The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 75

October 18, 1898

“Editorial” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, p. 666.

THE “perfecting of the saints” is the object of the gift of the Holy Ghost. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.1

If this is not held ever in view by the believer, the purpose of the gift of the Spirit is frustrated. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.2

The means of the “perfecting of the saints” is the gifts of the Holy Ghost; for he “gave gifts unto men” “for the perfecting of the saints.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.3

The point which marks the perfection of the believer is charity—perfect love—the love of God; for “charity... is the bond of perfectness.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.4

The point which betokens charity, this perfect love, the love of God, this “bond of perfectness,” is the keeping of the commandments of God; for “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” And “love is the fulfilling of the law.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.5

Therefore, as the keeping of the commandments of God is charity, and charity is the bond of perfectness, then the keeping of the commandments of God is the bond of perfectness. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.6

Then, as the keeping of the commandments of God is the bond of perfectness, and as perfectness is the object of both the gift and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, it certainly follows that the keeping of the commandments of God is the great object of the gift of the Holy Ghost. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.7

Anybody, then, who does not have in view the keeping of the commandments of God, misses the purpose of the Lord in giving the Holy Spirit, and frustrate the object of the Holy Spirit even though he is given. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.8

The keeping of the commandments of God is the complete manifestation, in the individual, of the perfect will of God. Any one, then, who would think of receiving the Holy Spirit for any other purpose than to manifest the perfect will of God, could not receive the Holy Spirit. And any one, having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would use the gift for any other purpose than to manifest the perfect will of God, could not retain the Holy Spirit. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.9

Do you want the perfect will of God manifested in you? Do you want, are you willing, to keep the commandments of God? Then “receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.10

“Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” “Be filled with the Spirit.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.11

“Hebrews” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, p. 666.

THE faithfulness of Christ is the source of all faithfulness in men. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.1

Therefore this is the basis of the divine exhortation to faithfulness: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was FAITHFUL to him that appointed him.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.2

“It behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and FAITHFUL high priest in things pertaining to God. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” “For we have no an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.3

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.4

Do you lack faithfulness? Then consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, who was faithful. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.5

Are you weak, so that you think it hard to be faithful?—Then consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, who was so weak that he declared, “I can of mine own self do nothing,” and yet “was faithful to him that appointed him.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.6

Are you compassed with infirmity, so that you are inclined to think it hard to be faithful? Then consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, who was also “compassed with infirmity;” who “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows;” who “himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses,” and so was really “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and yet was faithful to him that appointed him. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.7

Are you surrounded with the wicked, and sinners, and despisers of our profession, so that it seems to you difficult to be faithful? Then consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, who “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,” and yet was faithful to him that appointed him. Consider him who resisted unto blood, striving against sin, “lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Consider him who was faithful, and so be ye faithful. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.8

Let now, as of old, the whole multitude seek to touch him, with the touch of faith; for as then “there went virtue out of him, and healed them all,” even so it is now. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.9

Knowing your great need of faithfulness, let your faith touch him for the virtue of faithfulness, and you can be faithful to him that has appointed you. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.10

As he has borne the infirmities of us all, and was faithful, so there is in him the virtue of faithfulness for all. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.11

Consider him. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.12

“Modern Revivals” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, p. 666.

THE Baptist Standard of August 25 has an article on the revivals of the present time, as compared with those in the earlier history of the church. In speaking of the revival work on the day of Pentecost, the writer says:— ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.1

It was in those days that the divine pattern for revival work and revival experience was seen in the strongest exhibition of divine love and grace. The Holy Spirit had such sway over the hearts of sinners that with deep concern and great alarm they cried out, and sought to know what they should do to have their hearts and lives changed. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.2

