The Present Truth, vol. 12

May 14, 1896

“The First Dominion. The Purchased Possession” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

Redemption means to buy back. And what is to be bought back? Evidently that which was lost; for that is what the Lord came to save. And what was lost? Man, for one thing; “for thus saith the Lord, ye have sold yourselves for naught; and ye shall be redeemed without money.” Isaiah 52:3. What else was lost? Necessarily all that man had. And what was that? PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.1

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.2

The Psalmist says of men: “Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet; all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” Psalm 8:5-8. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.3

This was man’s original dominion, but it was not retained. In the Epistle to the Hebrews we have these words of the Psalmist quoted in the following passage:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.4

“For not unto angels did He [God] subject the world to come, whereof we speak. But one hath somewhere testified, saying, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower [or, “for a little while lower”] than the angels; thou crownest him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands. Thou put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He subjected all things unto him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower [for, “for a little while lower”] than the angels, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor; that by the grace of God, He should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:5-9, R.V. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.5

A wonderful picture is in these words opened to our view. God has put the earth, and all that pertains to it, under the rule of man. But that is not the case now. “We see not yet all things put under him.” Why not? Because man lost everything by the fall. But we see that Jesus, who was made “lower than the angels,” that is, was made man, so that all who will believe may be restored to the lost inheritance. So that just as surely as Jesus died and rose again, and just as surely as by His death and resurrection those who believe in Him shall be saved, so surely will the lost inheritance be restored to those who are redeemed. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.6

This is indicated in the first words of the passage quoted from the Book of Hebrews: “Unto the angels had He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” Well, has He put the world to come in subjection to man? Yes; for when the earth was created He put it in subjection to man, and Christ has taken man’s fallen state in order to redeem both him and his lost possession, for He came to save that which is lost; and since in Him we have obtained an inheritance it is clear that in Christ we have in subjection the world to come, which is nothing less than the earth renewed as it was before the fall. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.7

This is shown also by the words of the prophet Isaiah: “They shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited; I am the Lord; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain; I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” Isaiah 45:16-19. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 305.8

The Lord formed the earth to be inhabited, and since He works all things after the counsel of His own will, it is certain that His design will be carried out. But when He had made the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, and man upon the earth, He “saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31. Then since God’s plan is to be carried out, it is evident that the earth is yet to be inhabited by people who are very good, and that it is to be at that time in a perfect condition. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.1

When God made man, He “crowned him with glory and honor,” and gave him “dominion over the works of His hands.” He was therefore king, and as his crown indicates, his kingdom was one of glory. By sin he lost the kingdom and the glory, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Then Jesus stepped into his place, and through death, which He tasted for every man, He became “crowned with glory and honour.” It is the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5) who has thus won back the dominion that the first man Adam lost. He did this in order that He might bring many sons to glory. In Him we have obtained an inheritance; and since it is “the man Christ Jesus” who is now “in the presence of God for us,” it is plain that the world to come, of which is the new earth,-“the first dominion,”-is still man’s portion. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.2

The following text also makes this clear: “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28. When He was offered He bore the curse, in order that the curse might be removed. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Galatians 3:13. But when the curse of sin came upon man, it came also upon the earth; for the Lord said to Adam: “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee.” Genesis 3:17, 18. When Christ had been betrayed into the hands of sinful men, “when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put upon His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.” Thus when Christ bore the curse that came on man, He at the same time bore the curse of the earth. So when He comes to save those who have accepted His sacrifice, He comes to renew the earth as well. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.3

THE TIME OF RESTITUTION

Therefore it is that the Apostle Peter said: “And He shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21. And so we have the words of Christ: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory; and before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats; and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:31-34. This will be the consummation of the work of the Gospel. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.4

Now let us return to the words of the apostle in the first chapter of Ephesians. There we learned that in Christ we are predestinated to the adoption of sons; and as we learned in another place, if we are sons we are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Therefore it is that in Christ we have obtained an inheritance, for He has gained the victory, and is set down at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the time when His foes shall be made His footstool, and all things be put in subjection under Him. This is as sure as that He overcame. As the pledge of this inheritance which we have in Him, He has given the Holy Spirit. It is of the nature of the inheritance, and therefore makes known what is the riches of His glory of the inheritance. In other words, the fellowship of the Spirit makes known the fellowship of the mystery. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.5

