The Present Truth, vol. 13

August 5, 1897

“The Voice of the Deep” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

The Voice of the Deep .—It is impossible that anyone who is acquainted to any degree with the Lord should stand by the sea without being reminded of the mighty power of the Creator. Yet many gaze upon the sea day after day with never a thought of its Maker, and even openly defy Him. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.1

To such the Lord says:— PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.2

“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding: which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not Me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at My presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” Jeremiah 5:21, 22. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.3

But it is not in order to produce fright that the Lord reminds us of His mighty power that can set bounds for the sea, so that it cannot pass over in its fiercest tumult. No; it is that we may trust Him. Perfect faith and love drive fear away. So the power of God over the sea is referred to as evidence of His faithfulness. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.4

“Oh, Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee? or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them.” Psalm 89:8, 9. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.5

An example of this faithfulness is given in the description of the storm at sea, when the terrified disciples awakened Jesus and He “rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.... And there was a great calm.” This was but the manifestation of the original creative power. He who created the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, retains full control over all. In those words, “Peace, be still,“ we hear the same voice that said, “Let the waters under the heaven he gathered together into one place. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached to us; so we are to learn from God's power over the sea, which is His because He made it, His power over the waves of strife that surge through human hearts. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.6

For the angry sea represents the wicked. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Christ is our peace. The word which He spoke to the sea of Galilee that night is the word which He speaks to us. “I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” Surely here is comfort for those who have long struggled in vain with fierce passions. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.7

Not only is God's power over the sea a symbol of His power to save men from the tide of sin, but it is also a pledge and surety of their final complete deliverance. It also show, the power with which God is going to clothe the preaching of the Gospel message in the last struggle preceding His second coming. Read the soul-thrilling words of Isaiah 51:9-16. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 481.8

“Lessons From the Book of Hebrews. The Word of Salvation” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

Let every one, before beginning this study, read again the first chapter of Hebrews, giving careful thought to each statement. Think of the infinite contrast between Christ and the angels, a contrast that is infinite, not because the angels are insignificant beings, but because, excellent in strength as they are, Christ is infinitely greater. Then with the last words of the chapter still in mind, namely, that al! the angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them who shall be heirs of salvation, let us begin the second chapter, which stands as closely related to the first as any of the verses of the first do to each other. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.1

THE EXHORTATION

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For it the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs, and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will? For unto the angels hath He not put in subject the world to come, whereof we speak.” Verses 1-5. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.2

“Therefore.” -Those who read the Bible simply chapter by chapter, always stopping in their reading by course at the end of a chapter, whether the subject ends or not, and who begin the next time with the next chapter, without thought of what has gone before, miss a great deal. Much that they read is to them utterly devoid of meaning. In this case the word “Therefore” is the connecting link between what follows and what precedes. Since the angels, although far inferior to Christ, are mighty in power, even as the winds and the flaming fire, and yet are but servants of God, waiting upon and ministering to men, we ought to give the more earnest heed to things which are spoken, not by angels, but by Christ. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.3

“The Word Spoken by Angels.” -“The word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.” The expressions here used indicate that “the word spoken by angels” was in the nature of a command. Every transgression of it received its just recompense. In Acts 7:53 we have Stephen's charge against his judges, that they had “received the law by the disposition of angels,“ and had not kept it. In Galatians 3:19, also, we read of the law that “it was ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator,“ or, as the Revision has it, “ordained through angels by the hand of a Mediator.” These texts show us that the angels had an important part to act in the giving of the law, but just what they did, we have no means of knowing. Since the Lord has not told us, it is not necessary, for us to know; and it is sinful for us to speculate. It is enough for us, so far at least as our present study is concerned, to know that the word spoken by angels, whatever it was and whenever it was spoken, was steadfast as God's own word, so that every transgression of it was visited with sure punishment. “God confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers.” Isaiah 44:26. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.4

Condemnation and Salvation.—“The word spoken by angels” condemned. If now such a word was fixed, and could not be altered, so that every transgression invariably received punishment, what hope can there be for those who neglect the word of salvation, that began to be spoken by the Lord Himself? The word which Christ speaks is the word of salvation. His name is salvation, His life is salvation, and the word that He speaks is life (John 6:63),-His own life. Here is the situation: Men have transgressed the commandment, and have forfeited their lives. They are lost. But here comes the message of salvation-salvation not only from the consequences of the transgression, but from the transgression itself, so that there remains no sin to be punished. That is complete salvation. Now suppose some of these lost men refuse to hear this word of salvation, and reject all the offers of help, what hope of escape is there for them?—Manifestly none. They were lost before; a sure promise of salvation is given them, but thy reject it; if they were lost before, then they must most surely be lost now. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.5

