The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 75
August 2, 1898
“Editorial” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 31, p. 490.
IN the time of the “early rain” of the gospel year, the believers were more than once “filled with the Holy Ghost.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.1
On Pentecost “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.2
There was in Jerusalem much, and powerful, opposition to the gospel and to the preaching ot it. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.3
Therefore “the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees” arrested Peter and John, and “put them in hold.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.4
The next day Peter and John were brought before the national council, and were questioned as to what they had done. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.5
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,” etc. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.6
However, the council, after inquiry and answer and consultation, let them go. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.7
“And being let go, they went to their own company,” and prayed. “And when they had prayed, ... they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.8
We are in the “time of the latter rain,” when we are to ask for rain. The message of God now is, therefore, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost;” “Be filled with the Spirit.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.9
Have you received the Holy Ghost? Have you been filled with the Spirit? If not, you are losing everything. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.10
But even thou you have received the Holy Ghost, even though you have been filled with the Spirit, please do not think for a moment that that is the end and all. Please do not settle back contentedly folding your hands and saying, Now I have got it, and that is all. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.11
No; even to you the message still is, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” “Be filled with the Spirit.” There is more than one filling with the Spirit. Go on unto perfection. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.12
“Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” “Be filled with the Spirit.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.13
“How Shall We Know that the Bible Is the Word of God?” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 31, p. 490.
THE Bible comes to men as the word of God. In every part it speaks to men as from God and upon the authority of God. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.1
But how shall men who do not know God know that it is the word of God? This is the question that thousands of people ask. They ask, “What proof is there, where is the evidence, that it is the word of God?” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.2
There is evidence,—evidence that is convincing and satisfactory. Where is it, then? Let us see. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.3
Being the word of God, where could evidence be found that it is such? Where should we expect to find such evidence? ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.4
Is there any one of greater knowledge than God, or of greater authority than he, of whom we may inquire?—Certainly not. For whoever God may be, there can be no higher authority, there can be none of greater knowledge. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.5
Suppose, then, we were to ask God whether this is his word, and suppose he should tell us, in so many words, “The Bible is my word,” we should then have only his word for it. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.6
But we have already, over and over; so that even then we have no more evidence than we now have in abundance: and the evidence would be in nowise different; for it would be the evidence of his word, and that we already have. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.7
The word of God bears in itself the evidence that it is the word of God. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.8
It is impossible that it could be otherwise. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.9
If God had never yet spoken a word to the human family, and should this day send a message to all people at once, and in their own native tongues, that word, being the word of God, would have to bear in itself the evidence of its being the word of God; for the people could not possibly inquire of any other, because there is no person whose knowledge or authority is equal to this. That word, though, bearing in itself the evidence of its being the word of God, all the people could obtain this evidence by accepting it as the word of God. Each one who did this would know that it was the word of God; for he would have the evidence in the word, and by accepting it, also in himself. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.10
This is precisely the position that the Bible occupies toward the people of this world. It comes as the word of God. As such, it must bear the evidence in itself; for there can be no higher, no better, evidence. Whoever receives it as the word of God receives in it and in himself the evidence that it is the word of God. And so it is written, “When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 17:12. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.11
And again: “A new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you.” 1 John 2:8. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.12
And again: “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will [is willing to] do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:16, 17. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.13
Thus he who accepts the Word as the word of God has the evidence that it is the word of God. He who will not accept the Word can not have the evidence. In rejecting the Word, he rejects the evidences, because the evidence is in the Word. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.14
To make this yet plainer, if possible, especially to those who do not know that the Bible is the word of God, we may, for the sake of the case, suppose that the Bible were not the word of God, and that the God of the Bible were not the true God. Suppose, then, that we should find the true God, and ask him whether the Bible is the word of God; and suppose he should say, “It is not the word of God.” We should then have only his word; and the only way that we could know whether or not this answer were true would be by believing it, by accepting it as the word of God. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.15
So, then, the only possible way in which any person could surely know that the Bible is not the word of God would be by the word of God. And even though he had the word of God to this effect, the only way that he could be sure of it—the only evidence he could have—would be by believing that Word. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.16
But there is no word of God that the Scriptures are not the word of God, while there is the word of God that the Scriptures are the word of God. That word of God bears in itself the evidence that it is the word of God; and every soul who will receive it as it is, will have the evidence. The evidence will be plain to him who believes the Word. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 490.17
“Passing Events. A Little Ancient History, Which Is Also Modern” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 31, p. 491.