This was the Lord’s pattern of a revival, and its fruits was evident. I do not say we have entirely departed from this pattern, but there is every evidence that in a large measure the saints in their revival work have drifted from the example and pattern of the living God. The Lord’s word does not and can not change; grace can not change; repentance can not change; the blood in its power to cleanse from all sin can not change; the new birth in its nature and fact can not change; and faith that appropriates the whole truth of the living God can not change. Therefore, why do we see so frequent and extensive revivals, with so little evidence of concern on the part of those who are named in the discipleship of Jesus, and of the conversion of sinners after the divine pattern? Are we drifting away from the word of God, its truths and requirements? Is it not strange, with the Bible in our hands, and its truths so patent and clear, that so many enter the door of church life, and give so little evidence of vital knowledge and union with Christ, or have even a semblance of heart experience in the Christ-life? ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.3

The reason that these things are so is given by Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. We are in the last days of the gospel age. This is told by every sign that the Bible has given. The world is fast hastening on to its final ruin. Those who should be holding up the standard of truth have partaken of the spirit of the world until their religion is now made up of forms and ceremonies. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” To deny the power of godliness is to deny the Holy Ghost. But the call of the Lord is, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” This is the great need of the church. And the same power will bring the same results as of old. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.4

“Our Schools, Teachers, and Students” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, pp. 666, 667.

AS certainly as Seventh-day Adventists are Christians, so certainly must every Seventh-day Adventist school be a Christian school. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.1

For these to be Christian schools, Christian principles must be the only principles, Christian teaching the only teaching, and Christian teachers the only teachers, found therein. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.2

And in order that only Christian principles and Christian teaching shall be found therein, the word of Christ, the word of God, the Bible, must be the source and substance of every line of instruction. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.3

The Bible is spiritual. The words of Christ are spirit. The teaching, therefore, must all be spiritual: the things there taught must be the things of God. And the things taught and studied, being the things of God, can be properly taught and understood only by the Spirit of God. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.4

Now “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for the are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.5

Then with such a mind, what is the use of anybody’s attempting to take up the studies in these schools? That would be trying to do things with means which those things can not possibly be done. It would be trying to know things with a mind that can not know such things. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.6

What more slavish work could possibly be engaged in, what more futile effort could possibly be made, by any student, than must be in the endeavor to understand things with a mind that can not possibly understand those things? And what would possibly be more of a beating the air on the part of a teacher than the endeavor to cause a person to understand his teaching while that person has only a mind that could neither receive nor know his teaching? ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.7

Yet such is exactly the attitude of both teachers and students in every case where students attempt, with the carnal mind,—the natural mind, with which they were born into the world,—to follow the studies in any genuine Seventh-day Adventist school. The carnal can not understand the spiritual. The natural mind can not know the things of the Spirit of God. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 666.8

All this conclusively demonstrates that of all the studies in our schools, mental science—the knowledge of the mind—is first in order and in importance. Without the knowledge, the science, of the change of mind from the natural to the spiritual; from the mind which came with the birth of the flesh to the mind that comes with the birth of the Spirit; from the mind that came by being born once to the mind that comes by being born again,—without a knowledge and an understanding of this science, effort will be vain, and time and money will be misspent, in any genuine Seventh-day Adventist school. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.1

But with this science grasped and understood on the part of both students and teachers, every task is a pleasure; every lesson, whether studied or recited, is a clear and distinct gain; improvement is positive and rapid; and the field of knowledge, the height of intellectual attainment, and the realm of opportunity and usefulness, are seen to be infinite. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.2

This is not to say that every person who desires to enter one of our schools must be a complete, all-round Christian in all respects. Not at all. “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” He that has a willing mind can easily learn the true science of the mind. Whosoever, therefore, has a willingness to accept the system, and conform to the principles, of education held in our schools, is welcome to enter and remain; and the results can be nothing else than supremely satisfactory. For if any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether we speak of ourselves. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.3

In education it is true to-day that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” But he has revealed, and will reveal, them unto us by his Spirit; “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.... Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” And “he shall teach you all things.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.4

“We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “We have the mind of Christ.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.5

“He that is perfect in knowledge is with thee;” and “who teacheth like him?” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.6

“Texts for Sermons” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, p. 667.

