The Present Truth, vol. 12

September 24, 1896

“‘And Peter’” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

When the women came to the sepulchre on that morning of the third day the angel reminded them that Christ had said He would rise again the third day, and told them to hasten to tell the disciples. Mark’s narrative adds two words, not mentioned by the other writers, which we know meant so much to one in that sorrowing company: “Go your way, tell His disciples, and Peter.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 609.1

Poor Peter had denied his Lord, and then knowing his awful sin, and remembering Christ’s words, that before the hour of cock-crowing he would deny Him thrice, his heart must have well-nigh broken as the Lord turned upon him that last look of love and sorrow. It must have been the love in the look that kept any heart at all in him; and now on the morning of the third day, with no recollection of Christ’s words regarding the rising again from the dead, with only the leaden sorrow of this sin weighing upon his soul, he must have wept at the dawning of another day of waking and reflection. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 609.2

But then came the word that the angel spoke: “Tell His disciples, and Peter.” The Lord knew Peter’s sorrow; and how that special personal message must have thrilled the burdened heart! It is not to be wondered at that the fervency of Peter’s desire to see Jesus and fall at His feet was rewarded by an interview that same day. We are told that the Lord had appeared to Peter before he appeared to all together. All assembled were to see Him that day that they might be witnesses of the fact that He rose the third day according to the Scriptures; but the tender compassion of the Lord for the erring, even for the one weakly denying Him with cursing, were shown for the encouragement of the repentant sinner in all time by that special message and the special interview. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.1

It was the prayer of the Lord, too, that saved Peter in the midst of his sin, and gave him repentance and contrition of heart. Jesus had told him that Satan was trying to get him into his power, that he might sift him as wheat. “But I have prayed for thee,” He said, “that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31. It was the prayer of Christ that saved Peter from utter shipwreck of faith. We may well think it a blessed thing to have the prayers of such an One, and long for such a promise as that for ourselves. We have it. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” John 17:20. Jesus prays for every believer. “The Spirit itself maketh intercession.” God longs to help and to save. Peter’s awful sin could not baffle the love of God which brought him to repentance and to the feet of Christ, more humble, less self-reliant. That love is drawing every sinner to-day. Oh, that God’s goodness might yet lead to repentance the multitudes who are refusing to be drawn, and still continue to do despite to the Spirit of Grace. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.2

“Sunday Enforcement Growing” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Paragraphs continue to appear in the public prints, showing the steady growth of the spirit for the enforcement of Sunday observance. This is from a late Echo:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.3

The Cleethorpes (Lincolnshire) District Council have adopted resolutions dealing with the Sunday trading question. They have decided that no boats or hackney carriages shall be allowed to ply for hire on Sundays. The maximum penalty for offences against the byelaw is to be five pounds with the cancelling of the license. All street touting and the shouting of wears is also prohibited. Bathing machines are in future to be licensed and inspected, and not allowed to be hired out on Sundays. In addition to passing on these resolutions, a vigorous protest has been made against the drinking that is allowed on Sunday trains. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.4

Such ordinances as these are quite in keeping with the ancient, medi?val, Sunday statutes,-but are they in consonance with modern knowledge of what the true scope of law is? Why is it, that having enjoyed a period in which ecclesiastical tyranny, and legal enforcement of religious forms, has been measurably in abeyance we are now so rapidly retrograding into medi?valism? From the point of view of true religion, and right reason, nothing could be more irreligious or more unreasonable. But we know by the unfailing testimony of the Scriptures that this form of the expression of the workings of the “mystery of lawlessness” will increase. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.5

“God’s Poor-Law” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Christ said, “The poor ye have always with you.” In saying this He repeated the thought expressed in the eleventh verse of the fifteenth chapter of Deuteronomy,-the chapter which contains God’s poor-law given to the Israelites. This eleventh verse says, “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to the poor, and to the needy, in thy land.” Where such regulations as this existed, and were lived up to, would it be possible that there should be antagonism between the “classes and the masses”? Where every rich man’s hand was open to satisfy the needs of his employees, and of the poor about him,-and no debt or obligation but what was outlawed every seventh year,-in that community there would be no deaths from hunger and cold, and no bread riots. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.6

