a {reponderance of
many possess, &d perhaps that is the ‘reason they cling to i-t heathen? and, What advantage then have Christians? and they
so tenaciously. Many of us who are professedly orthodox are sorely perplexed, but generally not sufficiently perplexed
ministers are infidels. Worldliness is rampant amone: church to start a fresh investigation of the divine Word to see where
members. Many church members are just *as eager a’; any in the difficulty lies. Wh& we further ask, Why the expenditure
the rush to get rich. They use the methods of the world in the of millions of dollars annuallv. and the sacrifice
-~ of manv lives
accumulation of wealth. and thev hold iust as fast to it as of missionaries, if the heath% are saved anyway? th;?y are
nnv. when thev have ii. Manv “do not “believe in the whole confused at their own inconsistency. And if we then inquire,
Bible. The book of Genesis is a myth; Jonah is an allegory; Do you not claim that the hearing of the Gospel, with the
and even the miracles of the Son of God are auestioned. The natural ear, brings condemnation to eternal torment if it be
doctrine of prayer is old-fashioned, and the ‘doctrine of the rejected? And do you not admit that the vast maloritv of
‘loly Spirit is sneered at. Conversion is unnecessary, and hell thbse who thus hea; do reject the Gospel? And pu&g”this
i& no loneer believed in. Then look at the fads and errors part of your faith with the other. do vou not admit that one
that have-sprung up out of this loss of faith. . . . Prayless- or the olher must be wrong, or eise &at missionary etTort is
ness abounds among church members on every hand. Many keeping millions of heathen people out of heatTen?-Then they
Christians snend twice as much time every dav wallowing in are confused and want (not to search for the truth but) to
the mire of ihe daily papers as they do ba”thini in the cleins- change the subject and stop thinking lest they lose their
Ing waves of God’9 holy Word.” “faith.” Poor things, they hold fast to their nonsensical de-
ZIONISM PRosPERINa SLOWLY lusions, calling them futth!
While the last Zionist Congress (London, August) ,
was a
Y.
But now, in line with the above, we have another question
success as respects numbers and enthusiasm, it revealed no to propound to so-called Orthodoxy, based on the followinp
progress on the part of its leaders in the accomplishment of its clipping from the daily press:
aims. or steps thereto. The London Spectator says of it: “POPULATION ANNIHILATED
“The main arguments of the speakers are the horrible “Five Thousand Chinese Driven into the Amur River, Where Theg
position of the Jews in countries where, as in Roumania, they Perished Ilbiberably-Shot if They Attempted to Land
are actively persecuted, and the benefit they may be to Europe, “LONDON, Sept. 2l.--‘Authentic accounts have been received
as the vanguard of an army of intelligence for penetrating hefe.’ says the Moscow correspondent of the Standard, ‘of a
Ssia. Both are sound arguments, but some hotter impulse horrible massacre at Blagovestchensk, which was undoubtedly
than either would seem to be required before the majority of carried out under direct orders from the Russian autboritie.s,
.Tewq will quit countries to which thev are accustomed. for a and which then let loose the tide of slaughter through Amur.
country which has for ages been repr&ented to them a$ deso- “ ‘The entire Chinese population of 5,000 souls was escorted
late bevond exnerience. The English Jews in narticular are out of town to a spot five miles up the Amur. and then. beinn
too romfortablc’ to move; the J&s in professions on the-Con- led in batches of a-few hundred to’the river b&k, were drderez
tinent fear to be dcaclared foreigners; and the poor majority to cross over to the Chinese side. No boats were urovidcd anti
have no means of influencing t&h Turkish government, which the river is a mile wide. The Chinese were flunz ilive into the
1s not favorable to the movement. Some dav or other. when stream and were stabbed or shot at the least resistance. while
thr Spraglio is in acute want of money, a ireat expeiiment Russian volunteers, who lined the bank. clubbed or shot anv
will hp tried; but meanwhile Zionism is rather the highly in- who attempted to -land. Not one escaped alive. Thp -riv&
terpsting aspiration of a treat race. than a practical desirm
C. bank for miles was strewn with corpses.“’
for the ;est&ation of the iews to their own la*nd.” It is the claim of certain religious journals, and of mauJ
Addressing the Congress and speaking on the “General ministers of the gospel, that the present war in China for the
Pocition of the Jew,” Dr. Max Nordau is reported to have protection of ministers and missions is a holy war in the in-
said : terest of Christianity and its civilization, as against heathen
“ ‘Since they heran to review the position of the Jew among ism and its civilization. Now our question is whether thia
the nqtionq. during the sittings of the Congress, the drama had war is adding to the population of hejven or of hell, according
devclopcd before their eves. and everv act was proeresnivelv to “orthodoxy?” It is surelv a verv imnortant and nroner
lreartrendinc. TOP hook bf Joh must bk taken to de the picturk question fro& their standpoint. Let “us se’e; the succo;ing& of
of thr .TPwish position. Anti-Srmitiqm was m-owing more rirtl- the ministers and missionaries (every one of whom no doubt
lent. The press of Europe bore testimony to Jew; being cast would have been passported to heaven bv his own denomina-
in priqon for a crime to ‘none so revolting as to the Jew. In tion) has cost. the l&es of probably 50.600 persons thus far,
Prussia theqe ridiculous charges had received their auietus. about 5.000 of the number beine soldiers renresentine Chris-
and the mprgetic action of t&. government deserved the best tendom ‘(as the Russians of the lbove clippink). Now-did the
thanks of Jewry. entire 50.000 go to heaven?-the heathen because they did not
“ ?Vhv are we thus treatcdl Are we not as human as our know of Chrisi and the soldiers of “Christendom” bccausc tha
neinhhorq? Are we not as innocent? Is our desire to support were “soldiers of the rroqs?” If so. then the war alreadv hip
our wives and children 1eqR laudable in 11s than in them’ saved 50,000 and should be prosecuted vigorously. *
There have been other religious persecutions, but none so If our question be answered ne~~tivcly--that the heathen
gruesnme.’ 45,000 went to torment, and the “Christian” 5,000, being no
“One historical parallel occurred to his mind. In 1729-31 more “saints” than the heathen, went to the same awful fate,
all the Protestants in Salsburg, Austria, were expelled from then another question would be in order, namely: Would it not
their homes on account of reliniou3 intoleranre. They took all have heen more Christ-like for the few rescued miniqterq and
necesqarp comforts with them, Church dignitaries offered missionaries to have taken death as martyrs. in tht,ir faltb of
them vaiedirtorv blessings. and even accompanied them some an immediate entrance to heaven; and to h:lve allowed the.
distance towards their new land. Kine Frederick William I. 50,000 thus far slain in thp war, to escape the torture for R
of Pruqqia offered them a home, and their new neighbors vied few years more at least? Row inconsistent “orthorloug” is in
with earh other in the heartiness of their greeting. But the its every proposition respprting the rrry subject it profesqea
poor 270 000 Jews exiled from Roumania carry nought but the to know all about; viz., the divincx plan of salvation!
rags on their barks; for their sick there was no medical con- But how ronsistent the Bible teaclhing on these sublectq.
solation: and their future was as uncertain as their past way -( 1) That only consecrated believers in the atonement arc
dark. They are accompanied on their rough road with sus- Christians-%a&.” (2) That the vast maiority of those
picion and hatred; are met with repulses and rehuffs, and with killed on both sides were merely “rhildrcn of thir world.” and
the cry, ever growing sterner, ‘Go further, further.“’ not to he reckoned among the ‘“children of God,” whose trial
ARE THE HEATHENS SAVED OB LOST? for “glory, honor and immortality” in n~lu in progress. (31
Inconsistency seems to be stamped on every doctrine and That‘thc hour is coming in thi which not onlv- these, but
practice of “orthodox” Churchianitv. For instance, point out “aZZ that a.re in their araves shall hear the voice of the Son
to them that only one-fifth of the world’s population -make the of Mnn and romc fort&‘, the masses “q~nto [i. e.. to have an
slightest claim to be Christians, in the mont formal sense, and opportunity for] a resurrection [raising fully out of death.
that therefore the four-fifths who are professedly heathen can in perfect and everlasting conditions] bv iudements.“*
. .I
dia-
c

in no sense be saved in Christ, and that unless there be hope l The word in this text (Tohn 5:29) rendered is very
“dinmnotion”

for them in the future, by an awakening from death to “a improperly translated It should be “$fgment,” as in the Rew~cd VPV-
rron, and in verses 22, 27 and 30 of this same chapter and many other
resurrection by judgment,” there can be no other hope; and places in the Scripturtis where this word krisrs occurs.
r27051
(396-298) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

clplmes. corrections in righteousness, which will prevail toward vently that he might become white. Thirty years ago his
a11 men durmg the Mlllcnnlum. prayer began to be answered. He first experienced a prickling
CAN RESTITUTION CHANGE THE ETHIOPIAN’S SKIN? sensation on his face, and upon close investigation found a
The followmg, from the New York World, 1s the third we number of small white spots scarcelv larger than the pomt of
have seen reported. These suggest and illustrate the process of a pin. He became alarmed, thinking h< had some ^peculiar
restitution soon due. The item reads: disease but he did not suffer and aside from the nricklinn
“From Black to White He Slowlv Turned” sensation felt nothing unusual.’ Gradually the white spots b&
“PARIXRSIXRG, W. Va., Sept. &-It has fallen to the lot came larger and extended themselves, until now, after the
f,f the Rev. \i illlam H. Draper, pastor of the Logan Memorial change has been in progress for over thirty years, Draper has
church, of \Vashmgton Conkerence, A. M. E. church, of this not a single dark spot on his body.
to\\n, to give a living affirmative answer to the famous Biblical “Many years ago, before this strange metamorphosis took
question. “Can the Ethlouian chance his skin or the leonard place, Mr. Draper was in charge of the same church he har
!ll> spots?” Thougl, once as black-as charcoal, the Rev.-Mr. now. He was popular with his flock and his departure was a
Dlcrpvr IS now white. HIS people say that his color was source of great regret. When he recently returned to Parkera-
ch,~nged in answer to prayer- SIany iears ago Draper was burg therev was great rejoicing among the churchmen because
employed by a fair-skinned man. and he was often heard to their favorite pastor was coming back. When, however, Draper
re&ri< that if he could only be’ white like his employer, he appeared in the pulpit the first Sunday, not one of the congre-
would he happy. While in the white man’s service Draper gation recognized him. In fact, it was all he could do to con-
‘experienced’ religion. vince them that he. a white man. was the same old black
“From that day forward he prayed constantly and fer- preacher they had yiars before.” ’

DIVINE CARE FOR THE LOST

LUKE 15: l-lo.---OCT. 21.
‘There ts JOY WL the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repmteth.”
Lost. as used in connection with mankind, has quite a dif- that only a small minority--one in ten thousand, or one in a
fercnt rn~~~n~ng In the Eible from that commonly given it in hundred thousand of earth’s sixteen hundred millions, is even
motlcrn theology. The latter uses the term “lost” in connec. in a condition of reckoned and relative harmony with Jehovah,
tlon \\lth replobater, for whom there is no hope; it implies, the Great Shepherd.
ac’l 01ding to “ortl~odoay,” hopeless, endless, eternal torment. Viewing the one sheep as representing the whole of hu-
Eut tram the Scriptural standpomt the word “lost” is used in manity, fallen in Adam and &raving far from Daths of right-
a11 almost opposite sense, as ~111 be noted in the lesson be- eous&, and viewing Jesus as t”he 2ood Shepherd, the reire-
fort I,\. bentatlve of th(l Father. the Great Shcnhertl (l’\a. 23: 1 1. we
I

Our Lord, holy in word and in conduct, naturally would
r11a\v to llllll~clf especially the holmess people of his day, and
?:lc+ wc~e the Pharisees, amongst whom, however, were many
,\llOh(fi IIO~III(~S~\\ <IS of a IlJ-pocrltical character-delighting
out\\ art1 show rather than in purity and holiness of heart.
Recent le<.‘o~s showed us our Lord the guest and companion
of plomlncnt Pharlsces, and how he improved the opportunity
to preach the go’pcl to them as well as to others. But the
J’~I:II IYN+, accustomed to thinklng of themselves ‘as the holier
cla+ of thr Jews. had gradually separated themselves from
the lower c>ltments of that people, so that in our Lord’s time
tllcs t\\o cl.~h~+ mInglet very little; the Pharisees refusing to
ac,hnowletlge the others as brethren and fellow-heirs of the
di\ ine pronuhes. Consequently, when they perceived that the
lo\\ta~ cla<\(+ of the Jews were interested in Jesus’ teachings,
.II~II tllat .I(+~Is t11tl not 11oltl llimself aloof from them, but min-
<led with and taught them Just the same as others, they won-
dered, and this imlined them to repudiate Jesus, whom thev
would hale bcrn glad to have had -as one of their number ff
he had brrn willing to be known as a Pharisee and to conform
to their customs. -It was to correct the wrong ideas of these
Pharisees that Jesus gave five parables, which we are about
to caonsltlctr-two of thrm in thiq lesson.
The parable of the true shepherd who, loving his sheer, and
caring for them, left the ninety and nine werl cared for by
under-qhephcrds in the wilds (not in a desert) and went after
the one lost sheep until hc found it, give3 us an illustration
cjf the dlvinc care. Possiblv our Lord meant no further lesson
than thl3 to be taken from’hix words: but if we shall SUDDOSB
that the parable was intended to he ipplicd in its varied bar-
tlrulars, &cl to illustrate features of tl;e divine plan of sa\va-
tlon, WC would be obliged to suppose that the one sheep that
\[a-: lost rtspresented Adam and the buman family. and that
the ninety and nlnc nevrr lost. but rtamaininr under tbr shep-
herd’s care. were the angels and other snirit beings. who never
wandered into sin and &av from God;‘and who”alwavs
km nndrr 111ssupervision’and care. In this view tile shep-
hprtl going after thr strayin.:: sherp would represent our Lord
Jr-us, leaving the glory wblrh he hnd with the Father before
the world waq, and coming into human conditions in the in-
tereqt of mankind.
To take any other detailed view of the parahle than this
would seem inconsistent; as, for instance, to suppose that the
loit sheep represented the degraded element of humanity, and
ninety-nine sheep a holiness class, would be inconsistent
two ways: (1) “There is none righteous, no, not one,” is the
Scriptural declaration: and again. as the DroDhet has declared,
“we-all like sheep havk gone istray.” (Rbm: 3:lO; Isa. 53:6)
(2) Even if it should be claimed that the ninety-nine repre-
spnted some who are relativelp whole. tho not actually so. the
illustration would be inapt; because it will not be questioned
see that the work of going after the lost sheep began at our
Lord’s first advent. We see the cost to our Saviour incidental
to his start for the recovery of the sheep, but we do not yet
in see the sheep recovered: for in no sense of the word is man-
kind broughi back into’harmonv with God. We do, however,
see that durino this Gosnel a&e God is selectine from hu-
manity an elecz church, tdbe tge body of Christ--o--embers of
the Good Shepherd, under Jesus as the Head; and we see that
it is costing every member of the body something to prepare
to ioin in this work of seeking the lost sheep-humanitv in
general-during the Millennial lge.
Alreadv the sheen is found. in the sense of beine located:
indeed, in”that sensl of the wbrd it was not lost. ‘But as it
was lost, in the sense of having wandered from God into sin
and degradation, in the same sense of the word it must be
recovered or brought back, by processes of restitution (Acts
3: 19-21) out of &gradation, ‘oit of the mire of sin. and the
horrible Dit of iniauitv and death. It will reauire the entire
Millennial age to b&i back the sheep in the fuil, perfect sense
of the parable; but meanwhile our Lord assures us that ever
step in this great plan for human salvation is viewed wit4
Interest by the heavenly host, the sheep who &raved not from
the Father’s fold: and the figure changing a little in our
Lord’s explanation, and no longer represented bv one sheep,
but by many (even as the human family, tho o;iginally one,
is now many), he declares that there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth-that re-
turns to the fold, to harmony with God.
Those now returning to harmony with God are accepted in
the Beloved, and iustified freelv from all thines bv the grace
that was in him,” and are, in “the language of the Apostle,
“retnrninp to the Shenherd and Caretaker of their souls”
(1 Pet. 5:25) ; and c&led to be co-laborers with the Good
Shepherd, as members of his “body.”
In the case of Father Adam. the one original < stravino
Y : sheep. t.
have as in the case of many of his posterity, the lost condition 1s
not the desirable on&-far rathkr would he and many others
have eone back azain to the fold from which he &raved: but
in thi deFadatio’i and mire of sin, they became so hegiaded
and helpless that it was impossible for them to return in their
own strength by the way in which they went. They needed a
Savior+ne able to save them unto the uttermost-able to
recover them fully from all condemnation of sin, and to bring
them hack completely into the fold of God; and just such an
in one the heavenly Father has provided in our Lord Jesus: “He
is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto the
Father through him.”
True, there will be a class, as the Scriptures clear1 show,
who. after having received at the Lord’s hands all the b 9essinas
and’opportuniti& which his love has provided for their r’k
covery, will still persist in wilfulness-self-will, and thus
[ 27061
OCTOBER1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (299-300;

spurn the Good Shepherd’s proffered assistance. These, in the
Scriptures, are said to “sin wilfully after they have come to
a knowledge of the truth;” for such, the Apostle declares, there
remains no longer an interest in the great sacrifice, and “it is
impossible to renew” or recover them. Respecting the course
of such it is written. “There is a sin unto death; I do not say
that ye should pray’ for it.” Whoever thus sins wilfully
persistently puts himself beyond the reach of the Good Shep-
herd, and dies the second death, and thus ceases to have any
part or lot in the divine plan. (Heb. 6:4-G ; 1 John 5 : 16)
It was not for the “goat” class that the Good Shepherd gave
his life, and seeks in the desert; nor for the “wolves;”
merely for those who retain something at least of the “sheep”
nature. desnite their degradation in sin. Adam was a “sheep,”
or, as ‘the ‘Scriptures i&are, a “son of God” (Luke 3:38) ;
and while his transgression was a wilful one, in some respects,
we have no reason to suppose that it was more than a 2ca+a-
dcmng of the “sheep” from the fold, into ways of self-will:
it did not mean a change of nature from a sheep disposition
to that of a goat or a wolf. It did not mean that Adam pre-
ferred to be a “&ild of the devil.”
Had Adam at heart become intelligently and wilfully
enemv of God and of righteousness we cannot suppose that the
all-wise Shepherd would have sent his Son after him as a
“sheep.” True, many of the children of Adam today have
attained marked characteristics of goat nature, and, as the
Apostle declares, are “enemies of God through wicked works.”
(Col. 1:21) Nevertheless. the Apostle also explains that many
of these are in this condition, not wilfully, but because they
have been deceived by Satan into putting light for darkness
and darkness for liphtthe eves of their understanding
been deceived. He-explained” that the “god of this-world
[Satan1 bath blinded the minds of them that believe not” lest
they should see the glorious light of truth. (2 Cor. 4:4)
Manv of these, then, who through association with the adver-
sary- have become goat-like in many respects, still have some-
thine of the sheen nature. which. under DroDer enlightenment.
wourd assert i&If and be glai to have the Goodv Shepherd
restore them fully to divine favor and the fold.
From this standpoint, which we believe is the true one, and
the only one in harmony with the various features of the
parable. we perceive that God takes no account whatever of
those who will go into the second death; they will have no
existence whatever, so far as God and his plan are concerned.
from the moment they lose the sheep nature. And the. one
sheep which our Lold will recover during restitution times,
and by the close of the Millennium bring fully back into the
fold of God. will be the human family as God has recognized
it from the first; viz.. those created in God’s image and like-
ness. and who never fullv loqe that image and likeness, and
in whom his image and likeness will be revived and restored
during the ‘PIillennium. The lost sheep, which originally
represented in one (Adam and Eve) in its recovery will be
represented by hundreds of millions of the redeemed and
restored of mankind.
THE LOST PIECE OF SILVER
The narable of the woman who, having a bracelet on which
I
were hung ten pieces of silver-a rnarriiye token-on losing
one of these set diligently to work until she found it, is an-
other representation of the snme thought expressed foregoing.
The woman’s energy in seeking for the lost piece of silver is
given by our Lord-& an illust<ition of dlrzne-energy on behalf
of lost humunitu. And here again we see that the Scriptures
use the word “ibst” in referenye to the original loss, and not
at all in respect to those who will be destroyed in the second
death-the latter are not said to be lost: thev cease to exist;
they are not reckoned in the divine calcuiatio& at all, and not
worthy to be mentioned. They are not at all like the original
that was lost, which God recognized and proposes to recover.
The ten pieces of silver were not only of value, but each
had stamped upon it. ZIS is the custom with coin, a certain
image or likeness. And so with all the snns of God, angels,
archangels, and we know not how many other orders of spirit
beings, were made in the image and likeness of God. It was
one of these that was lost-the human one, man. And it was
that which was lost that was sought, and ultimately found.
The houses of olden times, lighted mainly through the door-
way, with the floors of earth (clay or sand or stones) more
or less littered and defiled, well represented the condition of
and sin and degradation in which mankind was lost, as represented
in father Adam, who bore the image and likeness of God. as
represented m the lost coin of the parable. The parable does
not represent the processes of restitution, but merely the origi-
nal loss and the ultimate recovery of the same thing that ZCCIS
but lost, and the energy put forth to this end. The lighting of the
candle and the sweeping diligently represent the work of Gocj
_ through the Christ, which will be accomplished by the end
of the Millenmal age. when that which was lost and sought
for, will have been fully recovered.
The restored race, when returned to the hcavcnlv Father at
the close of the Millennial age will, each and all, b”e as perfcc+
in his image and likeness ai was Adam in llis creation, with
the added benefits of larger knowledge and fuller anmeciation
of the divine One, who& likeness they will bear. go account
an 1s taken in this parable, either, of the increrlse in the numbers
of the human familv. nor of those members of Adam’s nosteritv
who, by reason of Gilful sin (the love of sin more thin ri&t-
eousness) will be “destroyed from amongst the people.” (Act5
3:23) Thev have no standing in the Father’s sight; indeed,
the Father ‘takes no cognizance of any except that which was
lost, and that which will ultimately be restored to him by his
faithful representative. Christ, who seeks and finds.
The great time of rejoicing, both in heaven and in earth,
have will come at the close of the Mlllennlal age, when all things
in heaven and in earth will be heard praising Him that sitteth
upon the throne, and the Lamb; but now, in advance of the
complete rejoicing, our Lord assures us that all the heavenly
host rejoices in every evidence of the accomplishment of the
great work; rejoices over one sinner that repenteth-who fully
turns from sin to harmony with God. And if the aneels in
heaven rejoice, so, in proportion as they are in harmony with
God and the heavenly beings, will all who profess to be God’s
people on earth have rejoicing in the recovery of fellow-crrn-
tures out of the snare and blindness of sin and Satan.
This was the particular lesson which our Lord sought to
impress upon the Pharisees-that instead of holding them-
selves aloof from, and feeling offended at, those who were
hearing Jesus gladly. they should, if they were in harmony
with God and the heavenly holy ones, have rejoiced to see any
evidence of repentance and reformation; and should have been
glad to assist back into harmony with God those who, as the
Apostle expresses it, were “feeling after God, if haply they
might find him.“--Acts 17 : 27,
And this must be the attitude of all the Lord’s people to-
was day: if they have not this sentiment of heart it is an evidence
that they have not the spirit of the Lord. And to have such
a feeling of loving interest in the recovery of others out of sin,
and a disposition to assist them back to harmony with God,
not only is an evidence of a condition of heart which is In
harmony with God, but will be found to be an aid to such
themselves, an assistance in making straight pnthq for their
feet, that they themselves, under the Shepherd’s care, may
ultimately rearh the fold in safety.
So then. let all of the Lord’s dear people who have already
been found by the Good Shepherd, and who have accepted his
loving care and assistance back to God, cultivate more and
more the spirit of sympathy for others, and of helpfulness
and coiiperation in the work in which the Good Shepherd is
engaged-not yet in seekin.g for humanity as a wholr. but 110~
specially in rendering assistance to those whom the Lord is,
in the present age, seeking out as the “first-fruits” of his
work and victory--edifving one another, building one another
UD in the most holv fiith, encouraging one another: helping
obe another to put”on the wedding’.erment, and to be Gee%
for the inheritance of the saints in light. as ioint-heirs in the
kingdom.-1 Thess. 5 : 11; Jude 20 ; Cbl. 1: 12 i Rom. 8.17

THE PRODIGAL’S RETURN

LUKE 15 : 1l-24.-OCT. 28.
“I u>ill arise and go to my father.”
Having given in the foregoing parables of The Lost Sheep matter close home to his hearers--both Pharisees and publi-
and The Lost Coin, an outline of God’s general dealing with cans-and show to all the real situation and the proper line of
the human family, our Lord now gave a third parable m illus- conduct for each to take.
trating God’s special dealings with the people of Israel. He It will be noticed in this connection that while our Lord
wished not only that his hearers should have the general illus- was known to be friendly toward sinners, he was nevel known
tration of God’s goodness and care for the recovery of the lost, to condone sin. The friendship ot the publicans was not gained
but now he would give a special lesson that would bring the through our Lord’s falsifying matters to them and claiming
[2707]
that they woe not smners; but on the contrary, by 111sdeclar- To hitch this parable on to the general theme presented in
1112them to be sinners, by showing his sympathv and love, and the two preceding, we might view the prodigal son as repre-
cheat i!lcir case. so far from being a hope&s o”nc, as the. con- senting, in a secondary sense, all the remainder of mankind
LlucL of the l’har~~tcs would imnlv. was honcful. if thev would outside of those few in Jsrael who were seeking to do the
hut rc”pcnt and turn to God. The
L ” “’ fathe#in the parlble rep- Father’s will; and from this standpoint we can see that the
resents ,Jchovnh God, and the “two sons” represent two classes feast, of fat things provided for the sinners in Israel corre-
!n Israel. the elder son represcntmg Moses and the prophets, sponds to the feast to be opened ultimatelv to the whole world
ant1 all iv110 *‘sat in IIoses’ \eat,” as representatlres of the 01 mankind under the kiigdom (Isa. 2”5:6), that all may
la\\., with. all \\IIo bought to conform their lives to Its leqllire- return to the Father’s house and that all who thus return
rll~nt~. l’llarl-cbc+, etc. The younger bon represent5 the re- will be received of God through Christ, not as slave-servants,
rna1ntl~~r of rh,ll prople Israel-the ~1.15~which w‘L\ Incllnetl to but as sons.
The two preceding parables make no reference to the human
will in the matter of the recovery of the lost; but this parable
s,i-tnin ~von~l~rf~il b1(+5lnei and promises-the bles~ln~s being makes the human will very pro&nent. It was the w%Zi of the
elder son which for a time kept him in the Father’s house; it
was the wzll of the prodigal son that led him forth, his wilful
going into the depths of degradation not being hindered by
illomiscs, c71;~,yc~l tl1(1 blf X54ng:s at hom’e with ‘the I&thcr, that the Father. Likewise, it was his own UJLZZthat led him to
j.. in fr~lon+~~iu with Cod a9 his nconle. The vouneer son retrace his steps to the Father’s house; and it, was only the
wprcwnttd tllc’ (.I:L\s \\llirh lgnore’d khr promi&, t&k It< wzEl of the elder son that hindered him from entering into all
-hare of pr(iirnt lJl(~~<ings. and departing from God wandered .I y
the iovs of the festal occasion with which the narable closes.
.itar front 111111, 1115111and tlly1egard of the law. This parable also ignores the second death,*and the class
Thc~ latttar ~I:Is~ hat1 antlc*lpated much pleasure in the way- that, will ultimately be cut off therein. The son that was lost,
\\.trtl cour~c’: Ijut as a malt& of fact iound. as a11 trani- and subsrquently was found, was lost in his going away into
zrcs\or* do. that “tllc wav of thr transgressor I> hard.” And sin, and not lost in eternal torment. He was found in his re-
in thik rc**pcc,t the slnner:cla+ of Israei~was no dilTerent from turn to God. He was dead, so far as the Father was con-
(4ny other class of sinners at any other time living in violation cerned, when he was away; but he was alive again when he
‘If the known law, it 15 an attitude of want. of hunger. of dis- willingly returned.
-.cti-faction, cll,cc);ltcnt, It, IS a condition of ‘slavery ‘to ‘sin and The lesson to the Pharisees. in this parable, like the others,
IIf recpI\~ng of bin’+ waxes: in the present life, wages of un- was in respect to their proper duties toward their brethren,
tlappinesq. mc~l:lnc*hcrlia. Ilr>%rt-aches as well aq body-arhrs. The who in receiving Jesus were showing evidences of a return to
parnblc reprc+nts this \on as thoroughlv disgusted with his God. Indeed, so far as we know, few. if any, of our Lord’?
condition, resolving to return to his father’s house-not ex- disciples were of the religious class of that time. who claimed
pertlng to I~(, an inheritor of the great promises, the rights to to sit in Moses’ seat. anl to be in every bense of the word the
whlc~h wc’rc atlmittc~dly forfeltrd, hut merely hoping to have favorites of the Father in that covenanted nation. That the
I nc prlr ilrgc of bring admitted to the house as a scrtzznt, not Pharisees did not profit greatly by the palable seems evident;
imlllnr: to be recri\rd a5 a .solt. few from that class were will& ‘to .tbandon their position of
Our Lnrd thns illuqtrates the condition of some of the pub- vaunted superiority, and to acknowledge that in everything
!I(‘:III~ and slllners hovering about him and listening to his they were wholly dependent upon the Father’s grace. and of
teacahin,ne, rcxspccting whoqe reception and instruction the themselves could do nothing.
l’harisees were finding fault. Our Lord would have them see Some parallel to those conditions which obtained in thv
the :lttltudc of the hc-avrnlv Father toward theqe returning end of the Jewish age might be found now in the end of the
weq. an<1 111the nalahle pictured him as seeing the repentant Gospel age, even as we have found that in every particular the
prodigal a long <vav off,‘and as having compassion for him, Jew&h $dple and their harvest time were a p”a<tern or figure
ant1 great willln?nhsa to rarrive him. How this must have or illustration of the Gospel age and spiritual Israel. Amongst
tou&ed the hearts of the publicans who heard-to think that spiritual Israelites today, in our Lord’s second presence, a
God was willing to receive-them back again, not to spurn them message is going forth to the groaning creation, a message re-
<IS the Pharlsce\ did ! Our Lord nrocecds with the Dicture snectinc the Father’s love. and its lennths and breadths and
further, to show that the Father notbnly received the prodigal, hgight?” and depths ; a message ’ respecring the ransom given
hut. beyond hiq cxsprctations, received iirn as a son, not as a by our Lord Jesus, that it, was “a ransom for all,” and that
-ervant-providing for him a new robe of righteousness, and his death was “not only a propitiation for our sins [the
making for him a great feast of welcome. church’s but also for the sins of the whole world ;” a meb-
Then, as illustrating the attitude of the complaining Phari- sage that the whole world, thus redeemed by the precious
Sees, the elder brother is pictured in the parable ai disap- blood of Christ. is to have full ormortunitv of returnine to
pointed at the return of the prodigal brother. Thus our Lord divine favor dliring the Rlillenniai~age. “the times of r&ti
levealrtl to them how different was their attitude of heart tution of all things, spoken by the mouth of all the holy
from that of the heavenly Father; and thus he gently reproved prophets since the world began.”
them. The parable shows the attitude of the Pharisees in Now, how is this message received by nominal Christen-
fleelining to call the protligal “brother,” saying-“This thy dom, as to some extent corresponding to the elder brother of
son.” wllilc the view of the hrarenly Father to the contrary the parable? Does it not appear that the message of restitu-
$3 cxprcqsed in the words, “This tiry brother was dead and is tion for a “groaning creation” (Rom. 8 : 22 ) is received in much
(ilive again.” the same manner Ihat evidences of God’s grace toward the
The Pharisees and othrrs of the .Jewish nation who sought Jewish Drodieal were received? Does it not annear that
to keep the law--to he faithful to God’s requirements, were, many of’ our vdear friends, whom we would have iipected to
10 far aq that was concerned, in the right attitude; and up reioice to find the heavenly Father willing to receive back the
tn that timr and point were heirs of all that God had prom- repentant world, and that he has made fdll provision for their
rsed. and had to give; and had they been not only outwardly return to fellowship with himself through Jesus. and full
rrlirriour but rellrious in heart alqo. thev would have been preparation to let them all know of his grace in Christ,-does
iullv prepared to ‘have received at ou; Lord’s handr the great it not seem that this gracious message of “good will toward
‘,le~~illfs of 1111% kinrrtlom pririlc ~~pcswhich being in a wr’ontz men,” “good tidings of great joy to all people,” should be to
,lttitnde of hrart, thev desnircd and reiected and lost. This all Christians a gladsome message?
their lnsq iq rcprpqcmt’bd in-the parable by their refusal to go It surely shoild be such to all who have the Father’s Spim’t;
rn to thr f(,nqt matlc bv the Fatbcr. to which thrv were as to all who love their neighbor as themselves. But we know
welcome as the returned Drodinal. and in which ‘feast, had how bitterly the messagg is reiected bv some who, to out-
they l)rcn in a proper attitude &f heart, they would have had ward appearances, have long been fav&ed of the Heavenly
J prominent place with the Father in bestowing the welcome Father. and who are well versed in his law. and who have
an thr rettlrnrd one. Bnt as tbev were not in the right atti- been seeking to keep close at home, in the s&se of outward
tnde of heart to rcrrive their repentant brethren, neither would obedience to the laws of righteousness. What would their
thrp have heen in the right attitude of heart to be the Lord’s course of conduct in respect to his message of present truth
instruments of general blessing in his kingdom. He selects Imply ? Would it not imply that outwardly thev had been
for joint-heirs with himself & the kingdom, not the self- sons- of God, in obedience‘ t”o the laws of righteo”usness, but
righteous, who despise others, but such as are of an humble that thev had at heart been far from him, even when with
heart. and who, receiving divine mercies and favors as a grace, their li<s they drew nigh unto him, and’ when they bent
are filled with thankfulness, and having the spirit of h&lit their knee in prayer to him?
and of harmonv with the Father. reioice to co-operate wit K Would it not seem that if they had the Father’s spirit
horn in all of 11;s benevolent plans ‘for ‘the recovery-of the lost. of love and kindness and generosity and justice and truth
C27083
chxQstR 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (297-303)

they would be glad, yea, rejoice exceedingly to know that bringing back the lost sheep, of sweeping diligently and find-
after the selection of the church of this present age to be the Ing the lost coin, and, in every sense of the word, of welcom-
bride and joint-heir with Christ in the kingdom, the Heavenly mg back to the Father’s house the lost brother.
Father had a great and wonderful plan of restztutzon for the It is not for us to judge the hearts of men; that is beyond
world of mankind in general? If they had the Father’s our power ; but the Loltl seems to bc uhiug 111* trulh in
Spirit, if they had the spirit of him who left the Father’s
glory and humbled himself to our conditions, even unto such a way that it shall become the discerner of the thoughts
death, to be a co-worker together with the Father in the great and intents of the hearts, and that, sharper than any two-
work shortly to be accomplished for the recovery of the lost, edged sword, it shall separate, shall discover, shall manifest,
it certainly should fill the Lord,s “brcfilircn’, wltli j6y to who have the spirit of the Lord, and who have not his spirit.
know that it will be a part of their privilege as members of “If any man have not the hpirit of Christ he is none of his.“-
the body of Christ to JoIn with him in this great Hark of TIeb. 4 : 12.

AN INTERESTING QUESTION
HEB. 12 : 23.
THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT proaching, and all of the church throughout the age have been
Questzola.-How should we understand the statement of approachmg, the glorious Mount Zion, the kingdom of God,
Heb. 12:23, respecting “the spirits of just men made perfect?” the kingdom of blessing.
Anszosr.-To appreciate this we must take the statement Ard what shall we find in this kingdom when we have fully
in its connections- - The Apostle is contrasting the introduc- reached it? We shall find the heavenly city, God’? klngtlom
tion of the Law Covenant with the introduction of the New of power and great Elory. We shall find ourselves introduced
Covenant; and let us remember that altho the church is jus- to ‘a new company iof brethren-the heavenly host; and we
tifiecl by the blood of Christ, which seals the New Covenant, shall find our loved ones who have traveled with us in the
nrverth’eless. the New Covenant itself is not considered as narrow way, in that first general assembling of thp church of
having gone’into effect during this Gospel age; it is a covenant the first-borns, whose names are written in heaven There WC
ior the wolld of mankind, and the putti$ .of it into effect shall find our heavenly Father, the great Judge of all; there
brinrs the times of restitution
<a
of all things at the second we -hall fintl tlic !,pirlt<, the, ne\\ Ilnillrc~ nt tllct !\I- t ifis 011(‘*
.Idvent. The church, altho justified by the-sacrifices which fully perfected in the likeness of their Lord and Head-“We
dealed the New Covenant, is really accepted under the Abra- shall be like him, for we shall see him as he IS.” There we
hamic covenant-accepted as the &cd of Abraham-members shall find in due time perfected human beings fully restored
of the body of Christ-through which Seed all the families of to the divine likeness in which fathrr Adam &as crhatcd; and
the cnltb are to be blesred under the Sew Covenant, sealed at there we shall find Jesus. who mediated the New Covenant:
Calvary, during the Millennium. and there we shall ever ‘appreciate the blood of sprinkling
The Law Covcanant, of which Moses was the Mediator, and which cleansed us and presented us faultless before the Father
which ‘1~~1sgiven at Mount Sinai amid the thunderings and in love.
Iightningr and \oic*cs, etc., was typical of the New Covenant But altho we are approaching these grand and glorious
of wlll(~h Christ (Head and body) is the Mediator, and which things, we are not to expect that they will all br ushered in
IJ to be introducacd to the worl”d of mankind after the whole in a peaceful manner; on the contrary, as the Apostle points
bodv of Christ has shed its blood and been comnleted A and out (verses 26, 27), there will be a corrtsapondence between
rlo;ified.-Acts 3 :22 ; Col. 1 :24. the &eat time of trouble, with which the Riillennial age and
The Apostle &X&S a palallel between the marching of its New Covenant ior mankind will he ushered in. and the
Israel from Ezvnt and the Red Sea. un to Mount Sinai, where, wav in which the Law Covenant to the Jrws was ushered in
Imder the lea’d”e;ship of the priestho;d, they came under the --only that the New Covenant will hr u~~hrretl in on a much
Law Covenant. :IIIII iI II ~110 hi)l)c to hrcome c:otl’, p~~opl1~. grander and antitypical plane. There will be a shaking here,
marching under the lead of Christ and the “royal priesthood” as there was a shaking there; but instead of its being the
toward another mountain-to Mount Zion, the kingdom of physical earth that will shake, it will be the symbolical earth
I:otl. thv 71111~w111:11 klngtlom. F’oll,>\vln~ under l.lle 1)jllnr’r of -societv. And not alone the social structure, but also the
the antitvpical Mediator, will come all of God’s Israel, all who heavens: or ecclesiastical structure, is to be shaken here. AS
Ire willing to be delivered from the power of the antitypical the Apostle’s words clearly intimate, the shaking will be 8
Pharaoh vz., Satan. much more wonderful one than was it4 type, even aq every
Shed we consider how the Israelites approached Mount antitvpe is much greater than its type. He explains that the
Sinai as a host, and that they did not all pet there at the shaking here is to‘be so thorough th”it it will &ake everything
Yame moment nor the same hour, nor even in the same day, that is shakeable. and that onlv the fixed. permanent, right-
xe find the parallel of thiq in the fact that the Lord’3 peoplo eouq things shall ultimately remain. Anri those thin& that
throughout this age have been gradually approdc>hing thiq kina- shall be permitted to remain. he declares (verse 28) pertain t0
dom-not all at once, but one after another throughout the the kingdom of God. which is immoveable. unshakeable.
ace. The last members of the roval priesthood are onlv get- It ig this kinadorn toward which all of the Lord’9 people
ting rlose to thn kingdom, Mount Zibn. now; and arc ’ to- be marrh throneho& this Gospel ace, that will then be fully at-
followed in turn bv all the hosts who will become true Israel- tained amidst all thclt prent sh~lkin~ and confusion of the
ltes during the Millennial age, when light and knowledge shall great day of trouhle which is in-t before us. And as Mnces
be freelv granted. went up’into the quaking mountain, and was lost to the sinht
With this picture before the mind, and reading the Apos- of the people below, so at, and in cnninnrtion with these
tle’s words as translated in the Diaqlott, we see a beauty in mimhty manifestation5 of the time of trouhlr the entire rhnrrh
the expression: We have not approached the natural mountain will be “caught up,” eatherrd to the I;ord. changed to his like-
with the terrors of the law, t$e smoke and the clonds and ness-passing through the port,als of death, thnugh thev &all
thick darkness and lightnines and voices of words that spoke not sleep, but be changed in a moment. in the twinkling of
tbnndemnation and d&th to-any who erred; but we are- ap- an eye.

ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM FAITHFUL WORKERS

I)EAR RussET,L:--S~~~
BROTHER time ago Brother Wood- way thev will read with an unprrjutlicctl mind-it does not
worth witncsscd my method of handin out the Volunteer arouse their antagonism my giving them the impresqinn that
TOWERR and was so well pleased with It that he made me vnu hnve something to refute the argument9 thrv have just been
promise to write to you about it. I don’t consider it anything listening to. If any know of the WATCH TAPER and do not
out nf the ordinary, but for the sake of my promise I mill care for it, thev can refuse to take it, and thus one is saved
qive it to you. for some one else. I think T am justified in giving the impres-
With a how and a smile T say, “Sample-WATClT TOWER;” sinn thrlt T am qceking susbscrihers; if anvone becomes inter-
or “Free sample WATCH TOWER.” If any quwtionq are asked, T rsted. he zoill become a suhscriher, and it is for surh that we
qay. “An unsectarian religious magazine.” i\Iy reasons for this specially labor. With much love. T am,
method are, I seek to interest them thus, or rather to arouse
their curinqity in knowing what the paper iq: rather givin.p Yours in the best of bonds,
them the impression that 1 am seeking subscribers. In this JOSEPH 1,. HOACLAND.-Pe)lna!/lunnia.
x11-51 r27091
(304-307) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,PA.

