NOVEMBER 1966

Three Angels With a Message THE ALARMING PROPHECY OF REVELATION 14 THE WORLD IN PERSPECTIVE BY GORDON M. HYDE

PSYCHOSOMATICS

UST ANOTHER new-fangled name for bringing many companions to turn a At this Thanksgiving season, there what the old-timers have known all bad situation into something worse. will be those who complain in spite of Jalong. Vinegar in the mind puts acid The "merry heart" is perfectly sober, bounties and security such as the Pil- in the stomach and gives that extra but it is deeply content—makes the grim Fathers could never have known. kick to a threatening ulcer. best of the poorest situation, sees silver Their abundance will bring neither Long before the modern practices of rimming the darkest clouds, and counts health nor happiness. How truly great clinical psychology and psychiatry the smallest benefits as occasion for are those whose "pleasant words are as were recognized and established as au- thankfulness. an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and thentic fields of medicine, the wise man The wise man was not only wise. He health to the bones." (Proverbs 16: wrote in the good old Book. "A merry was wealthy. He could try everything. 24.) heart doeth good like a medicine: but And he did. And out of his bitter re- And of those who may have but a a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov- gret for his folly, he advised, "Better is scanty Thanksgiving dinner, but who erbs 17:22. a little with righteousness than great eat with quiet gratitude, it may well be Many who look for a merry heart revenues without right." Proverbs 16:8. said, "Better is a dry morsel, and at the bottom of a foaming glass learn "Better is little with the fear of the quietness therewith, than an house full from the same wise man that "wine is Lord than great treasure and trouble of sacrifices [slaughtered animals] with a mocker, strong drink is raging: and therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs strife." Proverbs 17:1. whosoever is deceived thereby is not where love is, than a stalled [fatted] ox Perhaps Solomon would join me in wise." (Proverbs 20:1.) The problems and hatred therewith." Proverbs 15: this: How about a psychosomatic drowned in hilarious drinking return, 16, 17. Thanksgiving? END

These Times NOVEMBER 1 1966 VOLUME 75 No. 12 This time

A RELIGIOUS MAGAZINE dedicated to the strengthening of the mental, physical, and spiritual life of the individual reader. Bas- ITH deepest solemnity and fervent prayer, we present in this ing its recommendations on the living truths Wissue the message of Revelation 14:6-12 ("God's Triple of the entire Bible, THESE TIMES promotes Warning to a Disobedient World," page 13). These awesome words evangelical Christianity, the care of the needy of home and abroad, religious lib- of Scripture, portraying mighty angelic messengers descending to erty, the systematic study of God's Word, earth, have been called the most terrible threatening ever borne to the Bible, the exaltation of Jesus Christ, man. It behooves us all to listen as for our very lives. and the news of His literal soon coming. It is true, of course, that the Bible contains the gospel of the good news of salvation. God's love for man is written on every

Editor page; it is seen everywhere in the provident bounties of the book KENNETH J. HOLLAND of nature. God's Word also, however, emphatically states that His Spirit will not always strive with man. His loving heart has done General Manager everything to woo us. A day of punishment for disobedience is IRVIN H. IHRIG coming soon. The end of all things earthly is at hand. Circulation Manager As editors of THESE TIMES we have no message other than that R. J. CHRISTIAN portrayed in Holy Writ. We must proclaim the truth as it is in Associate Circulation Manager Christ Jesus. We have a mandate, then, to warn the world of judg- W. L. CROFTON ment soon to come, yea, of judgment already begun. Further, all Art Director the world is not to be converted; peace will not be the lot of man- SHIRLEY C. ELDRIDGE kind at the end of this world's history; the seven last plagues are

Art Editor soon to fall—these are the prospects before us. CHARLES COOK The third angel closes his message thus: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, Advertising Assistant KATHY MEAD and the faith of Jesus." Only as we accept Jesus Christ as our per- sonal Saviour from sin and remain steadfast to Him—loving His

Contributing Editors: 'N. R. Beach, Cecil law, which is a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character Coffey, A. A. Esteb, R. E. Finney, Jr., J. De- —shall we escape the wrath of God. Witt Fox, Roland Hegstad, Frank Holbrook, Siegfried H. Horn, Gordon Hyde, Mary H. Moore, C. A. Oliphant, Robert H. Pierson.

Address all correspondence to Box 59, Nashville, Tennessee 37202 ARTICLES Psychosomatics Gordon M. Hyde 2 God Is Not Bob W. Brown 4 A America's Greatest Need Ernest Lloyd 5 The Great Confrontation Walter Raymond Beach 6 I Shall Be Whole Gordon M. Hyde 10 God's Triple Warning to a Disobedient World Otto H. Christensen 13 "Just Humbly Thankful" Dan Harman 16 One Word Can Change Your Life Robert W. Olewiler 16 What the Cross Means to You Roy E. Graham 17 Printed in the United States of America You Can Develop a Christian Character Ellen G. White 22 Copyright, 1966 How to Study the Bible Dwight L. Moody 24 Southern Publishing Association Journey to Hope Alta Robinson 26 Established in 1891. Published monthly (except September and November, when semimonthly) Fast for Fitness I. DeWitt Fox, M.D. 28 by the Southern Publishing Association, 2119 Twenty-fourth Avenue, North, Nash- REGULAR FEATURES ville, Tennessee 37202. Second-class postage paid at Nashville, Tennessee. Rates: 50 cents a This Time 3 Apples of Gold 30 copy; one year, $5.00; two years, $9.75; three years, $14.75, in the United States; slightly Your Questions, Please! 21 Events of These Times 31 higher in Canada. Rates higher for other Focusing 29 Editorials 34 countries. Quantity prices upon request. Change of address: Please give both the old and the new addresses. Expiration: Unless re- POETRY newed in advance, magazine stops at the ex- piration date which is shown on the wrapper. Guideposts Jane Merchant 9 Cover: Painting by Harry Anderson

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 3 BY BOB W. BROWN

Ail INTERPRETING THESE TIMES*

ECENTLY I was visiting a friend of trouble, but He can be found before or His will or His law or His holiness R one of our church members in the and beyond trouble. just because we move to another town hospital. The young lady had been God is not an indulgent and stupid or join another church, and move into critically ill, but had improved. She grandfather who gives meaningless gifts a new decade. told me that she didn't attend church, to ungrateful children. If He is Santa Perhaps the "old-time religion" was "wasn't a believer really, and just Claus who indiscriminately passes out insignificant. There are of course new couldn't live up to 'all of that stuff' we candy canes to all the good and bad insights, new methods of evangelism, preached about." With a bright smile little children, then we have all been and new understandings of His plan. and supreme confidence, however, she taken. The Holy Spirit is still teaching us. assured me that "Good Old God had He cannot be fooled into compro- The "new" morality does not mean really pulled her through." mise because He is old or deaf or sight- that God has changed. He does not Whatever else He is, He is not "Good less or tired. To say that God looks bow to majority rule. God is not subject Old God." This flippancy so prevalent away from our folly and ignores our to community referendum. Street dem- in our time reminds us of several things sin is to ignore His Fatherhood and His onstrations and "dirty-word" slogans that God is not. redemptive love. He does not sit in hardly cow Him. Teasing pornography, God is not a good-luck charm. Foot- heavenly shade whittling and living in careless parents, and materialistic ball coaches are superstitious about the past while His incorrigible children standards may change the temperature, sweaters, baseball players refuse to rebel against His law and make havoc but they do not change God. Consensus change sweat shirts during a winning of His plan. may be a magic political word, but streak, and millions of Americans have Nor is He overly protective of His He is not seeking consensus—only the same opinion about God. own. There are no fences built around commitment. He is good to have around to ward our yard to keep the other children We have tried for decades to make off trouble, or if trouble comes. He is away with their temptations and wiles. Him understand that He is not up to good enough to pull us through. God is We are not shielded from disappoint- date. What was good for Corinthian not a bag of powders to frighten away ments and despair. "Grandfather" God Christians nineteen centuries ago just evil spirits, or a ghostly presence to be has no safe fortress of protected and does not apply now. Somehow He just summoned by incense and incantation. unblemished bliss and prosperity for us won't listen, and we go along with soar- He is not the top mask on a totem pole to hide in. He is not the proprietor of a ing crime, divorce, alcoholism, suicides, of lesser deities, or a charm bracelet to monastic castle of high walls and deep illegitimacy, and war. If only God be worn casually and inconspicuously moats. would change! God is not adjusting to around your ankle. God is our heavenly Father who our society. A lady who owned a race- God is not an ambulance chaser who watches a sparrow fall and is eternally horse explained to a newspaper re- can best be found in hospital emer- concerned about each hair of our head. porter that her horse had won the race gency rooms or beside oxygen tents. He God is not a thermometer who only because "God wanted it to." is not a habitué of the mortuary or One reflects His environment. His counte- God is not a dictator either. He is who huddles behind cemetery walls. nance is not changeable like a chame- not playing with puppets. Nor is He a He is a very present help in time of leon. We do not change His character prankster who arbitrarily causes us to

4 THESE TIMES suffer and weep, or dance at His bid- ding. We are not chessmen on His board, who are moved in meaningless motion by His whim. He is not the author of our misery America's greatest Need and shame. There is reason for our failure, and it is found within ourselves. BY ERNEST LLOYD He does not rule without reason or punish without thought. The demands AMERICA'S greatest need is a revival of faith. America needs the He makes for our obedience are always /1. faith of our Founding Fathers and Mothers. It needs the old- consistent with His plan for our good fashioned faith in God that supported and strengthened our and His own glory. American pioneers during their times of peril and distress. True, It is easy but erroneous to blame there are some who still possess that faith today, but the great need Him for our own weakness. He does is for the millions of Americans to know its practical worth in this not pollute the streams or fill the air hour of national need. with fallout or corrupt the mind with Our fathers and mothers were not ashamed of their faith. They alcohol or run down the child with an believed in God. They were not ashamed to pray. It was a common auto. He does not devise war for gold thing for them to drive through rain and storm for miles, after a or bomb children in churches. day of toil, to some little church or schoolhouse to pray with their Our sickness is so severe that we neighbors and friends, to sing together, and to listen to the preacher. blame Him for all our corruption. A man in our jail defended beating his To them faith was as real as fire, and prayer was as real as potatoes. And their faith gave them certainty of conviction, a comforting two-year-old senseless by saying, "I've assurance within, and made them the admiration of mankind. God always been this way; it's just the way honored them because they honored Him. God made me." God is not a loveless Father. It seems An editorial in the Los Angeles Times put it well in these words: "The old-fashioned folks who founded this Republic put sometimes that He is too far away. religion first in their program. It was the brightest star in their sky. Prayers seem to be unheard. Piety is It was the keynote of their song. . . . They rose above their seas often without reward or recognition. Witnessing is fruitless. But then, we re- of trouble on the wings of faith. . . . Their religion was busy at the member that maturity comes with in- fireside, in the furrow, at the forge, and in the factory. . . . Their dependence. There is a road of alone- faith was willing to sweat blood in service of others. . . . We do ness leading to a time of reunion. We well today to sing understandingly 'Faith of Our Fathers' and 'Faith are never beyond His reach. His arms of Our Mothers.' are not short. His ears are not deaf. "And what was the stuff that old-fashioned religion was made of? It was made of The New Testament constantly re- great beliefs. It cast its anchor deeper than minds us of His love. God is not austere guesses or notions or fancies. It was not a walking question mark. and unapproachable. His door is never It was a standing conviction. . . . Storms could not shake it. Floods locked. His line is never "busy." His could not wash it away. . . . It was the great beliefs of Franklin, schedule is never crowded. How often Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln that made them great. They we forget His availability! accepted the universe and they accepted God." Finally, modern "theology" to the The old-fashioned faith not only believed in God and the uni- contrary, God is not dead. The funeral verse, but it believed in the Bible. The pioneer fathers and mothers of America pillowed their heads on its promises. Do our wise heads services for their God are overdue. I drove to the cemetery recently to bury a today rest as well on any other pillows? Have we found any sub- lonely recluse. The city did not know he stitutes for the spiritualities and inspirations, the precepts and the was dead. Bankers counted money as human interest stories, of the old-fashioned Book? No; simply be- we drove past, merchants sold bread cause they don't exist. and shoes, boys played baseball, girls Democracy will fail when God is forgotten and His Book is typed letters, surgeons worked over neglected. America's greatest need is a revival of the faith of our their tables, and our city hardly paused. fathers and mothers and a return to the teachings of the Bible. One We passed by in the streets, a silent of the most encouraging signs of the times today is the splendid procession of four autos and a hearse. increase in the circulation of Bibles and Bible portions. We thank One hundred thousand people went on God for the splendid work of the American Bible Society in pub- about their tasks. lishing and distributing many millions of the Book each year. Their While the "God is dead" priests goal in 1966 is fifty million copies. If these Books are opened and chant their requiem and move to the read a little every day in the week, there will come increased de- cemetery, the Holy Spirit goes on about sires to do the will of God and to follow the path of righteous liv- His task of conviction and guidance, ing. The faith that blesses the human soul has its roots in the humble people pray, frightened people Book that lives and lifts. END find faith, hopeless people look heaven- ward, preachers tell the story, churches are built, His Word lives on. God is not dead! END

