THE NEXT WORLD-EMPIRE See page 86. 1=1 1=1 Bible Readings for Daniel and the 1 The Home Circle. Revelation.

Comprises one hundred and sixty-two Readings The marshalling of the nations is a subject of for public and private study, and answers nearly prophecy, and we are to-day witnessing the fulfil- three thousand questions on religious topics„practi- ment of movements predicted by both Daniel and cal, historical, and prophetical. The Readings are the Apostle John—movements that are among the contributed by more than a score of Bible students, very last to precede the great day of God Almighty ; and give brief, pointed answers to the questions, surely it is high time that we heeded the warnings of quoting directly from the Scriptures, from history, Inspiration that " that day " take us not unawares. and the writings of eminent commentators of modern No other books of the Bible present to us so com- times. The book is designed for all classes of society, pletely the truths that concern the last generation for public and private study, while ministers and and the various aspects of the times, physical, moral, Sunday-school teachers will find it very helpful in and political, and while many people imagine that their study of God's Word and in the preparation of these books are difficult to understand, in reality their lessons. The work is well illustrated, and con- there is very little excuse for misunderstanding at tains 600 pages. any rate the main features of their contents. The Here is an opportunity to introduce into your family book entitled " Daniel and the Revelation " is a verse a Fireside Reading Circle. "Bible Readings for the by verse explanation of these two books, giving in the Home Circle " was originally intended clearest manner possible the response for this very purpose, and we are sure of history to the voice of prophecy. that parents will be well repaid for the time so spent. Try the plan this win- ter ; you will at least have the satisfac- tion of knowing you did something to Our Paradise counteract the blighting influence of BOOKS 0 secularism which is absorbing so much of the time and interest of our young THAT LIGHT Home people nowadays. UP THE is a Scriptural and hence an authentic view of the future, and in consideration of the present portentous times that The Great which lies ahead is surely sufficiently PAST, important to claim the attention of all serious-minded people. There are many Controversy. Christians who have very hazy ideas 0 and sometimes erroneous notions about This is the title of an intensely inter- PRESENT the last days and the final reward of esting book which sets forth the princi- the righteous. But there is no need for ples involved in the conflict between AND THE speculation ; in this as in all other mat- right and wrong. Beginning with the ters God has revealed in His holy Word lesson taught in the awful calamity that all that is necessary for us to know, and befell Jerusalem as the result of her there is running throughout the Bible apostasy and final rejection of the Sa- FUTURE. sufficient information to indicate clearly viour, the writer follows the church of the eternal purpose of God. The author God through the scenes of its bitter is delightfully simple and interesting. persecution on through the great apos- There are fifty-six original illustrations, tasy to the time of the Reformation, when, checked and the book is substantially hound. by the principles of Protestantism, the power of " the man of sin " was broken. Still on the writer traces the conflict, showing the terrible results of the rejec- tion of right principles, when France, by repudiating the His Glorious Appearing Gospel and waging war against the Bible, opened her Ian doors to infidelity, anarchy, and revolution. Then Many people seem to think that those who teach follow chapters of the greatest importance to this Christ's soon coming are acting the role of alarmists. present generation, showing clearly " The Aims of the but they forget that Christ placed Himself at the Papacy" and "The Impending Conflict." "The Final head of this class when He predicted the signs that Warning" and "The Time of Trouble" are subjects would mark His coming and the conditions that would with which everybody should be familiar, while the exist on the earth just prior to that greatest of all chapters dealing with " The Deliverance of God's events. " His Glorious Appearing " is the title of a People" and "The Controversy Ended" should be par- little, well-illustrated book of 113 pages, dealing with .1111. ticularly interesting to all Christians. We commend these special signs and other matters of the keenest this book to all classes of men and women to- interest to all who are looking for deliverance from day with the hope that through its influence souls this present evil world. You will never regret read- may be enlightened and delivered from darkness. ing this book. Makes a nice little gift book.

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4r VOL. 3f. WATFORD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1915. NO. 6.

Our Cause of Thankfulness. ceived it will be enriched thereby ; Saviour's sustaining grace in your WE'RE thankful when delivered and how - areful should the thought present sorrow, we urge you to From out some great distress ; of this make us lest we lose the remember that He stands by your We're thankful when in manner marked The Lord our ways doth bless. intended benefit and reap nothing side awaiting your invitation to go but present loss from God's chast- through the dark valley with you. But how about the tiny Unnumbered little things : enings. Will you not open your heart's The sunshine bright, the glistening dew, There are peaceful fruits of door to Him ? He will brighten The cheering bird that sings ? righteousness to be derived from even the darkest parts of the Though change or tempest cometh, all the dealings of God, if we are journey and cure your heart of all God is—and God is love ; Hence should our thanks, whate'er be- exercised thereby according to His its sorrows, and with Him, the tide, will and plan. There are views of Christ of Bethany, in close com- Each day ascend above. His character which can be learned munion and sweet companionship For greater than His treasures only when affliction drives us to and loving prayerfr lness, your own Is God Himself, our Lord— Himself our cause of thankfulness, seek His face ; and there are life will rest like the soft light of Himself our great reward. humbling views of ourselves, of heaven upon the sunless and sad. And greater than each tempest our own sinfulness, weakness, " Through the great deep, where sto my Which fain our barque would fill, faithlessness, which are nowhere waters flow, The power of Him Who standeth by Your way is sate, whatever ills pursue;: And whispers, "Peace, be still ! " so plainly brought home to us as Through the fierce furnace safe with in a time of chastening. The Him you go, While gifts which we so often As through the sunlight when it lifts Regard as commonplace, world, too, is seen in a new light ; the dew." Are simply tokens manifold it is changed to us and we to it by JOHN TAYLOR, To prove His love and grace. the tests that strip off outer dis- Oh, that the Lord is gracious, guises. The Word of God is seen Come let us taste anew : In counsel prove Him " wonderful," in a new light, rich in comfort A Narrowing Choice. In love, unchanging, true— hitherto unobserved, now found to WHEN the twelve tribes of Israel. The source of every blessing, be deeply precious to the wounded stood on the threshold of their And with us all the day ! heart. More than ever we are find- So shall our thanks like incense sweet national career, with great possi- Arise to Him alway. ing untold comfort in theunsearch- bilities before them, for good or PEARL WAGGONER. able reality of a Saviour's love, and evil, the Lord spoke through His we are clinging more closely to servant Moses and gave them a, Chastening. the immutable truth—" that the full and complete account of what " Now no chastening for the present eternal Son of God did actually be- would depend upon the choice they seemeth to be joyous but grievous ; come man for our redemption, so made. If they chose wisely, then nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the that in the days of His flesh He they would reap an abundant har- peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." was not God dwelling on the earth vest of blessing and prosperity. In Heb. xii. 11. in human likeness, but very man, city and field, in basket and store, OUR hearts readily echo the sharing all our sinless limitations, in flocks and herds, in their family apostle's description of present in all points tempted like as we life, in their national independence, chastening, " not joyous, but griev- -are,' and in that He Himself bath in the blessings of heaven, they ous," bitterly grievous to the suffered being tempted, able to would reap the benefits of loyalty spirit. If it were not so it would succour them that are tempted.' to the God Who had called them not be what God means it to be, There is not a pain or fear that out of Egypt and given them a chastening. There mast be—and flesh is heir to that our incarnate goodly inheritance in the land of God knows that there is—a griev- Saviour did not experience and Canaan : " Thou shalt lend unto ous reality of suffering, when He did not conquer ; and it is just be- many nations, and thou shalt not puts forth His hand to discipline cause He suffered and conquered borrow. And the Lord shall make His wayward children , but this is all this that He is our Saviour. thee the head, and not the tail ; and with a purpose, and time will show In every dark hour and every grim thou shalt be above only, and thou whether that purpose has been ordeal, our comfort is that He has shalt not be beneath ; if that thou fulfilled. " Af ter wards," this passed this way before us." hearken unto the commandments chastening will bring forth good Earnestly desiring that you, of the Lord thy God." Dent,. fruit ; the one who has rightly re- dear reader, may experience the xxviii. 1-14. 84 THE PRESENT TRUTH. NO. 6

