The Gift of Prophecy in the Christian Church.

[Registered at the G.P.O.Melbourne, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper.] Vol. 26, No. 30 Melbourne, Victoria, July 24, 1911 ONE PENNY

Tried for Heresy—When the Ecclesiastical Power Dominated the Civil 466 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911

carried on week by week by this denom- ination, we have yet to learn that any Seventh-day Adventist believes that "the I must be interpreted so as to har- monise with" the writings of Mrs. White. I Indeed, we challenge Mr. Urquhart to EDITOR : A. W. ANDERSON. cite one instance in any of our published { R HARE: New South Wales. CONTRIBUTING G. TEASDALE : Queensland. works in which any such idea is set forth. EDITORS: R. W. MUNSON: Java. Therefore we unhesitatingly affirm that Correspondents in all Australasian States. Mr. Urquhart's insinuation that Seventh- day Adventists make the Bible " second- Melbourne, Victoria, July 24, 1911. ary to Mrs. White " is absolutely false. Mr. Urquhart asks, " Is it not a gross deception of the public to say they [the Seventh-day Adventists} believe the Bible A False Charge Refuted to be the sole authority in matters of IN a recent issue we made some com- faith, while they really make it secondary ments upon an article which was pub- to this female Pope, Mrs. White ?" Our lished by the Rev. John Urquhart in the reply is an emphatic denial of the impu- Bible Investigator, in which he alluded to tation ; and, moreover, if Mr. Urquhart is this denomination as Jesuitical. We honest he will hasten to correct the mis- asked him to explain, and he has re- statement in his next issue. In making sponded as follows :— this false charge against Seventh-day "A few words will suffice. The Editor jof the Adventists it is Mr. Urquhart who is SIGNS OF THE TIMES] says that Seventh Day Ad- guilty of " gross deception of the public," ventists are loyal to every principle of Protest- and not we. antism, believing and teaching that the Bible is the sole authority in matters of faith.' Now, is it true, Our proof that such a statement is or is it not true that Seventh Day Adventists believe false will be found in Mrs. White's own that Mrs. White is inspired equally with the writers writings, a few extracts from which of the Bible, and that the Bible must be interpreted would not be out of place here. Thirty- so as to harmonise with her writings? If that is true is it not Jesuitical to make the above statement? five years ago Mrs. White wrote the Is it not a gross deception of the public to say they following reply to someone who made believe the Bible to be the sole authority in matters the same false accusation against her of faith, while they really make it secondary to this that Mr. Urquhart has now done :— female Pope. Mrs. White ?" Mr. would confuse the mind by It is very evident from the above reply seeking to make it appear that the light that either Mr. Urquhart is not disposed God has given through the Testimonies to give us an honest answer to our ques- is an addition to the Word of God; but in tion, or else that he does not know what this he presents the matter in a false Seventh-day Adventists teach and be- light. God has seen fit in this manner lieve. Throughout the world Seventh- to bring the minds of His people to His day Adventists are known as BIBLE Word, to give them a clearer understand- STUDENTS, and it is doubtful if there ing of it" is any other denomination that devotes so much time per capita to the study of the The Bible the Sole Authority in Matters of Faith Bible. In other denominations usually Throughout the entire history of this only the children and young people denomination we have held precisely the attend the Sunday-school, but in this same position upon the Bible and the denomination grey-headed old grand- writings of Mrs. White, as will be seen fathers of eighty summers, fathers and by the follom'ing paragraphs which were mothers, young men and maidens, youths written over forty years ago by this same and toddling infants regularly attend author whose writings Mr. Urquhart Sabbath-school, and recite their Bible falsely accuses us of setting above the lessons with intense interest. Bible:— After a personal experience extending "The Word of God is sufficient to over many years of the thorough and enlighten the most beclouded mind, and systematic Bible teaching which is may be understood by those who have J uly 24, 1911 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 467 any desire to understand it. But not- as " a female Pope." Just as his imputa- withstanding all this, some who profess tion that Jesuitical practices are followed to make the Word of God their study, by this denomination is untrue, so this are found living in direct opposition to charge against Mrs. White is also untrue. its plainest teachings. Then, to leave It would be wiser for Mr. Urquhart to men and women without excuse, God make sure of facts before he launches gives plain and pointed testimonies, charges against another denomination bringing them back to the Word that they which are utterly unfounded. have neglected to follow. . . . In another column we publish an article " You are not familiar with the Scrip- written by Mrs. White herself which tures. If you had made God's Word shows exactly what she believes and your study, with a desire to reach the teaches about the Bible. For sixty-five Bible standard and attain to Christian years Mrs. White has laboured unceas- perfection, you would not have needed ingly for , and her books and the Testimonies. It is because you have articles have enlightened hundreds of neglected to acquaint yourselves with thousands of readers in all parts of the God's inspired Book that He has sought world. to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, To our personal knowledge many of calling your attention to the words of inspira- these books and articles are freely used tion which you have neglected to obey, by ministers and Sunday-school teachers and urging you to fashion your lives in of other denominations in preparing their accordance with its pure and elevated sermons and lessons, with profit both to teachings. themselves and their hearers. Thousands " The written Testimonies are not to give of copies of Mrs. White's " Steps to new light, but to impress vividly upon the Christ" have been circulated by other heart the truths of inspiration already publishing houses, and this book has revealed. . . . The Testimonies are been purchased by ministers of other not to belittle the Word of God, but to churches for distribution amongst their exalt it, and attract minds to it, that the congregations. One Presbyterian min- beautiful simplicity of truth may impress ister purchased no less than fifty copies all." of this book to give to the young people Of her own special work Mrs. White of his congregation, in the hope of lead- writes :— ing them to Christ. A hasty glance " The work which the Lord has laid through any of Mrs. White's books is out before me especially, is to urge young quite sufficient to refute Mr. Urquhart's and old, learned and unlearned, to search charge of popery. the Scriptures for themselves; to impress Mr. Urquhart concludes his reply by upon all that the study of God's Word making a series of false statements which will expand the mind and strengthen we hope to deal with in a later issue. every faculty, fitting the intellect to wrestle with problems of truth, deep and far-reaching; to assure all that the clear knowledge of the Bible outdoes all other The " Ne Temere " Decree of the knowledge in making man what God designed he should be. . . . If the Roman Catholic Church—No. 2 Testimonies speak not according to the By Hinz Word of God, reject them. Christ and LAST week we defined the Ne Temere Belial cannot be united." decree, and showed that it infringed the What is popish about this ? civil rights of many individuals, and that, The servant of God who thus sets before consequently, it would be perfectly proper the world her mission, and whose writings for civil government to prohibit its pro- are published in scores of languages in mulgation. The Ne Temere decree, how- more than one hundred missionary ever, is only a mild exemplification of journals which this denomination circu- the injustice which is done to many indi- lates in various parts of the world, Mr. viduals when the distinctions that exist Urquhart very ungraciously stigmatises between civil government and religion 468 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911 are disregarded, and either gets out of moved all men to thoughts of truth and its legitimate sphere. deeds of righteousness. Wrongs would never have arisen, and consequently law Civil Government and Religion courts, judges, and police officers, and That civil government and religion the ponderous tomes of divers laws and occupy distinct and separate spheres is statutes, now considered indispensable recognised by Christ in the words, to the administration of justice, would "Render therefore unto Csar the things never have existed. But the miasma of which are Caesar's; and unto God the sin tainted the once pure atmosphere of heart and mind; men with selfish, sordid interests began to multiply in the earth, and the lives and property of others became to be insecure; then did civil government become a necessity.