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 5 Christianity,

Islam, and the

Animists in Africa

6 THESE TIMES THE GREAT CONFRONTATION

BY WALTER RAYMOND BEACH

HRISTIANS, Muslims, and animists doctor is many times restored to favor. C have coinhabited large areas of Af- Meanwhile, the development of bizarre rica for centuries. The best estimate to- doctrines and practices linked to former day is that of Africa's 250 million peo- deep-seated animistic beliefs beguile ple, approximately one half are Muslim unstable Christians and deceive the un- and the remaining 50 percent should be instructed to the point where they be- about evenly divided between Chris- come face-saving alternatives for what tians and animists—with a slight edge in the name of Christianity should have for the Christians. been discarded. This subtle revenge of Religiously, Africa is "north" and animism must be countered by the "south." The tenth degree latitude adoption of Biblical apostolic Chris- north, running from Sierra Leone on tianity. the Atlantic to Somalia on the Indian To the north the battle lines are Ocean, is the general line of separation. drawn quite differently. Under colonial- North of that line the population is al- ism the church was firmly in the saddle, most solidly Muslim—with a few ex- backed by Christian believers. Some ceptions for small Coptic communities churches even came to occupy a privi- in Egypt, Southern Sudan, and Ethio- leged, semiestablished position. Recent pia. South of the tenth degree latitude events have changed this and the course north is the stronghold of Christianity of history. During the past fifteen years, and animism. The Islam tide stopped at twenty-nine predominately Muslim Af- the impenetrable jungle. To the north rican countries have gained their inde- of the tenth degree and to the south, pendence from former European Chris- then, Christianity faces very different tian colonial powers. The constitutions problems. of these new nations guarantee rightly To the south, Christianity on the sur- equal treatment for all religions. Taking face has conducted a victorious march. advantage of this, Islam openly avows Urbanism is a determining factor. In that she intends to use the machinery point of fact, animism can survive only of state to further her own ends, for in a rural, tribal society. It withers away Islam is more than a faith; it is an en- in the cities. Today, approximately 50 tire culture. percent of Africans are urban dwellers. No authentic statistics are available In 1939 less than 10 percent of the on the relative rate of advance by people lived in cities. More than 70 Christianity and Islam in Africa. One percent of the rural men have left for thing is sure: An engulfing process is urban areas. Demographers predict that going on, particularly in West Africa, at least 75 percent of the population bringing that vast territory under Mus- will soon be urbanized. With this lim dominance. As an example, we can present rapid urbanization and conse- cite the city of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1950 quent loosening of the old tribal dis- Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa ciplines, the religious future of Africa (750,000), was one sixth Muslim. To- will be, it would seem, a confrontation day this capital of West Nigeria very between Islam and Christianity. evidently is much nearer becoming This is on the surface. Actually, ani- Muslim territory. The directors of the mism is having its revenge. The witch Continued

7 'Islam in Africa" project (initiated by Muslim means the Koran; by "Spirit of most effective means of communication the World Council of Churches and truth" Mohammed; and by "all the and penetration. now operated by the Sudan Missionary truth" Islam. Some would inveigh against the ab- Society and United Evangelical Breth- Basic in Muslim exegesis, too, is a sorbing activity of these institutions in ren Church) contend that Islam's ad- garbled version (in reverse) of the dis- the life of Christian workers. Some- vantage is three to one. They suspect credited Docetic heresy of the second times the thought is that "if we can that some reports (seven to one in fa- century. The claim is that Christ never permeate the country with the spirit of vor of Islam) on the Islamic thrust in died on the cross, because a just God Christ by public presentation of the Africa are prompted by a desire to would not have permitted an innocent everlasting gospel, the church will win stimulate missionary giving at home. man to die in that manner. If wicked Africa." But, why renounce the ways Be that as it may, Muslim's engulfing men had succeeded in so putting Christ and means inspired by the spirit of process is advancing in Africa. The to death, God in His anger would have Christ to win Africa and the rest of the 1961 issue of Our Foreign Missions destroyed the world. What, then, did world? The viewpoint just mentioned, (an Ahmadiya Muslim publication) happen? Jesus merely seemed to die too, is closely related to Bonhoeffer's contains this outline of a program: (Doceo), and Barabbas was substi- "Christianity Without Religion." Thus "The task of shattering the Cross to tuted for Jesus, who was spirited away the church could also be considered pieces demands that just as Christian to Kashmir (Himalayas), where He dispensable. In Islam the mosque is missionaries have been penetrating to died a natural death—as is "proved" dispensable; but Christ's messages are the corners of the earth, our Ahmadi by the existence in that distant land of incomprehensible without His teaching Muslim missionaries should roll the tide the still extant "tomb of Jesus of Naz- on the church and the church's mission back and carry the fight into the home- areth." to the world. lands of the Christians themselves. . . . Naturally, for the Christian the ap- The good accomplished by church- Christian plans for dominance of the proach to such reasoning or lack of it sponsored institutions is important, too. Cross all over the world have been must be simple and special, theologi- Let us not forget that Christian motives brought to naught. . . . The wind is now cally speaking. Meanwhile, the school and methods in imparting Christ's gos- beginning to blow from East to West, and the medical institution remain the pel of compassion are important and . . . and the day does not seem distant when only one religion will prevail all over the world, the religion brought by the prophet Mohammed." AFRICA To forward this program in Africa, Continued the Islamic thrust is not academic but empirical. The teachings of the prophet are spread largely by traders, many of whom are illiterate. They advance through a never-ending witness to their faith five times a day. They make an immediate mosque of their prayer mats in the aisles of trains and airports, in vacant city lots. The attitude is: "It is prayer time. I must bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Mo- hammed is his prophet." God's "good news" must be pre- sented then in simple terms. The Chris- tian teaching must be established clearly and without extensive theological in- volvement. The Islamic conception of theology is simple, and sometimes the Muslim exegesis of the Christian Scrip- ture is ludicrous because of the basic simplicity prompted by theological ig- norance. As an example, consider this completely garbled view of Moham- med's mission: Muslim exegesis claims that Jesus foretold the coming of Mohammed and acknowledged that Islam would be su- perior to Christianity. This is based on the words of Jesus, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but you can not bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth." (See John 14:15-31.) The

8 can be self-defeating. Our motives and Mention has been made, too, of the sion of the component parts. These are methods must be pure in this great problem of church leadership. In Africa fundamentals upon which can be built African confrontation. as elsewhere the overall aim must be the edifice of the African church and Problems we must likewise face in to provide for a self-supporting, self- the church in all the world. They are Africa are those involved in making governing, and self-extending church. the large basis of normalcy. The fore- the everlasting gospel accessible to the This leadership problem is crucial, and shadowing of an emergency or a crisis Muslim African and to the African we can understand the perplexity con- need not be a determining factor. With- generally. The problem is posed in fronting the leaders of church mission- out thought of crisis or of the forced sharp focus by this statement from a ary programs. The future of the mis- departure of overseas workers, the churchman who reports on the Muslim- sion outreach is here at stake. In view leadership of the church will be ap- Christian confrontation: of the urgency, solutions are put forth pointed as the projection, the natural "Islam is besting us in 'West Africa according to circumstances and pos- projection, of our world conception. because Islam there has become Afri- sibilities. Expediency regularly appears Qualifications for this leadership will can. Like Christianity it was once an as a determining factor. The end re- not be the special gifts of a race or a import. But, unlike Christianity, it long sult in some cases has been a total dis- people or a school. ago became, except in rare instances, integration of individual church mis- Experience teaches in Africa as else- an indigenous religion under native sionary programs. where that the work of God's church is leadership." The thought is that Afri- In point of fact, the Seventh-day best fostered in any section of the can Christianity should develop its own Adventist Church need encounter no world by a cosmopolitan working force. distinctive ethos and forms; but this such problems. The structural frame- Such a setup brings into action gifts Africanization of Christianity involves work of the Seventh-day Adventist sufficiently varied to counterbalance grave problems. Here as in all things Church provides for a self-supporting, weaknesses and to enhance qualities the evangelistic end (success) does not self-governing, and self-extending and constitute the constant reminder of justify all, means. The gospel message church in Africa as in all parts of the a movement embracing "every nation, must be kept pure, too. world. Every unit of the Advent church and kindred, and tongue, and people." We can be enlightened by the de- is self-propagating and self-governing Then the normal play of circumstances, formation process which took place in within the framework of the world the carrying out of the fundamental Europe from the third and fourth cen- church. The whole is responsible for principles, brings into specific positions turies onward, because the purpose every part. The weaker units find assist- of leadership on every level the men then was to make Christianity indige- ance in associating themselves with and women whose preparation, whose nous at all costs. This deformation the whole; the stronger gather inspira- spiritual, moral, and mental powers, brought the medieval darkness of tion in the same association. The whose experience, authority, and abil- Christianity. Only the proclamation of French say "one hand washes the other ity to get the work done, indicate that the everlasting gospel in the setting of and together they both wash the face." they are the best qualified for these the judgment hour would rescue the The Seventh-day Adventist Church positions. Christian cause from the grips of apos- on every level, from the local church to This goes for Africa and for all the tasy and a mistaken view of the Chris- the union organization, organizes and world. And in this context the prob- tian mission. It still obtains that, directs, builds up the house of God and lems of evangelism, church administra- starting with the sixteenth-century extends His work, counseling with one tion, and world unity can be solved, Reformation, the temple of truth had to another through a general leadership and the work of God finished in all the be rebuilt in view of the last phase of which itself is the sum total and expres- earth. END God's cause on earth. Thus in our efforts to adjust and adapt the Christian message, we must beware lest the everlasting gospel be replaced by a clever syncretism. They who follow this road will arrive at the GUIDEPOSTS conclusions adopted by attentive stu- dents of the African scene. After years BY JANE MERCHANT of study, one conclusion is that "almost all Christianity in Africa is not sub- stitutive of animism but additive to it." One acorn from the huge tree on the hill Really, this is what happened in the Where May and I lunched with a squirrel one day; third-century church, which adopted elements from Platonism in order to One pebble from the creek where chuckles spill make itself acceptable to the intelli- From rock to rock along a mountain way; gentsia. Likewise the church adopted One little piece of birch bark, powder-white, and baptized some of the customs prev- alent in the Greek mystery religions. Shaped for a baby fairy's first canoe— Even the day dedicated to the sun re- Three small things kept from summer's long delight placed the crux of divine worship: obe- dience to the Creator and recognition of Will always guide my heart where summer flew. His authority in the seventh-day Sab- bath.

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 9 On the swirling fringes of the curious crowd she was swept along— a nameless face, O'grQAroccic, a feeble body, steadily growing more feeble. What if the crushing crowd, now bearing her along, should let her sink, exhausted, to the dust— the searing, choking dust— Vjfa, should trample heedless feet upon her prostrate form, should forsake her as an unclaimed clump of lifeless rags? The sense of threatening danger penetrated her nausea, roused her dizzying brain, clarified her thoughts, until her lips formed anew her oft-repeated pledge: I SHALL BE WHOLE. It was not that she spoke the words to anybody, for who would believe her? Who would listen? Indeed, had she not come to question whether she could believe herself? Had not twelve relentless years of searing pain— of hope renewed to be destroyed, renewed to be destroyed again, and yet again— had they not made hope well-nigh hopeless? But somewhere—somewhere in this crowd, BY GORDON M. HYDE this jostling, contentious, kaleidoscopic crowd, walks a new Physician and on Him rests her reemerging hope. It had not been easy to believe the stories the neighbors told, of miracles performed, for high and low, for poor and rich, without respect to person. But steadily the evidence had mounted, broadened then, and deepened, till from the dust of disappointment, disillusion, destitution, Faith had called forth hope's assertion: I SHALL BE WHOLE! But now, here in the crowd, Faith falters, Hope hesitates, Trust trembles. Could He who restored the widow's dead son, He who healed the leper by the sea, He who stilled death-waves on Galilee, He who mastered demons at Gergesa, Could He not know that she, in whom His power had kindled hope, was seeking Him, oh, so desperately in this cruel crush?

10 Perhaps she never should have left the sanctuary of humble home, never should have contended with the seaside crowd, never should have dragged herself, pain-bowed, to Levi-Matthew's house, only to find that doors which shut the Healer in shut her out. And now, if what she hears is right, Jairus, Ruler of the Synagogue, does with the Master walk and talk. And she? Who is she? What hope has she? Cruel cynicism, punctuated by stabbing pain, underlined by the memory of twelve bitter years, batters at the citadel of faith within her heart. Jesus Christ is in our midst And this indifferent crowd! Can she contend much more? Yet from this very crowd she gathers wisps of conversation today—not far from any one as the people eddy about her: of us. fancy eating with publicans . . ." . . enemy of our people.), "He healed my child. . ." •• . know where He's going now?" if . . . child of Jairus . . . sick . . dying." . . going to heal her . . ." f Too late. . . . Dead." . . going anyway. Remember the son at Nain." It is enough. Her citadel of faith still stands, fortified with evidence anew. This is still the Man she needs to see. With faith trial-tested, she proclaims to herself as true: I SHALL BE WHOLE. "But if only I could see Him. "If only I could find . . ." And there He is! Suddenly! The Man of her long quest, Hope of all her hopes. Why, she could touch Him—if she dared. Why, if she spoke to Him, He would hear her! He is close enough. But her pounding heart will not permit the words to come, her breath supports no sound. And too, there is that man Jairus, Ruler of the Synagogue. But the crowd—the crowd is closing in; about to rob her of her golden moment, the chance that might never come again. The faith of her life is compressed into deliberate, conscious, consumiftg action. She presses forward, reaching—reaching desperately through the crowd, and saying to herself, more strongly: "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole." Continued

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 11 Continued She only touched the hem of His garment, but in that instant, twelve dreary years of pain and feebleness were gone. Her faith vindicated, her trust in the Lord confirmed, her one boon granted, her soul overflowing with gratitude, and the love of God, she is now ready to commit her nameless self to the curious crowd. But there are no eddies, no movements of the crowd, to cover her retreat. Movement has ceased. The Lord stands still; His disciples stand still; even Jairus and the crowd are still. And the Lord is looking intently toward her. And the Lord is asking, "Who touched me?" A murmur of merriment and surprise ripples through the crowd, and one disciple protests the folly of the question in such a crowd. But the Lord does not change His purpose, does not shift His gaze; persists with His question, as He says, "Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me." Finding concealment vain, the nameless woman— her radiant countenance bejeweled with swift-falling tears of grateful joy— casts herself at the Saviour's feet, pours forth the story of her hidden healing. For all time it must be known that the touch of the pressing crowd upon Christ's person, was casual; that the touch of the nameless woman, even upon His garment, was causal; that God's believing children are to declare His goodness. And the divine benediction fell: "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." Jesus Christ is in our midst today. He is not far from any one of us. But the crowd, the world, is closing in. May not today offer the final chance of healing? Whatever the past, whatever the need, reach for Him now through the crowd, saying, "If I may but touch His garment, I SHALL BE WHOLE!" END

