n d% govlailmlayRiv (') '1,0110011AL. "Here is the.Patience of the Saints —riere are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus." Rev. 14 :12. VOL. 78, To. 49. BATTLE CREEK, MICH., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1901. WilOLE No., X457..
Or ever they came to the floor of the den. have not kept them." Souls are perishing in sin vardvsi xvasitirms xrf rrrqxirav E'en thus the Lord saveth His people; He saveth because church-members-are, robbing God, lav- The souls who delight in His counsel, to-day; ishing indulgences upon themselves, while .the artital 33totg. The workers of evil not always shall triumph, For soon shall He come and no longer delay. treasury of God is poorly supplied with funds. NEMEC EACH TUESDAY BY THE Thus God is dishonored, and His cause is im- Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. poverished. There is not means enough in' the, Ternis, in. Advance. ROBBING GOD.—No. z. treasury to supply God's laborers in the field of service. Christ looks upon a vineyard unworked, One,17#ar• • • • •,1.• •-•.•,•• • • .$1.50 Pour Months $ .50 Palg•Noighs:$ 1 00 Three Neighs .40 MRS. E. G. WHITE. a world unwarned, with wickedness increasing on Six Neighs. .75 Two North's .25 every hand. Men and women are spending the Address all communications and make all Drafts and Money TIIE Lord desires His people to realize that Lord's goods in selfish gratification, preparing ofders 'payable to — selfishness is the great sin of the world, and that for the fearful punishment that must come upon REViDW AND lliERALD, Kittle Creek, Mich. [ENT'BOD AT THE POST OFFICCAT BA'T'TLE CHEEK ] it has also become the prevailing sin of the them unless they repent. Church. The Lord has been greatly dishonored The treasury must be, supplied with funds, that by the failure of the Church to impart of their Christian missions may be set in operation and tneral rfides. means for the advancement of the work which supported. Schools must be established, that the Whatsoever are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever He desires to see going forward with power. I youth may be prepared to stand at the last day. things'are just, Whatsoever things are pure, whatstever things are lovely. whatsoever things are of good report h there be any virtue, and if there entreat my brethren and sisters throughout the The multitudes going to ruin must be labored be any praise, think on these things.', Phil. 4 t. S. world to awaken to the responsibility that rests for. For the accomplishment of this,good work upon them to pay a faithful tithe. Do not allow the tithes and offerings of the people of God are THE FAITH OF DANIEL. lax principles to lead you to rob God. Keep a needed. Let church-members do their very best faithful account with your Creator. Realize fully in this matter. Withhold not your offering be- MRS. L. D. AVERY4TUTTLE. the importance of being just with Him who has cause it is small. If it is given with a willing Tn swift, clays passed-,by, the winged years divine foreknowledge. Let every one search his mind and an understanding heart, the Lord-will passed by, heart diligently. Let him look up his accounts, accept it, and in His hands it will, be. many The centitries passed by like birds their flight, and find out how he stands as related to God. increased. - .Since dwelt in a city, a vast, mighty city, He who gave His only begotten Son to die for Can we not reason frond fiat gOdlyntah aaniel, ;who dared to do right. The great King Dar us,. the mighty5Dartus, you, has made "aa-covenant with 'you. He gives we not- see that. beCause -; of ottr -Aothiulriss The Median •monarch; sat high on ,the throne, you His blessings, and in return He requires you trading on the Lord's goods, because 'Of our , While over the princes, the great men and princes, to bring Him your tithes and offerings. No one selfishness in refusing to return to Hini His own The king has placed Daniel, the Hebrew, alone. will ever dare to say that there was no way in • portion, His work is retarded? which He could understand in regard to this mat- Then quick in their bosoms, the great princes' bosoms, When Christ made His triumphal entry into The fires of envy and jealousy burned, ter. God's plan regarding tithes and offerings is Jerusalem, the applause of the multitude was at Indeed they could rest not and eat not and drink not definitely stated in the third chapter of Malachi. its height. Hosannas- were on the lips of the Till 'gainst the good Daniel the monarch was God calls upon His human agents to be true to people; but the Saviour felt no joy. He beheld turned. the contract He has made with them. " Bring ye the city. and wept over it, saying, " If thou hadst At last they have conquered, the princes have con- all the tithes into the storehouse," He says, " that known, even thou, at least in this thy 'day, the quered, The writing is written arid' signed by the king, there may be meat in mine house." things which belong unto thy peace! but now And soon to his presence exultingly hasten Duty is duty, and should be performed for its they are hid from thine eyes." He saw the thou: These treacherous princes, the tidings to bring. own sake. But the Lord has compassion upon sands