'The Province of Civil Government The need which civil government was ordained to meet, best indicates the province it was designed to fill. Civil government is ordained to protect the God-given and inalienable rights of men, so long as they do not infringe the equal rights of others. Among these rights may be mentioned the right to life, to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;: and in the protection of men in the exer- cise of these rights civil government finds its legitimate and proper sphere. Man also possesses the right of con- science—the right to worship God or worship Him not, or worship Him as he thinks is best. This right of conscience God gave to man in the beginning when He made him a free moral agent; and the rights which God has given, civil government cannot take away. God could have made man a mere living machine in moral matters, or compelled him from the first to obey Him; but in forced service Jehovah finds no pleasure—only in the free, glad and The Martyi-dom of Huss willing service of the heart does He The enforcing of religious beliefs by civil law makes delight. For this reason man was made men either martyrs or hypocritez. a free moral agent, and civil government things that are God's." Matt. 22:21. usurps powers which God Himself has Civil government is ordained of God never assumed, when it presumes to (Rom. 13: I), and is a necessity because compel men in matters of religion. On of sin. If sin had never entered the the other hand, it meets the mind of God world, civil government would have been when it protects man in the free exercise a thing unknown. To God as Lord of of the rights which He has given. all, every heart would have paid glad and Again, in the great judgment day willing homage, and love to God and love every individual must answer for himself to man—the two great underlying prin- for the deeds done in this life. Men are ciples of that holy law which is the basis not then judged as States or nations, but of the government of God—would have as individuals. Consequently each man been the all-pervading inspiration that carries in moral matters an individual July 24, 1911 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 469 responsibility, and the State, which can- term from which our word " church " is not answer for him, manifestly has no translated is ecclesia, and means " that right to dictate what his religious faith which is called out." The true Church, shall be. therefore, is composed of those who have Hence, if a man wishes to be a renounced sin, and walk by the grace of Roman Catholic; civil government has God in the paths of righteousness and no right to prevent him ; if he pleases to truth. be a Protestant, it has no right to oppose The means which the Church may em- him; if he chooses to be a pagan or an ploy in her work are prayer, persuasion, atheist, or to adopt any other belief, it and the preaching of the Word of God. has no right to forbid him. She must not use force, for to her has not been given the sword of steel which Things Civil and Moral the State bears not in vain for the punish- Civil government has to do with things ment of evil-doers. And she does not civil, not with things moral: it deals with need the sword of steel, for she has been crimes, not withsins. Crime is the violation armed with the " sword of the Spirit, of the laws of the State ; sin, the trans- which is the Word of God ; " and " the gression of the law of God. I John 3 : 4. Word of God is quick and powerful, and By the very nature of the case civil gov- sharper than any two-edged sword." ernment cannot administer the moral law The weapons of her warfare " are not of the ten commandments, which forms carnal, but mighty through God to the the basis of the government of God. pulling down of strongholds." Heb. That law takes cognisance of the thoughts 4: 12 ; 2 Cor. io : 4. and intents of the heart (Matt. 5 : 22, 28); In the sixth chapter of Ephesians is and this, civil government, not possessing described the armour of the Church for omniscience, cannot do. For instance, her spiritual warfare. Having on the by the law of God hatred is murder. complete armour which God has given I John 3: 15. But a man might have a her, she needs no other. For her to thousand enemies and hate them all, and seek State aid is a confession of spiritual his hatred Could be so secret that the weakness, and a guarantee of ultimate State could not reach Him; similarly he failure in her God-given work ; " for it might covet the possessions of all his is not by might, nor by power, but by neighbours for miles around, thus break- My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." ing the moral law, and the State not Zech. 4: 6. know it, But let him convert his thoughts As civil government gets out of its into deeds, and murder and steal, and he legitimate sphere when it interferes in then becomes subject to the penalties of matters of conscience, so does the Church civil law. Thus that law can punish men get out of hers when she infringes the not for sins, but for crimes. civil rights of men. This the Papacy has It has been well said that the iniquitous done by the promulgation of the Ne Inquisition, with all its diabolical horrors Temere decree, as shown in the preceding and fiendish cruelties, was only the article. And what has been said re- logical outcome of the mistaken idea that garding the illegitimacy of the invasion men may administer the law of God. As of the rights of conscience by civil men, not possessing omniscience, cannot government, applies equally to the Church. read the thoughts, torture—and that of the most inhuman form—was resorted to, The Union of Church and State in order to wring from the unfortunate When Church and State unite for the victims a confession of the secrets of the enforcing of some dogma by civil law, heart. injustice to many individuals always The Church and Its Work follows, and often persecution. As a Like civil government, the Church is result men are made either martyrs or ordained because of sin. Man has fallen, hypocrites. The true man will surrender and consequently needs salvation; and liberty and life rather than deny what in this work of saving men from sin has his inmost heart he believes to be right; been given to the Church. The Greek while the faint-hearted individual will, 470 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911 from fear of punishment, assent to what both." Bearing this in mind, we can he does not really believe. The one be- heartily say with Ulysses S. Grant, one comes a martyr, the other a hypocrite. of the Presidents of the United States, Generally, in religious persecutions, the " Keep the Church and the State forever Church has been the party most to blame. separate." Civil government when left to itself, is Papal Assumptions not prone to persecute. It is only when dominated by a religious party, by a sect Speaking at a Roman Catholic function or church, that it permits itself to be led at Elsternwick, Melbourne, on July 2, into the baneful work of compelling men Archbishop Carr said, according to the in matters of conscience. report of the Melbourne Age, "From the Had Church and State always been beginning Roman Catholic Church legis- kept separate, the ecclesiastical power lation comprehended acts not founded