12 THESE TIMES GOD'S TRIPLE WARNING TO A DISOBEDIENT WORLD

BY OTTO H. CHRISTENSEN

To those who have not read Revelation 14:6-12, our title may present several questions. What is the significance of this warn- ing? Why three? When will they be given? Who will proclaim them? Are they for our day? What will they accomplish? Will Christendom heed them? What are they all about? Let us examine them that we may find the answer to these questions. Turn to the insert on the next page and note their content. First, verse 6 states that an angel was seen carrying the ever- lasting gospel to the whole world. Now, God has never commis- sioned angels to preach the gospel. This task was committed to men by Jesus in the great commission of Matthew 28:19, 20. Angels, however, may direct and assist men in that work by min- istering to their needs. (Hebrews 1:14.) Thus this particular work is no doubt under the direction of a specific angel, followed Continued Continued Let us now consider the messages themselves. Since by two other messages under the direction of two other they are God's last warning for our day, they must repre- angels. But man is to do the preaching. sent the needs of our day. The first one reads, "Fear God, Further, God makes it clear that these messages di- and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is rected by these angels contain the everlasting gospel, or come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the "good news" of salvation to man. Then it must be the sea, and the fountains of waters." Notice first of all, that these are specific messages for a specific time in which that there is a call to fear (reverence) God and give glory are incorporated the gospel message. Noah, Elijah, and to Him. In this day when even "Christian" leaders are John the Baptist—each had a specific message for his declaring that God is dead, there could be no greater need day, yet each contained the gospel of salvation. But when are these messages to be given "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people"? Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 24:14, that "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a wit- ness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." This "everlasting gospel" of Revelation 14 is to be preached "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Hence, on the basis of Christ's word, these messages are to be delivered to the world just before the end. The message of the "judgment" certainly implies the end to be THE THREE ANGELS' MESSAGES at hand. Furthermore, the messages themselves warn of the second coming of Christ and the judgments of the "And I saw another angel fly in the midst seven last plagues. Thus, they must be messages to be of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to given in the last days. The fact that there are three indi- preach unto them that dwell on the earth, cates their importance. God sends a triple warning, the and to every nation, and kindred, and one following the other and joining together in one three- tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, fold message for the world. And immediately following the Fear God, and give glory to hint; for the presentation of these messages John the revelator gives a our of his judgment is come: and worship description of the coming of Christ to earth. (Revelation im that made heaven, and earth, and the 14:13-20.) What a solemn message this threefold message a, and the fountains of waters. And there must be, and how important that we should understand followed another angel, saying, Babylon is and heed it! fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she In the record does the prophet indicate what the re- made all nations drink of the wine of the sults will be if we heed these messages? Incorporated in wrath of her fornication. And the third angel the second message that Babylon is fallen is a call to followed them, saying with a loud voice, If come out of her. This message is repeated with greater em- any man worship the beast and his image, phasis in Revelation 18:1-4: "And after these things I saw and receive his mark in his forehead, or in another angel come down from heaven, having great power; his hand, the same shall drink of the wine and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried of the wrath of God, which is poured out mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is wkhout mixture into the cup of his in- fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and dignation; and he shall be tormented with the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean fire and brimstone in the presence of the and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of holy angels, and in the presence of the the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have Lamb: and the smoke of their torment as- committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the cendeth up for ever and ever: and they have earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her deli- no rest day nor night, who worship the cacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, beast and his image, and whosoever receil eth Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of the mark of his name. Here is the patience her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." of the saints: here are they that keen the Surely God would not wish His people to remain in commandments of God, and the faith of fallen Babylon. Those who come out He calls "my people." Jesus."—Rey Thus these messages are God's call of mercy to His people to separate from error and evil and to prepare for eternity with the redeemed. Those who respond to the messages are in the way of a message from God than this part of the described in Revelation 14:12: "Here is the patience of first message. the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of The next part says, "For the hour of his judgment is God, and the faith of Jesus." Here they are contrasted with come." Notice it says "is come." This message then is a those who do not respond. Evidently those who do not declaration of a judgment already begun. This period of respond are disobedient to God's commandments, for they time before His coming, when the books of heaven are be- obey the "beast" power, and render their worship and al- ing examined and the names of all men come in review be- legiance to him in contrast with God's commandment- fore God to determine their final state, is also portrayed by keeping people. This is God's last warning message to a the prophet Daniel. (Daniel 7:9, 10.) This investigation disobedient world. And there is great urgency in its procla- of records is essential that names may be blotted out of mation. the book of life (Exodus 32:33) or sins blotted out from

14 THESE TIMES the books of record (Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12, 15) be- gateway to heaven. In other words, ancient Babylon is used fore Christ's coming, for when He comes, every case will as a symbol of spiritual modern Babylon. Evidently, then, have been decided. The prophet Daniel pointed out even it must be a church or churches having a form of godliness the time when this would begin prior to Christ's return. but which have lost their spiritual power. John the Revela- See Daniel 8:14. The year 1844 marked the beginning of tor explains further in chapter 17 what he means by the judgment. Babylon. He says it is a woman drunk with the blood of As one sees the awful spiritual decline in Christendom the saints. Now a woman in symbolism represents a and its attendant loss of fear and respect for God, one can- church. This is clear in several places, including Revelation not help but wonder how this decline has come about. 12:1-3, Jeremiah 6:2, and others. Therefore, here is a The message itself has the answer as is revealed by the message from God informing His people that this former history of the Christian church in the past century. The gateway to heaven has spiritually fallen and calling on His message is, "Worship him that made heaven, and earth, people to come out of her, "for her sins have reached unto and the sea, and the fountains of waters." It is denial of heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." (Reve- God as the Creator, together with the substitution of evolu- lation 18:5.) After the call to the true worship of the tion as the prime cause, that has brought on liberalism, Creator as outlined in the first message, He strengthens it higher criticism, doubt of the Bible, and their corollary of by saying, "Babylon . . . is fallen. . . . Come out of her, my general skepticism and ultimate loss of reverence and people," because the hour of His judgment is come, and respect for God. Christ's people must make themselves ready for the great Therefore God's timely message is, "Worship him that event of the second advent. Since there is no way of ac- made heaven, and earth." The God of creation is the issue, cepting God's truth within, they must come out. We may and an invitation to the worship instituted at creation is heed God's call or not. But the results in either case are the call. God is reminding us that man is the product of clearly presented. The choice is ours. Doubtless Babylon His hands, and though man was willingly disobedient, He refers to the great threefold union of the Papacy, apostate provided a way of escape from a just punishment and is Protestantism, and spiritism. now about to judge him on the basis of his attitude to his In Revelation 17 this woman Babylon is also associated Creator and his worship of the only true God as his with the "beast" power. In fact, they are almost one, and Creator. This is the "everlasting gospel." in Revelation 14 the third angel's message gives a fearful When God had finished His work of creation, He warning concerning this "beast" power and against those rested on the seventh day and blessed it and set it apart who do not come out of "Babylon" but continue to worship for a sacred use. The Sabbath day was ever to be a re- the "beast." Now a beast is used in Scripture to represent minder of God as the Creator. Hence, in reiterating it in the a worldly power. That this is a worldly religious power is fourth commandment God said, "Remember the sabbath clear from the context because it makes religious require- day, to keep it holy. . . . For in six days the Lord made ments of worship and persecutes those who do not yield heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. . . ." Had to it. The beast may be identified as Satan working through the Sabbath always been kept as God intended it for a political and religious agencies that have submitted to his memorial of creation, there would have been no evolu- control. tionary theory, and God as the Creator would not have Note God's third and last message of warning: "And been denied. Two thousand years ago John was given this the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, message for our day. How timely and appropriate! Now If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive God is calling us back to His original plan. his mark in his forehead, or in his hand [see Revelation 13: In view of this call, and that the picture may be clear 12-18], the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of to the honest in heart, God sends a second message to em- God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup phasize the first: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8. In a later presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment chapter (18:1-5) the message is added, "Come out of her, ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day my people." Thus Babylon must be where some, at least, nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and who- of God's people have been and now are being called out. soever receiveth the mark of his name." The question is, What is Babylon? What a solemn warning! Surely God would not send Formerly ancient Babylon was the oppressor of God's such a punishment upon an unwarned world. Such a people, Israel, and took them captive. When Babylon fell, message, then, is to be understood and proclaimed to the God wrote on the wall of her palace, "You are weighed in world. Happily, it now is being proclaimed by all the the balances and found wanting." The name Babylon was modern methods of communication in almost every nation derived from the ancient city Babel, where the tower that on earth in over 800 languages. It is not something being was to reach unto heaven was built to save them from done in a corner, but is sounding to every nation, kindred, another flood. Thus, Babylon represents oppression of tongue, and people. And now it has come to you. God's people and unbelief in God's message. The name It is clear that the first angel's message is a call to wor- Babel, composed of two words, Bab and El, means "gate, ship the Creator. This is just the opposite of the worship of or gateway, of God, or of heaven." This was its original the beast warned against in the third message. Beast wor- meaning, but because of God's confounding their language ship is Satan's last great deception. God knew it was com- and bringing about its fall, it has come to mean "con- ing and has given us forewarning. False worship is to be fusion." universal. Just so, God's message is to be universal—going In the Book of Revelation the fall of Babylon is used "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." to represent a spiritual fall from the pretension of being the Continued

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 15 BY DAN HARMAN Andy! He won top prize in the big de- "JUST HUMBLY bate today." IS VOICE was excited. "Hey, Mom, Andy's mother dropped her gaze. THANKFUL" H I won! I won!" It was the voice "No, I can't say I'm proud of him. But of young Andy. Only a sophomore in I am humbly thankful for my son. God high school, Andy had won first place has been good to me. I'm thankful for in a debating contest. It was his first all of my children." win, and he was proud. That was the end of the conversa- "That's nice, son. I'm happy for tion. But it made a profound impres- you." Andy was a little disappointed, sion on Andy. Being a Christian but he said nothing. Couldn't she un- couldn't include being proud of that derstand how much it meant for a lowly which God had accomplished. Mother sophomore to lick a senior from the was humbly thankful, so Andy found competing high school? Andy wandered that he, too, needed to be humbly quietly to the backyard. thankful for things accomplished. He stood in the corner, looking over And he was thankful. Folks in edu- the back fence at a bird in a neighbor- cational circles still call him Andy. He ing yard. The screen door banged be- is the president of the University of hind him. His mother had come to the Tennessee, Dr. Andrew H. Holt. He's yard to hang clothes. a Christian. He's a gentleman. He's a "Oh, Mrs. Holt, you must be so man who respects God, man, and his proud!" It was the neighbor calling to family. Andy's mother. Neither woman saw And he's humbly thankful for what Andy in the corner. God is doing in so many people's lives. "You must be so very proud of your END

GOD'S TRIPLE WARNING TO A DISOBEDIENT WORLD ONE WORD CAN Continued This is the message for the world today. The desperation of CHANGE YOUR LIFE the evil one leads to persecution, as pictured in Reve- lation 13. EXAMPLE The issue is clear. God has a mark or seal and is call- When you face God someday, you'll surely ing upon all the truehearted to receive it in their forehead. See Revelation 14:1; 7:2, 3; 22:4; and Ezekiel 9:4. Satan want to say, "Father, I did my best on behalf of also has a mark and will enforce it upon all, either by their the children in my home, in my neighborhood, in mental acceptance of it ("in his forehead"), or by physical my church, to prepare them to carry on Thy yielding ("his hand"), the forehead being a symbol of in- work." telligence, memory, and will, and the hand being a symbol An old proverb runs like this: "If you would of labor. Thus the mark has to do with worship and labor, plan for a year, plant grain; if you would plan for or ceasing from labor; in other words, a day of worship. ten years, plant trees; if you would plan for a It has to do with God's commandments, for the ones who hundred years, plant men." It's our Christian re- heed God's messages keep His commandments. They have sponsibility to plant men and women who will be accepted Him as. Creator and the worship that commem- helping to make the world a lot better than they orates creation, namely, the true Sabbath of the Lord. found it. The issue, however, is not merely a question of a day, What excuse can we give to Christ if we fail to but of obedience to God and the recognition of Him as train our young people in His service? Will we say, the Creator. It is a question of whose side we are on. And surely it will require the faith of Jesus to stand up against "I was always too busy; I felt someone else would a world decree soon to come. News of the religious world look after their souls"? tells us that universal religious power is on the way. The Young people depend upon your example, the groundwork is now being laid. Are we ready for the issue? word that can change your life. Will you hear and heed God's threefold message? In love Robert W. Olewiler. and mercy He is calling you today. END

