The Present Truth, vol. 15

June 1, 1899

“Standing for Principle” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

The stand that the three Hebrew children took as they faced the fiery furnace is one that every Christian must take every day. Every morning we are commit our ways to God, for we do not know what will befall us. The thing is to be ready for the furnace no matter whether it comes or not. No harm can come to us when we are hidden in Christ, and whatever He permits will always be for a purpose. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 337.1

It was because these men had taken up the position of adhering closely to principle long before, that they were ready for the experience they were now called upon to pass through. So we, it we would be prepared for the fiery trials that will surely come to all, must begin now to be loyal to God; study to know His will, and then fearlessly do it no matter what the surroundings are. The very thing that was intended for the utter destruction of these worthies, set them free. This is God's way of working. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 337.2

When king Nebuchadnezzar made a decree that all people, nations and languages should worship the golden image which he had set up, music was an important feature of the occasion. The instruments used were the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery-just the instruments used in the worship of God. It is therefore nothing in the instrument, but the use of it, that makes it evil or good. So it is with us; we can yield our members “as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,” or “as instruments of righteousness unto God.” The use to which we put them-that is the important thing. And more, the higher the capacity for right service, the greater the harm done when they are put to a wrong use. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 337.3

“Studies from the Gospel of John. Christ Risen. John 20:11-20” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

John 20:11-20

If Mary and the disciples had only believed what Jesus had told them, they would not have been surprised to find an empty tomb that morning, and no tears would have been shed. He had told them “how that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and rise again the third day,” but other plans for Him and themselves had so occupied their minds as to shut out His words. And so it is now. Many unnecessary tears are shed because the Lord's words are not believed. But so tender is the love of the Lord toward us that He has compassion upon those who weep, even though it be unnecessarily, and He sends words of comfort and help. And so two of the angels who were even then about Mary, and who are constantly watching over us, became visible to her, and inquired, “Woman, why weepest thou?” Her answer reveals an earnest desire to know where her Lord is, and so she finds at once that He was not far from her. “She turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.1

What a pity to see Jesus and not know Him! To be within the sound of His voice, and yet not to recognise Him! Jesus asks the same question of Mary, and she is still intent upon finding the body of her Lord, little thinking that an angel had rolled away the stone and that He was alive for evermore. It took but one word to reveal the truth to her, one word spoken in the familiar tone of love, and that word was her own name, “Mary.” It required but one word from her to show that her heart was still true to Him who had forgiven and cleansed her, and that word was “Master.” And then having made Himself known to her, He gives her a message to the disciples, and that too in words which show that He still identifies Himself with them. Although “they all forsook Him and fled,” yet He speaks of them as His brethren, and His Father is their Father, and His God is their God. And we learn from the record given by Mark that it was not sufficient to mention the disciples as a company, but Peter is singled out and referred to by name. And why? Ah, because he had denied his Lord with cursing and swearing, and he would need some special assurance that the Lord thought of him still as one of the disciples. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.2

There can be but one purpose in His ascending to His Father immediately after His resurrection. He will receive in person the assurance that His sacrifice is accepted, and that in Him, the Man Christ Jesus, the second Adam, the human family are again brought into the Father's presence. The path to glory was by way of the cross and the tomb, and the journey has been completed. During His earthly pilgrimage He had been shut away from His Father's face, not because of His own sins but on account of the sins of these same brethren, but now He has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and He, as the representative of His brethren, freed from sin, ascends to the Father. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.3

What a meeting was that! When the prodigal son “was yet a great way off the father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him,” but what a welcome shall He receive who had carried at the cost of a life of suffering and a death of shame the message of love and pardon from the Father to a prodigal world! If “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,” who can measure the joy over the triumphant completion of that work through which all sinners may have salvation? It was for the glory set before Him that He endured the cross despising the shame. But this joy He shares with every one who will share with Him in the travail of soul for the lost. Sufficient reason, then, had Paul the apostle to say: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.4

The message was delivered by Jesus, but “they, when they had heard that He was alive and had been seen of her believed not.” It is a typical experience, often realised by the messenger of good tidings. We too have heard His voice, and have come to know that Jesus lives, but often, those who hear our message from Him to them believe not. Oh, for a testimony of greater power, which will carry a greater conviction to many hearts! PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.5

