The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 75

33/52

August 16, 1898

“Editorial” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 524.

“YE are my witnesses, saith the Lord.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.1

Before he left them, Jesus said to his disciples that they should be witnesses unto him “both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.2

And this was spoken to his disciples for all time; he intended that, in each generation, his disciples should bear witness unto him, even unto the uttermost part of the earth. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.3

His disciples of that time did this in their generation: their faith was spoken, and spoken of, “throughout the whole world;” the gospel which they preached “was preached to every creature under heaven.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.4

The reason of this was that they had the power to do it. Jesus said to them, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me... unto the uttermost part of the earth.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.5

The Holy Ghost did come upon them; they did receive power. And having power to be witnesses unto the uttermost part of the earth, it was easy so to witness. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.6

And that is true yet. Any church that has the power to witness unto Christ to the uttermost part of the earth can witness unto the uttermost part of the earth. It will not be difficult to do what she has the power to do. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.7

The only reason that the church in any age has not witnesses in that age to the uttermost part of the earth, is simply because she did not have the power to do it. That is what she existed for; but she could not do it, because she did not have the power. And she did not have the power because she would not have the Holy Ghost to come upon her. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.8

Now, in this day and age, the church must witness unto Christ unto the uttermost part of the earth. That is solely what she exists for. But she can not do it without the power. Men may talk and plan and work till doomsday; but the thing can never be done without the power to do it. And the power to do it lies solely in having the Holy Ghost come upon the disciples. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.9

And when the Holy Ghost does come upon us, making us witnesses, then he also himself is a witness with us. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.10

We are to witness unto Jesus Christ risen from the dead, and alive now, though once dead. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.11

This is that to which the disciples then witnessed, and to which the Holy Ghost witnessed; and this is that to which the disciples must always witness,—a risen, living Saviour. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.12

They said, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” “The Prince of Life” “God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” “We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.13

The Holy Ghost witnesses with the believer who witnesses that Christ is risen from the dead, and is alive and at the right hand of God, to shed forth repentance, forgiveness, and power. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.14

It is a great and mischievous mistake to think that those disciples who were then in Jerusalem, and who saw him with their natural eyes, were the only ones who could, or were expected to, witness to the resurrection of Christ. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.15

We to-day are expected to witness to this same thing. We must witness that he is risen, and is alive to-day. We must witness that he is at the right hand of God, exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We can do it. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.16

We can do it because we know him, the living Saviour, with whom we live. We can do it because he lives with us. We can do it because we know that he is in us, and we in him; and this we know by the Holy Ghost, which is given us. We can do it because he has given us the power, in giving us the Holy Ghost. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.17

Do you know that the Holy Ghost is with you to witness unto the things which you testify of Christ? Can you cite the Holy Ghost as witness with you in what you witness unto Christ? If not, why not? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.18

And if you can not, then is it not because you are not, and are conscious that you are not, a true witness? And if you are not a true witness, then you are not a witness at all for Christ. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.19

A witness is to testify to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; he himself is to be true. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.” Are you? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.20

Are you true? You can know. Here is the test: “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.21

And we are witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost. Will you be a true witness? Will you recognize the Holy Ghost as a witness also with you? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.22

“Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Recognize the Holy Spirit. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.23

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The kingdom is not to be gained by our efforts. It is to be given to them that “fear not.” Let your mind dwell in prayerful meditation upon the infinite love of God toward you in Christ Jesus. Think of the exceeding great and precious promises, of the Holy Spirit, which dwells in you, of the holy angels that are encamped about you; think of all these blessings and “fear not.” Fear not the want of temporal good. He who feeds the ravens, the sparrows, and the beasts, will feed you. “The Lord will provide,” is a motto which you may write on every necessary want in life. Fear not the power of Satan. Greater is he that is for you than all that are against you. The mighty God fights our battles; then why should we fear? Fear not that the Lord will forsake you. His love is an everlasting love. He is married to you in Christ. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Having loved you, he will love you “to the end.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.24

“‘When’s’ and ‘Why’s’” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 524.