16 THESE TIMES WHAT THE CROSS MEANS TO YOU

BY ROY E. GRAHAM

CURIOUS CROWD cynical soldiers, stead He was a comparatively young sion of uniqueness was made upon the A jeering bystanders, a few weeping man with an impeccable moral record, witnesses of this garish scene. relatives or friends—and in the midst a teacher of authority, of whom the A miscarriage of justice today al- of this motley group, a man struggling people of Palestine asserted, "Never ways causes agitation, but in those days under the weight of the crossbar of man spake like this man." Unusual of long ago it happened so frequently that Roman instrument for executing miracles had been performed by Him that the minds of the majority were criminals, a cross. in many places in Judea, Samaria, and numbed by the long oppression of the Such a scene was commonplace in Galilee; but these very achievements conquerors. That any group of people the conquered countries where the Ro- had brought upon Him the wrath of the could band together and make the one man standard had been raised. Just religionists of His day. Although the crucified the very center of their loyalty such an execution was witnessed by the Roman governor had publicly declared and devotion, at the same time per- people of Jerusalem nearly two thou- that he found no fault in the Man, he suading others to accept their views, sand years ago. It all followed the usual had given in to the clamor of the would be almost inconceivable by hu- pattern, except that of the three people crowd, and Jesus of Nazareth died on man reasoning. Yet we are faced with doomed to die in this manner One was the cross, as had so many criminals pre- the fact that in this instance this is ex- not the customary criminal paying the viously. Strange phenomena attended actly what happened; and this move- penalty for some heinous crime. In- His death, and a momentary impres- Continued Continued He was without sin. Pilate "knew that more momentous as we pause for a ment, founded on the experiences of the chief priests had delivered him up moment and consider who it was that Calvary and centering its whole teach- for envy." (Mark 15:10.) Luke says died on the cross. The Bible is too clear ing around "the cross of Christ," has that Christ's opponents "were filled to be misunderstood on this point. "But continued and grown through the cen- with madness [or anger]; and com- God commendeth his love toward us, in turies, with a message unchanged by muned one with another what they that, while we were yet sinners, Christ the passing years. Such a phenomenon might do to Jesus." (Luke 6:11.) died for us. Much more then, being challenges every thinking person. Why Envy, spiritual blindness, anger, preju- now justified by his blood, we shall be should this be so? What is the power dice, and cowardice were the immedi- saved from wrath through him. For if, of that symbol of Christianity, the ate sins of Christ's foes that put Jesus when we were enemies, we were recon- cross? What is its significance? on the cross. ciled to God by the death of his Son, We shall find our answers in the Bi- But the death of Christ had deeper much more, being reconciled, we shall ble, and in particular in the New Testa- and more far-reaching significance than be saved by his life." Romans 5:8-10. ment. No one who reads this Book can that. Let us read certain other passages It was God's "only begotten Son" fail to be impressed that a major por- of Scripture carefully. "He is the pro- who died on Calvary. Sin came through tion of its message deals with various pitiation [or reconciling sacrifice] for the transgression of God's law; there- aspects of the cross. our sins: and not for our's only, but fore only one equal to the law could One of the New Testament writers also for the sins of the whole world." be the perfect sacrifice of substitution. who had formerly been the leading Jesus met the need in every particular; persecutor of the Christians became and He, the Sinless One, died as a their greatest protagonist, and in his criminal for you and me. We should letter to the church at Corinth he spoke have undergone that terrible suffering, in this way: "For the preaching of the anguish, and eventual death; but Jesus cross is to them that perish foolishness; took our place. He was crucified for but unto us which are saved it is the you and me, as Charles Wesley wrote, power of God." "For the Jews require "to bring us rebels back to God." a sign, and the Greeks seek after wis- "Christ was treated as we deserve, that dom: but we preach Christ crucified, we might be treated as He deserves. unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and He was condemned for our sins, in unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto which He had no share, that we might them which are called, both Jews and be justified by His righteousness, in Greeks, Christ the power of God, and which we had no share. He suffered the the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians death which was ours, that we might 1:18, 22-24. receive the life which was His. 'With It is not surprising then that a little His stripes we are healed.' "—Ellen G. later Paul further states emphatically, White, The Desire of Ages, p. 25. "For I determined not to know any As the amazing truth is unfolded to thing among you, save Jesus Christ, us, we look now at the death which and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2. Jesus died at that time. It was not the This was the message that gripped ordinary physical death which is the hearts then and transformed lives. And lot of saint and sinner, which the Bible it has gone on doing the same work repeatedly calls sleep. He tasted that through the centuries. The center and death which is described in the Scrip- circumference of the Christian message tures as the "second death." No one is and always has been the cross of need fear the sleep of death, for God Christ. is with us in the valley of the shadow. Why should such a tragedy give 1 John 2:2. The cross reveals Jesus dy- But Jesus was cut off from the presence power to a message? In 1 Corinthians ing as a sacrifice for the sins of the of God at His crucifixion. Hear again 15:3 we discover this cryptic statement: whole world and of all time. Peter pre- that despairing cry, "My God, my God, "Christ died for our sins." Through the sents a further feature of its work when why hast thou forsaken me?" Matthew weary years of time man has grappled he writes, "For Christ also hath once 27:46. Yes, Jesus paid the full penalty in various ways with the problem of suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, for sin. He went all the way. Because sin, but he has never been able to han- that he might bring us to God, being of who He was, and because of the dle the problem. Conscious of the Bi- put to death in the flesh, but quickened type of death that He died, we can ble's declaration that "all have sinned, by the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18. To this carefully consider now the practical and come short of the glory of God," the Apostle Paul gives confirmation in significance of the cross. made aware of the truth that "the these words: "For he hath made him The cross was a sacrifice, a substitu- wages of sin is death," man faces hope- to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that tion for me, but this made it the way of lessly and helplessly this something in we might be made the righteousness of salvation. If Jesus had not died on the him which is sin. But the message of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. cross, you and I would be faced with the cross reveals that Jesus died on the Thus the death of Jesus was a substitu- an insoluble problem, and we would be cruel tree in our place. tionary sacrifice for all sin and every compelled to accept the inevitable. The It was not extraordinary wickedness sinner. cross gives us first the power o' choice. that put Jesus on the cross. In Himself The significance of this becomes We do not need to bow to the inevi- table—eternal death. We can choose are the desires of every normal human eternal life, for Jesus has made this being. They can be a reality in your life possible. if by faith you will accept the experi- GOD'S GIFT TO US—ETERNAL If we make this choice, we begin to ences of the cross as being for you. LIFE THROUGH CHRIST understand the "mystery of the gospel," Around the world millions have of which such frequent mention is found the answer to their needs by re- made in the New Testament. It is not ceiving into their lives the Jesus of the Throughout all the history of the an unknowable thing, but a hidden se- cross. Thousands and ten thousands world mankind has always sought some cret, one into which we can be initiated. from every race and clime have experi- type of religion. It is natural for human "The natural man receiveth not the enced a transformation of life and out- beings to look to some power higher things of the Spirit of God: for they look by surrendering heart and life to than their own. The religion of the are foolishness unto him: neither can the claims of Jesus. The popular hymn world has often taken on strange and he know them, because they are spiri- says, "What He's done for others, He'll unusual forms and frequently has de- tually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14. do for you." He will. You, too, can veloped into types of sadism, both The work of Jesus on the cross set- know the peace that passes understand- physical and spiritual. Truly there have tles the past. We have forgiveness ing. But this acceptance is not some- been lords many and gods many, with through His blood. All the skeletons in thing which is merely highly desirable differing creeds, doctrines, and prac- the closets of our lives are removed; or beneficial. It is also vital. The cross tices. Many various types of punish- for the blood of Jesus, the life of Christ, ment have been threatened, and some cleanses us from all our sins if we ac- were even inflicted upon those who did cept this provision. We are thus enabled not adhere strictly to the tenets of to stand before God just as if we had those religious leaders then in power not sinned. and who attempted to control the reli- With the past removed, the present gious thinking of others. These condi- still remains a problem; for we need tions which have been associated with help not only with the guilt of sin, but religious practices through the ages also with its power. This is the glory have brought much suffering and un- of the cross. It deals with both needs. happiness, and in many instances a re- The Christ who died on the cross is the ligious despotism has crept into the so- same Christ who arose from the dead. called Christian requirements. All these He is the One who ascended back into vicious practices were carried on that heaven, and who ever lives to make in- salvation could be obtained. Cruelty, tercession for us. He provides the pres- suffering, and persecution were offered ent help that we need so that sin need and sought as a means of grace. no longer have dominion over us. Our Those who read and understand the part in this is to allow Christ to work in Bible have a much brighter, happier us to strengthen us to do His will and viewpoint. The Apostle Paul in his good pleasure. Epistle to the Romans says, "For I am Finally the cross assures our future. not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: Jesus met the challenge of evil suc- for it is the power of God unto salva- cessfully. By death He was able to tion to every one that believeth; to the "destroy him that had the power of Jew first, and also to the Greek. For death, that is, the devil; and deliver reveals to all mankind just what sin therein is the righteousness of God re- them who through fear of death were means to God, how He abhors it, and vealed from faith to faith: as it is writ- all their lifetime subject to bondage." that one day He will eradicate it from ten, The just shall live by faith." Ro- (Hebrews 2:14, 15.) Having passed the world. But His hatred is confined to mans 1:16, 17. The gospel of Jesus successfully through the portals of sin; He loves the sinner. He therefore Christ is so closely related to righteous- death, Jesus has left a light in the dark- appeals, "Turn ye, turn ye, from your ness by faith that the two are insepara- est place of human experience. More- evil ways; for why will ye die?" Ezekiel ble. over, He has defeated the devil, the one 33 : 11. In the scripture referred to above we who has dogged man's footsteps since Can you think of any good reason have the good news of salvation by Eden; and by the cross the complete for not accepting the Christ of the faith—no sadistic doctrine of penance, vanquishing of the archdeceiver is as- cross? You have everything to gain by no impossible ritual, no strange and sured. saying Yes to the appeals of God's unusual creed, no cruelty, no persecu- Do you desire to live a full and Spirit right now, wherever you may be. tion, but merely the simple process of happy life here and now? Do you de- Come to Calvary. Say, "Lord, take me, believing. sire to have the personal assurance of for I cannot give myself. I am weak No believer in the Holy Scriptures life without end? Do you long to dwell and sinful, but I want to be as You will deny the facts that every person in a land where the inhabitant shall not would have me. Make me what I need born into the world is born in sin and say, "I am sick"; where all tears, sad- to be so that I can enter at last Thine without faith in the power and blood of ness, and sorrow are gone forever? Do everlasting kingdom." Jesus Christ is hopelessly lost. you need a hope that carries you May God help you to make this de- The gift of God involved the life and through every crisis of life? Do you cision and to know the power of the death of His only Son. This gift is for want security and peace within? These cross in your life, too. ❑ Continued "Actually, there is power in the Gospel for coming to an end—we might even feel that it those who know how to receive it. The three had only just begun."—E. V. Rieu. letters TNT, abbreviation for The New Testa- ment, on the back of some small editions of this "My mother's habit was, every day, immedi- book, cryptically suggests this fact!"—G. Ray ately after breakfast, to withdraw for an hour Jordan, Beyond Despair. to her own room, and to spend that hour in reading the Bible, in meditation and prayer. ". . . Let the Gospels speak. Of what I have From that hour, as from a pure fountain, she learnt from these documents in the course of drew the strength and sweetness which enabled my long task, I will say nothing now. Only this, her to fulfill all her duties, and to remain un- that they bear the seal of the Son of Man and ruffled by all the worries and pettiness which are God, they are the Magna Charta of the human so often the intolerable trial of narrow neighbor- spirit. Were we to devote to their comprehension hoods. As I think of her life, and all it had to a little of the selfless enthusiasm that is now bear, I see the absolute triumph of Christian expended on the riddle of our physical surround- grace in the lovely ideal of a Christian lady."— ings, we would cease to say that Christianity is Dean Frederick Farrar.

every person on earth who will believe which He will continue to live through- the hope that gave courage to the three in Him and accept His grace. "For God out the ages of eternity, must be lived Hebrew children when they were called so loved the world, that he gave his out daily within the life of the individ- upon to pass through the fiery furnace, only begotten Son, that whosoever be- ual. This is a promise which is certain the hope that filled the breast of Daniel lieveth in him should not perish, but of fulfillment. and strengthened him in the den of have everlasting life." John 3:16. Eter- As already stated, this gift of eternal lions. It is the hope that filled the nal life is a gift which is free to every life comes through Jesus Christ our martyrs as they went to the stake in person on earth who will believe. Lord. No other person in all the great the days of religious persecution, and Since man first lost life because of universe could bestow such a gift. The it is the hope that fills the heart and sin there has been nothing so precious angels of heaven, who throughout the life of every believer today wherever as life. A person may by fair means or ages have taken a profound interest in he may be—whether upon the field of foul be able to amass a great fortune. the welfare of man in the battle be- battle or in the disease-infested jungles He may hold onto that fortune like tween good and evil and who have of the tropics or in the faithless thor- grim death, but when he comes face to done such valiant and noble service, oughfares of the great cities of the face with the shroud and pall of death, could not make such a gift even though earth. This blessed faith is not merely how gladly he would give everything they might be willing to do so. Only the for the few who may have a superior on earth that he possesses for only a Son of God, who created man in His intelligence or who may have a greater few more years of life. Yes, life is own image in the first place and placed influence than their fellowmen, but it sweet, even in this old world of misery him upon the earth, could make such is for everyone who has faith to believe. and sin, but the promise of God is a gift as this. Christ was able to do this In this troubled world of today few eternal life, a life that can never end, because He was willing to pay the people have a feeling of peace in their one that measures with the very life penalty of sin which hung over man be- hearts, but this experience of justifica- of the Creator Himself. The life which cause of his disobedience. This righ- tion by faith brings a peace which is God first gave to man in the Garden of teousness which is bestowed upon man- beyond understanding. END Eden before he fell into sin—that sin kind through the belief in the gift of which brought sickness, unhappiness, God and through the life of Christ is disappointment, sorrow, and death in the righteousness which comes by faith. Reprints of this article (Number MF-5) its train—is the life that is promised to It is the life that may be possessed by and others in this series of Messages of Faith man as a free gift merely by believing every person on earth who will ac- are available. Prices, postpaid to one ad- in and accepting the power of Jesus cept it. dress: Single copies, 5 cents; 10 copies, 45 Christ. The life which Jesus lived while It is the hope of eternal life that has cents; 100 copies, $4.00; entire set (24), $1.00. Special prices for larger quantities. He was upon the earth, and which He strengthened the faith of all the saints Address: Reprint Editor, Box 59, Nashville, now lives by the throne of God, and of God throughout the ages of the past, Tennessee 37202.

