The Present Truth, vol. 12

January 30, 1896

“Enduring Hardness” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

The unbeliever never can understand the motives which lead the missionary into danger from violence and deathly climates. Now and then some secular paper condemns such recklessness. But the same paper has nothing but praise for the soldier who goes into the same regions for a salary of so much a day, or perhaps from the motive of extending the power of his country. What is sometimes required men in serving their country is shown by the following words, descriptive of the work of the Chinese marines in the naval battle of the Yalu:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 66.1

Bravest of all were the engineers working below in darkness, the battle going on overhead, the ship on fire also, and the ventilators stopped while the flames were fought. Prisoned as they were in the stoke-hold they received orders only by speaking-tube, yet stood faithfully to their posts, continuing their labours in a temperature bordering on two hundred degrees. After several hours the fire was extinguished and they were relieved. Every man of them was found to be terribly burned and disfigured, and several were blinded for life. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 66.2

Such is life below decks in the modern battleships when in action. These heathen fought for merely worldly gain, should the Christian shrink from enduring hardness and suffering, or from death itself in serving the Lord? PTUK January 30, 1896, page 66.3

“Church and State in France” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

Church and State in France.-In France all recognised religions, Catholic, professed Protestant and Jewish, are patronised by the State, the regular clergy being paid from the civil funds, like any other civil officers. This arrangement was made in order that the clergy might be servants of the State. Even Robespierre, in the days of the Revolution, argued for paying the clergy in order to control religion, or philosophical superstition. In organising France, after the Revolution, Napoleon established the system which has continued to this day. It has made the recognised religions in France mere parts of the political machine. Now, it is said, the French Cabinet is proposing to bring about the severance of these relations. It mainly concerns the Church of Rome, and already the Vatican is chiding France for its unfaithfulness, thus proclaiming itself in illicit connection with the powers of earth. The Church of Christ never could accept such relations. She is married to another. But Rome consistently maintains the character described in Revelation 17 and 18. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 66.4

“Profitable in This World” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

The worldling suspects that Bible maxims are not practical in common worldly affairs. But he does not know that godliness is profitable in “the life that now is” as well as in “that which is to come.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.1

For instance, how many people have learned to their sorrow that it is better to agree with the adversary quickly, rather than to fight over petty questions of rights in the courts. It would be interesting to see statistics showing who gets the most money out of the courts, litigants or lawyers. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.2

Then, too, when Christ’s words regarding resistance are spoken of, one frequently hears all kinds of suppositions as to what would become of a man who would not fight to defend himself. This of course leaves out altogether any account of the Lord’s protection, and overlooks the fact that the Christian doesn't lose his life if he is killed, while he does lose his life if he takes the life of another. But leaving this out, who does not know that even in a rough country the peaceable man who has no idea of fighting anybody is in far less danger of dying a violent death than the man who goes about armed, ready to “defend himself”? PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.3

“The Cleansing Touch, and Word” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

“And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who seeing Jesus, fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And He put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.” Luke 5:12, 13. This is one of the things that are written that we might know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and it is a forcible illustration of how if we believe we may have life through His name. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.4

Such a wonderful cure had never been performed before since the world began. From that day to this, medical science has been impotent in the presence of the dreaded disease, leprosy. It was a most loathsome disease. The one who had it was shut off from human society, except from those who had the same disease. They were regarded as in the highest degree unclean. As the disease progressed, the different members of the body dropped off. It was actually a living death. The man could look on and see the death preying upon him, ever advancing, and had the certainty before him of final, complete death. For him there was no hope. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.5

FULL OF LEPROSY

This man was “full of leprosy.” He was evidently in the last stages of the disease. It had begun to prey upon his vitals, and in a short time he would drop into the grave. It was then that he saw Jesus; and when we consider his condition, we can appreciate the wonderful faith shown by the words, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” There was not the slightest doubt of Christ’s power to save. Jesus immediately responded to the cry of faith, saying, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately the leprosy departed from him. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.6

THE LEPROSY OF SIN

Sin is a sore disease that is preying upon the vitals of every man. Like the leper, men are filled with it. “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly; they have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged, and gone backward. Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and festering sores; they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil.” Isaiah 1:4-6, R.V. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.7

SURE DEATH

Like the leprosy, sin is progressive death. “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 1 Corinthians 15:56. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:6, 7. “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good, I find not.” “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 68.8