and thousands soon to be involved in the us in our fallen condition, and accompanies His terrible destruction of the doomed city. How " Pray, hast thou not spoken that none ask petition, commands with promises. He calls upon His deep must His emotion have been as He thought Save but to thee only, whatever their lot? Remember the law of the Modes and the Persians — people to prove Him, declaring that He will of the nation that had forged its own fetters, The Medes and the PersiatiS — that altereth not. reward obedience with the richest blessings. sealed its own doom, gathered about it the cloud And now, King Darius, that captive of Judah " Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of of Jehovah's wrath. " You have defiantly resisted Doth make his petition three times every day; hosts, if I will not open you the windows of all my pleadings," He said. "Again and again He heeds riot thy mandate, he scorneth thy mandate, heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there With face toward Jerusalem kneeleth to pray." I have averted the bolts of justice. In love I shall not be room enough to receive it. And I have waited for your penitence and repentance. Then quick to the lions, the fierce, hungry lions, will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he I have borne with you as a man beareth with his They hurried the prophet,— these envious men,— shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; own son that serveth him. But ye would not And into the dark, gloomy cavern they threw him, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the come unto me that ye might have life." And plaCed a great stone at the mouth of the den. But good King Darius, the Median monarch, time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts." He But Christ's agonizing tears were not shed only Arose in the morning as soon asAwas day, encourages us to give to Him, declaring that the for Jerusalem. He wept as He thought of the And ran to the cavern and cried in his anguish: returns He makes to us will be proportionate to terrible retribution to fall upon an unrepentant " Hath thy God delivered thee, Daniel, I pray ?" our gifts to Him. " He which soweth bounti- world. He is still working in patience and love • fully shall reap also bountifully." God is not " 0 king, live forever; my God in His mercy for the salvation of sinners. Is not the divine Hath sent a bright angel to stand by my side; unrighteous to forget your work and your labor Messenger knocking at the door of the heart for The mouths of the lions are closed by His power; of love. entrance? Is not the Spirit striving with sinners? Lo, they have not hurt me; " the captive replied. How tender, how true God is with us ! He Has not Christ invited sin-sick souls to sit at. Then quick from the cavern, the dark, gloomy has given us in Christ the richest blessings. His feet and learn of Him, to wear His yoke cavern, From den of the lions, the prophet they drew, Through Him He has put His signature upon the of submission and obedience? Has He not trav- And brought they those princes, those lords and high contract He has made with us. Are we trifling ersed the length and breadth of the land, scat- princes, with God, selfishly robbing Him of the returns tering blessings in His path ? There is no And quick to the lions those victims they threw. He has declared we should make to Him? wearying of His patience, no repressing of His The Lord speaks, saying, " Ye are cursed with Then loud roared the lions, the fierce, hungry lions, love. Hear His voice speaking to the weak, And brake all the bones of those envious men, a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole the weary, the helpless, " Come unto me, all ye The mastery had o'er them,' they quick fell before nation." " Even from the days of your fathers that labor and are heavy laden, and T will give then, ye have gone away from mine ordinances, and you rest. Take my yoke upon you; and learn of [VoL. 78, No. 40 778 (2) ADVENT REVIEW AND- SABBATH HERALD -
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye some were ashamed, while others justified them- ment. " It is required in stewards, that a man shall find rest unto your souls." • Will you not selves by pleading " loyalty." be found faithful." let grace soften the heart. of stone? There seems to be no anchor to-day which This is the need to-day, faithful men and faith- God says to His people to-day, "It is my holds the fierce passions of the human heart. ful women. Stand among these, and you can desire that you shall exemplify before a world Brethren, when once these passions are stirred never fail. -sunken in sin and selfishness the sinlessness of against the " remnant " people of God, when the the Redeemer's character. By the testimony you " dragon " makes war with- the remnant of the DO GOOD. bear, men and women are to understand that this seed of the woman, who " keep the command., is the day of healing, the day of opportunity." ments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus ALLEN C. BROWN. How many who claim to believe on Christ have Christ," the time for peaceably pointing sinners (Lacon, Ill.) to the Lamb of God will be forever past. - learned His lessons of