Gentlemen: Without cost or obligation, please enroll me in your course in We desperately need a map to help us find our way systematic study. through the confusing turns of life. And there is such a map. The Bible can be likened to a series of maps which reveal Name the way to the Father and Home. The Bible is also the guidebook to the way of life, peace, joy, service, fruitfulness, Address and reward. Like the road maps provided by oil companies. Language the Bible is available to everyone. All can read it and find the best way to live happily and with success. If you wish (Available in most national tongues) help in understanding the Bible, we offer you a free cor- Mail coupon to The Bible Course for Busy People respondence course. Simply send in the coupon on the left. Box 59, Nashville, Tennessee 37202

In this column Pastor Frank B. Holbrook answers questions regard- ing spiritual truth, ethical behavior, and Biblical understanding. Write to YOUR QUESTIONS, him c/o THESE TIMES, Box 59, Nashville, Tennessee 37202. Names PLEASE! By Frank B. Holbrook are confidential. If a personal answer is desired, please send an addressed envelope. Only questions of general interest are published.

Do 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35 and 1 Timo- speaking, our society today would think no evil if a woman thy 2:11, 12 teach that it is wrong for were to speak in a church service. The principles of women to teach and preach or to hold propriety and decency would not be violated. office in the church? If so, are such The Scriptures make it clear that on special occasions churches false which permit women to God moved upon certain godly women to exercise posi- preach? tions of authority and influence in the church. Deborah Due to the entrance of sin, the union of the first was both a judge and a prophetess. (Judges 4:4.) Huldah married couple—Adam and Eve—was jeopardized. Har- and Anna were prophetesses. (2 Kings 22:14; Luke 2: mony could be preserved only by the submission of the 36, 37.) It was Mary Magdalene who first proclaimed the one to the other. In this altered situation God wisely placed resurrection of our Lord. (Mark 16:9-11.) Paul himself the wife in dependence upon her husband for guidance and commended certain women who labored with him in the protection. (Genesis 3:16.) But God never intended that gospel work, although he does not specify their activities. the wife's dependence should become her degradation and (Philippians 4:3.) A church is not to be judged true or dishonor. The husband was to love and respect his wife false by the sex of its messenger but by the sense of its even as the Lord loved and cherished His church. (Ephe- message. It is genuine only if its message squares with the sians 5:22-33.) sure Word of God. (Isaiah 8:20.) The dependent relationship of woman upon man is recognized throughout Scripture. "The head of every man Do you have any information on the lost is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the books of the Bible or the lost books of head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3. When Paul Moses? says, "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp au- There are no "lost" books of the Bible—rightly under- thority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy stood! Anciently the revelations of God's will were writ- 2:12), it appears that he speaks in the same tenor, ten by the prophets, and those of permanent value were namely, that men (already the priests of their respective divinely preserved and vouchsafed to the nation of Israel. households) should lead out in the conducting of public worship. Paul advises the Corinthian believers, "Let your The chief advantage accruing to that people, according to women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted the Apostle Paul, was that the "oracles of God" (i.e., the unto them to speak." 1 Corinthians 14:34. The key to this Old Testament) had been committed to them. (Romans passage is found in this context: "For God is not the 3:2.) The New Testament writings are the unique witness author of confusion"; "For it is a shame for women to of the apostles (or their close associates) to the life and speak in the church"; "Let all things be done decently teachings of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Old Testament and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:33, 35, 40.) predictions as the promised Redeemer. Here again the The social customs in the Roman world gave added Holy Spirit guided in preserving those writings which would reason why Christian women in the early church were not give perpetuity to this unique witness. In this sense there to teach or to usurp authority in public worship. The cul- are no "lost books"—some epistle or book, the absence of ture of the Eastern world dictated that a true and modest which might hinder a soul from finding salvation or would woman veil herself (1 Corinthians 11:5) and remain in prevent his full development in Christian growth and ex- the background as far as public affairs were concerned. perience. We have the inspired writings which the Holy For Christian women to go without their veils (as they were Spirit intended that we should have. The Apostle John doing in Corinth) and to assert themselves in the public would say, "Many other signs truly did Jesus . . . which worship of the church would bring charges of indecency are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye and shame by the pagans. Especially would this be true in might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and Corinth, whose women were universally known for their that believing ye might have life through his name." John lewdness. The expression "Corinthian girl" was synony- 20:30, 31. Instead of speculating over alleged "lost books" mous with "prostitute." Forward, veilless Christian women of the Bible, which only feeds an obsession for novelties, would have been linked at once with these. Time and cir- would it not be saner for one to discover the lost Bible cumstances dictated this counsel by the Holy Spirit to the itself—to recover it from the dust of the bookshelf or the Corinthian church that the gospel might not be needlessly obscurity of the attic? If the Sacred Scriptures become the besmirched. (1 Thessalonians 5:22.) object of your search and study, you may well make the Applications of principles may change, but principles most important discoveries of your life! "Thy words were themselves are changeless. The principles with which Paul found," exclaimed an elated ancient "explorer," "and thy was concerned in Corinth were propriety and decency. word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." These principles must always be maintained. Generally Jeremiah 15:16. END

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 21 HRISTIAN LIFE is more than many they are to give the soft answer that take it to be. It does not consist turns away wrath, they must possess C wholly in gentleness, patience, the courage of a hero to resist evil. With meekness, and kindliness. These graces the charity that endures all things, they are essential; but there is need need the force of character that will also of courage, force, energy, and per- make their influence a positive power. severance. The path that Christ marks Some have no firmness of character. out is a narrow, self-denying path. To Their plans and purposes have no defi- nite form and consistency. They are of but little practical use in the world. This weakness, indecision, and ineffi- ciency should be overcome. There is in true Christian character an indomi- tableness that cannot be molded or sub- dued by adverse circumstances. We must have moral backbone, an integrity that cannot be flattered, bribed, or ter- rified. Mental Culture God desires us to make use of every opportunity for securing a preparation for His work. He expects us to put all our energies into its performance and to keep our hearts alive to its sacred- ness and its fearful responsibilities. Many who are qualified to do excel- lent work accomplish little because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach. One reason for this is the low estimate which they place upon them- selves. Christ paid an infinite price for us, and according to the price paid He desires us to value ourselves. Be not satisfied with reaching a low standard. We are not what we might be, or what it is God's will that we BY ELLEN G. WHITE should be. God has given us reasoning powers, not to remain inactive, or to be perverted to earthly and sordid pur- enter that path and press on through suits, but that they may be developed difficulties and discouragements re- to the utmost, refined, sanctified, en- quires men who are more than weak- nobled, and used in advancing the in- lings. terests of His kingdom. Men of stamina are wanted, men None should consent to be mere who will not wait to have their way machines, run by another man's mind. smoothed and every obstacle removed, God has given us ability, to think and men who will inspire with fresh zeal to act, and it is by acting with careful- the flagging efforts of dispirited work- ness, looking to Him for wisdom, that ers, men whose hearts are warm with you will become capable of bearing Christian love and whose hands are burdens. Stand in your God-given per- strong to do their Master's work. sonality. Be no other person's shadow. Some who engage in missionary ser- Expect that the Lord will work in and vice are weak, nerveless, spiritless, by and through you. easily discouraged. They lack push. Never think that you have learned They have not those positive traits of enough, and that you may now relax character that give power to do some- your efforts. The cultivated mind is the thing—the spirit and energy that measure of the man. Your education kindle enthusiasm. Those who would should continue during your lifetime; win success must be courageous and every day you should be learning and hopeful. They should cultivate not only putting to practical use the knowledge the passive but the active virtues. While gained.

22 THESE TIMES Remember that in whatever position might be braced to meet the wily foe in tions of man's life, assuming the you may serve you are revealing mo- all his deceptive workings, and fortified responsibilities of a servant, and becom- tive, developing character. Whatever to fulfill His mission of uplifting hu- ing obedient unto death, and that the your work, do it with exactness, with manity. To His workers He says, "I most ignominious and revolting, the diligence; overcome the inclination to have given you an example, that ye most agonizing—the death of the cross. seek an easy task. should do as I have done." John 13:15. Can we contemplate this wonderful "The love of Christ," said Paul, manifestation of the love of God with- How Do You Work? "constraineth us." 2 Corinthians 5:14. out gratitude and love, and a deep sense The same spirit and principles that This was the actuating principle of his of the fact that we are not our own? one brings into the daily labor will be conduct; it was his motive power. If Such a Master should not be served brought into the whole life. Those who ever his ardor in the path of duty from grudging, selfish motives. desire a fixed amount to do and a fixed flagged for a moment, one glance at the "Ye know," says Peter, "that ye were salary, and who wish to prove an exact cross caused him to gird up anew the not redeemed with corruptible things, fit without the trouble of adaptation or loins of his mind and press forward in as silver and gold." 1 Peter 1:18. Oh, training, are not the ones whom God the way of self-denial. In his labors for had these been sufficient to purchase calls to work in His cause. Those who his brethren he relied much upon the the salvation of man, how easily it study how to give as little as possible manifestation of infinite love in the might have been accomplished by Him of their physical, mental, and moral sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, who says, "The silver is mine, and the power are not the workers upon whom constraining power. gold is mine"! Haggai 2:8. But the He can pour out abundant blessings. How earnest, how touching, his ap- sinner could be redeemed only by the Their example is contagious. Self- peal: "Ye know the grace of our Lord precious blood of the Son of God. interest is the ruling motive. Those who Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, Those who, failing to appreciate this need to be watched and who work only yet for your sakes he became poor, that wonderful sacrifice, withhold them- as every duty is specified to them, are ye through his poverty might be rich." selves from Christ's service, will perish not the ones who will be pronounced 2 Corinthians 8:9. You know the height in their selfishness. good and faithful. Workers are needed from which He stooped, the depth of who manifest energy, integrity, dili- humiliation to which He descended. His Singleness of Purpose gence, those who are willing to do any- feet entered upon the path of sacrifice In the life of Christ, everything was thing that needs to be done. and turned not aside until He had given made subordinate to His work, the Many become inefficient by evading His life. There was no rest for Him be- great work of redemption which He responsibilities for fear of failure. Thus tween the throne in heaven and the came to accomplish. And the same de- they fail of gaining that education cross. His love for man led Him to wel- votion, the same self-denial and sacri- which results from experience, and come every indignity and suffer every fice, the same subjection to the claims which reading and study and all the abuse. of the Word of God, is to be manifest advantages otherwise gained cannot Paul admonishes us to "look not in His disciples. give them. every man on his own things, but every Everyone who accepts Christ as his Man can shape circumstances, but man also on the things of others." He personal Saviour will long for the priv- circumstances should not be allowed bids us possess the mind "which was ilege of serving God. Contemplating to shape the man. We should seize also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the what Heaven has done for him, his upon circumstances as instruments by form of God, thought it not robbery to heart is moved with boundless love and which to work. We are to master them, be equal with God: but made himself adoring gratitude. He is eager to signal- but should not permit them to mas- of no reputation, and took upon him ize his gratitude by devoting his abili- ter us. the form of a servant, and was made in ties to God's service. He longs to show Men of power are those who have the likeness of men: and being found in his love for Christ and for His pur- been opposed, baffled, and thwarted. fashion as a man, he humbled himself, chased possession. He covets toil, hard- By calling their energies into action, the and became obedient unto death, even ship, sacrifice. obstacles they meet prove to them posi- the death of the cross." (Philippians The true worker for God will do his tive blessings. They gain self-reliance. 2:4-8.) best, because in so doing he can glorify Conflict and perplexity call for the ex- Paul was deeply anxious that the his Master. He will do right in order to ercise of trust in God and for that firm- humiliation of Christ should be seen regard the requirements of God. He ness which develops power. and realized. He was convinced that if will endeavor to improve all his facul- men could be led to consider the amaz- ties. He will perform every duty as The Motive in Service ing sacrifice made by the Majesty of unto God. His one desire will be that Christ gave no stinted service. He did heaven, selfishness would be banished Christ may receive homage and perfect not measure His work by hours. His from their hearts. The apostle lingers service. time, His heart, His soul and strength, over point after point, that we may in There is a picture representing a were given to labor for the benefit of some measure comprehend the won- bullock standing between a plow and an humanity. Through weary days He derful condescension of the Saviour in altar, with the inscription, "Ready for toiled, and through long nights He bent behalf of sinners. He directs the mind either," ready to toil in the furrow or to in prayer for grace and endurance that first to the position which Christ occu- be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This He might do a larger work. With pied in heaven in the bosom of His is the position of the true child of God strong crying and tears He sent His Father; he reveals Him afterward as —willing to go where duty calls, to petitions to heaven, that His human na- laying aside His glory, voluntarily sub- deny self, to sacrifice for the Re- ture might be strengthened, that He jecting Himself to the humbling condi- deemer's cause. END

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 23 THE BIBLE is a storehouse of whose contents no one can afford to be ig- norant. It repays reading and study whether it be approached merely because of its literary value, or its ethical teachings, or its practical bearing on everyday life, as, for in- stance, in the Book of Proverbs. While such reading may bring a measure of blessing, however, in accordance with the Scripture—"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy" (Revelation 1:3)—I believe that God reveals His deeper truths to the eye of faith. Those who come to the Bible in a devotional spirit, seeking to know more of God and His will regarding us, are the most blessed. Hence it is necessary, at the very beginning, that the reader shall be a partaker of that new life which alone can digest heavenly food. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14. But they that are after the Spirit, who have been born of the Spirit, do mind the things of the Spirit, and the Spirit-breathed Word is sweeter to them than honey and the honeycomb. I believe further that the reader must have faith in the Bible, and a love for it, before he will receive much good from it. As Pascal said: "Human knowledge must be understood to be loved, but divine knowledge must be loved to be understood." Those who are full of doubts will never be much blessed. The Book comes to us as a whole with the same authority, and no man has a right to cut out any portion. Did you ever notice that the things that men cavil about most are the very things that Christ set His seal to? The story of Noah and the flood; of Lot's wife; of the brazen serpent; of Jonah and the whale—Christ taught them all, and if I give them up, I must give up all Christ's teaching. What we want is a faith that believes in the Bible from cover to cover. Suggestions as to Bible Study 1. Read the Bible as intelligently as you would read anything else. If I receive a letter from my wife eight pages long, and read the fourth page today, the last page tomorrow, then turn back to the first page, it will be unintelligible to me. To grasp it intelligently I must begin at the beginning and read through it in order. Now the Bible is not only a book in itself, with one distinct purpose running through it from Genesis to Reve- lation, but it is also a collection of sixty-six books, each complete in itself. Therefore, it is only fair and reasonable, if you want to understand it, that you should read them through. 2. Do not read too fast or too much. Butterflies cover more ground, but bees gather more honey. Imitate the bees. Studying goes deeper than mere reading. There are surface nuggets to be gathered, but the best of the gold is underneath; and it takes time and labor to secure it. Skimming over large areas of truth is not so profitable as the careful turning of every passage. 3. Have some definite object in view. If a friend should see me searching about a room and should say: "Moody, what are you looking for? have you lost something?" and I should reply: "No, I haven't lost