Jesus would give the fullest opportunity to all the disciples to know that no one had taken away His body, but that He has really risen from the dead, just according to His own word. That very night, when the disciples were assembled, although the doors were shut for fear of the Jews, yet Jesus came “and stood in the midst and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” And then “He showed unto them His hands and His side.” No other one bears these evidences that He is the crucified Lord. And these wounds witnessed then, as they will to all eternity, to the love that gave its all on Calvary. “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.6

The tidings of the Lord's resurrection had been brought by Mary Magdalene to the disciples “as they mourned and wept,” but they did not credit her report. Afterward the two disciples, to whom the Lord had made Himself known at Emmaus, “returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed,” “neither believed they them.” It is therefore perfectly clear that the disciples were not gathered together to celebrate His resurrection, for they had persistently refused to believe that He had risen, and Jesus Himself “upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.” The Lord Himself has never placed any special honour upon the day on which He was raised. The fact of His resurrection is the foundation of every Christian's hope, and a memorial has been provided which is appropriate to the experience. “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life.” Baptism when rightly administered appropriately symbolises the death and resurrection of our Lord and our union with Him in that experience, but we have never been instructed to place any mark of distinction upon the day on which He was raised from the dead. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 338.7

Gladness again filled the hearts of the disciples when they were convinced that they were looking upon the face of their Lord. It is always so with those who have become acquainted with the Lord. “They shall see His face and His name shall be in their foreheads.” “In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will he glad and rejoice in His salvation.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.1

But it is not necessary to wait until the Lord is revealed in the clouds of heaven before we see Him and are glad. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not he moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth.” This is a present experience. And this is what prepares us for that time when He shall come in power and great glory. It is those whose hearts have not been cleansed, and who have not recognised the Lord in His dealings with them, who shall be afraid: “pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them.” The experience of such in that great day is described in the following scripture: “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks. Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Not having become acquainted with, and accustomed to, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” He is to them a consuming fire. More desirable is it to them to be covered with the mountains than that the undimmed gaze of those eyes, which are “as a flame of fire,” should be directed toward them. Now is the time to heed the word, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.2

“Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Do we long for the time when He will reveal Himself in our midst, and shall we be glad in that day? We are already in the dawning of that day. “Look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.3

“God's Witnesses” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

“Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord.” These words are addressed to His chosen people; and while they are applicable to His elect at all time, they are especially applicable in the closing scenes of this earth's history. On every side the evidence is abundant that the second coming of Christ is near. Soon “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” That event will bring the Judgment, in which every man has a case pending, when he will be rewarded “according as his work shall be.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.4

Important as this event is to every human being in the universe, yet infinitely more important is it to God, for He, too, is on trial. He that is the “accuser of the brethren” has also accused God of injustice. Revelation 12:10. True he is a liar, and “there is no truth in him;” nevertheless the charge stands against God before earth and heaven. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.5

Who is to clear the Infinite One of Satan's accusations. God created the world to be inhabited with a race of beings who would reflect His image, who would be loyal to Him. He has such confidence in man whom He has created, that He is willing to risk His character with him, and to this end He calls upon men to be His witnesses, witnesses of His loving-kindness, of His great mercy, of His willingness and power to forgive sin-witnesses who will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.6

A witness is supposed to know whereof he speaks; then how important that every soul who essays to stand up for God and His truth, should know for himself what the character of God is. How dare he be a witness when he knows not whereof he speaks? A witness for Christ will live a life of unselfish devotion to helping others. He will be willing to serve. There will be no dissension, no jealousy, no envying, no more striving for place and position than two blades of grass growing side by side. When such a man goes forth to labour for others, his credentials will be of heaven, not of men; but all men will take knowledge of him that he has been with Jesus. Acts 4:13. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.7

The trees of the field, the birds of the air, the dew and the rain, the heavenly bodies in their wondrous march through space, are God's witnesses-they speak a language that is understood in every tongue. Now God desires that His children shall be witnesses, not alone with the tongue, but with the life. But it is by the Holy Spirit that men are made true witnesses for God, and for this purpose Christ came to earth, suffered and died, that by His life man may be as He was, a “faithful and true witness.” Then in that great day God wills stand clear, for the redeemed in heaven will say, “Alleluia; salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are Thy judgments;” “just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.8