Proclaiming the Dogma of Papal Infallibility in the Vatican at , 1870 which is now promulgating the iniquitous directly on the divine law, nor on Ne Temere decree could never have natural law, but founded on the require- arisen ; and the atrocious persecutions ments of the church from time to time." which have sent so many millions This is perfectly true, but what the of the saints of God to the martyr's pile church has required from time to time, and the headsman's block, and which however, she has not always had the appear all the more odious because right to require. From the beginning of undertaken in the name of the Prince of her history, we may say, Papal legisla- Peace, could never have occurred. The tion has comprehended many things not union of the secular and the spiritual, only " not founded directly on the divine which God created twain, has only re- law," but entirely in opposition to the sulted, as the Protestant historian Wylie divine law. She of course claims a has well said, "in the dominancy of the divine right to act thus, but the Word of one principle, the subserviency of the God and the voice of history will not other, and the corruption and injury of bear out her assertion. In his address at July 24, 1977 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 471 Elsternwick, Archbishop Carr asked throughout the body. They believe :— whether the religion of some who op- "(19) That the Spirit of God was posed the Ne Temere decree, was " State- promised to manifest itself in the church made or man-made." These words of through certain gifts, enumerated espe- the Archbishop exactly describe the cially in I Corintians 12 and Ephesians origin of the Papacy. " Of the two 4; that these gifts are not designed to branches of his [the pope's] power," says supersede, or take the place of, the Bible, Wylie, namely "the sacerdotal and the which is sufficient to make us wise unto regal, it is hard to determine which salvation, any more than the Bible can is the most disreputable and infamous take the place of the Holy Spirit; that, in its beginnings. His mitre he had in specifying the various channels of its from the murderer Phocas; his crown operation, that Spirit has simply made from the usurper Pippin. A spotless provision for its own existence and and noble lineage forsooth ! " presence with the people of God to the To-day Rome still makes the audacious end of time, to lead to an understanding claim that the pope " can pronounce of that Word which it had inspired, to sentence and judgment in contradiction convince of sin, and to work a transfor- to the right of nations, to the law of God mation in the heart and life ; and that and man ; " and a union of Church and those who deny to the Spirit its place State, with the Papal element dominant. and operation, do plainly deny that part is all that is needed to enable her to of the Bible which assigns to it this work carry out her claim in the truest sense of and position." the word. But, we may ask, if it is neither right Convent Schools—a Warning nor desirable to have a union of Church and State with the Catholic element A PARENT has written to one of the dominant, would it be right or desirable London dailies to draw attention to the to have the same thing with the Protest- rapid growth of convent schools for girls : ant element preponderating ? Or would "I have watched one grow from a very it be right for any Protestant denomina- few pupils until now there are at least tion or denominations to control the one hundred and thirty. Many of these affairs of State to the disregard of the girls come from Protestant homes, and rights of conscience possessed by other have been induced to enter the convent Protestant sections of the community? school because of the ridiculously low These questions we shall consider fees, and with the promise that no reli- next week. gious influence shall be exercised. But it is generally found that when the educa- A Fundamental Principle tion is complete, so also is the Romish faith inculcated, and that few, if any, of IN order to remove any misunderstand- these pupils care to remain Protestants. ing upon the question as to what Seventh- When we remember that these are future day Adventists teach and believe con- wives and mothers, and that there are cerning the gift of prophecy in the but comparatively few Roman Catholics Christian Church, it may be well to quote these girls can marry, is it surprising from the denominational Year Book, one that, through mixed marriages, many of our " Fundamental Principles," which homes are unhappy to-day, and parents' are set forth in twenty-eight propositions. hearts are wrung because of the trouble The preamble to these propositions reads brought home so vividly through mixed thus :— marriages ? Is it generally known that " Seventh-day Adventists have no before a Protestant man can marry a creed but the Bible ; but they hold to Roman Catholic he must now sign papers certain well-defined points of faith, for giving up the whole of his offspring to which they feel prepared to give a reason be baptised into the Roman Church ?,2 I to every man that asketh ' them. The appeal to parents to keep their girls safe following propositions may be taken as a from a convent school at whatever cost, summary of the principal features of and to the people of England to wake up their religious faith, upon which there is, and guard our shores from this insidious so far as is known, entire unanimity danger."—Selected. 472 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911

(l.txj-r x x xit- x-I.---x,)11.•X') God the Author of the Bible The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by human hands ; and General Articles in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are all " given by inspiration of God " (2 Tim. 3 : 16); yet they are expressed in the words of men. The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit has shed light into the minds and hearts of His servants. Patience He has given dreams and visions, WERE there no night we could not read the stars, symbols and figures; and those to whom The heavens would turn into a blinding glare; the truth was thus revealed, have them- Freedom is best seen through prison bars, selves embodied the thought in human And rough seas make the haven passing fair. language. We cannot measure joys but by their loss, The ten commandments were spoken When blessings fade away we see them then ; by God Himself, and were written by Our richest clusters grow around the cross, His own hand. They are of divine, and And in the night-time sing to men. —Selected. not of human composition. But the Bible, with its God-given truths expressed in the language of men, presents a union of Cod's Method of Communication the divine and the human. Such a union with Man existed in the nature of Christ, who was the Son of God and the Son of man. By Mrs. E. G. White Thus it is true of the Bible, as it was of BEFORE the entrance of sin, Adam en- Christ, that "the Word was made flesh, joyed open communion with his Maker; and dwelt among us." John I : 14. but since man