24 THESE TIMES anything; I'm not looking for anything in particular," he violet light of Episcopalianism, but by the light of the would think me very foolish. But if I tell him I am look- Spirit of God. Between conflicting opinions, most Chris- ing for something, I may expect him to help me find it. tians are in dense ignorance regarding the most funda- Numbers of people take the Bible without any definite mental doctrines of our religion. What they should do is— desire to receive anything out of it. We should hunt it take the Bible and study for themselves. thoroughly for its great truths, and not read at random. 4. The study of words and expressions. Here you take In private devotions or for family prayers select pas- a word or expression and follow it through the whole sages as carefully as for public services. All the medicines Bible, or through some particular book or section, with the in a druggist's shop may be helpful, but they have different help of a concordance. properties that make them suitable for different cases. In For instance, in the second chapter of Habakkuk there the Bible there is a word for every condition and circum- are five "woes" against five common sins: (1) "Woe to stance of life. Every case is met; but passages should be him that increaseth that which is not his!" (2) "Woe to selected according to the needs of that case. For instance, him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house!" (3) in time of trouble, read Psalm 91. For consolation in "Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stab- bereavement, turn to John 14 or 1 Corinthians 15. For lisheth a city by iniquity!" (4) "Woe unto him that giveth devotional reading, turn to the Psalms or Epistles. his neighbour drink!" (5) "Woe unto him that saith to the 4. Learn to feed yourself. The great trouble with most wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach!" church members is that they don't know how to do this. Again: Faint not in prayer. (Luke 18:1.) They have to be fed with an ecclesiastical spoon. If they Faint not in confidence. (2 Corinthians 4:1.) happen to have a minister who feeds his flock, they get on Faint not in hope. (2 Corinthians 4:16.) pretty well; but otherwise their souls are not fed at all, and Faint not in well-doing. (Galatians 6:9.) become lean and starved. Faint not at tribulations. (Ephesians 3:13.) Obtain for use a good Bible, a concordance, and a Faint not under chastening and rebuke. (He- topical text book. Any Teacher's Bible embraces the two brews 12:5.) latter, or they can be obtained separately. They form a Study in the same way the seven blesseds and the eight complete library, and by their aid the Bible can be overcomes of Revelation; the better things of Hebrews; the studied with profit. believings and the I ams of John; the fear of the Lord in Proverbs; the seven walks of Ephesians; three sound things Methods of Bible Study in Titus; the seven forty days of Scripture; five much Every man cannot fight in Saul's armor, and perhaps mores in the fifth chapter of Romans; with one accord in my methods may not suit you; but if one method does not Acts; six precious things in Peter's epistles, etc. help and interest you, try another. 5. Another profitable study is Bible characters. Take 1. First, the telescopic method; that is, taking a grand one man and follow him from the cradle to the grave. sweep of a book or chapter, and trying to find out the Here let me say that the key to the whole Bible is main outline. Thus, there are seven leading men in Jesus Christ. You remember that, on the way to Emmaus Genesis: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, with those two disciples, "beginning at Moses and all the and Joseph. They stand out like mountain peaks in the prophets, he [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scrip- course of the history. Study their lives and times, and you tures the things concerning himself " Notice those two will have a fair grasp of the whole book. Similarly, there ails. The one theme of the Old Testament, in type and are ten great sermons in the Book of Acts—five preached prophecy, is the Messiah; and the New Testament deals by Peter, one by Stephen, and four by Paul. When you with His life on earth, and with the Church, which is His know the circumstances under which these were preached, body, and with His coming glory. etc., you will have a general idea of the Book of Acts. Do not expect ever to exhaust the full meaning of 2. Another method is the very opposite of this—the Scripture. A supernatural God must have a supernatural microscopic method, when you take a verse or section and Book. Finite minds cannot grasp the infinite. That is one analyze it. reason why men who know the Bible best find it ever new. Take, as an example, Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; Talmage has said that as the smallest dewdrop on the God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that meadow at night has a star sleeping in its bosom, so the shall he also reap." The text naturally divides into three most insignificant passage of Scripture has in it a shining sections. (1) "Be not deceived." Now take a topical text truth. Spurgeon said that the flowers of God's garden book and see what the Bible says about deceiving; who de- bloom, not only double, but sevenfold; they are continually ceives us; how we are deceived, etc. (2) "God is not pouring forth fresh fragrance. George Muller wrote that he mocked." What is the Bible meaning of "mocking"? Do had read the Bible through a hundred times in order, and men ever try to mock God? Can He be deceived? Etc. (3) every time with increasing joy. Whenever he started afresh, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Note it seemed like a new Book to him. the certainty of the reaping—"shall"; the two kinds of I thank God there is in it a height I have never been sowing and reaping—sowing to the flesh and a harvest of able to reach, a depth I have never been able to fathom, a corruption, or sowing to the Spirit and a harvest of ever- length and a breadth I know nothing about. It makes the lasting life; that a man reaps the same kind as he sows, Book all the more fascinating and proves it divine. END and more than he sows—some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some an hundredfold, etc. READER'S CHOICE: Dwight L. Moody, the old-time evangelist, knew his Bible well. Here are his practical suggestions for study, 3. Study of subjects or topics. It has been well said that recommended to us by George L. Masterson of Boston, Massachu- we must not read the Bible by the blue light of Presby- setts. Send in your favorite article or book chapter. If you are terianism, or by the red light of Methodism, or by the first to suggest it and we print it, you will receive $15.—Ed.

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 25 14t4.4.01"..- JOURNEY TO HOPE • 1-1)1 • ) BY ALTA ROBINSON

VEN by Kisii tribal standards, fore the opening which served as door- Abel felt that pain, the pain of death, in Marita was not the poorest of the way. The old woman smiled. Her beast, a blow delivered by his boyhood play- E poor. True, she was withered, old, her home, her security! Breathing hard, mate, his own brother, Cain. Was that stiffened from long years of exposure to she approached, not noticing that the the pain endured by Jesus in divine de- cold and damp; from battling the stony animal, head down, stared menacingly gree when Peter, fearful, shamed, furi- upland Kenya soil, forcing it to produce toward her. The thought of fear was un- ous, shouted, "I know not the Man"? corn and beans sufficient for herself known to Marita. This cow was hers to This feeling now overwhelmed the old and her household; from sleeping all command, to protect. Often at night she Kisii woman—the pain of absolute the nights of her life with nothing be- had crept to the thorn-hedge enclosure desolation. tween her body and the ground but a to which all the village cattle were With the aid of her stick she found blackened cowhide; from years of un- driven by small naked herdboys who her feet and crept into the now unob- dernourished existence on an impover- domineered over them—unable to lie structed entrance of her hut. From an ished diet. on her sleeping mat until she knew that assortment of filthy rags in a box she By Kisii standards, Marita had at one her beast had been brought to shelter. found one which, tied around her waist, time been beautiful. She had been She had always made sure, even in served as a bandage. Bruised and wooed and won by a cattle-wealthy times of drought, that the cow had shaken, bleeding, Marita called for tribesman and had become his first drink and food, albeit scanty. help. Surely some herdboy or village wife. Her lot had been fortunate com- Now Marita neared the hut. Stick woman passing to or from the stream pared with that of his second and third upraised, she attempted to shoo the would hear and respond. But silence wives, who, resigned to their station in beast away from the door. But the ani- was her answer. life, had performed the menial tasks of mal, no longer subservient to the wishes Then she remembered. This was the village compound. When Marita of the old woman, glared, red-eyed. market day. Even before sunrise the bore sons for her husband, she had Marita should have seen the danger people would have left their homes. In been highly honored. Many were the signals. But eyes dimmed with age and holiday mood and holiday attire they beer drinks, the dances, the marriage from long years of cooking over acrid would now be thronging the main road, feasts in which she had participated. cattle-dung fires could see objects only chattering, noisy, expectant; for in Kisii But the years had fled. Her husband at a distance—things nearby were country market day is a county fair on a lay under hard-packed earth in his own vague outlines to her. Stepping forward, more primitive scale. And the herd- dooryard. Her sons had long ago found she lowered her stick. The cow charged. boys? Who could know where they, employment in some large faraway city. Before she knew what was happening, with their four-legged charges, might The two other wives had departed, per- Marita lay on her back, the cow's hot now be? haps back to the villages where they breath in her face. She felt sudden The aged woman must have help. had first seen the light of day. The agonizing pain, then knew nothing for Since aid would not come to her, she herds of cattle had dwindled. Some had an unknown interval of time. must go where it could be obtained. died of old age, some of neglect. Many Emerging painfully from uncon- Virtually penniless, she must rely on the had been used as dowry payment for sciousness, the old woman sat up, pity of others. Trembling, again with the wives of her sons. Only one re- hardly knowing as yet whether she was the aid of her stick, Marita arose and mained, one black and white cow, sole dead or alive. She might well have been began a painful, faltering progress remembrance of happier days. One dead. But the crazed animal, satisfied down the path, then along a narrow cow, one tumbledown hut, one shriv- with one thrust of a horn, had galloped dirt road which would lead to a highway eled old woman—Marita! away. Attempting to stand, Marita felt where the marketplace was located. On a bright morning as she hobbled the pain in her right side where the Never had the steep, descending up the steep, stony path from the horn had penetrated beneath her ribs. pathway seemed so tortuous; never the stream, her only water supply, Marita Then came the pain of another wound, dust of the road so hot to the soles of paused, leaning on her stick, panting more acute even than the physical. King her feet, thickened as they were from a for breath. Glancing up at her destina- David felt that pain when a son most lifetime of barefoot trudging the rock- tion, the tumbledown hut, she observed dear, Absalom, had turned the hearts strewn slopes of that small corner of the that the cow had stationed herself be- of the people against his own father. world where her life had been spent.

26 THESE TIMES o - - A touching story of Chris-

tian concern in an unfavored I - _ area of Africa.

\ \\‘ F L. •

At last, the intersection. Here rivers own tongue aroused Marita from her But she had never before en- of human activity flowed noisily in two near-stupor. "Mother, you seem to be countered love in action. At once directions at once on the paved high- in trouble." The white man spoke; the things began to happen. First, a boy way. The old woman collapsed, a black man translated. "We're going to entered the room with sleeping mat and huddle of exhaustion and misery, by the lift you right up onto the truck. We'll a blanket. "These are for you, Mother," side of the road. take you to the mission, where you'll he called. "I'm coming back with fire- Trucks grumbled continuously up a find help. You seem to be in bad wood. I can see that you are cold. long hill, clashing gears, then at the top trouble, indeed." You'll soon have a fire!" Before he re- increased speed and hurtled down the Clutching her wound, still speechless, turned, a schoolgirl hurried in with a opposite slope, emitting clouds of Marita could only nod. Gently the two dress and sweater which she carefully gasoline vapor mixed with a hundred men assisted her to her feet, then onto placed over Marita's bare, trembling other trailing odors, their drivers and the truck. There, almost hidden amid shoulders. Next came a teacher's wife passengers absorbed in the business of bags, boxes, sacks of supplies, besides a with a bowl of something hot for her to reaching some destination as quickly large number of passengers, the old drink. She was immediately followed as possible. Laden donkeys plodded woman was taken she knew not, cared by a child bearing a gift of food, then past, their noisy owners following, hit- not, whither. by the "Dresser" himself, a hospital- ting out with snapping, curling whips, After approximately half an hour the trained orderly, who was at long last which caused little pain and no change truck came to a halt. Marita struggled able to render first aid, to cleanse the at all in the deliberate pace of the wise to a condition of awareness. "Where is wound, and to make his patient com- little beasts of burden. Two-wheeled this place you have taken me?" she fortable until she could be hospitalized. and two-footed traffic, bicycles and asked the Kisii student who had as- When Marita was attacked, then people, latecomers to the marketplace, sisted her. forsaken by the last thing she treasured hurried along, some heavily laden, "You are at Kamagambo, Mother. on earth, her one remaining emblem of hoping to sell; others empty-handed, It is a school. But this small building past riches, she indeed became the coming to buy. All progressed single- you see is the dispensary. Since you poorest of the poor. Heartbroken, deso- mindedly toward one objective, the al- look very ill, we shall leave you here to late, she was rescued from sure death ready overcrowded marketplace. be cared for by our trained medical by love, by the spirit of Jesus in ac- Hopefully, as a blind beggar extends assistant from Kendu Hospital. We tion. Cleansed, comfortable, she lay on his tin cup for coins, Marita sat watch- know he will be able to help you." her clean mat, dressed in clean gar- ing, her invisible outstretched cup al- "Is he a white doctor?" she asked, ments, warmed with a clean blanket ready overflowing with desolation. Her afraid. and by a cheerful crackling blaze last treasure had turned, gored, then "No, but even if he were, you need nearby. While a procession of tears forsaken her. Was anything to remain? not fear him. This is a mission, and we coursed down her leathery cheeks, she As if blind, the tribespeople hurried are all Christians," was the youth's was heard to murmur, time after time, past. Dust, heat, flies, thirst, pain, diz- reply as he gently assisted her off the "Kamagambo! Kamagambo!" ziness, competed as slow hours passed. truck and down to the grass-roofed And if she had known the song, I In the late afternoon a heavily laden veranda of the dispensary. am sure that she would have been sing- truck ground up the long hill. Its driver, A knock at the door brought an ing her experience: Missionary Danie Bakker, alert for assistant, who stated that the Dispenser souls in physical or spiritual distress, had been called to a nearby village "In loving kindness Jesus came, saw the small drooping figure by the emergency, that he would doubtless re- My soul in mercy to reclaim, side of the road. He came to a quick turn soon, and that meanwhile the pa- And from the depths of sin and shame stop, swung from the cab to the ground, tient was welcome to wait in a small Through grace He lifted me. and spoke to the old African woman in building at the rear of the dispensary. From sinking sand He lifted me, Swahili. Uncomprehending, fearful, she To wait! Already she had waited, With tender hand He lifted me. stared at the ground. Bakker next through long hours of distress and pain. From shades of night to plains of light, called to a Kisii student for assistance. This was no better than the side of the 0 praise His name, He lifted me!" The voice of this boy speaking in her road! Marita succumbed to despair. END