The Spirit is the representative of Christ. Therefore the Spirit dwelling in men is Christ in men the hope of glory. And Christ in men is creative power in men, creating them new creatures. The Spirit is given “according to the riches of His glory,” and that is the measure of the power by which we are to be strengthened. So the riches of the glory of the inheritance, made known through the Spirit, is nothing less than the power by which God will create all things new by Jesus Christ, as in the beginning, and by which He will create man anew, so that he may be fitted for that glorious inheritance. Thus it is that when the Spirit is given in the fullest measure, those to whom it is given taste “the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.” Hebrews 6:5. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.6

So the Gospel does not deal exclusively in the future. It is present and personal. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, or that is believing. While we believe we have the power, and that power is the power by which the world to come is to be made ready for us, even as it was made in the beginning. Therefore in studying the promise of the inheritance we are simply studying the power of the Gospel to save us in this present evil world. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.7

WHO ARE HEIRS?

“And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.8

Of what are we heirs if we are Abraham’s seed? Why, evidently of the promise to Abraham. If we are Christ’s, then we are heirs with Him; for they are Christ’s who have the Spirit, and they who have the Spirit are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. So to be a joint-heir with Christ is to be an heir of Abraham.” PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.9

Heirs according to the promise. “What promise? The promise to Abraham, as a matter of course. And what was that promise? Read Romans 4:13, for an answer: “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” So then, they who are Christ’s are heirs of the world. We have already learned this from many texts, but now we see it connected definitely with the promise to Abraham. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.10

We have also learned that the inheritance is to be bestowed at the coming of the Lord, for it is when the Lord comes in His glory that He says to the righteous, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” When the world was created it was designed for the habitation of man, and was given to him. But that dominion was lost. True, men now live on the earth, but they do not enjoy the inheritance that God originally gave to men. That was the possession of a perfect creation by perfect beings. Nay, they do not even possess it; for “one generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.” Ecclesiastes 1:4. While the earth abideth for ever, “Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” 1 Chronicles 29:15. No one really possesses anything of this world. Men labour and fight to amass wealth, and then they “perish, and leave their wealth to others.” Psalm 49:10. But God works all things after the counsel of His own will; not one of His purposes will fail; and so as soon as man had sinned and lost his inheritance, a restoration was promised through Christ, in these words: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between by seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. In these words the destruction of Satan and all his work was foretold. The “great salvation” “at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.” Thus “the first dominion” (Micah 4:8), even “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.” Daniel 7:27. That will be real possession, for it will be everlasting. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 306.11

THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING

But all this is to be consummated at the coming of the Lord in glory, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21. Therefore the coming of the Lord to restore all things has been the grand hope set before the church ever since the fall of man. The faithful have always looked forward to that event, and although the time has seemed long, and the majority of people doubt the promise, it is as sure as the word of the Lord. The promise, the doubts of the unbelieving, and the certainty of the fulfilment of the promise are vividly set forth in the following portion of Scripture:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 307.1

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance; that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour; knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water [compacted out of water and amidst water, R.V.]; whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, 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 promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:1-13. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 307.2

Now read the passage again, and note the following points: Those who scoff at the promise of the coming of the Lord our willingly ignorant of some of the plainest and most important events recorded in the Bible, namely the creation and the flood. The word of the Lord created the heavens and the earth in the beginning. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalm 33:6. By the same word the earth was covered with water, the water with which the earth was stored being made to contribute to its destruction. By the flood the earth “perished;” the earth in its present condition bears scarcely any resemblance to that which existed before the flood. By the same word by which the earth was created and destroyed, the earth which is now is kept until the time of the perdition of ungodly men, when it will be overwhelmed by a lake of fire instead of a flood of water. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” The same word accomplishes it all. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 307.3

THE GRAND CLIMAX

To us it appears that the coming of the Lord has been the one grand event toward which everything has been tending ever since the fall. The “promise of His coming” is the same as the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. This was the promise to the “fathers.” Those who scoff at it cannot deny that the Bible contains the promise, but as no change has appeared since the fathers fell asleep, they think that there is no probability of its fulfilment. They ignore the fact that things have changed much since the beginning of creation; and they have forgot that the word of the Lord endureth for ever. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.” Notice that it is the singular, not the plural form of the word. It is not promises, but promise. It is a fact that the Lord does not forget any of His promises, but the apostle Peter is here speaking of a definite promise, namely, the promise of the coming of the Lord, and the restoration of the earth. It will be a “new earth” in very fact, because it will be restored to the condition in which it was when it was first made. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 307.4