kindness, of tender pity, THE admonition, " Trust in the Lord, and do of unselfish love for the thousands perishing in Let me ask, in all candor, Was not the spirit good " (Ps. 37 : 3), is well worthy of our con- their sins, scattered in all lands like wrecks on a that trampled all law under foot, and strove to sideration in this age of selfishness and pleasure- • take the life of the poor imbecile, the same that desert shore? Those who share in Christ's glory seeking. Many would have it read, Trust in the must share also in His ministry. Help the weak, rules in the breast of the lawless anarchist? Lord, and feel good. The worldly Church is the wretched, the desponding. Over and over But one may ask, Do you believe it possible seeking this good feeling by every device possi- again repeat the gracious invitation, " Come unto that in our loved country of liberty these waves ble; and many have come to think that because of blind passion and unrestrained excitement me, . . . and I will give you rest." they are feeling good, they must be doing good. could be turned to engulf one who accepts the They heed not the two small words, Do good. teachings of Jesus Christ, of whatever name? I Many times when one is doing good, he will OUR TIMES. must answer, It will be done. be far from feeling good. Our Saviour went As far back as Oct. 23, 185o, a writer, speak- about doing good, but He suffered everything at ELDER CLARENCE SANTEE. ing of this matter, stated that the time would the hands of lcruel men. He even endured the come when the different religious powers would shame of the cross for the sake of doing good, " THE Lord is not slack concerning His prorn- unite, " and issue a decree that all who would for the sake of saving a lost world. In order to ise, as some men count slackness; but is long- not observe the first day of the week instead of do good we have to trust in the Lord, then sac- suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should the seventh, shall be slain." Another writer, rifice self completely. In other words, if need be, perish, but that all should come to repentance. much farther back,— the beloved disciple,— when we have to give up that good feeling of ease and But the day of the Lord will come," etc. 2 Peter speaking of this time, says that they shall " cause comfort, and perhaps even forego a pleasant serv- 3:9, 1o. that as many as would not worship the Image of ice in the house of God, in order to do good by The Lord is speaking of the coming of the the Beast should he killed." Rev. i3: 15, last ministering to another's needs ; or we may have day of the Lord, but says that some will scoff part. God's people are delivered at that time. to lay aside a soul-inspiring book, which we are at the idea, while others will be saying, " My The years have swiftly passed, and now these enjoying on a gloomy day, cozily seated by an His coming.'; " He does not say Lord delayeth. predictions, remote as they seemed of fulfillment open grate, which of course makes us feel good, that Christ will not come; . . . He is removing a few years ago, are actually pondered in the to help some one in distress, thus heeding the from the minds of others the conviction that the minds of thinking men, as the only feasible way command, Do good. It will not make us feel Lord is coming quickly." — Special Testimony, speedily to bring all classes to their standard of good at the time to leave our comfortable place. No: 4, page 9. Christianity. In the leaflet that was sent broad- But James sums it up in these words : " Pure " Time has continued a few years longer than cast, entitled "An Arraignment of Saturdarians," religion and undefiled before God and the Father they expected, therefore they think that it may it was more than hinted that the Seventh-day is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their continue a few years more, and in this way their Adventists are sowing the seeds of anarchy affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from minds are being led from present truth, out after and lawlessness, and undermining the base of all the world." the world." Christian principles, by teaching that there is Not one word does be say about that, good This is the condition at the present time, yet no sacredness in, and that no blessing will be feeling: we are to do good whether we feel good there' have never been so many signs of the ap- received by keeping, the Sunday, termed " the or not. Leave the feelings with the Lord. " Let proach of the end itself as we see now. Christian sabbath." Another, in speaking of this, us not be weary in well doing': for in due In the sad events of the recent past in our asked the question, Why should we go on prun- season we shall reap, if we faint not." If one government, issues have been brought to the sur- ing and cutting back while we allow these men has a good , feeling all the time, watch out; face that will of necessity call in question the freely to sow the seed? for the Word says, "All that will live godly in right of free speech, and the extent to which one The unrest of the masses will continue and Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," which ex- may go in individual liberty, when that liberty deepen, men's