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 27 no sweet drinks or starches, the pan- creas also is placed at rest. This cir- cumstance reduces hunger pangs. When hunger disappears, insulin is not re- quired to utilize the glucose in the bloodstream—glucose produced by large amounts of starchy and sweet foods. Rejuvenator and Skin Freshener. Fasting has been called a great restorer of youth and prolonger of life. This rd) idea stems from the fact that people who fast acquire a clearer skin, a rosier tint to their cheeks, and a more youth- ful complexion than they had before. People troubled with skin disorders Fast for Fitness such as psoriasis, acne, or recurrent skin infection are often advised by their BY J. DE WITT FOX, M.D. physicians to eliminate sweets and fats from their diet. How much better to A well-known doctor recommends this food and drink, or excessive smoking. eliminate all foods for a time periodi- age-old prescription for all-round effi- Cleansing Tonic. The quickest way cally, and let the skin pores have a ciency. to rid the body of certain toxins and chance to cleanse themselves and be impurities or to overcome a cold or the free from the effects of too many HE SPIRITUAL benefits of fasting flu is to fast and drink copious amounts sweets and fats. and praying have been adopted by T of water. The value of a periodic fast to Boon to Smokers. For anyone trying Christian, Jew, and Muslim. Since help prevent illness should not be over- to stop smoking or drinking, a fast can Biblical times going without food has looked. It serves as a cleansing tonic be a boon to the body. By stopping to- been known to sharpen the spiritual to the body if large quantities of water bacco, alcohol, and food intake for a sensitivities, putting man into a prayer- are taken and good elimination is es- time, a person helps the body return ful mood. Giants of the Bible were tablished before and during the fast. to normal. Warm baths and steam baths people who humbled themselves and taken in moderation also help the body Brain Benefit. Fasting is good mental disciplined their appetites by fasting. quickly eliminate noxious products re- discipline, and it effects spiritual uplift. Among them were David, Esther, sulting from smoking or drinking. Once The brain benefits greatly. If you are Daniel, Jonah, and Paul. Before en- the body is "scrubbed clean" inside, the doing heavy study, preparing for a tering His ministry Christ Himself arose smoker and drinker feels so alive and speech, or otherwise engaging in deep from His baptism to go directly to the alert that he does not have any desire concentration, you do well to fast. Fast- wilderness for a fast of forty days and to return to his unwise habits. ing sharpens your mind and makes you nights. A more nearly normal appetite fol- alert and sensitive to mental effort. You Spiritual Value. The example of lows a fast, and simple foods are en- concentrate more readily if your stom- Bible men and women points up the joyed with greater relish. Heavy use of ach is empty and not drawing blood spiritual significance of fasting. Juda- condiments—pepper, spices, mustard, from the brain to digest food. ism requires a fast on the Day of and catsup—is no longer needed to Atonement and three days' fast in Many a public speaker knows well make food appetizing. memory of the fast of Esther. that eating before speaking reduces Rests Heart. If you are a heart pa- Muslims observe the ninth month as mental acuity and cuts down on the tient, you will find that a fast takes a a fast. Among Muslims, everyone must force of speech. They fast before an load off your heart and your circula- fast except children, people lacking important speech and eat later. They tion. If you have been short of breath, know the brain benefits by a fast. mentality, and ill people. a fast improves your breathing and, by Christians often fast during Easter— Digestive Distress Relieved. Other elimination of salt and water from the a one-day fast, forty hours for the time organs that are relieved by a fast are body, reduces tissue edema. This con- Christ was in the tomb, or the full forty the digestive organs. The stomach, dition may make it possible for you to days of Lent. liver, pancreas, and intestines often are sleep easier and with fewer pillows. Well-being. Aside from the spiritual overworked. When the digestion is Side Effects. Some minor discomforts value of fasting, there are physical re- given a vacation, eating becomes a are noted at times during fasting. The wards that come to you by your not greater joy. person who fasts may be subject to eating for a short time. These rewards If you drink plenty of water while headaches; if so, he needs the fast. are reaped not only by the overly fasting, there is practically no danger Other side effects of fasting, such as a plump person but by anyone who fasts. of your developing a peptic ulcer or feeling of weakness, palpitation of the The general well-being of a person other stomach malady. In fact, many heart, and drowsiness late in the after- on a fast has been noted by physicians. cases of colitis and intestinal disorder noon—usually minor—disappear with Many a doctor advises fasting for a are greatly benefited by a periodic fast, a little rest. patient tussling with gout, heart disease, which puts the intestines at rest. It should be stressed that if a person skin disorder, general intemperance to If you take nothing but water and use is to attempt a prolonged fast, he

28 THESE TIMES should consult his physician. For a fast of more than forty-eight hours his doc- tor should evaluate his heart, kidneys, and nervous system. FOCUSING Not long ago I tried a five-day fast By Walter Raymond Beach (for weight reduction, of course). The most impressive finding was lack of fa- a tigue and freedom from hunger after forty-eight hours. I actually felt sharper PRAYER mentally, and was able to perform heavy surgical operations with skill and BAYER IS absolutely essential to not comply. The boy's request (prayer) mental alertness equal to what I had P spiritual life. One might be saved must not be made a substitute for in- when eating. A feeling of euphoria is and not read the Bible: he might be tellectual discipline. God surely re- noted by some people on a fast, and this blind or unable to read. One might be quires us as individuals and as a race was my experience. I actually felt saved without going to church: he to endure the disciplines of painful en- peppier and more alert mentally. I slept might be where there is no church, or terprise and struggle rather than to find more soundly than when eating regu- an invalid who could not attend public easy relief in asking. larly. services. But if we are saved, we must Nor are we to pray because of fear A little tip to the person going on a pray. and a desire for God's protection. He long fast: Be sure to obtain a vitamin- Prayer is the cry of the soul to God. will protect us as a result of sincere and and-mineral supplement from your It is opening one's heart to God as one proper prayer; our motivation, how- physician. Deficiency in potassium may opens his heart to a friend. Prayer is ever, must not be fear. It must be love occur in a few days, making you feel adoration, confession, praise, thanks- and obedience. Some, you see, would weak. It is combated by a cup of warm giving, consecration, communion, pe- hang a prayer, so to speak, around their vegetable broth sipped in the evening. tition. neck as a charm against possible di- The broth replaces potassium and takes Now, evil makes prayer impossible. saster; but in such petitions one may not some of the sting out of missing the The Master mentioned two evils that in any way hallow the name of God, evening meal. block communion with God: and such prayer may be a travesty. If the person who wants to improve 1. Impurity ("Blessed are the pure The chief aim of prayer is for the his diet by cutting out meat, highly in heart: for they shall see God," suppliant to come so completely into seasoned gravy, rich cake, and sugary Matthew 5:8 ) and harmony with God that God's will be- preserves goes on a fast, he hurries the 2. Vindictiveness, an unbrotherly comes his. Then the suppliant be- process of changing. After eating heav- spirit that will not forgive or seek to be comes a partner with God and is ready ily of these foods for some time, he forgiven. Jesus made very clear the to cooperate with Him in whatever God cannot immediately enjoy a plain, right procedure: "If you are offering wants. He identifies his will and pur- wholesome diet. His taste is so per- your gift at the altar, and there remem- pose with God's will and purpose. Then verted that he cannot enjoy good fruit, ber that your brother has something God, if need be, can lift his mind from whole-grain bread, and vegetables. against you, leave your gift there before what he prayed for to something better. Such a fast proves of more benefit the altar and go; first be reconciled to The suppliant will realize that God is than medicine, for the abused stomach your brother, and then come and offer working on His plan and that all things finds the rest it has long needed. Gen- your gift." Matthew 5:23, 24, R.S.V. will work together for good. uine hunger can be satisfied with a No one can be wrong with man and The example of Jesus teaches that plain, nutritious diet. right with God. Nor can prayer be we are to pray alone and we are to pray It takes time for the taste to recover made a substitute for work. Some try together. Jesus dismissed the crowd and from abuses and regain its natural tone. to make prayer a substitute for intelli- went up into the hills to pray alone. He Perseverance in a good food regimen gence and effort. There are three chief also taught His disciples to pray, "Our makes plain, wholesome food palatable, ways in which men cooperate with Father which art in heaven." And He and soon it is enjoyed more than dain- God: thinking, working, and praying. promised, "If two of you agree on ties can be. None of the three can ever take the earth about anything they ask, it will be For spiritual uplift, try a fast. You place of another. Each has its peculiar done for them by my Father in heaven." will find that it draws you closer to realm. Matthew 18:19, R.S.V. God in prayer. It makes your character Consider what this world would be- Let us thus pray earnestly. END stronger by the self-discipline and come if everything could be accom- humble experience of denying yourself plished by prayer. What if men could food. The double benefit is your feel- sail their ships as well by prayer alone ing of well-being, with a clearer eye, as by knowledge of the science of navi- Do you have problems, burdens, sharper brain, springier step, and gation, could swing their bridges as and perplexities that seem over- greater efficiency for your work. It has firmly by petition as by studying en- whelming? IF you drop us a line, often been said, "The man eager for gineering laws, could light their houses, we shall be glad to join vou in success has the lean, hungry look." A send their messages, and work out their praying to our heavenly Father. bit of starvation can give you that eag- philosophies by mere entreaty? If a boy Address all correspondence: Prayer erness in a hurry. asks his father to work out his arithme- Circle, Box 59, Nashville, Ten- Try a fast for spiritual and physical tic lesson because he wishes to be idle, nessee 37202. fitness. END the wise father who loves his boy will NOVEMBER 1, 1966 29 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures apples of gold of silver." Proverbs 25:11.

Talking is like playing on the harp. Difficulties are the things There is as much in laying the hands on that show what men are. the strings to stop their vibrations as in —Epictettis. twanging them to bring out their music. —Oliver Wendell Holmes. From Glenora Lincoln. Value just one soul. For one may be many. An- drew brought Simon—just one. But that one was WHEN THE SUN BURSTS FORTH many, for under God Simon brought 3,000 in one day. When mists have hung low over the hills, and the Joel Stratton, a waiter in a restaurant, brought day has been dark with intermittent showers, at length John Gough to Christ—just one. And Gough brought great clouds begin to hurry across the sky, the wind many to Christ. rises, and the rain comes pouring down; then we look Ezra Kimball, a Sunday School teacher, brought out and exclaim, "Why, this is the clearing-up Moody to Christ—just one man. But that one was shower." And when the floods have spent themselves, many, for Moody rocked two continents toward God. the clouds part to let the blue sky tremble through But why say more? Just as one digit is valuable them, and the west wind bears them away seaward, in the multiplication table and one letter in the al- and, though they are yet black and threatening, we phabet—far more valuable is the conviction of the see their silver edges as they pass, and know that value of just one soul in God's sight.—R. G. Lee. just behind them are singing birds and glittering dew- drops; and, lo! while yet we look, the sun bursts forth, and lights them up in the eastern heaven with the The greatest remedy for anger is delay. glory of the rainbow. —Seneca. Now, to the Christian whose life has been dark From Mrs. V. J. Manos. with brooding cares that would not lift themselves, and on whom chilling rains of sorrow have fallen at Abraham Lincoln said: The only assurance that intervals through all his years, death, with its sudden we are not missing the one opportunity lies in making blast and storm, is but the clearing-up shower; and the most of every opportunity; in treating every day just behind it are the song of angels, and the serenity as if it were the one eventful day of life; in doing and glory of heaven. every piece of work as if upon our fidelity depended —Henry Ward Beecher. all our future lives.

30 THESE TIMES Bob, the future leaders of America will no doubt come from the kids who never OF THESE TIMES make the headlines—the kids next door EVENTS to you, who are truly representative of the best this country has to offer. He points to the many varied pro- grams currently active in the United States which reflect the desire of young EDUCATIONAL AND MEDICAL flung areas of the world. Cut through people to take part in worthwhile, STANDARDS RISE IN AFRICA the way-out fashions and strange col- character-building, rewarding activities. lection of dances currently in teen Indicative is the tremendous response "Westerners had predicted • that vogue, and a completely different pic- to the Peace Corps, which now has emerging national governments in ture of the teen-agers emerges. young Americans working throughout Africa would be forced to lower educa- One man who has not lost sight of the world, and many more on their tional and medical standards from co- the true qualities of American youth is way. lonial levels, but quite the opposite has Bob Richards, two-time Olympic cham- Similarly, points out Mr. Richards, proved true," a veteran missions head pion, who was named one of the ten the Junior Champ program and the administrator said recently. outstanding young men in the country Future Olympic Champions Crusade, Robert H. Pierson, former president in 1957 by the United States Junior two widely acclaimed projects, are de- of the Trans-Africa Division of the Chamber of Commerce. As director of signed to help improve overall fitness in Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Wheaties Sports Federation, formed the United States. Junior Champ is a newly elected head of the General Con- by General Mills, Inc., in response to track and field development program ference, told a medical missions convo- the President's call for increased em- for boys and girls between the ages of cation at Loma Linda University in phasis on youth fitness in this country, nine and eighteen, which encompasses California that seventeen newly na- Bob Richards travels around the coun- local, state, and national competition. tionalized countries in this church ad- try, appearing on television and radio, It is co-conducted by the U.S. Junior ministrative territory "not only are not writing books and articles, meeting with Chamber of Commerce and the United falling behind established African coun- organizations—to extol the virtues of States Track and Field Federation. tries but in most cases are raising ac- America's youth. Through his various outlets, Bob creditation standards" in both educa- Many of his stories deal with young- Richards emphasizes his philosophy for tion and medical practice. Adventists sters who have excelled in sports, but the betterment of American youth. To operate schools, hospitals, and clinics the message is clear and a refreshing him, inspiration is the key to life itself. in the Trans-Africa territory. change-of-pace to the black picture "You show me someone who has no in- Pierson appealed to 300 persons, many paint of our future. According to spiration, and I'll show you someone chiefly students in the health profes- sions, to consider overseas mission ser- vice. "The trend is for specialists to re- place returning general practitioners in many of our hospitals," he said. "Entrance qualifications and gradua- tion requirements at the five Adventist- operated nursing schools in the division are becoming more rigid each year," Pierson reported. "A pilot program for rehabilitation of lepers is scheduled to be in full operation in Zambia by the end of next year." He said the church operates four leprosariums in the terri- tory, but that this was the first major step taken toward full-scale leper re- habilitation.