separated himself from Written in different ages, by men who God by transgression, the human race differed widely in rank and occupation, has been cut off from this high privilege. and in mental and spiritual endowments, By the plan of redemption, however, a the books of the Bible present a wide way has been opened whereby the in- contrast in style, as well as a diversity habitants of the earth may still have in the nature of the subjects unfolded. connection with Heaven. God has Different forms of expression are em- communicated with men by His Spirit, ployed by different writers; often the and divine light has been imparted to same truth is more strikingly pre- the world by revelations to His chosen sented by one than by another. And as servants. " Holy men of God spake as several writers present a subject under hey were moved by the Holy Ghost." varied aspects and relations, there may 2 Peter I : 21. appear, to the superficial, careless or During the first twenty-five hundred prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or years of human history, there was no contradiction, where the thoughtful, written revelation. Those who had been reverent student, with clearer insight, taught of God, communicated their discerns the underlying harmony. -knowledge to others, and it was handed As presented through different in- down from father to son, through sue- dividuals, the truth is brought out in its ,cessive generations. The preparation of varied aspects. One writer is more the written Word began in the time of strongly impressed with one phase of Moses. Inspired revelations were then the subject; he grasps those points that imbodied in an inspired book. This harmonise with his experience or with work continued during the long period his power of perception and apprecia- of sixteen hundred years, from Moses, tion ; another seizes upon a different the historian of creation and the law, to phase ; and each, under the guidance of John, the recorder of the most sublime the Holy Spirit, presents what is most truths of the ! forcibly impressed upon his own mind— July 24, 1911 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 473

a different aspect of the truth in each, world." I John 4 : I. And Isaiah de- but a perfect harmony through all. And clares, " To the law and to the testimony ; the truths thus revealed unite to form a if they speak not according to this word, perfect whole, adapted to meet the it is because there is no light in them." wants of men in all the circumstances Isa. 8 : 20. and experiences of life. Great reproach has been cast upon the God has been pleased to communicate work of the Holy Spirit, by the errors of His truth to the world by human a class that, claiming its enlightenment, agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy profess to have no further need of Spirit, qualified men and enabled them guidance from the Word of God. They to do this work. He guided the mind in are governed by impressions which they the selection of what to speak and what regard as the voice of God in the soul. to write. The treasure was entrusted to But the Spirit that controls them is not earthern vessels, yet it is, none the less, the Spirit of God. This following of from Heaven. The testimony is con- impressions, to the neglect of the Scrip- veyed through the imperfect expression tures, can lead only to confusion, to of human language; yet it is the testi- deception and ruin. It serves only to mony of God; and the obedient, believ- further the designs of the evil one. ing child of God beholds in it the glory Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of a divine power, full of grace and of vital importance to the church of truth. Christ, it is one of the devices of , through the errors of extremists and The Scriptures the Infallible Revelation of God's Will fanatics to cast contempt upon the work In His Word, God has committed to of the Spirit, and cause the people of men the knowledge necessary for sal- God to neglect this source of strength vation. The Holy Scriptures are to be which our Lord Himself has provided. accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the The Work of the Spirit to Continue During standard of character, the revealer of Gospel Dispensation doctrines, and the test of experience. In harmony with the Word of God, " Every scripture inspired of God is also His Spirit was to continue its work profitable for teaching, for reproof, for throughout the entire period of the correction, for instruction which is in gospel dispensation. During the ages righteousness ; that the man of God may while the Scriptures of both the Old and be complete, furnished completely unto the were being given, every good work." 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17, R.V. the Holy Spirit did not cease to com- Yet the fact that God has revealed His municate light to individual minds, will to men through His Word, has not apart from the revelations to be em- rendered needless the continued presence bodied in the sacred canon. The Bible and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the itself relates how, through the Holy contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Spirit, men received warning, reproof, Saviour, to open the Word to His ser- counsel, and instruction, in matters in no vants, to illuminate and apply its teach- way relating to the giving of the Scrip- ings. And since it was the Spirit of tures. And mention is made of prophets God that inspired the Bible, it is im- in different ages, of whose utterances possible that the teaching of the Spirit nothing is recorded. In like manner, should ever be contrary to that of the after the close of the canon of Scrip- Word. ture the Holy Spirit was still to continue The Spirit was not given—nor can it its work, to enlighten, warn and com- ever be bestowed—to supersede the fort the children of God. Bible ; for the Scriptures explicitly state promised His disciples, " The that the Word of God is the standard by Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, which all teaching and experience must whom the Father will send in My name, be tested. Says the apostle John, " Be- He shall teach you all things, and bring lieve not every Spirit, but try the Spirits all things to your remembrance, what- whether they are of ,God; because many soever I have said unto you." " When false prophets are gone out into the He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will 474 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911 guide you into all truth ; . . . and Prophecy in the Christian Church He will show you things to come." John 14 : 26 ; 16 : 13. Scripture plainly By J. N. Loughborough teaches that these promises, so far from ON looking through the Acts of the being limited to apostolic days, extend Apostles the fact is apparent that the to the church of Christ in all ages. The Lord had many sons and daughters who Saviour assures His followers, "I am were favoured with divine revelations. In with you alway, even unto the end of the chapter II is mentioned the case of world." Matt. 28 : 20. And Paul de- , who predicted the great dearth clares that the gifts and manifestations that was to come on the