If, however, Israel should not be life, and the way of death." Jer. go by barren and unprofitable, and obedient to the commandments of xxi. 8. But while the way of the possibilities held out before us God, but should turn away from death was still the same, though begin to shrink. If now we yield Him and follow the example of now very near to its dismal ter- ourselves to God's service, we can the sinful nations around them, minus, how shrunken was the way never hope to be what we might the consequences would be disas- of life : " He that abideth in this have been had we chosen promptly trous ; then " cursed shall be the city shall die by the sword, and by the when the first call came. So as fruit of thy body, and the fruit of famine, and by the pestilence : but the years go by, and we delay to thy land, the increase of thy kine, he that goeth out, and falleth to choose the right, even though we and the flocks of thy sheep. the Chaldeans that besiege you, he do not perhaps shut ourselves off Cursed shalt thou be when thou shall live, and his life shall be unto from the possibility of salvation, comest in, and cursed shalt thou him for a prey." Verse 9. yet we do inevitably reduce the be when thou goest out. The The centuries that had elapsed possibility of blessing. At last the Lord shall send upon thee cursing, since the days of Moses bad been tale of our years is told ; our oppor- vexation, and rebuke, in all that all too full of disobedience. Now tunities have vanished one by one; thou settest thine hand unto for to the time of judgment had come. the years only bear witness against do, until thou be destroyed, and Israel had already reaped according us; but the mercy that endures until thou perish quickly : because to her sowing : now Judah's har for ever still waits to be gracious, of the wickedness of thy doings, vest was ripe. Yet still divine and it may be that even at the whereby thou bast forsaken Me." mercy was seeking to save, and in eleventh hour we may accept God's Dent. xxviii. 15-68. the last extremity a meagre way of invitation and escape the sinner's Fair indeed and full of hope was life is opened up before the miser- doom. Yet if at that late hour we the prospect before the Israelites able remnant of the people. Those are perchance able to break the if they walked in the command- who would go forth and surrender fetters that have been strengthen- ments of their God, but dark and themselves to the Babylonians ing through a misspent life, how downward would be the pathway would escape with their lives. much of blessing is there before of disobedience. It was for them- That was all. How had the us Nearly all the possibilities selves to make the choice. One of way of life contracted since the that God's goodness once held out the last labours of Moses was day .when Moses dilated on the have faded away. As it was with to emphasize the solemn responsi- blessings of obedience and the Judah of old, so then it is with us, bility devolving upon them to make goodly prospect that spread itself we just save our own souls, our or mar their own destiny. That before a people walking in the way life is given to us for a prey. power of choice placed their future of the Lord ! Now there is no But we might apply, the parallel in their own bands. With this assurance of blessing in basket and still further. When Jeremiah reminder the great leader closes store, no national glory, no promise made known the last hope of his portrayal of the blessing and of inheritance, only the bare privi- escape, instead of welcoming this the curse that hung upon their lege of a continued existence. final effort of divine mercy, the decision : " See, I have set before The two offers of life, the one people resented the suggestion that• thee this day life and good, and given to Israel at the beginning, they should yield themselves to the death and evil ; in that I command and the one still held out to Judah Chaldeans ; very few took advan- thee this day to love the Lord thy at its latter end, have a lesson for tage of the opportunity. So it God, to walk in His ways, and to us all, especially for the young. usually is when men have been keep His commandments. . . . But God calls on us in our opening deafening their ears for many years if thine heart turn away, so that youth to serve Him and choose the to the call of God : the time comes thou wilt not hear, but shalt be way of His commandments. If when they do not wish to hear His drawn away, and worship other we do, the years that lie before us voice again. h is unsafe to defer gods, and serve them ; I denounce shall be filled with blessing and a response to the appeal that may unto you this day, that ye shall true prosperity. We may be of use have reached our ears. Even surely perish . . . I call heaven and in the world ; and we may multiply though there should come some earth to record this day against our entrusted talent, win for our- more convenient season in declin- you, that I have set before you life selves a worthy place in the house- ing years, and we then close with and death, blessing an3 cursing." hold of faith, and finish at last with the grace which has shown itself Deut. xxx. 15-19. joy the race that was set before so patient and longsuffering, we Seven hundred and fifty years us. If we neglect in youth to take cannot call back the wasted spring. passed away, and the time came our stand on God's side, He does Let the young remember their when another prophet set before not withdraw His gracious offers, Creator in the days of their youth, what was left of the people of but we lose valuable time that will before the years draw nigh when Israel a similar alternative : " Be- never come again. Years that interest and hope and possibility hold, I set before you the way of might have been filled with good have vanished ; and let those who February 11 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 85 are no longer young seize without concern over the soul of the offen- describes, who love one another, further delay the possibility of der than over the wrong done to and who seek to be a help to one blessing that yet remains. himself, is a spiritually minded another in the battle with tempta- Christian of the right kind. No tion, there is a genuine church. other kind would be able to carry Where this spirit is absent, no s t ions e4 out the Saviour's instruction. Paul amount of formal profession and 0,Answers recognizes this when he writes to church organization will supply •17,4 .....,_=,,_ the Galatian church : " Brethren, the lack. Jesus did not say that The True Church. if a man be overtaken in a fault, His disciples might always be ye which are spiritual, restore such known by the fact that they were " What was the church referred to in Matt. xviii. 17, and what is its present- an one in the spirit of meekness ; associated with a certain organiza- day counterpart ?" considering thyself, lest thou also tion, or that they were ministered IT might be easier to say what be tempted. Bear ye one another's to by a certain succession of offi- is not the counterpart of the church burdens, and so fulfil the law of cials ; the test of membership in described. It is very certain that Christ." Gal. vi. 1, 2. His church was not of this me- a worldly, fashionable church would It may be, however, that the chanical order : " By this shall all not answer to the Saviour's words. injured person will not be able to men know that ye are My disci- Jesus is dealing with the possi- accomplish any good by his inter- ples, if ye have love one to an- bility that a member of the church view with the transgressor. What other." John xiii. 35. may fall into sin and wrong a then is the next step ? Is he to The Apostle James is equally brother. In such a case He says : give up the attempt to reclaim the practical in the test he proposes " If thy brother shall trespass wrongdoer ? No ; he must next for professing Christians: " If any against thee, go and tell him his take one or two others of like dis man among you seem to be religi- fault between thee and him alone: position, and with their help en- ous, and bridleth not his tongue, if he shall hear thee, thou halt deavour to have the wrong righted but deceiveth his own heart, this gained thy brother. But if he will and the sinner restored. Only when man's religion is vain. Pure reli- not hear thee, then take with thee the second effort fails is the church gion and undefiled before God and one or two more, that in the mouth as a whole to be made acquainted the Father is this, To visit the of two or three witnesses every with the circumstances. And even fatherless and widows in their word may be established.. And if affliction, and to keep himself un• then the facts are not published spotted from the world." James he shall neglect to hear them, tell for the disgracing of the evildoer, i. 26, 27. it unto the church : but if he neg- but in order that the church col It is, a Christian duty to join lect to hear the church, let him be lectively may bring its influence ourselves in Christian fellowship unto thee as an heathen man and to bear with a view to the recovery with those of like faith, and to a publican. Verily I say unto you, of the one who has fallen from his share with them the responsibili Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth Christian standing. If the man ties and privileges of church order. But it is not the profession we shall be bound in heaven : and who is being dealt with will not make that constitutes us members whatsoever ye shall loose on earth hear the church, that is, will still of Christ's body: it is the evidence shall be loosed in heaven." Matt. withstand the united efforts of his our lives bear of a living connec- xviii. 15-18. brethren to restore him, nothing tion with Him. Christ addressed A church such as Jesus speaks more can be done; then the church His own disciples as a ." little of will be one in which the differ- is justified in cutting him off from flock," and tells them that they ent members are deeply interested will always be hated by the world. its fellowship, and regarding him When we see a religious organiza- in the spiritual welfare of each as a backslider who has renounced tion of which the world speaks other. All are more or less under his Christianity and gone back to well, and into which worldly men the control of the Spirit of Christ. the sinful world. and women find easy entrance, we 'If one of these shall fall under The instruction thus given to may well question, on New Testa- temptation, and trespass against the church presupposes that the ment principles, whether such an his brother, the injured person will church as a whole will itself be organization would be recognized by Christ as a part of His church. not begin to talk about the wrong walking in the way of Christian It may contain individuals whom to other people, but will go direct obedience, serving the Lord with He accepts as His own, but their to the individual who is at fault all humility of mind, for if the connection with Christ is in spite and endeavour to win him back to transgressor were able to retort of rather than because of their the right way. There will be no on the church that it was in equally connection with an organization desire for vengeance in his heart. bad case with himself, clearly it which claims to be Christ's church but does not follow in His steps. His purpose will be to restore the could not expect to exert a very The Saviour's principle of dis- brother who has sinned. Evidently, helpful influence upon him. crimination is the one Se com- a person who has suffered a wrong Wherever there is to be found a mends to us : " By their fruits ye and who is able to feel greater company of believers such as Christ shall know them." 86 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6