IN this age of sermonizing, it is thought important to have a text. Sometimes it is difficult for ministers to find a text that seems appropriate to the subject. But if the minister is called of God to bear a message, it matters not whether he has a text. What he wants to know is his message. What the people want is the message the Lord has for them. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.1

It may be of interest to many to know that text-preaching is not a very ancient practise. Previous to the reign of King John of England, it was not customary for ministers to preach from selected passages. Allusive texts were used by ministers long before this; but it was not their custom to choose a text, and divide and subdivide it. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.2

While there is no sin in using a text to introduce the remarks of the speaker, a minister should never feel embarrassed if he can not think of some particular verse as a text from which to preach. If God has given him a message, he should deliver it to the people. In his message, God will give his servant not only a text to begin with, but many texts all through the message. Ministers are sent to “preach the word.” Get full of “the word,” and you will always have a message, whether or not you always have a set text. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 667.3

“Walk in the Spirit” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, pp. 668, 669.

“WALK in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.” “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to talk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” ARSH October 18, 1898, page 668.1

The apostles and early Christians lived and walked in the Spirit, and this enabled them to endure what they did for their Saviour. From that time to the present, the same Spirit has been with all who have gained victories through obedience and suffering. It was walking in the Spirit that gave them courage to meet wicked men on the judgment-seat, to go to prison, and to suffer death. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 668.2

The imprisoned and martyred are the noble and heroic, influenced by a noble and divine Spirit; their judges are the mean and ignoble, influenced by a spirit of opposition to those who, like their Master, go about doing good. It is the Spirit of Christ in men that leads to obedience to his holy law, and to heroism in suffering for his name’s sake. Education, refinement, intelligence, alone, will not meet the test. A man may be well educated, and even hold the highest place in a model church, and yet be as far from walking in the Spirit as were the Pharisees, scribes, and priests in the days when the Saviour taught among men. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.1

On the other hand, a man may have no advantages in education, and yet be all aglow with love to Christ. He may be willing to go to prison or death for his Master. And why?—Because he knows the power of the Holy Ghost, and is daily walking in the Spirit. Such men will hazard their lives for the name of Christ. Acts 15:26. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.2

“Papal Episcopacy” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 42, p. 669.

IT is reported in a leading religious journal that there is a rector of an Episcopal church in the United States, who is known as “Father” Ritchie. At his church the “sacrifice of the mass” takes the place of the communion service. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.1

This clergyman has so nearly reached Rome as to prescribe the following program for the observance of Lent by his members:— ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.2

1. Attend at least one church service every day. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.3

2. Take communion at least once a week. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.4

3. Say a short prayer daily at noontime. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.5

4. Go to confession before Easter. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.6

5. Abstain from food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday until afternoon. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.7

6. Eat no meat on Wednesday and Fridays. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.8

7. Deny yourself something you like every day. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.9

8. Abstain from all parties and places of public amusement. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.10

9. Try to save money each day, by self-denial, for your Easter offering. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.11

10. Do something every day (if only to say a prayer) for some poor, sick, or troubled person. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.12

What could be more encouraging to the Roman Catholic Church than this weakening of the churches that have in the past protested against Romanism? While the church mentioned may be an exception in this respect, there are too many that have departed from the faith of their fathers, and are on the downward road. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.13

Apostasy is the origin of the papacy. Whenever God’s people lose their hold upon him, and begin to trust in the inventions of men, the result is always the same. In Paul’s day some departed from the faith; then the mystery of iniquity began to work, and kept on working, until “that man of sin” was fully revealed, and exalted himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.” History gave to this stage of the church the name “papacy.” But the name does not signify, as it was the result of apostasy. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.14

If the churches of to-day leave the word of God, and put their trust in man-made institutions, it matters not by what name they are known, the results will be exactly as before, and will produce the living image of the papacy. Let there be an awakening, and a seeking the Lord for the heavenly anointing, that in these times of apostasy we may be true to him. ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.15

“As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” In the days of Noah, “Noah walked with God;” he set himself that he would walk with God. When the tide of evil was sweeping all away from God, Noah persisted in the determination that he would walk with God. Against the world-tide of evil, and only evil continually, “Noah walked with God.” And in this, as in other things, “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Thank the Lord for that. Will you not be one of those who will be loyal to God, and, against all the tide of evil and apostasy, will walk with God? ARSH October 18, 1898, page 669.16