(Ja Ani IMO of Flu Zino. from the Prisoner's Lowly Home Into the Imperial Attracted to Christianity
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g, Sanctify them through thy truth ; thy Word is truth." John 17 : 17. VOLUME 6. Melbournt, irtoria, 07tbruarg t, teet NUMBER 3. yet in less than two years, the gospel found its way bonds, that the attention of the court had been (Ja ani IMO of flu Zino. from the prisoner's lowly home into the imperial attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that ISSUED SF,MI-MONTHLY halls. Paul is in bonds as an evil-doer ; but " the he had conquered rulers. It was with, his chain that for the word of God is not bound." he had broken from so many souls the bonds that ALI S'T`RALASI.A.N BRANCHES held them in the slavery of sin. Nor was this all. of the Among the saints who send greetings to the Philippian church, the apostle mentions chiefly them He declares ; " And many of the brethren in the International Tract and Missionary Society. Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much —4.— that are of Csar's household. Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Chris- more bold to speak the word without fear." FOR IMPRINT AND TERMS, SEE LAST PAGE. tianity than in the Roman court under such a monster The patience and meekness with which he sub- mitted to a long and unjust imprisonment drew at- UREAY70N. of wickedness as then stood at its head. Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last tention, and forced the conviction upon many minds THE spacious firmament on high, trace of the Divine, and even of the human, and to that where there was such a willingness to suffer, With all the blue, ethereal sky, bear only the impress of the Satanic. His attend- there must be an unwavering faith in the doctrines And spangled heavens, a shining frame, ants and courtiers were in general of the same advocated. His cheerfulness under affliction -and Their great Original proclaim ; imprisonment was so unlike the spirit of the unfortu- Th' unwearied sun, from day to day character as himself, fierce, debased, and corrupt. To nate and afflicted of the world, that they could not Does his Creator's power display, all appearance it would be impossible for Christianity And publishes to every land to gain a foot-hold in the court and palace of Nero. but see that a power higher than any earthly influ- The work of an almighty hand. Yet in this case, as in so many others, was proved ence was ever abiding with him. His courage and Soon as the evening shades prevail, the truth of Paul's assertion, that the weapons of faith were a continual sermon. And by his example, The moon takes up the wondrous tale ; his warfare were "mighty through God to the pull- other Christians were nerved to greater energy. And nightly, to the listening earth, ing down of strongholds." Trophies of the cross They felt that they would not be losers in becoming Repeats the story of her birth : were won, even in Nero's household. From the vile the advocates of truth and pushing forward the work While all the stars that round her burn, from which Paul was temporarily withdrawn. In And all the planets in their turn, attendants of a viler king were gained converts who Confirm the tidings as they roll, became sons of God. These were not Christians these ways were the apostle's bonds influential, so And spread the truth from pole to pole. secretly, but openly. They were not ashamed of that when to all appearance he could do the least, What though in solemn silence, all their faith. They felt the warmest affection for when his power and usefulness seemed cut off, then Move round the dark terrestrial ball? those who were older in Christian faith and ex- it was that he was gathering sheaves for Christ in What though no real voice nor sound perience, and they were not afraid or ashamed to fields from which he seemed wholly excluded. Amid their radiant orbs be found ? acknowledge them as brethren. The mysterious providences over which we so In reason's ear they all rejoice, often lament, are designed of God to accomplish a And utter forth a glorious voice, And by what means was an entrance achieved Forever singing as they shine, and a firm footing gained for Christianity where work which otherwise might never have been done. "The hand that made us is divin even its admission seemed impossible ? In former The Christian who manifests patience and cheerful- —Addison. ' years the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith ness under bereavement and suffering, who meets of Christ with winning power ; and by signs and death with the peace and calmness of an unwavering miracles he had given unmistakable evidence of its faith, may accomplish far more toward overcoming divine character. With noble firmness he rose up be- the opposition of the enemies of the gospel than he CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD. fore the sages of Greece, and by his knowledge and could have effected, had he labored with his utmost eloquence put to silence the arguments of proud energy day and night to bring them to repentance. MRS. E. G. WHITE. philosophy. With undaunted courage he had stood Let no one feel that because he is no longer able THE gospel has ever achieved its greatest success' before kings and governors, and reasoned of right- to labor openly and actively for God and his truth, among the humbler classes. " Not many wise men eousness, temperance, and judgment to come, until he has no service to render, no reward to secure. A after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, the haughty rulers trembled as though already be- true Christian is never laid aside. God will use him are called." It could not be expected that Paul, a holding the terrors of the day of God. But no such effectually in health and in sickness, in life and in poor and friendless prisoner, would be able to gain opportunities were now granted the apostle, confined death. It is in the darkness of affliction, bereave- the attention of the wealthy and titled classes of as he was to his own dwelling, and able to proclaim ment, trial, and persecution, that the light of Roman citizens. Their whole life—physical, mental, the truth only to those who sought him there. He Christian faith shines brightest, and the Lord's and moral—was on a different plane from his. To had not, like Moses and Aaron, a divine command promises are found most precious. And when the them vice presented all its glittering allurements, to go before the profligate king with the rod of God, grave receives the child of God, he being dead yet and held them willing captives. But among the toil- and demand his attention, and in the name of the speaketh. The memory of his words of admonition worn, want-stricken victims of their oppression, even great I AM rebuke his cruelty and oppression. and encouragement, of his steadfast adherence to the among the poor slaves, many gladly listened to the In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul ascribes to truth under all circumstances, speaks more power- words of Paul, and found in the faith of Christ a his own imprisonment his success in bringing con- fully than even his living example. hope and peace which cheered them under the hard- verts to the faith from Nero's household. He ex- Patience as well as courage has its victories. ships of their lot. presses himself as fearful lest the Philippians have Converts may be made by meekness in trial, no less Yet while the apostle's work began with the thought that his afflictions have impeded the prog- than by boldness in enterprise. If Christians would humble and lowly, its influence extended, until it ress of the gospel. He assures them that the con- be reconciled to the apparent suspension of their reached the very palace of the emperor. Rome was trary effect has been produced : " I would ye should usefulness, and would cheerfully rest from the strife, at this time the metropolis of the world. The understand, brethren, that the things which happened and lay off the burden of labor, they would learn haughty Cwsars were giving laws to nearly every unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance sweet lessons at the feet of Jesus, and would see nation upon the earth. King and courtier were of the gospel ; so that my bonds in Christ are that their Master is using them as effectively, when either wholly ignorant of the humble Nazarine, or manifest in all the palace, and in all other places." they seem to be withdrawn from employment, as they regarded him with hatred and derision. And It was not by the sermons of Paul, but by his when in more active labor. 34 BIBLE ECHO AND SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Vol. 6, No. 3. THE HOTTENTOTS AND KAFIRS OF The latter much resembles the seed of the sugar-cane THE SIGNIFICATION OF BAPTISM. SOUTH AFRICA. both in the form of the grain and the manner of growth. It may be cooked in the same way as the WM. COVERT. CHAS. L. BOYD. maize, either being ground, or the grain kept JESUS demanded baptism of John before he en- ABOUT three centuries ago, South Africa was whole and eaten .as rice. Until the wicked and cruel tered upon his public ministry. At first, the request inhabited principally by a race of people now known introduction of liquor by the white man, the Kafirs was refused, bet Jesus stated that it was necessary as Hottentots.