lives will become more insecure, presses the thought that all who do good shall is, exercised in oppositiOn to the masses. In the plotting and intrigue will become more bold, and suffer persecution. We may have peace of measures that have seemed to the majority neces- crime will increase. The cause will be sought mind,— that certainly is our privilege,— but we sary to restrain anarchy and lawlessness, there in every direction but the right one, and the must not expect always to feel good. Not that are elements which, if placed in unsafe hands, result will be the centering of all eyes upon the we shall have no good feelings when we are doing would work untold hardship to those who " keep small company who remain true to the principles well, but let us not be disappointed if we do not the commandments of God, and the faith of of the Ten Commandments. experience them all or any of the time. We Jesus." To-day the Lord is holding the " winds," A parallel to this time is recorded in i Kings, should ask ourselves, Can I do good by doing but the evidences are many that they are about to chapters i8 and 19. The people had turned from such an act? Will it be for the glory of God or break forth. the commandments of God to serve Baal. Elijah my own selfish pleasure? Let us even ask our- To illustrate the unthinking haste and excite- warned them, but he was unheeded. In conse- selves what 'our motive is in going to divine ment that may to-day sway vast multitudes to quence of their evil course, blighting curses came worship on the Sabbath clay. We should go to deeds of violence, I will cite the case of a poor upon the land. The people had heard the warn- do good, and with the Lord's blessing get good, mental wreck of a man who had been but a few ings of God's messenger, and now as they groaned otherwise it is from a selfish motive, and the Lord weeks from an asylum for the insane. He was under the curse, they were led to believe that if cannot bless us while in that condition. allowed to attend a large gathering in a park in this stickler for the commandments of God were The time is coming, and we trust very soon, my home city, where resolutions against anarchy out of the way, their trouble would cease. Upon when all those who do good in this present evil were discussed and passed with a hearty Ameri- again seeing the prophet of God, Ahab charges world will both do good and feel good all the can enthusiasm. I am told that this unfortunate him, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel ? " The time; for we read in 2 Cor. 4: 17: "For our man, realizing that something that caused excite- answer was, " I have not troubled Israel; but -light affliction, which is but for a moment, work- ment was being discussed, would repeat any word thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have for- eth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight that others used. When the hearers were called saken the commandments of the Lord, and thou of glory ; while we look not at the things which upon to respond in favor of the resolutions, there hast followed Baalim." i Kings i8: 17, i8. are seen, but at the thing-s which are not seen : was a hearty " yes," he also saying " yes." And The test is near. There is still a great work for the things which are seen are temporal ; but. when it was asked if there were any to say " no," to do. " The Lord is not slack . . . as some men -the things which are not seen are eternal." he repeated the word " no." Then, before the count slackness." He is not careless nor indif- So those who are not seeking for comfort and mental condition of this unfortunate man could ferent, but He has commissioned the angels to pleasure and good feelings in this present ex- be made known, there was a rush for him with stay the tide, that the servants of God may be perience have for their consolation the assurance cries of " Kill him," " hang him ; " and before sought out and sealed. Are the laborers awake ? that they will be numbered among those spoken officers could reach him, the man was nearly How many are numbered among the laborers ? of in Rev. 3 : 21 : " To him that overcometh will killed. Men, women, and children joined in the Those who are not laborers are what? God has I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I cry and rush. One woman drew a hat pin, and certainly commissioned every soul to whom He also overcame, and am set down with my Father strove to kill him with it. When the condition has given light, to carry it to others. Your talent in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear of the bruised and bleeding man was known, may not be great, but you can fulfill the require- what the Spirit saith unto the churches:" DEC. 3, 9011 ADVENT PEVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD (3) 779