divided state the God of heaven THE NEXT WORLD-EMPIRE. would set up His kingdom and bring this world for ever to an end. THERE is much speculation in but there shall be in it of the strength of And the kingdoms into which the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the It the world to-day as to the outcome iron mixed with miry clay. Rome was to be divided were to IA the present war. Many are " And as the toes of the feet were be partly strong and partly "broken" part of iron, and part of clay, so the —more literally—" brittle." Some wondering whether Kaiser Wilhelm kingdom shall be partly strong, and of Germany will emerge from the partly broken. And whereas thou saw- were to be powerful and some were est iron mixed with miry clay, they to be weak ; but whether powerful fray in the rule of a second Napo- shall mingle themselves with the seed leon. Surmising is rife as to what of men : but they shall not cleave one or whether weak, they are never changes there will be in the map, to another, even as iron is not mixed to be united. In other words, with clay. and whether one great " world " And in the days of these kings shall there was never to be another empire " will take the place of the the God of heaven set up a kingdom, " universal empire." But history which shall never be destroyed : and present states of Europe. the kingdom shall not be left to other will show that from that day down To Nebuchadnezzar, king of people, but it shall break in pieces and to this, men have never ceased to consume all these kingdoms, and it shall exist who have tried to unite the Babylon, there was a dream given, stand for ever. about the year 603 B.C. He was " Forasmuch as thou sawest that the kingdom, and fill the world once much distressed upon awakening stone was cut out of the mountain with- again with a great " universal em- out bands, and that it break in pieces because the vision had fled from the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, pire." The attempt to do this be- his mind, while the thought of it and the gold ; the great God hath made gan almost before the ashes of the known to the king what shall come to troubled his soul. Daniel the pro- pass hereafter : and the dream is cer- old Roman Empire were cold. phet was brought in and recalled tain, and the interpretation thereof Clovis tried it ; Charlemagne tried for the king his dream, and un- sure." Dan. II. 40--4-.5. it ; Charles the Fifth, Philip the folded for him the interpretation This fourth kingdom was Rome Second, Louis the Fourteenth, all thereof. —the last of the so called univer- tried and all failed. Then came He commenced by telling the sal empires. According to the the great Corsican—Napoleon— king that the God of heaven was Scripture there were to be four and hurled himself upon Europe making known to him "what shall and only four of these. And when in the grandest of all attempts to be in the latter days." He related in the year A.D. 476 that Iron bring all that continent beneath to his sovereign that he had seen Monarchy—" the mightiest which his sway. But the ancient word a great image with head of gold, upon this planet has been suffered of Sacred Writ was stronger than breast and arms of silver, thighs to appear " -was laid in ruin and he, and like the rest, he went down of brass, legs of iron, and feet part dissolved in wreck, there came to in defeat, and the kingdoms re- of iron and part of clay. Then he an end the age of the world-wide mained " partly strong and partly told how a stone was cut out with- nations. The Scripture had said brittle." out hands and smote the image of her whose very name meant Victor Hugo has said that if it upon his feet, and the iron, the " brute strength " that she should had not rained on the night be- clay, the brass, the silver, and the " he divided." She was to be tween the seventeenth and eigh- gold were broken in pieces together, divided into ten kingdoms. Three teenth of June, 1815, the future and the stone became a great of these, according to another pro- of Europe would have been changed. mountain and filled the whole phecy, (Dan. vii.), were to be de- On the night before Waterloo the earth. stroyed and the remainder were earth became soaked. Napoleon, Then follows the interpretation to stand until the end of the world. who always depended on his artil- of this lofty imagery. Babylon At that time wrote the Prophet lery, bad to wait until the ground was the head of gold, the breast Chancellor of Babylon : " The grew a little more firm before the and arms of silver represented the thrones were cast down, and the guns could be mameuvred. If the kingdom which was to follow Ancient of Days did sit. . . . The ground had been dry and the artil- Babylon, while the thighs of brass judgment was set, and the books lery able to roll, the action would portrayed the Grecian Empire— were opened." At that time was have commenced at six in the the third in the series of world the God of heaven to set up His morning, and the battle would Powers. Then of the fourth divi- kingdom, which shall never be de- have been gained and ended by sion of the wondrous image he stroyed, and of this kingdom it is two o'clock—three hours before told :— written that " IT FILLED THE the Prussians under Blucher came " And the fourth kingdom shall be WHOLE EARTH." up. It was impossible for Napo- strong as iron : forasmuch as iron break- Concerning Rome, then, this leon to win Waterloo, not because eth in pieces and subdueth all things : and as iron that breaketh all these, was the decree—certain and sure of Wellington or Bliicher, but be- shall it break in pieces and bruise. —" the kingdom shall be divided." cause of God. Napoleon had come " And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's clay, and part It was to be divided and never into conflict with the word of of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; again united, for in the days of its prophecy. That word had_said February 11 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 87

that the kingdom of Rome should the children that God had given to would follow his course he in- be divided, and that the kingdoms his care. Bat Eli shrank from his dulged his children in whatever which should take its place should duty, because it involved crossing they desired, and neglected the stand until the God of heaven work of fitting them for the service would set up a kingdom which of God\and the duties of life. should never be destroyed. That God had said of Abraham, " I word had said that those king- 0 4, know him that he will command doms should not cleave one to his children and his household another. Napoleon had sought to after him, and they shall keep the weld them into one. He bad pit- B. C. B. Q. way of the Lord to do justice and ted himself against the almighty 61'1 538 judgment." Gen. xviii. 19. But word of God, which had said that COLD Eli allowed his children to control they should remain divided. him. The father became subject And no matter what the ambi- to the children. The curse of tions or designs of any ruler in transgression was apparent in the Europe today, that mighty word corruption and evil that marked of prophecy will still stand—" THE B.C. the course of his sons. They had KINGDOM SHALL BE DIVI- 538-381 no proper appreciation of the DED." Divided it will stand un- character of God or of the sacred- til the God of heaven sets up His SILVER ness of His law. His service was kingdom, and it will be a true to them a common thing. From world power," for concerning it childhood they had been accus- the Scripture says that it" FILLED tomed to the sanctuary and its THE WHOLE EARTH." service ; but instead of becoming PERCY T. MAGAN. more reverent they had lost all B. C. sense of its holiness and signifi- 331-161 cance. The father had not cor- I Eli and His Sons.