DEM BROTIIER RUSSELL:-The TOWER for Aug. 15 is at vention. I realize that to be present costs you some sacrifice
hand and read. aud I cannot resist writing to vou on the sub- and inconvenience, perhaps, but if you could have heard the
ject, but by no means for the purpose of gettigg an answer as expressions of satisfaction at its close, and the expressions of
I well l;nc~\v the! \-,\lue of vour tmle. \Vhen iir>t. in the uicat regret that it was so soon over, I know that YOU would have
joy of ha\ mg recerrcd the truth, I hastened to’tell my’dear fert well repaid. But, dear Brother Russell, y&r reward is in
brothers and sisters in Holland, I met with terrible rebuffs. the hands of him who is the “rewarder of all those that dili-
My very dear youngest sister sent me a tract, in which a gently seek him,” and our thanks are feeble indeed when
parson, CJcharsr-hirelrng ( w h ose the sheep are not) warned compared with the satisfaction which he gives in this life,
his flock (pen) againit the “soul-damning doctrines of MIL- and the hope ahich he sets before us to be given us in tbe
LENXI.\L DAWS.” “lt added,” said he, “and lopped off Scrip- life to come. All the brethren expressed themselves in these
ture,” and t o prove that he never did such a thing he went on words, “ ‘A feast of fat things’ if e;er there was such a feast”’
to say that “the wags of bin 1s death and eternal torment.” and I found it in my own heart to echo the same words. I
Ever since ‘91 I have quietly but persistently spoken of was very sorry to miss the sessions during the day on
my Lord ah I know him nuw. Lately my sister’s notice has Tuesday. but it could not be avoided. However, it seemed
been tlrn~vn to the fat% that I was concerned about her “soul’s that my cup of satisfaction was full.
conditu~n.” and I pointed out to her how she, knowing that I It seems. as one brother exnressed
A it. that every Convention
bad imlnbcd “sol11-tlamniug doctrinrs.” had never taken a is a little better than the preceding one, and that this must
step to prevent my ;loit!g Into the tortures of hell file. while be true i5 intllcated by tile fsct lhlt \\e ar(’ in tllcb en11 of
she noultl give her trmc to, and get concerned about the wel- the days, and the end draws on apace. How good our
fare of snme man in pr:<on, who had merely transgresfed the Master is to so freely disclose to us things which are intended
“tradltlc’ll, (:t n1,‘n ” .\I)- I(ittcal \\:I. Ia1 gc’ly p’ornp:“l I!r 011(’ for our consolation and hope and purification.
from a serontl si+ter. who has youth, beauty, wealth, talent and As we comprehend more and more of the plan of the
society in her favor, but who gives all to nurne the sick. ages and of the love of God, which he manifested in his Son,
She has worked her way to be dlrectreqs of the Reformed hos- we exclaim. “Kho is a God like unto thee: , <i great and mar-
pital in Amsterdam, our native city. Hers is a life of actual velous are thy works”’ And as we come to comprehend also
service, and, the still in orthodoxv. she confessed that she that the plan and the love, both, include even us, we feel con-
was tnwhd tJy th eVltkllt lOVe a& interC!St 1 manifested in strained to adore such a God, and to spend our lives in his
Christ’s fcachine. and that I had the “sift to analvze thought.” service. Remember me, as I remember all saints, before
Oh, how glad Iy~v~ll be if I may have-stepped o& so far”past the throne of grace.
myself to show tllcm my only Head and Master! Souls full of Yours in his service,
love and con%errntion. but yet of the heart ‘r~low to under- R. H. BaRBER.--iVew York.
stand.” ,Jubt think of 11~s lik6 those clearlv seeing, so that
they too may rcccivc the “gift to analyze (order) thought.” DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL: -Just a word to tell you that
Oh, how dcarlv I hone I mav have suficient light in me all our alans are turned over.-no doubt with the Lord’s
that it may shine clcariy enough for others to see: I fully permission. I cannot go to Giengen: just today I received a
appreciate what you say about sudden deaths. The fact that letter from Sister Frnkh, in which she informs me that the
we have an undrrstandlng of the plan of the ages is not a fact of renting a dwelling for me has aroused such an
guarantee that the n:intl of Christ is in us. If, in one sense, excitement and hostility amongst church people there that the
it is a sign of exccedlng love and benefaction, it brings with people who rented me the rooms are so afraid as to annul it.
it no less a rcsnon<ibilltv. Kot all those who understand these Two ministers came three or four times to the woman, and
truths are destined for”one office and one purpose. I do not finallv told her that she would briug a curse upon herself,
care for the reward, I do not ask for one; all I ask and all if she would take me in her house, they would write to the
I care for is to render efficient service to at least some sin- rhurch authorities. and went to the nolicc, etc. Sr. Finkh
laden, faltering one for His Name’s sake. The 15th Psalm has was attacked in the street bv a woman: who. cried aloud after
been my choice one from childhood : and from it I learned, amid her ugly words, and the ministers themselves used such ex-
the luxurious surroundings of a banker’s home, to ask why pressions in speaking of me as would be punished here, if
I had receivrtl so much when others had so little, others whom spoken publicly. Sr. Fink11 and the other three seem to be
I loved and honored, and who were more worthy ‘than I. Good most earnest, and will follow the Lamb whitheraocver he goeth,
as my father was, both as man and Christian, I saw that he even unto death. There is already such hatred as to kill the
did not earn his wealth, and that the world was but little Lord’s true people, if they were permitted at all.
better for his being in it. I made up my mind (I can easily 1 do not know, at this moment where to go, but trust the
remember) at the age of 12, that I would right the wrong Lord mill show me soon. as I wish with all my heart to follow
if I could, and today I am still laboring towards that end. his leading only. Pray for me, dear brother, and for the
I feel that I swore then-and whether to my hurt or not I do dear sisters in Gitngen.
not know-and I have not chang:cd since. I do know that. Yours in our glorious hope,
accortltnp to the I’+altn. I have been blc~setl far beyond my hi. E. GIESEKE.-@3m&n?/.
deserts, for “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation;” yea, I be- [It is remarkable what an antagonism the truth awakens
hold (‘ana;ltl’S girtttxrlng sllnrek. It 1s therefore suite itn- among the preachers and church officials of Babylon. We
material to mc. reverently speaking, what occurs. The king hear much of Christian union and liberality and fraterniza-
dom comet11 not lty olwt L,rttcm. that thcv should rap T,o 11~1. tion of Catholics and Protestants. but cu(*h things apply to and
or lo there, and I noultl pluck my right eye (that wherein I among those who preach “bad tidings,” and is not considered
thought I saw aright) rather than lose the kingdom. applicable to us who proclaim the “good tidings of great joy
With nravcrs. brother. that the suirit
. ” , L of meekness. love which shall be to all people.” Strange, is it not? And yet
and humilrtp may he increasingly yours, that so you may prove how it reminds us of the bitterness of the hatred of the
faithful to the last, I am church officials of Jewrv at the first advent. As our Lord
Yours in the service of the truth, declared, they “hated the light,” and the greater the light
DASIEL F. BOKSSEVAIN,-C~~U&I. the more was their hatred, until thev attempted to extinguish
the Light by killing him. The hatred above described indicates
D~.\R BIWTII~;R Russrrr:--T take the first opportunity to the snirit of murder I1 John 3 : 15) : will it ever lead to literal
personally tllank you for your attendance at the Saratoga Con- murder ?---How soon ?-EDITOR.]
~__-
VOL. XXI ALLEGHENY, PA., OCTOBER 15, 1900 No. 20
L-
VIEWS FROM THE TOWER
WORLD MOVEMENT TOWARD DENOMINATIONAL UNION churches, amounting to nearly fifty in number; and federa-
A contemporary thus sums up the recent tendencies toward tion is one step on the road to organic union. In Scotland,
union on the part of Churchianity,-in full harmony with the Congregationalists and the churches of the Evangelica
what our pag” for the past twenty years have shown will Union-sometimes called Morrisanians-amalgamated their
be the procedure of “Babylon” just prior to her fall “as a forces a short time ago; and the Free and the United Presby-
great millstone into the sea.” We quote as follows:- terian churches are to become organically one next October,
“The question of denominational union is fast becoming as already mentioned in these pages. In South Australia the
one of the moit important questions of the day in all Prot- three leading Methodist denominations, and in Canada all
e&ant lands. In Germany, as we have lately pointed out, a the various Methodist bodies have for some years been one.
strong movement exists for the federation of the stste This is an encouraging record.
[ 27101
ocTosEx IS, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (307-308j