WHEN the Saviour came to this world, he said, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:18, 19. He makes it plain which commandments he refers to, by quoting two of them. See verses 21, 27. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.1

A jot, or iota (the Hebrew Yod), is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. A “tittle” is a little horn, or point of a Hebrew letter. WHEN Jesus has said that not one letter, or part of a letter, should pass from that law which contains the commandments, “Thou shalt not kill,” and, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” WHY do men presume to teach that the whole fourth commandment, containing more than three hundred letters, or jots, has been abolished? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.2

WHEN Jesus was here on the earth, he kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16); and during his ministry he honored that day by tearing down the traditions the Jews had put upon it. WHY did he do this, if it was soon to be abolished? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.3

WHEN the prophet Isaiah spoke of Christ’s ministry, he said, “The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” (Magnify,—“To increase the apparent size of; to exalt in description or praise.”) WHY did the prophet say this, if Christ was to destroy at least one tenth of that law on the cross? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.4

WHEN Christ was taken down from the cross (after he had said, “It is finished”), he was laid in the tomb before the Sabbath; and his disciples “rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” WHY did they do this, if the Sabbath was abolished while Jesus was on the cross? If he changed the Sabbath before or at his crucifixion, WHY would not his disciples know as much about this change as would his followers nineteen hundred years later? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.5

WHEN the apostle Paul was called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he taught that the law, of which the fourth commandment is a part, is not made void by faith. Romans 3:3. He preached to both Jews and Gentiles on the Sabbath day. Acts 13:14-16, 42-44; 16:11-13; 17:2; 18:1-11. WHY did he do this, and say nothing about a new Sabbath, if there had been a change? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.6

“Editorial Note” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 524.

IT is said of one of the Catos that in his old age he withdrew himself from Rome to a country house, that he might spend his last days free from care and trouble. How many since Cato have done the same thing, with the same purpose in view! Cato did not succeed, neither have any of the thousands this side of him made a success of finding a place on this earth where there is no care. There is no asylum from care within the whole compass of sublunary things. benevolence has built asylums for mental and bodily diseases, but it has built none for this. Not in the city, not in the country, no in wealth, not in power, not in pleasures, not in company, not in solitude, will you find freedom from care. In Jesus Christ alone you will find it. “Come unto me, ALL ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 524.1

“Editorial Notes” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 525.

IN an exchange the question is asked, “How long shall we wait for an answer to prayer before it is clear that the petition is not granted?” What is the promise?—“If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Our part of the work is not to set a time for the petition to run out. God does not put a limit to his promises in that way. “Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promises as some men count slackness.” IF we ask in the way the Lord has told us o ask, the answer is sure to come; but we need the Holy Spirit to teach us to ask in the right way. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.1

“Local Elders” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 525.

THOSE servants of the Lord who are set apart for their work by prayer and the laying on of hands, hold an important position in the church. They are to have the “oversight” of the flock. They are to “feed the flock of God.” One writer, speaking of the work of elders in the early church, says:— ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.1

These men assisted by deacons and deaconesses who were servants of the church for the performance of the needful duties in it, had the care and oversight of local flocks or churches where they dwelt. They fed the flock of God. feeding a flock in this case did not mean shutting them up in a pen, and dealing out dry beans and cut feed once or twice a day, as men do in this country: but in feeding their flocks, the Eastern shepherds went before them, and led them forth into green pastures and by the side of still waters. So these shepherds fed their flocks, guiding them in all their course of life; teaching them the words of God; presiding in their assemblies for worship and fellowship; having a care over the sick and weak and feeble and unwary; and watching against grievous wolves that were to enter in, not sparing the flock, and against men that were to arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:29, 30.... ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.2

In such churches as these, where people met, not merely to listen to empty harangues, nor elaborate essays prepared by ministers who must say something, whether they have anything to say or not, but rather to hear the stated and protracted reading of the Scriptures of truth, with such exhortations as were suggested by them or by the necessities of the flock, delivered by men of sound speech, who were apt to teach, though perhaps not always of eloquent lips; and also to listen to those words which any Christian, prompted by the Holy Ghost, might utter for the edification and exhortation and comfort of the people of God, joined with the breaking of bread in memory of the Lord, who died to save his people,—in such churches, in upper chambers, in catacombs and caves, was the light of the gospel preserved, and perpetuated, and scattered abroad by the personal contact of Christians with their fellows and neighbors, until it pervaded communities, subverted religions, revolutionized empires, and changed the face of the world. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.3

If our elders would study how they might get their flocks to feed on the living Word, rather than try to preach to them about what good food there is for them, a new life would spring up in all our churches. Twenty years ago our churches did not have nearly so many ministerial visits as they have now; nor did their elders think themselves so much preachers that the Sabbath meeting was spoiled by an effort to present some great theme that the speaker had heard at some general meeting. Then the brethren and sisters were more ready, with Bible in hand, to present some thought that was a real experience to them. These short experiences, founded on the living Word, were food for the whole congregation. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.4

The elder did not hold himself so much responsible for entertaining the congregation as for the exercise of that oversight of the flock by which he led them into the green pastures where they themselves could feed upon, rather than hear about, the good food. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.5

The Testimony of the Lord has for years been calling for this work to be done again in the churches. It calls the ministers to go out where the message has not been heard; and it calls upon the churches to say to the ministers, “Go and preach the Lord’s message to those who have not heard it; we will meet together, and built up ourselves on our most holy faith, while you tell to others the truth which we love.” When shall the Testimony be heeded?—It will be heeded when the Holy Spirit is recognized, and received, and allowed to reign. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 525.6

“Sharp Letters” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 526.