land of Judea, of the Spirit were set in the church " for which prediction moved the Lord's the perfecting of the saints, for the work people to provide relief for the poor of the ministry, for the edifying of the saints at . Verses 27-30. The body of Christ : till we all come in the exact fulfilment of this prophecy estab- unity of the faith, and of the knowledge lished the faith of the believers in of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, Agabus as a true prophet among them, unto the measure of the stature of the so that when at Cwsarea, nineteen years fulness of Christ." Eph. 4: 12, 13. after, he told them what would be done For the believers at the to Paul in Jerusalem, there seemed to be apostle prayed, "That the God of our no question as to the certainty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, fulfilment of his prediction; for they at may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom once besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem. and revelation in the knowledge of Him ; :10, II. In the church at the eyes of your understanding being en- , four prophets are mentioned, lightened ; that ye may know what is the namely, , (Niger), hope of His calling, and what . . . is the Lucius, and Manaen. : I. It exceeding greatness of His power to us- seems also that Philip, the evangelist, ward who believe." Eph: I : 17-19. The who resided at Csarea, "had four ministry of the divine Spirit in enlighten- daughters, virgins," that were prophet- ing the understanding and opening to the esses. Acts 21 :8, 9. mind the deep things of God's holy Paul, when writing his to the Word, was the blessing which Paul thus Ephesians, spake of the gifts of the besought for the Ephesian church. Spirit on this wise : " Wherefore He After the wonderful manifestation of saith, When He ascended up on high, the Holy Spirit on the day of , He led captivity captive [" a multitude Peter exhorted the people to repentance of captives," margin], and gave gifts and baptism in the name of Christ, for unto men. . . . And He gave some, the remission of their sins ; and he said, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy evangelists ; and some, pastors and Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to your children, and to all that are afar for the work of the ministry, for the off, even as many as the Lord our God edifying of the body of Christ; till we shall call." :38, 39. all come in [" into," margin] the unity of In immediate connection with the the faith, and of the knowledge of the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the by the prophet Joel has promised a measure of the stature of the fulness of special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel Christ; that we henceforth be no more 2 : 28. This prophecy received a partial children, tossed to and fro, and carried fulfilment in the outpouring of the Spirit about with every wind of doctrine, by on the day of Pentecost; but it will reach the sleight of men, and cunning crafti- its full accomplishment in the manifesta- ness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive ; tion of divine grace which will attend but speaking the truth in love, may grow the closing work of the gospel. up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and "THE most valuable asset in the world compacted by that which every joint is character." supnlieth, according to the effectual July 24, 1971 THE SIM OF THE TIMES 475 working in the measure of every part, be revealed." And of him the apostle maketh increase of the body unto the said that he should sit " in the temple of edifying of itself in love." Chap 4: 8-16. God, showing himself that he is God." The Lord gave these gifts for the 2 Thess. 2 : 3, 4. accomplishment of a certain purpose in It is a fact that, while the early church His church (perfecting saints and edify- maintained their purity, the Lord mani- ing the church), and there still exists a fested among them the gifts of His need for such work to be done ; who will Spirit; but as the apostasy developed, say that the Lord will not even now, as their condition became more and more formerly, manifest those gifts for the like that of ancient Israel, of whom He same purpose, until probation shall end ? said: " Your iniquities have separated be- It is further seen from the writings of the tween you and your God, and your sins apostle that he recognises these gifts as have hid His face from you, that He will members of the body of Christ ; and as not hear." Isa. 59 : 2. such, who has a right to mutilate that Neander, in his " Church History," body, and say that this or that gift is not thus speaks of the Montanists of the now necessary ? second century : " The Montanists looked As other scriptures are considered, it upon it expressly as something character- will plainly appear that it is the Lord's istic of this last epoch of the develop- purpose that the gifts of His Spirit, in ment of the kingdom of God that, ac- the work of the Comforter, shall, in cording to the prophecies of Joel then in harmony with the prediction of Joel, be course of fulfilment, the gifts of the manifested all through these last days, Spirit should indifferently be shed abroad even down to His coming. over all classes of of both sexes." "It appears also to have been The Apostasy the doctrine of the Montanists that the We find in the Scriptures that the season of the last and richest outpouring manifestation of the' gift of prophecy is of the Holy Spirit would form the last closely allied with obedience to the law age of the church, and precede the of God. When the people faithfully second coming of Christ, and be the followed the Lord, He favoured them fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel."— with instruction through His prophets. Rose's Neander, pp. 330, 332. As they fell into sin and departed from John Wesley, in speaking of the His law, they had no vision from Montanists, says : " By reflecting on an God. So it is emphatically true, odd book which I had read in this journey as expressed by Solomon, " Where (` The General Delusion of Christians there is no vision, the people perish ; but with Regard to Prophecy '), I was fully he that keepeth the law, happy is he." convinced of what I had long suspected, Prov. 29: 18. They are happy, for, as (i) That the Montanists, in the second they obey the Lord's law, He is pleased and third centuries, were real, Scriptural to favour them with instruction through Christians ; and (2) that the grand reason His prophets. why the miraculous gifts were so soon We have seen that the early church withdrawn, was not only that faith and began its work with a manifestation of holiness were well-nigh lost, but that all the gifts of the Spirit, and with many dry, formal, orthodox men began even prophets among them ; but the apostle then to ridicule whatever gifts they had Paul predicted that there would come an not themselves, and to decry them all, apostasy. Of this he said to the elders as either madness or imposture."