“The Trial and the Victory” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

When three Hebrew children were brought face to face with the fiery furnace, their reply to the king was, “We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Here is presented the principle that is to be followed by every one who would be loyal to God. We do not know whether God will deliver us from the trial, or in the trial, or whether the victory to the world will be apparent at all or not. No matter what the results, we are to stand faithful to principle. Victory will come some time, and we can afford to wait. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 339.9

Trials are not pleasant; they are furnaces of affliction, and by them the child of God is purified. They are the means of perfecting character. But the hardest of all trials to bear is that where the world sees only defeat. When Christ was brought to the test of the cross, who of His followers thought that for Him it was a victory that day? There was but one who believed He was King, and that was the thief upon the cross by His side. “Remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And yet there was no day in all the earthly experience of Christ when He was more of a victor than He was that day. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.1

By faith the Christian can see victory where the world sees only defeat. The earth belongs to the meek-“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”-but they are not yet in possession of it, and present appearances do not indicate that they ever will be, but time will prove it. “God is not slack concerning His promises.” His eternal purpose and the principles of the Gospel are bound to prevail. The question with each of us should be whether when they triumph,-and triumph gloriously we they will,-we shall be there to triumph with them. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.2

“The Gospel of Isaiah. ‘Too Deep for Jehovah.’ Isaiah 29:13-24” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

(Isaiah 29:13-24, Lowth's Translation.)

13. Wherefore Jehovah hath said:
Forasmuch as this people draweth near with their mouth,
And honoureth Me with their lips,
While their heart is far from Me;
And vain is their fear of Me,
Teaching the commandments of men; PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.3

14. Therefore behold, I will again deal with this people,
In a manner so wonderful and astonishing;
That the wisdom of the wise shall perish,
And the prudence of the prudent shall disappear. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.4

15. Woe unto them, that are too deep for Jehovah in forming secret designs;
Whose deeds are in the dark; and who say,
Who is there, that seeth us; and who shall know us? PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.5

16. Perverse as ye are! shall the potter be esteemed as the clay?
Shall the work say of the workman, He hath not made me?
And shall the thing formed say of the former of it, He hath no understanding? PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.6

17. Shall it not be but a very short space,
Ere Lebanon become like Carmel,
And Carmel appear like a desert? PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.7

18. Then shall the deaf hear the words of the Book,
And the eyes of the blind, covered before with clouds and darkness, shall see. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.8

19. The meek shall increase their joy in Jehovah:
And the needy shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.9

20. For the terrible one faileth, the scoffer is no more;
And all that were vigilant in iniquity are utterly cut off. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.10

21. Who bewildered the poor man in speaking;
And laid snares for him, that pleaded in the gate;
And with falsehood subverted the righteous. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.11

22. Therefore thus saith Jehovah the God of the house of Jacob,
He who redeemed Abraham;
Jacob shall no more be ashamed;
His face shall no more be covered with confusion! PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.12

23. For when his children shall see the works of My hands,
Among themselves shall they sanctify My name;
They shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
And tremble before the God of Israel. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.13

24. Those that were led away with the spirit of error, shall gain knowledge;
And the malignant shall attend to instruction. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.14

The chief thing necessary in order to an understanding of the prophecy of Isaiah, is to keep in mind the fact that it all applies to the very last days. It was indeed a present, personal, practical message to those who lived when Isaiah was writing, but it has a still greater application to us since we are nearer the time of its fulfilment than they were. We are, however, no nearer than they might have been if they had believed the message. If in our study we watch for the expressions which plainly indicate the application of the prophecy to the end of time, we shall have much less difficulty in reading with profit. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.15

There is no profit in hypocrisy. Those who honour God only with their lips, while their hearts are far from Him, will soon lose what little of reality they have to begin with. Whatever is not used, degenerates, and ultimately goes to decay. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.16

In our common version, as well as in the Revision, we read in verse 13, that the people “have removed their hearts” far from the Lord. The Norwegian has it, “They hold their hearts from Me.” Compare this with the first chapter of Romans, where we read of those who hold down the truth in righteousness, and note in both places that the same result follows. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.17

We very often hear of one who has “learned a thing by heart.” That is the only way men can learn the things of God. But that does not mean learning them by rote, like a parrot. It means that the Scriptures must be translated into the life-must become a part of one's being. Because men have removed their hearts from the Lord, their understanding wanes and vanishes. The only difficulty there is in understanding the Word of God, is of the heart, and not of the head. It is because of the unwillingness to have the life conformed to the law of the Lord, that men find difficulty in understanding the Bible. “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 340.18