MEN and women in places of responsibility, where there is a large correspondence, often have to deal with circumstances that have a tendency to stir up their feelings. When the brain is tired, and the serves are unsettled, the mistakes of those under their direction look more grievous than at other times. Besides, they are away from the offender, and do not have to meet him face to face, and hear any explanations he might make. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.1

It is at such times that these are apt to write to the “offender” a letter of a nature to “shake him up.” With nervous hand the pen is taken up, to let the wicked thoughts run on the paper, never heeding that the letter may be the means of so wounding the poor soul that all they may do afterward will never heal the wound. The letter is written; and, too tired even to read it over before sending, the writer hastens it off to the mail, with a sense of relief after the blast he has given, which, he tells himself, will make the offender “tremble,” and “teach him a lesson.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.2

How often ministers of the gospel, who are holding an official position which gives them some dignity before their fellow ministers, allow themselves to write words that they would never think of putting on paper if they but waited until the tired brain was rested. The offense that seems most aggravated at first, would appear so different, after time had been taken to consider the circumstances, that there would be no need of writing a “sharp letter.” The following interesting sketch, though printed once in these columns, may be read again with much profit by those who sometimes think it advisable to write a sarcastic letter to some “subordinate:“— ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.3

It is said that Secretary Stanton was once greatly vexed because an officer had refused to understand an order, or, at all events, had not obeyed. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.4

“I believe I’ll sit down,” said Stanton, “and give that man a piece of my mind.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.5

“Do so,” said Mr. Lincoln: “write it now, while you have it on your mind. Make it sharp; cut him all up.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.6

Stanton did not need a second invitation. It was a bone-crusher that he read to the president. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.7

“That’s right,” said Lincoln: “that’s a good one.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.8

“Whom can I get to send it by?” mused the secretary. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.9

“Send it!” replied Lincoln, “send it! Why, don’t sent it at all. tear it up. You have freed your mind on the subject, and that is all that is necessary. Tear it up. You never want to send such letters; I never do.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.10

How many heartaches would be avoided if we would take Lincoln’s advice when we write cutting letters. When the mind is freed, tear up the letter, and thus avoid giving pain to another. Then, still better even than this, is to cultivate and acquire so much of the grace and Spirit of Christ that we shall never see any subordinates, but only superiors; and so shall never have any sharp letters to write, no “shaking up” to do, nor any such “lessons” to teach. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 526.11

“Back Page” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 33, p. 532.

DO not spend your time brooding over sins that are past. Be thankful that they are past; but do not call them back to the present, and look at them in a way to produce despondency or discouragement. If your past sins have been forgiven, pardoned, they should never be recalled, unless it be in the form of a fact in the history of God’s dealings with you to excite your gratitude and praise. It is bad enough that you ever sinned and contracted guilt; why should you, then, make it worse by dwelling upon your sin in a melancholy state of mind? ARSH August 16, 1898, page 532.1

IN the perilous times of the these last days, when men have a form of godliness and deny the power thereof, efforts are being made to force religion upon all, from the children in the school, up to the men who sit in our legislative halls. In all these efforts there is a compromise between truth and error. The tendency is to lower the standard of piety so that it will be so near the world’s standard that it will be popular and easy to be a Christian. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 532.2

Temperance principles are to be so modified that people can be good temperance people and indulge occasionally, if they are only educated to govern themselves so they will not become intoxicated. There is now on foot an effort to have temperance instruction in our public schools that will teach “the pupils to use alcoholic drinks reasonably.” But there is no way to use these alcoholic poisons reasonably. Our youth need to be educated to know that the true principles of health entirely discard the use of these poisons: that the very tasting of them is unreasonable. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 532.3

Let us have the principle of true temperance, which entirely abstains from everything that has a tendency to tear down the system, and makes a proper use of those things that will build up the human organization. Let us have a religion that will spurn sin of every form, and surrender the life to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. ARSH August 16, 1898, page 532.4

“SELF-MASTER is the basis of sanity.” Then how important it is that we have a complete mastery over self. This is true temperance. If we know for what purpose we are created, and live to fill that station in life to which we are called, we need to be well balanced. To have a well-balanced mind, and to keep it so indicates that we have power over every faculty, and have a complete mastery over self. This can not be without a strong mind. This we can have by having the “mind of Christ.” ARSH August 16, 1898, page 532.5