GROWTH. THANKS UNTO GOD. The service of Christ is self-losing; but in that paradoxical way, lose so as to gain, ," He J. C. BROWER. Now thanks unto our Lord above that lOseth his life . . . shall find it." " There (Americus, Ga.) For all His mercies ever new; For morning sun and evening cloud, is that scattereth, and yet increaseth." " That For blessings of the rain and dew. which thou sowest is not quickened [made alive], THE seed-planter is the Son of man. The seed except it die." is the word of God. In the parable the seed His hand bath dowered our lives with joy, Is it not so in the nature of things? Is not which the man had sown germinated and grew. His wisdom o'er our way has been; a man's income the return of his outcome in- Thus its brief story is told : " First the blade, In Him we've found the strength to wage creased ? Is not rest the fruit, of weariness? then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." The never-ceasing strife with sin. Crown is but the metamorphosis of cross,—.dou- It passed from one stage to the other, chang- We praise our Lord for gift and store, ble s changing to wn. He that sows time for ing imperceptibly though surely. The transition We praise Him, too, for gifts withheld, God, shall reap eternity to himself. from the blade to the ear, and the eat to the For every onward step to heaven, " To burn as incense." The sweet savor of full corn, demonstrated life. It changed con- For every strife of evil quelled, the incense is smelled only as it burns; and then stantly. This is life. Only dead, inanimate For blessings of the hearth and home, it is not lost, but becoming volatile, it ascends. things do not change — do not live. Thus the For wifehood's charm, serenely sweet, The fragrance of the stacte, and onycha, arid growth went on until in its plant life it reached For children's voices blithe with song, galbanum, with pure frankincense, was best got the " full corn in the ear." This was attained FcCr groups that round the altar meet. only as these substances were beaten very small before the harvester came. It was now complete. And ever as we count the good, and submitted to holy fire. And those who would Immediately it was harvested. The embryonic And sum it in our measures small, plant, inclosed in its hard, impenetrable shell, make an offering and a sacrifice to God for a Beyond our human powers it seems sweet smelling savor must fall on the Rock and had, under proper conditions, broken 'its shell, To tell our Lord's great love at all. be broken to pieces. and finally, in the fruit, had realized the ideal for which it had been striving. Jehovah, who art high above " We must through much tribulation enter into Our mortal ken, thou hast revealed This side of eternity our ideals will never be the kingdom." Acts i4: 22. The tribulum was Thyself unto our simple love, the thrashing-machine , wherewith the ancients realized, for all right ideals reach over into eter- In Christ our Saviour, Sun, and Shield. nity, and are an anchor of the soul, both sure beat out their corn. By like process God is beat- and steadfast, entering into that within the veil. And so all days and all our ways ing out His. Therefore " we glory in tribulations The man in the parable knew not how the Must with devout thanksgiving brim; also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." As lift our souls their earnest praise, seed grew. Jesus stated the same thing to Nic- Rom. 5 : 3. Without patience we shall growl in- Each syllable a thought of Him. stead of glory; and growls would blemish the odemus when He said, " The wind bloweth where — Margaret E. Sangster. it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, offering. Therefore in patience let us possess our souls. Luke 21 : 19.. We cannot change the but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither BE PATIENT. it goeth." path to the kingdom. It used to be via the Cross Life is mysterious and beyond man's ken. He PHILIP GIDDINGS. Road, cutting adverse angles with the Broadway sees old earth teeming with life, yet cannot tell of Self, and still is. There is only one way, as how. Life is one of the secret things that belong " BE patient therefore, brethren, unto the com- there is only one Christ, and that way through to God. , Dent. 29: 29. Yet no man disbelieves ing of the Lord. . . . Be ye also patient; stablish the street called Strait. physical life, nor does he doubt it. Then why your hearts : for the coming of the Lord draweth The most trying thing for most of us is to be doubt about the life of which Jesus said, " I am nigh." James 5: 7, 8. patient, to suffer and not complain. But this is come that they might have life, and that they The Christian life is a race, and the " where- the means God has chosen — patience, suffering, might have it more abundantly "? This was said withal " we run it is patience. Paul says, " Let more or less severe, according to the purpose He of eternal life. us run with patience the race that is set before has in view,— to us many a time incomprehen- Now in the parable the blade could never get us." Heb. I2: I. sible, and, perhaps, must be until we know as back into its former tiny, hard shell; the ear In James 5 there are two different root-words we are known. never back into the blade, nor could the full corn from which " patience " is translated. The root- But this much seems apparent — that God is in the ear ever go back into the ear. When it idea of the first ( Wos )is " sacrifice," " offering," working on the plan of the reversal. " Since by passed from one stage to a larger and greater, " to burn as incense; " and so to consume, to man came