“Besides this measure of union already attained, there press is under the tyranny of mere administrative orders in
are promising movements under way in England. All the Russia, and official peculation is nearly as rife as in China.
ereat Protestant churches outside the Establishment have for And this gives rise to strange misgivings. Are the so-called
zome years had a strong federal organization, as we have Christian nations really followers of the relidous cult
~~~~
thev
---0
several times pointed out. During several years past an so ostentatiously and “proudly profess? O.
attempt has been made to unite organically two of the Meth- “Without going so far with Count Toistdi as to say that
odist bodies-the Princeton Methodists and the Bible Chris- his rendering of the real meaning of Christianity is the
tians. Both are offshoots of the original Wesleyan parent correct one, we do go so far as to say that the precepts of the
stock, but separated from it on questions of church govern- Sermon on the Mount are the most important in the so-called
ment.” Christian code of morality. And these precepts, unquestion-
ably, are against war, and all against according honor to any
CHRISTIAN THEORY AND PRACTICE CONTRARY nation or any man on the mere grounds of success in the
The following is from The Orient, a Japanese journal: exercise of brute force, much less of success in slaughtering
“Japan enjoys the unique distinction of being the only enemies. And yet it is precisely on these grounds that non-
non-Christian power that has been admitted into what is Christian Japan has been accorded the respect of so-called
called the comity of nations on a footing of perfect equality, Christian Europe and America!
and, to judge from the utterances of the European and Amer- “We can very well understand the old Hebrews respecting
ican press she is by no means the least respected power. Un- us for success in war, for the old Hebrew God was -a Ga
fortunately the cause of this respect is not such as to satisfy of battles. But we have alwavs understood that the Christian
all Japanese. Japan has made great progress in the arts of Father in heaven was no meie tribal war-god, but a God of
peace, - but that is not really why she is respected. That re- love. The present situation is not a little puzzling to us
spect was earned in a short nine months by the achievements poor benighted heathens of Japan, who have earned the respect
of the Japanese army and navy. Now that sort of thing is of those who profess to follow the precepts of Christ on
pleasing enough to a nation’s amour propre, but on calmly the Mount, by success in slaughtering our enemies, and by
thinking the matter over some Japanese would wish that the that alone. Will real Christians kindly explain what it all
respect of Western nations had been earned by something else means ?”
l + *
than by mere proficiency in the art of slaughter conducted
on modern scientific nrincinles. Russia, too, is respected and In our “View” of last issue we made a typographical
feared. Yet she is the only non-constit&ional country in the error, in stating that Terah, Abraham’s father, died at
comity of nations. The liberty of the individual and of the seventy. It should have read-two hundred and five years.

THE CHRISTIAN’S GOAL

THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE CHICAGO CONVENTION
Perfect love-the mark for the prize; Perfect love! 0 Lord can it be
How shall I reach it, 0 Lord? Thou in infinite mercy canst see
The way thou hast walked is a narrow way, In one so unworthy, so helpless as I,
So we read in thy precious Word. A heart that unto thee would draw nigh?
We eagerly start in the way with joy, Perfect love! Lord, can it really be
Thinking our love is pure; Thou hast so loved and cared for me,
But the Father, seeking our perfectness, That when in me did sin so abound
Purgeth us more and more. Thy grace more abundant was found?
Till, by dint of strokes and of tears Perfect love-the mark for the prize
Made to look back o’er bitter years Thou hast placed beyond the skies !
Our hearts in anguish deep exclaim 0 yes, our dear Lord, we will patiently run,
“Woe is me !” “Wretched man that I am!” With our eyes on thee alone;
We know that in us dwelleth no good thing, Not looking back on the way we have come,
But in the Beloved do we stand; Battles fought, and victories won;
0 glory and honor and praises to him But forgetting those things which are behind
Who holdeth us in his hand! Press along our reward to find.
Perfect love-we do see it in him,
Who gave his life, our poor lives to redeem;
That we might as sons to our Father draw near,
For in Jesus we’ve nothing to fear,
As in the light of his glorious face
We press to the end of the race;
Standing complete in his Righteousness,
He alone our perfect dress.
-ME. C. A. Ownm.

SEASONS OF REFRESHING
As the time for the Dallas, Texas, Convention drew near, At San Antonio we had great refreshment during two
it became evident that it would serve only a small proportion days’ meeting with about one hundred and fifty of God’s dear
of the Texas friends who would desire to attend, and so ar- people, mostly from local points. Two informed us that they
rangements were made for two other gatherings in that large had driven over one hundred miles in a wagon, there being
State-about 300 miles apart ;-namely at Houston and at no good railroad connections, and, anyway, the expense being
San Antonio. And another local convention of nearby friends a consideration. The Lord’s blessing was with us ad1 in
was held at Columbus, Ohio, on the Editor’s return trip. All bountiful measure as we considered together the grandeur
were seasons of refreshment in spiritual things, profitable, we of our high calling, and the “mark” to which all must attain
trust, to all who attended. if they would win it.
At Dallas the attendance was about 300; from all parts At Columbus we had but one day, but it was one full of
of Texas, from Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Mis- refreshment, as we met about one hundred dear brethren and
sissippi, Alabama and California. The three days were prac- sisters from local points, and communed together concerning
tically one continuous meeting with necessary intermissions the exceeding great and precious promises and arrangements
for food and rest. Fifteen brethren and seven sisters sym- of God for the elect, and through them for all the families
bolized their real baptism into Christ’s death, by immersion in of the earth, in God’s due time.
water. The arrangements at every point were most complete, and
At Houston we had only a one-day meeting, but it was with the cordial reception accorded ourself and all visiting
a good one; full of love, joy, fellowship of kindred minds ; brethren, bespoke-amongst all-a
its influence will abide, with some at least, through life, yea “Love divine all love excelling.”
throughout eternity, no doubt. The attendance was about We shall cherish fondly to the end of our pilgrimage the
one hundred and twenty-five, chiefly local. remembrance of the hearty greetings and many kind atten-
[ 27111
(309-310) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

tions, great and small, lavished upon us by loved ones whom are spiritually profitable to many, we feel nevertheless that
we had never met before, but who, for all that, were far from they must not be indulged so freely next year, nor until the
strangers. \Ve accepted these attentions as done “unto the concluding two volumes of the DAWN series are prepared.
Lord” and to us a representative of him and his truth; and The conventions of this year have retarded VOL. VI. a full
not as personal trihutes. If, as our Master promised, even
year. We have not as yet gotten started on it, and yet our
a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple shall be
rewarded bv him, surely these many kindnesses to us as his daily increasing mail clearly shows its need. We have in
servant will bring showers of spiritual blessings to many; mind for 1901 a convention at BufTalo, N. Y., to which point
and in thi4 \ve rejoice. the Pan-American &position will undoubtedly secure low
hluch as we enjoy these conventions and realize that they excursion rates.

“THY SAINTS SHALL GLORIFY THEE”

“They shdl sprak of the glory of thy Kingdom, and talk of thy pozoer; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and
ltce glorluus majesty of his Kingdom.“-Psa. 145:5-H?.
Various ‘11c the view-1)oint.s from which mankind regards to glory and eternal life, and in the passing by of the great
Its CI cntnr. The world of mankind in general notes merely mnjnrity of others, condemning them to an etcrnitv of torture
1~1smrghtg nrtq, u rthout appreciating his glorious character. -and that since “known unto the T,ord are all his works”
This is sugge-ted by the Prophet, saying, “I will speak of God fnrekncw and foreordained whatsoever crimes t.n na&
[nwtlrtatc on 1 the glotrou\ honor of thy majesty, and of thy and thus purposed the eternal tormc,nt of the vast rnnjbrity
\I orId Oil? tltwl~, ant1 mc*n shall speak of thy terrible acts: of his hundreds of millions of human creatures before creating
but 1 \\ ill tl~clare tlry grratnrss.” (Vss. 5, 0) The world them. Can these dear Christian friends derlare the honor and
spt~.rl;et II trf It* o\ln, and nccorcling to its intelli,gence respec- majeqtp, the greatness and goodness, of their Creator? No’
111~ tllr .\llrri::lrt>~: but the Iao~d’s pcoph, specially instructed Hindered hy such a false view of God’s plan and of his mighty
hy horn :~ntl taught of tile holy spirit, know of the Lord and works, they cannot discern in such a course either justice.
111sgrratnes5 III a SCIW that the remainder of mankind know or love, or any other great or honorable quality, that they
t,hlll 11ot should honor or reverence it. Hence, like the world, they
As the Apoitle dcclnrea. “The natural man receive01 not merely take note of the mighty powrr of ,Tehovah. and fear
the tlt:rrz\ of the \pirrt (If (:ntl, neither can he know them, be- him, but are unable to take-the position of the saints and to
ca~i-r tllcsv arc spiiitually tlisccrncd. . . . But God hath .glorifv his name and declare his riehtenusnrss.
rrvc~:rl~,rl tllciri unto u‘i hy his sprrit.” (1Cor. 2:14, 10) AS Another large body of Christian people repudiate the fore-
our 1.01tl again tlccl.~i ed, “To you it is given to know the aoinz fnlco view, asserting another cqunlly untrue, and :~lmnqt
rn> sterlr q of the kingdom.” “Blessed arc your eyes. for they equally dishonoring-tho their thought is to glorify God.
SW : and your ears, for they hcnr.” (Mark 4:ll; Matt. and to relieve his character of the stain of injustice. inrqrlitr
13 16) \\.(a are not, thrn, to be ~urpriscd at the wide differ- and lovelessness with whirh the fnrezning view wnultl b&
POW of rr;rtl(~rst:rntlrng of God and of his mightiness and of smirch it. These, therefore, claim that, God loves evrrv rnrrn-
his char :rc.tcar, as vicncd by the eaints and by the world; her of the rare, and is doing and has been doing since the fall
rn t1~c.r \\ (a :iic* to eXpcc+ srlc*h a differrnce of view. The Apos- everything within his power to rescue Adam’s fallen race from
tlr> (-YI~~:IIII\ tllr re:rson. telling us that the god of this world their tlifhrulties. But with such a view how could thry extol
h;tlr hlintl~~tl tilt mind< of th&r that believg not, so that the the greatness and the honnrahle majesty of the Aln;ightv
glow inIl\ light of Gotl’s gootlnrss, shinin<g in the face of Jesus If for six thousand years he has been unahlc to accomplish
Cllri\t l,rrr l,nrtl. does not shine into their hearts, to give the anvthing, where is the power, where is the honor and majest)
liylrt of the l~no~:letlg:c of the divine character and plan. (2 to he seen 1
CI:r. 4 -11 And 11~ esplains again that we who were at one Surrly all would confess that any bright, honorable man
tiincx rn tlni kn6s, are- now en’lightened by the Lord, having if prantrd the one-hundreth p?rt of the omnipotrnt power
bcrn tr:rn~l,rtetl nrrt of the dominion of the prince of dark- of the Creator could accomplish more in one hundred years
ncb\. Into the tlomininn of God’s dear Son. (Col. 1:13) And than all that has been accomplishrd in six thousand yrnrs.
It i\ tlli< enli~l~t~nctl class that the Apostle urges should toward the rescue of the race from ignorance, supcarstition
m.11,~ progrrss in the knc~wletlgc of the Lord, growing in and sin! How, then, could thesr dear Christian friends who.
p :I cr. pi o\? i:ic in knn~vl~~~l~c. nnd thus growing in the love of wit11 pond pnrpo*c of Ilc:lrt dig t:~*\c~rtltrlrcs I~llntlcrl l)v it
Got! :rn%l In thcl anpreci:rtron of his character. He urges this, false tlrrclrv-how could thev tell forth the glorious honor
s:l\in:! tll:lt it is r~&rs~rv, to the intent that me mavcompre- of the tliline majesty, and show this and hi3 ~grentneqs from
hentl \\ rtir ~11 %:rirrts. tho lcn~ths nntl hreydths. and the heights his wondrous deeds? Surolv thy wonld hr tlumh in any such
:II~CI (l( l)ths, :rntl tc~ knc~w the‘ lr,vc of Christ, which passeth all effort.
[hurn:~nl iir!tlcr4t:lncliit~.-151,11. Z.17-19. THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAXB
Al:1 -1 tlrr g:rcs:li mc~ lnritg of Christian people, mhilc they Only those who sre tlir tlivinr plan of tho ages, and the
I>avr c~~l~(l from murh of the blindness of the Advrrscrry. relationship hetwc~c~n t?rcx ljaht tllc pre*-cnt. ;!II*] tllr futnrc,.
arca \trll ~1111lc~c.t to his ronfri\ing rrrors and misreprese;ratations are in anv degree able to make known t,hc grcntness of our God,
nf 111fhtilrtlr nil11 ark’ tlrus I~l~i:~lcd still in great measure to his gloribus power, and his hnnorable majesty. This clsqs is
tllr tiit ifir 11l:cn; looking at things more tram the human referred to by the Revelator as singing the song of &loses.
st:lnrlllc,int th:rrr from the divine standpoint, and framing the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb-they sing in
tlitarr ’ ri ecxtli and cnnf(>s\inns nccnrtlingly~ Ah, they forget the sense of declaring in harmonious and beautiful cadrncee
ho\\- 1110 T.nrd has tlcclnrctl. “hlv nlnns arc not vour nlans. the relationship of the types and figures of the Law and the
neitllc*r are your ways my ivays’: $aith the Lord,“for as the Prophets of the Mosaic dispensation with the antitypes of
hc.,lvcsns arc h!z:)rer than the earth, so arc my ways higher than these of the Gospel dispensation; showing that all things
;, olrr 1,n 1I: nnd niv pl,lns than pour plans.” (Isa. 5.5:8, 9) written in the Law and in the Prophets are finding glorious
I!c~c~nrrcrnf thiq TII(*:~~~IICof l~lindn~ss that rests upon the mass fulfilments in the Lamb of God and in the great plnn which
of tlicb norriinal cliurrll-rven nmomgc;t Protestants-it follows the heavenly Father is working out through him.-Rev.
that. nrlt \tLring thr divine rhnrnrter and plan in their true 15:3, 4.
light and I~~rrty. thr vast majority of Christian people can- The Revelntor tells us the substance of this song: name-
not tnI;(~ tlrc ~tnntlpoint of the saints in this prophetic testi- Iv, “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty!
mony hrforc uq, hut thcly Cake rather the standpoint of the Just and true are thv wavs. thou Kine of saints!” But what
nntlir:ll man. when thug think of the Almighty they think great and marvelous”work has God p&formed, and how shall
ratlrrr nf hi3 wonderful and terrible acts than of his own we see that he is both just and true in all his ways and deal-
gr(~:rtrt(~~q. hrcausc they know comparatively little of the ings? From the standpoint of those who can sing this song
glorinrr< hnnqr of his mnirsty, and do not see how his wonder- evervthing must be clear as noonday!
ful tlc~l~ declare his greatness. First amongst the great and marvelous works of the Al-
From thr stnndpomt of the average Christian, God is mighty was the sentence of death upon father Adam and his
anvthing hut gloriously hnnorahle in his majesty; indeed, posteritv hecause of disobedience-not a sentence of eternal tor-
thinkrng of thr Almighty from the standpoint of their creeds, ment. which would be as uniust, and unreasonable, as it is un-
the majorrty of nnhle-minded Christian people feel ashamed true and contrary to the tord. of God-not the false presen-
of God and of his plan. One class declares that his glorious tation respecting this divine act that is held forth in all the
honor and majesty is manifested in his election nf thr church creeds of Christendom,-but the great and marvelous act
r27121
OCTOBER 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (310-312,

which God declares he accomplished when he let fall upon no fall, consequentlv no redemption from a fall, and conse-
our race the sentence of death, which has brought in its train quently that there i$ to be no recovery from a fall; but that
all the various disasters and difficulties mental and physical, man is grandly climbing up, up, up, and proving to he his
to which our fallen flesh is heir. ail of which are tending to, own Savior, and hoping to attain they know not what.-
and resulting in death, the penalty. As we look at-this they know not when.- -
marvelous work, we must concede that it was just (in that it Others are singing the song of Calvinism, predestination,
was merited), that it is true (in the sense of not being an foreordination and election. Others are sinping the sonzz of
unreasonable penalty), true in the sense that it was evactly Arminianism, and hoping that God will be able to n&omilish
what God forwarned father Adam the penalty of disobedience much in the future throuRb their assistance,-which they hold
would be. “Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” he has unsuccessfully been trying to do for six thousand
But Jehovah’s first great and marvelous work of con- years. Others are singing the song, “In union there is
demnation was. after four thousand years, followed by an- strength,” and seeking to combine for whnt they term a
other great and marvelous work; viz.: the work of redemp- “socinl uplift,” or “the salvntion of society.” Othrrs are
tion. How stuncndous this wnrk of the ransominc of all singing the song of works and universal salvation. But how
Adam’s race of ‘hundreds of millions by the sacrifice of one few nre able to sing this song of hfnses and the Lamb, or
man! How great and wonderful indeed this act, and how to see how God’s great and marvelous works of the past
just and true. and how fully in harmonv with every feature reflect gloriously upon his character, both for iusticr and
of divine illstirp and love! Even the ndilosonhv of the ran- love, and give us the best of all asquranrrs fnr the working
som is explained to the Lord’9 peopl&--how’ that all mnn- out in the future of the glorious plan which hc has alrend\
kind were inrluded in one man’s sentence, to the intent that outlined and begun!
in due time the penalty of sin could be paid on behalf of all And we are told the reason. why so few can sing this song
mankind bv the one sacrifice for sins. “the man Christ Jesus. -that it is only for those to sing who hnve “potten the vic-
who pre himself i ransom for all.“’ (1 -Tim. 2.5. 6; Ram: torv river the beast and his imnqe and his mnrk ant1 the
.i*l2, 1s. 19) 1Vas not thiq n zreqt and marvelous work? number of his name.” These symhnls, representing earthly
Who tltlt rrali7cs the lengths and brendthq, and h+hts and institutions 11hich nom hinder and hind and enclave the Lord’s
dcnthc of this manifeqtatinn of divine - iurtire and divine love. people ~tn creeds, must be overrnme bv everv 30111tilnt would
pan tlo gurht c,?r;ethan sing this sonz of ?IIww and the L~lr.11). hope to he able to appreciate this qnng, and to sine it in his
decllrinr to all who have enrs to hear it, “Grrat and marvcl- daily life to others according to his nppnrtunitiPs. Those
nu<, luct nnrl trllc ~111 thv WYF. T,nrrl Gnrl Alrni~htr ” B11+ who try to sing this song while yet in Babylon find their
few WC it clcnrly ; and hcncc few can qing this wonderful star? mistake.
to nthrr5. PROCLAIM LOUDLY THE MEMORIAL
But there iq still another feature to this song, and it is Corning bark to the l’rnphr>t’s trrtininny re<prrtmg the
,$orinns also thn it pertains not to thP thing4 that are nxst, messape. showing forth thcx T,nrd’s honor an<1 majchtv. wr lint1
hut to thr thinps vet to come. Tt declare*. “1Vl~o shqll not in the 7th verse a nondcrful teqtimnnv to the central fcntrirct
revercnpc thee. 0 Lord. and glorifv thv name?” It lnokq fnr- and greatest manifestation of the tlixiinc rhnrncter and plan.
ward tn thr timp when this rrryt redemption. accomplished The I’qnlmist. says (Lreser’s translation), “111~ memorial of
hv the l)l~d of the T,nmh. shall he made available to evcrv thy ahnndant rnndnesq shqll thev lol~tllv prnrlnim, and they
rnPnll~Pr of thr human familv. Tt looks forward to the plnrious shall sing joyfully of thy riqhtenusness.” What menzorzcll
Jlillenni.11 age. to the time when. under divine providence, has God given us of ahllndant crodncqq? Which of all his
tllc knnwlcrl~c of the T,nrd. eqsentiql to faith, snd to anv ac- erent and wonderful work4 could hr thuq termed a mcnlo) IQZ
centanrc of hiq favor and rnprev thrnu~h Christ. shill he PY- of divine favor? 11-e answer that this mcmnrinl. this prrat
tcndccl tcl rvcrv crclturc-who indeed will not reverence the act. was nnne other than the rift qf God’9 dear Son. to be
T,oltl :rnd Flnrifv his namp7 Snrelv. as the Pcriptureq have our’ redemption price, as the Apnqtlc dcrlarcs, “Tn thiq was
dcclnrrd, at that time, “Everv knee shnll how and every manifested the love of God toward 119 bernuse that God sent
tnnrriir cnnfrcs.” and while thiq hnwinp and confossinp m.>v his onlv begotten Son into the nnrld. that \VC might live
at tirqt hr cnnlplllcnrv. and not with all the volition nf the through him.” (1 John 4.9) Bllt as very few rrnlize the
hrnrt. yet the Scriptures ascure us thnt nltimntelv all who great art of Justice nrcnmpliqhcd in the sentencing of father
will not rnmc into heart hnrmnnv with the T,ord Rnd with Adam and his rare to death. $0 very few ran appreciate, a? a
all hi< crnrinns arrnngempnts and provisions, sh311 be cut sperinl manifestation of God’s ahllndant Cnodncss, the death
off frnnl nmnn_nqt the pennle,--in the aecnnd death. (Acts ot Christ aq the full offset for Adam’s sin, the full ransom,
.?.“?I S’n thlt ultimntclv. insteqd of the universe being thp full pnyment of his penalty and that of hi* rare.
filled with hundreds of millinnq who to all &rnitv will wail The reason for this is that thrv pstccm that tllr ransom
and Fnl411 thrir t&h and hlasphpme God’s hnlv name in was paid only for the rhurrh, a llttle flock. From this stand-
a,conr--inqtcnd of thin, the time shall cnmc when every ton,rruc point it was not a manifestation of the ahuntlant ::rare and
In hc~nven qnrl in earth qhlll bc hrnrd nraisinc God. nnd oivinz goodness of God, hut of a verv limited grace and favor for a
honor to him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lqrnh: ;erv limited number, a handful. a+ it were nut of the grrnt
forrver: for hv thnt tipe ~11 evildoers. all lnverq of unright- mais of humanity. But when n’c cnmr to bee t?lat our T,nrd
cousnecs chill be cut off from amongst the pennle. JPSUS sacrifice was “ a propitiation for our sinq [the church’s
Rut thiq qnn,o continues. and hq9 vet anothrr strain. It sinql and not for niir5 onlr, but trIso for tlrc .~I117 of the ?rllolP
declares, “Thou onlv art holy”-all holiness, all perfection. world,” and that thiq “mnso~ fnr ~21” is “to hr tcqtifird in
wherevrr it is found, must prorced from God. the crpat due time” to all and m?de available to all, that ultimately all
fnunt.rin of holiness. How stranre, then, that any of God’s mav benefit therrhv if they will, 2nd return to harmony with
dear ~wnl~ (and we ourselves were nnce amnnpst this num- Gnh and to rternil life.Lfrnm this standpoint only ran WC
ber) should so misnnderstqnd the divine rhnrarter and plan see the greatness of that trani-action. finiqhrtl at Calvary,
as to misrenrcqent thp Same as being the verv essence of un- and hnw it is a “n:emorinZ” of God’s nhund:lnt pnndnrqs. And
holisens. iniustice, unkindness. inequity, lnvelpssneqs. toward onlv such as see this can hpxrtily 2nd loudly proclaim it.
the rrrat miss of God’s crentureq!- It will indeed be R glad and sing joyfully of the rightpnnqness of God, which not only
dav when 311 shall reverence God’s name. and when all shall was manifested in the righteous ponaltv afninst sin. but
recneni7e that he is indeed the fountain of holiness. whirh again manifested itself in the righteous payment of
But thrrp is still nnnthrr strain in th;c qon~~ and it iq n that pennlty on behalf of everv creature.
grpntl nnr nlqo, like all the athers.-reachinz down info the The Psalmist continnrs, “The Lord is frncinuq and full
Millennial a_ne. It declares, ‘All nations shall come and wor- of compassion ; slow to anger and of great mcrcv. The Lord
ship before thee: for thy judgments are made manifest.” “All 0
is good to all, and his tender mercies nrc nvcr all his works
nations” will inrlude, not only all the nations then living, (vs. 8). Iq not this just what \re should cvncrt in our
but all the nations of the dead. iust as does the uromise Creator, II we reropni7e him to be the full emhndiment of
which God made to Abraham, saiing. “In thy seed [the justirp and of love and of wisdom nnd of power? And yet
Christ, Head and body] shall all the families of the earth how different is this description of the divine character from
he hIpsqcd”--all nations. the general view, as held by the masses of Christian people,
How few, how extremelv few, are able to 2enm this song! blinded bv the adversalv and misled by their crccdq! Tn-
How extremelv few learn it so well as to be able to sing this stead of thinking of the Lord as grbciouq, do thev not
song to the glorv of God! How many who sunposedl; were think of him as nwfullv ungracious, and have they not pic-
trained to sing “the good tidinqs of great joy.” for all peo- tured him, not only in their creeds hut nlqn in their hymns of
ple, are in the pulpits today singing total!y different songs; praise, as being awfullv bitter and malignant agamst his
snme of them songs of “Evolution”’ declaring that there was creatures, ungracious, pitiless, full of anger and of no mercy?
127133
(312-313) ZION’S WATCH
Have they not, on the contrary, represented that Jesus our
dear Redeemer must plead with the Father, and show his
wounds and appeal for us, ere any compassion could be ex-
hibited, and then only in the most limited degree?
But not thus false was the Prophet’s view of Jehovah, given
by inspiration. Jehovah is gracious and full of compassion;
he knows that the motions of sin are in our flesh, tending
downward, and in his great mercy and compassion he has
provided in Jesus for our every difficulty, our every trial,
for the covering of our every weakness and imperfections, and
with those who become his people, and who even haltinalv
seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, he is slow to an,&
and of great mercy. False ideas of the divine character and
the livine dealings with the world of mankind have not only
perverted the hopes of God’s people as respects the world, but
have also inculcated in their hearts misconceptions of God’s
sentiments toward his church, so that the majority of his
people do not appreciate the kindness, the mercy, the love,
the compassion of our Father in heaven, and failing to ap-
preciate these they have more or less of the fear of which
the Apostle speaks, saving, “Fear hath torment,” and corre-
spondingly they lack “the peace of God which passeth all
understanding” to rule in their hearts. It is only when by
the grace of God the eyes of our understanding are opened
to see how our heavenly Father is not against us. but for us.
and how under his providential arrangement all thines are
working together for good to those w.ho love, and who are
seeking to attain to the gracious things which he has offered
them in his Word,-only then are we enabled to know him,
appreciate him, and to offer him, in the best and fullest sense
of the word, the tribute of our hearts and the praise of our
lips.
Now we come to the climax, as it were, of our text, and
note that while the Lord’s saints see his greatness and hon-
orable majesty connected with every feature of the divine
plan, and ~5hile they are telling these good tidings to others,
and speaking of his mightv doings in the past, their message
would not be complete without a testimony respecting his
glorious kingdom. “They shall speak of the glory of thy
kingdom”-the Millennial kingdom. Thev cannot tell of the
majesty of the divine plan and not tell-about the kingdom.
To tell of the fall, and to tell of the righteous sentence upon
the fallen race, and to tell of the redemation accomnlished
through the precious blood of Christ, and’ that it wzspaid
on behalf of every member of the Adamic race, would not
finish the good tidings of great ioy. It is necessary, there-
fore, to speak of the glory of God’s kingdom, and to talk of
his power as it will be manifested in that kingdom. As the
sentence and the execution of the sentence manifest the jus-
tice of God: and the redemption through Jesus manifests the
love of God, so the kingdom of the Lord will manifest his
power to save to the uttermost all those who come unto the
Father through the Son.
The glory of the Lord’s kingdom will not consist, as some
have snppo~e~l, of some saints sitting with the Savior on a
bright cloud and looking over the battlements of heaven to
see the remainder, the numberless millions of mankind, writh-
ing in agony. 0 no! If this were all that we could say of
the kingdom of our God we should rather prefer to say noth-
ing. There would be no glory in such a kingdom; it would
be an everlasting reproach to the King that he had conceived
a plan which had resulted so horribly, so indescribably bad,
that it should mean the eternal torment of hundreds of mil-
lions of his creatures. Nor will the glory of the kingdom
consist, as some others of God’s dear people suppose, in a
manifestation of a handful of saints, the glorified church,
with the Lord, and with the remainder of the race blotted
out of existence without ever having had knowledge and a
full opportunity under favorable ronditions to avail thcm-
selves -of the great memoru.xZof God’s lcve, the redemption.
0 no! There would be no glory, but a discredit to such a
kingdom and to so mengre an outcome to the great “ me-
morial.”
Nor fill the kingdom be, as some others of God’s dear
people have conceived it to be, one in which Christ and his
church shall, during the Millennial age, bless merely the liv-
ing nations of the world, and bring to them the blessings
which God has promised, but leave all the remainder of the
race who have died for six thousand years. from Adam down
to the present time, in darkness, in ignorance, in death, with-
out any opportunity under that kinedom. 0 no! A human
plan might-thus favor the millions living at the time of the
establishment of the kingdom, but forget or ignore or pass by
the hundreds and thousands of millions who have gone down
[2714]
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
into the great prison-house of death; but God’s ways are not
as man’s ways nor his plans as man’s plans. The glory of
the kingdom of which we are authorized to speak, is a king
dom which is to bless all nations, the dead who have gone
down into the tomb, as well as those who have not yet gone
into death. It is a kingdom in which God’s power will be
most marvelously manifested.
I.& us “talk” together now of his power as the Prophet
has suggested. It will be a mighty newer which will over-
throw the reign of sin, which ~111-bind the power of Satan
that he shall deceive the nation no more. and which will es-
tablish the Lord Jesus and his glorious church in power and
great glory, with dominion over all the earth, with authority
to execute judgment,-to punish sin and to reward every
effort toward righteousness. But the power of God as it will
be manifested, will be still greater than all this: it will be a
power which will lift up out-of the miry pit of sin; out of the
weaknesses of the flesh. out of his imnerfections. mental.
moral and physical, every member of the’human family who
desires to make progress and to return to the grand perfec-
tion of human nature represented originally in father -Adam,
and from which he and all in him fell. through disobedience.
In this sense of the word it is a resurrection”power, raising
up, up, up, from the low conditions of sin and death to the
high conditions of perfection and righteousness. It not only
will thus take hold of the people who will not at that time
have fallen asleep in death, but this mighty power of the
kingdom will take hold also of those who have gone down
into the tomb, and who are in the great prison-house of death;
even as our Lord declared, that he will open the prison-doors
and say to the prisoners, “Show yourselves; come forth.”
“And all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and
come forth” (John 5:39). and the coming forth shall be unto
a resurrection by judgment- that so many as will, may avail
themselves of the blessed privileges and opportunitirs of that
great judgment day (the Millennial age), and profit by the
stripes and corrections in righteousness which will then be
administered, and grow in &ace, grow in knowledge, grow
in love and erow in nerfection of beine. until bv the close of
the Millenniil age, if they will, they &all have- arrived back
again into full harmony with God, and received fully all the
perfections of human nature lost through the fall, and re-
deemed by the great “memorial” of divine favor.
No wonder, then, that the saints, when they glorify God,
speak of the glory of his kingdom and talk of the mighty
Dower of God which shall then be manifested, and how then
&all be made known to the sons of men God’s mighty acts;
how they shall then see clearly the meaning of the original
sentence as they do not now see it; how they shall then see
clearly the meaning of the great redemption, as they do not
now see it, and how they shall then see clearly the provision
of divine .power in the kingdom for their blessing ;-that
seeing these mighty acts of God in their true light, they
also may glorify the Father which is in heaven, and they may
appreciate the majesty of his kingdom.
“THY SAINTS SHALL BLESS THEE”
The Prophet intimates that al2 the saints shall have the
privilege of&thus declaring the kingdom, and of thus honor-
ing the name of our God; and this seems to be literally ful-
filled today, for the Lord seems to be bringing to the atten-
tion of all of his saints (his consecrated people everywhere)
the present truth; to the intent that they may have its light
upon their pathway, making manifest unto them the glorious
character of our God. throueh a knowledge of his great plan
of the ages. Moreover, thv Lord seems to be putting it
within the power of every one of his saints to thus glorify
his name and to sneak forte the truth to others. To some
he- has granted the’ talent of oratory and opportunity to use
it and to speak forth his praises in this way; to others he
has granted a talent for private conversation, that they may
thus tell of his kingdom and speak of his glorious majesty
and make known his plans to such as have hearing ears. To
others still he has given the privilege of declaring his mes-
sage through the circulation of the printed page: and to
some he seems to have given opportunities for using all of
these various methods of tinging the song of Moses and the
Lamb. And we may rest assured that none can be of the
company of the Lord’s saints in this time, and know of his
goodness and his wonderful honor and majesty, and not have
a desire to tell the good tidings of great JOY to all who have
an ear to hear; and those who are most earnest, most zeal-
ous in proclaiming the message, are sure to have the most
blessing in their own hearts, and in their own experiences,
and to grow the most in grace, in knowledge and in love.
OCTOBER15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (314-3153

“I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and power, to make known unto the sons of men thy mighty acts,
of thy wondrous deeds. Thy saints shall glorify thee; they and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom.”
shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy

FOLLOWING THE VOICE OF CONSCIENCE

A brother writes us interestingly as follows: scientiously say this of the Presbyterian church as I know
We omit names for obvious reasons. it: In practice it is the best of the denominations and sects,
I want to thank you for your last letter. The Lord has but in doctrinal teachings it is nearly as bad as the Roman
poured out upon my distracted mind a great blessing since I Catholic system.”
fully and unreservedly gave up all. So far as I understand Not one word of comment in reply! Instead he gave me
my present attitude toward the dear Master, I am now “be- this item of confidential information:
headed,” having bowed reverently and joyfully to his will.
It seems that the mere unconditional resolve to separate “Brother I will tell you something by which you can see
wholly from Babylon brought me a blessing. But I have not how most of our brother ministers stand on the Westminster
Confession : At our last meeting a young man from the
yet sent in my contemplated letter to the Presbytery. The
same meets in regular session the 9th of Oct. I shall en- German Theological Seminary in Iowa came to us for esami-
nation and ordination. Dr. -, our Stated Clerk of Pres-
deavor to have it ready to go before that meeting for action.
The pastor of the local church (Presbyterian) here has prom- bytery, was chairman of the examining committee, and I was
ised to help the matter along and to defend my case, should also on the same. After Dr. - got through with him and
exnressed hnuself as satisfied. I took the 6001;. and turning
a defencc be called out. This promise he made after I had
to’the statements on election &d reprobation I ;ead the wholi
explained to him, one day t!lis week, my reasons for the step.
chapter to him. ant1 then askc,d h;m solrmnlp. ‘Do vou be-
At first he tried. 1,~ arguments and nersuxslon, to induce me lieve this?’ He looked at me a minute. and then said: ‘If
to chance my mind. -
“Walt a while.” he said. “until vou see the outcome of YOU will let me explain it, I will show in what sense I be-
the revision movement. Thk Confess’ion of Faith will, and iieve it.’ ‘No, no,’ I said, ‘you cannot and you must not try
must be changed. I am out of harmony with several of its to explain it; you must belleve it or you are not entitled to
doctrinal statements myself, and the brethren of the Pres- ordination according to our form of government. Now let
byfery know it too, and some of them hate me for it like me ask vou once more, Do vou accept this doctrine as it
polron. Let us stand by our guns and fight the thing out, stands
L ‘!’ ” Brother, that you@ man answered very emphati-
rallv. ‘So” Dr. - said. ‘And neither do II’ 4nd 1 also
bl other.”
said. ‘Xelther do I !’ ”
“SO," I said, “I cannot follow your advice, brother, tho
I know it is well meant. My mind is so fully made up that “Did the Presbytery ordain him on such a confession as
I cannot be induced to take a backward step.” that?” I asked.
“Well then, if that is the case, where do you wish to be “Sot one dissenting vote in the committee.”
dismissed to-what church, or association? We cannot dis- “Such inconsistency is inexcusable, and wrong before
miss you at large or at random, you know. Our book makes God ” I qqid .‘ . “It is only another strong argument in favor
no provision for such a case. In fact. I have never heard of & decision to get out and be free.” Then we parted, he
of such a case before.” cordially oRering me his assistance if needed, as above stated.
“,lly request is, and must be, for unconditional dismis- Tour counsel with reference to the spirit of my letter of
sal” I answered. “I wish to be absolutely free from eccles- request for dismissal, is appreciated and fully approved. I
iastical bondage. I recognize no human organization as the believe the Lord will suggest to my mind the words he would
church of Christ. All of them exist without the authority have me say. I will send you a copy of the letter when I
or rerognition of the Lord Jesus Christ; hence none of them write again. I think of you daily, and mv love goes out to
are his. His church has no name on earth. But I can con- you as a brother high above a brother by b’irth.

THE UNJUST STEWARD

LUKE 16 : I-13.-Nov. 4.
“Ye cannot serve God and Kammon.”
While the previous parables of this dinner-table talk were in due time he would depose them from the stewardship and
addressed specially to the?Pharisees, this parable, and the one give it to the one whom he had foreknown--to Me-slab.
following it, concerning a rich man and a poor man (Dives Now the time had come when this change of administra-
and Lazarus), were addressed not so exclusively to the Phari- tion was about to be effected, and God was calling upon the
seeq. but, as the first verse of our lesson declares, to the dis- representatives of Israel to give an account of their stew-
zipleq also, as wrll as to the Pharisees at the same table. a&hip, and informing them- that. a new dispensation was
The rcsnbon why the fir-t thrre parables were addressed to the a.bout to be ushered in. Our Lord Jesus in this narable L
Pharisees only, and not to the disciples, is evident-the dis- wished to point out to them what would be the wisest course
ciples needed no such instruction, having no preiudice against for them to pursue under the circumstances. He shows them
t6e poorer classes, recognizing theYnaelvks ” as among4 what an earthly steward would do under such circumstances,
the “lost” who were clad to be found bv the Good SheDherd. and tells them there is wisdom in such a course, saying, “The
The steward of tlzs parablk corresponds to the elde’r son children of this world are wiser in their generation than the
of the preceding parable, and to the rich man of the succeed- children of light :” you, as God’s people, more favored than
inq parable ; it applies specially to the scribes and Pharisees, any others with light on the divine character and plan, are
who. as our Lord declared, on another occasion, “sat in Moses’ not acting as wisely as you would do if you were earthly
sent”-represented >Ioses, and the Law Covenant of which stewards.
Moses W& the I\Irdlator; and the blessing obtained through Here we are met with the difficulty that the majority of
that covenant. of which Moses was the orieinal steward. and people do not clearly comprehend-the scope of a steward’s
they now the steward, as his representatiuves. In what did privileges in olden times. 11‘e have no such office today
this stewardship consist? The Apostle Paul asks this ques- amongst civilized people. A steward’s office was a cond-
tion, and answers it, saying, “What advantage then hath a dential one; he had the liberty and full authority to do any
Jew? Much every way: chiefly because to them were com- thing and everything that the owner himself could do with
mitted the oraclei of God,” the knowledge of God, with his goods. He could make prcqents. or vanwl debts, or use in
tvpical justification and at-one-ment with him, and an interest any manner he chose the goods under his care, and could
ih the promises made to the fathers. not be held responsible as a culprit before the law, because
The Jews, as represented in Moses and his successors, the nature of his office as a steward was such that he fully
failed of their stewardship-failed to use in a manner satis- represented and acted for his employer. The latter could
factory to God the favors committed to their care. Nor, in- discharge him from the stewardship as a penalty for unfaith-
deed, were they wholly to blame for this, as the Apostle Paul fulness, but this would be his only punishment, because in
points out; they were weak through the fall, incompetent to making him steward he fully authorized him to use his
be administrators of so great a trust; and God kiew this judgment.
when he eave them the stewardshin-he knew that thev would In the parable the unjust steward-u?just in his previous
fail to kiep the Law perfectly. ‘He had fully intended that use of his master’s affairs, that is, unrighteous, unsatisfac-
[2715]
(316-317) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA

tory, imperfect-as soon as he realized the situation, made enough to confess inability to keep the perfect law, these
no attempt to defend himself, nor to claim that he had done scribes and Pharisees, on the contrary, bound upon the people
perfect]?; but before rendering up his accounts he dealt leni- heavy burdens which they would not assist to lift with their
cbntly with some of his lord’s creditor’s, remitting parts of little finger.-Matt. 23 : 1-4.
their indcbtetlneis. (This may haye been a wise course, as, Thus -doing they became more and more hypocritical and
for instance, today bankruptcy laws similarly release debtors case-hardened, until, in his later descriptions of them, our
from obligations which they could not pay; and similarly Lord declared them to be whited sepulchres, outwardly fair
CI edit01 .‘I fi c~cluti’ntlv. II: Ilicir owu intcsre<t, a”1 (213to ac’c’cbl)t and beautiful, inwardly full of corrtiption, dishonesty, hypo-
sixty per c&t, tift’y per cent, forty per cent, ‘or some other crisv: knowinp themselves to be infractors of the law thcv
proportion of the original sum as for the whole of a debt, ” ,

were outwardlay claiming and boasting perfection. This ndt

werll~ tll.Lt tll~~ tlt,l)tut 15 unable to l,&tv tlie xc count in tull.
1 * being said to the Pharisees alone, but to the disciples “also,”
:~ntl I\ itI1 :I \ ~cw to 111, encouiacement to (11)tllc llr+t Ii<. c’nn. implies that they were to notice how the parable fitted and
The Je\:ish Jubilee ycnr of full release from all debts was how unwisely this steward class was acting. Even at thr
alon,o the same line of leniency and wise business policy rep table the Pharisees, perceiving to some estent at least the,
rctsentetl in the “Eankruptcv Law” of today.) It-13 not 6e- trend of the parable, “derided”-being covetous. But 0111
callhe of tllis lil\t conduct oi the steward that he is called un- Lord Dressed the lesson home to them savin_rr.
ju\t (unrlghtcous) in the parable, but because of his previous . %,. “Ye are thev
which ‘justifg yourselves before men; but God knoweth you1
strwnrtlslr~p, not haling come up to the full, perfect demands hearts.” You are the unjust steward and soon all will wit
of Iris master. ne3s your rejection. “The law and the prophets [of which
Now, applying the parable to all of the Jewish nation, you are the representatives1 was [recognized of God1 until
esprclallg to thtiyc H ho sat in Moses’ seat and had the con- John rthe Baptist] ; since that time the kingdom of God is
trol of matters, :mtl ~110 derided what Itas and what was not prearhcd [the new, the Gospel dispensation], and every one
the proper lntc~rpretatlon of the law, our Lord intimated that [should] press toward it.” (Verses 14-16) You, lrnders of
If they. \VPI~ as \\ise as earthly stewards they would make use the people. however, not only will not enter ynursrlves, but
caf their opportunltic~s in a somewhat similar manner. NOW those desiring to enter you hinder. (&iatt. 23 :13) You
110~ could thev ha\c done this-supposmg that. they recog- should see that vour inqtitition is bound to Mose3 2nd the law
nl/ed the iact that thcg had not f;ifilled the requ~remen& as a wife to he; hushnnd-qo lone as it liveth. It is needful
of God undt*r the Law. and sunnosincr also that thcv realized therefore, that the law which go71 represent shnuld die, that
th.lt the time hat1 ro;nc for a’chagge of dispensition. and Israel may be liberated and thus be prrpared to be united
that God uas demanding an account of them and informing (married) to Messiah by a new covenant.-Verses 17, 1s.
them that a ne\s steward would take possession of matters- Rom. 7 : 1-4.
ilnt:cr N( h rlrcllmst:inc( s how shoultl these in Noses’ sent
Il.l\t~ wtlvl’~ \\ t’ .\ll’\\~l, tllcct 111 Ili~lntOll~ \Vlt!l tllc’ t!‘\.SOll (It
We are not informed that this parable had spcrinl applic.1
thr parable, tllcy should have said to themselves: We realize tinn in the end of this Gospel age. but sinccs we know from
that we oursetccs have nut kept the law of God perfectly; other Scriptures that natural Israel and its harvest tirnc,
intlt~cd, th.lt It 15 not \\itbln our power to do so. We realize were a pattern or illustration of spiritual Irrncl and this ngr
that a change of dlspcn+ation is impending, and that we arp and the nresent harvest time. therefore we nrp justified in
ratled upon to mahc an accountmg. and that we can only looking fdr some parallel a3 between the cnnrlitinn of the un
:ldltllt b(sforc God that I\(’ made a failure as respects the just steward in our Lord’s dav and a similar claqs in tbih
cn~r!ing out of tile demands of his Law and the gaining of present time. And looking about 113 today for a elnss cork
ctrrnnl life under it,-and as respects the use of the many responding to those who sat in Moses’ seat, we find a cl,~sq
advantages every 1%“~ which God has given us. We have used t,orlav nittine in Christ’s seat, as resprrts thr C,o=~~~l (~llurc~h
our advantages in sume re>pects well, but we failed on the This’ class is composed of elders, Sunday School teachers and
whole to accomplish nnytbing in the world, or to gain eternal superintendents, ministers. bishops, archbishops, etc. Thrsr
life, either for ourselves or for any,-and we cannot dispute, as a whole are representing a great stewardchip of divine
therefolr, that “liy the deeds of the law no flesh should be favor as respects the Lord’s people today. Thev percrive
justlficd in God’s biglit.” that a rhqnre of disnensntion is upon u<. that their creeds
and traditions from the past are being called in queqtion. and
Since, therefore, it must soon be evidenced to all that our that they are being required to render up an account. They
stewaldshlp has resulted in failure and that we are dispos- perceive that the account will not br a verv fl?ttcBrinS onr, and
sessed, the wise thing for us to do is to turn about at once, that if the whole truth were known to the people a3 it is
and deal kindly and generously with these sinners (the prodi- known to Gnd. they would be found derelict, uofaithful to
gal son class) and, instead of denouncing them as sinners their stewardship in many respects. They fear the crisis:
more than our3el\ es, we should say to them frankly, We ther
_... nut off the dav of reckoning a9 far as possible; they
cannot keep this perfect law of God, and we know also that hush ihe murmurs if the people-and the qne&.inns respect-
you cannot do so, but now, instead of being hopelessly dis- ing creeds, and as the Lord said of the steward of his rlgv, so
couraged and cast clown, do the best you can; we will remit it will be true of these: “That which is hizhlv esteemed
1jart of the c\nction of the law, admitting that you are un- amongst men is an abomination in the sight of God.“-Versr
able to keep it perfectly, and will merely require of you that 15.
you keep it to the best of your ability-fifty per cent., or These renresentgtives of the nominal church, who hold a
eighty per rrnt.. nccoldmg to your circumstances and condi- position of stewardship as respects the masses of the Lord’s
tions--:lcccording as you are able, keep the law. people, are disposed, as were the Pharisees, their prntotvpes,
Tlntl the scribes and Pharisees taken this position they to nut a bnld face unon matters, to brave it out rather than
\\outd have healed the breach a3 between themselves and the to Confess the truth. ’ As fnr instance, in the matter of creeds
people, and their honesty in admitting that they themselves that are heing called in question: Many, even of those who
rould not keep tne law would have been a distinct advantage werp at first disnosed to demand the revision of the West-
to them, suh~e~~uently, in connection with the new dispens:- minster Confess& of Faith, have concluded that this would
tion. And this verv conduct of candid admission
Y
and of be showing the white feather, and admitting that they had
sympattly for others. and assistance in lifting their burdens been in error in the past, and imperfect in their interpreta-
\\oultl have brought them into such a condition of heart that tion of the divine Word, and hence calculated to discredit
thry would have been ready for the Gospel; and the lower them with the people: and now the tide is rapidly turning
classes. from which thcv had hitberto held aloof as sinners, and the same ones who were demanding a revision are now
\tould ‘have bad a kintliv feeling toward them, and as a re: voting to the rontrarp, that the creed is good, thnrouahly sat-
cult they \\outtl hn\c r&lined a me?surc of their sympathy. isfactorv to them, that they would not chanqe it for any-
at least. in the time of trouble which came upon them when thing. ‘They are so anxious to be highly esteemed of men
their polity was overthrown. that they seem to forget altogether the one from whom they
Cut did the scribes and Pharisees follow any such course? received their stewardship, and who is about to take it from
By no mc’ans. On the other hand they put on a brassy front, them.
made bro?d their nhvlncteries. made still louder cliims re- What would be the proper course for this steward class
specting their o\\n $fection of heart and life, deceiving their of the Gosnel ape? We answer. that the moper course would
own selves probably as much as or more than they deceived be to do what c&r Lord recommended to the jewish stewards;
others. They boasted that they should ever contmue to be viz., they should candidly confess to the people the errors of
stewards of the manifold grace of God; and, as our Lord de- the creeds and their own imperfection in attempted exposi-
clares, so far from lifting the burdens and condemnations of tion of the divine Word, and their own failures in the past in
the law from the shoulders of the people, who were honest respect to a proper use of the oracles of God and a proper
[2716]
C)crosER 1s. 19oc ZION’S WATCH
application of the exceeding great and precious promises. And
while acknowledging their own errors and shortcommgs, they
should modify the demands made of the people and bring them
into conformity with their ability. For instance, they should
say to the people, How much did we say that you owed to
God, and what penalty did we say would be imposed upon
you? If we said that you were to receive a penalty of eternal
torment, count that now as being an error, and write down
instead, “A just recompense of reward.” If we taught you
that your obligations to God are according to the Jewish law,
and as represented in the Ten Commandments, and that un-
less these were kept perfectly in letter and in spirit you would
have no hope of eternal life, alter and amend that feature of
your faith, and write instead that under thp *New Covenant
God will accept the most imperfect works of those who have
consecrated themselves to him, providing those imperfect
works are the best that they are able to offer; and providing
they are offered in the name and merit of him who loved US
and who bought us with his own precious blood.
If the present stewards would follow such a course they
would undoubtedly be respected through the future. but fol-
lowing their present course, the time is surely coming when
they will be despised as hypocrites and blind guides, who mis-
lead their confiding flocks into the ditch of skepticism and
the great time of trouble.
This parable may be considered as ending with the eighth
verse, the instructions which follow being separate and dis-
tinct, and along a somewhat different line, and addressed spe-
cially to those who accepted the Lord’s teaching, his disciples.
“YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMIYTON”
This after-lesson is on the subject of the impossibility of
having t\vo masters, God and Mammon. Mammon represents
cnrthly riches, not only financial wealth, but honor amongst
men, etc.-the thing which was particularly hindering the
Pharisees from takcng the proper course and acknowledging
t,hcir error and seeking for and obtaining mercy. Mammon
still is a great hindrance to all who desire to be the Lord’s
disciples. Whoever worships Mammon-and it may be self
or wealth or fame or position and honor amongst men, one or
all of these-whoever worships JIammon cannot at the same
time be n true worshiper of God. a trne follower of Christ.
because God and Mammon are rivals before our hearts. If
a-e attempt to divide our love and attention, and to give part
of it to God and to his service, and part of it to Man?mon.- t!re
results will he nnsatisfactorv to God, nnsatisfnrtorv to Mam-
” man is able to sprvr two masters and satisfy both, and do
man and nnsntiqf?ctory to oiirselrrs.
We must, therefore, decide either to live for self and