IN considering the new and “imperial” career that is opening before the United States, and being sanctioned by so many in high positions, we have remarked that there was one republic that passed over this ground once before in the history of the world. That republic was Rome. It is interesting to read the statements made to-day concerning this “colonial policy” and “colonial career” that is opening up before “Imperial America,” and compare it with what has long been written of the course of Rome as she passed over the same ground. It is not claimed, on behalf of the new, “Imperial America,” that she must accept this great responsibility that has fallen upon her of extending the blessings of liberty to the world, and that she must discharge this sacred office by beginning to deliver from the oppressive rule of Spain the people of the Philippines, San Juan, Cuba, perhaps the Carolines, and so on to the other oppressed peoples of the world. It is said that America will thus extend the blessing of liberty, just because of the blessing of liberty; she will bestow freedom entirely from love of human freedom, as far as possible to all the world. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.1
All this is precisely what Rome proposed to do. Rome claimed that she never wished to make any conquests of any people, nor to control any territory, outside of her own boundaries of Italy. All that she ever did outside of Italy was altogether out of pure benevolence, and solely to extend to oppressed peoples the blessings of liberty, of which the Romans were the exemplars before the world, and in behalf of the world, and which they so sincerely loved that they couldn’t be content at all so long as any other people were not enjoying this wonderful liberty. Therefore they would man fleets and raise armies, send them over seas at great sacrifice and immense expense to fight battles for strange peoples, only that those peoples might have the blessing of liberty, of which Rome was the world’s conservator. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.2
One example will illustrate this whole subject. The Romans had sent an army into Macedonia to fight against Philip the Fifth in behalf of the states of Greece and to save them from being oppressed by Philip. The Roman army was successful, Philip was thoroughly conquered, and a treaty of peace was concluded; but “all Greece was in uncertainty” as to what should be their fate, now that the Roman power was predominant in both Greece and Macedonia. It was the time when the Isthmian games were celebrated, in which all Greece participated, and where vast crowds were assembled to witness the contests; then, “the multitude being assembled in the stadium to see the games, a herald came forward, and published with a loud voice” the following proclamation:— ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.3
“The senate and people of Rome, and Titus Quintius, their general, having overcome Philip and the Macedonians, ease and deliver from all garrisons, taxes, and imposts, the Corinthians, the Loerians, the Phocians, the Euboeans, the Phthiot Acheans, the Magnesians, the Thessalians, and the Perrhbians; declare them free, and ordain that they shall be governed by their respective laws and usages.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.4
At these words, which many heard but imperfectly because of the noise that interrupted them, all the spectators were filled with excess of joy. They gazed upon and questioned one another with astonishment, and could not believe either their eyes or ears, so like a dream was what they then saw and heard. It was thought necessary for the herald to repeat the proclamation, which was now listened to with the most profound silence, so that not a single word of the decree was lost. But now, fully assured of their happiness, they abandoned themselves again to the highest transport of joy, and broke into such loud and repeated acclamations that the sea resounded them to a great distance, and some ravens which happened to fly at that instant over the assembly fell down in the stadium; fo true it is that of all the blessings of this life, none are so dear to mankind as liberty! The games and sports were hurried over with neglect and disregard; for so great was the general joy upon this occasion that it extinguished every other thought. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.5
The games being ended, all the people ran in crowds to the Roman general; and every one being eager to see his deliverer, to salute him, to kiss his hand, and to throw crowns and festoons of flowers over him, he would have run the hazard of being pressed to death by the crowd had not the vigor of his years,—for he was not above thirty-three years old,—and the joy which so glorious a day gave him, sustained and enabled him to undergo the fatigue. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.6
The remembrance of so delightful a day and of the invaluable blessing then bestowed, was forever renewing, and for a long time the only subject of conversation at all times and in all places. Every one cried in the highest transports of admiration and a kind of enthusiasm, that there was a people in the world who, at their own expense and the hazard of their lives, engage in a war for the liberty of other nations; and that not for their neighbors, or people situated on the same continent, but who crossed seas, and sailed to distant climes, to destroy and extirpate unjust power from the earth, and to establish, universally, law, equity, and justice: that by a single word and the voice of a herald, liberty had been restored to all the cities of Greece and Asia: that only a great soul could have formed such a design; but to execute it was the effect at once of the highest good fortune and the most consummate virtue. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.7
They called to mind all the great battles which Greece had fought for the sake of liberty. “After sustaining so many wars,” said they, “never was its valor crowned with so blessed a reward as when strangers came and too up arms in its defense. It was then that, almost without shedding a drop of blood, or losing one man, it acquired the greatest and noblest of all prizes for which mankind can contend. Valor and prudence are rare at all times; but of all virtues, justice is most rare. Agesilaus, Lysander, Nicias, and Alcibiades had great abilities for carrying on war, and gained battles both by sea and land; but it was for themselves and for their country, not for strangers and foreigners, they fought. That height of glory was reserved for the Romans.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.8
The sequel to this greatness of soul of the Romans will be given next week. But for the present we may inquire, When two things are so precisely alike in their beginnings as are this course of Rome and that proposed for the United States, can there be much likelihood that the endings will be any less alike, whatever may be the sequel of the Roman story? ARSH August 2, 1898, page 491.9
“Back Page” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 31, p. 500.
“WE shall reap, if we faint not.” When the children of Israel were right on the borders of the promised land, they grew faint, and turned back into the wilderness. If there is anything true, it is that the coming of the Lord is “near, even at the doors.” Are any discouraged, and tempted to turn back? Take courage. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” “Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come.” It is now that “the just shall live by faith.” “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Be courageous, be strong, be faithful; and the crown is yours only a little in the future. ARSH August 2, 1898, page 500.1
WHAT the world wants to see to-day in those who profess conversion is not talk, but changed lives. Of all people, Seventh-day Adventists ought to stand before the world as an example of what the transforming power of God can do for the human heart. Then, through them, Christ would be “lifted up,” and all men would be drawn to him. “Ye are the light of the world.” Are you that in your community? If not, why not? ARSH August 2, 1898, page 500.2
FOUR hundred years ago Spain by Torquemada and the Inquisition inflicted horrible cruelties upon the Jews in compelling them to become Catholics or leave the realm. The other day in the largest synagogue in Jerusalem the congregation prayed, “Let thy face shine, O God, on the young men and their leaders who risk their lives for a just cause to save the oppressed from their oppressors. But on their adversaries show thy might. Avenge the blood of thy servants that has been shed by a cruel nation, and crush thine enemies for aye.” ARSH August 2, 1898, page 500.3