* BRA1113 rected their want of reverence for Sam. II. ; ill.; Iv. his authority, had not checked ELI was priest and judge in their disrespect for the solemn Israel. He held the highest and services of the sanctuary ; and most responsible positions among when they reached manhood they the people of God. As a man were full of the deadly fruits of divinely chosen for the sacred scepticism and rebellion. duties of the priesthood, and set Though wholly unfit for the over the land as the highest ju• A.D.31 office, they were placed as priests dicial authority, he was looked up in the sanctury to minister before IRON to as an example and he wielded a God. The Lord had given the great influence over the tribes of B.C. 161 most specific directions in regard TO Israel. But although he had been A.D. 476. to offering sacrifices : but these appointed to govern the people he wicked men carried their disregard did not rule his own household. of authority into the service of Eli was an indulgent father. God, and did not give attention to Loving peace and ease he did not the law of the offerings which exercise his authority to correct were to be made in the most the evil habits and passions of solemn manner. The sacrifices, his children. Rather than con- pointing forward to the death of tend with them or punish them he Christ, were designed to preserve would submit to their will and in the hearts of the people faith give them their own way. Instead in the Redeemer to come ; hence of regarding the education of his it was of the greatest importance sons as one of the most important k_1111ts ._-$ RANEA4r that the Lord's directions concern- of his responsibilities, he treated I • ing them should be strictly heeded. the matter as of little consequence. The peace offerings were especially The priest and judge of Israel had THE GREAT IMAGE. an expression of thanksgiving to not been left in darkness as to the the will of his sons and would God. In these offerings the fat duty of restraining and governing make it necessary to punish and alone was to be burned upon the 'International Sunday School Lesson deny them. Without weighing altar ; a certain specified portion for February 21, 1915. the terrible consequences that was reserved for the priests, but 88 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6 the greater part was returned to on one pretext and another he be• of his people, and in a special the offerer to be eaten by him and came blinded to their sins ; but at sense for the character of his sons. his friends in a sacrificial feast. last they reached a pass where he He should first have attempted to Thus all hearts were to be directed could no longer hide his eyes from restrain evil by mild measures : in gratitude and faith to the great the crimes of his sons. The peo- but if these did not avail, he should • Sacrifice that was to take away ple complained of their violent have subdued the wrong by the the sin of the world. deeds, and the high priest was severest means. He incurred the The sons of Eli, instead of real- grieved and distressed. He dared Lord's displeasure by not reproving izing the solemnity of this sym• remain silent no longer. But his sin and executing justice upon the bolic service, only thought how sons had been brought up to think sinner. He could not be depended they could make it a means of of no one but themselves and now upon to keep Israel pure. Those self-indulgence. Not content with they oared for no one else. They who have too little courage to re- the part of the peace offerings saw the grief of their father but prove wrong, or who through indo- allotted them they demanded an their hard hearts were not touched. lence or lack of interest make no additional portion ; and the great They heard his mild admonitions earnest effort to purify the family number of these sacrifices pre- but they were not impressed, nor or the church of God, are held sented at the annual feasts gave would they change their evil course accountable for the evil that may the priests an opportunity to en thongh warned of the consequences result from their neglect of duty. rich themselves at the expense of of their sin. Had Eli dealt justly We are just as responsible for the people. They not only de- with his wicked sons they would evils that we might have checked manded more than their right, but have been rejected from the in others by exercise of parental refused to wait even until the fat priestly office and punished with or pastoral authority, as if the acts had been burned as an offering to death. Dreading thus to bring had been our own. God. They persisted in claiming public disgrace and condemnation Eli did not manage his house- whatever portion pleased them, upon them he sustained them in hold according to God's rules for and if denied, threatened to take the most sacred positions of trust. family government. He followed it by violence. He still permitted them to mingle his own judgment. The fond This irreverence on the part of their corruption with the holy father overlooked the faults and the priests soon robbed the service service of God, and to inflict upon sins of his sons in their childhood, of its holy and solemn significance, the cause of truth an injury which flattering himself that after a time and the people " abhorred the years could not efface. But when they would outgrow their evil offering of the Lord." The great the judge of Israel neglected his tendencies. Many are now making antitypical sacrifice to which they work God took the matter in hand. a similar mistake. They think were to look forward was no longer God charged Eli with honouring they know a better way of train- recognized. " Wherefore the sin his sons above the Lord. Eli had ing their children than that which of the young men was very great permitted the offering appointed God has given in His Word. They before the Lord." by God as a blessing to Israel to foster wrong tendencies in them, These unfaithful priests also be made a thing of abhorrence urging as an excuse, " They are transgressed God's law and dis- rather than bring his sons to too young to be punished. Wait honoured their sacred office by shame for their impious and abom- till they become older and can be their vile and degrading practices; inable practices. Those who follow reasoned with." Thus wrong yet they continued to pollute by their own inclination in blind affec- habits are left to strengthen until their presence the tabernacle of tion for their children, indulging they become second nature. The God. Many of the people, filled them in the gratification of their children grow up without restraint, with indignation at the corrupt selfish desires and do not bring to with traits of character that are a course of Hophni and Phinehas, bear the authority of God to re- lifelong curse to them, and are ceased to come up to the appointed buke sin and correct evil, make it liable to be reproduced in others. place of worship. Thus the ser- manifest that they are honouring There is no greater curse upon vice which God bad ordained was their wicked children more than households than to allow the youth despised and neglected because they honour God. They are more to have their own way. When associated with the sins of wicked anxious to shield their reputation parents regard every wish of their men, while those whose hearts than to glorify God: more desirous children, and indulge them in what were inclined to evil were embold- to please their children than to they know is not for their good, ened in sin. Ungodliness, profli- please the Lord and to keep His the children' soon lose all respect gacy, and even idolatry prevailed service from every appearance of for their parents, all regard for to a fearful extent. evil. the authority of God or man, and Eli bad greatly erred in permit Sod held Eli, as a priest and are led captive at the will of ting his sons to minister in holy judge of Israel, accountable for Satan. The influence of an ill- office. By excusing their course the moral and religious standing regulated family is widespread and February I1 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 89

disastrous to all society. It ac- He could not accomplish the good the one we thought so holy, and cumulates in a tide of evil that that He had meant to do them, found so corrupt?" Thus the word affects families, communities, and because they failed to do their of God loses its power upon the governments. part. souls of men. Because of Eli's position, his The example of those who In Eli's reproof to his sons are Influence was more extended than minister in holy things should be words of solemn and fearful im if he had been an ordinary man. such as to impress the people with port—words that all who minister His family life was imitated reverence for God, and with fear to in sacred things would do well to throughout Israel. The baleful offend Him. When men, standing ponder: " If one man sin against results of his negligent, ease loving "in Christ's stead" (2 Cor. v. 20) another, the judge shall judge him ; ways were seen in thoudands of to speak to the people God's mes- but if a man sin against the Lord homes that were moulded by his sage of mercy and reconciliation, who shall intreat for him?" Had example. If children are indulged use their sacred calling as a cloak their crimes injured only their in evil practices, while the parent a fellowmen, the judge might have make a profession of religion, the 00.0.11411firlatAdol.doldololotAtzt.arldgfol.d0 made reconciliation by appointing a penalty, and requiring restitution, truth of God is brought into re- Creation. and thus the offenders might have proach. The best test of the THERE'S not a tint that paints the rose, Christianity of a home is the type Or decks the lily fair, • been pardoned. Or had they not Or streaks the humblest flower that been guilty of a presumptuous sin, of character begotten by its influ- blows, ence. Actions speak Milder than But God has placed it there. a sin offering might have been presented for them. But their the most positive profession of There's not of grass a single blade, godliness. If professors of religion, Or leaf of loftiest green, sins were so interwoven with their Where heavenly skill is not displayed, ministration as priests of the Most instead of putting forth earnest, And heavenly wisdom seen. persistent, and painstaking effort High, in offering sacrifice for sin; There's not a star whose twinkling the work of God was so -profaned to bring up a well ordered house- light hold as a witness to the bene- Shines on the distant earth, and dishonoured before the people, fits of faith in God, are lax in their And cheers the silent gloom of night, that no expiation could be accepted But God has given it birth. government, and indulgent to the for them. Their own father, I There's not a place on earth's vast though himself high priest, dared evil desires of their children, they round, are doing as did Eli, and are bring- In ocean deep or air, not make intercession in their ing disgrace on the cause of Christ, Where skill and wisdom are not found behalf ; be could not shield them For God is everywhere. and ruin upon themselves and from the wrath of a holy God. Of Around, beneath, below, above, all sinners, those are most guilty their households. But great as - Wherever space extends, are the evils of parental unfaith- There He displays