earthly things or to renounre and sacrifice these in the in-
tnrst of God and of heavenly things. The worshipers of
Mammon may have certain advantages as respects the present
life, in the way of earthly prosperitv. but Mammon cannot
give eternal life. It is the gift of God, and those who would
have God’s gift must be God’s friends, God’s rlrildren; and
he demands of such that they shall manifest their love and
qlevotion to hint by renouncing Mammon, by joyfully sacrificing
THE RICH MAN (DIVES) AND THE POOR MAN (LAZARUS)
LURE 16:19-31.-Nov.
This parahle is a continuation of the series, a part of the
table-talk at the banquet at the Pharisee’s house. It is the
c~ulminntinn, so to speak, of the entire series of parables.
The first represents mankind in general. as the lost sheep,
and the Lord’s interest therein, and its final recovery to the
fold; the second respecting the lost coin, represents the same
thought. with the additional feature of the dilicent sweeping
and bringing in of the light in order to the recovery or resti:
tution of the lost race. The third applies this same principle
to the Jewish nation, and reproves the Phnrisre class, the elder
brother, for not having the Lord’s snirit of love and mercv
in respect to the sinner’cless, the prodigal. The fourth rep&-
Rents the unwisdom of this Pharisee class in hvuocriticallv
pretending to others that they kent the Law and were ai-
rentable stewards, whereas they themselves were well aware
that they came short of the glory of God, came short of ful-
filling their stewardship, and must therefore he ejected from
it; and points out to them a proper course, which they did
not, however, take. And now. finally. this parable of Dives
[27171
TOWER (317-318)
earthly name and fame and favor and interest, thus showing
their higher appreciation of hns love and favor. the riches of
his grace, and-the exceeding great and precious things which
he has nromised to rive them in the life to come.
The& are to “ma%e to themselves friends;” in other words,
to lay up treasures in heaven, by the sacrifice of the Mam-
mon of unrignteousness;-that is to say, the sacrifice of the
various interests of this present time of unrighteousness, “this
present evil world.”
Some may have very little of Mammon at their disposal
to sacrifice; -but the Lord encourages us all by saying-that
he that is faithful in that which is least. therebv gives cvi-
dence of how faithful he would be if he had much,y and the
Lord accepts the little sacrifices which we are able to make
as tho they were greater ones. “She hath done what she
could” is the best of testimony as respects the use of present
opportunities in the Lord’s service, whether it refer to a
mite or a million, a little influence or a great one. It is not
the amount that God is seeking, but the character, the dis-
position of heart; and whoever has the right disposition of
heart and is careful in the small affairs of life, to serve the
Lord with all that he possesses and to the extent of his
ability, such an one will have committed to him the true
riches-the heavenly riches. Not merely may he expect to
enter into the glories of the heavenly kingdom, but even in
the present life be will begin to get a first-fruits of those
riches in his own heart, in his own experiences; for it is un-
questionably a fact that the heirs of glory, those who ore in
the right, relationship with Qod alItI runn1n’: f:1ltlrfnllv 1’1
the race, not only will get the prize at the end of the race.
but already get blessing which the world can neither give nor
take awav;-the jogs of thr Lord, the peace of God which
passeth all understanding ruling in their hearts: SO that they
can sing for joy, even in the hbuse of their pilgrima.ge+ven
in the nresent unsatisfactorv Y
tabernacle condition, in which
we groan also, being burdened with its weaknesses.
But if me are not faithful in the little things which con-
fessedly are not our own, and merely given to us as a stew-
ardahrp-the things, the opportunities. the talents, which are
merely put within our grasp as stewards of the T>ord,-if we
are not faithful in using these with an eye single to the Lord’s
glory, how can we expect that he will ever give us true riches
of grace, to he our own forever, either in the future or in
the nresent life.
The sum of this lesson to the disciples, then. is that as no
justice to both, their interests ronflicting, no more can we
serve Cod and righteousness, and at the same time be pleas-
ing and acceptable to the adversary and those who are in har-
mnnv with him whn now rules in this present dispensation,
the “prince of this world.” All of the Tord’s consrcrntrd pea-
ple, those who would lay up treasures in heaven and be rich
toward God, must be milling to become of no reputation
amonpst those who are not rnnspcrntcd, and who. whatever
their possessions, are real!? serving Gammon, sc~lfishness, thp
present life, ant1 not sa(~rrln*in,rr thr*c* intCrl*.tq to flrcx :ltt.liq
ment of the hearpnly kingdom.
11.
.md Lazarus, the fifth of the series brings the instruction to a
climax by picturing the favored class as the rirh man. mho
enjoyed. but did not rightly appreciate the blessings showered
upon him,-selfishly shnttrng up hi? heart against the poor
ainner at his gate; not nrkno\,led!$ng that he himsrlf also
was imperfect and came short of the glory of God and ths
perfect keeping of his law.
This parable shows what the r(thults woultl he RR resperts
both classes--the final outcome. WC will not deal with it
here, since we have already treated it with considerable elab-
oration in our issue of March 15 and April 1, 1900. Rut in-
asmuch as some mav have loaned or given away that copy. and
since we have a good supply of them on hand, we conclude to
send an extra copy of that one with this issue to supplement
this lesson. Those who find themsplvrs possessed of two cop-
ies will no donht have good opportunitv for using the extra
one to the Lord’s praise and to the blessing of some who in
more or less darkness are “feelin: affpr God [his plan]. if
haply they may find him.”
VOL. XXI ALLEGHEXP, PA., NOVEMBER 1, 1900 No. 21

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

STILL DEBATING INFANT DAMNATION
Jn debates on creed revision among Presbyterians no “The Lutheran church did not rid itself altogether of
feature has called forth such heated discussion as that re- Roman sacramentalism. Its Augsburg Confession teaches that
latmg to “elect infants dying in infancy.” This clause of the ‘Baptism is necessary to salvation.’ It condemns all ‘who
Westminster Confession. with those clause: which have DOD- c L affirm that children are saved without baptism.’
ularly been taken as interpreting it, follow:- “Archbishop Cranmer, the first primate of the English
III. 3. “By the decree of God, for the manifestation of church, said in his ‘Catechism’: ‘If we should have heathen
his glory, some men and angels are predestmed unto ever- parents and die without baptism, we would be damned ever-
lasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death. last>gly.’
HT. 4. “These angels and men thus predestined and fore- . . The founder of the Methodist Episcopal church,
ordained are particularly and unchangeably designed, and John’ Wesley, in his ‘Treatise on Baptism,’ 1756, says:-
their number is so certain and definite that It, can not either “ ‘If infants are guilty of original sin, then they are the
bc increased or diminished. proper subjects of baptism, seeing in the ordinary way they
can not be saved unless this be washed away by baptism. It
s. 3. “Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated has already been proved ihat this original stain cleaves to
and saved through the Spirit, who worketh when, where, and every child of man, and that thev thereby are children of
how he pleaseth; so also are all other elect persons who are wrath and liable to eternal damnaiion.“’
incapable of being called by the ministry of the Word. !i”he Independent (August 30) says:-
s. 4. “Others, not elected. although they may be called “It is a mere evasion to assert that ‘elect infants’ can
by the Word and may have some common operations of the mean all infants. It would be as easy to say ‘all infants’, RS
Spirit, yet they never truly come to Christ and, therefore, can ‘elect infants’ if that were intended. and if it were not contra-
not be snrcd. Much less can men not professing the Christian dicted Fy the doctrine clearly expressed in the Confession.
religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never that onginal sin is worthy of eternal death. That the plain
so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of meaning of the Confession and its implications thron=hout in-
nature, and the law of that religion they do profess; and to cludes infants among those who are lost, is suBicicntly proved
assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious and to from the lanaage of Dr. Twiss, prolocutor of the \Vestminstcr
be detested.” Assembly, who says distinctlr in 111s ‘~TISDIC.C’ I , -&s -
From a remote period these statements have been pop- “ ‘Manv infants dcnart frbm this life in oririnal sin, and
ularly supposed to teach, by implication, that non-elect infants conseqne&y are condimned to eternal death o’n account of
dying in infancy are damned. However, the recent General original sin alone. Therefore. from the sole transgression of
Assembly of the Presbyterian church (South) claimed that no ffa;tsc;ndemnation to eternal death has followed upon many
such interpretation could rightly be put upon the clause, and
refused to consider a proposition to alter it. For instance, “W’hat Dr. Twips said was the belief of the rest and the
Dr. Warfield. of Princeton, says, “I think we may characterize teaching of the Confession.”
the interpretation of Chapter X., section 3 [of the Westmin- The Rev. Henry Frank quotes John Calvin himself,
ster Confession], which finds a body of non-elect infants dying saying : -
in infancy implied in its statements, as one of the most “John Calvin says with his accustomed clearness: ‘The
astonishing pieces of misrepresentation in literary history.” children of the reprobate [i e.. the non-elect] whnm Ihe curse
Rev. Dr. Eugene Daniel alqo asserts that it is uniust to say of God follows, are cubiect to the same sentence ’ (Oprra II.1
that the Confession imphcitlp teaches the damnation of no;- Again : ‘You deny that it is lawful for God, except for mis-
elect infants. He points out that it teaches posit,ilely the deeds, to condemn any human being. . . . Put forth your
salvation of elect infants, but makes no attempt whatever to evidence against God. who precipitates into efcltlal clcnfh
solve the Creator’s intentions with regard to no-n-elect infants. harmtess, nefo-born. children torn from their mother’s bosom.’
It seems peculiar indeed that anyone claiming to believe in (‘De Occulta Dei Provfdentin’) . ‘As the eggs of the asp are
Calvinistic predestination of adults could dispute that the deservedly crushed, and serpents just born are deserved1.y
same conditions prevailed in infancy. But he&ken to other killed, though they have not yet poisoned any. one with their
internretcrs of the Westminster Confession. as follows:- bite, so infants are justly obnoxious to penalties’ (Blolineaux
Rbv. Dr. Horace L. Singleton (The llokilctic Review, Sep- of France). . . .
ternher). states that prior to the Westminster Confession all of “Once again hear John Calvin: ‘Very infants themselves
Chri~~tendom had believed that infants dying without baptism bring in their own damnation with them from their mother’s
are dnmlrtd, but that Confession took a step forward in womb ; who. although thsy have not yet brought forth the
asserting that elect infants, even if unbaptized, are saved. He fruits of their iniquity, yet have the seed thereof enclosed
says :- within them; yea, their whole nature is a certain seed of sin;
“The sacramentarian doctrine of the papal and other prel- and therefore it can not be otherwise than hateful and abom-
atical churches. and the locical conclusion of Arminianism, inable to God.’
left no other provision for i;fant salvation than baptism. Td “Now let us learn what the framers of the Confession
die without it was to he lost forever. This detestable doctrine themselves said concerning this damnable doctrine. William
the Confession of Faith was designed to destroy. It does de- Twiss : ‘If many thousands, even all the infants of Turks
stroy it. The Christian church and the world are debtors to it and Saracens, dying in original sin are tormented by him in
for removing the gloom which surrounds the death of babes. hell-fire, is he to be accounted the father of cruelties for this?’
The Assembly divines were all Calvinists, in entire accord For a vivid picture of the disposition of these eternally
with the second Scotch Confession, which on this subject damned infants by this mild and maudlin Presbvterian God,
‘abhors and detests among the doctrines of the Roman Anti- read Samuel Ruth”erford, one of the Scotch commifisioners whd
christ his cruel judgment against infants dying without the assisted in framing the creed. ‘Suppose we saw with our eyes
sacrament.’ The Calvinists of the Westminster Assembly who a great furnace of fire, . , . . and all the damned as lumps of
indorsed or approved that Confession, would surely not frame red fire, and they boiling and louping for pain in a dungeon
an article on infant salvation which would imply that any of everlasting brimstone, and the black and terrible devils,
dying in infancy were without the pale of God’s” grace anh with long and sharp-toothed whips of scorpions lashing out
redemption. So they made provision for all by referring all scourges on them; and if we saw our own neighbors, brethren,
to the sovereign will of him ‘who worketh when and where sisters; yea, our dear childrelt, wives, fathers, mothers, swim-
and how he will.’ Only Calvinistic theology and a Calvinistic ming and sinking in that black lake, and heard the yelling,
Confession can say that. The Dhrase contains the essence of shouting, crying of our young ones and fathers. . . .’ ”
Calvinism. What-is that? Whit the grace of God is sovereign * l +

both in its source and application. It will now be quite in order for some very conscientious
“As to the device of the doctrine of infant damnation, not Presbyterian brother to tell us that John Calvin knew nothinn
one of the other denominations can point at the Presbyterian about” Calvinism anyway; or to assure us that though ther:
church and say: ‘Thou didst it.’ were damned non-elect infants in times past, there are none
“The Roman Catholic church in the Council of Trent today, though God and his Word have not changed in the
decreed, and the decree still stands:- interim.
“ ‘If any denies that new-born children must be baptized, or If, instead of saying elect and non-elect infants, Brother
says that they do not derive from Adam anything of original Calvin had said the children of the non-elect are damned when
sin which makes the washing of regeneration necessary to they are born, he would have come much nearer statin the
cleanse. them for an entrance into everlasting life, let him be matter truthfully, however erroneous his conception o4 the
accursed.’ facts. For the word damned in plain English simply signifies
(323-324) [27181
Novamen 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (325-326)

condemned, and the B&me is true of the Greek word translated It will then be seen that a8 Adam’s sin and its penalty were
in these two way8 in the Bible. entailed upon his children, 80 the harmony with God of a
No one can dispute that the Scripture8 plainly teach that believing parent would properly and consistently attach to
condemnation (dakution.) passed ;pon ali me; because of his children until they shall have reached years of discretion
father Adam’8 transeression (Ram. 5: 12). and hence the dec- and ability to accept or reject divine favor-for themselves.
laration that manki;d are “born in sin:” (Psa. 51:5) The However, the children of unbelievers have the onnortunitv
only exception8 to this rule of being born condemned (damned) of accept& God’s mace when they come to years&of discre-
being in the case of children one or both of whose parents are tion, piovi&d they gave the necessary “ears td hear”-ears of
believers .-1 Cor. 7:14. the heart. And even such as. under Satan’s influence. are deaf
But then. the great difficultv of “Orthodoxv” lies in the to the voice of God now speaking to us through his bon-and
fact that it has acgepted theoriei respecting thii original COA- who therefore continue through the present life under con-
demnatzorc (damnation or curse of God) framed in “the dark demnation (damnation), we have the assurance will in the
ages,” that it means condemned (damned) to everlasting tor- Millennial age have the ears of their understanding opened and
ture, either in fire and brimstone or something worse: a then have opportunity to obey and be blessed with the gift of
thought as opposed to the Scriptural teachings a8 to sound God-eternal life.
reason and common 8ense. If, however. the Scriptural thought N. B. We will send FREE, a8 a sample, on receipt of a
be attached to the condemmakon (dn&ation) >nd it be seen.
that all of Adam’8 race are born aliens and strangers from Postal Card request, a ten cent pamphlet, “What Say the
God, his enemies and under condemnatzon (damnation) to Scriptures Abont ITell?” It discusses every ocrurrence of the
death is imperfect being8 unworthy of God’s favors, including word hell and every passage generally supposed to teach
everlasting life,-then all is plain, all is reasonable. eternal torment.

DEAD BODIES AND QUICKENED BODIES

“0 wretched man that I am: xho shall deliver me from this dead body ? Z thank God [for deliz-zrancel through Jesus Christ our
Lord. So then wzth my mend I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
R.om. 7:24, 25.
Much perplexity has been caused to many Christian minds
hy the statements of the seventh chapter of Paul’s Epistle to
the Ronmns. Some have concluded that he here teaches that
he- lured a life of sin, accordmu to the flesh, but a life of
righteousness according to his mbind; and yet they are ready
to ConretIe that .this is rather a nerplexinn, unreasonable and
unsatisfactory view of the matte;. -Others reach the conclu-
siou that the Apostle must here be describing his condition of
heart and mind before conversion, while he was still a sinner;
yet these also find difficulties, and confess that many features
of such a view are quite inconsistent with the Apostle’s lan-
guage. We submit the following interpretation of the chap-
ter, as proving itself correct by its harmonizing with all the
Apoktle’s statements in this chapter and elsewhere.
The Apostle is addressing believers at Rome, “beloved of
God, called saints” ( 1:‘7). Some of these were probably converts
from amongst the ‘Gentiles. while unrloubtedfv a considerable
DI’ODOrtiOn were converts from Judaism. Th’is is implied by
ihe’fact that the Apostle in this Epistle so particuK?rly ex-
plains the Law, not as to Gentiles having no knowledge of
the Law, but as to Jews having full knowledge of it. The
Epistie is a very compre!lensive statement of the entire plan
of God. The Apostle begins in the first chapter by showing
that God was not responslhle for the prevalent degradation,
Ignorance, sin, etc., throughout the worid, and concludes with
the trushine of Satan under the feet of the saints during the
>Iillennial ;bign of the Christ. He explains that at one-time
God gave to mankind in general certain knowledge and bless-
ings, but that “when they knew God they glorified him not a8
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imagi-
nations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing
themselves to be wise they became fools.” He explains that
thui grnilually men came down to idolatry and bestiality, dis-
honoring and degrading themselves, and “perverting the truth
of God into a lie;” “for which cause God gave them up to vile
affrctions and to a reprobate mind. to do those things which
are not proper;” and they became filled with all unri,ghteous-
ness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness,
envy, murder, dispute, deceit, malignity, etc., etc. Thus he
accounts for the various degrees of degradation, ignorance and
superstition prevalent throughout the world.-Chap. 1:21, 22,
35, 26. 28, 20.
Proceeding, he shows that while Israel had received God’8
law, under a special covenant, and with special favors at his
hands, they haa not been saved hy the law: any more than the
Gentiles had been saved without the law; and that therefore
both Jews and Gentiles needed iU8t such a Savior as God
had provided. Answering the suphosed argument of the Jews,
he declares. “Not the hearers of the law are iust before God.~I is excluded.”
but the doers of the law,” and he argues ihit the Jew who
rested in the law, and made his boast of being of God’s favored
people, and who by reason of these favors knew the will of
God more particularly than the Gentiles, would not, by reason
of this knowledge and advantage, be justified under the law,
hut could only be acquitted hy a perfect keeping of that law;
and that since the Jews did not keep the law perfectly they
could not claim the reward promised by the law, namely,
eternal life. Hence, so far as eternal life was concerned, they
127191
had no more claim upon it than had the Gentiles, who had
less knowledge as well as less outward piety. He asks: “Are
we [Jews] better than they [Gentiles, living according to the
light that they possessed] ? No, in no wise; for we have
before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that thry are all under
sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no? not one.”
The Apostle’s argument is that none being righteous, none
could be acquitted or aPprovcd before God, whether they had
the law or did not have it. Thus he proved that the Jc”ws as
well as the Gentiles. un to the time of Christ. were all under
sin. afi under condem;atioi. and that none 03 them had any
claim upon eternal life, accordinS to divine arrangements this
far made. For “Bv the deeds of the law there shall no flesh
be justified in his &$t.” -Chap. 2:13. 17; 3:9, 10, 19, 20.
Next the Apostle proceeds to show that whoever would be
justified before God, whether he had previously been a Jew,
favored with the knowledge and advnnt:lses of the Law. or a
Gentile, in blindness and”iguornnce doink to the bcqt of his
knowledge, God has now provided for both, ooze way to be
saved and to rome into harmonv with him-namclv. thl o11~11
Christ. He shows that the la&, so far from justifyina the
Jews. showed them to he in a condition of sin. bvu the?r in-
ability to keep it perfectly. But this law w&h had con-
demned the Jews, because of thrir failure and inalrillty to
keep its conditions perfertlp, served the more abund:lntly to
attest God’s iustice ; it became a witness to God’s riphtclous-
ness-that he had been right in his decalnration tha‘t Israel
had not kcnt the law. and that a11 maukind, bring in a fallen
condition, were unfit’ to receive his favors; and ‘it witnessed
more than this: it witnessed to the Justice of Gad in prorid-
ine: the ransom for sinners, in the person of his Son our Lord
L”even the righteousness of God whic.1, is by faith of .Tcsus
Christ unto all and unon all them that brllcve rwhethrr ,Jcws
or Gentiles] : for th&e is [now] no tlil’ference: for all have
sinned [and consequently all are unworthy of divine favor upon
anv basis of works of their own. and mnqt thrrrfore needs be
redeemed with the precious blokd, nnd their penalty met for
them, ere they could-he received back into har&onv wit!, God] ;
being iustified freelv bv his crare. throunh tlr& rt>tl(,mntion
thatYis in Christ J&&. who$ God h:lthrr;ct forth tn ‘he a
propitiation [satisfaction] through faith in his blood.“-
Chap. 3 : 10-26.
Appealing to those who had formerly been Jews. and who
had been inclined to hoast of thcmqrlvrs as God’s favored
people, and inclined to think that in some sense of the wild
they were still more favored of God than those formerlv
Gentiles, the Apostle says, in view of the preceding fact;,
“Where is [the room for] boasting thrn?” and he answprq. “Tt
There is no room for boasting; the Jrw and the
Gentile having come into Christ are on a common level-both
have been justified hy faith in Christ; neither was benefited or
injured by his previous experience, whether under the law or
without the law, if now by God’s grace thrv had received
adoption into his family through Christ. Boas&g on the part
of those who previously had been Jews would certainly be
excluded, for they had not been able to perform the works
which their Law Covenant had demandl,d, and now being
exempted of God, under the law of faith, it would hinder them
(3.‘& 328) ZION’S IVATCH TOWER ALLEC~E~Y, p’n

irom any bonstinc as rrspcrts tile law of works. “‘lllcrefore surely that new mind would be out of harmony with sin,
we ~nncl~~dc that i man is*dustltird by faith, without [necessity craving, hungering and thirsting after righteousn&s, truth, etc.
for1 the deeds of Iworks denmndcd bvl the law.” We are therefore to reckon ourselves dead to sin, but alive
‘I’hc Apobtlc prirtrds to show thaithe Lord’s operation of to God through Christ; and we are not to let sin reign in us,
favor 011 arc>nunt nf faith does not make \-old the law. with because we, as new creatures. are begotten of a different spirit,
\\hIch tcfr ccnturirs he had dealt with Israel.---the law of that is at warfare with sin, as sin is at warfare against right-
lilylltcnllillc~s. On the contrary, the fact that it was ncces- eousness. Instead, therefore, of continuing to be servants of
s’irv to lustlfv tllr Jr\\. bv faith, and the fact that they sin, and yielthng our bodies to that serrirc, we alc’ to
( ou’l,l not’ bc Ji;stificd untlcr the law of works. proves, not thai: recognize ourselves as ” WOW creatures in Christ.” servant+
th,, laxv (,i \\orh\ was bntl. Init that it wa< good. and that tbc of God, his ambassadors and reprcscntntives; and arc to
.i(s\\ \\a+ Inlprrfc>ct through the f,lll, so thai’hc ivas unable to seek to USC our members, our bod~cs and their talrnts.
nilcb> the pi fc,ct law gi\ rn. Thus Cod’s dealings through thr in the new service of righteousness,-remembering our past
II~>LVI,I\I (I! t~iltli rcallv llpllolcl~ atit1 maznifirs his old law of espcrlenc~e in sin, that its wages are degradation and ultimate
.volhq. 1(8x the l.ltter llatl io 1)~ fulfilled bv Jesus on behalf of death, and that this privilege which we have now entered
1.,I. IKWI~. in nrdrr that hr mi!zht be the Redeemer of the upon as new crratures, redeemed bv the precious blood. is
Grid’s cnvcnnnt through Jrsus Chris< our L&d, and means to
~111)11,1tl IXY~I~ ulitlcr it. tllnt tlicv also, with the rcniaindci of ur eternal life, if we maintain it.-Ghan. 1
6.
tll(b 1’ 01 Id. 11)1&t, be acccl)tcd of God under the law of faith- Having reached this cllmaa of the argument, and having
drmonstratctl the process of our justification and our subse-
l:ltttr(L-.illr hii nr~lmimt. the Apostle shows that Abraham quent adoption into the divine family; and having shown the
\$,I‘: 1101 Ill+tlfil>rl 1)~ ihc, l.l\r of \\m:kr, the Lnw Co\-rnant, but. ncwssity for maintaining our standing as new creatures, and
i,v f:l!lll. and II~WC tllc~ calnlm advanced bv come that thr gaining victory over the weaknrsses of the flesh; and that all
thrse pri\ilrges. nevertheless, are not of the Law but of grace
and of faith-the Apostle next turns his attention to another
phase of the subject in Chapter 7. He has in mind, and is
spec~inlly adtlresslng the Christian hrctbrcn at Rome who were
formerly Jew?, as he says, “I write unto you who know the
In w.” He wishes to drmonstratc to them logically that
although the Jews previously, through the Law Covenant, had
“much advantage every way,” yet now since the introduction
ot the New Covenant they were to some extent at a tlisnd-
\-niitngc-hindered or hound by the old dead covenant, unlrss
they recognized it as dead. and cut loose from it. Thev were
tightly bound by the Law given at Sinai; bcrause as a *nation
they entered into a nositive covrnant with God. throurh
llo:es, the mediator oi their covenant. St. Pnul &rc&s
thiv as a marriage contract between that people and the Law
Covenant. pictuilnr the JCVS as the wife, ant1 the Lnw
Covenant a’s the h~~shand. He shows an incompatibility 11~
twcen them. but that neverthelrss the Jews would bc brunt1 bl,
t,heir covenant. as a woman would bc botcnd by her marria&
csontract, so long RS the husband would live.
Hence the J&s, as a people, wcrc less at llbrrty to enter
into a New Covenant with Christ than we’re the Gentiles.
lwause they mere already bow~Z to the Law Covenant through
\TOR(?S. The Apostle proceeds to pro\-e three things:
(1) That the Liw CovenantT or husband of Israel, had
in th~~‘liope of thr, glory of God [in the hope of sharing iu not been abrogated. had not been executed. as a bad law. but
God’4 glory and klngtlom with our Lord and Head].” T.he had died a nkturai death, through the fulfilment of the pur-
i\p~~~tle prnc*retls to prnle. not r~nly that the dc~th of Christ pose of its creation; and that hence,
:vas nc’c~t+~.trv as tllr off-Get to A\2tlanl’s transgrcsjlnn. and the (2) Every Jew might properly consider himself as rc
pnvment, of l;ie pc~ri,ilty, init hia demonstrates that, this penalty leased from all ohligation to the (dead) Law Covenant and
iv,;4 fully P?ld, and that God has accepted it on behalf of the might properly be ‘-united or married to another. Christ.
nnrld 111grnrral, and not of the .Jews only, and has trans- accentine the terms of the New Covenant, with its grace.
fcIrrd all to Chrlqt: tnr as “the judgment was by one to cnn- mercy and peace through believing, now offered to them:’
tltmn:ltion, the free ‘gift is of rn<l&- offences unto-justification. (3) It was proper that they all should see how much
4s nn~ office re,ultcd in a nronduncement which affected all belter was the New Covenant, into which they would enter by
to condc~rnnation, even so by oie righteous act a pronouncement becoming united with Christ, than was the old covenant, which.
was mnrl~ 1by the same Justice] which affects all men [per- hr declared. had died a natural death.
mitting their attainment1 unto Justification of life.” However, he would not have them think evil of the first
And. adds the Apostle. the Lam Covenant was introduced, husband. the Law Covenant. On the contrary, he assures them
not for tlie doing awar of sin. but that sin might be more dis- that it was a good husband to them-“The law is ho117 and
tlnrtl\ fec’n to he sin. and in its true colors; not, however, just and good,“’ all must speak well of the Jews’ fir& hus-
iiith ;t \iew to the injury of the Jews, with whom that Law hsnd. Nevertheless. armes the Anostle. we all realize that we
Co\cannnt was madr. ?or if sin abounded amongst them the did not receive from tile Law Cbvenant the blessings we so
more by reason of their greater knowledge through the law, earnestly coveted ; we did not receive an actual cancellation
then God’s grace abounded proportionately the more; for as of our sins. but merelv a temporary covering of them. which
SIIL hnth rclgncd unto death, even so there is to be a reign of required to’be renewed”and mahe mention of iear by year con-
grave IInto eternal life under righteous provisions through tinnallr (Heh. 10: 1). nor did we ohtain the lonacd-for ever-
.Tv~II+ Christ ollr Lord.-Ram. 5: 12, 17-21. lastingdlife. As Jew& we cannot blame the Law Cbvenant; we
l’hrb ncut point is, If God’s grace will be caused to abound must only blame ourselves;-nor can we blame ourselvrs (for
in proportion to the sentence, so that he who has many and I may consider myself a representative, in thought and con-
deep 4,713 can be ati fully and completely forgiven and released duct. of all true Jews, and may speak for them, says the
.IS lrc who has fewer and smaller sins, shall we then argue -4postle) ; and I can truly say that while living under thie
tllat we mav as will delve deeply into sin, assured that God’s Law Covenant I approved it with my mind, with my heart,
prape will t;e that much the mnre abundantly provided for us? and I endeavored to serve it accordingly, but when I came to
ko ;a\-+ the Apostle; those who have come i;lto the position perform its requirements I found another law, a law of sin
to ‘,w ‘nnd comnrchend this much of divine mercy and favor working in my members, which hindered me from rendering
&ust first hari made a consecration of themselires to God, the obedience I desired to render to that Law Covenant.
otherwlsr their eyes of understanding would not be opened Not that it hindered me entirely, for I certainly succeeded
widely enough to grasp the subject with clearness and definite- in some degree in conforming life and conduct to its require-
ness, and if one had made a consecration of himself, and im- ments ; but since I could not render perfect obedience to its
merspd his will into the will of God in Christ, and thus reck- every requirement I necessarily failed, because in that Law
oned himself dead to the world and to sin, how could such Covenant no provision was made for my weaknesses and im-
persons live lives of sin or take pleasure therein? So surely perfections which I had inheritrd. and which were my share
as they have received the holy Spirit, the new mind, that l Se.52 June 15, 1919, muc for critical examinatv.m of Covenants.

127203
XOVEMBaR 1. 1900 ZIOX’S
of the fall of our race. I found, on the contrary, that even
though I had been able to perform the requirements of the
Law in nine points out of ten, and had failed in the tenth
point, and even though that failure were properly attributable
to inherited weaknesses, and was entirely contrary to my de-
sires of heart, nevertheless it was jail~re, and my efforts as a
whole were branded failure, and the great prize of eternal life
was denied me under that covenant.
Thur I found myself in a terrible predicament; my heart
crying out for God gnd for righteousn&ss, and earnestly desir-
ing to fclfil the requirements of my covenant and to gain life
everlasting, but I found myself wholly unable to fully obey its
reauirrments: I found them entirelv bevond my reach. Not
that they were beyond the reach ;f rni mind,- for with my
mind T grasped them and enjoyed them and appreciated them;
nor that they would have been beyond the reach of obedience
of my body, had my body been perfect; but, 0 wretched man !
I find that my body is a dead body, that sin has gained such
a power over it and so chained it down to things that are evil,
in fart and in intention, that I cannot do the things that I
would,-that when I would do good and keep the perfect law,
sin is present with me, and hinders,-being an integral part
of my body; so that the good that I would do, the perfect life
that I would live, I am unable to perform, and the evil things
that I would not do, whlrh my mind, my will, rejects, and
which I strive against. those things to some extent I find my-
self rmahlc to resist: and here was my helpless condition as
bound to the Law Covenant. I realized that I never could
gain, through its assistance and offers, the glorious perfec-
tions that, 1 desired, and the eternal life which could accom-
panv only these perfections.
\Vhnt shall I do? How can I escape this condition of
thincra? I thank God that a way of escapk has been provided;
1 think Cod that in his due time he has sent Jesus, as a
grent Rrdcemcr. and that through his death the world of man-
kinrl haq bpen redeemed from the original sentence, and addi-
tionnlly that all we who were Jews and under the Law
Covcnnnt are set at lzherty from that cocenant-that the
drntlk of .TIWE on our behalf means the death of our Covenant,
whirlI. though in some respects an advantage. was very un-
favor:;hle to us because of onr inherited weaknesses. 1 thank
God that now I am at libertv to bernme united to Christ, at
liberty to consider my union with Moses and the Law Covenant
as at an end, at lihrrty to take on me the vows and covenants
reqnirrd of all call4 to be the bride of Christ. Thanks be
unto God for this deliverance from the bondage of the law of
works into the liberty of the law of faith in Christ Jesus!
The advantage of this new position in Christ over the old
nositinn in MOWS is that now God accepts my new mind, my
hrart drsirea, acrnmpanied by my best, endeavors; and under
this New Covenant, through the merits of the ransom, he
jnstlv ignores and hides f;om his sight the imperfections
‘the flesh. which are contrary to my wish, and against which I
am striving, It may be said of me, then, and of all such. that
it is with our minds, with our hearts, that we are serving
God-even if to some extent, contrary to our wish and en-
deavor, onr flesh should, either through weakness or ignorance,
serve the law of sin at times.-Romans 7.
THE NEW CREATURE ALIVE, THE OLD DXAD--Born. 8:1-11
Under the covenant through which we are united to Christ,
our mortal bodies are reckoned as dead, as sacrificed, as no
longer us, and our minds are rtrknned as the new creature
adopted into the family of God, and seeking to serve God and
to grow into his likeness, by being conformed to the image of
his dear Son. It is therefore according to the standpoint from
which we view the matter that we could ssy of these new
creatures that they are holy, and that the righteousness of the
Law is fulfilled in them, and that the wicked one toucheth
them not.-1 John 5: 18.
In such espressions we are referring exclusively to the
reckoned “new” creatures, and are ignoring entirely, as dead,
their mortal bodies. But if we should speak from another
standpoint, and attempt to say that we are actually perfect
in the flesh, it would be untrue. and not on!y so but would be
an ignoring of the merit 01 Christ’s sacrifice, and our con-
tinued need (while in the fallen flesh) of a share in the justifi-
cation which it provides. Those who would thus speak of
their flesh as perfect, should hear the Apostle speaking to the
reverse, saymg, “Jn my flesh dwelleth no good thing,“-no
perfection ; and all imperfection is un-right, and all unright-
eousnrqs is sin. Hence, says the Apostle John, “If we say
[speaking of our flesh, and ignoring the justification provided
in Christ to cover its blemishes] that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves. and the truth is not in us.“--1 John 1:s.
St. Paul proceeds to clearly mark the distinction between
the new mind, which consecrated in Christ is accepted as the
WATCH TOWER (328-329)
“new creature,” holv and acceptable to God, and our mortal
bodies, which he calis “this dead body”-origmally dead, under
divine sentence, because of sin, but redeemed by the precious
blood of Christ, and justified, and than included in onr sacri-
fice. when we gave our little all in consecration to the Lord.
as living sacri&es-to be dead with Christ, to suffer with him
even unto death. He declares that it is to those who are
wslking after the spirit, seeking to serve the Lord in spirit
and in-truth, from-the.heart, That are freed from the *con-
demnation : and that this includes the thouaht that thev do
not now walk after the flesh, desiring to fulfil its desires. “And
here we are to closely distinguish between the walking up to
the spirit, and walking after the spirit. We should of course
follow as closely to the spirit of truth and righteousness as
possible, and yet we cannot hope, so long as we are in the
imperfect flesh, that we could ever walk up to the spirit of
the divine requirements, though we are to strive in this direc-
tion continually. One thing is positive, however.-we must
not walk ajtm- the flpsh. To do sn would imply that we had
lost the new mind, the new disposition, the new will.-that we
had become dead to those hopes and covenants which had
led to our consecration.
Any who get into this condition of walking after the
flesh.--seckinp to serve the flesh. therein have the evidrnrc
that’ their n&ds had become “carnal,” that they had lnqt
much, if not all, of the new mind, the new dispokitinn. All
such should know most unequivocally that the carnal mind is
at enmity against God, and hence that God could not fellow-
ship it or favor It in any sense or degree The Apostle ur,oes,
then, that all remember that they who are in the flesh. who
live in harmony with their fallen propensities. serving fhpir
fallen fleshly natures, are not pleasing God and that snc41 an
inclination or course leads toward, and, if persisted in, would
end in death.
He proceeds to reason that if the Spirit [mind, disposi
tion] of God [the spirit of holiness] dwell in nq WP cannot
be in sympathetic acenrd with the fallen fleshly nnturp nnrl
its appetites and ambitions. We may know. on the rontrnry
that if anv man have not the spirit of Christ he is nnt of the
body of Christ at all, and not to be rnnsidpred as idcrttified
with the elect church,-and Christ’s spirit is nnt a spirit of
harmonv with sin, but of opposition to sin. fnr did hc not 1:)~
down &is life to vanquish sin, and to deliver us from its:
power and dominion? Whoever, therefore, elnims to hare the
spirit of Christ, but loves and wiZfttll?ypractirrs qin, and with
his mind serves sin, surb an one deceives himself ,for he hne
neither part nor lot in Christ.
The Apostle proceeds further along the same line. arplina
that onr adnptinn into God’s family. our berettine: to new
ness of heart and mind, and our arceptanre thns RS memhrre
of the body of Christ, while it meanq, first of all. thnt the
of body is ignored and reckoned as dead, hecausc of sin, rnd only
our spirits or minds are reckoned ri,zhtrnus and ali\c, the
beginning of our eternal existenre, nevertheless this pond con-
dition is not to be considered the limit of our ambition and
attainment in Christ-likeness. On the rontrary. we are tn
remember that the spirit of God in powerful: thnt in the rasp
of our Lord Jesus it, was powerful enough to raise him from
the dead: and as we become mnre and more imhucd with nnd
controlled bv the holv snirit of God in our hearts, in our
minds, divink power will’come gradually to us thrnnrh this
channel of the holy Spirit, which will permit a figurative
raising of our mortal bodies from their death-statr into artivi
ties oi’spiritual life, in the service of the Lord. “If the spirit
of him that raised UD ,Jesus from the dead dwell in vou lin
1
sufficient measure, abonndinply], he that raised up Christ from
the dead shall also quicken [energize] your mortnl ho&w [not
your immortal resurrection bodies] by his spirit that dwelleth
in you.”
It is our hope that in due time the Lord by his spirit, will
give us new bodies in the resurrection; and that thnsr new
bodies will be immortal, perfect in every respprt; and that
then not only our minds, but our bodies also will be fully in
harmony with God and his every law and work of rightpouy-
ncss. That will he glorinu+--it is already a glorious prospect;
but the Apostle hhlds before us the thoneht that -even our
nresent mortal bodies. sentenced. then iustified. then reckoned
bead because of sin; consecrated, may be so quickened or
energized now, that instead of heing any longer servants of
qin, or even merely dend to it, thry may, undrr thr rarc~ful
watrhfulness of the new mind, be used as servants of right-
eonsness, of truth. This means, of course, a high Christian
development, a large attainment of “the mrasure of the stature
of the fulness of Christ.” It is the measure or attainment,
nevertheless, which every one of the Lord’s prnple must con-
tinually strive after, and their SUCCPSSwill be proportioned to
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their attainment of the mind [disposition] of Christ, holy our heavenly Father is more willing to give the holy Spirit
conformity to the Father’s will in all things. And how com- [spirit of holiness] to them that ask him, than are earthly
forting, in this connection, is the promise of our Lord, that parents to give good gifts unto their children!-Luke 11:13.

“UNTHANKFUL, UNHOLY”
LUKE 17 : ll-19.-Nov. 18.
“Be ye than7cficZ.“-Cal. 3 : 15.
Lenrosv is a rerv nrevalent disease in eastern lands. and ceased its ravages, and that they might expect to be pro-
amongst the Jews lepe;s were specially proscribed-separated nounced free from coutagion and permitted to return to their
from others-not allowed to have intercourse with their own homes and families, even though the maiming and marring
families nor to come near anybody, but obliged to keep at a occasioned bv the ravages of the disease would still be with
distance, and on the approach of a stranger to cry out, “Un- them. Thankful for su:h a release from their suffer&& the
clean ! unclean ! ” From the standnoint of the Law it is entire ten obediently hastened to comply with the injunction,
evident that leprosy was meant to represent sin and its loath- but in the wav thev discovered that the blessing thev had
some, contagious and consuming character. received from the Lo<d was not merely a staying of%he disease,
A traveler in the Orient writes: “As our traveling party but a restoration to normal conditions. Their faith had
passed out the western gate of Nablus, the site of ancient brought them far more than they had expected.
Sechem, a group of repulsive lepers greeted us with calls for One of them turned back and prostrating himself before
help. They showed various forms of that terrible disease: the Lord rendered homage and thanks to his deliverer, The
the nose or the lips or a hand or a foot eaten away; the other nine passed on to comply with our Lord’s words, and to
limbs distorted, and one case at least was a leper ‘white as show themselves to the priests, not having a sufficiency of
anow. When we were fairlv in our tents beyond the cit.7 love, appreciation and thankfulness to return in their cleansed
westward, those lepers came,“fifteen in all, and” seated them- condition to, first of all, acknowledge the giver of the blessing
selves afar off, in a semi-circle, facing our tents, with one of they had received. Our Lord remarked this, and called atten-
their number a little in advance of the others. holding out a tion also to the fact that the one who did return was a Sa-
dish for alms, and, as with one voice, they cried aloud to us maritan, and not one of the Jewish household of faith; saying,
to have pity on them and give them aid.,’ Another writer “Were there none found that returned to give glory to God
describes leprous conditions thus: “The hair falls from the save this stranger?” And he said unto him, “Arise, and go
head and eyebrows; the nails loosen, decay and drop off; thy wav; thy faith hath made thee whole.”
ioint after ioint of the fingers and toes shrink un and slowly Nothing is said in the record respecting any spiritual
lfall -away; Othe gums are ibsorbed and the teeth disappear-; blessing or favor which came to the Samaritan whose thank-
the nose, the eyes, the tongue and the palate are slowly con- fulness of heart led him to Jesus’ feet in acknowledgement.
sumed.” We are not told that Jesus invited him to become one of his
The horrors and loathsomeness of leprosy and its con- followers, nor that he received any spiritual blessing; indeed,
taminating qualities, both by heredity and infection, well we know that it was not possible that he could receive any
illustrate the disease of sin, which has taken hold of the spiritual blessing, because, being a “stranger,” like all Gen-
entire human family, and which separates and alienates from tiles, he was debarred from any share in divine favor until
God and all that are nure and in harmonv with him. The the full measure of favor was granted to the Israelites-Corne-
isolation of lepers was Idistinctly enjoined in the Law, but no lius, three and a half years after our Lord’s crucifixion, being
cure or remedy was prescribed. The disease was treated from the first Gentile to be received into favor, and that time being
a religious standpoint, and in every case made amenable to the earliest at which the favor might go to the Gentiles-the
the judgment of the priests: they decided whether or not a end of the “seventy weeks” of favor promised to Israel.-See
case of leprosy had developed, they banished the leper, and MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II., pp. 69-71.
in the event of anything occurring to cure him, the priests Neither are we told that the nine who received the favor
must nass unon his cleansing before he would be readmitted of God without being moved at heart to return and render
to society. So, in the great-malady of sin, God commits to thanks were, because-of their unthankfulness, in any degree
the hands of the antitvnical nriesthood-Christ and the faith- denrived of the blessing alreadv received. We can readily
ful under-priests now %ing sllected from the world-the work imagine, however, that Their condition of heart would not bo
of pronouncing and making manifest what is sin, as distinct favorable to them in connection with a hearty acceptance of
and separate from what is righteousness, and thus to separate the Lord and the kingdom privileges he was offering. We may
between the clean and the unclean, between those who are in reasonably suppose &at if- they were unmoved by-so great a
harmony with God, and those who are out of harmony with manifestation of divine love toward them, experienced in their
him. And in the coming age, when the royal priesthood shall own persons, they would be equally unmoved by any preaching
be glorified and in official power to bless the world with the of the Gospel which they might hear at any future time, either
knowledge of God and the knowledge of how to become free from the lips of Jesus or the apostles. We may even surmise
from sin and, through the merit of the precious blood, to that those nine never came into the church of Christ. On the
attain to full restitution ,-to purity and perfection of mind contrary, we would have good reason to hope for the Samari-
and heart and bodv,-it will be this royal priesthood that will tan. whose gratitude manifested itself;-that his condition of
have the deciding of when the purification has been complete- heart was n’karer to the kingdom requirement, and that when
when sin has ceased to exist in the condemned, and thev have subseauentlv the eosnel of Christ was preached to Gentiles
been brought back into full harmony with God and righteous- and &ma&tans, this bne would be a ready hearer and have a
ness. ready heart to receive the good message and to be healed from
Travelers tell us that in the locality mentioned in our the moral lenrosv of sin, and to come into harmonv with
lesson-the borders of Samaria and Galilee-leprosy still God by presenting himself’before the great High Priest”of our
abounds rather more than elsewhere; and that groups some- profession, who died for our sins and who accepts as clean
what like the one described in our lesson, are frequently to be all who come unto the Father through him. Though we have
seen. This group stood afar off, as they were compelled by no record of it, we believe that the Samaritan was of the kind
law to do; yet recognizing Jesus as the great Teacher, of the Lord is now drawing and calling to sacrifice with Christ,
whose miracles the had heard something, they conceived the and that receiving that message of the kingdom he would be
hope that he mig I t have compassion upon them and heal readv to lav down his life and become dead with Christ-
them of their loathsome disease. Therefore, they lifted up pres&ting his body a living sacrifice unto God.-1 John 3 : 16 ;
their voices together, crying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on Rom. 5:1, 2.
us.,’ There is no doubt as to the meaning of their cry; Viewed from this standpoint, thankfulness of heart is a
although they usually begged for money, they evidently now very sure sign of the character God is seeking,-especially in
were seeking for healing from the great Physician. matters pertaining to our great salvation. And we find paral-
Hearing their voices, Jesus turned compassionately toward lels to this illustration all about us. We find those who have
them, and we can better imagine than describe the sympathy suffered from the leprosy of sin, and who have appealed to
which he felt for them in their pitiable condition, and no Jesus for mercy and help, and who have been justified by
doubt also his mind at the same time took in the thought of faith-cleansed from their iniquities, covered with the right-
the great malady of sin, from which the whole world was eousness of Christ; and yet amongst all these who have expe-
suffering, and whose sufferings he had come to relieve, whose rienced such blessines and favors at our Lord’s hands how
bonds he had come to break, by giving his own life a ransom few, comparatively, there are who return to him and prostrate
nrice for theirs. Our Lord merely said to them, “Go show themselves before him, to offer thanks for release from the
yo ‘rselves to the priests.,, This implied that the leprosy had bondage of sin and condemnation, and lay themselves at his
[2722]
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feet, living sacrifices-making a full consecration of them- ness and consecration, for they are given only to the thankful
selves to the Lord, their reasonable service. (Rom. 12 : 1) Only and consecrated who already have presented themselves living
the truly thankful are constrained thus to do,-only the truly sacrifices to God. “To yozc it is given to know the mysteries
appreciative. As the Apostle declares of himself and all such, of the kingdom,” “ God hath revealed them unto us by his
it is true that “The love of Christ constraineth [draweth, im- Spirit,,, which is granted only to the consecrated. These
pelleth] us; for we thus judge that if one died for all then promises are to strengthen and nerve us and to enable us to
were all dead [yea, worse than dead in trespasses and sins “overcome,” in fulfilment of our covenant of consecration.2
and condemnation], and that we who live [justified to life Pet. 1:4; Matt. 13:ll; 1 Cor. 2:9, 10.
through faith in his blood] should not henceforth live unto Let us each and all seek and cultivate more and more the
ourselves but unto him who died for us.“-2 Cor. 5: 14. spirit of thankfulness, the “reasonable” spirit or disposition.
Unthankfulness is unholiness, lack of that proper appreci-
ation which would lead to a full consecration of life and Thankfulness will make every trial and sacrifice on our part
every interest and affair to the Lord-regardless of what seem small, and proportionately easy to be offered, and it will
reward he may bestow. The “exceeding great and precious make all of God’s mercies and favors toward us propor-
promises” of God’s Word are not given to inspire thankful- tionately grand and great and inspiring.

PROPER CHRISTIAN DAILY LIVING

TITUS 2 : 1-15.-Nov. 25.
‘We should live soberly, righteously, godly, in this present world.”
The Apostle Paul penned the words of our lesson, instruct- of a spring, to the original condition of impatience. The
ine Titus. an overseer (bishon) of the church-ministering patience which will last and become an integral part of char-
to-the believers in the island bf Crete. The instructions are acter must result from a change of heart: the mainspring of
not intended for, nor applicable to others than consecrated love must first replace the mainspring of selfishness.
believers. and refer snecificallv to six classes in the church at How grand the characters thus portrayed ! We could not
Crete. ( 1) The elde;ly men&rot merely the aged, but rather wish for more amongst the Lord’s people of any place today
the advanced, the matured, who doubtless oftenest would be than that the matured brethren should be sober-minded digni-
also advanced in years. (2) The aged women-advanced, fied and moderate, with their new minds well stored w’ith the
matured. (3) The younger women. (4) The younger men. sound faith of God’s Word, and their hearts full of love,
(5) Those who, though freemen in Christ, were bondmen manifesting forth all of the various good qualities represented
according to the flesh,-servants. (6) To Titus himself. (7 ) by this word,-kindness, meekness, gentleness, all of which
The lesson ends with an exhortation applicable to all classes might briefly be summed up in the word patience. We exhort
in the church. all of the advanced brethren in the truth everywhere to note
Titus, as a nreacher, should have before his mind a certain well this likeness of a matured man of God, well grown up
standard’ or ideal in respect to each class in the church, and into Christ, the living Head, and well conformed to his
should as a wise workman labor to the attainment of that image ; and we exhort that we all keep this image well before
ideal, which the Apostle here brings clearly to his attention,- our minds, and make it our ideal in our Christian course.
intimating that instructions along the lines here laid down are The Aged Women, matured, developed, have also a model
in fullest accord with “sound doctrine.,’ It has been claimed set before them by the Apostle. They should be “reverent in