death, by man came also the resurrec- that passing was final. Never would it pass suffer ( p,axpOs, long), to suffer long. The root- tion of the dead." i Cor. 15: 21. As the devil that way again. It could not go back into its idea of the other ( ) is " to endure," " to brought death into life, God will bring life out former self again — never! hold out," " to wait ; " and so to be patient. of death. As he brought tears into laughter, God But how with you, dear brother? Do you " Sacrifice," — this is what the Christian will bring laughter out of tears. As he brought grow ? or do you, contrary to the great lesson ought to be — on God's altar of service, not re- curse into God's blessing, God will bring bless- in the parable, go back into your old self again, fusing to be dealt with as seems best to Him, ing out of his curse. And so it is written, Cursed sinning as before you were forgiven? Do you, but with full, submissive confidence in a Father's be the earth for man's sake,— not the curse of as Dr. Holmes said of the chambered nautilus, unchanging love and unerring wisdom, like Isaac, vengeance or but of an antidote made " stretch 'in its [your] last-found home, and knew not to wrestle, but to rest. " I beseech you there- necessary, a " counterirritant over the seat of [know] the old no more "? Or are you knowing- fore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye disorder to obtain a revulsive action." • the old again, thinking that in the future you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, accept- Not more so the wrath of men than of demons will arouse yourself and`positively quit thinking able unto God, which is your reasonable service." shall praise Him. The very serpent whose bite your same old illicit thoughts,— thoughts that Rom. 12: I. would cause death, God can use so " that every you wouldn't have your brother in the pew or " Offering " — whole burnt offering. The one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall pulpit know for the world? Impure thoughts Christian is to offer not a Tart only, but the live." Num. 21 : 8. Yea, God can take that ser- beget impure actions and words; for as a man whole self. Nor is he to offer the whole fOr any pent, at once the symbol of death and of life, thinketh, so is he: Do you have the same old other purpose than to be burned, to be consumed, and illustrate the Saviour, through whose death envy in your heart, the same irritable disposition? to be spent,— wholly to the Lord. The burnt is life: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in Do you use the same sharp words as before? 0 offering was voluntary. Thus also the Chris- the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be brother, as you leave the past, leave it forever. tian's service should be, " not grudgingly, or of lifted up : that whosoever believeth in Him Never return to its sad experiences. A better, necessity," but• cheerfully and willingly; " for should not perish, but have eternal life." John brighter now awaits you. Do not hanker after God loveth a cheerful giver." i Cor. 9: 7. The 3 : 14, 15. the old shell. If you have really grown, you'll question is still, " Who then is willing to conse- So., then, the riddle is still : " Out of the eater have hard work to get back into it again. It crate his service this day unto God?" i Chron. came forth meat, and out of the strong came will take squeezing, and that squeezing may cost 29: 5. " Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him forth sweetness." Judges 14: 14. It is the plan you your life. bring it, an offering of the Lord." Ex. 35: 5. now that bread must be got out of the sweat of " Build thee more stately mansions, 0 my soul, Sonic give themselves to God, but would dic- affliction. Bethel's ladder whereon angels de- As the swift seasons roll. tate how God should use them. They do not scend and ascend is based on stony griefs, which, Let each new temple, nobler than the last, object to being placed on the altar, so long as however, are but the gate of heaven. Meteors Shut thee from heaven With a dome more vast, the knife and the fire are not used. They would must be seen through smoked glasses, and even Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine out-grown shell by life's unresting serve God only as it serves their convenience. our teardrops might serve to refract and reflect sea." They would go God's errand provided they have God's sunlight of love into prismatic bow of a business of their own in the same direction. promise. " WE are learners that we may be teachers. They would be " showbread; " but even the Be patient, suffer, permit to be done with or This idea must be imprinted in the mind of showbread was not simply for show, but to be unto. It is the process of perfection. " My every church-member." consumed. brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers 780 (4) ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD [Vol,. 78, No. 49