The poor we have always with us, indeed they are with us still after all the centuries. But why are all of our poor-laws and multitudinous charities so inefficient in stemming the tide of poverty and holding its increase in check? Why is it that the old farmer’s grim philosophy is so true and it remains a sad and still sadder fact that “the poor in a loomp are bad”? It is true because there is no release for them. They are bound in their poverty, and the misery and degradation which it causes, for ever. Not only for life, but for generation after generation. Those who are born to the inheritance of property are likely to increase their inheritance, and leave to their offspring a legacy of still deeper and more hopeless indigence, with the sunshine of a possible hope obscured by clouds of yet darker ignorance. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.7

The first section of this poor-law reads: “At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth aught unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release.” This means that with the end of every seventh year all accounts should be closed and all books balanced. Whatever the amounts might be then remaining unsettled they must be charged up to profit and loss, and new accounts opened with no “amount transferred” to begin the page. No keeping alive of old obligations, no debtor’s prison, no distraint, no bankruptcy procedure. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.8

What affect would it have on commercial affairs to adopt such a business rule to-day? It certainly would simplify matters amazingly, although it might not be thought, at first, that such would be the case. How businessmen would smile at such an idea! “The plan of a financial crank,-repudiation, and universal bankruptcy every seven years,” they would say. By no means! Universal solvency every seven years,-with an assured and healthy business thereafter, on a sound basis of ever increasing reliability. God’s financing of the world cannot be bettered, and it is because men have not been content to follow the methods He has suggested, but have undertaken, as they thought, to improve upon them, for their own selfish individual benefit, that money and lands are now gathering into a few hands,-so that the few have more than they can use or utilise and the many have nothing. This condition is rapidly turning to the injury of those who thought to benefit by it, and will eventually be their destruction. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.9

The day is surely coming when all these hoards will be found to be as unfortunate a possession as was the talent which the unprofitable servant wrapped in a napkin and hid in the ground. What a multitude, in the day of the second death, will realise the reality of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus! Is it to be wondered at, that, after the incident of the rich young man who turned from following Him because he had great possessions, Christ, looking down the centuries to come, and seeing the history which they were to make, said, so sadly, “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” And this because of failure to obey God’s poor-law. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 610.10

“The Promises to Israel. The Final Deliverance” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

“Sound the loud timbrel o'er Egypt’s dark sea;
Jehovah has triumphed; His people are free.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 611.1

Let us read in brief the story of Israel’s deliverance, as recorded by inspiration. “And it came to pass at midnight, that the Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Take both your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, to send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked¹ of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment; and the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And they spoiled the Egyptians. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 611.2

“And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.” Exodus 12:29-38, R.V. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 611.3

“And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that way was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.” Exodus 13:17, 18. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 611.4

“And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Verses 20-22. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.1

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon; before it ye shall encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.2

“And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him; and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went but with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea.” Exodus 14:1-9. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.3

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid; and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore has thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt; Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.4

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show you to-day; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them no more again for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Verses 10-14. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.5

With the manner of their deliverance, everybody is familiar; how at the command of the Lord the sea went back and left a path through the midst of it, so that the children of Israel went through dry-shod, and how when the Egyptians attempted to do the same thing, the sea rushed back and swallowed them up. “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29. Let us note a few lessons that we are to learn from this history. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.6

1. It was God that was leading the people. “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines.” Moses no more knew what to do, or which way to go, than the people did, only as the Lord told him. God could tell Moses, because “Moses was faithful in all His house.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.7

2. When the people murmured, they were murmuring against God, instead of against Moses. When they said to Moses, “Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?” they were really denying the agency of God in the matter, although they had well known that it was God who had sent Moses to them. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.8

3. At the first sight of danger the faith of the people oozed away. They forgot what God had already done for them, and how powerfully He had wrought for their deliverance. The last judgment upon the Egyptians should have been sufficient of itself to teach them to trust in the Lord, and that He was abundantly able to save them from those of the Egyptians who yet remained alive. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.9