Because men have been content with the wisdom of this world, and have despised the wisdom that comes from God only, because they have taken the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God, the Lord will work in a way so wonderful that the wisdom of the wise shall fail; it will perish and disappear. That means simply that He will do such wonders that they will be compelled to stand in open-mouthed astonishment. Their science will be utterly inadequate to account for His working. But mind that this inability comes because they have trusted in human wisdom. That indicates that if they had trusted the Lord, and had allowed Him to instruct them, they would understand His working. Why not? Those who faithfully learn the simple lessons that the Lord gives them, may well go on to deeper things. The Holy Spirit is given us in order that we may know the things that are freely given us of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12. But God give us all things. Acts 17:25. Therefore the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, even “the deep things of God.” But without the Spirit of God, no one can really know anything as he ought to know it. Do not forget that God does not arbitrarily deprive anybody of wisdom. No, He continues to give more light and knowledge, so that all may understand, and men lose their understanding solely because they have refused to let God teach them as children. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.1

A woe is pronounced upon those who think to hide their deeds from the Lord. What a terrible disappointment it must be for men who have imagined that they were “too deep for Jehovah” to find out that “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13. “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth even as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” Psalm 139:11, 12. For a time it seems as if everything were well concealed. But “every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it.” When the Lord comes, He will “bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. In the Judgment it will be as though every evil deed that has been done in secret had been performed in open daylight before all men. Ah, but many things that are done under cover of darkness would not be done if all men could see them; then let us remember that the light is always shining, and let us walk as children of the light. It is not wise to try to have any secrets from the Lord. Whatever secrets we have, let us share them with the Lord. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.2

“O what perversity!” That is what we have in many versions in place of “turning things upside down,” in verse 16. The same idea is in Lowth's translation. Perverse means the same as turning upside down. This saying by those who think to hide their deeds from the Lord, “Who seeth us?” is a turning of things upside down. It is as though God were inferior to man. It is as though the clay were greater than the potter. “Shall the work say of the workman, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He hath no understanding?” There is nothing about the clay that the potter does not know; the carpenter understands all about the wood with which his works, and therefore understands to the full that which he has made; even so, and infinitely more, does God know the secrets of every man, and not only all that he does, but all that it is possible for him to do. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.3

“Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed a forest?” God can in very deed turn things upside down, but when He does so, it is only the putting of things right. Things that men have perverted shall not be allowed to remain in that condition. See in chapter 24 how and when God turns the earth upside down. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.4

In that day, the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. Now the learned say that they cannot read the words of the book, but then even the blind shall read, and the deaf shall hear it. And the result will be that the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. The face of the covering that has been cast over all people, and the veil that is cast over all nations shall then be removed, and all will be able to see things just as they are. Now many are held in bondage, the bondage of the fear of men who are over them. Parents coerce children, husbands tyrannise over wives, and many who occupy the place of ministers of the Gospel lord it over God's heritage. There are many who, through their very fear of God are held in bondage, because they mistakenly suppose that those who thus hold them are in the place of God to them. The very spirit which would make them obedient to the will of God, if they rightly understood it, hold them subject to those who have gained the mastery over them. But the time is surely coming when the terrible one shall be brought to naught; and even before the time comes that the scorner is no more and the vigilant in iniquity are utterly cut off, their influence will be so destroyed that all the honest ones whom they have held in bondage shall be set at liberty. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.5

On verse 21 the Revised Version is better than the others. It reads, “That make a man an offender in a cause, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in a cause, and turn aside the just with a thing of naught.” Compare James 5:1-7. “Ye have condemned and killed the just, and he doth not resist you.” Snares will be laid for the men whom God has set to reprove the world for sin, the innocent will be made out to be offenders, and the just will be condemned without evidence. Thus it has been since sin entered the world, even so was Christ declared guilty, and so it will be until the Lord takes all power to Himself and reigns. At that time the house of Jacob, God's people, shall not be afraid nor ashamed. No more will their faces grow pale with fear of the oppressor. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.6

Verse 24 contains a great comfort for the faithful workers in the cause of God, who often feel, as they look at their work, “I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain.” The promise is, “They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.” In the days following Pentecost thousands who had been led into error came to the knowledge of the truth. Many who had cried out, “Crucify Him,” yea, and a great company even of the priests, some of whom had been the betrayers and murderers of Christ, were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7. But “better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” If the early rain yielded such abundant fruits, much more will the latter rain bring forth. Let the children of God expect great things of Him, and great things will be done by Him who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 341.7