His boundless love, who cast contempt upon the means fulness under any circumstances, And power with mercy blends. that Heaven has provided for man's they are tenfold greater when In heaven the sun will ever shine, redemption—‘sho "crucify to No glories fade above ; themselves the Son of God afresh, they exist in the families of those There countless hosts will ever sing appointed as teachers of the peo- Of God's redeeming love. and put Him to an open shame.' ple. When these fail to control —Selected. Heb. vi. 6. Mite. E. G. WHITE. their own households, they are, by 0.10000.00,100000410.00000000.000 their wrong example, misleading God With Us. many. Their guilt is as much for selfish or sensual gratification, WHEN Dr. Wilbur Chapman, greater than that of others as they make themselves the most long ago, told his good friend Mr. their position is more responsible. effective agents of Satan. Like Moody that somehow he could not The promise had been made Hophni and Phinehas, they cause get the assurance he wanted as to that the house of Aaron should men to "abhor the offering of the his salvation, Mr. Moody finally walk before God for ever ; but this Lord." They may pursue their asked him bluntly, Whom are you promise had been made on condi• evil course in secret for a time; doubting 2 " Dr. Chapman saw tion that they should devote them- but when at last their true char- that he was doubting God ; and selves to the work of the sanctuary acter is exposed, the faith of the from that day he stopped this un- with singleness of heart, and people receives a shock that often intentional sin. God is the same honour God in all their ways, not results in destroying their con- on our dull days as on our bright serving self, nor following their fidence in religion. There is left ones. The mountain top experi• own perverge inclinations. Eli and upon the mind a distrust of all who ence may be ours every day that his eons had been tested, and the profess to teach the word of God. we cast ourselves entirely upon Lord bad found them wholly un- The message of the true servant of the Lord, for it may be enjoyed worthy of the exalted position of Christ is doubtfully received.. quite irrespective of outward priests in His service. And God The question constantly arises, troubles or circumstances.—The declared, " Be it far from Me " "Will not this man prove to be like Christian. 90 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6

accepted ? and if thou doest not Opportunity for Salvation Before well, sin lieth at the door." Gen. iv. 6, 7. A strange way this of the Flood. leaving a man to follow his own evil course ! Surely no appeal* could have been more direct. THE whole theory of Millennial shalt surely die," is in itself un- The way of salvation could not Dawnism seems to be built upon deniable proof that some plan was have been made plainer or more the unwarranted assumption that immediately put into operation explicit. in past ages and dispensations only whereby the penalty of transgres- When Cain took the life of his a favoured few have had oppor- sion was postponed and through righteous brother Abel another tunity of hearing God's message of which opportunity for repentance faithful witness rose up to keep salvation to sinful men, and that and salvation would be granted. alive the knowledge of God and the vast majority who have ever Were Adam and his family made His plan of salvation in that lived on this earth departed this acquainted with this provision on generation. Under the righteous life without having been granted their behalf They certainly were; influence of Seth and his posterity such opportunity ; and a number for we find Cain and Abel, the men were led to call upon the of false statements and spurious first two sons of Adam, offering name of the Lord. Gen. iv. 25, arguments are put forth in sup- sacrifices to God. In the epistle 26. From this same line came port of this theory. For instance, to the Hebrews we read that " by faithful Enoch, whose pure, we read concerning the period faith Abel offered unto God a more consecrated life was such that before the flood :— excellent sacrifice than Cain, by God saw fit to spare him the pen- " God's method of dealing with men which he obtained witness that did not vary during all that time—from alty of death that had passed upon Adam's fall to the flood. God had given he was righteous." Heb. xi. 4. all men consequent upon the sin man His law, written in his very nature; Now if Abel was not made ac- but after he had sinned He left him of Adam, and to take him straight measurably to his own course."—Divine quainted with God's gracious plan into heavenly bliss to dwell con• Plan of the Ages, page 70. for sinful man's redemption, what tigually in the presence of the significance was there in his offer- This statement obviously im- God Whom he had loved and ing ? None at all. But the very plies that, after man sinned, up to served on the earth. Gen. v. 21- fact that be slew one of the first- the time of the flood, God made 24 ; Rom. v. 12. Can it be said lings of his flock and that his no particular effort to save him that the world before the flood offering pleased God shows clear- and his posterity from the thral was left to itself with such pure ly that he had an intelligent dom and slavery of sin, but was and righteous characters living in knowledge of, and a firm faith in, content, in a general way, simply to its midst? No, indeed. The "the Lamb slain from the founda- restrain sin within certain limits ; knowledge of the true God and tion of the world." and that He took no steps to un- His gracious plan for the redemp- fold to His fallen creatures the It matters not that Abel looked tion of the human family was plan He had devised for their re- forward to the Cross, while we look handed down from generation to demption in order that they might backward. His faith in the promised generation, so that all had equal take advantage of it. Was such Seed Who should bruise the ser- opportunity with the rest and the ease? Was it possible that He pent's head was every bit as effica- were consequently without excuse. Who is "full of compassion, and cious for salvation as is the faith of It is immaterial how much of this gracious, longsuffering, and plen- those who have been privileged to plan was unfolded to them ; suffi- teous in mercy and truth " (Pea. live this side of the Cross. The same cient knowledge of it was given lxxxvi. 15), and " with Whom is no divine, saving power has operated for their salvation. Certain it is variableness, neither shadow of through genuine faith in all ages. that righteous Enoch must have turning " (James i. 17) could rest But what about Cain, whose been well informed with regard to without making known to sinful offering was rejected ? Was he the whole plan, else he could not man Heaven's provision whereby left to follow his own course have prophesied concerning the he could escape from the dominion without due warning of the coming of Christ to execute judg- of sin, and thus become a sharer in consequences that would follow ? ment upon the finally impenitent. the blessed hope of the final re- Was no effort made to win him Jude 14, 15. It matter's not how storation of all that was lost by back from the path of sin to the God speaks to men, whether the fall ? Let us see. way of righteousness ? Listen to personally, through the mouths In the first place, the fact that Jehovah's gracious remonstrance of His servants the patriarchs and Adam did not suffer instant death with that angry, jealous man : the prophets, or through His only according to the solemn pro- " Why art thou wroth ? and why begotten Son, at sundry times and nouncement of his Maker, " In the is thy countenance fallen ? If in divers manners i. 1, 2), so day that thou eatest thereof, thou thou doest well, shalt thou not be long as men are enlightened February 11 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 91

sufficiently to enable them to nature ; but how can He be fitly giving us too much. The other choose between right and wrong. represented by the serpent, the night we were all in our first sleep Hence we conclude that the beast that is the symbol of Satan? when the great boom of on-coming generations before the flood, so We see in this to what degree our torrent broke on the outlying ham- -I far from being left to themselves, Lord descended in order to rescue lets, and then came a stampede were duly acquainted with God's us. He was made a curse for from all directions to us in the plan of redemption, and that us ; . . . cursed is every one that centre; for we are known to be on Heaven laboured untiringly for hangeth on a tree.' Jesus experi- the highest spot in the vicinity. their salvation. H. F. D. enced that which Paul said he There was, however, such impetu- could wish for himself—he was osity in the rush of the dark, accursed for his brethren." devastating waters that it became In later years the children of quickly evident we were all far too Israel made an idol of this brazen low, so the next thing was to rush image, and burned incense before for the nearest trees and ant hills. it. It was therefore destroyed by In this stampede mothers lost the zealous King Hezekiah in his sight of husbands and little ones, effort to abolish idolatry from his and those separated kept up a kingdom. wild-beast howling to one another You May Do Wrong. in the pitch dark from their differ- The Bible Year. Sometimes God allows men to ent perches. No'time for looking Seventh Week. have their own way—and often after mere material belongings, as February 13th. Numbers 9-11. Fol- this is a part of the penalty for in a case of water slowly rising lowing the cloud ; the fire of the Lord ; murmuring ; quails ; plague. their disobedience. " When I was upon us—nothing heard but that February 13th. Numbers 12-14. Jeal- a young preacher," says John A. booming coming down the valley, ousy and envy rebuked ; report of the Hutton, " I believed that if one above which were the shrieks, spies ; reward of unbelief. " Water ! Water ! Fly ! Death February 14th. Numbers 15,16. Sab- transgressed the law, something bath-breaking punished ; rebellion pun- would rise up out of the ground, has come ! " The shrieking soon ished ; murmuring punished. and hit him. I've got hold of a