4. God did not design that the people should do any fighting. He led them through the wilderness, in order that they might not see war. Yet He knew that if they went the way that they did, the Egyptians would surely pursue them. The children of Israel never had any greater need of fighting than they did when the Egyptians closed in on them by the Red Sea; yet the word then was, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” It may be said that the reason why the Lord did not wish them to see war was because they were as yet unprepared for fighting; but we must remember that on other occasions when they had many trained warriors, God often delivered them without their striking a blow.When we consider the circumstances of their deliverance from Egypt-how it was all accomplished by the direct power of God, without any human power, their part being only to follow and obey His word-we must be convinced that it was not according to the plan of God that they should do any fighting, even in self-defence. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.10

5. We are also to learn that the shortest and the apparently easiest way is not always the best way. The route through the land of the Philistines was the shortest, but it was not the best one for the Israelites to take. The fact that we get into difficult places, where we cannot see our way out, is no evidence that God has not been leading us. God led the children of Israel into that narrow place in the wilderness, between the mountains and the sea, just as surely as He led them out of Egypt. He knew that they could not help themselves in such a trap, and He led them there deliberately, in order that they might see as never before that it was God Himself who was responsible for their safety, and that He was fully able to discharge the task which He had undertaken. Their trouble was designed to give them an ineffaceable lesson of trust in God. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.11

6. Lastly, we must learn not to condemn them for their unbelief. “Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1. When we condemn them for not trusting the Lord, we show that we know that there is no excuse for our murmuring and fear. We have all the evidence of the power of God that they had, and a great deal more besides. If we can see clearly how foolish their fear was, and how wicked their murmurings, then let us see to it that we do not show ourselves still more foolish and wicked. There is one more lesson that we must note in this connection, and it is of so much importance that special attention must be called to it, for it includes all the others. We learn it from the eleventh chapter of Isaiah. That chapter gives in few words the whole story of the Gospel, from the birth of Christ till the final deliverance of the saints in the kingdom of God, and the destruction of the wicked. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.12

“THE SECOND TIME”

There is one more lesson that we must note in this connection, and it is of so much importance that special attention must be called to it, for it includes all the others. We learn it from the eleventh chapter of Isaiah. That chapter contains in few words the whole story of the Gospel, from the birth of Christ till the final deliverance of the saints in the kingdom of God, and the destruction of the wicked. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.13

“There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.” Isaiah 11:1-5. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.14

Compare the first part of the above with Luke 4:16-18, and the last part with Revelation 19:11-21, and we shall see how much it covers. It brings us down to the destruction of the wicked. It covers the entire day of salvation. “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and His rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Verses 10-12. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.15

Here again we have the deliverance of God’s people brought to view. It is the second time that God sets His hand to the task, and it will be successful. He set His hand to the task the first time in the days of Moses; but the people entered not in because of unbelief. The second time will result in the everlasting salvation of His people. Notice that the final gathering of His people is through Christ, who is the ensign for the nations; for God is visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. They are to be gathered “from the four corners of the earth;” for “He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.16

That this deliverance is to be in the last days, even at the very close of time, is apparent from the fact that He gathers “the remnant” of His people, that is, the very last one of them. And now note this promise and reminder: “And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that the came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isaiah 11:16. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.17

Bear in mind the fact that the work of delivering Israel from Egypt began a long time before the day that they left that land. It began the very day that Moses reached Egypt and began to tell the people about the purpose of God to fulfil the promise to Abraham. All the display of the power of God in Egypt, which was but the proclamation of the Gospel, was a part of the work of deliverance. Even so will it be in the day when the Lord sets His hand the second time to deliver the remnant of His people. That day is now, for “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. All Israel shall be saved, because “There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Romans 11:26. The work of delivering God’s people from the bondage of sin is the same as the final deliverance. When the Lord comes the second time He “shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.” Philippians 3:21. The power by which our bodies will be change-the power of the resurrection-is the power by which our sins are subdued, and we are delivered from their control. It is by the same power that was displayed in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 612.18