by some that the people of Crete were specially degraded and demeanor” (Revised Version). They are supposed to have
lacking of good character, and that this thought is necessary professed holiness, full consecration to the Lord. full desire to
to the Apostle in giving such an exhortation to those who had know and to do his will, and such consecration is to show out
left the world and joined themselves to the Lord as his church. in their lives. The Apostle proreeds to mention a few of the
We shall see, however, that every word of the exhortation is ways in which it would be manifest. They will not be “slan-
quite applicable to the Lord’s people today, even though they derers” (Revised Version) -neither false accusers nor accusers
live under the most enlightened conditions. in any slanderous sense of the word. On the contrary, as the
The Elderly illon, the advanced, were to be sober, grave, Apostle shows further on, they will be examples in the matter
temperate (moderate) -not light, frivolous and excitable. of minding their own business. Thev will not be enslaved to
Not only their years of natural life, but also their years of much wine, but be teachers of that which is good, by precept
experience in Christian life, should bring them to conditions as well as bv examnle. to all with whom they have an influ-
of maturrty and sobriety. These three qualities would belong ence. Nat&ally their influence will be greatest over the
to a large extent to their mortal bodies, exercised and influ- younger women, and it should be exercised as becometh
enced b;‘.their new minds; but in addition to these there women professing godliness, professing to be guided by the
should he three other graces, characteristic of their new Word of the Lord, the spirit of the truth.
natures: viz.. soundness in the faith, and in love, and in The Younger FVomen should find ensamples in their elder
patience. It is of intention that the Apostle here emphasized saintlv sisters, the influence of whom will not he in the direc-
(in the Greek) the faith. the love and the patience, for there tion of insubordination and a hattle between the husband and
are various faiths, various loves and various kinds of patience, wife in the home: and their advire will very rarely be, “Stand
and he meant to be understood as inculcating the faith, the up for your rights;” “Give him a piece of your” mind,” etc.
love and the patience which are of God, and respecting which On the contrary, they will be peacemakers, and assist the
he is instructmg his people through his Word, as it is written, younger women with such advice as will help to make home
“They shall be all taught of God.” happy^_” bv_ obedience to the directions of the divine Word. In-
It was not by accident that the Apostle placed “sound in stead of helping to cultivate in the younger women the spirit
the faith” before “sound in love,” for since love is one of the of selfishness, which inheres naturally in every human being,
fruits or graces of the spirit of truth, and since one cannot through the fall, they will assist them, by both word and
receive much more of the spirit of the truth than he receives example, to cultivate the opposite spirit, the spirit of love-
of the truth itself, therefore the importance of the truth, in “to love their husbands and to love their children.”
the having of the sound faith. If love were thus inculcated as the first law of every home,
Often we are told it matters not what a man believes. but the chief of the Christian graces to he developed and prac-
matters all how he does; but to this we answer that a sound ticed, it would indeed make a wide distinction between Chris-
faith is all-important. not onlv in shaping conduct. but also tian homes and others; and thus, perhaps, better than in
in inspiring it. It is only in proport& as we ‘have the almost any other manner, the Christian mother can preach
truth that we have the sanctifying power: in proportion as the glorious gospel of salvation, and illustrate in her own life
we hold errors which vitiate or nullify the truths which we and home its power to deliver from the bondage of sin and
hold, in that same proportion we will be lacking and deficient selfishness, even in this mortal state.
in the sanctifying power; and hence deficient also in the aanc- They will learn from them also to be discreet, or sober-
tification itself. We should ever remember and coijperate with minded-not too emotional;-to do some sober thinking along
our dear Redeemer’s prayer to the Father on our behalf, sober lines, and thus to cultivate both heart and head, and to
“Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” Bncrease their own joys in the Lord as well as to prepare
Neither was it by accident that the Apostle placed love themselves the better for their family duties and privileges.
before patience; because, although patience may be cultivated Chastity, modesty, purity, should also be learned-an instruc-
from a natural standpoint, as, for instance, in the interest of tion deep and powerful in its influence for good; not only to
worldly aims and desires, nevertheless, such patience does not the younger women themselves, but also in their families.
affect the heart, but is merely a forcing or curbing of the out- They should learn to be “keepers at home,‘, or “workers at
side life, and when the force is removed there is a rebound as home,,’ as the Revised Version renders it, appreciating the
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fact that the duties of a wife and mother are chiefly home tr *ary part must surely be put to shame eventually.-Jas. 3 : 13
duties: that the home is her workshon and her nuinit. where To Servants the Apostle sends a message also; and it waq
her in&ence should be greatest and *most valuabl6. ’ a very different message from what some of God’s dear chil.
They should also learn to be “obedient to their own hus- dren, less wise than the Apostle in their understanding of
bands.” or. as the Diaalott renders this. “submissive”‘-not the divine plan, would have given. Many of God’s people of
attempting’ to usurp thi place of the husband in the home, today, instead of being peacemakers are peace-disturbers,
not keeping up a continual strife and battle about life’s’ because of a failure to see properly the principles which un-
affairs. sn that the husband will have one hattle of life to win derlie the Gospel, and their proper application in the present
their daily bread-and another battle while they eat it. By time. They exhort servants to “strike,” to “stand up for
“obedience” and “submission” we do not understand the Apos- their rights,” to see that they are not “tramped upon,” to
tle to mean btind obedience or dumb submission, nor in any “demand iustice,” and see that thev get it. The Anostie. on
sense of the word that the wife shall not enjoy fully ail the contrary, understanding God’s “pi&, knew not *ti expect
proper iihrrtics and privileges; but that while cnj&ing these full justice, not to expect human rights or any others to havt,
she shall use them with nronrietv. so as to make’lije a hiess- great consideration in the present time, because we are still
ing and not a burden to’ he; h&band, with whom lie chiefly in what he designates “this present evil world [dispensation] ;’
the responsibilities of the home, accorcling to both divine and because “the nrince of this world idisnensation I” is Satan
human law. and hecause h’is kingdom of the p&en\ time is’ based upon
AS a Christian wife she should have a iudpment respecting neither love nor righteousness, hut upon selfishness.-Gal. 1:4,
the Lord’s will. as nrescnted in the Lord’s Word, resnectinp John 14:30.
the affairs of the hbme, 2nd all the Interests of the tarnil< The Apostle knew not to expect the wr0ng.s to be righted
and tiww views she should exnress, in love and moderation, and justice to be dispensed under Satan’s admmistration, and
and kintiiv, however emnhaticaiiv: but having expressed her hence in ail of his teachings he points the behevers to the
judgment “respecting the’ T~nrti’s “will in the %attbr and the coming time when the Lord, the righteous King, shall take
reacnns thcrrfnr. shy should bc “Suhmisqive” to the decision of possession of earth’s governments, and fuifii that petition of
the hllshanri (in an matters-not invoivinp her conscience) ; our prayer, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth
bernnqc. :lcrortiing t,o divine arrangement, ihe husband is the as it is done in heaven.” Then justice may be expected,
head of the wife a9 Christ is the Head of the church-the because justice is done in heaven; then all rights will be re-
final ilrilitvr respecting family affairs. spected, as ail rights are respected in heaven: but before that
Shnlli~l thr Christian wife at times find that the pursuance glorious condition shall obtain Immanuei’s kingdom must II~,
of thl\ Srriptllrai reonrse bnd brought her disadvantages or established and Satan, the prince of this world, must be bound,
were allnut to WCIk ill to the general interests of the family, that he 5hnuid deceive the nations no more, and that his 1uic
let ilcr pIotc=k I\IIIIII~, and point nut to her husband. without of unrighteousness and selfishness shall be set aside, sup
“harplnp,” what she fnrrsecs to be the results, and urge a planted by the laws of him who shall lay justice to the line
ch:l ncc’ ; pointing nut (c+pcc~iaiiy if the husband be not a and righteousness to the plummet.-Rev. 20:1-3; Dan. 2:44,
Cliri;ti,,rij ti6lt’ tilt reqponhibiiities of the transaction lie Isa. 28 : 17.
wboiiv in lliq i~ariti~: and let her then console herself with The Apostle’s exhortation to servants is in harmony with
tht> tl;o~~~ilt til:ct ~Iw, at ie;l<t, is following the divine direction, this, that they be obedient to their masters, and seek to pieasr
anti til:lt tbp uittmate r(“quit is qure to be a spiritwd bicssing, them cell. They were nnt to be shiftless, earcicss, indIfferent
in h:irmnnp with thr I,c;~d’s promise that ail things shall work as to the prosperity of their masters’ intrrests and tile carf
top(bthrr fnr ~nod to them that love him-and who demon- of their masters’ goods. They were to take as n~uc~h interest
stratr tlicir icrvc l)y nll~~tiirnc~e. Let her take the matter to in those things as tiiough they were their own;-as the Apoa-
the T,nrci iv pr,lycr and “bear a qnng away.” As the Spostie tie elsewhere expresses it, they were to do their work as
point\ nllt. 1his L’O~IIW is the one least llkt>iy to bring re- thouzrb thev were doing it to the Lord himself, fxithfrlilv, ~~11
prn:lc,!lcas llpnI) tlke wusc WC!love and to which we have conse- (1 Cor. ld:31) Suciy service rendered to ai enrthly -master
cratclti c\en ilfts itseif. “as unto the Lord.” and hernuse of a desire to nlease tllr Lord.
7’0 tltr I’r~cc~.q 8lcn of the church the Apostle sends an and berause of the indwelling of his truth. anti its spirit. will
e\l:ortatton tll.\t -1hry be snhcsr-mintieti-not rash, thnu~rhtlePs, undoubtedly he accepted of &he Lord as though it \i.erc SOlnF
conc.ctitcbc!---th:)t 111~ exrrcIs(* <elf control. And then. i& view service done dire&iv in the interest of his cauqr, bhouid the
of tIltA fat t tb;rt 7’1!~1-1bimscif wxs a young man, he exhorts conditions of the &rvant hinder him from doinb any worh
that IIC! %!::I11 Iw :I p Ittcbrn to ail the young men of the more particularly in the Lord’s service and the service of the,
d~~Irl*h, ari~l 21111~inri~ic~nt:liiv 11eexhorts ail of the young men truth.
of 111~ r+tlrl !I tc* Ilote c~arc~fuiiy atld to be rxrrclsed by the Not only were servants to endeavor to please their masters
qua!i(lc~* ,~riti c.oli\ldrratlon+ then iii grd upon Titus. and to please them well, but this WI nil tilings-in the littic
lop, 7 ll~/S tll? ,Zpl)stifk urzrs that he shall be a model things as well as in the great affairs; and thus Christian
man. :f i).~1!~~rn cjf ,~or~i work< and soundnrss of doctrine; not servants wnnid he recognized. wherever they miebt bP. as tlif
pr~rmltlirlg ill- t(~:ll~illng~ (tlnc+rine) to Ike corrupted either ferent, distinct from others, too many of whom are “eye
nit i: L:IIII iIIl~l$rl:lt ions of hla own or thoce of other people. servn nts,” faithful merely under the eye of their employer.
FI,, llrzt’\ 117,011illnl. and tlilis inc~i~lentaiiy upon ail young Such Christian servants will come to br rec#oKnizcd as iewe
rn(‘n i~I~~* L’;,IVII~, t11csopposite of friboiity, ievitv: as Cbri+ evrn hy those who have no sympathy with thhir reiipiour con-
ti:rr!3 \v~’ II I\+’ ~~rr?~~l IlinK to ncacupy our minds t&t the world victions, and possibly would constitute the most weighty ser
h:ts not; ;~nri 111~~rc~.ttnos~ anti ~ranticqr of their hopes and mons these could deliver. They might nbev their masters and
arnl~;tif~r~r !,:IwI~ II~I~J~:t ilc (auc>caedi‘n;: great and preciou$ prnm- yet continually protest and co&pi,lin; hence the Apostle adds
IVL oi 111~11l\1nta \\ l>rtl. silouiti rive to their lives and oenerai a word on this noint. savinz. “Not answering again”-not
condlIft :, \\Pi~llt \\h1r.h, ili<1~ ;t ‘xnnd c:lryn in a 1 essc~l:~wouid qainsaying nor q;arreiing”with the master ov& his methods
k(kraiatlr:hnt tr+)rn IIOI~I~ top-b(~:~~y 1111tlpr&pzre them to outride and ways and work; not complaining of sharing the rommon
i,lli. :-trlrni- antI tiltllc*ultie~ of life throurrh xbich thev must lot of other servants, whatever that might he; preferabiv.
indeed, letting others complain, and holding their peice, rather
So11nr1 >;ICWh. M itil w111ri1 no fault could be found, is an- than stirring UD strife.-and rather than have the cause the\I
lltilcr of ti)~~ cllt,l!itieq tilxt Titus aqd ail of the Lord’s neonie. lo& and selk tb serve’ ill thought of.
t”p( i,i:tii!j tllc* ~OIII~:: mcbn, are to strive for. Not niereiy’~sn~1nd Not purioinlng-secretly appropriating to themselves the
kpot’( 11 rn tht, l n.-e of arcuratcb and grammatical expression, master’s goods, etc., contrary to his known wishes. And it
Illit WlIn~l 5prtbch c~~peciaiiy, in the bc’nse of 1lilVing their con- might he not inappropriate here for us to remember that if
\('I \:ltlorl anti tllv irlfiIrl>nc-e which on? exerts through conversa- the mastrr should desire the servant to engape in snme work
tion, of :I truly bripfui, strengthening kind-to’ mind and that would he dishonest, morally wrong. this would be a
ht+irt :tntl rli,lr:lcttLr. Aiati, how much of the conversation of proper vound upon which the servant should ohjert and pro-
~~\~~n(‘Ilrl~lIan yourr~ men. 14 anvthing but sound anything test. His conscience must he preserved in every matter that
hut hc*ipflll tu thmseivt9 and tikir companions. Young men properly belongs to his consci&ce; but he may-not busybody
in Cilrl~t xr(L to tjc copies of God’s dear Son, so that hv their himself with the master’s affairs in matters which belong to
common c,q>nvrsrs:ttion ‘as well as 11y their general dekranor the master’s cnnsrience, and with which the servant <‘hae
thy shll contlnuaiiy preach Christ and properly represent nothing to do. By his own strict integrity even in the smallest
befort. th(* ~oriti 111s noble characteristics,-truth, riebtcous- things he shall do his preaching and exercise his influence
ne54, piirity, g(~ntieIless, goorlness. lore. Sound speech“ cannot upon his master, “showing ail fidelity,” faithfulness to his
be c~nr&mnrd bv anvbodv, friend or foe. heathen or Christian. master’s interests.
saint or sinner: anil, ai ‘the Apostle suFg:ests, such a course The effect of all knowledge is to render the intelligent
will be a constant reproof to those enemies who must always restive under restraints, and as Christian knowledge is the
be exprcted : in the face of such noble living they of tlte ron- highest form of knowledge, it more than any other tends to
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restlessness. It inculcates the thought that however widely four-tifths of the human family are totally blind to this grace,
different the conditions between the kine and the neasant s as in heathen darkness. todav. and of the one-fifth who have seen
respects men and earthly things, they really are on a par as something of this grace divine, the vast majority have seen it
respects morals,-on the same level from the standpoint of so obscurely. so dimly, as not to be able to discern its beauties
divine justice. This thought once received into the humblest or appreciate its value. Blessed are our eves if thev have
mind destroys very much of the veneration which otherwise seen.- -In the Apostle’s day, and stall in our day, this g>ace of
might be felt toward those in earthly authority. It is an up- God has appeared “to all men,” in the sense that it is no
lifting thought to the poor, that before the great King of all longer in any sense of the word confined to the Jew, but is
the earth they stand on the same footing with the richest, now open to Jew and to Gentile alike, the middle wall of parti-
the most learned and the most powerful of earth;-that tion having been broken down, as the Apostle explains.
whether rich or noor “A man is a man for all that.” It In whnt does this grace of God consist? We answer with
causes them to realize that a man has a man’s rights, and Apostle, It is God’s favor that has been announced and mani-
that these are more than animal rights, that thev include lib- fested as the basis of reconciliation--not man’s righteousness.
erty of mind and conscience and certain liberties of conduct. God tells us through his Word that he himself has provided
It is this very enlightenment which Christianity has the great sacrifice-for sins, demanded by his own law, that
brought to the world which is about to cause it the great con- Jesus has met the nenaltv in full on our behalf: and that as
vulsion and revolution which shall overthrow all present inati- a result we may be reconciled to God now, and he can justly
tutions in anarchy. The Christian servant is to be more than and without violence to his laws receive us whom he had
merelv an enliehtened man: he is a man consecrated to God previously condemned to deatlr. And this receiving of ua
as we’ll; on? who has surrendered his “rights” to the will of signifies a restoration of his favor; and the restoration of his
God, and who, having placed himself in the Lord’s hands to favor, if rightly received by us, mill. under his providence,
be taueht of God. and to be fitted and prepared for the bring us to such conditions as will effect our salvation. our
heavenlv kingdom, ‘is full of faith that the Lord is both able full -delivery from sin and death, and imperfection, into the
and willmg to keep the trust, to safeguard his interests, and full life and perfection and liberty of the sons of God.
to permit nothing to come upon him that shall not be over- This applies to the church being elected from the world
r&d for his spi&ual development and welfare. during this Gospel age, and the same will apply to the world
TJle true Christian servant (and all Christians must be of mankind in general as they shall be blessed of God through
servants if like their Master-Phil. 2:7) thus consecrated, the elect church in the Millennial ace. God’s grace in thP
realizrs that under divine providence he is not to expert his present time is manifested in connection with the “high call-
rights in the present time, nor to strive for them; but that, ing” to the divine nature and the life immortal connected
on thr rontrnrp, he sacrifices them to the will of God-to the therewith. His grace in the Millennial azc will be manifested
doing of the Lord’s will so far as he may have opportunity, in connection with the “restitution” blcssinrs which will be
and to tile having of the Lord’s will done in him according to offrred to all mankind, and the earthly life-&rlasting which
the Lord’s wisdom and providence. If cppresspd and dealt will br granted to all whose who then come into harmony
with uniustly he will loolc to the Lord for deliverance, and with the terms of that grace.
whatrver wnp it shall come wi!l accept it as of divine arrange- Whut 1~0sthe grace of God to do with us? And w11v should
ment: and whatever God does not provide in the way of de- it lead to suCh a revolution in our conduct 2nd rharact& as the
liveranrc along rrasoJIaJ)le and just lines he will accept as the Anostle has iust intimated? Because. snvs the Anostlc. tliie
rulings nf his provitlence, and render to the Lord thanks for grace of God, 1)~ which WC are called to salvation. t&hcs
his wsltrh-care and seclr to learn the lessons of patience and us sometIling: it teaches us that tlte way of rcconcilintion
esneriencc and Jona-suffering, which these trials may incul- back to God’s favor is a way of self-denial.-denvinn everv-
pate : recognizing ‘in such “a case that these trial:, from thing that is ungodliness, ev&vthing that is contrarv to our
whomLocver thev tome. are nermitted of the Lord if not hiehest contention of the divine character and will: the
ordcrcd by him: and intended for his welfare and spiritual denvina also df every worldly lore or desire or smhition-am-
dcve?oJnnrnt. bition “for worldly “influenc6, for the rirllcs of this world;
SurJr Chrictinn servants, and such Christians in any walk and thclt instead of aimine and strivine for tllese thin~a. we
of life, art‘ the only ones who know what contentment really iq. who desire the salvation ‘which God prnmi5cs are to J;vb to
Others arca strivinrr for the attainment of riehts
* and for the the rontrarg of thrse. “soberly. righteously. nnclly [Cod-like],
correction-of wron’&, and are only cultivating more and more in this DieWIlt world”--not esnectlng aorldlv honors and
the spirit of ~cliishness in their own heart% and generally advantagbs under the reins of “thr Jnincc of tllis world ” who
causinz thcamsclvcs the more trouble and discontent. Onlv. the not nnlv h?d no interest ‘i;l our Mnstcr. hut liJ<cwisc no frirnd-
Chri&n ran say, Jy iniere+ in any who follow in his fdotstrps.
“<!ontent. wlintcrer lot I see, Rut if we arr thus to 1iTe self denyingly in this world
Since ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me,” (ape) that we may att,iin to thr grnc.r of God in the nrst
and 11~can only talce this position by the exercise of a living world (age)--“the world to come”--what are wc to hare be-
fditJi. and can onJv exrrrise such a Jivin!? faith in life’s affairs fore our ‘minds in the nature of a prospect or hope toward
after hc has mad& a consecration of himself to the Lord, and whicah we are to look witll Jonuin i’ and intrrest and r*omfort of
can only malte aurh a consecration of himself after he has heart? Ah! thp Apostle tellk‘ u’s what. He J~oJds up I,eforc
come to some knnwledec of the divine character and plsn. us the ,-and consideration toward whirh all of our nmljitions
Sucah servants, the Apostle assures us, adorn the doctrine of are to turn. in which all of our hopes arr to rcnirc, and in
(:od our Savior. Thtv show that it is not a doctrine of strife, which our hearts are to find tlrcir trcnqur(J. outwc~igl~ing and
but of pence and of good-will toward men, not a doctrine on+ valuing every eart1iJ.v Con-i~lc~ration. JJtb tJllr* dv<c-rllv-
rnrrcly of personal riglits and of selfish strife for their attnin- this hope,-
nlrhnt, hut a doctrine of love, joy and peace in the holy Spirit. LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE AND THE APPEARING
OF THE GLORY OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR
WHY THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD LIVE SEPARATE PROM THE
Tllis is to be the cenLre of 0111’expc&~tions. lYc are not
WORLD
to Irope for blessing this sid c: of tllc ni,lnifeststion of GotJ’a
After recounting to us as above the proper course for the kingdnrn. We are to note that this kinntlnnl n:u\t corn<> be-
various classes in the Church, the Apostle proceeds to give the fort God’s will can be done on earth as yt is done in heaven.
loeical reason for the above advice. saving: “For [because1 We are to know that this kingdom must bind Satan and over
tl; prare of God bath appeared, ‘bringing salvation to all throw his institutions, Jjasetl upon selfislrness, before it (‘an
men.“-Revised Version. supplant tlrese with new institutions of Justice and truth
Jl*hen did God’s orflce anpew ths? We answer, Not until b&d upon the grand prineiplc of lnve. W’hnercr, tburcfore,
the Gospel began to” be pr&hrd after our Redeemer’s death has been Jrlrssed with the grace of God, and has had the ryes
and resurrection. For four thousand vears the erace of God of his unrlrrstanding opened by the 1Vortl of truth, and its
did not appear, was not manifest in any sense >f the word. spirit, finds its tc,nchings to be that thrse blessings of snlva
The Law Covenant was to the Jew only, and it was not of tion are to be “broueht unto us at the revelntlon of our Lord
grace but the reverse-of law and of justice. At very most and Savior *Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13), and tllat our c!lief
this “grace of God” was prophesied of, that it would appear object in the present life is to fight a good fight against self
later, and that blessings would follow upon all the families of and against sin. and in defcncc of rizhteousness and in the
the earth. It has not yet appeared to all men, but more assistance of the bouscbold of faith:c’ and not to fight for
properly this would be rendered “for all men,” since God’s earthly rights nor to strive for earthlg honors and riches,-
grace is intended to apply to every man-as widely as did the the warfare and strife in which the whole world, except our-
curse apply. selves, is almost exclusively engaged. If the Lord’s saints
In the present time the majority of mankind do not see possess talents or influence or wealth, these are not their
the grace of God,-it does not appear to them. More than treasures, but merely their servants. and they are not tht>
III-52 127267
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possessors of these, but merely the stewards, whose privilege do for us, as the Apostle has foregoing set forth, is to the
it is to use them as best thev mav know how. in the Master’s
1 Y
intent that bv these means the Lord mav “nurifv unto him-
service. and to the forwarding of the interests of righteousness self a peculiar people”-a people differe& from “others, pos-
in the preparation of themselves and others for his appearing sessed of a special love for that which is just, that which is
and kingdom. pure, that which is noble, that which is good; and who, despite
the imperfections of their mortal bodies, are striving to
The Apostle speaks of our Lord Jesus as “our great God cultivate these graces more and more in their hearts, and to
and Sari&,” anti this is in full accord with th‘;! general keep their bodies in subiection. Moreover. savs the Anostle.
tearhlnes of the Scrintures. Our Lord Jesus is a mightv one, these peculiar people wili be “zealous of gobd works,” eirnest:
a great’ one amongst’the mighty ones, and as our L&d” him: Iv desirous and striving to do nood unto all men as thcv have
self clechtreq. all should “ honor the Son even as they honor Y

opportunity, physicall< mentaiiy, morally,-and esp&Lliy to

the Father.“-John 1 : 1; 5 :22. do pood to the household of faith.
Tbc Apostle presents in another consideration why we The Apostle’s exhortation, in conclusion, is that Titus shall
should be exercised by this blessed hope of the Lord’s second speak and exhort the church along these lines which he has
rom~ng and o:lr gathering toprthcr to him as his elect church. laid down, reproving them, whenever necessary (in love and
It iq not mt,rrly that we should think of life everlasting and gentleness, and vet with full authoritv, not doubting as to
glory In which we might share; but that we should think also ihe meaning of the divine instruction \. ” ire was to let ‘ho man
that this One romlng in glory, and to whom we hope to be despise him, in the sense that he was to declare these princi-
ioined crcrlnstinglv, as mcmberq of the bride, to the Brldc- ples of righteousness governing the Lord’s people in a plain,
iroom.-is no n&r than he who gave himself for us, who positive and authoritative manner. He was to speak with
sacrificed his own life in our redemption. We are to remem- authority and not as with uncertainty and questioning. And
bt,r, too. that hc not only rrdccmed us from the penalty of so lrt us speak, each and all, to ourselves and to others, setting
sin. tlc;lth. but that the redemption which he purpoces and forth the nrincloles of this salvation which has anneared ‘.’ to
prn\1(1(3 iti more tllan a redemption from iniquity, from sin. us. with nh unceLrtain sound, that thus we may minister grace
11-c :IIC to rrmrmllc>r aI90 that this purging away of sin and to the hearers and glorify our Father in heaven and our Re-
the instruction and cleansing which the 13’ord of truth is to deemer and Deliverer.

VOL. XXI ALLEGIIENY, PA., NOVEMBER 15, 1900

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

IS NATURE CRUEL? societies of monkeys to be found in the lower latitudes of Asia
This question has already been answered by some eminent and Africa; the -numberless herds of reindeer in the far
autllor:tics in tbc! aff~rmatlvc. and the belief that such an North, the herds of musk-oxen and the innumerable bands of
nni\\rr i* the correct one is &csprcnd. Sir Samuel Baker polar foxes still farther north; the flocks of seals and morses
clccl,~rcs that n,lture “’ 1s n system of terrorism from the be- and sociable cetnceans which inhabit the ocean; the hertls of
ginnll:L: to the end,” and J&n Stuart Mill asserts that if wild horses, donkeys, camels and sheep which range the step-
there are marks of dcsinn in creation. “one of the thinars most pes of Central ,4sia. He says:
eritlrntly tl(+i,cned is &t a large proportion of all animals “‘How trifling, in comparison with them, are the num-
s!~o!lltl pass tllcir existence in tormenting and devouring other hers of carnivorn; And h&v false, therefore,. is the view of
animals.” If ne assume nature to be the work of a Being those who speak of the animal world as if nothing were to
of ir:Rnl:e newer. he concludes that “the most atrocious be seen in it but lions and hyenas plunging their bleeding
enolmiticxs of the &or& men will be more than justified by the teeth into the flesh of the victims! On m.lght as well im-
al,l,,ll (-iIt 111tc ntion of l’io\ itlcrlce that throughout all animated agine that the whole of human life is nothing but a succes-
mlturc the stronz should nrev on the weak.” These radical sion of Trl-el Kebir and Geok Tene masqacres.’
i,.s,‘~ 11,111.art, caoEtlcl\ crtoci 1,; J. C. Iii&, of Liverpool, Eng- “Unless, then, death is an ine’scusable incident in animal
land. in a book whose title & the same as the head of this life, it would seem that the terror of denth to be inflicted by
a1 tlvlc (Lorltl~:Il, l!)OO). After examining the experiences of the cnrnivora is really a figment of the imngimltion: and one
hulltt~i s of bi;: granite, he concludes in the first place that Sir might reasonably adopt the language of Mr. Wallace, that ‘the
S;lmi~r,l 1(;11;~~1 ‘h dictum is untrue. \T-e quote from a review supposed torments and misenrs ot nnimnlq have little real
in O/:t‘ .l,rc/,rofed J’,-tL/rds (October) the following al&act of existence, but are the reflection of the imagined sensations of
111q II ( lllll~‘!lt .- cultivated men and women in similar circumstances, and that
‘.\\i~vc thctre is tcl-rol-isnz there must be terror, and terror the amount of nctlrctl sufferillq caused b11 tlie strltqyle for ex-
is o!1(’ of tlw most horrible of sufferings. Is it true, then, istence amo??g a~linzcrls is altdgether insigGfica’nt.‘ij
tlla! il:cs :IIIIIII:~~\ lil0.t r\l)osed to the attacks of the carni- Mr. Hi& does not. of course. denv that there is a pood
vor:L c~llr(nr grc ltly from terror? \ve believe that it is al- deal of esltlng and bci& eaten in the “anlmnl kingdom. $111~
1l~o.t (~l‘ll, ‘.I\ uli!llIc. Terror in human beicgs is largely due however, he saya, is not cruelty, and he devotes much space
to the irtl:r~limtion. . . . . Have we any reason to believe to showing that in their attacks wild creatures cause t%eir
tll It tllc lr,~\(s~ :IIIIIIIP.~* 11nrc n similar teiior of iinagin.~tlon? victims little nain. altho he does not PO so far as to sav that
I\-c 11.1Yt~yc~,l rc<t.on to believe tile contrary. Mr. J. D. thr mnnrrlecl dnes ‘enjnv it, as Wallacg maintained of t& flee-
in\ (‘: :II it\.’ TVII. tl:cb follo\\inr: incitlent. A l&r donkey war in= antelope. The fax&liar case of Dr. Livingstone, on whom
‘tlv-n11l’: tllnt is. 8s a bait for a lion. The lion annroached. I L n lion’s jaw crunching through his shoulder acted as an anes-
IlIlt, tlrr lllli:ir~r, loo!;:n~ throu,rrh his peephole, saw the donkey thetic. is of course cited, and sunnorted bv much evidrnce
St ~illl~*!o~ ililll:i~lll~~l, nllilc tile lion wrnt cln jirowlinc. It was along the same line. The reviewe; ‘regards ‘the case as hav-
nttc, J<1111(!~~r(:vrlr~l tktt the lion h:ld actually tried’ to throw ing been made out, and concludes as follows:
t1ic. 11111:(‘\* 0vc.r Ivitli his nzw and had failed. altho it had “So then, as the result of this most interesting investiga-
tion, we may reasonably come to the conclusion that nature
is by no means the system of terrorism that Sir Samuel Baker
r Ill:11 sr c ~t;n~~v11ivh s110~cd its ncrres w&e not affected.’ maties it out to be:- that it does not justifv the pessimistic
““1. I\ :*i!ncc m;liilt:lins that ‘the constant effort to escape and almost atheistic conclusions of Mr. J. S. Mill. and that
rn:ini(.q. tllc rl;rr-i-c,currinK striigOle againc,t the forces ‘of it is not the horrible enmminglinq of devourers and devoured
IlXtlllC~. :JiP ‘the rerv means by which much of the beauty and that a superexcited imagination is predisposed to paint it. On
hlrltir.nv o/id o?io!/~ne~~t of nnturc are produced. To what the contrary, we may believe that the various carnivorous
el..r ii it t!l:lt the flcctnp+s of the horse and of the many enemies of the gentle; races of animals are much more serv-
ql,eei(+ of tl(sc*r and nntc~lopes is due? To what else, indeed, iceable in traininc them to the finest exercise of skill and
hut the perpc+u:ll stimulus to exert tl:rir utmost qpred, which fleetness than the+ are destructive of their numbers or OP-
is r:i~iml 1:~ thr fr:lr of enemies? But is not t& fenr the pressivclp noxious‘to their happiness of animal life, and that
wry furor \\hl(h Sir Snmuel Baker afiirms? Bv nr means. in a world in which death is necessary, deat,h bv the assault of
1Ir. Frnnciq Galton nr,t only agrees with Mr. kallaee, but carnivorous enemies is no more dreadful but is. in fnct.
maintains that the pclil in which they live is a source of much lwq painful. than manv other methods by which life
plf~:l~llre. . . . . mav he rxtinauished.“-Ifiternrv Diaest.
“l’rincr Kronntkin points out the ennrmous exapcemtinn Tbe abovc“is in full accord“withY our presentation on the
of the and rlnw’ view of nature.
‘tooth The Prince refers to qubject in our issue of June 1, page 165; which please note
the families of elephants, rhinoceroses, and the numberless ‘again.
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NOVEMBER 15. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (340-346:

BObfAN CATHOLIOISM IN POLITIUS “Having possession of the cities, the Romanists now reach
“At the annual meeting of the Catholic Young Men’s Na- out to gain control in national affairs. ‘We must make
tional Union in Brooklyn, September 26, a resolution was America Catholic,’ said Archbishop Ireland at the hundredtb
adopted to form a greai federation of all-the societies of the anniversary of the establishment of the Roman Catholic hier-
Roman Catholic church in the United States for wlitical archy in the United States, which was held in Baltimore, Nov.
purposes. Last spring Bishop McFaul of Trenton, N.-J., told 10, 1889. ‘We must make America Catholic. As we love
the Ancient Order of Hibernians that the Roman Catholics our church, it suffices to mention the work and our cry shall
of America were fools not to organize into one solid mass be, God wills it, and our hearts shall leap towards it with
and make their Dower felt in the nolitics of this countrv: Crusader enthusiasm.’ He was wildly applauded by the
there were 2,000,~00 Roman Catholic&voters, and if they w&e eighty bishops, one thousand priests and five thousand lay-
united for political action they could make this country a men present.
Roman Catholic nation. “ ‘Why should we fear or hesitate?’ he continued, with
“This federation has now been formed by the following glowing fervor and proud boasting. ‘We number ten mil-
societies : The Knights of Columbus. the Kninhts of St. lions-a powerful army if the forces be well marshaled and
John, the Catholic Benevolent Legion,’ the Ancieit Order of their latent strength be brought into action. Catholics in
Hibernians, the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, the Irish- America are loyal to their church and devoted to her leaders.
American Societies, the German-American Societies, the Cath- Their labors and their victories in the first century of their
olic Knights of America, the Catholic Total Abstinence Union history show what they are capable of in the coming century,
of America; and, as the Brooklyn Eagle of Sept. 26, 1900 when they are conscious of their power and are under com-
(from which we quote), says: ‘Besides these organizations plete hierarchical organization.’
there are scores of others of less prominence.’ “And so, even before the century has begun, they are pre-
“The federation is formed, says the Eagle, ‘for the avowed paring by a complete organization to conquer this country
purpose of influencing legislation and securing what the Cath- and turn it over to the pope ! What have the Protestants of
olics claim are their rights.’ America to say to this? says The Converted Cut~olic of New
“The convention, which met in the Park Theater, Brooklyn, York.”
was t,he largest gathering in the history of the Young Men’s SOCIALISM GROWING IN GERMANY
National Union. and it was addressed bv leading priests and
jaymen from ali parts of the country. %‘ather &<elle, rector The election of a member of the Reichstag for Branden-
of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in this city, Mom&nor Doane of burg has caused considerable political excitement throughout
Newark, N. J., Sheriff Buttling of Brooklyn, Congressman Germany, as it has resulted in a signal victory for the Social-
Fitzgerald, of Boston, and Father Wall of Holy Rosary ist candidate, Herr Peus, by a majority of 648 votes. This
church, this city, made stirring addresses. The latter was constituency has had a varied history, having returned within
elected president of the union. the past twenty years Conservatives, Radicals and National
Liberals; but throughout all its fluctuations one fact was
“ ‘The convention,’ continues the EagZe, which is one of the prominent, namely, the growth of Socialism there.
foremost metropolitan daily journals, ‘unanimously approved
the plan of federation and appointed committees to carry it The number of Socialist members now in the Reichstag is
into effect. By this means tens of thousands of men of the fifty-eight; in 1885 there were only twenty-three; in 1890 the
Catholic faith will be brought under one national head, and number rose to thirty-five. At the general election of 1893
this stalwart body of men- will have a strong influence on there were forty-four Socialists returned. At the last general
national legislation? The New York Herald and other Da- election in 1895 the number was fifty-six. Subsequent by-
pers had zmilar reports. This is the most important siep elections have added two members.
ever taken by the Roman Catholics in the United States. They If we turn to the number of recorded votes we find that
now have New York City in their possession, and many of in 1885 over half a million Socialist votes were eiven:
0
in
the other large cities of our republic are under their control: 1887 three-quarters of a million; in 1890 nearly one million
all, like Tammany Hall, ‘worked for all their worth,’ in the and a half; in 1893 one million and three-quarters: and at
interests of the Roman Catholic church, and incidentally for the last general elections two and a quart& millions. The
the benefit of the workers. ‘In politics I work for my own calculation which nlaces the strength of the Socialist aartv
pocket all the time,’ said Richard Croker, the ‘Boss’ of Tam- at the next election at three million votes, and 100 seats in
many. He might have added that a large share of the mu- the Reichstag out of a total of 397 seats, would not appear
nicipal plunder goes to Roman Catholic institutions. excessive.-London Daily Chronicle, Oct. 29.

MAKE SURE OF WINNING IN GOD’S ELECTION

[Reprinted in issue of July 1, 1905, which please see.]

“SORROWFUL, FOR HE HAD GREAT POSSESSIONS”

19 : 16-26.-DEC. 2.
MATT.
“Children, how hard it is for them that trot in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!“-Mark 10.24.
Our lesson relates to what for centuries has been called appreciate it the more. Our Lord’s words might be para-
The Great Refusal.” The rich young ruler, whose name is phrased thus : Are you addressing me as Good Master from
not given, altho possessed of an-abuidance of the things of the heart, or only as a CompIimentary salutation? If you
this life loneed fcr an assurance of everlasting life. As a Jew really believe me to be good, you must believe in me as a
he knew th:- Law; he understood that God- had made with teacher sent of God-the All-Good. More than this, you must
this nation, and with no other, through Moses the mediator, believe my testimony, that I proceeded forth and came from
a covenant; under which everlasting iife might be attained. God, that I am the Son of God. If my testimony is untrue
He nerceived. however. that even the best men of his nation in any particular I am not good at aII, but a faIsifier, a hypo-
had=iailed to gain eternal life under this covenantthat all crite, a blasphemer. If, then, you call me Good Master from
had died. He Iad heard of Jesus, and that ‘never man spake the heart, and believe that I am the “sent of God,” the Mes-
like this man.” and he knew that in many respects his teach- siah, you will be the better prepared to receive my reply as
&gs were of >a very positive character, and that his manner the divine answer to that question.
and instruction were not like those of the scribes and Phari- Without waiting to require that the young man should
sees, uncertain and equivocal ;-that he taught as one having commit himself definitely on the point involved; but con-
authoritv. and knowing what he taught to be true. He hesi- tent with merely raising the issue in his mind, our Lord pro- -
&ted tzio to this TGcher, but finaly seeing him leaving a ceeded to answer the iuestion.
house in his own neighborhood, he ran out hastily and point- We are not to understand our Lord’s answer to this voune
hIank put the question: “Good master, what good thing Jew, at a time when the Law Covenant was still in “force9
shall I do that I may have eternal [everlasting] life?” to be the same that he would give, or that we should give
Instead of answerin his question directly our Lord in- in his name, today, in reply to a similar inquiry. The young
quired why he thus ad 8 ressed him as “good.” Jesus’ words man was living under a covenant of works, of which the Apos-
do not imply, as some have surmised, a denial of being good. tle declares, quotiq from the Law itself, “He that doetk
Rather, he wouId impress upon the young ruler the import these things shall Eve by them.” (Lev. 18:5 ; Ram. 10 :5)
of his own language, that when he got his answer he might The New Covenant had not yet been sealed with our Lord’s
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precious blood, and hence it was not operative toward this under which he, its Mediator, can apply to all who come under
young ruler or anybody else at this time. Our Lord could ,ts provisions through faith whatever share of his merit is
not properly direct the young man’s attention to any other necessary to make good the weaknesses and imperfection8 of
procedure than the keeping of the conditions of the Law Cov- our flesh to which our hearts, our minds, do not assent. Ac-
enant which was still ‘in ‘iorce. Anyway, this was what the cordingly, even if when some come to Jesus to inquire the
young man inquired: “What good thing must I do that I way of eternal life, they should be unable to say, as did this
may have everlasting life?” It was for this reason that our young ruler, “All these things have I done from my ynuth UP.”
Lord did not say, a8 we should say today in answer to such -if it should he even necessary for such to confess with
a question. Relieve on the Lord Jesus Christ-believe that shame, “All these commandments have I violated,” neverthe-
he died for your sins, and arose for your justification, and less, the provisions of the New Covenant are such that even
accepting him as ynnr Snviour. as the Mediator of the New the vilest sinner who has turned from sin and who at heart
Covcnlnt. presmt your life in full consecration of all its tal- desires henceforth to walk in the way of righteousness, and
mts, powers and opportunities to the Lord’s service. who. repenting of the sins of the pnst, gladly makes. such
Ollr T.nrrl did point out to the voun,q man the only way to rcastitution as is within his Dower-all such are acceoted in
lifr c~:~~rl~<tin~ then open-the kerpiny of the T,aw. He well the Beloved One, and recko;ed a8 justified freely from all
knew tJ]lt thr vnllnr, mnn could not kerp this Law perfectly. things, from which the Law could not justify them.
and hrncc ~n~lltl not nhtnin pverlnstin,rr ‘life through’ it; but Then such nle invited. as was the young ruler to come.
hr w~nlld hrin_n thp mxtter heforc his attent,ion in the most take up their cross, and’ follow Jesu&x&e, prove. demon-
f,jvor:!hh for& to 1~ rnmpr(,h~nclpd--mithnnt preaching the strate, their love for righteousness, thrir devotion to God and
X:cw Cnvmlnt nr nny other feature of the divine plan not yet every feature of his will; come, crucify srlf and selfishness,
tlur to hP announcr4. Tfpncc the form of his renly. and receive into their hearts instead the Spirit of God, the
The l~>w WRY tllvitlprl into two partc or tahlex the first spirit of holiness. the spirit of love. Not m&ely to love their
rrblntincr to .Trhr~~~h and thr irronrl to the neinhhor. Our neiphbors in word. but in deed and in trutll. so thnt so far
Lord imnnrctl thr fir\t of thrse, rpali7ing that the vnuno; man, fro& wishin,n to &al from them, or to kill thim, or hear fnlse
-0 f lr frnnl tlp\iriny to m ~hr or worship idol5 or anotller cod, witness again4 them, or to do any other evil toward them.
1~24 ,;f’el;inc to kno\\ nn11 to do the will of the trlle God. their hearts’ desire would be the reverse of these, to do them
&lr T,nrd w-ol~ld briny il.: nnSw(ar down to the simplr%t po+ good, to bleqq them. God is love: the spirit of his law is love,
sit!, prnpoqitinn. anrl hcsncscrrfcrrcd mcrcly to the command- and the spirit of his faithful Son, ,Teqrlq, is Jove. l;ovc is thp
mcqtq rc3Vrtinn l1llt.y toxvard hiq fpllom-cr~,ntiir~s, and got holy Spirit, of nhi& the Apostle declares. “If any man hnvr
thr rc>(tnncu tll:;t w fzr 2,: the young rnau hid diqrerned the not the snirit of Christ rlnre. in some measure1 he ic; nonr of
rnattcr h(x h9d !irrjt thrb InI: ; hut nlthn hr kept its outward his.” VTn’der the New Cov&nt. if the heart lie full of lnvc,
fnrln bra rc?li7crl thslt ~mc thirl:r WI\ still lackin?. HP hid no it is acceptable with God rven thn the heart rn’lv not 1)~ nhlr
r~vitlrnr~ s thnt 11~ 1~3~1rcsrrivod :lny spPria1 hlcssing of eternal at all times to control the flesh in re?poct to (*v(‘ry ih1~12ht
lift. ~nrl \f ichc*rJ to k~low of thtx Maqter whit hindered, what and word and act. and to shnw forth throu”lI it this hnli
hr l~rl.c~l of hrinr n prrfrc.t man. keepinr_r the law and merit- spirit of love which rules paramount in thr heart.
in? thr rc>wnrd of that, law. life everln%tiny. No wonder The New Covenant is God’s agreement, under which hr
.TPQ~I~,lnnkinrr Irnon llim. loved him: cvervhndv . . who loves accepts, through Christ, the intentions of our hearts :,q the
ri~h+rolrsnr~s lnveu thnsc who nre rightcons, or who are striv- the same were actually and fully demonstrated in our lives:
ini to the hrst of their ability to come up to the mark of and certainly our hen&’ desires’ will find expression through
ri~htrr:~li;ncss.-J)erf~(.tinn. the flesh in large measure. thn not nlwa,vs perfectlv. Thus
THE GRACE OF ALL GRACES our heartq may to some extent be rend hv our frllnwmen. thn
not perfectly. while to our heavenly Father they are an open
‘l’hrn .l(‘qns told him pl~~inlv. “Onp thing thou lackest.”
hook. Moreover, the love which enters and fills our hearts
You have I~rn ~ntlr~nrnrinp t,o keep God’s lax’, and have done
expands them and crowds out mnre and more of the natural
wrll. FO for :qq (hc olltw:jrd is concerned; hut the spirit of the
aml srlfish propensitirs, crossing this natural, or earthly will
law you h?ve not :~pprehentled at all----the spirit of the law is
low. with the heavenly one, the new mind. Thus gradually msk-
“T11~ whole law is cnmprchended briefly in one word.”
“T,nvr iti thp fulfilling of the law.” ing progress in the new way, the Lord’s snintq are growing
(Rnm. l?:R, 10) You in knowledge and in grace. and more and more are having
h:lvc hren @tiny tile nut-itle, or shell of the divine command.
hut hlvca rntirrlv orcrlor)krd the precious thinrr in it. the the love of God s&x? abroad in their hearts.
kprnrl. thp rvsenct.-love to Gnd &prrmcly. and”love toward “TRUST NOT IN UNCERTAIN RIOHES”
ymir ft>llnwmntt as toward yourself. Let me prove this to Our Lord took advantage of this episode to impart a leqson
vnn, 1,~ qurrcrit,in: thnt you demonstrate pour love for to his disciples, showing &cm the danyrr of rich&-anv kind
vonr nrirrhlmrs 1,~ disposing of your propertv for the assist- of riches, honor of men. nolitical influence. mnnv and l:lrge
:tnce of 1~) brer nncq. Thrn ronsrcrate your life in lovine de- talents 0; abilities, social’ standinz. fine e;lurati& :1m1 m:-
votion to C.011R qervircl. *Ind enme with me as my disciple, tPria1 wealth-for one may be rich in anv of these senses.
taking up thp prnss of self-denial thus involved. “It is harcl for a rich man to enter into’ the kinndnm of
The tc4 waq a crnri‘ll one, and manifrstpd cleslrly the heaven.” (Revised Version. ) Our Lord does- nnt hrre under-
distinrtlon h(%\vrrn thr lettrr and thr spirit of the lam. The take to explain whv there would be greater difficulties for
crnqq ~8 too he*lvy for the rirh vnunq ruler. HP h&d gotten those possessing riches to enter into his kingdom. but from
thr :tnsn(xr to his qneqtion. but oh! it, was so different from other scriptures we learn the reasnns, and whv it is that the
\xhnt he 1~34 nnticipntetl. He h9d felt comparatively well heir8 of the kingdom mill he chiefly found amongst thP poorer
a:ltisficcl 1, ith himsrlf, althn realizing that something must classes. “Ye see pour calling, brethren, how that not many
still he lacking He had rather expected MessiTh’s commen- wive men after the’ flesh, not many mirrhty, not many noble are
dation. antI perhans qnme further advice. but nothine so radi- called: hut God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
Cal. 1t, waq’ ton ‘much for him; he w&t away e&eedingly confound the mighty.” (1 Cor. 1:20, 27; Ja;. 2:s) The rich
qorro:\ furl. savs J.nkr: hi4 countenance fell, says Mnrk; it was are ‘kRiipa,'* in &e‘aense of the word, but not in another; the?
a core tli4xp1)nintment. For tile time being he could not think are enuallv invited but thev are much lesq likelv .I (than others
nf ;~~~+nt~n~ t11cb?I.lctcar’q prescription. the dnq(b WRY ton hitter, who ire p’borer) to accept ‘the Lord’s invitation and to present
ant1 hts’ mnst at least think the’ matter over well. themselves according to the terms of the kingdom call. In
rl’hntever course t,his young ruler mny have subsequently this sense of the word “called” only those who accept the call
t:rken WP are not infnrmrd: hut of one thi‘nq we may be sure; are meant: and thev then divide themselves into two classes
hr h:ld Icarnc~d n grrnt, lesson respecting the scope and signifi- -those who make their calling and election sure, and ohtain
rnnrr of thrs law. He hntl ascertained the impossibility of his the kingdom, obtain a part in-‘the first resurrection to glory.
att,nininr rtermll life unrlrr the TAW Covenant. honor and immortalitv. obtain a nlnce with Messiah in his
Tt will he seen that we totally disagree with those who throne, to share wit6 ‘him in his’ Millennial kingdom; and
rl~irrl tllxt the rnndit,inn of this young man and our Lord’s others who do not make their calling and election sure, either
words to him npplv to all vounp men or to those possessing by becoming reprobates, and suhie& of the second death, or
wealth---the the spirit of thr matter is nnplirable to all, un- hv a failure to manifest a sufflcimrv of zeal in the race for
drr tllr tlilferrnt conditions of the New Cnvennnt. The New t6e prize, and on this acrount bein”g remanded to the class
(‘nvrsnant clavq to 114. rich and ionr, “Christ dird for us, ac- known as the “great company,” who must come through great
cortlinc to the Seriptllrex” He not only met the require- tribulation. washing their robrq in the blood of the T~~>TII~I
mrntq of the lnw, and fulfilled that Covenant and annulled it. It is well that we note carefullv what are the hindrances
bllt :Idtlitic~n:llly he rrnl~l and ratified the *Nrw Covenant of these “rich.” nreventinp them from havine so favorable an
l Ser Tune 15, 1919, issue for critical examination of Covenants opportunity as their (in zarthly respects) l&s favored hreth-
[2728J
NOVEMBQ~ 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (348-349)

ren. (1) The possession of earthly good things, “riches,” is will be great because he counted these earthly “riches” but
less favorable to the develonment of faith. without which it “loss and dross that he might win Christ and be found in
is impossible to be -plea&i to God. (i)’ These earthly ad- him [a member of the Anointed One] .“Phil. 3:8, 9.
vantages are more likely to develop pride, a serious barrier to So then while we call attention to the fact that few will
,-very grace and an impossible barrier as respects the king- be in the kingdom who have had great opportunities, priv-
dom, which can be attained only through humility. (3) ileges, property or other “riches” of this world, we neverthe-
Riches of any kind bring with them friends and associates less encourage those who possess this world’s goods of any
of the earth, whose hearts being generally out of sympathy kind, to consider that they thus hold within their grasp grand
with the Lord and the kingdom will constitute them adver- opportunities which rightly used will yield riches of grace, not
saries to the new mind, from whose influence it will be the only in the life that now is but also in the life that is to
more difficult to break completely away. (4) And summing come; working out for them a far more exceeding and eternal
up all of the foregoing, those possessed of such earthly riches weight of glory, proportionate to their sacrifices and faith-
have proportionately more to sacrifice than those who are fulness in their stewardship.
poorer in these respects; and thca Frenter the thin9 caciificed
the greater the difficulty in performing the sacrifice. We cannot wonder that the disciples were astonished to
However, on the other hand, it may be said that when- learn that few of the rich would enter the kingdom, for did
ever one who is rich in this world’s goods (talents, etc.) does they not see on every hand that the rich had the more im-
prc~~~ h:m.sc~lf a lirino: sncrifirp to thp Lorrl and hii srrvicc portant places in the synagogues and in the offices of the
it witnesses to a deeper heart-loyalty than if he were poorer. Jewish system ? Did they not see that comparatively few of
It implies a greater sacrifice, and it implies also the exercise the poor-in this world’s goods wele rated amongst the slints?
of greyter opportunities in the Lord’s service. The servant No wonder they inquired, where would the kingdom class be
who has five talents and who uses them faithfully, and dou- found, if the rich were excluded? How, then, could the salva-
bles them, accomplishes a greater work than the servant who, tion which God had promlsea should come through his kinp-
having one talent, use5 it faithfully and doubles it, and our dom ever be attained?
Lord’s nnderstantling of thiq matter i4 shown in the fact that The time for explaining these features of the divine plan
acrortling to the parable the one will have granted to him havin,rr lint vet come, 0111’ l,oltl c*oiltrntc*tl I~lms(~lt wit11 itir~l~.ly
authority over ten citit.3, and the other authority over two, assuring the disciples that they must leave such a question
altho both will be commended-“Well done, good, faithful to the Father: that the truth of his statement t11d not imnlv