Begun by the Lord.—This “great salvation” “at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.” Note the words, “began to be spoken.” Christ finished the work that was given Him to do, and the word that He spoke was perfect, but nevertheless He only began it, leaving it to those who heard it to carry it further. Inasmuch as the word only began to be spoke by the Lord, it is evident that the same word, with the same power, must be proclaimed by those to whom He committed it. This is evident from the text, even if we read it as in the Revised Version, “ having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard.” The word spoken by them that heard is the selfsame word of salvation that Christ proclaimed. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 482.6

Who Can Proclaim the Message? -The text simply tells the fact, that those who heard the word spoken by Christ, proclaimed it to others. But who have the right to proclaim the Gospel message? Nay, upon whom does the obligation rest to proclaim it? Here is the answer: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” Revelation 22:17. The word was confirmed to us by them that heard it, and as we hear it we are to confirm it to others. All have not the same talents, nor the same circle of influence; but all who hear are to say, “Come,“ each in his place according to his ability. There is in the church of Christ no priestly class between God and the people; but “the Man Christ Jesus,“ the High Priest, “the One Mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5), and every believer is a priest. The whole body of true believers forms a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), with Christ as Chief. In the church of Christ there are no ranks and classes,-pnone who are higher in position than others,-none who are specially privileged to make known the Gospel of God's grace, and to dispense to others its gifts. “To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. There are many diverse gifts, “but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” Verse 11. “Let him that heareth say, Come.” The case is very simple: each one who knows the Lord is to tell what He has seen and heard with the Lord. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.1

“Ambassadors for Christ.”—“If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature [or, there is a new creation]; the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, R.V. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.2

Note the fact that the apostle is talking of any man who is in Christ, and not of a special class among Christians. God has reconciled us, that is, all believers in Christ, to Himself; and in all who are thus reconciled to God, has He placed the word of reconciliation, so that all true believers are “ambassadors on behalf of Christ,“ through whom God entreats sinners just the same as He did through Christ When He was on earth. The same work that was committed to Christ is committed to Christ's followers, and the same God that “was in Christ” to do the work, is in His followers. What a wonderful and solemn, and at the same time inspiring, thought that poor, feeble men are sent out to the world “in Christ's stead.” Why do not Christians fill the place that God has assigned them?—Partly because they do not realise “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,“ and partly because they are unwilling that God should fill them even as He filled Christ. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.3

“God Bearing Witness.” -Those who heard, said, “Come;” but it was God who testified. The common version has, “God bearing them witness, but the “them” is inserted, so that we have it in the Revision, “God bearing witness with them.” This is what God did with the holy prophets and apostles, as we read in Acts 1:16 of that which “the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas;” and in Chapter 3:18 of the things which “God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets.” God said to Ezekiel, “Get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them.” Ezekiel 3:4. So with those who proclaimed the message that they heard from the Lord; they spoke, but only the words of the Lord. God testified through their mouth. Even so must it be with all who hear, and who obey the injunction, “Let him that heareth say, Come.” It is the same message that the Spirit and the Bride utter. God says to His servants, “I have put My words in thy mouth.” Isaiah 51:16. “For He whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God.” John 3:34. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. If we have indeed heard, and if we are new creatures in Christ, and so ambassadors representing Christ, it is “as though God were intreating by us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.4

Witnessing with Signs and Wonders.—Those who are in Christ, are sent in Christ's stead. To us the same words are uttered as to the twelve; for Jesus Said not merely of the twelve, but of all who should believe on Him through their word, “As Thou hast sent Me into the world even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17:18, 20. Now of Jesus it is said that He was “a man approved of God’” “by many miracles and wonder! and signs, which God did by Him.” Act 2:22. Having been anointed by the Holy Ghost and with power, He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38. When God dwells in His people, the same power must accompany them. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.5