SEPARATED BECAUSE OF SIN

The leprous person was separated. So the sinful person is separated from God. He is unclean. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.1

“MADE NIGH”

But although the sinner is by his very uncleanness separated from God, yet God is not afraid to come near and touch him. Jesus was moved with compassion as He saw the poor leper, and He is the same now. “For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. Therefore, like the leper, we may come with boldness to a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For there is a “fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1. And though the person be full of sin and uncleanness, our High Priest “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.2

CLEANSED BY THE WORD

Jesus not only has the healing touch, but His words have power to heal. The Psalmist says concerning His dealing with His people of old that “He sent His word, and healed them.” Psalm 107:20. Mark, recording the healing of the leper, says that Jesus touched him, saying, “And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” Mark 1:42. The word of Christ also cleanses from sin, and it was to make us realise this fact that the healing of the leper was recorded. Said the Saviour: “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:1-3. Ephesians 5:25, 26 is rendered very strikingly in some versions that “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it by a water bath in the word.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.3

DO YOU BELIEVE?

Do we believe that the word and touch of Jesus made the leper clean? Then we may know that the same word and touch will make us clean from sin. He who does not believe that the Lord can cleanse him from sin, no matter how vile he may be, does not believe the Bible record of the miracles of Christ. But merely saying that we believe does not answer the purpose; we must accept the cleansing. There is another important truth taught in this lesson. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.4

FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH

Jesus said, “I will; be thou clean.” Read these words of inspiration: “Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Galatians 1:3, 4. “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” “It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:14. So we ought to come to the Lord with a great deal more boldness and confidence than the leper did. He knew that the Master had the power to heal him, but he said, “If Thou wilt.” God has given us such abundant evidence of His willingness to save us from our sins that it would be casting discredit on His word if we should say, “Lord, if Thou wilt, thou canst save me.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Thus has He shown not only His willingness, but His longing desire, to save men. He has left nothing undone, and has kept nothing back. “What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it?” Isaiah 5:4. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.5

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31, 32. He who doubts the willingness of God to hear and save those who wish salvation, must doubt the very existence of God. God Himself invites us to draw near in full assurance of faith. The “full assurance” is grounded on His Word and His oath. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.6

OUR CONFIDENCE

Well, then, what is the final lesson?-Just this: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.” 1 John 5:14. Now we have learned that it is the will of God to save people from sin. That is why Christ came to earth to die. There can be no question that it is the will of God to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore we know that whenever we come and ask for cleansing, that moment He hears us. But this is not all. “And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Verse 15. So, as soon as we ask in faith, the work is done. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.7

THE WORD HAS BEEN SPOKEN

The word of salvation has already gone forth. “To you is the word of this salvation sent.” The word is full of healing power. We come to the Lord, saying, “Lord, I know that Thou hast the power to cleanse me, and I know that Thou wilt.” We know then that He hears us. We do not then have to wait for the word to come to us, “I will; be thou clean,” for it has already been spoken. So, when we know that He hears us, we know that we have the things that we desired of Him. Our faith appropriates the power of the word, and its righteousness is ours. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.8

Who is there that does not need freedom from sin? It is ours, if we will but receive it. Thousands say that they believe, and yet they find no relief. To such the miracles of Christ are not a reality. They are but as idle tales. When they receive the word as it is indeed, the living word of God, then they will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and, believing, they will have life through His name. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 69.9

“Theory, Not Life” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

The Leipsic Chrisliche Welt has printed a paper on the “odd combination of elements” in the religion of the average peasant of the Russian Church. It is merely an extraordinary development of perfectly natural formalism. And it is not so extraordinary either, nor is it peculiarly Russian, save in the mode of manifesting itself. The bane of religion everywhere is that so many see in it only a question for discussion, some doctrinal definitions to be accepted or controverted, missing the fact that the Word is the truth and life, not to be discussed and argued about, but to be lived. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 71.1

But here is a paragraph showing the darkness overshadowing multitudes in Russia, for trying to dispel which so many Protestants are being punished by the State authorities:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 71.2