Now although it has been a long time, as man counts, since the promise was made, “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise,” because He has all time for His own. A thousand years are with Him as one day. So then it has been scarcely a week since the promise was first made, at the time of the fall. Only about half a week has elapsed since the “fathers fell asleep.” The passage of a few thousand years does not abate one jot of the promise of God. It is as sure as when it was first made. He has not forgotten. The only reason why He has delayed thus long, is that “He is long-suffering to usward; not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” So we should “account that the long-suffering of the Lord is salvation,” and should gratefully accept the kindness thus graciously offered, instead of taking His merciful delay as an evidence of lack of good faith on His part. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 307.5

It should not be forgot that while a thousand years is with Lord as one day, one day is with Him also as a thousand years. What does that mean? Simply that while the Lord may wait a long time as man counts, before carrying out His plans, that should not be taken as evidence at any stage that to do a given amount of work will necessarily take as great a length of time as has been taken for the same amount of work in the past. One day is just as good as a thousand years with the Lord, whenever He chooses to have the work of a thousand years done in a single day. And this will yet be seen. “For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make in the earth.” One day will suffice for the work of a thousand years. The day of Pentecost was but a sample of the power with which the work of the Gospel is yet to go. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.1

And now that we have had this summary of what the Gospel of the kingdom really is, and have been referred to the promise to the fathers as the foundation for our faith, we may next take up the study of that promise, beginning with Abraham, whose children we must be if we are to be heirs with Christ. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.2

“Christianity Is a Promise” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

Paganism is a threat, Christianity is a promise. Paganism is essentially pessimistic. Christianity is essentially optimistic. The heathen knows no future, has no assured hope. But the Christian is a man with more than a hope,-with a Gospel, with a faith, with an inheritance unfailing and eternal. This Gospel, this faith, this inheritance is offered without money and without price. Whosoever will, let him come and take it. Why then should he who knows the Christian promises remain in heathen fear, trembling under the threats of Satan instead of rejoicing in the promises of Christ? PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.3

“The Test of Christian Character” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

A series of articles on “Sabbath and Sunday,” which first appeared in the Bibliotheca Sacra Magazine, 1870-1881, has lately been published in book form. In the introduction to the work this sentence is found:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.4

The disciples of the Seventh-day Sabbath have been increasing; and this has brought disesteem of the Christian Sabbath or Lord’s day, even among some who do not embrace their Sabbatarian views. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.5

This is a statement which is not original with that writer,-it has frequently been made of late. It may be true,-yet there is no positive evidence of its truth. But whether true or not, what does it signify? If true it simply means that professing Christians are being tried as to the character of the profession which they make. It means that a knowledge of the Sabbath question has proved a test and touch-stone by which the various church organisations to which those persons belong have been able to discover their unworthy members. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.6

The Christian who has never seen, and does not understand, the contradiction and antagonism between the fourth commandment and Sunday observance will look upon Sunday as the Sabbath, and so observe it. When such an one discovers his error and learns that Sunday is the Sabbath, and learns that it is not, he will of course no longer respect Sunday as the Sabbath. But that is the moment in which the test comes as to whether he has ever really-though mistakenly-respected Sunday as the Sabbath or not. If he has, it will be the Sabbath and the Sabbath commandment that He will still respect. If he has not had respect for Sunday as the Sabbath the fact will now be apparent, and, the formality of his religious profession being shown, it will be evident that his church’s membership was no eternal value to himself, and but an element of weakness to the denomination to which he belongs. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.7

Why should anyone disapprove of the practical application of the commandment of God to life and habits of a man as a proof of his Christian or unchristian character? No one could properly object to the use of the acid test upon a gold piece to prove its genuineness. If he did the supposition would be that he either knew or feared that it was counterfeit, and did not wish the fact made known. If anyone is disinclined to subject professed Christianity to the test of obedience to any one of the commandments, does it not lay that profession open to a similar supposition? PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.8

The acid shows the pure gold, and under its biting, cleansing test, the true metals shine bright and unmistakable. Thus obedience to the commandments makes known true Christian character. It is an acid test under which Christianity shines clear and radiant. Why hesitate to apply it? The acid does not destroy the pure gold,-it only makes its presence known. Obedience to all the ten commandments does not destroy or bring “disesteem” upon Christianity, it only brings true Christianity to the proof and shows its reality. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.9

Counterfeit currency is always necessarily in disesteem. It is of the utmost importance to the commercial world that it should be subjected to such tests as should cause it to be withdrawn from circulation. A large amount of it in the channels of trade would be disastrous to the interests of the business world. Any religious counterfeit should also be held in similar disesteem, for it is equally dangerous to the best interests of the Christian world. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.10