subsided into a brave acceptance February 15th. Numbers 17-19. Aaron new idea now. It is this : If you of this that means to them so honoured ; support of priests a n d Levites. want to do wrong you may. That much of desolation, destitution, February 16th. Numbers 20,21. Death is a more dreadful thought." and death ; for as the waters have of Miriam ; sin of Moses and Aaron ; Balaam wanted to do wrong. already risen waist-deep in ten death of Aaron ; life for a look. He knew the right, but he chose minutes, there is no knowing February 17th. Numbers 22-24. The fate of one who " loved the hire of the evil. He had heard the veice where they will stop. Shivering wrongdoing." of God, but he listened to the round a smoking and flickerless February 18th. Numbers 25-27. The voice of flattery, and sold his soul fire of green wood, there they second census ; a new leader chosen. for the wages of unrighteousness. stand on ant hills. Ant hills we Life for a Look. Sad indeed was the end of this had always thought only a blight The New Testament is inter- man who had seen " the vision of on the beautiful valley scenery, woven with the Old : the Old Tes- the Almighty," and known " the but now precious lifebelts for the tament is the background of the knowledge of the Most High " ! whole community. New. The one supplements and Mr. Thompson and I climbed up completes the other. Long after on the roof of our grass house after the brazen serpent was lifted up rushing about in the water, mak- in the wilderness, Jesus referred ing more or less futile attempts at to the incident in the familiar salvage work — human life, of words, " As Moses lifted up the course, ranking first—and you are serpent in the wilderness, even so hereby permitted to think of this must the Son of man be lifted up." A Missionary Experience in midnight perch of ours in wet gar- Of the serpent of brass it was Africa. ments as indicating the most said, " Every one that is bitten, NESTLING at the foot of the miserable night we ever passed. when he looketh upon it, shall Great Range, on the Lofoi River, We stuck on to the high pitched live." To those bitten by the ser- is the Lufira Valley Mission. A roof with pious pertinacity, con- pent of sin, Jesus gives the invita- cardinal defect of this place is a stantly pinching ourselves into tion, " Look unto Me, and be ye tendency to be drowned like a rat. wakefulness, for the tendency to saved." Only the other day we groaned (or doze is very tempting; but in that "We can understand why Christ growled ?) in the capital as we event so also is the other ten- should be represented by the inno- bought a few drops of water ; now dency to go clear over the edge of cent lamb and animals of like here is this feast-or-famine Africa the thatch into the flood. 92 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6

decomposing vision, she unhesitatingly answered, food, etc., drove "Here am I, Lord, send me." us back. To in- Sailing for her chosen field in ventory the loss 1884, under the auspices of the is impossible, Woman's Foreign Mission Society t and after of the Methodist Church, she was CROSSINC. A RIVER searching in put in charge of the Zenana work A crescent moon rose about one vain a reasonable time for any- at Cawnpore. Miss Reed laboured o'clock, lighting up a scene as thing once possessed you give it untiringly for her Master. A visit- bleak-looking as it was cold and up, and reckon it among ante- ing friend once asked, "Do you miserable ; our little mission diluvian possessions and memories,. never rest?" "I seldom have time, settlement wholly under water ; —Thinking Black, D. Crawford. for the King's business requires only the tops of banana trees baste," came the (juiet answer. appearing to mark the paths and After five years of this exhaust- not only our specials pot, so flood- Mary Reed: Missionary to ing labour the missionary returned proof as we thought it, but the the Lepers. to America, seeking renewed whole country, as far as the eye AMONG the foot-hills of the snow- strength for further service. It can reach, one vast, pale stretch clad Himalayas in northern India, was during this period of rest that of water reflecting the moonlight, far removed from the blighting she came to realize that God had and looking all the more ghastly heat and ceaseless turmoil of the chosen her for a special work. For on that account when we thought plains, nestles a cozy little bun- some time she had been troubled of the hamlets submerged and galow. Near by cluster the build- with a stinging pain in the fore- tragedies enacted in the darkness. ings of one of the largest leper asy- finger of her right hand, and a curi- The longest night I ever spent lums in the world, while away in ous spot had also appeared on her in my life was on that roof-top the distance tower high moun- right cheek. One day a voice watching for the day, and never tain peaks, and below stretches a seemed to whisper to her, "You was sound so welcome as the first beautiful valley. This secluded have leprosy; you must go back to shrill clarion of a surviving cock " retreat " is the home of Mary India and devote the rest of your on a tree branch. Then when the Reed. " Set apart" by her Lord life to work among the lepers." eastern sky grew red, and finally and Master for a special work, she From that moment she never the sun rose to answer all our cheerfully ministers to the forsaken doubted the true nature of her questionings begotten in the dark- sufferers intrusted to her care, disease. Reluctantly physicians ness, we were speechless; for here though doubtless sometimes her admitted that her diagnosis seemed was a great lake—Mweru, some eyes turn westward with wistful correct. How Miss Reed con- called it who were born there. longing, "where thousands of miles tracted the leprosy will probably Look ! glistening red in the rising away lies the land of her birth, always remain a mystery, but with sun, whole herds of antelopes whose shores her feet shall never implicit confidence in the justice crowding one another off the ant tread again." of her Father's plans for His chil- hills, each paltry peak their true Miss Reed was born near Lowell, dren, she accepted her heavy cross Mt- Ararat in the deluge. See, Ohio. She grew to womanhood in with childlike trust, saying :— too, the swimming snakes darting a Christian home, the beloved " No chance has brought this ill to me, about, heads erect and fangs eldest daughter of consecrated 'Tis God's sweet will, so let it be ; He seeth what I cannot see. menacing. Add to this a thou- parents. At the age of sixteen she There is a need-be for each pain, sand rats drowned and drowning. was converted, and, realizing that And He will make it one day plain The crocodiles, too, have leaped she had been " saved to serve," That earthly loss is heavenly gain.- the banks and are wallowing in new eagerly grasped every opportunity As soon as the necessary arrange- fishing ground. Fancy an oily to tell from the fullness of her ments could be made, she bade crocodile with unconquerable own experience the wonderful story farewell, for the last time; to home levity sailing in triumph into your of redeeming love. She spent and loved ones, keeping her sad submerged kitchen ! He does not some years as a public-school secret from all save one sister. need to cook to eat, albeit he has teacher, and it was while engaged "If you will let me go without a come to eat the cook. in this work that her interest was special good-bye, as though I were It took three days for the first aroused in foreign missions. returning to-morrow, it will be so waters to assuage ; and for more As the days passed, this interest much easier for me," she said. than a week everywhere we moved deepened. She had caught a And so, upheld by a strength not was through sinking quagmire. glimpse of the needs of her suffer- her own, she went out from the On venturing into our houses ing sisters in India; the Macedonian happy circle as if some day she again to get a notion of the dam crycame to her as a personal appeal, might return, and bravely hastened age sustained the terrible smell of and, obedient to the heavenly toward the land of her exile to February 11 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 93 become a member of one of the the way I go, and I am sure it is consecrated life has brought many saddest of all sad families of the right way.' of the hopeless, helpless sufferers suffering humanity. "It was in Paris that she sang to from the darkness of heathenism Miss Reed crossed to England in me the hymns she loved so well, into the light of the Gospel of the same steamer that carried the those song-prayers that must have Christ. The asylum grounds Epworth League delegates to the ascended like incense to the ears of under her direct charge cover Old World in 1891. She journeyed the All•Father. It was in Paris more than sixty acres ; the in- across the Continent in company that she said, one evening, 'If I mates enjoy church and school with a friend, who thus describes thought it were right, and you privileges. Through the aid of the days they spent together :— would promise never to speak of it native Bible teachers and evan- until you heard it some other way, gelists Miss Reed supervises quite "I wondered instinctively at the I should tell you my story.' On an extensive work among the vil- ivory pallor of that sweet memory's wall there will hang lages scattered through neighbour- face and that cruel spot that dis- while time lasts for me, a picture ing valleys. In all her labours figured it, so different from any- of that scene. A wax taper burned she has been blessed with a meas- thing I had ever seen. I wondered, dimly on the table beside her open ure of strength which all agree is too, as the days went by, why the Bible, that Book of all books from divinely bestowed. And she is forefinger, always covered with whose pages she received daily happy in service, content to spend a white cot, refused to yield to consolation ; and while without, and be spent for God, since it is healing remedies. . . . As I came Paris was turning night into day only " until the day break and the to know her better, I found that with light, music, and wine, within, shadows flee away." her heart craved companionship. Mary Reed's gentle voice, faltering