Per\-nnt.“-Mntt. 2.5: 14-30. that no kingdom could be formed, but that with God the m’ai-
If lye would look for illustration showing wherein the rich ter was possible. and that his orizinxl promise to Abraham
(in tnlerlts, etc.\ have been faithful. we would find at the would be’ fulfilled, a kingdom class be selected, and the blrq-
hend of the list onr Lord himself, “who waq rich, but for our sinrc of salvation be communicated thrnurh it. To hqvc t,old
3nkcs brczme poor.” As he was richer than all others in th& of the rejection of the .Jewish nition, all except the
every sense of the word. so proportionately his sacrifice was “remnant” of believers, mainly the poor, and to have ex.
grentcr than that of all others in every sense of the word, plnined to them that the elect church, the elect seed of Abra-
&d hi4 honor, glory and power arc greater. “He is Lord of ham, would be completed from nmongat the Gc,ntiles, of a
311.” “11i,n bath God lri_nhlv exalted and eiven a name that similarly poor class as respects tlliq world’s iidvnntagrq, would
is above every name.” Similarly the Apost& Paul was rich- have be&-going bevond what was then due to be e&lainetl,-
i F r!o! ill 111011f’I’:~ntl prop,c*rtv. h? \‘v’lq at lrnst rirh in Wlncfin- bevond what the di‘scinles would have been able to romnrchend
tion. in serial ‘advan&g& and privileges, and in life’s oppor- at’ that time; and hence our Lord, using the true ‘wisdom
tllnitlrr: and we mav sav that since the Annstle so faithfully from above, refrained from saving more than would he to
qarrificrd nil theqp enrthip riches for the sake of the privileie their advantage to know--leaving* such information, as he
of preaching the Gospel of Christ, his must have been a much elnlnined to them subsecluentlv. for unfoldment to them bv
larger s:lrrifice than that of the majority of men: and pro- thk Comforter -the holy spirit’which would come upon the;
pnrtionntelv we anticipate that his reward in the kingdom at Pentecost.-John 14 :26.

ENTREATY ANSl’VERED,-BLIND EYES OPENED

MARK 10 :46-52.-D&c. 9.
“Lord, that I might receive my sight.”
While passing along a road in the vicinity of Jericho, good cheer! arise; he ralleth thee.” And he sprang up, cast-
possibly going from the old city to the newer one of the same ing away his outer robe that he might go the more quickly
name, a great multitude following him, our Lord passed by to Jesus for the blessing.
two blind men, sitting begging by the wayside. (Mark men- Everything connected \vith the case sho\\q uq that Wlrti-
tions only one, the chief subJect of the lesson, but Matthew meus p&qcs~~d a large amount of faith, and thnt he \T:IF
mentions a eonip:lnion.) Kirtimc~u4. one of tlin two. :I4 !I(’ verv enrnestlv desirous of the blrssinn which he rrceived.
heard the mnltitnde paqsing and learned from some of them Wh’bn he cam; to .Jesus, altho the latter-knew well his desire;
that they accompanied .Jequs, the reputed Messiah, of whom he inqniretl respecting it. HP would have the blind mnn e?r.
he hnd no doubt heard hefore. was struck with the fact that press himself respecting his hopcq and tlcqireq. He answered,
his onportnnitv for a blessing was ne2r at hand and rapidly “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight!” The word “lnrd”
passin< frnm him. He began to cry out, his voice rising above here is “rnbboni,” the most reverential term of four titles
the din nf the mnltitude. saying, “‘.Jesus, thou Son of David, usrd Rmon& the .Jcas at that time (rab. rahbi. r:lbbml.
have merry on me!” rabbnni ). Then Jesus tonrherl his eyes (hlatt. 20:34), say-
Onr T.ortl paid no heed at first, but passed on. The multi- ing, “Go thv way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Sight
tude rebuked the blind man, so to speak, saying, “YOU, poor came immediately, and nartimeus became one of the follow-
beggar. F;hould not thus cry out and annoy and seek to take ers nf .Jesnn.
the attention of so rrent a one as this, whom we verilv be- The lrssnn itself is a verv beautiful one in demonstration
lieve to he the hTe&nh, and whose miqqion is the e~t~hlish- of the T,nrd’s tender compassion and divine power: and from
ment nf God’s kingdom; keen quiet!” But sn much the more its incitlrnts ne might ;lrnw other lessons,‘ pnrnllelq, as it
did he rry out for mercy. He longed for sight, and had faith were. For instance. sin brnunht alienation from God. and
to hplirve that the grpnt Messiah might he prevailcad upon to moral blindness, which prevails today in every land and on
rescue him from dnikness. Jesns stopped and gave the word everv hand. The Apostle thus pictures somr of the heathen,
to the nlultitude tn hrinz the blind man to him. He mizht desiious of having the light of-truth, as blind mrn grnping
have gnne to the blind &an, or he might have lifted up his after thinzs desired. He snenks of such as crvinp out to
voire nnd spoken to the blind man, hitlding him to come; but the Lord ‘in prnver, and “feeling after God, if* hdply they
instead he chose to use instrumentalities-tn give those about might find him;” just a? Hartimeus had cried out to the
him an opportunitv of sharing in the work of hlessinx. So the Lord and then went to him. And as Rnrtimeus cast away
word wns pnsqed from one te another pnd the blind rnqn was his outer robe that hr might go to the Lord the more speed-
helped forward and thus greater attention way brought to the ily, so the sinnrr should cast away evervthing found to be a
whole mir:lcle and to the divine power which it msnifeqted. hindrance-he shnnld mnke nrknnwledpment and rrpentnnce
Thoqp who had but a moment before uphraided the blind man of cinq. and he should mnke restitution also as far as possible,
for his temerity in expecting a blessing from the Messiah, and thus approach the Lord.
now gladly bore the message of hope to him, saying, “Be of And such, when their eyes are opened to see the blessings
l-27291
 (350-351) ZION’S Wa4TCH TOWER ALLECRENY, PA.

of God bestowed upon them, should look, as Bartimeus looked, the Master in the humble attitude necessary to receive it.
first into the face of the Saviour with gratitude and ap- Their pitiable condition is described by the Lord himself (Rev.
preciation, and look unto the Father through him. Indeed, 3 : 17 ) under the name Laodicea. He tells why they do not
their eyes being opened by the word of truth, they will grad- receive their sight-why they cannot comprehend the lengths
ually come to see everything in a new light, and be able to and breadths and depths of divine love: “Because thou
say, “Old things [of darkness and sin] are passed away; all sayest, I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of
thmgs are become new”---lighted by the knowledge of God; nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miser-
for we have been “translated out of darkness into marvelous able and poor and blind and naked.”
light.” It is unnecessary to add that such transformed sin- As it was not within the power of the multitude to give
ners should thenceforth follow Jesus as his disciples, seeking Bartimeus his sight, neither is it within our power to give
to walk in his steps. sight to the spiritually blind. All we can do is to let the
Another lesson might profitably be drawn from this nar- blind ones know that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by-that
rative. Bartimeus was not a sinner, in the sense of being the great Physician is able and willing to grant them the
an alien, stranger, foreigner and outcast from the divine opening of the eyes of their understanding. Those who long
favor. He was- a memtier of the household of faith, an for sight, who love the truth, who hate darkness and error,
Israelite, to whom belonged the nromises and the covenants. and n&e others, will be attracted by the information, and
etc. (l%om. 9 :4) ; yet hg was blihd. And so there are todav lift UD their voices in sunnlication for assistance. But. alas!
in spiritual Israel- many who are not sinners, stranger& when-they do cry aloudXfbr help there are sure to be some,
aliens from God. but members of the household of faith and even amongst the Lord’s friends, to rebuke them for their
heirs of the promises, who are dentally, spiritually, blind. earnestness, instead of encouraging it. However, such op-
Thev are blind to the goodcess of God as it shines in the face nositions onlv serve to demonstrate the amount of faith and
of Jesus Christ our Lord: they do not appreciate the love of ihe measure “of love for the light, and the Lord evidently in-
God, having been blinded thereto by false theories and tra- tends that only those who seek for truth “as men search for
ditions of men. Because of their blindness thev are unable silver” shall find the knowledge of God.-Prov. 2 :4.
to “comprehend with all saints the lengths and breadths and When the faith and earnestness of the seeker for light
heirhts and dcnths and to know the love of Christ.” as thev have been suWciently demonstrated the Master will grant
shoild do. Plrhaps some of them are accountable to some him the opportunities he desires. Nevertheless he will require
extent for their own blindness, and quite possibly others are that even in their blindness all shall manifest and exercise
in no measure responsible. faith, and come to him through evil report as well as through
We notice that in the case of Bartimeus Jesus did not good- report, to receive the e%lightenm&t sought. And wh&
inquire respecting his responsibility for his condition. It was thev obev thus thev surelv receive a eood reward in their
sufficient that he realized that he was blind, and that he u

appreciaGon
” *

of the Lord’s character a”nd plan. From this

earnestly desired from the heart to receive his sight, and new standpoint they can sing with the spirit and with the
that he demonstrated this by his prayers and his efforts to understanding also,-
obtain sight. So today, to those spiritual Israelites who are
blind to the beauties and harmonies of the divine character How happy and blessed the hours,
and plan, if they are willing to admit their blindness, and so Since Jesus I always can see;
anxious for the light that they will cry aloud and not be dis- Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers
suaded from their good desires, they will undoubtedly get the Have all gained new sweetness for me.”
blessing they crave, the opening of their eyes of understanding, They will surely acknowledge that whatever their joys in the
that they may be able to understand “the deep things of God.” Lord previously they are multiplied by the opening of the
We see many blind people of this latter sort today. Nearly eves of their understandings. And is it surprising that such
all of the nominal churches are full of them. But alas! the will follow the Lord? Nay, verily! How could we do other-
vast majority are unlike Bartlmeus-they do not realize their wise than “show forth the praises of him who hath called
condition nor hunger and thirst for the light, nor come to us out of darkness into his marvelous light?“-1 Pet. 2 :9.

ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH RESTORED

LUKE 19:1-lo.-DEC. 16.
“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save thut which was lozt.”
Zacchaeus was a Jew and a chief publican, which signifies Zacchaeus soon resolved what to do, for he was a re-
that he was in the employ of the Roman government as a sourceful man; he would run ahead and climb into a tree, and
tax-gatherer, a very lucrative office, but one greatly despised thus get a good view of the Master. We cannot help ad-
amongst the Jews, because ( 1) their views of patriotism led miring the courage of this little rich man, ordinarily prob-
them to resent the service of their conquerors; (2) their ably dignified enough in his bearing, but now his heart
tax-gatherers rollected for a percentage of the tax, and were swelling with feelings of interest in righteousness and a de-
at the same time assessors of the amount of the tax, and sire for reconciliation with God, and ran along like a boy
charged (probably generally with good reason), with gross and climbed the tree. When Jesus and the multitude came
violations of justice--taking advantage of their position and to the place the Lord addressed Zacchaeus by name, possibly
of the necessities of their neighbors to reap large usury by by that power of knowledge which is beyond our comprehen-
advancing them money for the tax and requiring super- sion ; or possibly by reason of hearing the crowd jeer and
abundant security for both tax and usury. Publicans, then, it laugh at the little rich publican in his lugubrious position.
will be seen, were a disreputable class amongst their own How astonished he must have been when the Master said,
people, esteemed as financially immoral, and unworthy the “Zacchaeus, come down, for I must lodge at thy house!”
confidence and honor of faithful Jews. Zacchaeus as a “chief” So great an honor as this Zacchaeus had not dreamed of, and
probably employed under-collectors to assist him in his con- the multitude of Jews were likewise surprised. The latter
tract, a?d for this reason was designated chief publican. murmured against Jesus because he, as a holy man, should
He had heard of Jesus evidently, and curiosity and pos- have nothing whatever to do with this publican. Perhaps it
sibly other nobler sentiments operated in his heart and led him was in part to give the Pharisees a lesson, as well as to
to desire to see the great Teacher. Possibly indeed he had provide for his own entertainment or to put himself in the
qualms of conscience respecting his business and business way of Zacchaeus, that our Lord proposed this visit to the
methods, and a longing for peace with God, which his riches publican’s house. In any event, nothing could have pleased the
could not take the place of. These nobler and better thoughts serious thinking little man more. He came down from the tree
and aspirations were quickened as he found himself in-the immediately, and joyfully took Jesus (and the desciples also
presence of the celebrated Nazarene. of whose holiness and we may presume) to his home for entertainment. Thus does
kxalted teachings he had heard. Quite probably, too, he had the Lord look for and care for and assist those who are of a
heard that, unlike the Pharisees, this great Teacher did not contrite heart-those who are feeling after God, and longing,
spurn publicans and sinners, but on the contrary, treated them as prodigals, to return to the Father’s house. Had Zacchaeus
kindly. Zacchaeus sought a glimpse of the Master’s face. but been of other condition of heart we may reasonably presumo
there being a throng in the w&y, and he being of small stature, that our Lord would have paid no attention to him whatever.
could not discern him. There was a throng anvwav at this What a surging of sentiment took place in the heart of
season, going up to the Passover, and so \otaYble “a person little Zacchaus! His name in the Hebrew comes from a root
as Jesus would always be an attraction. signifying pure, and the inference is not unreasonable that
12’730]
NOVEMBER15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (352-338)

his ancestors haa been noble and holy people, and that back and while the Lord can read the heart and see there more
of his love for money and dishonest practices lay good princi- than men can see respecting the change, yet, as Brother D. L.
ples, which now, under favorable conditions, were asserting Moody suggests, the change, the conversion, the transforma-
themselves and clamoring for a change of life,-worrying hns tion of life, must have been appreciable even by the most
conscience and embittering all his pleasures and causing him unsympathetic of Zacchseus’ neighbors when, the next morning
to long for righteousness in his own heart and life. In no after this event, Zacchaus’ servant nresented himself to the
other “way can” we account for his sudden determination to neighbor with a.purse of money, and-when asked what it was
reform. -Nor was he content merely to determine upon re- for replied, “My master says that he extorted from you a sum
form in his heart: he would seal the matter bv a nublic of money years ago, and now returns it fourfold.” The conver-
confession. As we read, he stood forth in the? prisence sion that includes recompense-and that not merely in a
of his own family, in the presence of Jesus and his disciples, skimped manner but abundantly-four-fold-undoubtedly signi-
and probably numerous friends and neighbors who had gone fies a true conversion, one that is not likely soon to be for-
along, and publicly acknowledged that he had gained part gotten or ignored.
of his wealth by unjust exactions, and pledged himself to re- We might find parallels to this incident, which belonged
store all such wrongfully obtained money,lto the extent of to the end of the Jewish age and to fleshlv Israel, in the end
his abilitv. fourfold. More than this. realizinn that there of this age and to Spiritual-Israel. We find today some back-
were probably many cases of small injustices which it would sliders from the Lord’s Covenant of Grace. as Zacchrens was a
be impossible for him to ever correct in detail, he publicly backslider from the Lord’s Covenant of the Law. We may
pledged one-half of all his possessions to the poor in off-set perhaps find them living in a measure of sin, in business which
of these. they admit is unjust -and in violation of their consciences.
Noble Zacchaeus! Well did his conduct show that the We are not. therefore. to nass bv them with the Gosnel mes-
Master knew what he was doing when he went to lodge with sage, the good tidings’ of great joy; but if any such manifest
this little man. so much desnised bv some of the Pharisees. an interest in the present truth we are to seek to assist them
Jesus knew that notwithstanding his- wrong course of life as our Lord and Head assisted Zacchaeus. And there is an
he was much nearer to the right attitude of heart than some encouragement to this class in Zacchaeus’ case, for tho they
of the self-righteous who denounced him-altho outwardly may feel themselves sadly short of the stature of a man in
they were living a cleaner life and a more moral one-making Christ, if they have in their hearts a longing desire for right-
clean the outside of the cup while inwardly it was full of vile eousness and to behold the Lord’s face, they will find oppor-
affections and selfishness, abominations in God’s sight. tunity to do so, if they will but humble themselves to take the
Our Lord’s reply is striking: “This day is salvation necessary steps. And sincere reformation today must be like
come to this house; forasmuch as he also is a son of Abra- that of Zaccheus; it must make some outward manifestation
ham.” While it is true that “salvation is to be brought unto expressive of contrition and of a desire to make reparation to
us at the revelation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”- the extent of ability. Some one has said, and quite truly, we
at his second advent-it is nevertheless true also that this think :-
salvation begins in the present life to all who are of the “No religious profession amounts to anything if it does
spiritual house of Israel, who, repenting of their sins, come not include a readiness to put one’s property at the service
into harmony with the Lord, and seek to walk according to his of the Lord. It has been well said that ‘a personal consecra-
ways. It is a salvation of the heart, reclaiming it from sin tion’ should be spelled ‘a purse-and-all consecration.’ And the
and belfishness and meanness-filthiness of the flesh and of full restitution of all that had been taken wrongfully must
thr spirit -2 Cor. 7:l. be made by a Christian disciple-even to the stripping of
This salvation means reformation and transformation; himself of all his earthly goods.”

“PILGRIM” ARRANGEMENTS STILL MISUNDERSTOOD

We find that quite a number of our readers did not re- -three to twelve months, according to circumstances ;-and
spond to our queries respecting “Pilgrim” visits because they sometimes reach very out-of-the-way places where we know
thought themselves too far from Allegheny to ask or expect that the interest and arrangements will justify the expense
a visit. Others who did respond have wondered that a “Pil- We rarely give more than two days to any place
and time.
grim” was not started to them at once. For these reasons we
explain again, as follows:- unless more is specially reqztested and good reasons @en.
The Society sends forth a number of these Pilgrims-ac- We will be making up new routes for 1901 and therefore
cording as the Society’s funds will permit and the interests of requested replies to our questions from all who desire to be
the flock seem to demand. These are sent out on long tours remembered and visited. See TOWER Aug. 1, 1900.

CHRISTIAN HOME EMBELLISHMENTS

We have a choice assortment of Scripture and Motto Text saving time, etc., by packing them in this way, we can afford
Cards of our own importation from London. Some are of dark to supply these bundles for the price named, one dollar. We
red and dark green color, assorted shapes and sizes, embossed would not offer them were we not sure that our readers will
with silver lettering and with hanaine cords: others on lieht appreciate them and thank us for bringing them to their at-
tinted cards with &wers or other %&nation, etc. The mot- tention. The card marked above, “To Us the Scriptures
toes are too numerous to specify but all good. The prices Clearly Teach,” is our own get up, of rose pink color printed
range from five cents to twenty cents each and these prices are in maroon ink, size 11x14 inches, with silk cord hanger. On
considerably less than the usual. one side is the statement which appears at top of page 2 of
Another drawback has been the difficulty in preparing each WATCH TOWER in good sized type. It is a statement of
small quantities for mail, so as to prevent their getting dam- Bible faith which none need feel ashamed of; and which
aged. We believe we can best surmount all these difficulties should be seen in the homes of all WATCH TOWER readers.
by putting them up in $1.00 packages as follows:- We have gotten out a large quantity and can therefore sup-
2 mottoes dark, 5c each.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lO ply them very cheaply,-at five cents each (plus five cents
2 “ light, 5c “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . .lO for tube and postage). In lots of 20 for $1.00 postage free.
2 I‘ dark, 10~ “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3 “ ‘I 20~ “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 I will tell the wondrous story.
2 “To Us the Scriptures Teach”. . . . . . . . , . . . .lO How. my lost estate to save,
2 Text Easels, 2c each. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .04 In his boundless love and mercy,
4 Text Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 He the ransom freely gave.

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...1.22 I will praise my dear Redeemer,

HIS triumphant power to save,
Postage and packing free. How the victory be gireth
We will put these up in four different Over sin and death and grave.
-A, B, C, D,-
assortments, so that persons ordering more than one pack- I will sing of my Redeemer,
age need not get duplicates except the fifth item. If you And my call to glory too;
order more than one package and want variety. say so. He from death to life hat11 brought me,
Importing these ourselves and saving jobbers’ profits and Heavenly glory brought to view.
127311
 _-.
__.--~. ~~--. ~~-.~ -__ --__-- ---
VOL. xx1 ALLEGHENY, PA., DECEMBER 1, 1900 No. 23
____ ~~------.-~---- - ==--=--- ___. z--

WHAT HOPE FOR THE INNUMERABLE NON-ELECT?

[Continued from our last issue, “Make Sure of Winning in God’s Election.“]
In our last issue we found abundant Scripture evidence respecting the eternal torment, but also respecting the eternal
that God is selecting a little flock from amongst mankind to bliss: and additionally it casts serious doubt upon the Book
be joint heirs with our Lord Jesus in the Millennial king- of divine revelation which is the only foundation for heaven-
dom. That fact being proven, it cannot be questioned that ly hopes, because they believe it to be also the authority for
all the remainder of mankmtl are non-elect. The question now their “hellish fears.”
is. 1Vhat provision has the great Creator made for this class WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES RESPECTING THE NON-ELECT?
-number&g at least fifty thousands of millions of all the
families of the earth? Is this condition honeless or not? In the Scriptures the non-elect arc of two classes: First.
According to orthodoxy it is hopeless--t’he theory being Those who in the present life mere (1) enlightened, (2) justi-
that all the non-elect of mankind were predestinated by God to fied through faith, (3) called, and accepting the call were
be sufferers of eternal torment; but we find no Scripture what- sanctified and begotten of the holy spirit, and started on the
ever in support of such a theory. So surely as God did elect course with a view to making their calling and election sure
or predestinate an elect clas? he must equally have predesti- -but who have not made it sure, but on the contrafy havP
natctd and foreordained that there would be a non-elect chss. failed, by not coming fully up to the requirements.
And to suppose that he foreordained that this non-elect class This class in turn is Scripturally divided into two par-
should suffer eternal torment nould be to suppose God a ties:-
111011~tr1 tl~~voitl of (‘\(‘1 v .P~I~II~JCII~ 01 iuiticsc. not to It1c11- (a) Tnose who sin toilfully after that they have received
tion lode. And if God’ did not foreordain the non-elect to a knowledge of the truth, and been made partakers of the holy
rtcrnal torment, neither could III’ have authorized any to use spirit, etc. For those there remaineth no more a share in the
c+rnal tolmcnt a5 a threat ngain9t the non-elect-neither to sacrifice of Christ-no further mercy, opportunity or hope
mtimidatc thrm nor foi any other purposcl. Indeed, what ob- ‘I’0 tlirm the result i-. thr ercongl dr:i1ll---rlc~tlc~ritit~. trv:,
ject could there br on (:od’s part in endeavoring to scare the G:-l-0; 10.26, 27.
w:~~~ltl of m:rnkintl into strivin,, ‘* to be of the elect little.llock, (b) The other class consists of those who, while at heart
D hen hc had a11ently Inrcdrqtinatcc! that only a small number preferring righteousness and truth, and loving the T,ord, have
r~rlnpa ratively coul~l be of this elect flock? The whole matter, not become copies of God’s dear Son, in that thev fail to at-
\ ic ~ctl from any sue11 st.lndpoint, i4 unreasonable. tain to his Spirit of full devotion of heart to the ‘doing of tht>
Let ux notic?, on the contrary, that this eternal torment Father’s will-rather they permit themselves to bcromc over-
th~~ory may properly 1x cliargcd with ne:Lrly every deflection c>hnrged with thr cares of this life and the deceitfulncs9 of
f :(,*:I tll!h (lo~.ttlllc t:t tilf. n(t(.p-.ity toy hoI1nt3;i OF lift on tIlc riches, and thuw fail to complete that sacrifice accordin~~ tc’
il.!1 t, Of C:O!!‘* IPC’Olllf. K\ (zr)one nho has read with care ths their (‘01cnant. aud hrncnc tsil to mitli~ thtqr (~~illitl; .lilti :nt’, ‘: 1.
CLlectinn sure. For these the Lord ha5 a q,icioil ~~rov1sic~n
:IS 9uznested in Cev. 7 :I%15. They will not bc utterly COTI
t 1~1” i?i a very bi:h ~tanI1:iid. and that comparatively few: f.mnded, bccxusc they have trustrd in him (1’~ 2~ 5) . :1uc!
he will surely carry them through. Yet the Lord’5 intervfzi
t-ion on their behalf must be strictly along the line9 of Ilic
csnvrnant and general plan-he cannot intcrferr with their free
t::i\ I’ (II, fl, ~oirltl hnvc :II,~ 11~1peof l)eing in the “elect claqs,” moral agency; hc will not coerce thrir wills. but he c:ln and
.~WOI~I~L' to th llinl! -1:1n11.1
r.l for that clnsq set in tile Scrin- will brine them to such a i>lacr of e\;nerirnc%c ai \\ill trst
them and compel them eith& to renni;ncr tht,ir lnv:jlLv- to
him or to seal that loyalty with their live+ Tho~‘wh; rep
nounce the Lord will, of course. in so doina brinn unon them
-dves the penalty of the srcond death. 1111:thocc who, under
iuch compulsory circumstances, are faithful. cxnnnot br counte,!
3s of the same likeness with God’9 dear Son. who, without
compulsion, voluntarily gave up his life in the F.ither’s sorv-
ice. The little flock of the elect church will contain all of
this class, and to them will hr granted the kingdom, and TV
sit with Christ in his throne, and to he the temple of God
and to have the crowns. (Rev. 3.21 ; 1 Pet. 5:4) But thP
otherq, who will “come up out of great tribulation,” hiving
washed their robes and made them white in the blond of this
Lamb, altho they will have suffered equnlly as much a9 the
elect (more indeed, if the mental conditions are tnkrn into
consideration) will not. get a crown of virtolv, Imt :: palm oi
victorv : will not eet a seat in the throne with their Lord. a~
his br&, but neve’&eless an honorable place before the throne
as servants. They will not become pillars and stones in the
living temple of cod. but they mill have the honorable privi-
lece of servinp God in his temnle, the church.
I

v This class?9 not prominently referred to in the Scripturea.

nor in the fy.pes and symbol9 even; because none were called
to this poSitIon, but, as the Apostle declare9, “Ye were all
ral!ed in one hope of your calling”--to the highest place of
joint heirship. (Eph. 4:4) The position attained by these
is an unpromised one, of the Lord’s abundant mercy.
Second : The second class of non-elect from the Scriptural
viewpoint is the world of mankind. including three classes:-
l’HE GENEROSITY COMMENDABLE BUT THE THEORY WRONG (a) It includes those who h:tre never had any knowledge
\\.v cannot lb111 LJ mIxi tlii/.:b ~iith the grratt’r gencrositr of of God’s provision of grace in Christ, and who consequentl\
r.,lr day wllic~l~ 1~ q:rn~l~~.~lIy conlit]? to c!irn?vn such a theory, could not have gone on fnrther to be of the called elect claa-
arid \va mr1st aI?0 ,.xv~~;x:tlni/cb with th:tt sentiment which ha+ of this age.
9ought to I ~ruc from ~ch an a\\ ful future the loved one9 (b) It inrludes those who have heard of the grace of God.
of the lbreqellt life, Iio\vcvel evil :tnd inIuriou9 they may have but in that indistinct, indefinite manner which does not bring
tren. Rut, while thi- incrcbn\c of benevolence is commend. conviction-those who have seen in Jesus something wonder-
able it is bringing t!l,: letnedy from the wrong quarter. It is ful and great and admirable, but who have never-seers him
bringing a remedy lchich, nllllc it is tn some extent consol- from the Lord’s standnoint of Redeemer and Saviour-their
ing to the heart momrntnrlly. nrverthelc~s leaves a terrible eyes being blinded to the manifold evil lufluenuencrnof “the Yost
fear, lest peradventuro the high stands& of the Scripture of this world,” business or pleasure or love of money or dis-
may be rrquircd, and th:lt, all not coming up to thrm will tracting religiolv-. dogmas. These, not having seen and not
hnffer excrutintin@p In othcrn it lcads to dorrbtr, not only having accepted Christ as the Redeemer, could go no further
c.755.356) [ 27321
~)ECEYBER 1, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (357-358)

and by no possibility could they have been amongst those If then all these non-elect have been redeemed from the
called to the election of this Gospel age. first trial and its sentince with the same precious blood which
(c) It includes those who have heard of Christ as the redeemed the elect church; and if the church, by the grace of
Redeemer, and have appreciated him as such, and have ac- God, has had her trial in advance of the world in general,
cepted him as their Saviour; but who like the nine of the ten and if the church’s trial was the result of the redemption,
lepers cleansed by our Lord at his first advent, thought not and without that redemption she could have no further trial
to return to give glory to God-thought not to- prese$, their for eternal life, is it not manifest that the same redemption
bodies living sacrifices in his service. These havine reached has provided a trial for the whole world of mankind, as well
the point of- justification were, undoubtedly, amongst the ones as for the church of this Gospel aqe? And what matters it that
called; but they failed to make their calli?g and election sure, the trial of the world did not take place at the sall~e time
not caring to respond to the call. Of this class, apparently, as the trial of the church? Has not the great God, our
are the thousands, the masses of church members of the vari- Saviour, the full right to arrange this matter of salvation ac-
ous sects. They are glad for what they see, but not anxious cording to his own wisdom? Who amongst fallen men is com-
to see any more, as, intuitively, they realize that further petent to direct him?
knowledge would bring greater responsibilities, which they de- And yet this is what Christian people have been doing;
sire to avoid and not even to think much about. they have been attempting to arange the divine plan, instead
These last mentioned “receive the grace of God [the privi- of hearkening to God’s own revelation respecting the same.
lege of justification] in vain.” (2 Cor. 6: 1) The intention of They have said, but he has not said, that the present life is
this reckoned or faith justification of the present time is to the onlv onportunity for trial, and that this trial-time will
enable the justified onrs to present their “bodies living sacri- end with the end of the Gospel age. He, on the contrary, has
fices, holy, and acceptable to God,,’ their reasonable service; foreseen their misrppresentatinns of his plan, and haq rnused
because they could not be acceptable to God as sacrifices, nor it to be written afnretime thrnuah the prophet: “Mv thoughts
in any sense of the word come to his altar, while still they [plans] are not your thoughts [plans], neither art’vour wqv~ my
were sinners. Since to permit this sanctification and sacri- ways, saith the Lord; for as the heavens are higher than the
fire is the only objcrt of tjle giving of this grace in the present earth, so are my wavs hisher than vnur ways and my thoughts
time. thev have received it in vain. in that thev have not used [plans] than your thoughts [plans].“-Isa. X5:8, 9.
It as’ God” designed it to be used by those who are appreciative.
Amongst this second class of non-elect, we may say that The Scriptures tell us specificallv reqpecting the Lord’s
the vilest are too good to be turned over to devils for an plan for these non-elect. WC will give it first in our own
eternity of torment, either mental or physical, and God their phraseology, and then we will give the Scriptural language.
Creator was too wise to have ever made them in such a con- They tell us that the church is being selected from the world
dition as to necessitate such an abominable result, so inhar- in advance, in order that this little’ flock. thorounhlp trained
monious with his character and with every sense of right and in the school of euneriencr. thornupblv nolished and in full con-
lustice, and necessitating the everlasting perpetuation of evil, formity to the Head, Ch;.ist Jeans.* i:, with their Hend and
upheld, and therefore sanctioned, by dlvme power. And God’s Lord, to constitute the Royal Priesthood, whose work will
Word, rightlv understood, teaches no such thing. It is only only begin after its election has heen completed and it has
where the false theory has corrupted and perverted the judg- been received into glory; and that its work will be the j?&+g
ment that it is able and willing to construe such a theory of the world of mankind, not in the sense of pronouncing con-
from the parables, symbols and “dark sayings” of our Fnviour, demnation upon them, but in the sense of granting to each
instead of understanding and construmg them much more member of the non-elect a trinl f iud_rrmentl for eternal life.
Ieaacnnhlv and in full accord with the divine character of That trial of the non-elect is euarnht&d. based u&n the great
Insticc, &sdom and lnvc.* ransom-sacrifice wherewith all mankind’ were piirchaspd from
the death-sentence that came unon all tbrouch Adam And that
NO CONDEMNATION POSSIBLE UNTIL AFTER TRIAL
this trial-time, or day of thg world’s ju&ment, will be the
If the worst class of non-elect do not deserve eternal tor- Millennial day (a thousand genrs long). in the which full
ment, the less degraded certainly would not deserve it; and opportunity shall come to all. full knowledge of the Lord shall
Indeed we are to remember that none of them can deserve any fill the whole earth, as the waters covpr the great deep, and a
punishment until first of all they have had their trial. True, full blessing of eternal life mav be attained by whoever wills
the whole race had a trial in father Adam, in Eden, and when and obeys, of those then on trial ; and that the remainder (the
he lost in that trial the whole race lost life and came under unwilling and disobedient) will be destroyed in the second
the sentence of death. But in harmony with the divine plan, death.
our Lord Jesus redeemed Adam and all his race by giving
himself as the ransom-price for Adam and thus incidentally Among the many Scriptures supporting this presentation
for all. We are to remember that Jesus was not only the we cite two which are very pointed and should be fully satis-
Redeemer of the church, but also the Redeemer of the w-orld, factory if there mere no others. “God hath appointed a day
‘1s it is written: “He is a propitiation for our sins, and not in the which he will judge the world [future] in ri&tenus-
for ours [the church’s] only. but also for the sips of the ~lrolt ness, by that man whom he hath ordained”---&be Christ, Head
loorld.“-1 John 2.2
. . and body.-Acts 17 : 31.
- See Whnt Say the Scriptures About Hell?-Sample sent free on “Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?”
mstal card request -1 Cor. 6:2.

THE ULTIMATE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS LOVE FROM A PURE

HEART AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE
“Now the end [ultimate object] of the commandment is love from a pure heart and a good conscience, aud an undlssembled farth
-which some, having failed [to discern] have turned aside to foolish talking.“--l Tim. 1 :5.
Not only in the Apostle’s day did many fail to get the true justice, and (2) because the doctrine, instead of cultivating
idea of rehgion-the Lord’s commandments to his people, etc. or promoting holiness cultivates and promotes the reverse of
-but many, probably an increasing number, have since simi- this, as we shall show.
larly failed. We may suppose that the method of the great The theory that the present life is merely to decide who
,Ltlverqaru is to confuse the minds of those who arc fc>ellng are worthy of eternal joy. and whn ale wnrthv of c~ternal IOI-
after God and righteousness. It is thus, as the Scriptures merits, resolves itself finally In the general thought as signi-
declare, that he deceives the whole world-putting forms, cer- fying that all fiendish characters may perhaps be worthy of
emonies, theories and confessions instead of heart religion. some kind of ill-treatment to all eternity, provided they shall
Those who teach the monstrous false doctrine that the pres- not breathe a prayer of penitence at some time before they
ent life decides the fate of every human being, either for eter- expire; but that all half-uav decent people are too rcsprctabl(>
nal misery or for eternal jov, consider this doctrine the very or too good to justly merit an eternity of torture, and hence
bulwark of pure Christianity and of holiness, consequently must be of the kind who will receive an eternity of hliss.
many who really do not believe it tacitly give it their con- Thus this hell-fire doctrine, instead of promoting holiness,
jent and approval, believing that in so doing they are for- purity of heart, promotes the reverse,-+arelessness as respects
warding the cause of bolineqs. But this is a great mistake: anything except out and nut. murder and qeneral devilishness.
this is one of the preat adversary’s delusions, by which he On the contrary, the Scriptural doctrine makes no threat
would make the piety of God’s people serve his cause, ( 1) be- of eternal torment, and promlnes 9. full opportunity for every
caause this doctrine dims the divine glory as respects love and human creature to come to a knowledge of the truth, either in
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(359-360) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

the present life or in the next life, and thus, under the terme of righteousness, then he is justified,-justified freely from all
of the New Covenant, to avail themselves of the oDoortunitv things, from which the law could not justify him-“justified
for eternal life through the great atonement sacrifich finishe& by faith through the blood of Christ”-brought nigh to God,
at Calvary. This Scriptural doctrine is replete with the into relationship with him, and caused to know the joy and
highest incentives to holiness, Duritv of heart and of life: be- peace of his forgiving love.
cause, instead of holtlmg fortl; a ieneral penalty of torture, When this is accomplished, when justification by faith has
it holds forth “a just recompense of reward,” a reward of been established, when the sinner is reckoned and treated as
blessing or of stripes which will be proportionate to the indi- no longer a sinner, but as reconciled to the Father, then his
vidual efforts of each to come into harmony with God and heart may be said to be pure, cleansed from “the sins that are
his holiness. past, through the forbearance of God.” But now arises a new
First we hare the call of the Gospel church to become heirs question with the reformed one: while past sins are graciously
of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, in the Millennial covered, weaknesses of the flesh are present, and temptations
kingdom, upon the condition of holiness of heart, and subse- of the adversary are on every hand. He starts to walk for-
quently will come the offer of restitution and everlasting life ward, but finds himself beset by the world, the flesh and the
in human perfection, to those of the world who similarly re- devil; what shall he do? A heart searching probably begins
turn to heart-harmony with the Lord. The Scriptures hold there: finding himself incapable of guiding himself, or of keep
out no suggestion anywhere that eternal life will ever be given ing himself, his proper course is to accept another offer of
to any creature on any plane of esistence, except upon this con- divine grace, namely. the second step in our great salvation.
dition of full. coml~lete heart-harmonv with the Lord. Anv- He hea& the voice‘of the Lord, through the Apostle, saying,
thing contrarv to. or even short of, this perfect harmony with “I beseech vou. therefore, brethren. bv the mercies of God
the Lord, nill. from the Scriptural standpoint mean the second [manifested ‘in the covering of your sins], that ye present your
death. Here then in the divine offer we have the highest in- bodies living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
ducement to strive for our closest possible attainment to per- reasonable service.”
fection: and we are assured that such striving will ultimately, The reformed one, if rightlv instructed. realizes his in-
accordin,rr to divine favor. be rewarded with nerfect I conditions ability to stand in his own” strength. realizes that his only
(in which absolute perfection will be possible)-in the resur- hope of maintaining justification granted to him lies in get-
rection. ting the Lord to take charge of him. At first he may think
Manv there are who hare I-erv errnnenllr views of what is to go into partnership with the Lord, and to say, “Some of
signified by the expression ‘pure in heart ;” one class considers self and some of thee,” some of mv own will and some of
this impossible of attainment in the present life; another the Lord’s will; but rightly in&u&d he finds that this will
class, no less mistakenly, considers this to mean absolute per- not be satisfactorv to the Lord: that the Lord will accept
fection in every thought, word and deed: and in believing that him, and become >esponsible fo; him, and guarantee h<m
they fulfil these conditions, and in teaching others similarly, glorious victory and eternal reward, only upon this one con-
dition, namely, a full self-surrender, a full consecration of
they are making a grave mistake. heart.
Answermg the la3t error first. we remark that it is pos- It is after the Pinner has come through all this process and
sible for one-to deceive hlmself respecting his own heart and has made a full consecration of his heart to the Lord. that
his own condition, RS for instance. annarentlv. the Pharisees he is of the class described in our text, one of the pure in
of our Lord’s day’: claiming that thei’were i&feet, and that heart, under the law of love, the law of the New Covenant.
they kept the whole lam, they were merely deceiving them- But notwithstanding the purity of his heart, his motives, his
selves, but not the Lord: by their self-deception, a form of intentions. his will, to fulfil the Lord’s great commandment,
hypocrisy, which blinding them to their own need of the robe which is briefly comprehended in one word, love,-he will find
of Christ’s righteousneqs, left them in the filthy rags of their that he has a battle to wage. that the law of his members,
own righteousness, unfit for the kinpdom. And so with some depraved through heredity i’n ‘sin, is a strong law of selfish-
today, who claim perfection of thought, word and deed. They ness. in onnosition to the new law. to which he has pledged
have blinded themselves to their own weaknesses. imnerfec- himself, t6e law of his pure heart br new heart or will,--‘the
tions and errors, and are in a far worse conditidn &an he law of love.
who, tho outwardly less moral, is at heart better in the Lord’s Hence, as the Apostle suggests in our text, we must learn
sight, because honest in confessing his unworthiness. because that the ultimate end or object of the divine commandment
foi s&h the Lord has provided f&giveness of sins,>overing or law, means LOVE,-even tho we do not find ourselves thor-
with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. ouehlv able to live UD to everv minute particular and require-
Nevertheless, those who think that purity of heart is an me& ‘bf that law. Y’et our &ability to-live up to the require-
impossibility in the present life are likewise mistaken. Their ments of that law must be through no lack of the will. or in-
mistake arises from-not seeing a wide distinction between a tentions of the loyal and pure h&-t toward the law, and to-
purity of heart and a Derfection or righteousness of all the ward the Lord whose law it is: whatever failure we make,
&or& and deeds of life.- The heart, as &Sea in this text, refers however short we may come of the grand ultimate object before
to the mind, the will, the actuating intentions or motives of the us, it must be solely because of weaknesses of the flesh, and
man. With this thought before the mind, it is easv to see that benetments of the adversary which our pure hearts, or wills
one might he pure of heart. that is of pure intentions, and yet failed to resist.
confrss himself unable to do and to be all that his good in- And here the Lord’s promises are helpful, assuring us that
tentions desire and endeavor. He \vhoqe heart is pure toward he knows our weaknesses and frailties, and the wiles of our
the Lord in Christ is the same one whose eve is sinele. the great adversary, the devil, and the influence of the spirit of
same one who is not dnuhle-minded but single-minded: &h&e the world. which is contrarv to the spirit of love: he tells us
mind. nill. heart. seeks first, last and alwavs the will of God. that we may go freely to %he throne of the heavenly grace,
Henre the eyhortntion of the Bpostle, “Purify your hearts, ye and obtain mercy in respect to our failures to live up to the
double-minded.“--+Jas. 4 : 8. grand standards ahich our hearts acknowledge, and seek to
Rut how can this condition of puritv of heart be attained? conform to; and that we may also find grace to help us in
Is this to be our message to sinners--“purifv vour hearts”? every time of need. And, availing ourselves of these mercies
No the Gospel does not call sinners to nuriiv’their hearts: and privileges provided through our great High Priest, we are
on the cnntrnrr it declareq it to he an imp’ossih’le thing for the enabled to fight a good fight against sin. to repulse its at-
tacks upon our hearts and to drive it off if it shall succeed in
sinner to purify his heart; a fuller’s soap, which the sinner
does not posseqs. is needed to cleanse the heart and bring it invading our flesh. Thus, and thus only, may the Christian
keep himself pure in heart, preserving his stand as one of the
into that attitl!de of relationship with God and his will which
fighters of the good fight, one of the overcomers of the world
will be pure and acceptable in his sight. On the contrary, and its spirit.
sinners are called to repentance-called upon to confess that There will be a tendency on the part of the flesh, and the
not only their outward lives are imperfect, short of the glory mind of the flesh, to deceive us in respect to this command-
of God. hnt that their hearts also are rebellious, impure and ment of love. The mind of the flesh wiil seek to go into part-
in sympathy with impurity. After the sinner is repentant for nershiD with the new mind. and will be verv readv to recoe-
sin, desirmg to come into harmony with the Lord and his nize I&e as the rule and law of life: under cUertein”conditio&
righteousness, he is pointed to the great atonement for sin, and The mind of the flesh would recognize love in words, in pro-
is drawn to the great Redeemer, through a desire to be made fession, in manners-a form of godliness. without its Dower.
free from sin and to come into harmony with God. When this Gentle-manners, such as love wo;ld demand, may be exercised
step has been taken-when the sinner having repented of his bv a selfish heart deceivinn itself. and seekine’to deceive oth-
sinq, and having made restitution so far as possible, accepts ers ; on the lip may be the0 smile; the word orpraise, of kind-
Christ and the pardon he offers, and seeks to walk in the way ness, of gentleness, while in the heart may be feelings of seldsh-
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DBCEMBEII 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (360-361)

ness, of grudge, of bitterness? of animosity, which, under fa- ties besetting many who are in the nominal churches: they
vorable conditions, may manifest themselves in more or less are not honest; they are not conscientious in respect to their
carefully worded slander, or backbiting, or reproaches. Or faith. If they believe differently from the denomination they
these, continuing in the heart and rankling, may, under fa- have been connected with, they are willing to dissemble their
vorable conditions, bring forth anger, hatred, malice, strife and faith, to misrepresent it, because they fear a disturbance in
other wicked works of the flesh and of the devil, wholly con- the church; they fear to be thought peculiar; they iear to lose
trary to the proper course of a pure heart, and an utter vari- the esteem of fellow-Christians (‘ wheat”) who might un-
ance with the commandment of the law of the New Covenant derstand them, and of fellow-associates (“tares”1 who would
--love. be sure to misunderstand them, and speak evil
We are, therefore, to have clearly before our minds the love the praise of men more than they love the
fact that the ultimate object of all the divine dealings for us else thev would not risk the disfavor of God
and with us, and the ultimate significance of all the divine lation of conscience, and a dissembling of their faithrin order
romises made to us is the development of love, which is god- to maintain the friendship of the world and of the nominal
Ekeness for God is iove. And to have this love developed in church.
us, in the sense and to the degree intended by the Lord, it is We urge that all our readers consider carefully, studiously,
necessary that it shall come from a pure heart, in full accord the words of our text, remembering it is those who miss this
with the Lord, and his law of love, and wholly antagonistic true thought who are not only missing the opportunity of
to the adversary and his law of selfishness. To have this kind the present time to be overcomers of the world. and the op-
of love in its proper development requires also a good con- portunity of the future, to be “joint-heirs with Christ” in his
science: for be it remembered that there are bad consciences, kingdom, but who, additionally, are lending influence now in
-our consciences require regulating, as do all the other fea- the wrong direction! and are likely to be turned aside to fool-
tures of our fallen nature. If our consciences are to be reg- ish talking, preaching and teaching and discussing matters
ulated we must have some standard by which to set and regu- which are illoeical. irrational. nonsensical : because their
late them. The conscience is like a watch whose dial is prop- hearts have becvme ‘darkened through neglect -of the principles
erlv marked with the hours, but whose correctness as a time- which the Lord has set forth for the government of those who
keeper depends upon the proper regulating of its mainspring, are new creatures in Christ Jesus. And sometimes the mat-
so that it mav point out the hours truthfully: so our con- ter goes bevond foolish talking. and the heart becomes em-
sciences are reidi to indicate right and wrong to us, but they bitt&ed and corrupted: love ?s cast out of the heart. and
can only be relied upon to tell us truly what is right and selfishness takes its nlace. and from it flows words of bitter-
what is wrong after being regulated in connection with the new ness, anger and evil,‘instcad of words of love, kindness, gen-
mainspring, the new heart, the pure will, brought into full tleness, mercy and goodness.
harmony with the law of love, as presented to us in the Word
of God.~ “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the
Our text also points out the necessity for an undissembled issues of life ‘-life or death. “Blessed are the mere in heart,
faith. And here, we believe, is one of the important difficul- for they shall see God.”

CLAIMING, RECEIVING AND ADMINISTERING A KINGDOM

LUKE 19: 11-27.-DEC. 23.
“Every one of us shall give account of himself to (fool.“-Ram. 14:12.
Naturally enough the fact that Jesus was on his way to sition. Thus we see that those who heard this parable were
Jerusalem, the city of the great King, and that he had defl- much more likely to be appreciative of its significance than
nitely acknowledged himself as the Messiah, and that he was the maioritv of the neople of todav would be. because cus-
exercising a great influence amongst the people, and that toms oi the present tim’e are so different ’
under this influence the rich Zacchaeus had been soundly con- It was understood by those who heard the parable that the
verted, led the disciples to believe that when they reached Lord referred to himself as the nobleman. that heaven was
Jesusalem, then only fifteen or twenty miles distant, they the far country, that Jehovah himself was the great King,
would immediately see tangible evidences of the establish- whose commission was essential to the establishment of the
ment of God’s kindgom-that they would see Jesus assume Messianic kingdom, and that Jesus’ disciples were the serv-
regal robes, power and authority, and that they themselves ants to be entrusted with the “Pounds,” and that those who
would be associated with him in the throne of power, and would not have him rule over them were more or less in love
that sneedilv Israel would arise from t,he dust to be the dom- and in league with the darkness of sin. Everyone who op-
inant nation’ of the world, and through its laws, at the mouth poses righteousness, or who loves and serves unrighteousness,
of Messiah, supported by his dlvme powers, would bring is thereby declaring his opposition to the reign of righteous-
blessing to every nation, people, kindred and tongue. ness, which the Lord proposes to establish in the earth in due
It was in view of this erroneous expectation that our time,-when his kingdom shall come and his will shall be
Lord gave the narable of this lesson-to noint out to the done on earth as it is done in heaven.
discipl&, and viguely to others, that kingdom glories were There is in this lesson a severe rebuke (which alaq 1 is
yet a considerable distance in the future, and that before not often recognized) to those who claim that the kingdom
they could be expected he must leave them and go to the of God was set UP at Pentecost. Thev must see. unless thev