“Buying the Kingdom” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

A lady of means, who was asked for a contribution for the assistance of a mission to convert the Jews, is said to have refused on the ground that the Jews were rich enough, so she understood, to convert themselves. It was certainly an epigrammatic speech, and a unique application of worldly wisdom. The suggestions which it conveys are worthy of being weighed. Rich enough to convert themselves! What are the riches necessary to conversion, and who possesses that wealth? What is conversion? Can a man convert himself? Can a man’s money convert him? Can a man convert others with his money? PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.11

The answers to these questions show how subordinate a part it is that money really plays in the furtherance of the Gospel and the conversion of souls. The reliance upon the money power is responsible for much of the failure registered against missionary efforts in all parts of the world. It is largely responsible for the worldliness found among professed religionists everywhere. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 308.12

If that man who trusts in riches for worldly successes so often finds his trust unwisely placed, how much more shall it be true of him who hopes with gold to buy eternity for himself or others. The comparative part which money plays is indeed very small. Yet money must be used,-but a consecrated pound, put in the hands of God, will bring a knowledge of truth to more souls than an unconsecrated million in the hands of those who put their faith in the power of money. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.1

“Fighting the Jesuits” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

Ever since the children of the flesh began to war against the children of the Spirit it has been constantly shown that no human power can quench the shining of the true Light. The light shines from the Word, and so, while error may resort to force and persecution, the truth only shines on, delivering men who receive it from the darkness of error. And it is a truth—which all who would resist Rome in these days need to know—that error is not to be crushed by force. Darkness is dispelled only by the shining of the light. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.2

Of course in the end Divine power will destroy all the works of the devil, but for men it is only to hold forth the Word of life. No better illustration of the futility of trying to suppress error by force could be given than is found in the history of the Jesuits. Rising at a time when Rome sadly needed some new force in order to regain her feet after the shock of the Reformation, the society established by Loyola fully deserves the discredit of setting up the counter movement to the Reformation which kept the light from entering Latin Europe. But it was at the same time setting up a rival authority in the Church of Rome, and the struggle began which was to decide whether the Jesuit society should manage the Church or the Church manage the society. Then began the efforts to suppress Loyola’s followers, the most determined opposition coming from purely Catholic communities. They were expelled- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.3

From Saragossa in 1555, La Palintine 1558, Vienna 1566, Avignon 1570, Antwerp, Portugal, and Sagovia 1578, England 1579, England again 1581, England again 1586, Japan 1887, Hungary and Transylvania 1588, Bordeaux 1589, the whole of France 1594, Holland 1596, the city of Tournon and Berne 1597, England 1602, England again 1604, Denmark, Thorn, and Venice 1606, Venice again 1612, the kingdom of Amura in Japan 1613, Bohemia 1618, Moravia, 1619, Naples and the Netherlands 1622, China and India 1623, Malta 1634, Russia 1723, Savoy 1729, Paraguay 1733, Portugal 1759, France again 1764, Spain and the two Slollies 1767, the Duchy of Parma and Malta 1768, from all Christendom by the Bull of Clement XIV. in 1773. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.4

In his famous document against them, Clement first sketched their history and then declared them “suppressed, extinguished, abolished, and abrogated forever.” But the society would not be extinguished and abolished forever, nor for a year. Under various names, and in non-Catholic countries, it continued its work, and has cut back its old power and its recognition of the Church. Many countries have since tried to legislate to prevent its agents from working, but in vain. Now and then some Protestant calls attention to the Act making their presence illegal in England, but it is not surprising that such a purely Romanist statute as a law against religious opinions and orders should fail to shut out the Romanist society. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.5

Now and then, when the veil is lifted, we see how the Jesuits hold the Church of Rome in their hands, sometimes in spite of the efforts of those who writhe under their tyranny. The late Cardinal Manning left certain documents relating to the society with his biographer. The Catholic Times shows how the Jesuits moved everything to get possession of them:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.6

Cardinal Manning’s papers and correspondence-including the famous memorandum about Jesuits-have, it is stated, been obtained from Mr. Purcell, his executors took legal proceedings, with a double object of recovering the documents and restraining Mr. Purcell from publishing anything more. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.7

Everywhere they are at work, and everywhere the leaven of Romanism is working. This history shows, as we have said, the utter uselessness of trying forcibly to suppress principles of error which find their spring in the natural heart. The cry for laws and the use of force which finds expression in some professedly Protestant circles betrays an ignorance of the true nature of error, and of the power of the Word. When the Princes thought to stay up the Reformation by the sword they well-nigh brought it to its end: and when Catholic and Protestant sovereigns alike tried to suppress Jesuitism by force they failed utterly. But through it all the Word has been the one thing which Jesuitism could not face. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 309.8