Truly the ways of our all-wise Under the smiling English skies of only at her mother's name and Father are past finding out. Often Canterbury we walked up to St. coming sorrow, told the secret of we cannot comprehend the justice Martin's, the little church whose her affliction. As my heart caught of His dealings, but in the glad memories go back at least thirteen the first glimpse of her meaning, hereafter every faithful cross- hundred years. Near the chancel I covered my ayes to shut out the bearer will become a crown-wearer. the guide pointed to an opening in swiftly rising vision of her fature, Complete consecration to God the thick wall, and said, That is even to the bitter end, and cried, means service somewhere ; per- the lepers' squint.' The poor ' Oh, not that ! do not tell me baps not in the field of our choice, sufferers, creeping to the sanctuary that has come to you!' And when but somewhere. Can you answer in olden times, might only listen in calmer moments I urged that the call of duty as cheerfully, as from without to the words of life. all Christians be asked to unite in sincerely, as did Mary Reed? Are If I had known then what I knew prayer for her recovery, her only you willing to say, " Anywhere, af terward, my heart would have bled response was, I have not yet re- any time, anything, for the Son of for the woman at my side. Calmly ceived any assurance of healing ; God and the sons of men"? That she stood there, with a steady light perhaps I can serve my Father is the measure of consecration for in her eyes, not a muscle of her face better thus.' which our Master asks, and betraying her heart's secret. In " The last evening we spent to- whether He leads us by the still the grand old cathedral we paused gether I heard her sing :— waters or through the dark valley before the stone staircase leading " Straight to my home above of the shadow, we may rest in the to Thomas a Becket's shrine, and I calmly travel on ; assurance that gazed long at the hollows worn by And sing, in life or death, My Lord, Thy will be done.' " God's plans like lilies pure and white the kneeling, praying pilgrims. unfold, She was making that journey, so " On the shores of the Lake of We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart ; full of pleasure to the rest of the Lucerne hand clasped hand for the Time will reveal the calyxes of gold. company, literally on her knees, last time on earth, and, with eyes And if by patient toil we reach the land Where tired feet with sandals loose sustained and comforted by the blinded by gathering tears, our shall rest, power of prayer alone. farewell was whispered, God be Where we shall clearly know and under- stand, "Here and there we held sweet with you till we meet again.' " Then we will say, ' God knew the hours of communion, and I, who had Arrived in India, Miss Reed best.' been accustomed to see missionaries journeyed at once to Chandag LORA CLEMENT. seeking America, when in a feeble Heights, where, within the radius condition, could not refrain from of a few miles, she found her life asking if it was right for her to work among the lepers of northern " EVERY one who employs a return to India at an unfavourable India. Through her efforts these servant should remember that season, before her health was estab- unfortunates have been clothed. God is the master of that servant lished. From quivering lips came fed, and sheltered, while the influ- also, and of the master of that the brave reply, My Father knows ence of her Christian teaching and servant." 94 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6

The Peril of Dodging Danger. THERE is great safety in the perils God chooses for us. " Is it safe to work among the lepers 2 " was asked of Sam Higginbottom of India, whose missionary service has been so blessed to the outcasts whom Christ asked us specially to remember and heal. " Yes," was Harry's Pet. which Polly, after listening atten- the answer, " it is safer to work MR. AND MRS. ARNOLD were tively with head on one side and among the lepers, if it's my job, very rich people, who lived in a eyes half closed, tried her best to than to work anywhere else." large house with beautiful gardens imitate. Higginbottom, like many another and woods all around it. Harry, Harry was so quiet and gentle of God's children, is not willing to their only s on—a bright eyed, in all his movements, and spoke in expose himself to the peril of curly•haired little fellow of nine such kind tones, that the pretty dodging the dangers that God has years old—was so fond of all kinds things, instead of being frightened called him into. A place of safety of dumb animals that his parents, and flying away with a startled outside of God's will is too risky a who always liked to indulge him in cry, would come hurrying down place for any child of God to con- any harmless pleasure, allowed him from all parts of the aviary, and template.—Sunday-School Times. almost as many pets as he chose. fluttering round him, alight on He had birds, dogs, rabbits, arms or shoulders, peering inquisi- guinea-pigs, white mice, with their tively into his hands—which he bright, pink eyes , a Manx cat purposely kept half•closed—to see which jumped about like a hare ; if they contained any scraps of THE Russian Church is freely dis- two goats, of whom Harry was cake or fruit. tributing popular editions of the Scrip- just a little afraid—they had Though Harry was very fond of tures among the Russian troops at the front and in hospital. Presses are run- knocked him down more than all his birds, he had, of course, one ning day and night to meet the heavy once ; and above all, a bright-eyed, particular favourite. Which do demand. rough-coated pony from the far- you think it was ? ROMAN Catholic writers in England away Shetland Isles. Of course it Not Polly with her amusing continue to pour scorn on the argument by which a German Jesuit, Father Bon- was necessary to provide each ani- chatter, nor the fine cockatoo in yin, justifies the German invasion of mal with a proper place to live in ; his grand coat and plume of Belgium. Dr. W. Barry writes in the " Catholic Times " of Jan. 29th : " That so a large piece of ground was set feathers ; not even the pretty little he is a member of the illustrious and apart on purpose for them. This Java sparrows, or Miss Jenny much calumniated Society of Jesus Wren, flitting here and there as ought to make him even over-sensitive Harry named " The Zoo," after in avoiding arguments which enemies the Zoological Gardens, and old if she had all the work in the would be likely to quote as a proof that John, who took care of it, he world to do ; nor the slender Jesuits hold the infamous maxim, ' The end justifies the means.'" christened the " Head Keeper." yellow or brown canaries pouring Among all his pets, those which forth their clear, shrill notes. Not Evasion. Harry loved best were the birds. any of these, but just a saucy, As when a hare, which baying dogs re- He had taught them to live troublesome young jackdaw, who tard, together without quarrelling, in a seemed to delight only in mischief, Taketh an opening, and is soon away, So Pilate thought : " Good luck ! this house called a n aviary, made and 'was never so happy as when very day almost entirely of glass, and fur- getting himself or somebody else Sees Herod ( whom he inwardly abhorred) In Salem's streets " ; and then, with nished with large branches of into disgrace. And yet, in spite feigned regard, trees, poles, rings, baths, feeding- of his bad deeds, there was not a Ordered them thither, for he doubtless bird in the aviary of whom Harry thought cans, and all kinds of contrivances This was the happy ending that he for the comfort and amusement of took so much notice, or tried so sought— the little inmates. Here Harry hard to turn from his naughty But his fictitious peace full soon was marred. passed many of his happiest hours: ways. His first call upon entering was always "Jack! Jack!" Often, As one who meets, by chance, an injured sometimes chirping gently to a friend— pair of timid little love-birds however, no " Jack " appeared, and One he had hoped dwelt still in foreign huddled close together upon a Harry would peer eagerly about in lands— Uneasy is ; so Pilate when they wend perch; or stroking the soft feathers search of his favourite ; when the Their way to him again : " My hope• of a ringdove which arched its neck bird, watching a favourable oppor- less hands Fate still doth load I Ah ! must I then and cooed with pleasure ! then tunity, would hop quickly up decide placing himself near a bright green behind its master and bestow a What to this wondrous Stranger shall betide ?" parrot, he would sing short snatches vigorous peck just above his boot, —Alexander Louie Fraser. of rhyme in his clear childish voice, then scuttle away as fast as loge February 11 THE PRESENT TRUTH. 95