central seat of government and deceive his commission from with more or less wilfulness close the eyes of ‘their undei-
Jehovah, the Father, and return; and that meantime he standing, that this parable is against their theory, and teaches
would give to some of his servants a work to do in his name that the kingdom is not to he espected to be set up until
which would prove their loyalty, their love, by their faith- the return of Messiah at his second advent. It is also a re-
fulness. buke to those who claim that in some manner, incomprehen-
The figure used as the basis of the narable was one with sible to themselves or anybody else, the second advent took
which the people of Jericho were quite familiar. They had place IS00 years ago, at the time of Israel’s overthrow, about
in their city the palace of Herod, and knew that when his A. D. 70. They must see, unless with a certain amount of
father, Herod the Great, died, Herod Archelaus, then king, wilfulness they close their eyes of understanding against it,
set out on a mission to Rome, to the court of the Csesars, that nothing at all corresponding to a second advent of Christ
the rulers of the world;-the object of the mission being to took place at that time-nothing corresponding to the setting
obtain Cesar’s authority an investiture of government as up of his kingdom occurred there: nothing corresponding to
the king of Judea instead of his deceased father. Thev knew the calling of those of his servants and reckoning with them
that Hzrod returned, fully equipped with authority, a;d was and rewarding them with places in the kingdom took place
in consequence the ruler. They knew also that when he there; nothing corresponding to the calling of his enemies
went to Rome a deputation of citizens of Judea was sent who would not have him rule over them, and the punishment
after him to make complaint against him, and to urge that of them, took place there-in A. D. 70.
he be not appointed;-and to inform Caesar that the gov- Indeed, the parable is opposed to everv theory respecting
ernment of the Herods was no longer desired by the people the kingdom except for right theory, and ‘it is in full accord
of Judea. Josephus savs that this deputation of opponents with it; because the right theory is not a human wish or
who went to Rome numbered 500. The people probably also whim or conjecture to help substantiate some human pro-
remembered that when Herod Archelaus returned with kinelv gram of events, but is the sum and substance of all the teach-
power he first of all rewarded his faithful retainers with ings of the divine Word brought into harmonious unison and
various offices throughout the kingdom, and subsequently interpreted thus, Scripture throwing light upon Scripture,
dealt harshly with those who had manifested their oppo- by the holy spirit.
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(36: 363) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEG~IEYY, 1’~

Those who heard the parable might have conjectured that preceding those who are alive and remain at the present time.
it reouired months. or nossiblv years for its fulfilment; but But the living ones pass through an experience of testing
probably none of them Aexpectkd” that it would require more (the ending of their trial) before thev die; thev must give
than eighteen centuries-because, as natural men, they would an account; judgment must pass respekting .them”; they must
bc disposed to look at matters from the natural standpoint, either be gathered. as “wheat” into the barn or be left in
from the standpoint of seventy to a hundred years as being the field where the “tares” are shortly to be burned. For-
the limit of human life. Snr did the tll~ciples even know ~IOW tunately for us, the reckoning is not one of an instant,, but
to view matters from the divine standpoint until after they time is granted to II~ to make up our account. and
hnd rrreivcd thr holy spirit. Under it’s enlightenment, how- blessed is he who, finding that he has not been as faithful ac
+v(‘r. thp ApoTtlc tcllq 119 plainly that “A day with the Lord he might have been in-the past, is now putting forth re-
I$ as a tlJoll<and years.“--2 Pet. 3:8 dnuhled energies-“redeeming the time” (grasping opportun-
.qs tIJe Rc~ise,l I’ersion points out, the ten servants to itie+-Eph. 6: Ifi), in order to make as favorable an account
\vhrlrn the pnu~~ds were given were only a part of all the no- as possible while our King is waiting to receive them and
tJlPln:lIJ’~ Wrv:lnts: thy \\Ywld Seem to represent the co%w willing to show us all the favor that could be desired.
~c~trt! (~I:LHL:who 11a\e profeh<;cd full tlc\otion to the Lord, and Tci servants were chosen as a generaI number to repre-
to WI 11 of \\lJorn Jc CI\ CTJ :i ~I~ecJal gift or blessing, not given qcnt all of the ronqerrated. but only three of t,hePc are men
to oihl~rc of fhe q(Lr\ants of thr hoJJsehold of faith. This tioned as illustrations of faithfulness and unfaithfulness
z;~r~:~l gift or IJ~C\~III~ v(‘I~+ to be rctferred to by the Apostle, Thus the Lord avoids even intimating how many of the whole
HlICIl IIC’ %lys, “-1 IIJ(~;IYI~~C of the spirit is given to every number of consecrated will prove faithful to t,hcir mnsecra-
117.111 (1~ tlke tlll(t. (‘c il-lsc.r,rtcLll c+ll~lrclll to profit with:il.” (I tion and enter into the lays* of the Lord-into the kingdom
Car I2 7 I It 1. the iani~~ gift to all, the &me spirit amongst and to share with him in the throne: and how manv of them
.~ll. \\orI,JnL in ail of till5 rlaqs. and the dntv of each onr is d
will fail to he accounted worthy of theqe honors and blcas-
to 11~ thiq zifi Of tile Lortl for its increase; and thP more ings: and how many of the latter may be counted worthy of
IllU dc\ot~on ::n(l tbc mot c 111s faithfulness the larger may thr sernnd death: and how many of them will crimp, through
tJC the rc5Jllt.. f;litlJfnlneF.~ in tribulation. to bc honored servants in tltl
kingdom.-Rev. 7 :!I-1 5.
\\ 1’ <I I r’ to Ill11 I( 0 :I tlilrc~rcJJcc between this paratlle of the
“l”~~ill<l.” a11ci :I v)J~J(‘\\II,I~ ,lmilar one of the “Ta!enti.” The The cnrmics of the King are all to be &in. after he take-
1~) ltimsrlf hi4 great nnwer and hcrins his reien; “Thr last
enemy that shill be &stroyed is death.” Snnle ~woiild hli~
pest that this qlayinl;’ will be with thr sword of the spllit.
and in-plv a universal salvation; bnf to Our untlrr&Jntlin:
such ai interprctatinii woiild lie &tcrl,v at variance with th’c
Rnirit of the narnblc. and hence sonhi~tic:~l. and unworthr nt
tJJnitit%q .\I C’ to Ire: ~JJ;,lcrstoc,,l aq irnplir~t, bec,lusP the ‘T:ortl any one c~l&in~ rither hnnestv or abilitv as n tcClr*?!rr in
c~\prc+rtl :I\ IIWII~~ :rl~p~owl oi 111, 011e nlin rained foul I&WI. ThGlre ol;qht to he a r&JsnnxlJI~ rcl~ltionchil~ brtwrrn
]‘“llll’ls 2. IJP (Ii.1 111<,,‘II,~ \XIi0 ~aJii(~11 nine. Both did well, tltf. fipure of the narnhl(b and the rralitr. :I< it WIII 1~ fill-
Imt IJ w1’rc p~,c,tl 11ot?1 \\cre IalthfJtl. Thr one with greater filkd.“ To our u;derstnnding the qlagir;g of the rncrnicl-
t,llc’nf< in of~lrr to 11(-~v~II~III\ i,lithful witlJ the one of fewer represents clearly and di<tinctlv the puni,hmcnt wlJirlJ thr
t,llVJltS. .~hol/~tl I*( u7,ir: I<, :~nrl ~tinulrl hl1ow larger rrqults: Lord prrsrribes for the e!JcnJics of ri~lJt,Y?lJsncis. 7 I: . tlJ(
auf1 tlic rc\\‘aJ11. pi\ (‘II v ~~ultl wm to inlply the same thing- serond death. However, this by no mcanr \iKnificlq th:Jt ali
that CrwtcxI s.10rltic*es in 111~ plescnt timp “work out a far the people (aside from the specially tructetl servants) arc
tnorf1 r~~~c~liu~ .Jntl c~t(~rri,ll weight of glory.” And this em- enexmrq. It was not so in the parable, which rathrr implie+
ph:Jcizcv tlJc> III-11 IIC~IOII-: +)f :I previous lr~-~)n. rhowiny th,lt four classes: (1 \ The kingls servants; (2 1 those sprcinll?
tllW(’ WllO ilJ(t ) If /I 111 t,lt~Wt-. c!]Jpf~i tulllfi(.S :Itld pri\ilt.g(‘% Jt granted the pounds for use 111his service; (3) the ritizcns
f:lJlIJfJJl :rc*lJic\c ;I 1:1rcrr \ic tory and a still grander reward (4) the class of the latter opposed to the king, his laws, rtr
thxrl the+< who :I,‘,’ poort*r and who thrretorr sacrifice less, After the kingdom has been estalJlishrd under the King
tll*) tllP +Jc.rJfic*irJ:: 1~ rlon~ in IJoth cases with the same spirit, and his then exalted servants, we may bc sure thclt all in
whicnll in IJnth ii tllnroJl~hlv acrcptnblc to God, pronounced harmony with him will hsre cause to rejoice in his favor and
well Ilone. nlrrl tlJt* s(aJ\‘:lnt f:1itllfiil and rrootl. the IJltqqincrs of the kingdom: and if some of the citizens had
I I

misunderstood thr Kink’s rharnctcr. hayin? ll(~nrtl 111nl tJ:J

du(aed and slandered. they will soon perceive, under the
blessed conditions of the ?clJllrnnial day. how groqslv the
“Prince of this World” had misrepresented the chararier o?
the Prince of Peace. tellincr them that he (the Iattcr) had
I
a alace of eternal torment ‘irepared for them, into whirh he
would surelv cast nine-tenths oi their number, etc.. etc. When
these berrin’to have the eveq of their understantlinrz oprncd
so that ‘the hpht of the &nowledpe of the gondnpsq’ of ‘God.’
3liining in the fare of the new King. will bring thrm enlight
enment and iorful nrivileges hitherto undreamed of, many of
than. 1lnqlleQtYonxbiv. ingtead of longer beinq enemies ‘and
hating the King and hating hiq rule, will become staunch
friends and snunorters.
11
and will rejoice greatlv that they
arc freed from the yoke of thp former prinre.’ Sitan. anh
will reioice in his binding, which makes possible their libera-
tion from the bondage of ignorance, superstition, fear and
calumny.
It will require all of the thousand years to demonstrate
who are thP friends of truth and righteousness and who tbeil
cncmies. The “e?~en~ies” of righteousness, are enemies of
God and of Christ. and of all who are in harmony with
to t:li,(> 10 lli~rJ.r~~r III’; grcs,lt l,ow(‘r and r,liCn; RI,~ whrn. pre- I ighteousnrss ; and this separation from the King’s friends ib
p:~i:ltor+v 111111:1t.Il’izrt. Ilc I\ r<7l-.oning with his crrvnnts now Srriptural!p representrd as the separating of the “goats”
II\ l!l’I. \! I’ll :, \ I( ‘I to tll+ilr nIlp,Jintmcnt to plnrcq in the from thr “sheep.” whirh will progress throughout that Mil
k,!1~~‘0111IIV I. :~Ix,~it to iJJ.lJJ~~uratc. It i? from this stand- lrnnial period, and eventuate in the gathering of all the
point flt.it \\I’ Ji~l~~~lJr~~l111~- ibting3 ant1 sifting9 now in “sheep” to the right-hand of the King’s favor, and the gath-
}JrClL(rWY aml~llg-t tIgab ~~on~c~ralc~l oIJc9 in and out of all the erinp of all thr “goats,” of contrary dispositions. to the left-
EPV~U of (‘l~r~.tc~J~tl~~r~J.“TII~~ Lord your God provcth you, hand of his disfavor,-where, because of their wilful and in-
wllc’lllc~r v:’ tlo III\? 1111)l.ortl \oJ:r God or 110.” I’rcscnl tJ 11111 telligent reiertion of the principles of righteousness (the
ant1 1)7~~~~ntr~r,rrtlitJon~ :IJi’ tc.tirJg and showing to wh:tt ex- 1:~~s of his kingdom), they will be counted not his servants
t*anf tllr,c.cs tvho II.I\ c JcL**cxi\ clrl tllc T,rtrd’, f,Jvnr iirc f;l itliful or messengers, but the servants or messengers of Satan, and
‘I’IIIS clock not inJl)ly tlJat nthrrs of this class who have died n 9 surh thev will meet their de+urtion in the symbolical
Jn tl~c p:r+t of tIJi\ :~~,tc’:Ir(’ ignored : on the c*nntl?rv tlJr Scarin- lake of fire, ‘%hich is the second death.“-Rev. 20:14: Matt
tur(hq ac\urr? II\ tlJat they would be dealt with first, ant1 that ?.T.:x 1--IfI.*
thaw nrcnl1ntrd worthy hnv11 a share in the first resurrtxf+ion -9 See our issue of March 15 and April 1. 1900, page 101.
12’7361
 “THOU CROWNEST THE YEAR WITH THY GOODNESS”
PSALM 65 : 1 l.-DEC. 30.
What more appropriate lesson could have been chosen for who protess the name of Christ enjoy these precious experi-
the close of the year! It is fitting that the Lord’s people ences, or will be able to look back upon the year with satis-
should continually keep trace of the mercies and blessings faction of this kind, realizing that God has crowned the year
they enjoy-otherwise the pressure of the cares of this life with his goodness! Many who cannot rejoice in the good-
and the deceitfulness of riches would so crowd in upon our ness which we have enumerated foregoing, will nevertheless
minds and hearts a? to rover from our ohqervations and ulti- return thanks for temporal good things- and mercies, and
mately choke up completely the springs of divine grace, strive to neer into the darkness with which an in<ufFicient
whlcah, kept onc’n. minister continually to our jov and re- knowlrdge-and an insufficient faith enshrouds the trialq and
freshment in the holv Spirit. difficulties of life, which to them are incomprehensible and
To this end it is ippiopriate that we have a dally review sources of no joy, and generally of little advant~agc; because
of the blessings we enjoy-that every evening we call to they have not taken the necessary step of full consecration to
mincl the privileges enioyed, the providcnces which have the Lord. to bring them under his proterting care and under
guided our way, and the blessings, both temporal and spirit- the enlightening influence of his \Vo~d through 111sspirit: or,
ual, whicah have come to us; some of them in common with having taken the step of consecration, they have not been per-
the world in general and others of a special kind. known to fornnng their vows, but seeking to serve both (:otl and Mam-
and appreciatkd by those only who knbw the Shepherd and mon. without pteaqlnrr either, and without receivmg satisfac-
arp known of him:- who hear his voice and to whom the tory blessing from either.
rod and staff, his rhastenings and guidance, are continually The class which can and does look back through the pear
,I romfort and a iov. from the standpoint that we have desc~ribc,c!--the .rlaqs which
It is apnropriiti,. too, that we take weekly reviews, look looking back can see that God’s nootlneqq has crowned every
Inp nt thP \amc mercies and blessings from a still broader feat& of life thron,ohout the y&;r. is the “little flo~*k.” thk
&ndpoint of observation. reminding & of the rest into which true Church, whose names are ‘written in heaven,-the body
wo hnvc entered through faith in the precious blood. and of Christ the hrlde class. Thev arc tlosr~ibrd hv the Prophet
alqo of thr rpst that remains for the wonle of God. whereof in preceding verses of this Psalm. Thev arc the true Zion,
God his ,oi\rn 11~ aqsurance in thqt dn ihe first day of the which sh?ll shortlv br set up, fillc~l with divine glo~v. the joy
week he raised up Jesus from the dead.-Heb. 4:3, 9. of the whole earth. and the divine channel of hlessinr to 41
R11t it is with special appropriateness that at the close the famllirs of mankind; “For out of Zion A111 ~0 the Law,
~)i tllc still larcrr rvclr ot a ve?r WC should t,lke a ctill hrontlcl and the word of the Lord from Jelusalenl.“-TTt;~r the
aml morp cnmprphcnsive vie& of our experiences. looking rir- Prophet :-
rum~pwtly at ‘the way we h?re traveled- and considerinf well
which It LW been the s;tcps which hindered progress, and which “Praise waitetli for thee, 0 God, in Zion:
ha\r hc,cn proper strpq in the footprints of Jesus, brinqing Ant1 unto thee <hall the vow he perfnrmed.
II~ nrlrrr to the goa!-the “mark” which we must surely at- 0 thou that hcarest prayer, unto thee shall all Acsh
tain if VP wnl:ld be accounted worthy of a share in the prom- come !
ised kinfzdom. Iniquities prevail aeainqt me: as for my transgrcs-
A vcsar mav stem a lonzer or a shorter period. according sionq, thou shalt purgr them away.
to the ~*irc~lim\tance~. To the mind of childhood it is a vm-9 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest. and causeat to
Ion!! p+r)tl while to n:orC tlcrelop~d minds. filled with the approach unto thee.
artivitic< of life. it seems mllrh shorter--ppeedina all too rap- That he mav dwell in thv rnurts.
idly to ptlrmit the accomplishment of all the things desired U’e shall beUsatisfierl with’ thr goodness of thy IIOIW.
to IIC achieved. Then again. the vear will seem Dronortion- 1 I The holy place of thy temple.”
atrlv lnncr a? it has coitainrd driu,rrhts of bitter experience
nr &ffninp, mental or phvsical;--proportionately short, as Here we have a description of the rlrct churc~h. of which
it 11~4 cnntninrd inrs and nleasures whirh seem to SliD awav” Christ i< the Head, and all the faithful royal prieqfq who,
all too quicltlv. “T n n certain extent such experienreq are now fulfilling their vows of snc,rifirr. are companions in the
common to ail mankind: yet the Christian. especiallp if he sufferin? of Christ, as hv and hv thry shall bc hiq compan-
havr Ijl>rn for qome time in the ~hnol of Christ and is some- ions AJW in the glory that shall be revealed. (Ram. 8:17,
what drlc~loprd hnth in knowledge and in grace, bus a larger 18) Thrp are God’s choice. or 111s “rlr&.” for, as the Apos-
cnp,lrsiiv th,ln othrrs for graspin: and appreciating life: be- tle informs 119. God JIIS predestinated that this c*lacs whom he
C~WC no matter how unqnnnrl hiq natural mind may have will rhnncr qhall all be copieq of his Son. (Ram. 8.29) They
heen IIC II~$ now “the mind of Christ,” “the spirit of a sound shqll dwrll in hiq house-lhev will htl mrmber~ of thp treat
mind.” whic~h is far better ahir th?n the natural mind to es- temple which the J,ord God is lmil~lin~ of qpiritunl stones,
tim:ltc> matter-; nt their true worth. in and throunh whirh he will blesq t,hp world with a knowl-
Such nn advanred Christian looks back throug! the year edge of himself and hiq grace.-1 Prt 2.4-S.
and rprnlls lift’s storms RS well as its sunchine, its snrrnws Is it any wonder that these can reioicr in spirit. saving.
as well as its joys, is tears as well as its SmileS, and sorrows “Praiqe thrb Lord. 0 mv soul. and fnrgrt not all hi< hcnrfits”?
not as ntllers who have no hope (but who. instead. hire more “He hath put a npw “song into mv ‘mouth. rvrn the lnbing-
or lcus of vague frnr and dreirl of the future, both of present kindness of nllr God.” IS it, anv ‘wonder tltqt three lookina
life :lnd that which is to come). His troubles have heen di- bark can qee in the year that is”l)PSt that wl1ic.h 1i:l-q hJr~qq&
vestctl of thrir hobgohlin features. and minimized hv the spirit and reioiced them in every srnse of the wortl 11:1%hrrn of di-
of a w1111~1 nlinrl, and the lnrtrurtinns of God’s \\‘ortl. whirh vinr Fnodncss, and that thus Got1 11-1~: ciownrtl the whnlr vcar
.iq:sur(‘c all such that the trials, diffirultieq and adversities of with hiq flrnr tomnrd thrm? Tlio;r ca.ln s?v with faithful
life rlLrhtlv nrrepted as lessons, are hlesqings in disguise.- ,Joihuq “Not one thin? hnth f;lilrrl of all the good things
whir*\) will wnrk ‘out “a far more exceprling and an- eternal which the T,nrd your God spalw “--.JO~~IIII 23.1-k.
w.tliL’ht of glory” in the life to come.-2 Cor. 4:10, 17. Thcsc arc a<qured hv thrir J,nrtl that in the F:ttiler’?
HQ will perceive too. that his joys havr been of a purer hnuce art: mnnv mansions. manv cnnclitinnq, Suit:lbl(*
and :I more Golid kind than anv hc ever knew hrfore he was to the lpnnv kinds of hiq intrllicrnt rrrntnrp<: nrv-
he:rottrn of thp holy Spirit. They have not had commingled erthrlr<s thrrr was no mnnqion for thc,m hccanuqr thrv were
with t!lem the hlttrrncss of envy, malice and hatred hut have to be a new nltiire. “partakrrs of tli(l divinr n:lturr.” and
bern nnallovetl : hecause thrv have not heen rejoirinps in hencBc it would hr nrrrqsnrv for him to YO awPv ansi “pre-
iniquity. hut rejnicinrs in thr truth. Moreover, thev have pflrca n )~lncp for thcnz”-a hr:i\-rnlv rontlition TJlrcc. I\nnw
been much mnre numernus than ever brforc: hccausr hr not that thc,v must hr 1)rcpared for thr plarr. nq wrll :I< the%place
onlv is able to joy in the Lord, joy in his Word? joy iI1 t.11~~ hp prrljarcrl for tJlc;m . arc rn:rl,lcad to rc,lniczr llntlcr rvrlv ‘blow
holv spirit. iov in frllowqhip with brethrrn of 111~~prl”‘loll- of tllc ti‘~r~ni(~r of diqrinlinr. t)er:luir tllcv r(La117c 11i.lt it i? a
faith. but bv the crate of God hc has hren enlhled addltion- part of thr Matter’s work in thrir prc,pnr:rtion to fill the
allv to iov *in trihulation also;-not because he loved trihu- bl?Cr to whirl1 thrp havr hcPn rnllrd in lhr Falhcr’s hour--
laijon, hui because he loved the patirnce, the experienre. the whirh ll.ill he the nllre of God’s temnlr. in which thev” arc
character, which God assures u$ are a fruitage which all trib- to hr livinr stones.LEph. 2:lO. ’
ulatlnns mud yield us under his providence. if we are rightlv And if the evnrrienrrq and wntimentq of thiq “little flock”
exercised thereby.-James 1:3, 4; Rom. 5 :3. nre heyontl the ken of thr natural man, hiq nrichbors and
Of whom are all those things true? Not of every man, friends, is it anv wonder? Dr’spisrd and rejrcxted of men
surely for alaql we know many who have no surh esperi- thrv are nevertheless God’9 rovll prie~thnntl ; “as deceivers,
ence-the world that lieth in darkness knows not God. Nor and vf+ true: as unknown and vet wrll known: aq dving,
are these experiences true of all people of intelligence-nom- and behold thev live”-a life more ahnndant. In nll these
inally Christians. Surely but comparatively few of those thinq they ha& cause to rejoice. realizing that the path
r27371 (364 3051
(365-366) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

in which they tread has in it the footprints of him who re-
deemed them and became the leader and forerunner of this
priesthood. The world knows us not, even as it knew him
not.
As we thus review the leadings of divine providence dur-
ing the year that is past, let God’s goodness and mercy stim-
ulate our faith and confidence in him as respects the New
Year coming in. A proper retrospect on the part of a proper
child of God will enable him not only to render thanks for
the past, but to look up an lift up his head, realizing that
our deliverance is nearer than when we first believed; and
that he that began a good work in us is both able and willing
to complete it, if we will but continue to submit our wills, our
lives, our all, to his wisdom and loving care.-Rom, 13: 11;
Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 5:5, 6.

“NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST THEE SHALL PROSPER”

ISAIAH 54 : 17.
Our publications have many able enemies, yet one and May you, my dear sir, not be ruined by th,e errors of Mr.
~111they are powerless in their opposition. As ‘ii the harvest Russell. Respectfully,
of the Jewish age the Scribes, Pharisees and Doctors of the A. 8. WOBRELL.
Law, when they could not resist the truths then due, ATLANTA, GA., Aug. 14, 1899.
“gnashed upon him with their teeth,” but “could not answer REV. A. S. WORRELL,
him,” so it is now in the harvest of the Gosnel ane. Their
DEAR SIR- .-On receiving today yours of the 12th inst.,
rage is impotent except as it resorts to misrepiesenration and
sophistical trickery which the Lord assures us cannot “de- in reply to my request of an earlier date, that you should
celve the very elect.” specify charges that you make against the writings of Bro.
Chas. T. Russell (in justification of your denunciation of
about ten years ago a certain Professor Morehead (him- those writings at the Evangelical Alliance prayer meeting),
self tabooed by many as a “heretic” because of his advocacy I regret I cannot accept it as a satisfactory reply.
of pre-millennarian views) wrote an article for the United
Presbyterian in which he did his worst to defame MILLEN- I cannot resist the impression either that you ranked my
h-r& DAWN. The article was reprinted as a tract in various intelligence very low in supposing I could accept such a re-
quarters by persons laboring under similar misconceptions of ply as having any weight at all, or that, giving me credit
divine and human justice. These are published by some for average intelligence, you trifled with my sincere and even
three or four parties-none of whom, probably, ever read anxious inquiries by sending an answer which would not
the books he seeks to defame. have satisfied you, had our positions been reversed.
We did not consider Prof. Morehead’s tirade worthy an The only charge you made against the MILLENNIAL DAWN
answer, believing as we still do, that honest people (of whom doctrines in your address was that you had known cases
alone we need expect to find the “saints” whom we seek) where Christian character had ‘wilted’ under their influence.
would be quite able to discern the professor’s sophistry. The But you surely cannot use that as a proof that the doctrines
below correspondence will be interesting to our readers as are <nscriptur&l, since such ‘wilting’ is pdssible and frequent.
showing the correctness of our supposition that honest chil- 1~ happened under Apostolic teaching. See Heb. 6:4-6 ;
dren of God are not misled by the Adversary and his agents. iO:28-ii; 1 John 5:16. - I wrote you in-all sincerity asking
for a specification of charges. I understood from your own
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN TWO MINISTERS RE MILLEN- statement that vou were wholly given UD to the Lord’s work.
NIAL DAWN AND THE MOREHEAD “SMOKE” It was as a si&erely inquiring &sciple *who supposed it pos-
(Brother Seddon, as we understand it, was at the time Re- sible that vou could clearlv see some asnect of truth that had
cording Secretary of the Southern Chautauqua Assembly of escaped rni notice that I” felt such an inquiry was rightly
Atlanta, Ga., and Bro. Worrell a visiting speaker at its made of the Lord’s servant, and that in the Lord’s name I
Evangelical Alliance prayer service. The matter has been had a right to expect a candid statement of specific charges.
held over for some time now in order to permit Bro. Worrell What do you send me? A statement that your time is
to find time for a reply justifying his position, but all in taken up in other work that falls to your lot m the course
vain.) of your Regular business; but you find time to express amaze-
ATLANTA, GA., Aug. 11, 1899. ment that anv one who reallv knows the Christ of the Bible
DEAR BR~THEIIRUSSELL:-You will probably be interested should ever cave been ensna;ed bv the writings of Mr. Rus-
in the enclosed. which will exnlain itself. Kindlv return to sell. You make the assertion, “The Christ of-Mr. Russell is
me the letter tb Bro. Worrell’re the Morehead &act. Keep altogether a different character from the Christ of the Bible;”
the latter, however, if you can use it in any way. [The but you do not specify one single item of the alleged differ-
letters follow in their order.] Yours fraternally, ence. You express a hope that his writings do not truly rep-
A. E. SEDDON. resent him and that I mav not be ruined bv his errors. but
ATLANTA, GA., Aug. 2, 1899. you do not pen one sentekce calculated to *avert that &in,
REV. A. S. WORRFJ.L, nor do you suggest any explanation of your extraordinary
DEAR BROTIIER:-1 was in the Alliance prayer-meeting hope that Mr. Russell mav think one wav and write another.
this afternoon when, in the close of your address, you de- Is-that something to be hoped for? If “a man teach errors,
nounced ah unscriptural the teachings of C. T. R&sell of it surely were better for him that he believe that he is teach-
Allegheny City, Pa. I regret that the necessity of your hav- ing the truth, than that, knowing the truth, he nevertheless
ing Immediately to patch a train deprived me of an oppor- teaches error with seeming sincerity in wrltinpq that do not
tunlty I greatly desirrd to ask you in what particulars in truly represent him. It seems to me that could your “hope”
vour oninlon the tearhinca of the MILLENNIAL Dawn series for Bro. Russell be realized, it would place him in a very low
jf book’s are nnscripturalr I have read four volumes of that plane of moral obliquity.
serleq, and other writings of Bro. Russell’s, and am not only In addition to this you enclose two tracts, one an excel-
interested but also impressed bv his presentation of God’s lent homily on Luke 2:10, 11, in which, after carefully read-
~VOI 11. If there are some points in wliich he is at variance ing it twice, I cannot discern the remotest connection with
with God’s \1*ord. I should esteem it a sreat kindness and my inquiries. Personally I would say “Amen” to every sen-
an act of extreme brothrrly service to ha;; them pointd out. tence of that tract-and I believe that Brother Russell would
Hoping you will kindly reply, I am, do the same. You also enclose a tract which is a direct at-
Yours fraternally, A. E. BEDDON. tack upon the MILLENNIAL DAWN books. To this I will now
refer.
LOUISVILLE, KY., Aug. 12, 1899. You express a hope that Bro. Russell’s writings do not
MR. -4. R. Smnor, trulv represent him. I think it will be the kindest thing I
DE.%R Sm :--Tours of the 2nd inst. has been received and can”say-to you that I trust this attack on the MILLENNIAL
noted, in reply to which I enclose a tract touching on some of DAWN books bv Prof W. G. Morehead does not trulv rcnre-
the evils of the MILL~W?;IAL DAWN. Much more could be sent what you &s a Christian brother, would say aho& those
-,aid, but my time is taken up in other work that falls to my books if your “regular business” allowed you ;ufficient leisure
lot in my regular husiness. to read them-and you certainly ought to read them before
It amazes“me that anyone who really knows the Christ you attack them again. Your first attack may be excused
of the Bible should have ever been ensnared bv the writings on the ground of misinformation, but that excuse should never
of Mr. Russell. The Christ of Mr. Russell i’; altogether”a avail you again.
different character from the Christ of the Bible. See Isa. Can you as a fair minded man approve an attack which
9.6 : *John 1 . 1, 2, etc., etc. cites the price of a book as an argument against it, that cites
I trust that his writings do not truly represent him. the missionary zeal displayed in advocating its teachings as
[2738]
DECEMBER 1. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (367-368)

argument against it; that calls names-“nocturnal halluci- Man and shall come forth”; but not all of these will have
nations,” “hvdronhobic,” “ nacked full of fundamental error,” part in the first resurrection.
“product of” insanity,” co&pared with “the infidel Renan”? Prof. Morehead, in section 7 of his attack, ignores, pos-
This is not honest Christian controversy! I think too well sibly does not know enough Greek to distinguish between,
of you to suppose that you really endorse this kind of attack; the parousla and the epiphania. I was referred to you as a
yet by charitable estimate of you is sorely tried when I re- Greek scholar. As such I cannot imagine that you can en-
flect that you evidently thought this kind of argument good dorse the Morehead attack or apparent attack. Are you, as
enough for me. a student of the Greek ru’ew Testament, prepared to deny and
As regards the teachings of the MILLENNIAL DAWN books disprove from Scripture that the Lord’s second coming will
on the human and divine in the nature of Christ, can you at &first be discerned by only a comparatively few fa?thful
state a presentation of Scripture teaching on that imnortant watchers? Do vou re-rrard the word %ominc” in our Ene-
subject ihat more satisfactorily answers” to all the- Scrip- lish version as .idequa?te to embrace the ide& embodied cy
tural statements than Bro. Russell’s? If vou can. then for both parousza and epiphanm?
Christ’s sake I earnestly and reverently- a>k--you ‘to do it; I have detained you so long in criticism of the Morehead
and I am convinced that Bro. Russell will receive it no less attack because I am inclined to believe that vou made use of
gratefully than I. it hastily. I want you to read it carefully, to discern its
I was recommended to write to vou as a scholar. I would dishonesty, its innuendo, its crafty appeal to the odiun;s
now ask you candidly as a Greek”scholar and a Scriptural
exegete: Can you find fault with Bro. Russell’s exegesis of theoli~iczcm. its essential weakness. its unchristian ritupera-
tion. -Lav ‘it aside, Bro. Worrell. ’ Don’t fight for tbe Lord
keEusma [“shout”] ? If you can, what is the error? If you with the &devil’s weapons. If Bro. Russell errs there is Scrip-
cannot, why do you make use of the Morehead attack? If ture to show it. If Scripture is on hiQ side then I am con-
Prof. Morehead himself could assail the MILLENNIAL DAWN vinced that after you have shaken off the tbeologlcal preju-
teachings on the two points above referred to, why did he
not do it? If he cannot assail them, is he not guilty of dice with which vou are anaarentlv nossessed. vou will have
shameful insincerity in making believe that he can? grace enough to idmit that”Bro. R;siell has a’ ;ight to speak
With regard to Bro. Russell’s opinions respecting the and to be judged by the Word; and that denunciation about
“ensnaring souls,” “ruin,” expressions of amazement? etc.,
dates 1873 and 1914, time, of course, will alone prove how
far he is right. But surely you do not endorse Prof. More- have really more of bluff about them than of the spirit of
head in suggesting these op’inions are in the nature of deadly Christ.
heresy. I have read a vast quantity of Millennial literature, Your statement about “wilting” of character under the in-
“pre” and “post,” have listened to a great deal of platform fluence of Bro. Russell’s teaching proves that your oppor-
and pulpit talk on the same subject, and am utterly unable tunities of observation have not been wide enough to qualify
to conjecture what, out of all the bewildering mass, has a you to form an accurate estimate; certainly not wide enough
right to the name of “ orthodox premillenarianism” by the to iustifv vou in assuming the office of Dublic censor as YOU
side of which all other opinions are to be denounced as “noc- did” on the’ 2nd inst. The-humble and pkrsistent zeal of -the
turnal hallucination.” Your own recent exposition of 2 Tim. “PilgrimQ,” engaged in teaching the views advocated by Bro.
3 led me to infer that you regard these as the closing days Russell. comes nearer to apostolic zeal and self-abnegation
of this present dispensation. Has your study of prophecy than most Christian work now-a-days. I have known many
led you to detect deadly heresy in Brother Russell’s conclu- who. like vou. seem to be afraid of Bro. Russell’s teachinas,
sions? If so. what is it? yet ‘who pgy well deserved tribute of admiration to the de;o-
I understand the hlorehead attack to assert that Bro. tion and consecration of those who accept it.
Russell teaches that the resurrection will be simultaneous As for Bro. Russell himself, I do not know him personally,
for all the dead. My simple answer is that in MILLENNLAL have never met him, never seen his portrait even; yet I can-
DAWN, VOL. IV., pp. 640, 641, Prof. Morehead can find con- not help admiring the absence of tGe “ego” in his- ministry.
cluqive proof that he is incorrect. If the bracketed words I have several times written to him concernine difficulties
(“simultaneous for all the dead”) are not intended to indi- I have encountered in reading his works. He a&ays replies
cate the writer’s understanding of Brother Russell’s teach- personally; he presents reasons lucidly and never indulges
ings, but his own conception of Scripture teaching, he had in denunciation or exclamations of amazement. He never uses
better consult his h’ew Testament before he attacks a Chris- the trickery practiced by Prof. Morehead, nor resorts to in-
tian brother again. The emphasis placed on a “first resur- nuendo. I am, dear Brother Worrell,
rection” of necessity implies subsequent resurrection. “All Yours in the love and pursuit of the truth as it is in
that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Christ Jesus, ALFRED E. SEDDON.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF TI& MILLENNIUM at its close. The indefiniteness of the end of the period would
Question.-1 understand from Rev. 20:4-6, that Christ will appear to be an important feature of their testini. Apparent-
reign one thousand years, and from verses 2 and 7 that Satan ly they will think the period of Christ’s mediatorial reign
will be bound during that period. If Christ began to reion ended befol e the Lord’s time; and some of them, impatient of
in 1878, and Satan will not be bound until 1915, the tso delay, ~111 make a demonstration, and demand of the earthly
periods do not seem to synchronize; and furthermore, both representatives of the kingdom that full dominion be at once
extend beyond the seventh-thousand year period which, ac- restored to perfect man, according to their understanding of
cording to our Bible chronology, began in the Autumn of 1872. the divine plan and its times and seasons.
How is this? Can you assist me? In so doing these will be demonstrating their own un-
Answer.-The Lord has evidentlv arranged for the gradual worthiness to enter the age of perfection which ~111 follow
closing of the Gospel age and opeiing of the Millennial age, the Millennium and will ‘be desiroyed in the second death.
in such a manner that the one laps upon the other, with For. while such an attitude of mind mav be forgivable in im-
some particular purpose in view; but just what his purposes perfect men of today, those perfect bein& who shall have had
are he has not been pleased to inform us; and since this ex- a full restitution and large experience will be required to
tends into the future we may reasonably suppose that it is exercise a full faith, an unwavering confidence in the wisdom,
not now “meat in due season for the household of faith.” LVhen love and promises of the Creator. And their failure to manifeit
the end has been reached and accomplished. we have no doubt implicit faith and obedience to the divine program after all their
whatever that it will be manifested to all of the Lord’s people experience will be proof sufficient that they are unworthy of
that his Word has been accurately fulfilled. Until then a the eternal state. If permitted to go beyond into the full
certain amount of faith is required and expected from those liberties of sons of God they would always be liable to sin
who have so many evidences of the Lord’s wisdom and exact- and its consequences; and God’s promise is that there shall be
ness in the features of his plan already accomplished no more sigtiing, nd more dying, no more crying, no more
*We can trust him where we cannot trace him.” Apparently pain there, the equivalent of a promise that there shall be no
this matter of when the thousand-year period should be reck- more sin. Hence all who shall not have developed characters
oned as fully beginning and fully ending will be an open in full accord with, and fully submitted to the divine will, will
question until the close of the Millennial ape. It is our expec- be esteemed as having enjoyed all the blessings and privileges
tation, from Rev. 20:s. 9. that the obscurity of this question divine mercy ha5 to offer. The fire, the judgment from heaven,
will have something to do with the final test of loyaltv and will destroy such from among the people, in the second deatb,
obedience to God, which will come upon the whole wo;ld of as unworthy of life-eternal.
mankind who will have enjoyed the blessings of restitution The Scripture declaration respecting the saints, the “over-
throughout the Millennial age, and have atiained perfection comers” is, “They lived and reigned a thousand years.” The
c27391
 ZION’S WAl‘ CH TOWEk

reign of the h:lIlit\ cannot Ijc properly said to begin before ail Answer.-We understand that the church of Christ, tw
the “newels” ha \ e IxBen gathered, nor before “lhe times of the vlewed from the divine standpoint, and as addressed 111the
Gentiles” end. III i!)lJ. Kor is it said that their reign \\ili Scriptures. includes only “the sanctified in Christ Jesus;“--
he no long:cr than a thouband years. After thca thousand those who have taken the step of justification through faith
, t):tl \’ ,,‘I”11 h,lt ,I, ~11;l11 Iw iotrsc~tl and lllC aho\c t1 Ia1 .I1 \II and. additIonally, the second step of consecration to the Lord.
~‘nsuc: bu; tIi(s i c*ipri of Clirict and the church will rvidenti:,
I~ontlnnr ion:: c~~~ougl~ xftc‘r tl~e thousand years to tlcstroy ail But “the household of faith” takes in a much larger num-
found nn\vo) t Iiy 111that final te<t and to thui c*olnpIetr tlir iJcr.--all who have faith in the Lord as their Rcdeemcr from
work for wIkic*li tliis r(‘qn 1’: i~l~titutrtl ;-for, ah r\prckA 1~v ti1n and its penalty,-ail who are trusting in the preciou+
t11r A]"'-tlr, .'IIts rrlllit l('lL'11 1111 Iw lr;ltIl put r/l/ ~/f,‘)tI!cs lllltl,~r blood of Chrlbt, and seeking in any degree to be in harmony
ill< ftet. . .\r~tl ulivn ,lil tI(ing. shall IN, :~i~l~tliiwl unto nlth the Lord and his rules of righteousness. The lo\ mg
111111 [Wlll,~ ly (IPI,\ ('lhlO1, nr1tl COII~C by d(+trllr%ir,rl 1, I/,( n shall interr5t anti care of all the “saints” (the consrcrated) is to
t IL<, #Sl~ll II.0 llllll.:‘lf I,(. .l,lll'~'.t llllll, 11:111 / tllc~ l~'dlllt~~ I .. 1~ excrciscd, not only toward each other, but also espec1aliy
WHO CONSTITUTE “THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH”’ toward these members of the household of faith who are sup
posed to I,e undel “instruction in righteousness,” helping them
forward to take the position of full consecrntlon and bcromc
rc-chonedly dead to the world, and IIPW creaturrs in Christ
,leius. r~z;cn with him. to walk in newness of 11i~ and to br
c*omc his joint-heirs ~1 the promised kingdom.

\-(:I. ssi .\1,1.1~:(111~:\‘\, I’.\., I)ECEMBER 15, 1900 NCL 34

VVA-J’CH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY’S YEARLY REPORT

DECEMBER 1, 1899, TO DECEMBER 1. 1900
can only hope tliat ali under-cuIrciit of inllncllrc 1i mob 1t1g, of
which we hate little outward nini(ifestatinn: and that In the
Lord’s own time and w,ly during this “barx&” all of Ihc truer
wheat” will be rexc.h~d and ril)eiied and gal nc~rc~d.
THE COLPORTEUR BRANCH OF THE SERVICE
\\‘e ~,pi\-(~ t]jjc department of
the work tllcs iirht place 111
1hr Report, consnler ing that those who :II~’ rn;znmeti n in it nrcb
doing the work of evangelists, and remrnil)t~r ing 111:1t.tl1e
l,nrtI 11:~s rncc~inliv hlrs:.ed thic service to 111(, I c~xc~l11n~ot
many who are now rcjoicin, (r in the light no\v <hliiing upnl; thr
\Vord. \I c ran think of no branch of thcl uolk in this harve;it
that more ne,irIy corresponds to thr styli 0C -cbrricc instltu!~~ti
lay our Lord in the Jewish har\cst. than ~lnv, tl1e c~olport,,ul
\VOlk. l-he (Idporteurs 119u:ilIy go in couples. as tlita t\\cl\c
apostles, and afterw-::rd the xventv. \\ctnt forth,-from tuwll
t; town and city to pity. Llkcl ‘them, also, they ~0 from
house to house, and likewise their rnt’\sag:c i+. “The kingdom
of heavrn is al, hand! The timr is fnlfilied; rcpcnt. ant1 Iw
lieve the good tidings!” Goin? in tllis manner into all the
home.; of the civilized world. tlic,se colnortcllr brcthrrn nlld
sisters have opportunities for finding the’truth-hunglv ii8 well.
perhaps better; than if the pulpits-of the land werE open to
them. and thev all are comnetent to _nive able tliscourses up011
th? divine pli’n. Because in surh :I ?za\e they would be dhir
rithcr to preach hut few discourses. or else to rcxch corn
p:“atively few hearers : whereas CR& cnlporteur ran rearh
more than an average church nudienrcl errry week; and with
IS 0,"'" 1;; Cll<.ll ;;- ,I )‘r :llll,~ ,i'lCl to dr\ q~ in tl:is
\\ 111111g those whom he can interest he lcarcq reading mattrr rcpre
manner. 7‘IIP :1~totli,linlent 1, :I1doubled when it, i* seen
IJC srnting many discourses, upon which the reader may feed for
how gxtt a wall,. ~iritl~~r tllcb l.ortl’n hles-in:, h:lq lbrcn xccom- months. l*lierc enough interest may not be awakened to
piishctl 1, it11 this coi1iI1:11:1ti\ 15Iy hnirlll Sum oi nioncy, which, lead to a purchase of the books, :I tract in left, which some
amongst the i10n~in:11 ~IIIII clipi, woulil lw caonsidrrcd only sufii- times bears Rood fruitage; and even tho some who purchasr
cicnt to pay tl1(, s:llaric~s of a f(dw ollic~c~r-, an11 pra~%icnlly xc- may neglect and fail to rend at the time, experience shows
complish notliin!~ III the way of l”‘“l)‘1.~~1”‘(1:1. 113 that the books thus scattered are often blessctl of the
And our nqtonishmcnt htlil inc~10;1\(~+as we reflect that the Lord to the reaching of others, and sometimes years after,
c~irrnlxtion ot thiy amount of llt~~r,1lllrc, accompanied by this under more favorable conditions, the purchaser may also be
clmonnt (Jf “1’1lrr1 im” preac*Iiin~, etc., supporting the most blessed through conditionr, the purchaser may also be blessed
zlortous mc~~-:lg~;~that coultl poislbly bc heralded lo mankind. through them.
5hows ho niraqrc I c5uIti ; th.it so i-WV linve car;; to hear and You will be pleased to learn that the sale of the DAWNP
eyes to NC thehe thinEs which enrapture our llrarts. Let us, and booklets during the year (chiefly through the colporteurs 1
liowc\c9. rcsflcct tl1at c;ur Lnrcl iuforA5 u9 that 111s“elect” will was as follows :-
he hut a “little ilork”-and in it, not many great, mighty or In the English language ,. 84,‘2*51
wihe; but ch1eflg the poor of this world, rich in faith. ‘The In the German lannunpe . . 9.137
c~omp:~rni~vcly small results of our efforts to reach the ripe In the Scandinavi& yongues 6,712
“whcnt” iii lIal,vlon convinrc ns. all the more. that the In the French language (estlm~tt~tl \ 543
“wheat” 1s vcrg scarce in comparison with the “tares;” that
we arc living in the time of 6hich the Apostle dcclarcs that Total 100.04:~
the churc*h nominal will have it&in2 ears. and be turned awavd BOOKLETS :
from the truth. turned to f,1ble,, ‘:.lnd respfxting which our English . .. 39,047
Lord haid, “\\‘h(bn the Son of 3Inn cometh shall hc find the Foreign language- 1,323
faith on the earth?” implying that it would be difficult to
fintl--2 Tim. 4.3; TAuke 18:s. Total .............................. ... 40,370
'i'rur', the rcsultq may be more than we can at present It should be remembered that altho we endeavor to keep
rlicprrn: for \\c c’:ln cYtlmnte the widening influences of the this branch of the work on a self-supporting basih. it nev-
truth deadly l,v the growth of the WATCH TOWER subscription ertheless comes short of this, by reason of the fact th,:t our
liqtq ‘Thrs<cl ~Ilc~w c~on~~tlcrnblc grnwth for the gear,-but not wholesale prices are very low: in the case of the foreign
nonrlp co much a4 we had hoped for: and our offer of credit. translations considerably less than cost.
:Ind of special terms to the ‘poor, should bring to our lists We feel snre that this showing will jireatlv enrourage
the nxmrq of all who have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” the dear brethren and sisters who are giving their lives in
,I~cI are hnngrrinx and thirsting for hip righteousness. We this department of the Harvest work ; a.nd we trust that it will
127401
T~ZCEMBEP 1.5. 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (37Z37.3,

act as an incentive to others who have been contemulatina The friends in various quarters who have engaged in this
engaging in this work-to lead such of them a5 are of good work during the past two years, are writing us hoping that
address and without family and financial encumbrances, to the Lord may open the opportunity for further volunteer serv-
give themselves freely to this evangelistic work. It is a de- ice during the coming year, beginning early in the spring.
partment which the Lord has greatly owned and blessed; The evidence is that where the entire company of the Lord’s
it is a preaching of the Word in a most practical manner,, people at any point have entered into the work a great spirit-
likely to leave a lasting impress; one which will undoubtedly, ual blessing has resulted. We will bear their reauests * in
we believe, bring forth much fruitage during the great time mind, and see what can be done as respects a future service
of trouble, as well as serving to find and to perfect those for the soldiers of the Cross.
of the Lord’s saints who shall be accounted worthy to escape The total number of Volunteer issue of the WATCH TOWEB
those things coming upon the world. We will be glad to hear circulated during the year was 948,459.
from, and to co-operate with all who desire to enter this
branch of the service. Write to us freely of your wishes, ORAL PREAOHING-’ ‘PILGRIM” DEPABTMENT
hopes, difficulties, etc., in respect to this, and we will do what It is not long since this department was inaugurated, and
we can to open the way before you. There is still plenty of yet, as this Report shows, it has already reached considerable
room for the work in this land as well as in Great Britain. proportions. While we are in direct contact with the Lord’s
The fields are white for the harvest, and the laborers are few; people through correspondence by mail, it became evident to
and if we are praying for laborers let us see that we are do- us about four years ago that if competent brethren could
ing what we can to fulfil our own petitions. visit amongst the little groups of those who have come into
Some who cannot give their entire time to colporteuring present truth through the ministry of the printed page, they
are doing valiantly in their spare moments and hours; for in- could be of great service and encouragement to them; and at
stance, one dear brother, an architect. not slothful in his the same time might through nublic meetings be able to reach
business, is nevertheless so fervent in spirit and in serving the and further inteyest man? who were already partially in-
Lord that during the past six months he has disposed of 650 terested through the printed page and through private con-
copies of the DAWN to mechanics and tradesmen with whom his versation, etc. These traveling oral preachers we designate
ln&iness brings him in contact. Others hare lehz opportunitirh. “pilgrims,” because they are nearly always on the go, their
but the same zeal, and are doing what they can;--some by stops with the various little groups or churches being very
giving, some by loaning, some bv selling the literature. We brief (two or three days, as may seem to be warranted by
reJoi% that in any and- all of these wais there is an oppor- conditions.) We make out the routes for these, and send
tunltu for all of the Lord’s dear flock to show their love for notification ahead of them, so that no time need be lost
the tiu’th, and their zeal in laying down their lives for- the An evening meeting is always in order for the day of their
brethren still in Babylon and darkness. arrival, and afternoon and evening meetings for the sue-
THE “VOLUNTEER” WORK ceeding days.
All who labor for the truth do 50 of their free will and We endeavor., as far as possible, to select for this service
without compensation, and hence might properly be termed brethren who give evidence, first, of character, and of faith
volunteers: under this head we might include in a general way in the Lord, in his Word and in his plan; second, such as
all the efforts that have been uut forth during the vear in the seem to nive evidence of abilitv in uresentina the truth to
way of free circulation of WATCH TOWEB lite&,ure,-bearing on the mind; of others-as the ipost& express& it, “apt to
the harvest themes-but the snecial use of the word with us teach”-and, so far as possible, those who are “mighty in the
has been confined to a partiiular feature of this free dis- Scriptures” (1 Tim. 3:2; Acts 18.2-1) : and of ability in
tribution ; viz., that done systematically at or near churches “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) These,
st the time of their dismission on Sundays. so far as worldly judgment would be concerned, would all be
This Sunday church-distribution by those who volunteered classed as plain men; and we trust also would be classed as
for the service was begun in 1899, and reached good pro- true Christian men, humble-minded and modest, both 111
portions and accomplished good results that year, and was language and deportment--men who do not have the faire
tontlnued during the past year with excellent eflc at. When we idea that they are great ones, or lords of God’s heritage, oi
speak of results- we have chiefly in mind that which is within superior caste or order above the household of faith, but who
our power, and not the ultimate results, of which no man can simply and humbly acknowledge that they are “brethren.‘*
now know, and which time alone will show. The results, so “servants” of the Lord and of the household of faith,--men
far as the distribution of the Volunteer WATCH TOWER was who are very thankful for the privilege granted them of
concerned, were a success, large numbers being circulated in heincr enaaeed in such a service. and who look for theii
all parts of this country and in Great Britain. In handing reward, norin luxuries of the present. life, but in the Father’:.
literature to church attendants we had no thought whatever house, beyond the veil-in the kingdom. These “pilgrims”
that thev were all eoina into the hands of saints: but we do are not paid salaries; and tho ample provision is made fox
hope that some of them reached the hands of the’lord’s con- their comfortable maintenance, everything connected with
secrated people; and we still believe that it would be difficult this is expected to be done on the reasonable and economical
to find a more effective wav of reachine this class than bv lines which we believe the Lord and apostles followed, and
reaching the church-goers. In nroportionYto the circulation we respecting which we regard them as “rnqamples.” No col-
cannot say that we -have had large returns; on the contrary, lections are taken up bv-these “pilgrims,” nor -do t?~cv in any
tbev have been small. so far as letters. WATCH TOWEB sub- manner, directlv or ind<rrctlv. reauest aid nri-atelv. Nor nerd
scrfptions, etc., are concerned. But in various ways we we request their mtrrtainn?ent, Aknowing- full w; I1 that any
learn that they are making an impression upon the minds and we thus send to you in the Master’s name will be welcomed
hearts of manv of those who have received them and who, by you and granted a share of such things XLI you have,--
while not ready to accept and endorse, nevertheless have been wcacording to the Scriptural injunction.-Heh. 13 :2.
influenced by what they have read, and to some extent brought In following the plan here indicated we have been enabled
nearer to the truth and are better prepared for further in- to reach some of the Lord’s scattered ones in various parts
struction in the right way, when the Lord in due time may of this broad land, who ne\-er expected to hear preaching
again send it to them. along these lines; for it will be readily seen that the ex-
We incline to think that the greatest blessing of all in pense connected with this traveling ministry is proportionately
connection with this part of the work has come to those much less than it would he by any other method which would
who engaged in it as “volunteers,” and who, all over the reach the same number of the Lord’s people. Beside, this
countrv. numbered hundreds. These have repeatedly testi-
method assists, rather than discourages, the development (‘1
fied that no part of their Christian experience-had ever been talent amongst the brethren of the various little groups. It
more helpful to them in the development of true character,
in committing them fully to the Lord and to his truth and to is our thought that, generally speaking, the Lord is- pleased to
u3e some in each little company for the instruction and aa-
his service ; making them strong in him,-“not ashamed to
sistance of the other5 in the same: inderd, WC encourage the
own hi5 name. nor to defend his cause.” Those who have
thought advised by the Apostle, that each member of the
had the opportunity to engage in this work, and who have Lord’s consecrated church should strive to “huild one tr’l-
allowed the “fear of man which bringeth a snare” to hinder other up in the most holy faith.”
from engaging in it, and thus being ministers of the true
Gospel, and co-workers with the great Chief Reaper in this We believe that an immense amount of good has hccn
harvest-time., have missed a great deal-how much they may done through this pilgrim service during this past year, anti
never know in the present life, unless some further opportunity that quite a number of the Lord’s dear people. as they read
for the Volunteer work should occur and they should then this part of the report, will offer prayer on behalf of thih
engage in it and ascertain how great the blessing and char- feature of the Lord’s 5ervice asking for us wisdom and grace
acter-development they have already missed. in respect to the matter for the coming year. The fipure~
III-53 [2741]
 (374-375) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

In tlm lute also, we belleve, ~111 astound many of our readers. as well as those nearby may have the privilege of complying
They are as follows: with the Anostle’s words, to forget not the “assembling” of our-
Nun1ber of persons who gave more or less of their selves tog&her, and so. much-the more as we see- the day