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. Whoever wishes to know how great that power is, has only to look at the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and the dividing of the Red Sea, to see a practical example of it. That is the power that will accompany the preaching of the complete Gospel until the coming of the Lord Jesus. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 613.1

“The ‘Lost’ Tribes” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

A contemporary, commenting on Assyrian inscriptions, refers to the theory which tries to identify the “lost” ten tribes of Israel with modern Gentile nations. The Assyrian records are said to agree in all important particulars with the Bible account of the captivity, and state that Sargon carried away from Samaria 27,280 persons. Others were added afterwards, perhaps doubling the number and the inscriptions state that he also sent Arabs into the land, which formed the mixed multitude that caused so much trouble after the return from the Babylonish captivity. “The system of deportation practiced by the despots of that day,” says a writer, “never sent the entire people of a land into exile,” but only those “whom it was feared might cause rebellion.” We know this, that after the restoration of the temple, in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, “all Israel dwelt in their cities.” Nehemiah 7:73. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 613.2

The article of which we speak concludes thus:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 613.3

“In reality the ten tribes never were ‘lost.’ The few people carried away by Tiglath Pileser formed an insignificant contingent compared with the masses that remained. They could not have constituted one tenth of the people. The deported were not tribes, or larger parts of tribes, but only individuals, or at most families. These, indeed, have been ‘lost,’ but lost beyond a least chance of rediscovery. The tribes as such remained in Canaan, and absorbed the heathen settlers that were sent in. The division into tribes signified little or nothing in later times; the division into tribal territory was not regarded. Anna, of the tribe of Asher, dwells in Jerusalem; Joseph, the carpenter, of the tribe of Judah, in Nazareth; Paul, a Benjamite, in Tarsus; Barnabas, a Levite, in Cyprus, etc. In general, the Jew of the New Testament era knew as little from what tribe he came as does the modern Jew. Then as now the Jews were cosmopolitan. Their Diaspora was scattered over the entire world. Everywhere they found they could prosper as well, or even better, than in their native land. The endless wars in Palestine finally destroyed them as a nation altogether, in the days of Titus and Hadrian. This great Diaspora embraced representatives of all the tribes of Israel. Among modern Jews all these tribes, without any doubt, have their descendants. In other words, the ‘lost’ tribes never have been, and are not now, ‘lost.’” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 613.4

“‘Many People Shall Go and Say’” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

In a recent article in the proposed treaty of International Arbitration between Great Britain and the United States, there is this sentence: “If the grand object in view, accepted as it is in principle by both governments, can once be effectually realised, all the civilised nations of the world will follow our example, and thus, by degrees, the cruelty, injustice, and folly of war will come to an end.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.1

It is a noble hope, but futile. This is the time when the nations are crying, Peace! Peace! and there is no peace, and will be no peace. The logic of the law of nations in the court of last resort is inevitably and invariably the trial by battle, and always will be so as long as time lasts. But certainly, however feeble and eventually useless the protest against war may be, it is well, indeed it should be the duty of all men, citizens, and Christians, to make it. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.2

It is the noblest opportunity for a lofty thought, and word, and deed, which this world affords, to stand in calm fronted opposition to the tide of satanic evil, of which war is one expression,-and yet we should not deceive ourselves as to when and where the victory is to be. The day has surely come when, as prophesied in the second chapter of Isaiah, many people are saying, Let us beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruninghooks, “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.3

But the prophet did not say that the word of the people would be fulfilled. No, the Scripture tells is quite the contrary. So, while applauding every noble and humane effort, those will not be disappointed who look only for that of which they have the assurance in the Word of God. There is the Divine promise of peace on earth and good will among men, but the enjoyment of this is not promised while Satan and his servants, wicked men and angels, remain in existence,-this is to be realised in the purified, renewed earth under the reign of the Prince of Peace. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.4

“Deliverance from a Scourge” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