But let no one long for the power to work miracles, for he will long in vain He who has such desires thereby shows that he is desirous of vainglory. Selfishness and love of applause is at the bottom of his desire; and from the case of Simon the socerer (Acts 8:18-23) we learn that the gifts of the Holy Ghost are not bestowed on such. The power is of God, and He uses it only through such as in humility of heart realise that they are nothing. Besides, God has never promised that all His people should have the gift of working miracles. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. Christ Himself bore witness that there had never risen greater prophet than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11), yet “John did no miracle.” John 10:41. Of this thing, however, we may be assured, namely, that those in thom the word of God dwells will have the power of the word, or of the Spirit. When they speak as the oracles of God, even though they be labourers at their daily task, the word will have the same power as that by which miracles are performed. “Behold I and the childrev whom the Lord hath given Me, are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.” Isaiah 8:18. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.6

“Gifts of the Holy Ghost.” -To all believers is the Holy Ghost given. Ephesians 1:13. But “there are diversities of operations” while “it is the same God which worketh all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:6. God distributes the gifts of the Holy Ghost “according to His own will.” “But the manifestation of the Spirit is to every man to profit withal.” 2 Corinthians 12:7. To profit whom? himself?—No, but to profit others; “for none of us liveth to himself.” Romans 14:7. God blesses people, in order to make them a blessing. Genesis 12:3. Therefore, “as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. Wonderful calling! to minister the Spirit of God to men. Yet this is what is promised, for Christ said, “He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit.” John 7:38, 39. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 483.7

Not the Work of Angels.—“For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” What has this to do with the subject? Very much, as we shall see if we note the little word “for,“ which shows that what follows depends on what goes before. To men has God committed the work of preaching the Gospel. God Himself bears witness and beseeches through them. The word of salvation, which began to be preached by the Lord, is continued by men, not by angels. And why not to angels?—Because “unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come.” Thus we see that “the world to come” has a very close connection with the preaching of the Word, and this is what all naturally expect; but the noteworthy thing is that the preaching of the Gospel is committed to none but to those to whom the world to come has been placed in subjection, and angels are their attendants and ministers as they do their work. What the world to come is, to whom it is placed in subjection, and how and when, together with its connection with the preaching of the Gospel, must be left for later consideration. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 484.1

“Official Religion” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

“CONVERTED BY MISTAKE”

It is well known that the larger part of the population of Europe that turned from their native paganism to the papal church in early times were converted in the mass; that is, the chief of the tribe, for political or other reasons, cast in his lot with the imperial religion, and his people followed him in religion as they followed him in war. This notion of religion, which left no place for a change of heart and life, was thoroughly papal and has always been the religion of the natural man. It was against this religion of lifeless form that the Protestant Reformation lifted the standard, calling men to personal faith and to the new birth by the incorruptible word. To the survival of that old idea of religion is due the crusade in all Christendom for religion and morality by politics and religious legislation. Men whose religion is but a cloak easily conceive the idea of forcing others to wear the same cut of garment. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 486.1

Apropos of this subject of official religion, the Echo has recently reminded us that a Tartar tribe in Russia was last century “converted” to Mohammedanism by an official's blunder:— PTUK August 5, 1897, page 486.2

“They were converted by mistake-by a slip of the pen-in a fit of absence of mind. Up till then the Kirghiz Tartars were Shamanites-worshippers of nature, spirits, and ancestral ghosts, as all the Central Asiatic tribes were before the advent of Mohammedanism, as some of them in obscure regions still are. In communication with the Kirghiz chief, he was addressed as Mohammedan by the Russian Minister. His tribe was supposed to be Islamic, and was officially described as such. After a time the St. Petersburg officials discovered that they had made a mistake. ‘You might have made Christians of them, once you were about it,’ exclaimed the Head of the Orthodox faith. They might. But there the Mohammedan designation was in the official records of the Empire, and Mohammedans the Kirghiz had to be, willy nilly. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 486.3

“The spectacle presented by a Christian State persuading a nation to embrace Islamism was curious. Of course, there was no compulsion. The Kirghiz Khan, being a polite man, made no bother about the affair. He became a passable Mohammedan. And of course, his tribe gradually followed his example. They are not very strict Mohammedans. Much of their old Shamanic faith still survives. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 487.1

“A still more curious example of chance in religious acceptance is that of Russia herself. When Vladimir sent envoys abroad-to Byzantium, among other places-in search of a new religion for his subjects, he was induced to become a Christian because of the splendour and the riches of the Christian capital. God must have specially favoured a State so opulent, he argued. So his heathen Muscovites were officially informed that Christians they must become. But there was another Mohammedanism which was then competing with Christianity. But abstention from strong drink was one of its commands. It is historically known that this was the Russian peasants’ objection to embracing the Prophet's faith, then triumphant in Central Asia and Asia Minor.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 487.2