Harry's gentle and tender with her tiny $ 0 / grief and baby than was Harry with his \\NI dismay were jackdaw. sad to see. He And to Jack's credit be it said hunted hither that he seemed determined to I \ and thither show himself not altogether un- among the grateful. When his wound was neighbourin g healed, and he had returned to his bushes, mak- old quarters, Harry might have ing the woods walked through the aviary bare- and wings could carry him, to and gardens ring with the name of footed, and Jack would never have escape the punishment he knew he " Jack." Nor were the servants attempted a peck, but instead deserved. Or perhaps at another backward in lending their aid— would fly to his shoulder, and rub time Harry would discover him though more, it must be confessed, his black head caressingly against perched jauntily upon the side of from love of their little master his master's soft cheek as if to a newly-filled seed-can, the con- than of mischievous Jack. Not make up for former unkindness , tents of which he was industriously one among them all, however, and though mischief was too much scattering in every direction, en- worked like poor Harry. Refusing a part of his nature for him to livening his labour with an occa- his nice hot breakfast he caught leave it off altogether, a word from sional " quawk " of intense satis- up a slice of bread, and again set Harry would make him stop, and faction. Not a bird among them off on his search among the woods with a crestfallen look limp off all gave half so much trouble, and and fields, scrambling through into some dark corner, where we often Harry's little friends used to briars and mud, his poor little feet will hope he thought over his mis- wonder much at his strange choice often hurt by the sharp stones, deeds and resolved to behave of a favourite, and tried to persuade and his clothes torn and soiled : better in future. him to send such a " spiteful thing" still he wandered on until the day Have any little readers found (Harry's legs were not the only was more than half over, and he out what my story teaches ?— ones he pecked) about his business, began to feel very faint and Never to cease showing kindness and have no more to do with him ; weary. Beginning to lose all hope even to those who provoke them but Harry used not to mind what of ever seeing his favourite again, most ; but to try, by loving gentle- they said, always declaring he Harry at last turned slowly home- ness, to make them kind and " felt sure that there was some ward ; when, just as he was pass- gentle too. And have they ever good in Jack if he would only leave ing a clump of bushes, he thought read a far sweeter story than I off his naughty tricks. Besides, if he heard a feeble " quawk," and can tell them, of One Who was so he were so bad, that was all the hastily pushing aside the branches, loving and kind that when a poor greater reason why he should keep to his great joy beheld poor Jack. foolish sheep got out of the safe him and try to make him better." But how changed since he saw So Jack still continued Co live in him last ! Then he hopped jaunt- the aviary, tormenting the other ily about in his glossy black coat, birds and vexing his kind little his bright dark eyes peering saucily master. around. Now the eyes were dim One morning, Harry came as and half closed, the shining coat usual to have a peep at his pets be- streaked with mud, while one leg, fore breakfast, and entering the bruised by the stone of a cruel aviary, called, " Jack ! Jack ! " but boy, lay on the ground limp and no Jack answered the summons, motionless. Poor Jack ! dearly either by a saucy " quawk " from had he paid for his liberty. the seed-can, or a sly grip of his But Harry, delighted at again master's leg —which Harry thought possessing his pet, even though in he would willingly have borne to such a miserable plight, raised warm fold and strayed away into be quite sure his favourite was him carefully from the ground, the dark, dreary wilderness, He safe ; neither could he be found and with many a caressing touch went after it, and never gave up anywhere within the aviary, and loving word, carried him gently searching until He had found it though Harry searched long and home, where with the help of old and brought it safely home again 2 earnestly ; so at last it became John the poor leg was bathed and —Selected. certain that Jack, having been bandaged, and the soiled feathers seized with a desire to escape, had restored to their usual glossy " THE Son of man is come to crept out when old John came on blackness. No nurse nor kind seek and to save that which was his morning round. mamma could have been more lost." 96 THE PRESENT TRUTH. No. 6 The Present Truth Studies in James. men after the flesh, not many chap. 5-7. mighty, not many noble, are called: Published weekly for " Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath but God hath chosen the foolish THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, not God chosen the poor of this world things of the world to confound rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom the wise ; and God bath chosen which He hath promised to them that The INTERNATIONAL TRACT SOCIETY the weak things of the world W love Him? But ye have despised the LTD., poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and confound the things which are Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts. draw you before the judgment seats ? mighty ; and base things of the Do not they blaspheme that worthy world, and things which are des- Annual subscription by post, 4/4. name by which ye are called ? " pised, bath God chosen, yea, and Make orders and cheques payable to The things which are not, to bring to International Tract Society, Ltd., Stan- GOD more often chooses His borough Park, Watford, Herts. Regis- servants and followers from the naught the things that are : that tered for transmission by magazine post ranks of the poor than from among no flesh should glory in His pres- to Canada and Newfoundland. the rich ; not because He is partial ence." 1 Cor. i. 26-29. to either, but because the poor are It was becac se Paul regarded the WE acknowledge with thanks invariably more partial to Him wisdom, might and learning of this the receipt of 10'- for the Lord's than are their rich brethren. God's world as less than nothing that work from A.J.B. choice falls unon such because they God was able to use him so make Him their choice. In mightily to the pulling down of IN the " Christian " of January Christ's day, when the majority of the adversary's strongholds and to 28th appears a hitherto unpub- the rich rejected His message with the building up of living monuments scorn, " the common people heard to His saving grace and power. lished letter of the great evangel- Him gladly." ist, Charles G. Finney, in which he Strange it is that although rich God never chooses men merely writes :— men may oppress, persecute and because of their riches or their tyrannize over their less favoured " No revival can be thorough until talents, nor does He choose sinners and backsliders are so searched fellows, yet bow many there are of and humbled that they cannot bold up the poor merely because they are the poor who will render almost ser- their heads. It is a settled point with poor. The quality and quantity vile homage to their persecutors me that while backsliders and sinners of their faith alone influences God's merely because the latter happen to can come to an anxious meeting and choice of men. The very hardness hold up their heads and look you and be rich in this world's goods. Nor others in the face without blushing and of the conditions in which the is this set vile worship of mammon confusion, the work of searching is by poor find themselves leads many confined to the world ; it enter no means performed, and they are in to feel also their spiritual poverty into the church to an alarming no state to be thoroughly broken down and to find consolation and comfort and converted to God. I wish to call degree. It often happens that the the attention of my brethren especially in the good news of a free salva- professed followers of Christ will to this fact : when sinners and back- tion, involving as it does the sure pay far more homage and respect sliders are really convicted by the Holy and certain hope of a future, never- to a rich man who is outside the Ghost they are greatly ashamed of ending life of bliss. Whereas themselves. Until they manifest deep pale of the church, and who re' shame it should be known that the the rich man's wealth and power garde neither God nor man, than probe is not used sufficiently, and they and influence all tend to breed in to a humble member of God's do not see themselves as they ought. him a self importance and a lofty in- family who may be poor in this " When I go into a meeting of inquiry dependence which make it difficult and look over the multitudes, if I see world's goods but who is rich in them with heads up, looking at me and for him to surrender himself to God. faith. It is this fact that causes at each other, I have learned to under- The poor of this world, not possess- James such pained astonish- stand what work I have to do. Instead ing much of its goods, have nothing ment which he expresses in the of pressing them immediately to come to to hold them down to earth and are Christ, I must go to work to convict them sixth and seventh verses. He of sin. Generally by looking over the thus led to look away from its indicates, too, that if any partial- room a minister can easily tell, not only scenes of privation, poverty and ity at all should enter into our who are convicted and who are not, but distress to the glorious future that dealings with others, it should who are so deeply convicted as to be pre- awaits the faithful and tried. And pared to receive Christ. Some are surely be manifested toward the looking around and manifest no shame thus they become "rich in faith." poor and the less fortunate be- at all; others cannot look you in the It is often a matter of great per- cause of the hardness of their face and yet can hold up their heads ; plexity and disappointment to many lot, and the genuine faith they others still cannot hold up their heads and yet are silent ; others by their sob- who embrace Christianity to find often show in their lives, notwith- bing and breathing, and agonizing, reveal that the majority of its adherents standing. at once the fact that the sword of the are poor in this world's goods. Of course, the Christian must Spirit has wounded them to their very heart. Now I have learned that a The Apostle Paul, however, scholar love and respect all men, whether revival never does take on a desirable and aristocrat though he was, did rich or poor, good or bad, with a and wholesome type any farther than not feel at all dismayed by the view to winning them for Christ ; the preaching and means are so di- discovery of this fact. Indeed, he but it is wrong to render servile rected, and are so efficient as to produce looked upon it as inevitable in the that kind of genuine and deep convic- homage to a man merely because tion which breaks the sinner and the very nature of things and under- he happens to be rich. And those backslider right down, and makes him stood perfectly the reason why. who do so, no matter what their unutterably ashamed and confounded Listen to his sublime and convinc- profession may be, are no true before the Lord ; until he is not only stripped of every excuse, but driven to ing explanation on this point : - followers of Him Who, though He go all lengths in justifying God and con- " For ye see your calling, was rich, yet for our sakes became demning himself." brethren, how that not many wise poor. H. F. D.