— of the Ephesus church : " For I know this, " Wesley's Jotwnal," Vol. III, p. 496. that after my departing shall grievous To the question, " If you allow miracles wolves enter in among you, not sparing before the empire became Christian, the flock. Also of your own selves shall why not afterward too ?" Mr. Wesley men arise, speaking perverse things, to answers: "Because after the empire draw away disciples after them." Acts became Christian, a general corruption 20 : 29, 30. Also to the church in Thess- both of faith and morals infected the alonica, he said that there should " come Christian Church, which, by that revolu- a falling away," and " that man of sin tion, as St. Jerome says, `lost as much of 476 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911 her virtue as it had gained of wealth and He shall come unto us as the rain, and power.' "—" Wesley's Works," p. 706. as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6 :3. The Refreshing When Peter addressed the people in the temple just after the day of Pente- cost, he said: " Repent ye therefore, and The Gift of Prophecy be converted, that your sins may be THE gift of prophecy was manifested blotted out, when the times of refreshing in the church during the Jewish dispen- shall come from the presence of the sation. If it disappeared for a few Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, centuries, on account of the corrupt state which before was preached unto you ; of the church toward the close of that whom the heaven must receive until the dispensation, it reappeared at its close times of restitution of allthings, which God to usher in the Messiah. Zacharias, the hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy father of , " was filled prophets since the world began." Acts with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied." 3 : 19-21. Here is brought to view a Simeon, a just and devout man who was time of refreshing spoken of in close " waiting for the consolation of Israel," connection with Christ's second coming. came by the Spirit into the temple, and This undoubtedly refers to the same prophesied of Jesus as " a light to lighten time as that mentioned by the apostle the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel ;" James, which says : " Be patient there- and Anna, a prophetess, " spake of Him fore, brethren, unto the coming of the to all them that looked for redemption in Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth Jerusalem." And there was no greater for the precious fruit of the earth, and prophet than John the Baptist, who was hath long patience for it, until he re- chosen of God to introduce to Israel " the ceive the early and latter rain. Be ye Lamb of God that taketh away the sin also patient; stablish your hearts; for of the world." the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." The Christian age commenced with James 5 : 7, 8. the outpouring of the Spirit, and a great The early and latter rain is also variety of spiritual gifts was manifested mentioned by the prophet Joel in con- among the believers. These were so nection with his description of the last abundant that Paul could say to the days. The coming of the " former rain Corinthian church, " The manifestation moderately" is called, in the margin of of the Spirit is given to every man to the text, a teacher of righteousness, profit withal "—to every man in the according to righteousness." Joel 2 : 23. church, not to every man in the world, as The outpouring of the Spirit of God on many have applied it. the day of Pentecost—the coming of the In I Cor. 12 : 28, we are informed that Comforter as a teacher—was comparable God hath set, placed, or fixed, certain to tke "former rain," which caused the spiritual gifts in the church. In the newly-sown seed of the husbandman to absence of any Scriptural proof that He take root and grow. So in the ripening has removed or abolished them, we must of the harvest of the earth, just before conclude that they were intended to the end, the Husbandman—our Heavenly remain. Where is the proof then that Father (John IS : waiting for the they are abolished? In the same chapter " latter rain," the " refreshing," to aid in where the Jewish Sabbath is abolished, ripening off the harvest of the earth. and the Christian Sabbath instituted—a The Lord has said by His prophet, "Ask chapter in the Acts of the Mystery of ye of the Lord rain in the time of the Iniquity and the Man of Sin. But the latter rain ; so the Lord shall make objector claims Bible proof that gifts bright clouds, and give them showers of were to cease contained in the following rain, to every one grass in the field." text: "Charity never faileth; but whether Zech. 10 : 1. And thus will be fulfilled there be prophecies, they shall fail; His promise : " Then shall we know, if whether there be tongues, they shall we follow on to know the Lord : His cease; whether there be knowledge, it going forth is prepared as the morning ; shall vanish away. For we know in July 24. 1911 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 477

part, and we prophesy in part. But when " For I testify unto every man that that which is perfect is come, then that heareth the words of the prophecy of which is in part shall be done away. this book, If any man shall add unto When I was a child, I spake as a child, I these things, God shall add unto him the understood as a child, I thought as a plagues that are written in this book. child; but when I became a man, I put And if any man shall take away from away childish things. For now we see the words of the book of this prophecy, through a glass, darkly ; but then face to God shall take away his part out of the face; now I know in part; but then shall book of life, and out of the holy city, and I know even as also I am known. And from the things which are written in this now abideth faith, hope, charity, these book." Rev. 22: 18, 19. three ; but the greatest of these is char- From this text it is claimed that God, ity." I Cor. 13 : 8-13. who at sundry times and in divers man- This text does foretell the cessation of ners spake in time past to the fathers by spiritual gifts, also of faith and hope. the prophets, and, in the commencement But when were they to cease ? We still of the gospel day, by Jesus and His look forward to the time when— apostles, hath hereby solemnly promised "Hope shall change to glad fruition, never to communicate anything more to Faith to sight, and prayer to praise." man in that way. Hence all prophesying after this date must be false. This, it is They are to cease when that which is said, closes the canon of inspiration. If perfect is come, when we shall no longer so, why did John write his Gospel after see through a glass darkly, but face to his return from Patmos to Ephesus ? In face. The perfect day, when the just doing so did he add to the words of the are made perfect, and see as they are prophecy of that book written in the isle seen, is yet in the future. It is true that of Patmos ? It is evident from the text the man of sin, when arrived at man- that the caution against adding to or hood, had put away such " childish taking from, refers not to the Bible as things " as prophecies, tongues, and we have, the volume compiled, but to the knowledge, and also the faith, hope, and separate , as it came charity of the primitive Christians. But from the hand of the apostle. Yet no there is nothing in the text to show that man has a right to add to, or subtract God designed to take away the gifts from, any other book written by inspira- which He had set in the church, till the tion of God. Did John, in writing the consummation of her faith and hope, till book of Revelation, add anything to the the surpassing glory of the immortal state book of Daniel's prophecy ?