HE SPEAKS FOR AMERICA'S TEEN-AGERS Know any juvenile delinquents? high school dropouts? narcotics addicts? Most of us don't. But mention teen- agers to the average adult, and a whole specter of ills immediately flashes into his mind. Forgotten are the colleges— filled to overflowing with teens in search of an education—and the youngsters in SPREADING GOODWILL: What better inspiration for excellence than to shake hands' with two-time Olympic champion Bob Richards? The answer is seen in the boys' faces. the Peace Corps, last year's teen-agers Constantly in the field on his goodwill journeys, Richards, once named one of the ten doing a job for their country in far- outstanding young men in the U.S., speaks before organizations across the country. NOVEMBER 1, 1966 31 who won't do anything in life. You've checks"—take part in community self- coupled with the churches of New Zea- got to be inspired." help projects. land and Great Britain, which gave their Again and again, declares Richards, Last year marked the tenth anniver- assistance to American and Korean vol- boys and girls who are inspired will rise sary of the use of U.S. government food untary and governmental aid, gave in- through training and hard work, to be- stocks by American churches in this spirational proof that other nations rec- come champions—whether it be in worldwide program of feeding the hun- ognized the importance of the project. sports, in their jobs, in their communi- gry. During this period, the Church A small crop of rice already har- ties, or at home. And in the end, the World Service of the National Council vested is the first sign of the potential world, the country, and each person of Churches of Christ shipped overseas of the land and is a tribute to their will be the better for it. to more than fifty countries foodstuffs determination. weighing two and a half billion pounds In another case history, a reforesta- THANKSGIVING HARVEST FOR and valued at $250,000,000. In one re- tion program designed to halt soil ero- THE MILLIONS cent year alone, 10,000,000 people in sion in Algeria resulted in the employ- A two-mile seawall built by hand in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, ment of 15,500 Algerians, who earned South Korea; 20,000,000 new trees for and the Middle East were fed through food rations for themselves and their Algeria's wastelands; a road linking two this program. dependents—a total of 93,000 persons. poor mountain villages in Chile; an ir- In South Korea a group of refugees, Through this program to replace rigation system in rural Greece. "Food- deprived of their homes and lands, de- trees burned out during the seven-year for-work" is the reason these projects cided to attempt a project which until civil war, 21,000,000 trees will be and others like them are becoming re- then was considered impossible. It planted during the first phase. Subse- alities in developing countries all over called for the construction of dikes quently, an additional 50,000,000 trees the world. linking four offshore islands with the will be planted, increasing the number Part of the annual SOS (Share Our mainland. These dikes totaled ahnost of employed persons to approximately Substance) Program conducted by two miles in length. The result would 45,000, with an overall total of 225,- American Protestant churches during be a "seawall," making possible the rec- 000 Algerians who will benefit. This Thanksgiving week, "food-for-work" lamation of thousands of acres of land combination of employment and food helps the impoverished to help them- beneath the shallow bay. A reservoir for the people, through a program of selves toward self-sufficiency with dig- and irrigation channels also would have national importance, was made possible nity. During 1964 alone, SOS dis- to be built. through the personal and food con- tributed nearly 400,000,000 pounds of Working largely by hand, the refu- tributions of church-related agencies. food to the hungry: flood and earth- gees carried rocks on their heads and In disaster-stricken areas, food is quake victims, refugees, undernourished moved the earth on their backs. Church usually one of the most pressing needs. children, the ill and the aged, and those World Service offered food to sustain This is especially true in the case of who—with the incentive of food "pay- them throughout the operation. This, flood victims, whose food supply is in- evitably swept away or becomes unsafe from the polluted waters. Not long ago approximately 100,000 Brazilians were hit by floods, and con- ditions were so desperate that U.S. churches and other agencies rendered aid for many months. In one state alone eighteen tons of food and twenty bales of clothing were distributed. During the past year Church World Service distributed 17,930,805 pounds of SOS food in Brazil. Similarly, 10,000 loaves of steamed bread called "mantou" were sent to the people of Chiayi, Taiwan, who were the victims of an earthquake followed by a ten-hour fire. Each day thereafter for ten days an additional 10,000 loaves were distributed, along with flour, wheat, beans, and powdered milk. In all these cases, the food furnished to the needy people and the funds necessary to distribute the various items were a direct result of contributions made in churches in America during Thanksgiving week. When Americans give thanks for KOREAN MEN BUILD SEAWALL: Building a seawall to reclaim the land beneath a bay, these Korean men use packs attached to A-frames (wooden supports shaped like the their blessings in this way, they are letter A) to move earth fill for a dike. They earn partial "wages" of food for their families, truly making it possible for people provided through Church World Service which works in over fifty countries of the earth. around the world to give thanks, too. 32 THESE TIMES NEW HYMNAL CITES WESLEY'S ADMONITIONS ON SINGING "Sing lustily and with a good cour- We Quote ... age. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan." Paul Boese: "Knowledge is the back door to God. Faith is the These words were penned by John front door." Wesley in 1761 as part of his preface Robert J. Hastings, "Arkansas Baptist": "Faith is a daily necessity to a collection of hymns "for the use of whether one is getting married, taking a job, struggling with an ill- the people called Methodists." ness, or overcoming a handicap. And faith in God is the cornerstone But the problems of congregational of all other faiths. As one psychiatrist says, 'When I learn a patient singing appear to change little through has no faith in God, I dismiss the case. There is nothing to build on.'" the centuries, so the committee which produced the latest revision of The Russell Kirk, "Indianapolis Star": "Boredom, I think, is the great- Methodist Hymnal, just off the presses, est affliction of affluent and secure societies. It is a principal cause reprinted Wesley's admonition in the of suicide, violence, unnatural vices, drunkenness, addiction to new volume, whose advance sale of narcotics, even revolution. Man can endure almost anything better 2,150,000 is described as the biggest in than he can sustain boredom, the fatigue of having nothing inter- the history of the publishing business esting to do. And the more rational a creature becomes, the more for any book, religious or secular. susceptible he is to boredom. . . . The great cures for boredom are satisfying work with purpose and dedication to service—the service MORE LAY ADMINISTRATION of God or of other people, including people not yet born. Leisure URGED FOR CHURCHES that is mere idleness must become worse, in the long run, than even U.S. Protestantism, faced by a short- the most exhausting labor—if that labor has a good purpose." age of approximately 60,000 pastors throughout the country, is attempting to E. G. White: "The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally fill the gap by hiring laymen as church vanquish, every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence business administrators. centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of The trend is growing, according to attraction, for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This Dr. W. A. Welch, president of Lexing- sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original ton (Kentucky) Theological Seminary. perfection; yea more. It was offered to give him an entire transfor- Today, he said, "between 66 and 80 mation of character, making him more than a conqueror. Those percent of church business administra- who in the strength of Christ overcome the great enemy of God tors are laymen." and man, will occupy a position in the heavenly courts above angels Addressing the tenth annual confer- who have never fallen." ence of the National Association of Robert V. Ozment, "Putting Life Together Again" (Revell): "How Church Business Administrators, Dr. do we go about finding the power to meet and master life? If I Welch held that there are still many wanted to excel in golf I would find the greatest golf player and churches using ministerial time on ad- study his swing and watch him play. He would be my example. ministrative duties that could be turned If I wanted to become a skilled surgeon I would attend the best over to laymen. medical school and seek out the greatest surgeon and watch him "If the churches did this," he said, work and study his methods. If we are really interested in mastering "they would free the ministers to fill life we must study the life of Jesus Christ and make Him our some of the 60,000 empty pulpits." Example."

NOTED IN PASSING Editorial in "Church and State," April, 1966: "Church leaders to- Plans have been announced in Wash- day exhibit a passion for what they call 'involvement.' The church ington, D.C., by the Citizens' Crusade must be involved in everything to show that it is 'relevant.' In the Against Poverty to train one thousand name of the church these men plunge into almost every kind of community workers across the country, interest, activity, program, concern, that one can name, thus prov- who, in turn, will train others at every ing that the church is aware of the problems of the day. community level. The Crusade has en- "Participation in politics and the use of public funds are a part listed national civil rights, labor, re- of this development of 'involvement.' Indeed, the church of today is ligious, academic, and civic leaders in busily engaged in the performance of virtually every kind of task a body which will serve as liaison with save those assigned to it by its Founder." all other groups working in the anti- poverty field. George Whitefield: "Whole days and WEEKS have I spent pros- World Aflame, Evangelist Billy Gra- trate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer." ham's latest book, has sold 263,430 copies and skyrocketed to the major best-seller lists across the country. END

NOVEMBER 1, 1966 33 death, these brave young men would not compromise. Here are their ringing words: "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from EDITORIALS the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, 0 king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Daniel 3:17, 18. These boys had desire—a burning conviction of right action that threw caution to the winds. DESIRE—KEY TO THE KINGDOM The greatest example of desire ever known was that displayed by Jesus Christ, who was willing to forfeit His N THE LOCKER room wall of the University of Notre claim on life eternal to die for humanity. Jesus was no O Dame's football team is a sign that reads, "When martyr. The martyrs died with the hope of eternal life, the going gets tough, the tough get going." The idea is but not so with Christ. that in the punishing, exhausting, brutal sport of foot- How do we get this virtue of desire, the singleness ball, games are not won in the first half when players on of purpose that gives greatness to our lives, that gives both teams are fresh. them scope, that enables us to rise triumphant in every Victory comes in the second half, when weariness experience? This is life's most important key. Christian sets in and the players feel they can't run another step, desire, incidentally, may come at conversion and it may when their bodies ache so much they almost scream for not, but it comes after searching for God with all your the coach to take them out—then the man with deep heart. If someone were to hold your head under water desire to win digs down within himself for the reserves to for a considerable length of time, the one thing that you keep going. When you have a team of men with desire, would desire would be air. When you desire Christ with they are well-sigh unbeatable. the same intensity that you desired the air, you will This kind of desire is not born in the heat of the find Him. game. Sometime long before, the player has made the This does not mean that one must pursue the goal decision that no sacrifice is too great; the will to win is of heaven with the joyless, grim determination with everything. There is a singleness of purpose that finds which one pursues a scholastic degree, for example. No. this type of player on the practice field before the others This is a matter of the heart. There is warmth in it. and remaining long after the others have departed. "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to per- The Christian life has often been compared to an form." He has a thousand ways to win our hearts—if we athletic contest. The Apostle Paul, for example, drew will let Him. And there is really the point—if we will lessons from contestants in the Greek games; and it is let go and let God have His way. It may be on a starry obvious to all of us that we are engaged in the game of night that we make the great discovery, or on a bed of life. This is a game played for keeps—with eternal con- pain, or in a school cafeteria. It makes no difference sequences. Somehow we have got to obtain the desire where. to come off victoriously. Desire comes the day you realize that the Bible is Young people in school are in the process of finish- not so many lofty words or a theological treatise, but is ing the first half of life, as it were. They are young, God speaking to you as if you were the only person in vigorous, and protected—protected by home, church, the world. It comes when you suddenly realize that you and school; and this is how it should be. Soon, however, are an important person to God, so much so that He comes life's second half of trial, defeat, momentous de- gave His Son to die for you personally. Suddenly, glori- cisions, illness, and fatigue, the time when desire comes ously, you fall in love with Jesus Christ, and your rela- into play most urgently. tion to Him becomes a love affair. Great men of the Bible have been men of desire. Here is Christ. He tells me that He loves me. He They have had one grand objective in life, and nothing says, "Look at My character, what I stand for. Let's get deterred them from accomplishing it. Paul, the apostle, together now—and then we'll enjoy heaven together." said, "This one thing I do." He had one great objective The great turning point of your life is the moment you in life—and that was to glorify God in everything he say to Jesus Christ, "I'm yours. With your help I'm did Then we think of Daniel living in a corrupt, oriental going to be the greatest Christian that ever lived." court with evil all around him. Daniel might have said, With all your getting in life, get desire—this burn- "I cannot rise above it. I am the victim of my situation." ing, persistent, overwhelming passion to be Christ's no Instead, "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not matter what may come—though the heavens fall, though defile himself " Daniel 1:8. He had tremendous desire. your friends turn against you, though your relatives cast He said, "I will not succumb to these evil conditions. I a fishy eye upon you, though your friends call you will live a righteous life in spite of them." He carried weird, offbeat, square. There will come times in your his determination clear into the lions' den because he life when you will be tempted to give up, to lose heart. insisted on serving God rather than evil. He "purposed Satan will work upon you in most subtle ways. Only as in his heart." you have desire will you be able in Christ's strength to When the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, hold on. and Abednego, refused to fall down and worship the Surely, desire is the greatest acquisition in life. With golden image which the king had set up, Nebuchadnez- all your getting, get desire! For a Christian it is spelled zar told them if they did not do so, they would be cast with a capital D—and they call His name Jesus Christ, into the fiery furnace. Although faced with this horrible the Desire of ages. K. J. H.

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