“Meat Broths” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

A French medical journal records a cruel experiment upon animals, which was needless to demonstrate the fact already well known, that meat broths are not nutritious. But old ideas die hard, and perhaps the record of the experiment may save some poor invalid from being cruelly starved on beef tea:— PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.1

“Some dogs fed exclusively on meat broths (500 grams) in Vulpian's laboratory, died at the nineteenth clay, while others to whom water alone had been given, survived within one day as long, dying the eighteenth day-showing the negative nutritive value of meat broths.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.2

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

-The Russian press has lately been very outspoken in urging efforts to oppose Great Britain. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.3

-In Mashoualand and Bechuanaland there has been much fighting with natives in revolt, and the unrest has spread to German territory, where a native rising has caused trouble. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.4

-The Indian Government has arrested a number of natives in Bombay and Poona for seditious agitation. Most of those apprehended are wealthy persons, and of the Brahmin class. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.5

-A few weeks ago a heat wave was reported from the United States, causing great suffering. Last week a cold wave passed over the Eastern States, causing great damage to crops. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.6

-Last week strike pay was given to 38,000 engineers and other labourers engaged in the great strike. Both masters and men claim to be gaining ground, and the end of the struggle seems a long way off. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.7

-A fund is being started for the purpose of paying the passage of Welsh emigrant, to the Welsh colony in Patagonia. Something like 90,000 acres in the Argentine Republic will also be available to Welsh settlers. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.8

-Another rising is reported from the Chitral frontier of India, the district which caused trouble a year ago. Camps have been attacked and thousands of tribesmen are in arms. The region is a mountainous one, lending itself to irregular warfare. The priests are the leaders in these risings. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.9

-Last week a party of twenty-eight anarchists, exiled from Spain, were landed at Liverpool. They came on to London. Spain tried to send them to France, but that country refused them. England is the refuge for this class of agitators, and it is doubtless owing to this fact that there are few outrages perpetrated here. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.10

-Canadian shippers are preparing to send produce to England in greater quantities than heretofore. Fruit, butter, and meats are to be chilled, and carried in cold storage ships to Liverpool, and Dominion promises to compete with Continental exporters in butter and eggs, of which England takes vast supplies. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.11

-The rush for the gold fields in the fields in the Klondyke district, in the far north-western corner of British Columbia, continues, and as the food supply must come from southern ports, and the Alaskan ports are closed for all the long winter, it is predicted that terrible suffering must follow. Even now it is said that 2,000 skeletons line one pass over the mountains. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.12

-Mr. R. J. Saddou, Prime Minister of New Zealand, addressing a meeting of persons interested in New Zealand mining companies reminded them that gold discoveries began in New Zealand in 1857, and that gold to the value of ?51,000,000 had since been exported, while as yet only the surface had been scratched. Improved machinery is now being erected and greater results are expected. The population is only three-fourths of a million, but last year they exported ?9,000,000 worth of produce and imported ?8,000,000 worth. They had over 20,000,000 sheep, and exported last year frozen meat to the extent of ?1,200,000. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 494.13

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

“My soul followeth hard after Thee,“ said the Psalmist. Some follow at such a distance that the path seems very dark. Jesus is the light, and He that follows hard after Him “shall not walk in darkness.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.1

“The State may coerce,“ said the Pope recently, “but the Church can persuade.” But the trouble has been that very often, when the “Church” failed to persuade the individual, it has persuaded the State to coerce him. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.2

“I laid it down as a principle’” said Henry Bullinger, one of the Reformers, “to follow the Holy Scriptures alone, and reject all human tradition. I believe neither in the Fathers nor myself, but explain Scripture by Scripture.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.3

According to French papers the ex-Queen of Madagascar “has asked to be allowed to embrace Roman Catholicism,“ and attends Catholic services regularly. She doubtless thinks the Roman religion will be of use to her politically, now that the French have her kingdom. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.4

Thousands are rushing to the new gold fields in the Klondyke region, braving arctic snows and ice and blizzards to get the coveted gold. Already hundreds have left their skeletons along the mountain passes. There is a lesson in it for those who believe that the knowledge of truth is “better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.5