temptations ; knowing this, that the trying of TRY THE SPIRITS. HOW TO KEEP FROM FALLING. your 'faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect MRS. E. M. PEEBLES. MRS. LEN NA ISELIN. and 'entire, wanting nothing." James I : 2-4. (Spring Bluff, Wis.) The value of a thing is in proportion to the OUR Saviour, in Matthew 24, speaks of a time DISCOURAGEMENT often arises from the fact labor bestowed upon it. When I was a child, when there shall " arise false Christs, and false that, after beginning a new life, we often fall. there were some children whose lot seemed to prophets," who shall " show great signs and Roots of pride, jealousy, hatred, strife, and im- wonders ; insomuch that, if it were possible, they my ignorance more to be coveted than others. I patience have been placed by Satan all along the noticed they did not go to school,— no lessons shall deceive the very elect." way, and he rejoices when we fall. to learn, no correction to receive. They did just It is comparatively easy to decide upon the The world also is watching our progress, and questions of Spiritualism, Christian Science, so- whatever they wanted to do. Their parents sim- every deviation from the right path is noticed ply ,leet them alone. The others had to go to called divine healing, and the modern phase of and commented upon. Our failures are used as school. They had hard tasks to perform, cor- sanctification ; and many other of the delusions stumbling-blocks for others, who seem to forget rections to receive, parents frowning to submit whose name is Legion. The simple test given that we are only mortal, and that naturally we in Isa. 8 : 20 is sufficient: " To the law and to,— a rein and bridle, sometimes stiffly drawn, have the same evil tendencies as they. Besides,' to the testimony : if they speak not according to insist the way they should and must go. as soon as we accept Christ, Satan uses every Standing to-day on the height of riper years to this word, it is because there is no light in artifice conceivable to cause our downfall. Forces and clearer vision, I see the difference : One class, them." are brought to bear on us that they know noth- But there is a kind to which this does not at fine, cultured men, like the transparent, bril- ing of ; so they stand at one side, and look at once seem to be a sufficient test. These fre- liant diamond of value; the other, coarse, dark, our faults through Satan's magnifying glass. quently appear among the true people of God; shapeless, and comparatively valueless charcoal They seek to cover their sins with our failures ; — same in substance, but 'different in arrange- and many honest souls have been entrapped by but every sin will be uncovered in the day of Satan because some one with more zeal than ment. All the difference there is between man judgment, and " the soul that sinneth, it shall knowledge has appeared and claimed to have a and` man is in their training. Train, strain, re- die." gift, either of prophecy or divine healing, and they strain,— these three. All this leads to discouragement. We know dared not say anything against it for fear it might Taste this loaf of bread. See how fine its tex- that we fall, often; and we are hurt by it. We be of God. The words of our Saviour are a suffi- ture compared to that other loaf. Both from the feel sad because of it. Nevertheless, we need not cient test for these. See• John 16 : 13,14 : " How- same brand. But one dough has been kneaded despair ; for there is One watching us with ten- beit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He more than the other. der pity. " Like as a father pitieth his children, will guide you into all truth : for He shall not Look at that beautiful statue of Athene by so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Why? speak of himself ; but whatsoever He shall hear Phidias. Whence comes the difference between — " For He knoweth our frame; He remember- that shall He speak : and He will show you eth that we are dust." it and that shapeless block yonder ? things to come. He shall glorify me: for He This assurance that we have one pitiful, loving Spiritually are not some of us, like ignorant shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto Friend, though all others fail, is indeed comfort- children, thinking that, because God chastens us, you." ing. We may always find a balm for every wound, we are badly treated, and worse off than others Notice, " He shall not speak of himself." The if we turn to the word of God. We may also find whom He lets alone, forgetting that " whom the person who really has a miraculous gift will be Lord loveth He chasteneth " ? And because the the last to parade it before the people, saying, a preventive. Job says, " Thy words have up- holden him that was falling, and thou hast wicked for a time are not plagued like other men, " Follow me; I have a gift. God is with me;" strengthened the feeble knees." Peter says, we, like David, almost wish we were they? but on the contrary, he is humbled and abashed, Be patient, brethren. We now see through a like Daniel of old when he said, " My comeliness " Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence glass 'darkly, but after a while it will be face to was turned in me into corruption," and " there to make your calling and election sure : for if face, remained no strength in me," and " I stood trem- ye do these things, ye shall never fall." The Lord ",How long, Lord? " Ps. 79: 5. To us, God's bling." Self is lost sight of in the presence of says through His prophet Isaiah, " Fear thou dealings seem sometimes interminable. We do our Maker, as in the case of Isaiah, who said, not ; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for not understand why the cloud hangs over us so " Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I long, why the pressure of trouble lasts year after man of unclean, lips, and I dwell in the midst will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the year. We cry out, in gusts of impatience, " How of a people of unclean lips : for mine eyes have right hand of my righteousness. . . . For I the long, Lord? " seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Isa. 6: 5. Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying This parable helped me; may it help you to The' I is left out, except as it is mentioned with unto thee, Fear not ; I will help thee." be silent, still, and long-suffering: A bar of iron humility and tears because of the sense of utter The great trouble is we think of the Lord as worth Li, when wrought into horseshoes, is worth unworthiness to be used in such a sacred, respon- one far away, about whom we have read and £2; if made into needles, it is worth £70; if into sible work. There is no dividing the flock, heard a great deal., but have never had a close, penknife blades, it is worth £650; into watch calling off a little band of followers, with me as personal acquaintance with Him. Let us ac- springs, it is worth £50,000. What a drilling the the center, but there will be always a drawing custom ourselves to the thought that He is close poor bar must undergo to be worth this; but the to the body of whom Christ is the Head. He by our side; that we are never .one moment more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered, may and will weep over the failings and sins alone. When we feel the need of help, He is and passed through the fire, and beaten and that are in the Church; but, like Daniel, he will ready to protect us. Let us place our hand con- pounded and polished, the greater its value. say, " We have sinned; and have committed fidingly in His, and walk with Him. No matter So with us. Those that suffer most are ca- iniquity and have done wickedly," etc. Dan. 9: 5. how rough the way may be, we can safely follow pable of yielding most; and it is through pain He shares mutually (even though in reality he Jesus. He has trod the way before. He knows that God is getting the most out of us for His is not guilty) the humbling of soul and the where all the protruding roots, thorns, and briers glory and the blessing of others. It will be all confession that are due because of the backslid- may be found; and He will help us through all the difficult places if we let Him. right some day. We shall see it all and be sat- den condition in which the Church finds her- " Enoch walked with God: and he was not; isfied. Yes, great Father, we would like to be self. for God took him." He was translated. We watch springs. Go on, stay not the discipline. Notice again in the text referred to, " He shall who are hoping for translation when Jesus comes Take 'no heed of our cry if sometimes we forget glorify me : for He shall receive of mine, and must, before that time, have learned to walk with ourselves and question, " How long? " shall show it unto you; " that is, being taught of the Spirit, he can communicate precious lessons God. of obedience, of humility, of faith and confidence We ourselves can do nothing. Often Satan in One who is mighty to save from the sins and allows us to gain a few victories to establish con- BE CONTENT errors which every true follower of Jesus grieves fidence in self ; but no sooner do we begin to over and deplores, and seeks with all the power feel confident ,of success, than -our confidence is UNWRAP thy life, of any wants refine: of his being to turn from. He knows only terribly shaken by a fall. Let us surrender self He who with Christ would dine Christ, and Him crucified. A broken and con- " unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, Shall see no table curiously spread, trite heart, and a crucified and risen Saviour, and to present you faultless before the presence ;But fish and barley bread. Where readest thou that Jesus bade us pray, in whose merits alone he is, like all others, to of His glory with exceeding joy." ",Give us our sumptuous fare from day to day "? trust,— these are his only offerings, and to Saviour, let me walk with thee; Why wilt thou take a castle on thy back these will he always point others. Like John Strengthen thou the feeble knee, When God gave but a pack? the Baptist, he will say, " Behold the Lamb of That I fall not by the way-, Hold my trembling hand, I pray. WititgoWn of honest wear, why wilt thou tease God, which taketh away the sin of the world." For braid and fripperies? Learn thou with flowers to dress — with birds to He " is preferred before me," " the latchet of feed— whose shoes I am unworthy to stoop down and THE daily life of a good man is a fountain And pinch,„ thy large want to thy little need. unloose." " He must increase, but I must de- which enriches and refreshes all that come near. — F. Landbridge, in Nashville (Tenn.) American. crease." — Daniel March, D. D.