It is God’s power that causes the earth to bring forth its fruit, the same word that caused the plants to spring up in the beginning still working. This manifestation of God’s blessing is so regular and commonplace that even Christians too often fail to recognise the Divine care in it, and the worldling congratulates himself on the good luck of the careful planning which secured him a good crop, without giving a thought to the Being whose life is springing up in the herbs to give food for man and beast. In the Home Missionary, one of the organs of our Society in America, we find the following simple narrative, written by a woman in one of the Western States, showing how this Divine care was manifested in a special way, in the blessing upon the fields in time of plague. One year the grasshoppers, a scourge like the locusts, had destroyed nearly all the fields in the region and had deposited eggs so thickly that the prospects for the next year were very forbidding. The writer says:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.5

“My father was an old man in very feeble health; mother was not strong, and I had two little brothers. My health was also very poor; and our income was small. Still, we were not discouraged; we studied the Bible, and believed that the promises of God were the same to us in these last days as they were to His people in olden times, and we laid the matter before Him. We told Him how we were situated, and asked Him to bless us in planting a garden, and to protect it from the grasshoppers; and we believed He would do it. We knew that He was the same God yesterday, to-day, and for ever, and that His promises were sure; they could not fail. We had known them to be verified many times. We loved the Lord, and we knew that He loved us. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.6

“In the spring when the grasshoppers hatched out, they covered a large portion of our small garden spot. To all outward appearance, it would be useless to plant a garden there. However, we had the ground prepared, and planted our garden, trusting in the Lord to protect it from the grasshoppers. When the seeds came up, there were no grasshoppers in our garden, and the vegetables grew rapidly. When the grasshoppers were full grown, in the time of day when they hopped and flew, it sounded like the fast falling of hail all round and over the garden; and in the time of day when they were quiet, they were in great heaps round the garden. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.7

“When I went into the garden, and saw everything growing so thriftily, exceeding everything I had ever seen or heard of, and the grasshoppers so very thick round it, and knew that everything else was destroyed for many miles round by them, it seemed almost like holy ground. I could not but think what a kind heavenly Father we have, and how utterly unworthy we are of His favours.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.8

Not only were the grasshopper’s prevented from destroying the garden, but the yield was extraordinarily heavy. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.9

“When people came to buy of us, they wondered at the abundant yield, in the midst of the grasshoppers. Even those who were not Christians, when they saw our garden, would exclaim, ‘How you are blessed!’ PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.10

“It was for no good thing that we had done, but through the abundant love and goodness of God, who is ‘great in goodness, and good in greatness.’ We took the Lord at His word; we believed He would do as He had promised, and He did not disappoint us. I am sure it grieves the Lord when we disbelieve Him. I believe the Lord is willing, and more than willing, to give us such things as we need, if we ask Him. He says He will do more for us, if we trust Him, than we can ask or even think. We asked a blessing; the Lord gave us sevenfold. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.11

“We had just begun to pay tithes, it being the first time we had ever heard anything on the tithing system, and had not noticed what the Lord says in Malachi 3:8-11: ‘Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a cursed: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground.’ In this the Lord fulfilled His promise, and if we love and trust Him, He will do greater things for us than this. ‘Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!’” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.12

“The Golden Rose” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

The Golden Rose .-The Princess of Bulgaria has received the Pope’s “golden rose.” It goes to the Princess named because she so vehemently protested against having the baby Prince Boris “converted” to the Greek Church. But the baby had to change his religion notwithstanding. The rose that the Pope gives is worth intrinsically about ?2,000, and stands in a golden pot, which bears the papal coat of arms. This gift is designed for royal ladies only, who are thus rewarded for distinguished service to the Roman Church. A prelate and a guard are sent to bear the gift to the recipient. It is thus that the head of a religious organisation uses the arts which immense wealth places in his hands to gain favour with royalty. It is said that the Pope’s gift to Princess Maud, on the occasion of her recent wedding, was the first papal gift to English royalty since 200 years ago. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 614.13

“Killed by Tobacco” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Killed by Tobacco .-An evening paper recently reported the death of a boy of fourteen who, proud of his record as a smoker, smoked nineteen cigarettes in close succession, and to the admiration of his silly associates. The boy was taken ill soon after, and, notwithstanding the physician’s efforts, died in great agony, a victim of nicotine poisoning. Where one is killed outright in this way, thousands lay the foundation for consumption and future ills by the foul practice. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.1