“The Russian will not pass by a beggar without having either given him alms, or having excused himself for not doing so. The duty of charity has found an entrance into his very marrow and bones. The hard-hearted in his eyes is no Christian. Yet this same man will go to his house, cross himself in front of the ikon, or saint’s image, in the right corner of his room, hang a piece of cloth before it, so that his patron saint cannot see what he is doing, and then enter upon a carousal that would disgrace a beast. Again, this typical Russian will on another day go to his church, strike the floor fifty times with his forehead, and two hundred times repeat the words: ‘O Lord, have mercy on me!’ and then depart and as a witness take a false oath before the courts because his friend the day before had secured his promise to do so for a drink of voska, and considers himself satisfactorily justified when he tells the judge that ‘even God Himself will accept a bribe,’ meaning by this His accepting so many wax candles and paternosters for certain sins. What can be said of such a view of matters? The man himself is not conscious of his self-contradiction, and it would be useless to try to demonstrate this to him. His conduct is typical of the religiousness of the average peasant in Russia.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 71.3

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

-Almost five-eighths of the steamers in the world are under the British flag. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.1

-About 3,000 camels are employed in the traffic to the mines in West Australia. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.2

-The wealth; classes of Japan regard it as undignified to ride a horse faster than a walk. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.3

-The port of Odessa, on the Black Sea, is blockaded by ice, which extends seaward nearly ten miles. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.4

-The total number of new books and new editions issued in Great Britain in 1895 was 6,616, a considerable increase war 1894. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.5

-Out of 54,000 newspapers published in the world, the English language claims 16,000, the German 7,800, the French 3,850, and the Spanish 1,000. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.6

-We see by Indian papers that in December winter had already set in in Kashmir “with great severity.” Yet we in London were having spring-like weather. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.7

-A census of the gipsies in Hungary shows that they number 274,940 in that country. About half are constant wanderers, of whom, again, half speak only their vernacular Asiatic language. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.8

-It is the age for doing foolish things. Men are walking, riding, and trundling wheelbarrows round the world, and now a Norwegian is about to start from Copenhagen on snow-shoes for the United States, expecting to Cross Behring Straits on floating ice. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.9

-A Japanese syndicate has just purchased 50,000 bales of American cotton, and promise to take twice as much next year. This is Japan’s first year in the work of really competing with Lancashire in the markets of the East. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.10

-The Czarina, unlike most Russian grand dames, it is said, objects to smoking. She asks her ladies in waiting not to come near her If there is an odour of tobacco about their clothe. Cigarette smoking is very common in “high society” in Russia, as it is becoming in London. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.11

-The latest estimate of the national earnings per annum Domes out as follows:-Agriculture, ?226,000,000; mining, ?58,001.000; manufactures, ?492,000,000; internal transport, ?113,000,000; commerce, ?74,000,000; shipping, ?30,000,000; banking, ?45,000,000; and professions, ?117,600,000. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.12

-The long continuance of great heat in New South Wales has put the residents in a state of panic. The average temperature during the fortnight ending January 22 was 118 degrees in the shade. Thirty-five deaths from heat had occurred in one district, and hundreds were leaving for a cooler climate. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.13

-It looks as though China was at last to be opened up by railways. The Russians have one planned through northern China, the French have concessions to construct one from Tonquin into the southern provinces, and China is planning one from Pekin into the heart of the empire. English engineers are proposing a line from Burmah into the Chinese empire. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 78.14

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 12, 5.

E. J. Waggoner

“If any man who will do His will he shall know the doctrine.” The way to understand the Scriptures is to begin to practise them. “Light is sown for the righteous.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.1

The man who conscientiously follows the Lord in Russia, rather than the Greek Church, at once becomes the mark of persecution. Is it a fact, then, that all who are not Christians of this kind are earnest in the rites of the Greek religion? Not at all. Some time ago a leading Russian official, Prince Tscherkassy, described himself as an “orthodox atheist.” He has no faith in anything, but he was “orthodox.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.2

A good work is being done by our brethren in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Companies are engaged in preaching the Word, teaching, and in medical mission work in the Society Islands, Friendly Islands, Fiji, Raratonga, Rurutu, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Hawaii, and on Pitcairn Island a training school for these island fields has recently been built. “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law.” PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.3