time to the Pilgrims work during the year.. . . . 14 drawine on. (Heb. 10 :25) Manv letters assure us of the
~11mher of 1111lcq traveled in connection with the blessin& which the wonderful mail service of our day has
BCrrlCe ......................... 48,845 brought to them; and on our part we can testify that great
\-1s11s to churcheh ................. 649 blessings and encouragement have come to us through this
l’11hl1c meetlugs held. ...................... 1,287 same channel. While some of the letters received are cold
Private or parlor meeti11ge held. ............ 876 and business-like, and others bitterly antagonistic, others, and
(‘odt or this branch of the work. .......... $3 J57.59 the maioritv. are laden with rich nerfume of Christian love.
One point alone in this report seems unsatisfactory to US, sympathy &d deep appreciation o? present truth. Through
.111dthat 1s tl1e number of private or parlor meetings. These, these we are kept in touch with the spirit of the Lord’s dear
XC tl1111k should have been mucl1 more 11umerous in proportion flock in all parts of the world; and we can assure you that
to the public meetings. It 1s our thought that tl1e chief good the touch is profitable to us, as we trust that our responses
111these pilgrim visits is for the household of faith: while, are profitable to you, and comforting and helpful.
rhcrefore, we urge the holding of some public services to As the work in general has grown, so this feature of it
which all classes of Christian and earnest people may be in- has expanded, so that the figures below are far in advance of
v1ted by advertisement ond otherwise, we urge that during the those in any previous year in our history:
J-car beginning the parlor meetings be given the chief atten- Letters and postal cards received during the year. . . . .37,357
tion. At these, subjects can be discussed which would not be Letters and postal cards sent out.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38,609
so fully appreciated by the public, nor by any except those CONDENSED STATEMENT
who had been studyzng along the lines of the WATCH TOWEK Copies of MILLENNIAL DAWN circulated at cost. . . . .100,643
literature. We take this opportunity, then, to offer this sug- Copies of booklets circulated at cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,370
“.crestion to the dear friends,---that wl1en notified that a Pilgrin1 Circulated at Expense to Tract Fund
~111 be with them they may make proportionately larger ar- Copies of ZION’S WATCH TO~VER.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,247,960
rangements for their parlor meetings and proportionately less Copies of Old l’heology 1’rrcrt.s . . . . .. 1,468,!1!10
arrangements for public discourses in halls, churches, etc. These amounts expressed in the usual form rep-
CONVENTIONS OF THE YEAR resent in tract pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.131,891,340.
The Conventions are a part of the “Pilgrim” work, but Whenever figures get into the millions they are quite be-
deserve a word of special notice. Three general conventions yond the average mind to comprehend. We have therefore
were held duri11g the year-at Philadel hia, Chicago and Dal- estimated the matter in pounds,-206,710 pounds, or over
las; these were interesting and profita 7)le, but were reported one hundred and three and a half tons, weight.
on at the time. Besides these tl1e President of the Society THE FINANCIAL SIDE-TEEASUBER’S REPORT
(the Editor) attended several Zocal, one-&y conventions, it Trace Fund Expenditure
different nolnts-Toronto. Canada : Saratoga. N. Y. : Houston, Cost of the above 1031/2 tons matter, includi11g
Tes., Sa; Antonio, Tex. ;’ Columbus, 0. ; Cleveland, ‘0.; Phila: freight, postage, gas, help, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,350.21
delphm, Pa. ; Washington, D. C.; New York City; Wilmington, Pilgrim Expenses, etc.. . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,357.59
N. C. ; Roseboro, N. C. ; Hayne, N. C.; and the Florida Chau-
tauqua Assen1bly. Total .................................. ..$21,707.8 0
We have good reasons for believing that these gatherings Tract Fund Receipts
were all profitable to the Lord’s flock, seasons of refreshing and Balance on hand Dec. 1, 1899. ....... $ 871.54
~oyour fellowship i11 spiritual things; nevertheless we feel From “Good Hopes” Donations ........ 13,337.72
that i11 the conling year we must be more economical of our From Other Sources. .......... 4,472.63 $18,681.89
time. May the Lord direct; we will be glad to follow his
leadings in the matter. Shortage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$ 3,025.91
THE GENERAL TRAUT DISTRIBUTION THE BLESSED PRIVILEGE OF THIS SERVICE
The circulation of tracts du1ing the year has been highly The Editor (who is President of the Society), in closing
3,ttisfastory to us. They have not been sown in a broadcast this last report of the century, congratulates all the dear
111a11ner,but rather handed out with a measure of discretion, friends of the cause upon the above showing, and trust that
.o far as we are able to judge; and this is the plan whicl1 WC it will more than meet the expectations of all who contributed
co1nniend. Of course, in a majority of instances we merely to the funds thus scattered as leaves of spiritual healing all
know that tracts have been ordered and have been sent; but over the civilized world. Especially do we trust that tl1e
1nany give us an intimation of how they use what they re- God of all grace, the Father of mercies, may accept and ap-
ceive: son1e visit hotels. where thev hand them to the matrons: prove our stewardship-the merit of our Redeemer making
other3 seek oppo1 tunity for handing tracts to intelligent look- i;;;irnwhatever unintentional errors the all-seeing eye may
ing people at railway stations; others mail the tracts with
their letters, perhaps wit11 a little comment, and a request Do we urge the dear co-laborers to make still greater sac-
that some report be given after the reading; others keep a rifices for thi work in the year just beginning? -Not at all.
va11cty on hand, and make a selection for those with whom We have never solicited in the past, and we do not expect to
they co1ne in contact. Thue there are various methods in vogue do so in the future. Even of the Lord we make no requests
1n this department, the colporteurs using a considerable num- for money. His will, not ours, be done in this and in all
ber, leaving one at every house where they fail to take a11 matters. If he throuah his oeonle or otherwise sees fit to
older.--the tract sometimes having an influence where the entrust to us financial mea-m?, we will endeavor to use the
wo1ds of the colporteur failed. same to his praise, and seek for this the wisdom which
The total number of tracts sent out during the year was cometh from above. We esteem it a privilege to have any
1,468,900. share in any department of this “harvest” work, and its ac
Of these a large 11umber we11t direct from the WATCI~ companying- blowing of the Jubilee Trumpets ’ proclaiming
Tow1:n office through the mails, to lists of addresses which we restitution times at hand. And this Y iov.I in the Lord’s serv-
procured in various ways-many of them those of persons ice is fully appreciated also by the twelve dear “brethren”
known to be religiously inclined, holy people, lovers of rigbt- who, as office assistants, have so ably and so patiently lent
cou\ness ; and some of the best of these lists are sent to US, their best endeavors to make the work a success; and their
wr1tten upon proper-sized wrappers, bg WATCH TOWER readers. efforts under God have contributed largely to the securing of
You are all welcon1e to avail yourselves of this opportunity the above results. The Lord will reward them as we can not.
for service. Besides the tracts, we sent out as tracts large “Brethren, pray for us,” as your representatives and the
numbers of WATCH Towxas to g:oo~l addresses. We request Lord’s, in this ‘defense of the truth.”
that no addressed wrappers be sent us for either tracts or Below we give some interesting figures from two of the
WATCH TOWERS except such as are known to you in some Society’s foreign branches (the reports from the other two
way to represent intelligent and religiously inclined people. are not yet at hand.) Both of these reports are included in
It “ie only *a waste of money and labor to cast the pearls of the totals given above.
truth before those who are swinish: whose CI pod is their belly REPORT OF MANAGER OF BRITISH BRANCH
or their apparel or their pocket book. From May 7 to Nov. 16. 1900
- *THE CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT Loknorr, NOV. 16, 1900.
What blessed oonortunities
II
God has nrovided for his neoole DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:-I have the honor to submit the
at the present time! What an opportinity it affords ior ill following report of the Tract Fund receipts and expenditures
of his dear children to have fellowship and communion! 111 for the British Branch of the Society, May ‘I-November 15,
this manner, as well as through the printed page, those afar 1900 :-
[2742]
DECEMBER 15, 1900 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (376-377)

EXPENDITUBES: this city, where one tract under a door has thus far reached
Paper and printing.. . . . . . ,. four persons, on the principle of John 1.41, 45, and is still
Carriage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 2 3 working.
Share of expense for labor, etc.. . . . . . . 24 10 4 The colporteur work has not fared so well, not having
Expenses in Pilgrim work . . . . . . . . . . .45 5 9 had so many workers as have been able to participate in
the work in other ways; but thr few who have had this
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .465 :; 2 privilege have been industrious, and have also been permitted
Receipts from Great Britain. . . 40 10 to see some fruit of their labors which has caused their and
our hearts to rejoice. We are praying and hoping for more
Deficit, supplied from Home Office .. .425 1 4 laborers in every branch of service, but particularly in the
colporteur department, which experience has demonstrated to
Report of Literature Circulated be by far the most efficient means of reaching “hearing ears”
Copies of MILLENNIAL DAWN circulated.. ........ 3,224 with‘ the truth, as it is also the most practical, being self-
Copies of booklets .... ........... 667 sustainina. The exuerience of those who have eneaned in the
I

Tracts sent out frc?...‘.:..::.. .. .. ... ....... 77,835 service of the truth by the colporteur method in Great Britain
Sample WATCH TOWERS sent out free . . . . . . . . . . . . 171,850 in the last six months shows that the worker can sustain
himself in this serricc. It is a most attractive opportunity
Total sent free. . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . 249,685 for those who have time to spend in the harvest work, and we
These represent in tract pages ..... . . . . . 19,189,684 shall be glad to hear from many on the subject.
The financial asnect of the work here ih nrescnted in the
Letters and cards received ..... ...... ........ 1,184 figures foregoing, which plainly tell their ow’nlstory. It would
Tetters and cards sent out.. . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 9,294 have been impossible for the British Binnch to do as it has
The volunteer work has been ouite zealouslv oursued here clone. except for the financial coGperation of the head office
this year; how much so you may-judge by comparison of the to the large amount of $2,000.
amounts distributed in america and here, and reckoning that We pray daily for ourselves, and for all of God’s saints.
there are about twentv times as manv TOWER readers in that we mav be nlentifullv sunnlied with heavenlv wisdom.
America as we have in Great Britain. “Volunteer work has with strength and’grace, fo; the’discharge of each day’s duties
been done in 39 cities and towns in Great Britain, and with in such a manner RR will redound to the glory of God and
home encouraging results. More than 50,000 copies were the upbuilding of his people. “Biethrcn, pray for us.” Re-
distributed in London. spectfully submitted. Yours faithfully in Christ,
Tract distribution has also had considerable attention from E. C. HEY~IN(:I $
the friends here, and with such results as to warrant its REPORT OF OUR C;ERMAN WORK
continuance. To bc sure, we must often put tracts in many Sister Giesecke reports 448 letters received and 494 letters
houses before reaching one which contains persons ready for sent out; 2,899 copies of the German WATCH TOWER circulated
the truth; but sometimes the one tract in the right place as samples, and 10,108 tracts distributed, reprrsrnting 232,460
has a very far-reaching influence, as has been indicated in pages.

A PERFUME OF SWEET ODOR

MATT. 26:6-16.~JAN. 6.
“She h&h done what she could,”
kWXdl!lg kSSOnS SllOWd US incidents in OUT J,Ord’b jOUr- choice perfume. She had either purchased the vase, and manu.
IICY tow,lrd Jerusalem, via Jericho-the healing of the blind factured the perfume herself, at great expense of time. etc.,
men by the wayside, the conversion of Zacchzeus, and the or had spent-for its purchase a <onsiderablblc sum of money:
parable of the young nobleman, given because they were nigh She had anticinated our Lord’s coming.Y> and had fullv J ar- ~~
unto Jerusalem, and because the disciples and many of thr ranged matters’s0 that at this feast she might treat him in
multitude expected that the kingdom of God would im- a manner in which very few except the worldly great were
mediately be manifested,-set up in earthly grandeur, etc. The ever treated;-kings, emperors, etc., were thus anointed with
distance from Jericho to Jerusalem was only about twenty perfume, but very rarely indeed could others afford such a
miles, and Bethany, the home-city of Lazarus (whom our Lord luxury, for the facilities for manufacturing perfume then
raised from the dead) and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, were quite inferior to what they are now, and even if the per-
was quite near to Jerusalem, and with them Jesus decided to fume were of home manufacture and of fine aualitv the cost in
qpend his last Sabbath-dav in the flesh. We mav nresume th:tt time, etc., would be great, and the perfume’ would be so val-
the day was happily spent according to the obse&ance of the uable that it was usual to sell it to thr verv wealthv.
Sabbath required by the Jewish law; but the narrative, The feast had begun, and Jesus. with the din&ples and
passing over the events of the day unnoticed, draws special other guests, were at the table, which, according to eastern
attention to the feast or supper made for our Lord in the custom, was long and narrow. the guests not sitting upon
rrening, after sundown. when the Sabbath was considered chairs, but reclining full length upon roucnhes or divans, with
ended. and the first day of the week beginning. the head extendini over the table. and the feet extending
This feast was at the house of Simon the leper, vet back to the rear, the weight of the shoulders noised uoon the
Simon is not mentioned in connection with the narrative, and left elbow, while the right hand was used :n partaking of
it is quite probable that he was then dead. It is coniectured the food.
that Simon was either the father of Lazarus, Martha and While Martha and her associates were serving. Mary came
,\larv. or else that Martha was the widow of Simon, and that forward and. breaking the seal upon htr alabaster vase. shr
Lilznrus and Mary were younper tllan she. These items, bow- began to pour the precious perfume upon our Lord’s head.
ever. are merely tradition, nothing in the Scriptures throwing and subsequentlv, as John’s record of the matters informs us.
any light upon the matter. We remember that on the oc- going to our Lord’s feet she poured some of it upon them.
casion of a previous visit to this home, our Lord was enter- and wiped them with the hair of her head Marv’s affertion
tained ; and Mary berame so absorbed in listening to the for our Lord was so deep and so strong that it could not
gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth that for the be satisfied with any of the ordinary methods of expression.
time she neglected the ordinary affairs of life, until her Tf the kings of earth were perfumed ant1 anointed, much
more practical, but possibly less spiritually-inclined. hiqter more did she esteem it fitting that her friend. her Lord, the
commented upon the fact, which brought forth our Lord’s dec- Messiah. should be anointed with the best that, she could pro-
laration to the effect that while service is quite acceptable cure for him. Her love was so intense that it knew no pronomv
am1 appreciated, veneration and fellowship are still more ap- -nothing could be too good for her Beloved. She would rive
preciated-‘Wary hath chosen the better part.” expression to the rich sentiments of her heart by giving ‘him
The two sisters had the enviable privilege of serving the the finest and most costlv of sweet natural odor;. Our Lord
Lord and ministering to his comfort in the feast of our les- appreciated the matter fully-the sweet odor of the heart which
qon. iust before the agonies which closed his carthlv life prompted the act, still more t.han thr sweat odors which filled
As before, so now, the-service of the two sisters took’ some. the entire house.
what different form, but probably this time by mutual agree- But the disciples, more selfish and less able to appreciate
ment and pr&rrangement; Martha herself served the table Mary’s true sentiments. and the proprietv of their expression
with others assisting, and Mary was left free to render hei in this form, found fault with her. and the records show that
peculiar service, of which this lesson is a memorial. From their leader- and mouthpiece, who inrited thp fault-finding
some source she had procured a valuable alabaster vase of spirit amongst the otherb. was Judas. the treasurer of the
[2743]
(3iR 379) ZION’S W,dTCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA

lrttle c*ompany, whose disappointment was great that the devotion upon sinners, or upon the poor heathen world. They
value of this ointment did not find its way into his money- realize not what abundant opportunities there will be for
bag, and thus a part of it, at least, to his own private uses; blessing the heathen world in 66 future, in the Millennial age,
for we are told, “He was a thief, and carried the bag.” His which God has set anart for their blessinn. and in which his
objection seems-to favor the thought that Mary may have pre- disciples will have a6undant opportunity %r co-working with
Dared the nerfume herself. for he does not oblect to its hav- him in the general uplifting of the world of mankind. Those
ing been pkhasecl for a large sum, but that it might have been who upbraid us for pouring out our heart-treasures upon the
sold for three hundred pence. (Mark 14: 5) Estimating the members of Christ, the church, do so through ignorance, and if
- u

value at 300 Roman pence. or denarzi. worth about 16 cents at tunes it has caused some discouragement to us, let us
each, the value of the-ointment would de about forty-eight dol- hearken to the words of the Master, declaring that such is a
lars, but much more than this amount would be represented noble course that has his approval. and that it is proper as
in today’s values; for we are to remember that a denarius J prelude to the burial of the entire church, the body ,-that
represented a workman’s wages for a day, and hence that it will be appropriate that this shall be done to the church
300 denaraz would practically represent a workman’s wages for rather than for the poor world, UP to the time when the
It was indeed an extravagant action, but it represented church shall have finished the earthly pilgrimage;-up to the
~nye~travagant love, and was expended upon one whom God time when the sufferings of Christ having been fulfilled there
and the angels delighted to honor, and whom Mary seems to shall be no longer opportunitv to bless and refresh and com-
have appreciated much more nearly at his true value than did fort the body of Chrjst, r(~hp&tlng whom our Lord derlarcs
his other aqsociates of the hour. that what is done to them is douc to him.-Matt. 25:40.
Beloved Mary! We can, perhaps, imagine to borne extent Sn then. let the Martha:, ~trvc’ the I,ortl iu one wav.”
the emotions which filled her heart as she prepared this costly and the Xarys poui out their most precious spikerlard per-
expression of her devotion, the sentiment of which she hoped fume, assured that neither service will be foreotten: for
&hers would appreciate. But now, on the contrary, she be- both are told and have been told for eighteen cgnturien, a$
holds the “indignation” of her friends and guests, the Master’s memorials to their praise, testimonies of their love, whirb
nearest companions ; and her heart sinks within her as she the Lord appreriated and accepted, however they were viewed
fears that the Lord himself will view the matter in a similar hy others.
light, and reject and disapprove her libation. What a load OPPOSITION FROM SELFISH HEARTS
is lifted from her heart, when she hears our Lord pronounc-
ing her work a noble deed, and renrovinn his discinles for Jn this connection it is well to notice sharply that the
lark of sympathy in her scntimenc telliig them that this one who made the greatest ado on behalf of the noor. 1 and who
perfuming of his body was in preparation for his burial. It objected most to Mary’s expression of her devotion, was the
was probably in the midst of this discussion of the matter thief and murderer, Judas. Snd the principle, to a consider-
between Jesus anti the apostles that Mary, having anointed able estrnt, seems to hold good all down throughout this
his head with the perfume, went to his feet, and began Gospel age. that those who make the greatest outcrv on be-
anointing them also, wiping them with her hair. as an evi- half of mission work and in opposition.‘to the expenditure of
dence that the most p&i&s thing of her personal adorn- costly time in tlu, anointing and hlessine of the conse-
ment was gladly at the service of her Lord. crated members of the ho+ of Christ, are not always those
who have the interests of the hcathcn exclusively at heart, but
Probably Maiy had no thought of perfuming our Lord’s are frequently those who have an “axe to grind.” a selfish
body for burial, and 111r words to this effect would be as interest- in some way to serve. And not inufrequcntly these
astonishing to her as to the others who heard them. It was hypocrites mislead others of the Lord’s dear neonle. who are
cuytomniy u rth the anr,rc*utr. to spend consrderablc care and thoroughly conscientious, even as Judas. by’ h;s sophistry,
money upon the persons of their dead in preparing them for for a time mislead the other apostles into indignation against
hurial ; swcbet spices and perfumes, etc., were lavishly bestowed, Mary for the doing of the very thing which was pleasing to
just as today it is the custom to provide handsome caskets the Lord, and on account of which hc decreed that wherever
and many and expensive flowers and fine monuments, as this Gospel should be preached her conduct should be men-
esprrssive of the love and appreciation in which the dead are tioned as a memorial.
held lay thc,ir friends. In Mary’s conduct in the pouring of
the precious perfume upon the Saviour while he was yet living, And so it is today: this Gospel is preached III more than
we have ;I moit excellent suggestion in respect to the proper 350 languages-to every important nation in the world. But
course to be pursued toward those we love. It is far far we presume that it was not merely Mary that our Lord wished
better that we shauld unstop our alabaster vases of perfume. to memoralize, but especially her deed: hc wished that all
and pour them ul)on the heads and upon the weary feet of who should know the good tidings should know also of his ap-
our friend\, whih- still thev live. than that we should wait preciation of such devotion to him. to his bodv. and that the
until tlnv have cxljircd, and theu give our attention to the more it costs us the more he appreciates it. In view of this,
cold. IllilliIIlRtt~ nut1 nuappreciative corpse. Our alabaste] let each one who would be pleasing in the Lord’s sight
l~o~o~ ale 0111 II(~.III<. which should be full of the richest and seek continually to pour the perfume from his heart and life
+\!eetest perfiim(a\ of good wi+cs, kindne<, ant1 love towartl upon other members‘of the bobv of Christ, and let him realize
all. but csnrciallv toward the Christ-toward the Head of that in so doing he will not -onlv be pleasing to the Lord.
Chiiqt. our* Lord’.Jcsl~s, and toward all tbcx members of his but will be receiving also a bleasinr himself: for as no
body. the churc~h; and c~pecinlly on om part toward the feet alabaster vase could pour forth perfume upon others without
members who arr now with us, and on whom we now have the Itself being thoroughly involved in the perfume, so our hearts,
p~ivllege of pounrng out the sweet odors of Iovc and devotion as they pour forth upon others of the members of the body
III the name of the Lnrtl, nud because WC are his. The poet the sweet perfume of love and devotion to the Lord and his
writes : #‘ause, will be sure to bring a blessing to nursel\es, even
“How oft me, careless, wait till life’s sweet activities are past. In the present life-our Lord’s approval and benediction now
.\ud break 0111 ‘nlaba~ter box of ointment’ at the very last! ,ind everlastingly.
0, let us heed the liling fricud, who walks with us life’s com- Some of the methods employed in connection with present
mon ways, endeavor to anoint the members of the Lord’s “body” for
\Vatchinp our ryes for lonks of love. and hungering for a burial,-with the perfume of his truth and grace-call down
word of praise!” the condemnation of fellow-disciples. As for instance, the
The heart of eacli trrllg (onseci atcd child of God is like th,, expenditure of time. energy, and large sums of money this
alabaster vaqe,--a rrrrptacle for the holy Spirit, the spirit of present year in the “volunteer” work has been. and will be
love, the choicest pelfrime and most 1JrCCiOUS to the Lord and misunderstood by many of the Lord’s dear children,-and be
to men. It is expc’nsive. because it cxannot be gathered rapidly, bitterly reproved by those who are of the Judas stripe. Tet
hut requires patient perseverance in well-doing to be “filled realizing the Lord’s approval we have quite sufficient to make
with all thr fulnc++ of God” Again, it is like Marv’s vase our rup of joy over&w. Fellow-disc’iples tell us that we
in that it gives forth its odor not before, but after ‘the seal should not be handing the meat in due season to the house-
is broken and the contents poured forth. It differs from hers, hold of faith, but to iinners; that we should not be seeking
however, in the fact that. it mar be continuallv * Doured 1 old to anoint the saints with the sweet perfume of present truth.
and yet its fulnesa all the while increase. but should, on the contrary, be going to the outcasts of society,
Our hearts and their holy love are like Mary’s vase again. engaging in slum-work or in foreign-mission work. The
in that they should be poured upon the Lord himself-upon real difficulty with the Judas class, however, is that they fear
the Head first, but subsequently upon the members of his that the circulation of the truth amongst the Lord’s people
bodv, even the humblest. the lowliest. the feet. And this would cut off the revenue whirh other&se might flow into
should be our servicr. even the it be unappreciated by others, their coffers: they fear the loss of numbers and influence in
who instead would think that WP should pour our love and sectarianism But their fears are largely imaginary; for the
[ 27441
DECEMBER 15, 1900 ZION’.C WATCH TOIVFiK (379-380)

perfume of the truth is only designed to fall upon “the mem- Lord for earthly advantages or influence or money And ways
bers of the body of Christ,,’ and our expectations are that the of excusing their perfidy; but in proportion as our hearts
Lord will guide it to these, and that to others it will be of are loyal and devoted, as was Mary’s, in that same proportion
no effect. And since the members of the body of Christ, the will the Judas course appear heinous and impossible to us.
consecrated ones, are so few, their anointing and their Yet these climaxes of character are not reached suddenly.
separation from Babylon, and their burial, will be compara- Mary’s love had been growing from the first; it was greatly
tively unnoticed so far as numbers are concerned,-tho their strengthened by her course in sitting at the Master’s feet and
taking away as the “salt” and the “light” of those systems, reeciving from him spiritual nourishment, which our Lord de-
will &deed-be a serious loss, conspiring to their downfall in clared to be a still better part or course than that pursued
the great time of trouble approaching.-Matt. 5:13, 14. by her sister, tho the latter was not disapproved. Mary’s
Let us not forget to note clearly and distinctlv the wide faith and love had been still further increased as she witnessed
difference between love and selfishness, as exemplcfied in the the Lord’s power in various ways, and especially at her broth-
opposite courses of Mary and Judas. Mary, full of burning er’s awakening from the tomb. She h3d cultivated this love
devotion, was willing to sacrifice much to honor, comfort and and appreciatyon for the Lord until it filled her entire heart,
please her Lord. Judas not only was unwilling to sacrifice and f&d its expression in the costly libation which she had
on his behalf, but on the contrary was willing to sell him to iust noured unon his head and his feet. Judas. on the other
his enemies for thirty shekels-the price of a slave. Not hand: had lo& been permitting the spirit of ‘selfishness to
only so, but the devotion of the one seemed not to impress the more- and more-intrude-upon his-heart; he had permitted him-
other favorably, but rather the reverse; the devotion of Mary, helf to think of what monev would do. and had eiven his
and our Lord’s approval of it, seem to have aroused the 01,. thought largely toward its a&umulation. It had fertered his
posite spirit in Judas, for he went straightway to negotiate -0~1, so that he was unable to appreciate the Lord’s character.
with the chief priests for our Lord’s betrayal into their hand*. even tho he knew him intimately from daily association. w
It would appear from the Greek text, and the renderlng that he was unable to measure anything except from a
of the same in the Revised Version, that Judas received the monetary standpoint. And these bands of selfishness gradu-
money for his work in advance: “They weighed unto him allv grew so hard and tight about his heart that thev
thirty pieces of silver.” He completed the contract; 1~ squee&d out everything of >haracter, of love, devotion and
\old himself to work evil, and that against his benefactor. friendship, and thus gradually he came to be the representa-
his Lord, of whose power he was fully conversant, and (It tive of, and his name the synonym for, the grossest of in-
whirh, indeed, he had received so abundantly that he himself gratitude and meanness, selfishness and treachery. One lesson
had been enabled to heal the sick and cast out devils. How for us here is, to cultivate love and the appreciation of what-
htranae that anv could be so nerverse! No doubt he had a WH\ soever things are just, good, lovely and pure; and to fight
of reasoning the matter to-himself which made his crime down and eradicate so far as possible (especially from our
appear to him less heinous than it does to us. No doubt, own hearts and lives) everything selfish, mean. ignoble, dis-
also. others who today are willing less directly to sell the honorable.

HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE THAT COMETH!

MATT. 21: l-l7.-J~~. 13.
“Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
After the feast of our last lesson, the next morning, the city of the Great King, according to the standpoint from which
first day of the week (our Sunday), our Lord early began it was viewed. From the standpoint of the disciples and the
his preparations for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a multitude, full of Messianic enthusiasm and hopes that the
King. -Altho he well knew that “his own” people would not longed-for blessings upon Israel were about to be realized, and
receive him, but, as he had already testified to his disciples, full of faith that this great Prophet, who had the power to
that he would be put to death by the rulers, and intimated the raise the dead and heal the sick, could in his own time and
night before that Mary’s anointing was for his burial, it was way make himself and them invincible against all enemies,
nevertheless necessary as a part of the divine plan that he and amplv fulfill all the glorious things foretold by the proph-
should formally offer himself as King to the Jews, and thus ets-for these it was a grand occasion, a lea1 triumph.- poor,
fulfill to that people God’s promise that his favor should be notwithstandino the fact that Jesus had nreviouslv told them
“to the Jew first.” repeatedly of h& death, and had even reprived Peter for speak-
Our Lord had previously resisted the disposition of some ing to the contrary, nevertheless his disciples and others went
of the people to take him by force and make him King, with- to have been unable to receive his words in their true mean-
drawing from their midst, etc. (John 6: 15) ; but now the ing, and to have interpreted them merely a pal t of 111<
time, the due time, having come, and that to the very hour, “dark sayings” which would undoubtedly later become lumi-
he deliberately planned his triumphal procession, instead of, nous in some grand significance. This is attested by their
8s nrrviouslv. hindering it. He sent some of his disciples for language, even after his death and resurrection-“We trusted
the’ ass and “colt, manifesting his superhuman power by desig- that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.“-
nntine where and how the animals would be found. An ass TJuke 24 :21.
\ras {ised rather than a horse, and tradition tells us that so From the standpoint of Herod, Pilate, the chief priests and
all the kings of Israel were accustomed to ride to their coro- scribes, this triumphal proression was merely the parade of a
nation. fanatical leader and his ignorant and fanatical dupes. They
When the animal arrived the disciples and the whole mul- saw in it evidently no more than this. King Herod and Pilate
titude seemed to entrr into the spirit of the arrangement; evidently had no fear that this despised Nazarene and his
for it would appear that quite a number of those who came comnanv would ever be able to organize and equip an army
up from Jericho, and who had witnessed our Lord’s Dower and which would be of any force as against the order of things
teachings en robte to the Holy City and the PassoGer, lodged of which thev were the heads. The religious leaders feared
at Bethanv over the Sabbath. as he did. These. with the dis- merely that the fanaticism might spread in some manner, and
ciples, constituted quite a little band, who began to hail Jesus bring down upon them the wrath and further oppression of the
as the King, and to do him homage, as was customary with secular powers, who might make them an excuse for furthei
notables at that time. bv snreadine their outer earments in interference with the liberties of the Jews. Quite evidentlg
the way for his beast to* trkad up&; and by plucking grass none of these chief rulers believed in Jesus as the Messiah sent
and flowers, and branches of palm trees and strewing these of God for the fulfilment of the gracious promises of their
also in the way. Scriptures. To this the apostles testify, saying, “I wot that
Jesus, in the honored position. riding at the head, was fol- through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers;” “If they
lowed by this multitude on the road toward Jerusalem. Then had known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ’
another multitude from the citv. havine heard that the great -Acts 3:17: 1 Cor. 2:s.
Prophet and Teacher was at Bkthany, came forth to seesboth That procession was viewed from still another standpoint
him and Lazarus, and these, meeting the Lord and the shout- 1~ our Lord himself and hy the invisible multitude of angels.
ing companv behind him, turned about and became a van- ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who shall
guard, shouting like the rest, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” be heirs of salvation. These joined in the enthusiasm of the
which meant the King, one of the royal line. They probably multitude, but from a totally different standpoint-realizing
were deterred from using the word “king” lest thev should this triumph as merely a psrt of the divine plan, and merely
bring upon themselves charges of treason against King Herod, .t prelude to a greater triumph on our Lord’s part through
and against the Roman empire, which sustained him in power. the completion of the sacrifice of himself and the attainment
It was a grand or a ludicrous triumphal entry into the thus of “all power in heaven and in earth;” and as a fore-
r2745i
,381-382) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .-,lT.PGHENY, 1’4

shadowing, too, of 111s coming glory and his triumphal entry loss-the profit of the money changers. We are not to under-
upon the kingdom on his return from the far countrv (heaven) stand that our Lord was interferine with the nroner laws of
armed with a plenitude of power and authority, t; put down the land nor of the Temple-he was %r every sense faw-abiding.
sin and to bring all things into subjection to God; and to lift On the contrary, he was thoroughly authorized, as was any
up out of the horrible uit of sin and disease and death all Jew, under the directions of the law. to use so much force as
desirous of coming back iuto full harmony with the Father was’ necessary in the maintenance ‘of the sanctity of the
and the laws of JUS empire. This, the most glorious stand- Temple.
point of view of that triumphal march, it is our privilege, by DIVINE FAVOR DEPARTED FROM ISRAEL
the grace of God, to enjoy; and we may well say in our Lord’s
words, “Blessed are our eyes, for they see; and our ears, for Blind and lame people came to our Lord in the Temple
they hear.” and were relieved of their infirmities, and then he taught the
RESPONSIBILITY OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS people-continuing the healing and the teaching for several
days, returning at nights to Bethany and coming the next
Luke’s account of tlris matter informs us that certain of morning to the Temple, but without any further demonstration,
the Pharisees who were with the multitude at the beginning, as a King, for that one demonstration had served the purpose
altho they could not object to anything which our Lord said intended. It had given to the officials of the citv and nation
or did, complained that he should nermit his discinlcs and the opportunity to formally accept him as k&g, but their
others.of the multitude to hall him ‘as a King, shou’ting Ho- contrarv snirit is shown bv their comina to him while the
ranna! (Salvation, Blessing, Praise! ) Then it was tlrat clrildre; in-the Temple courts were crying Y’Hosanna!” request-
#Jesus, knowing of the prophery bearing upon this subject ing that he should put a stop to the matter; but our Lord
(Zcch. 9.9) ( not only refused to rebuke the drsciples and answered them, quoting from the Scriptures that this was in
hinder their acclaims; but informed the Pharisees that since harmony with the divine ulan: “Out of the mouth of babes
God himself, throuaJ1 the Prouhet. had said. “Shout. 0 daueh- and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.” The worldly-wise
ter of Jerusalem,“> therefore Athcre must be some ahoutings; did not annreciate this. and were blinded bv self-interest: but
and that if the people had not arisen to that amount of en- little chilxen, and especially those who inisimplicity of heart
thusiasm to give such shoutingc, the very storms would have and meekness became like little children, should be the instru
tried out. so that the propbery should not be unfulfilled. ments the Lord would use in shouting his praises.
Tho the distance is quite short to Jerusalem from Beth- Many of our Lord’s parables and snecial teachings were
pliage, where the Lord mounted the ass. nevertheless the city uttered during those days-in the Temple, ‘between his trcumphal
was hidden from rirw bp the nlount of Olives, and it was when entrv and nresentation on the tenth dav of the month Nisan
the Lord had rc~ac~hcdtire tol’ of Olivct. and the city of ~Jeru- and”his c&ciflxion on the fourteenth, a”s the Passover Lamb.
salem came suddenly into view. that he halted the procession (See Exod. 12:3, 6) These parables, etc., are recorded in
and wept over the cite. saving. “If thou hadst known. even Mattllew. chanters 23-25: in Mark. chanters 11-13. and in
thou. ai least in this, ‘thy da\;. the things which belong unto John, chkpter~ 12-16 -4’mong other’ things he declared that
tbv Deace! But now thev are hid from thine eves . . . be- the favor of God was, there and then, taken from fleshly Israel.
CR% thou kneweyt not ih;nc time of thy visitation.” (Luke saying :
19:41-44) From tlris language it, iq evident that our Lord did “0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem. that killest the nronhets and
not consider the multitudes who were with him, as in any stonest them which are sent unto thee! How often would I
sense of the word, representing the ritv and nation; for altho have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
these who were with him were shdutinp the very words, her chickens under Irer wings, and ye would not! Behold.
“Blessed is he that rometh in the name of Jehovah!” our Lord’s your house is left unto you desolate!“-hiatt. O-3:37-39.
language indicates that a time is vet to come when the heads
of Israel. the chief ones representing the people, shall gladly TYPICAL NATURE OF OUR LORD'S ACTS
acknowledge him as Kina of kings and Lord of lords. at hi’s
siccond advent: but in tlic meantime their failure to recognize In considering the best lessons we at the present time can
the time of their visitation meant to them a great loss of draw from these incidents. we sugrrest -. I that their tvnical fed-
privilege : meant to them that their house must be left deso- ture be not forgotten-that all shall rememhcr that-the events
iate. abandoned of the Lord during this Gospel age, during in the close of our Lord’s ministry, and everything pertaining
which he would gather from amongst the Gentiles a sufficient to the rejection and dissolution of the fleshlv house of Israel.
number to complete the elect number. in ronjunction with the is typical and illustrative of the things which are to be ex-
faithful ones of Israel, the remnant who had or would receive pected to transpire in the present time, in the end of the
him -See Matt. 23 : 39. Gospel age-in the reiection and dissolution of nominal Israel
The objertive point of tlnq triumphal march was the Holv of t&lay,-“Babylon.” -AASalreadv shown in MILLENNIAL DAWN,
City. the capital citv, the Citv of the Great King. But ou; Vol. II., page 235. the time which corresponded to the Lord’s
Lord did not go to Herod’s unlare. to demand nossession of it: formal offering of himself to fleshlv Israel and his reiection
nor to Pilate’s palace. to dbmand recoanition’of Jrim; but as was the year-1878. There nominal spiritual Israel was re-
the representative of Jehovah. as the Mrssiah. sent of God to iected. as nreviouslv the first or flesblv house had been re-
be the Saviour of Israel and tire world, he went appropriately jected; yet-in both >ases all Israelites indeed receive him and
lo the Father’s house or palace-to the Temple. receive corresponding blessings at his hand.
It is since this date (1878) we understand that our Lord
JESUS EXERCISING KINGLY AUTHORITY
has been in his sniritual temnle. the true church. teaching in
The scene in the Temple must Jiave been a peculiar one. an especial ma&,* all those who have an ear to hear, ope&ng
It was undoubtedly crowded with pilgrims from all parts of the blinded eyes and helping those who are spiritually lame
the civilized world. who at this season of the vear came. to to walk in his wavs. It is since that time that all who belong
the number of Jmndreds of thousands. to worship the Lord to the temple clais of true worshipers are permitted to hear
and to observe the Passover, according to the Law. Probably and see wonderful thines out of the divine Word: and it is
manv of them J~ntl hpnrd something ahout Jesus of Nazareth. during this time also ihat the Lord is casting out of his
“mirht.v in word and deed.” Manv of them Jlad been healed temple all those who make merchandise of the truth, and who
JIV him. or had friends who were th;ls hlesstd; and we can well are not true worshipers-the money-changers and dove-sellers,
Imagine the commotion created bv the multitudes coming with et,r.; and it is during this time that out of the mouth of babes
.JPSUS and crying. “Hosanna in the highest.” etc. The Phari- and sucklings the truth is being proclaimed so often to the
-ces. scribes and chief nricst3. who were used to dominate the offense of the scribes and Pharisees of today.
people in rclipioiis matters. an d especially in the Temple, altho Shortly, the last memhers of the hodv of Christ, the feet.
filled with anger against Jrsus. recognized themselves power- already being anointed for burial with the sweet odors of the
lcic: tn do him injury under the cirrnmstanres. for he was doing truth, will comnlete their sacrifice: shortlv, the first resurrec-
unthinp contrarv in any sense of the word to the Law, and this tion will be complete and all the members of the bodv of Christ
would be manifest to all On the contrary, as tJm to show be glorified together with him; and then, the sufferings of
that he was only rloina wllat was in his power, our Lord began Christ being ended, the glory will speedily follow. But mean-
to exercise it a~ would he befitting a spiritual King-bv re- time, before the glory is revealed, there will come a great
proving tllnsp who were violating the holv Temple and its” pre- time of trouble. symbolically a time of fire (trouble) and
rinctn. driving out of it those who sold doves for offerings. smoke f confusion) UDOn the world. and esneciallv upon rejected
and the money changers. who were reaping a profitable har- “Babylon.” and all ‘who do not ‘escape *from her* before the
vest from the necessities of the worshipers from a distance, grea< tribulation comes, even as similar fiery vengeance came
wlrm~ monev. not b&m .Tcwi*h. could not be accented at the unon Israel after the flesh, and all who had not escaped from
Temple, and which they must therefore have exchanged at a h&.-Luke 3:16, 17; Matt. 13:38-43.
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 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DUTY TO THE HEAVENLY AND TO THE EARTHLY HUSBAND no dissent thereto. It would appear, therefore, that he could
Questaon.-1 am the wife of a minister in one of the de- not in any way interfere with the proper liberty of your con-
nominations. I have been studying the truth for now several science without doing violence to his own.
years, and feel convinced that the WATCH TOWEB publications “WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY”-WHO?
represent the true Gospel. I desire to be faithful to my Lord,
no matter what the consequences; but I am in a measure of Question.-How should we understand 1 Tim. 6:14-161 IS
perplexity to know just what my duty is. As the minister’s it the Father or the Son who is referred to as the “King of
wife I am, of course, a member of the church; I am the or- kings and Lord of lords. who onlv hath immortalitv. dwelline a
ganist for the congregation, and a teacher in the Sunday in rhe light which no man can acproach unto,” etc.“?’
School. My question is, Should I, or should I not, come out illlswer.-We understand that the Apostle here refers to
of Babylon-withdraw from worship and coijperation in that our Lord Jesus. Our reasons for so concluding are as fol-
which I believe is in many important respects a misrepresenta- lows :
tion of the Gospel-of God’s truth and character? (1) While immortality belongs exclusively to the divine
I do not wish to weiah earthlv interests so far as I am nature, we are to remember that the Apostle Paul declares
myself concerned, being quite will”ing to suffer whatever the that the entire church is called to “glory, honor and immor-
Lord’s nrovidence mav nermit. Mv hesitation is more on ac- tality,” and the Apostle Peter says that God has given us
count Gf others who”w&ld necesiarily suffer with me. My exceeding great and precious promises, that by these “we might
husband, who would undoubtedly lose his position and its become partakers of the divine nature.” This implies, there-
small salary, is not in sympathy with the truth; my best fore, that, the church of God is to possess this divine attribute
efforts to awaken his interest in it having proved unavailing. of immortalitv or deathlessness. But onlv our Lord Jesus had
He would suffer, and our two children would suffer, as well as yet been made partaker of this qualit *at the time of the
myself; and my query is-To what extent is it right for me Apostle’s writing. The church! his bo 19y, would not be thus
to involve others? And what would be the proper course for honored and glorified until their due time, in the first resur-
me to take that would be pleasing to our Lord ? rection, when they shall be like him, sharing his divine nature,
Answer.-Yours is a peculiar case, dear sister. We will glory, honor and immortality, etc.
suggest what we would consider to be the Lord’s will in the (2) That our Lord Jesus already possessed this divine
matter, and give the reasons, and then leave it for your own nature, and therefore possessed immortalitv at the time of the
conscience to decide upon. It is your duty to do what you Apostle’s writing, is ^fully attested by thk Scriptures, which
understand to be the Lord’s will, according to the best light assure us that “as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he
which you possess or can obtain. given to the Son to have life ilz himself.” This describes im-
First then, we advise that you explain the whole situation mortality, for no other conditon of life is inherent life; all
fully and frankly to your husband, and tender to him, as the other conditions are derived or imnarted life. The statement
minister and representative of the congregation, a letter re- here that our Lord will give this& same inherent life to his
questing that your name be stricken from the list, etc.,-one followers, is in agreement with the Apostle’s assurance that
of the printed letters which we supply free would answer this all who have part in the first resurrection are raised in incor-
Your husband, as the representative of the congre- ruption, in immortalitv (1 Cor. 15:52, 53) ; and remember that
i,“fiPo”,“,ecan, if he choose, erase your name from the roll. You our Lord’s resurrection was the beginning of this first resur-
may request him to make the matter public, but he will not rection, and that it could have meant no less to him, the Head,
be bound to follow your request, and under your peculiar than it is by and by to signify to the members of his body.
circumstances we advise (differently from usual) that you do We are to remember the same Apostle’s declaration that our
not send the Withdrawal Letters to all the members of the Lord Jesus’ resurrection was as a “first-fruits;” that thus he
congregation unless your husband is willing. Leave the re- became the “first-born among many brethren.” We are to re-
sponsibility with him. member also that the Apostle, in harmony with the above,
expressed the desire that he might have a share in “his resur-
As for” the teaching of a class in the Sunday School, we rection,” “the resurrection,” “the first resurrection,” in which
advise that you continue it, especially if it be a class of adult all the overcomers are to share.-Phil. 3: 10, 11; 1 Cor. 15:20,
scholars-teaching, however, not any sectarian theory, but the James 1: 18.
true theoloev of the Bible. Let vour husband. as the Dastor
of the chur:h, know that it is th”e only condition upon -which (3) If, therefore, sharing in “his resurrection” is to bring
it would be possible for you to retain your class. As for the his faithful members to immortality, our Lord’s own resur-
playing of the organ, we recommend that you continue it also, rection can have been to no inferior condition. Hence, to
explaining. however, to vour husband vour objection to certain appl? the text in question to the heavenly Father would not be
faise hyn&-book thkology, that (you bklieve tb be contrary to consistent with the testimony of Scripture, t,hat the heavenly
the Scrintures. and reauesting that if he desire vou to con- Son possessed immortality at the time as weil as the heavenly
tinue to’be th; organ&t he GilI give you some little liberty Father.
and consideration ii the matter oFth selection of the hymns. (4) That the passage in question relates to our Lord Jesus
But we advise that vou be not too particular, not hypercritical, and designates him the onlv Potentate. Kine and Lord. does
in this matter. Wk reason that God’s people are justified in not impi$ any disregard or”disrespect of the-heavenly Father
praising God with any words from which it would be possible and his attributes, kingship, etc., as the same writer (St.
to take a uroner thou&-even tho others might L from the Paul) elsewhere Doints out. When sDeakine in similar strain
same words- take an &proper thought. about Christ’s kiigdom and the subjugation‘bf all things under
Our reasons for advising in this-case differently from what him, he says, “It is manifest that he is excepted who did put
we would ordinarilv are two-fold: I1 ) Your husband is nomi- all things under him.” In other words, comparisons which
nally, and perhap; really, a Chri&i& and hence it would show dignity and honor pertaining to Christ, Head or body,
be proper for you to render some deference to his judgment are never understood to be comparisons with Jehovah, who I&
in any matter not compromising your own conscience-as, for beyond all comparison.-See 1 Cor. 15:27, 28.
instance, along the lines above suggested, (5) The correctness of this application is further attested
(2) There is a little difference between the position of a by our Lord’s own application to himself of the same titles.
husband and of a wife in such a matter: the wife may throw -See Rev. 17:14 and 19:16.
some responsibility upon the husband, but the husband could (6) The Apostle’s entire discourse is along the line of
throw no responsibility upon the wife. We are not under the showing the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus, his humility and
law, but nevertheless the law in a shadowy way gives to us high exaltation, and how servants and all of us should be like-
some conception of the Lord’s view of matters; as for instance, wise humble and lowly and faithful to the truth as servants
see Leviticus 30. Your husband was aware of your vow unto of God. and in due time be exalted-manifested to the world
the Lord whereby you consecrated your all to him, and made -in glory, honor and immortality in the kingdom.

HOME EMBEL.LISHMENTS
The mention, in our Nov. 15 issue, of the motto and text as quickly as possible. We arc glad to think that these good
cards for home decoration brought us a flood of orders, for words, meeting the eyes of your families, will continually
which we were only partially prepared. More mottoes are on exercise a silent yet potent influence for good. All orders will
their way to us from London, and all orders will be filled be filled soon as possible.
127471 (382-383)
 Pastor Russell’s Sermons
Are Now Obtainable

IN BOOK FORM

A choice collection of his most important

discourses of the past 40 years, cover-
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doctrine and practice.

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For forty-two years Pastor Russell preached the “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”
-a message which must yet be heard by all mankind. Thousands whose hearts were
gladdened by his preaching passed the good news on to others. A public demand
was thus created for his sermons, until eventually over 2,000 newspapers were led
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Since the venerable Pastor’s demise multitudes have hungered for more of that
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selection of his sermons is issued in book form.

816 pages, clear type. Splendidly Indexed.

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[27481