—Not at all. should eclipse the most brilliant displays A prophet has no right to alter the Word of spiritual power and knowledge ever of God. But the visions of John corrob- manifested in this mortal state. orate those of Daniel and give much additional light upon the subjects there Other Objections Considered introduced. I conclude, then, that the The objection founded upon 2 Tim. Lord has not bound Himself to keep 3:16, which some have gravely presented, silence, but is still at liberty to speak. deserves no more than a passing remark. Ever be it the language of my heart, If Paul, in saying that the Scriptures are Speak, Lord, through whom Thou wilt; to make the man of God perfect, thor- Thy servant heareth. oughly furnished unto all good works, ' Thus the attempt to prove from Scrip- meant that nothing more should be ture the abolition of spiritual gifts proves written by inspiration, why was he at a total failure. R. F. C. that moment adding to those Scriptures ? At least why did he not drop the pen as soon as that sentence was written ? And " HUMAN affection can be trusted to why did John, thirty years afterward, give only useful and kindly gifts; the write the book of Revelation ? This love of the Great Father who loves us book contains another text which is all, will much more certainly give His quoted to prove the abolition of spiritual best and highest gift—even the gift of gifts. the Holy Spirit—to all that ask Him." 478 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911

Excellence of the Bible The man who wrote this more-than- famous stanza, was Thomas Ken. He WHEN in Paris, some years ago, I was born in 1637, and died in 1711. He received an account of a French infidel, was an Englishman, and at one time was who happened to find in a drawer of his chaplain to Charles II. He resisted the library some stray leaves of an unknown tyranny of James II., and, like Bunyan, volume. Although in the constant habit was for a time imprisoned. He wrote of denouncing the Bible, like most infidel many hymns, including the one that writers he had never read any part of it. follows, and which the renowned stanza These fugitive leaves contained the closes. It is entitled " An Evening prayer of Habakkuk (chapter 3). Being Hymn," of which the following are the a man of fine literary tastes, he was cap- strongest stanzas :— tivated with its poetic beauty, and " All praise to Thee, my God, this night, hastened to the club-house to announce For all the blessings of the light! the discovery to his associates. Of Keep me, 0 keep me, King of kings, course they were anxious to know the Beneath Thy own almighty wings! name of the gifted author, to which in- " When in the night I sleepless lie, quiries the elated infidel replied, "A My soul with heavenly thoughts supply; Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, writer by the name of Hab-ba-kook, of No powers of darkness me molest. course a Frenchman ! " Judge of the infidel's surprise when informed that the "The'faster sleep the senses binds, The more unfettered are our minds. passage he was so enthusiastically ad- 0 may my soul, from matter free, miring was not produced by one of his Thy loveliness unclouded see.! own countrymen, nor even by one of his " 0 may my Guardian, while I sleep, own class of so-called free-thinkers, but Close to my bed His vigils keep ; was penned by one of God's ancient His love angelical instil— prophets, and was contained in that Stop all the avenues of ill. much-despised book, the Bible. This I "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; regard as one of the sublimest passages Praise Him, all creatures here below; of inspired literature; and often have I Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ; wondered that some artist, equal to the Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." task, has not selected the prophet and — Will Carleton's Magazine. his scene of desolation as the subject of a painting.—Daniel Webster. His Greatest Discovery IT is related of the great Scotch The Benediction Hymn surgeon, Sir James Simpson, that he was once approached by a young man who EVERYBODY has sung or heard sung the wished to compliment him by asking four great lines, " Praise God from whom what he regarded as his greatest discov- all blessings flow," but how many can ery. The simple reply of this eminent tell who wrote them ? Thousands of scientist was : " My greatest discovery is ambitious people would give a great deal that I am a great sinner, and that Jesus of money to have been that one, and to is a great Saviour."—Selected. be recognised as such. Mounted on the sure-footed tune " Old Hundred," this little giant of a stanza HOW much more we might make of has closed more religious services than our family life, if our friendships, if every any other in the world. Others have, so secret thought of love, blossomed into a to speak, tried to replace it ; but they deed ! . . . There are words and looks have not succeeded. " God be with you and little observances, thoughtfulnesses, till we meet again " is a beautiful hymn, watchful little attentions, which speak of and is a good second to Praise God; " love, which make it manifest, and there but it is longer, and not so well calculated is scarcely a family that might not be to close a long and in some cases ex- richer in heart-wealth for more of them. hausting service. —Harriet Beecher Stowe. July 24, 7971 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES 479

was on the other side, nor see a hen any- where along the road without feeling called on to chase her. Every dog that barked started him to barking, and everything that moved took him out of the way to find out what it was, and where it was goin.' No wonder he's tired." Childreria Corner But you'll find plenty of human beings ' that are travelling their lives through in just the same way. They are not satis- fied with the road marked out for them, "Boys flying kites haul in their white-winged birds, g words." but watch their neighbours' goings and You can't do that way when you're flyin doings, and take charge of no end of things they can't help or hinder. They are like old Towser; it wears them out. A Kind Brother If they'd follow straight after the Master, and not invent any extra cares for them- CHARLEY was having a pleasant ride selves, the road wouldn't be nearly so with Mr. Brown, who was very sociable long nor so hard.