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

-Every ruling monarch in Europe has German blood in his veins. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.2

-A process for colouring by electricity is in successful operation in Germany. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.3

-The number of Armenians slaughtered in Constantinople is variously estimated at from 2,000 to 5,000. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.4

-Russia is watching all Armenian committees in the Caucasus and suppressing agitation against Turkey. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.5

-The electric wires of the French railways are so arranged that they can bs used for telegraphing or telephoning. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.6

-Several new expeditions are being planned to get to the North Pole, and Belgium has just voted to send one to the Antarctic regions. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.7

-There are still savage islands in the Solomon Group, a party landing for scientific research having been attacked recently with severe loss of life. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.8

-Probably the owner of the largest number of dogs in the world is a Russian cattle king, who has 35,000 shepherd dogs to look after 1,500,000 sheep. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.9

-The Trades Union Congress voted to demand of Parliament that the age of child labour should be raised to fifteen years, and of night labour to eighteen years. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.10

-If all the armies of Europe were to march at an eight-mile pace five abreast, fifteen inches apart, it would require nine and a half days for them to pass a given point. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.11

-The Nile expedition is already engaged with the advance forces of the Dervishers, who fight with desperation, but who can do little against the superior arms and skill of the British-Egyptian force. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.12

-It is said that peace is concluded between Italy and Abyssinia, the latter country asking a large sum for the expense of keeping the Italian prisoners who were taken at the defeat of the Italians at Adowa. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.13

-A Transvaal paper says that whole tribes of natives between Pretoria and the Limpopo have almost nothing to live on, nor can they expect crops till February. They pursue after the swarms of locusts, which are food for them. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.14

-Li Hung Chang is on his way back to China. He is said to be desirous of starting railways in China, but the mandarins are thought unlikely to allow the general opening of the country. The envoy’s chief purpose in visiting the Governments of Europe was to get their assent to doubling the duties in China to increase the imperial revenues. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.15

-The National Sunday League, which exists for the purpose of antagonising the National Sunday Observance League, and for the popularising of Sunday excursions, Sunday opening of Museums, etc., now has a membership of 6,000, with an annual income of ?85,293. The League has just opened a new hall, of its own construction, in Red Lion-square. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 622.16

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

The language of the military camps is that of the shambles. The cables say that during the flight of fifty Matabeles the newly arrived Hussars “were afforded opportunity of testing their swords.” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.1

The prohibition of meetings in Constantinople may interfere with the Bible Institute which our friends in Turkey had arranged to hold. But it may not, as during the riots there last year the Bible school went on as usual, attended by Armenians and Greeks. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.2

The Armenian revolutionary committee addresses a manifesto to the Powers declaring that in case of inaction by Europe, they are preparing to “drag Death again into the contest,” and “to bring about a general catastrophe which shall engulf us and those who surround us.” They mean to bring disaster upon Europeans next time. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.3

The Pope has at last definitely pronounced the Anglican orders invalid, declaring that Anglican clergymen must be re-ordained when going over to Rome in profession as well as practice. It remains to be seen whether this little technicality will be any barrier to the reunionists. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.4

In the work of our missionaries amongst the natives of the South Pacific islands they do not, of course, neglect any opportunity for setting the truth before Europeans. A report from one of the Society Islands says that a British Consul there has begun the observance of the Sabbath, and a notice on his office door announces that no business is transacted on that day. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.5

A late paper notes a most unexpected source of difficulty between the Pope and United Italy in the matter of the new Italian postal card. The paper says:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.6

There is a new friction between the Pope and the kingdom of Italy. The new postal card is emblematical of United Italy and the loss of the temporal power of the Pope. The Pope is offended; and under his appeal, Catholic postmasters refuse to pass it through the mails. The card is said to be made in perfect accord with the international agreement, and so Italy claims damage of those countries where the card has been refused circulation. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.7