“A Canadian Sunday Law” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

ITS ANIMUS FRANKLY AVOWED

The Sunday law of Ontario, Canada, has not, heretofore, included farm labour within its prohibitions. Lately a considerable number of farmers in that province have become Seventh-day Adventists, and, of course, observing the seventh day of the week according to the commandment they pursue their regular farm labour on the first day. The result of the opposition which this developed is thus told in the American Sentinel, of New York:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 310.1

The following, recently printed in the Leamington Post, a paper published in Essex County, Ontario, shows very plainly the purpose of the amendment to the so-called “Lord’s day Act of that Province:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 311.1

Speaker’s Chamber,
Legislative Assembly.

Toronto, April 3rd, 1896.

To —-, Esq., Blytheswood:

MY DEAR SIR, -

I have been finally enabled to get a bill through the legislature prohibiting farmers from working on the sabbath day. I trust this will have the effect desired in regard to the second Adventists who have been giving some annoyance in your neighbourhood. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 311.2

Yours respectfully,
W. D. BALFOUR.

As “the intent of the law-makers is the law,” there can be no question as to the “law” for Sabbatarians in Ontario. They must observe the legal “sabbath” or suffer for it. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 311.3

Certainly, upon this evidence, it could be pleaded in good faith that it was not the intention of the amendment to apply its prohibition to other than Seventh-day Adventist farmers, and that therefore all others were free from its restrictions. The previous attempted application of the law has already shown this to be the true interpretation of its animus. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 311.4

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

-Hungary is celebrating its millennium as a nation. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.1

-The Abyssinian king has been making peace proposals to Italy, which are not accepted. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.2

-The rebellion in Cuba still continues with much bloodshed and destruction of property. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.3

-London last week opened the largest hotel in Europe. It has accommodation for 1,500 guests. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.4

-The Egyptian expedition had its first encounter with the Dervishes last week. The latter were repulsed. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.5

-The seventy-two races inhabiting the world communicate with each other in 3,004 different tongues, and confess to about 1,000 religions. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.6

-Telegrams from Buluwayo last week declared the place “as safe as London.” It is said that the hostile Matabele are talking of making off into the region north of the Zambesia to get away from the punishment which is preparing for them when the troops arrive. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.7

-The total population of the earth is estimated at about 1,200,000,000 souls, of whom 82,214,000 die annually- i.e., an average of 98,848 a day, 4,020 an hour, and 67 a minute. The annual number of births, on the other hand, is estimated at 36,792,000, that is an average of 100,800 a day, 4,200 an hour, and 70 a minute. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.8

-The number of men and women is very nearly equal, the average longevity of both sexes being only 38 years, about one-third of the population dying before the age of 17. Moreover, according to the most careful computations, only one person in 100,000 of both sexes attains the age of 100 years, and only six to seven in 100 the age of 60. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.9

-The assassination of the Shah of Persia has led to a fresh discussion as to the future of that country. Russian influence is very strong in the northern part, and that Power is credited with designs of annexation; while in southern Persia sympathies are said to be in favour of British administration. The history of the royal Persian house has been one of assassination and violence for centuries. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.10

-In getting Moscow ready for the Czar’s coronation the police have been busy sending off or locking up all persons not giving satisfactory account of themselves. The whole city has had every nook and corner investigated. Many students in the city have been warned to leave until the festivities are over. Thousands of soldiers will line the ways to protect the Czar from possible violence. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.11

-The moment the House of Commons is adjourned, messengers and policemen shout out in lobbies and corridors, “Who goes home?” These mysterious words have sounded through the Palace of Westminster every night for centuries. This strange custom dates from a time when it was necessary for members to go home in parties, accompanied by linksman, let common protection against footpads who infested the streets of London. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 318.12

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

France is just completing a new battleship called the Galilee. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.1

Napoleon said, “A man is not a soldier,” and a military journal insists that it is still a true saying. He must be drilled into a fighting machine. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.2

The Bishop of Peterborough has been deputed to represent the Church of England at the Moscow Coronation ceremonies. There are many signs of closer relations being established between the Roman, Greek, and Anglican churches. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.3