There is never more than a momentary lull in the controversy over the subject of religion in the Board Schools of London. All those who engage in the controversy are agreed that religion should be taught, the only point of difference being as to whose religion it shall be. It is now proposed by one party, which really has a majority on the Board, that the following test question shall be put to teachers: “Do you regularly attend a place of worship on Sundays?” A prominent member of the “Liberal” party is said to approve this, arguing that “teachers ought to observe the decencies of life.” When one who does not attend church on Sundays is considered to be lacking in common decency, what will be thought of one who devotes the day wholly to secular employments? The time seems to be rapidly approaching when to follow the teachings of the Bible strictly will be considered by those in authority an evidence of atheism or insanity. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.4

Someone having said that “if Jesus lived to-day He would turn London upside down in three months, and that it would not take Him three years to shake England into shape,” the Echo replies, with truth:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.5

Judging from the manner in which Jesus Christ was received eighteen and a-half centuries since, and also judging from the manner in which His teachings are received and His conduct imitated in London and in the world generally to-day, He would more likely, should He re-appear, be reviled, despised, and persecuted by professing Christians, as He was by the Jews. Instead of turning London upside down, the mass of Londoners would not permit Him to appear in their churches, and would turn a deaf ear to His words. He would, however, be listened to gladly by a faithful few, who would take up His cross and follow Him. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.6

The Christian World notices a recently published book of Spurgeon’s sermons, and offers the criticism that their range is too narrow, and that they contain too much repetition. It says:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.7

You may read the sermons through and find no reference to current events. Of all the incidents of 1887 you will gain no information here. This preacher could forget all but one fact. Here is a sinner; here is a God who can save him; this God has one Plan of Salvation by which He saves. And the whole effort of the sermon is to draw or drive this sinner to accept this Plan of Salvation. That was the sole object which Mr. Spurgeon proposed to himself as a Christian minister. And that sole object he certainly attained. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.8

What more could any true minister of the Gospel desire than that such things could be truthfully said of him? PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.9

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15, 16. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3, 5. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.10

This is all the word of the Lord. It is the creative word; for in the beginning God said, “Let there be light;” “Let there be a firmament;” “Let the earth bring forth grass,” etc.; and in every instance the result is recorded, “And it was so.” Moreover, it was all good. Therefore when God speaks to us as in the words just quoted, we have only to say, “Amen,” that is, “so let it be,” and so it will surely be. Only we must continue responding and yielding as long as His word speaks, which is without ceasing. Thus shall God’s will be done on earth, even in us, as it is done in heaven. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.11

“Straws show which way the wind blows;” and the following item from the Chronicle registers the direction very accurately:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.12

Nice points of precedence are always arising in colonial functions, and it is said that one such point over which there has been some soreness in Australia has only been settled by the intervention of the Colonial Office. When Viscount Hampden entertained his Ministers at Sydney the other day, it was noted that Cardinal Moran was given precedence over the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr. Saumarez Smith. The Archbishop has hitherto had precedence over the Cardinal, and the change is said to be the result of an appeal to Downing-street. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.13

An American correspondent writes us from Washington:- PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.14

It is easy to see that in this country the lines are being drawn more and more closely and the cause of the Sunday institution is gaining ground. Within the last month twenty services were held in this city on one Sunday, in which the preservation of the Sunday institution was the subject of discourse. In some cases members of Congress, members of the Supreme Court, men in prominent government positions in nearly all departments, took part in the religious services, occupy places upon the platforms, presided over meetings, and delivered addresses. The National Reform conventions have been attended by ministers of the Baptist denomination, by Methodists, and in fact by all the leading denominations of this country. And persons who have heretofore advocated principles of liberty, have joined hands with the Sunday movement and are lending their influence toward the securing of more rigid Sunday laws in the States, and the enactment of a Sunday law by Congress. While all this is true, it is also true that persons who have heretofore been careless in reference to this question are becoming aroused to a sense of the danger that threatens our country and are beginning to investigate to know where the truth lies. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.15

In past centuries it was not possible to speak of current affairs which simultaneously engrossed the attention of the whole world. But now what is even whispered in one country in a time of crisis is commented on within a few hours in all lands. The facilities for rapid communication greatly alter the conditions of political life and when the current of feeling and passion is set running in the direction in which Scripture testifies that it will turn in the last days-and it is so turning already-it cannot take long to accomplish startling changes, and bring in the scenes of the very end of time. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.16

The Sultan of Turkey has made a New Year’s gift of ?400 (Turkish) to the Armenian Patriarchate. This does not indicate a desire on the part of the Sultan to crush out the Armenian religion. PTUK January 30, 1896, page 80.17