“The Sword” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

The Sword .-When Peter drew the sword to defend Christ from a mob, Jesus told him to put it up. When Christ was upon the cross, he said of the wretched rabble that had placed Him there, “Father, forgive them.” When the disciples were persecuted and martyred they followed Christ, never appealing to earthly power for the punishing of their enemies. Yet they lived in the days of Nero, whose name has become a synonym for brutal power, so much so that to this day cruelty enthroned is spoken of as “modern Nero.” Christianity to-day is exactly what it was in the days of Christ and the apostles. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.8

“Force and Violence” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Force and Violence .-While all the nations are perfecting appliances for making war more than ever terrible, and the man who invents the highest explosive that can be adapted to use for killing men in war is highly paid, is it surprising that those elements that are at war against society and against all government and order should likewise resort to the use of those explosives of so high a power that one criminal may work destruction that appals one to contemplate? Who cannot see that the world is rapidly filling with violence, as in the days which were before the flood? PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.9

“God’s Power” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

God’s Power .-While the world is seeking for power, and reckless criminals resort to dynamite as a fit weapon to express their hatred of their fellow-men, God sends a message concerning power to the world. Paul declares the Gospel to be “the power of God unto salvation.” The word power, dunamis, is that from which we derive the word dynamite. The Gospel is God’s dynamite, to destroy the power of sin. It is spiritual force employed to rout the legions of darkness and rouse the sinner to accept the reign of righteousness. It is what the world needs now. God’s power bears the message of peace to those who will except it. But Satan’s dynamic power is in the heart a spring of hatred which shows itself in war and revolution and lawlessness. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.10

“Whites and Coloured” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Whites and Coloured .-Whenever any of the Powers want a particular part of countries already unappropriated by them, it is always easy to find moral reasons for forcibly taking possession. The mission of carrying civilisation to the uncivilised is the plea. But the Daily Chronicle frames the following indictment of the white race, which has so abused the privileges which God has given it. It is Christianity that the feebler races need:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.11

The uncivilised earth has a heavy account against its civilised guardians. Europe has, in the main, inoculated the savage races with its vices rather than with its virtues, and they have flowed through the veins of black and yellow men like raging pestilences. Disease, prostitution, drunkenness, are the white man’s hall-marks; by them he is known on every Pacific strand, and every African lake and forest where his feet have trod; and in too many cases they obliterate a higher religious and moral code, the saving gifts of energy and industry which he also carries with him. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.12

“International Trusts” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

International Trusts .-An exchange publishes the following paragraph from an American paper:- PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.13

Among the marks of the last days are the existence of “rich men” and the heaping together of treasure. The state of things and the oppression arising therefrom is increasing. Recent despatches have informed us of the formation of three great trusts. The Standard Oil Company has combined with its only rival, and succeeded in its efforts to control the oil trade of the world. The borax output of the world has passed into the hands of one international company, with a capital of $2,500,000; and the Coates, the Clarks, and the Kerrs have united in a “cotton-thread trust,” with a prospect of controlling the cotton-thread trade of the world. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.14

This tendency to the consolidation of business interests for the benefit of the few, within the “ring,” and to the disadvantage of the great public, has especially characterised the last decade. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.15

That the “trust” and “combines” are now developing to their highest possible extent and becoming international, would seem in itself to argue that the pinnacle from which the disastrous fall was to take place is just about to be reached. The days are coming in which men do indeed say to each other, “A confederacy.” There is a scriptural warning in reference to that time. PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.16

“Saint-Making” The Present Truth, 12, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Saint-Making .-The absurd spectacle of a Catholic court weighing evidence to determine whether they will allow a certain person long since dead to be canonised, or made a saint, is paralleled by the action of the Chinese emperor in the case of Thibetan Llamas. Believing in the transmigration of souls, it is the theory that when the chief Llama dies he is immediately re-incarnated in the child chosen as his successor. But “the emperor has been known even to forbid a person to be re-incarnated, and has placed him on the list of those ‘from whom the privilege of successive births into the world is withdrawn for ever.’” PTUK September 24, 1896, page 624.17