The recent punishment of a fentale inmate of a London Workhouse for refusing to go to church, called attention to a survival of religious penal laws, supposed to be antiquated. An apologist of the officials said that they would have to shut up the church and “sack” the parsons if they did not keep up the discipline, but a lady Guardian very rightly said that it was a disgrace to the name of religion that people should be punished for refusing its ministrations. The very essence of true religion is that it is voluntary and of the heart. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.6

One of the little band of our Society's workers in Brazil writes: “It is just four years this month since personal labour has been put forth in spreading the message in this country. The Lord has the beginning. Over 300 persons are now keeping the Sabbath in Brazil. In many places, souls are longing for the truth; and when it comes to them, they receive it with joy.” PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.7

When plague rages in heathen lands there is a beating of drums and demonstrations to attract the attention of the Deity, and to scare away the evil spirits. One of our missionaries in Brazil says that while stopping in one town recently he noticed that the bells of the Catholic church would each evening set up a clanging, and then at the same time a number of rockets would be fired. I asked what was the moaning of this, and the answer was: “They are saying mass every evening so that the yellow fever will stop in Itu.” It seemed a strange way to call upon God; but these poor people have no other than the heathen idea of God, supposing that He can be appeased or persuaded to do a certain thing by saying mass, and offering Him fireworks as an entertainment. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.8

Speaking of Pope Gregory, who sent Augustine to Britain, the Christian World says:— PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.9

One sees in him also the consummate diplomatist who knows human nature through and through. His letter to Augustine's successor, Mellitus, in which he recommends him not to destroy the heathen temples, but to use them as churches, and to observe the old heathen feasts by giving them a Christian significance, is an object-lesson in the art of dealing with a time of transition. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.10

Thus it comes that many, in fact most of the religious festivals, still bear the earmarks of their pagan origin. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.11

While two Dutch papers are published by our Society, one in South Africa, the other in America, we have none in Holland, where work has only recently been established. The Lord has prospered the preaching of the Word in Holland, however, and our friends there are planning shortly to start a monthly journal devoted to Bible study. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.12

What are the characteristics of the religion of the Russian Church, with which Anglican Catholics so much desire to be united? A writer in last month's National Review says:— PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.13

In no other country do the adoration of pictures and relics and the invocation of saints form so large a part of the practices of religion. In no other country does preaching form so small a part. It is, par excellence, the land of saint-worship, pilgrimages, shrines, miracle; and ceremonies. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.14

It is not surprising that the Anglicanism which desires union with this, busies itself with elaborating its ritual and reviving pilgrimages and medi?valism generally. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.15

“One Sure Thing” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

One Sure Thing .—In the book of Proverbs much is said about surety, and people are more than once warned against going surety, not only for a stranger, but even for a friend. In the eleventh chapter, verse fifteen, we read, “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; and he that hateth suretyship is sure.” In the margin we have in the place of “suretyship,“ “those that strike hands.” That is a man cannot be safe unless he refrains from giving his hand as surety for another. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.16

But read further, and see what is said in the twenty-first verse: “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” Notice that the words “though” and “join” are in Italic, type, indicating that they are not in the Hebrew. The literal Hebrew, as indicated in the margin of the Revised Version, is “Hand in hand.” Here, then, we find an instance of giving the hand, or, as rendered, “My hand upon it!” In two translations before me, I read, “One can give his hand for it, that the wicked shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.” So sure is it that God will see that justice has its due! Men are often tempted to think, as did David, that the wicked have the best of it, and that in unrighteousness is the most prosperity to be found; but let no one be deceived in this matter. So sure is it that wickedness will be punished, and that the reward of the righteous will not be forgotten, that one may safely give his hand upon it, and be a surety for it. It is the only sure thing in this world. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.17

“‘How the Sabbath Came to Me’” The Present Truth, 13, 31.

E. J. Waggoner

“How the Sabbath Came to Me.” -This is the title of a little booklet recently received from America, written by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, who is, we understand, the superintendent of the Evangelistic department of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in the United States. It is rather in the nature of a personal statement of experience and blessing, but is of general interest to all. We have some copies at this office, which may be had of our agents at 1d., by post, 1 1/2.d. The story in our Home department this week is by Mrs. Henry, who has been engaged in W.C.T.U. work for many years. PTUK August 5, 1897, page 496.18