At the annual meeting of the Bible Society it was stated that in “Mohammedan lands an unaccustomed readiness to read the Bible was seen; in Roman countries counter-activities have a not unwelcome significance, and Eastern wars have improved the prospects of Bible distribution.” PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.4

“The masterpiece of human wisdom” is what Macaulay called the Papacy. It is such indeed-the masterpiece of that wisdom which is from beneath. With a machinery of organisation in touch with all the world, with a policy of craft and foresight, the legacy of centuries of intrigue, and with a principle as a basis that meets a response in every natural heart, the principle of self-exaltation and self-salvation,-with all of this it stands as the representative of the religion of human nature. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.5

The stars have their known orbits and are invariably in their places. We see them nightly in the heavens, as a matter of course, without astonishment. A vagrant meteor, crashing lawlessly through space, blazing up in the instant of its destruction, passes momentarily athwart our vision and we are astonished and wonder. But men see the star for ever,-the meteor they forget. Why be the meteor, when we might be the star? PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.6

The persecuted Dukhobortsi in the Caucuses have no easy life, says the Christian World. They are still being shamefully treated for their refusal to bear arms for Russia. A letter just received by an English sympathiser relates some of the methods of punishment adopted. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.7

The soldiers take bundles of prickly rods, cause our brethren to lie upon the ground, give them about thirty strokes and lead them out into a cold prison. Next day they give them guns and lead them out to drill. The sufferers say, “We cannot do what is not in accordance with the will of God.” The soldiers scourge them again, and order them to climb ropes, jump over racks, etc. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.8

With this continued punishment and torment the prisoners receive no more nourishment than will just keep them alive. Russia does not believe in conscientious scruples of any kind. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.9

An ancient manuscript Gospel has recently been found in Asia Minor. Representatives of an English and of an American university have been treating with the authorities of the little village church in the neighbourhood of C?sarea, in whose possession this valuable manuscript has been. The Czar of Russia has, however, purchased it at the price, as it is stated, of one thousand pounds. The writing is described as being upon delicately thin purple vellum, and the letters in silver and gold. Hopes are expressed that it may prove to be the remainder of the famous purple Codex, parts of which are in the Vatican, the British Museum, Vienna, and the island of Patmos, but the major portion of which is missing. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.10

The steady increase in the habitual use of liquors, tobacco, and poisonous drugs is continually emphasised by statistics and items which appear in the daily press. One of the latest news paragraphs relates to the use of tobacco, and says:- PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.11

Society in St. Petersburg is considerably agitated over a Court prohibiting her ladies and female servants from using tobacco in or about the Palace. Those who have lived in Russia will understand and appreciate the importance of such a prohibition to women who are rarely without a cigarette between their lips. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.12

If the use of tobacco is as general among women in Russia as the paragraph would suggest, it is to be hoped that this court regulation will act as an effective example. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.13

“An Apparition” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

An Apparition.-Great excitement is reported from a French village over the alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary in a tree. To show that the priests did not stir up the sensation the Catholic papers are careful to say that the clergy adopt an attitude of reserve in the matter. But they are directly responsible for these outbreaks of fanaticism, which are due to the Catholic teaching regarding the worship of the dead. Rome has always fostered this form of Spiritualism. It is but a continuation of the old pagan demon worship, “the very instruments and appendages” of which, as Cardinal Newman says, were adopted and adapted by the apostate church leaders in the third century. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.14

“Violence and Lawlessness” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

Violence and Lawlessness.-The Lord said that the last days would be as the days of Noah. In those days men had perverted “His way upon the earth”-had turned from His way and law to their own ways-and in consequence “the earth was filled with violence.” The earth at the present day appears to be rapidly filling with the spirit of violence. There have been wars before, long ones, and in the old feudal days nearly every man was a warrior, but never before has the world seen such universal preparation for violent strife as we see to-day. New conditions make possible preparations and combinations impossible before, and the temper abroad in the world is decidedly not of peace. While that spirit of war is stirring the hearts of men to race hatred it is for Christians to preach peace, and while lawlessness is abroad it is for believers to emphasise the claims of God’s law. PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.15

“A Companion” The Present Truth, 12, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

A Companion.-The two disciples on the road to Emmaus talked together of Christ. As they went, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. It is just as true to-day that wherever two commune together of Jesus He is there between them. He expounded to those two disciples all the Scriptures concerning Himself, beginning even with Moses and the prophets. He is just as ready to do this to-day as He was then. He tarried with them, He blessed their bread, and ate with them,-He opened their eyes to His presence and they knew Him. All this is not impossible now-for He said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” PTUK May 14, 1896, page 320.16