—Selected. and told good stories. Charley had just listened to one, and he was almost sure Mr. Brown was going to tell another, when they drew near the street car-track, A Story of Lincoln and saw a little girl trying to pull her ON one occasion, some ten years before cart across. But the cart was too heavy the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Senator or she was too small, and she could not Douglas made a speech in Springfield. move it. A friend of mine attended this gathering, " Why, that's my little sister !" said and at the end of the speech the an- Charley. "I must go and help her." nouncement was made, which even in So out he jumped ; and when Mr. that day had come to be expected, that Brown was about to drive on, Charley one week later Mr. Lincoln would reply said : " Will you please let my little to the speech. sister ride in my place ? I'll draw the The teller of this story went on to say cart. It is too heavy for her." Then that the next morning, as he swept out looking a little wishful as she climbed the store in which he was employed, Mr. into the carriage, he added : " And would Lincoln came by. Always interested in you just as soon tell her the story I boys, he stopped to have some conversa- thought you were going to tell me ? She tion with the young fellow just growing likes stories, too."—Selected. up in business, and after this topic had been exhausted, the young man said:— " Mr. Lincoln, I heard the announce- Towser's Failing ment made last night that you were going to reply to Mr. Douglas. Why, " MY poor dog is tired out," said Mary, Mr. Lincoln, you can't reply to Mr. as the waggon drove into the yard, and Douglas. That was the finest speech I Towser, covered with the dust of the ever heard, and Mr. Douglas is the great- road, dropped lolling and panting upon est man in the United States." the grass. " My boy," said Mr. Lincoln, " you are " 'Tisn't the journey he had to take mistaken. That was not a great speech, that's tired him," laughed the farmer. and Mr. Douglas is not a great man ; and "He's used himself up by zigzagging the reason why these things are so is from one side of the road to the other, that in that speech Mr. Douglas said and tendin' to everything that didn't three things which were not true, and he concern him. He couldn't pass a gate knew that they were not true when he without running through it to see what stated them."—Dr. Henry S. Pritchett. 480 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 24, 1911

A CHILD from a negro institution in Baltimore, has been examined by the physicians of the Johns Hopkins medical school to determine whether she has negro blood. The result of their examination is that only one sign was found—a black line across one of the finger nails just around the arc known as the half moon. This one black line is not conclu- sive evidence, say the physicians, to show the presence of negro blood in what appears otherwise We send cut no papers that have not been ordered; if to be a perfectly white child. Another board of persons receive THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES without ordering, it is sent to them by some friend, and they will not be called physicians will now investigate. The trouble upon to pay. arises over the effort being made to have the girl PRICE, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. removed from the negro institution. For twelve months, post free in the Commonwealth 4/6 For six months, post free in the Commonwealth ... 2/6 For three months, post free in the Commonwealth 1/6 THE University of Pennsylvania gets possibly a valuable brain and stomach by the will of the late PRICES TO NEW ZEALAND. Jules Rosendale of Philadelphia, who kindly be- For twelve months, post free ... 6/6 queathed his own for scientific research. Mr. For six months, post free 3.6 Rosendale could consume almost unlimited quanti- For three months, post free 2J- ties of whisky without becoming tipsy, and he has To other countries in the Postal Union ... 816 left it to science to discover the reason for his re- Single copies, postage extra ... id. markable immunity from intoxication. Possibly All orders sent direct to the publishers or their agents, the dead organs will disclose the secret, but if either for single subscriptions or for clubs, must be accom- panied by cash. Mr. Rosendale could have been painlessly vivisected after taking a gallon of rye and the microscope put SIGNS PUBLISHING COMPANY, LTD., Melbourne and Warburton, Victoria, Australia. to work on the living cells and tissue, the scientific results might have been richer by far. When forwarding Money Orders or Postal Notes, please make same payable to SIGNS PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED, WARBURTON, and not to individuals. All remittances from THE first English Bible was completed by Miles New Zealand should be in the form of Money Orders, as Postal Coverdale. It is believed to have been published at Notes or stamps are not negotiable in the Commonwealth, Zurich in 1535 ; but whereas Tyndale's work on the New Testament was carried out from the original OUR GENERAL AGENTS Greek, that of Coverdale was taken from the Victoria and Tasmania Tract Society, Gordon St., Toorak, Melb. German and Latin versions. The first English N.S.W. Tract Society, Elsnath," Burwood St., Burwood. Bible (an actual copy of which is to be seen among Queensland Tract Society, 186 Edward St., Brisbane. South Australian Tract Society, 79 Grote Street, Adelaide. the wonderful collection in the library of the West Australian Tract Society, 103 William Street. Perth, British and Foreign Bible Society in Queen Victoria N.Z. Tract Soc'y, " Beulah," Queen's R'd, Lower Hutt, Well'n. Street) has been called the "Bug" Bible, because in the Psalms occurs this phrase: " Thou shalt not nede to be afrayed for eny bugges by night." The word " bugges " is not, as might be generally AMBER may be black, white, brown and green as well as yellow. imagined, a misprint, but is an old English word meaning terror, which still survives in such words ALCOHOLIC liquors for the use of natives are not as " bugbear" and " bogey." permitted to be imported into Somaliland. PRICES of tin, gambier, tapioca, sago, pepper, rubber, etc., exported from Malaysia have increased by ninety-five per cent, since 1896. THE PLACE TO GET WELL ! THE A COMMON South African flower possesses the valuable property of keeping fresh for two months or more after cutting. It is a white star of Bethle- Warburton Sanitarium hem, Ornithogalum lacteum, producing a compact spike of flowers on a stiff, erect stalk eighteen Medical Superintendent: inches to two feet long. The flower is of a thin W. HOWARD JAMES, M.B., B.S. and papery tissue, all white except the yellow anthers. Invigorating Mountain Air Pure Mountain Water ACCORDING to a conservative estimate, two million children under sixteen years of age are em- Splendid Mountain Scenery ployed in cotton-mills, glass-factories, sweat-shops, mines, and agricultural industries of the United Full information will be supplied by States. Dr. A. S. Daniel, of the New York Infirm- ary for Women and Children, makes the following 'THE MANAGER, statement : " Children workers in the sweat-shops The Sanitarium Warburton, Victoria in this city are expected to be able to sew on buttons at the age of three years, and to hem trousers at the age of six. A child of eighteen months was. found Published by the Signs Publishing Co. Ltd.. Melbourne, printed toiling with its mother in a sweat-shop." at Warburton. and registered as a newspaper in Victoria.