“The Privilege of Being Light Bearers” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

It is God's idea that His people shall be the head and not the tail. Deuteronomy 28:13. In taking the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land, the design was to make them a light to all she world, for Palestine was the highway of travel between all nations. By coming in contact with them, all nations would learn of the true God. For a time they were true to their trust, but later because of their iniquities, they were carried away captives to Babylon, yet even while captives in a strange land, God through them gave the light, for the light must be given. Just so to-day, the Lord has a message to give, light for the children of men, and to each one of us individually in his place, He grants the privilege of helping to give this light and truth. If we refuse, God will give the privilege to some one else, for now as in olden time, the light must be given. To embrace the opportunity, is to become a co-worker with Christ, a joint heir with Him in that kingdom “which shall never be destroyed.” To refuse means death and eternal destruction. There is nothing arbitrary about it,-it is a question of choice,-and every one is left free to accept or reject. “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 342.1

“‘Preach the Word’” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

“Darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people.” Error abounds on every hand. Men refuse light, and because of this they are left to believe a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11. They loved darkness better than light. John 3:19. By their actions they say, “We have made lies our refuge, and under false should have we hid ourselves.” Isaiah 28:15. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.1

The Gospel comes to them as a message of life. It comes to them with a warning that when the “overflowing scourge” shall pass through, they “shall be trodden down by it;” for “the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water shall overflow the hiding place.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.2

This message the Lord has committed to men, and the charge is “Preach the WORD.” Why? Because “Thy Word is TRUTH.” That is the only sure foundation. That is the rock on which the house was founded that the storm could not sweep away. “His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.3

Definite as is this charge “to preach the Word,” and the Word only, yet have you ever noticed how often the messengers make the mistake of telling what the Gospel is not instead of what it is? This is a trick of the devil. He knows that time spent in debating, and arguing about the truth, and time spent in “answering objections” will never save anyone. This being so, it seems as though it was his studied purpose to go about the churches and elsewhere among religious people with a chip on his shoulder; and he is never so happy as when he cannot induce some overzealous, inexperienced, or pugnacious theologian to turn aside from preaching Christ and Him crucified, and devote his attention to knocking the chip off his Satanic majesty's shoulder. The very best way to worry the devil is to pay no attention to that chip, but instead to go right forward faithfully preaching the Word. Why not? The most successful way to combat error is to preach the truth. Get the truth in the heart, and then the heresy will leave the head. “Preach the Word.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.4

“A Wonderful Sacrifice” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

It is stated that at a meeting held in behalf of mission work in the West Indies, when it was made known how impossible it was to reach the slave population on account of the widespread separation between the and the ruling classes, two Moravian missionaries offered themselves and said: “These poor people must know of Jesus. We will go and work on the plantations as slaves, and toil under the lash, that we may get right beside them.” So they left their homes, and went to the West Indies as slaves, lived in the company of slaves, fared as they fared, that they might get close to the hearts of the poor oppressed people. And the slaves heard them, and rejoiced in the knowledge of the Saviour, because the missionaries had humbled themselves to the condition of those they would help. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.5

We look at such self-sacrifice and say that it demands the highest praise; and so it does. But infinitely greater is the self-sacrifice of Christ. While we were yet rebels, He left the courts of heaven, laid aside His glory, came to this earth, and was “made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” But for all this only the basest ingratitude was shown, for after “being approved of God by miracles, and wonders and signs,” He suffered the ignominious death of the cross at the hands of the very ones He came to save. When we think of it, and try to comprehend in a slight degree what a sacrifice it was, do we not from our inmost soul cry out,- PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.6

“Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.7

“Water” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

During the war of the Rebellion in the United States, after a severe engagement, when the disabled soldiers were being removed from the field, a wounded man lying in the hot sun cried, “Water, water!” It was brought to him, but it was warm and muddy, for that was all there was at hand. He took only a sip or two, and then handed the cup back, with the words: “Oh, for a draught of water from my father's well!” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.8

There are to-day thirsty souls everywhere-thirsting to death for the water that is in their Father's well, yet they will not take of it and drink. “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; and the water that I shall give him will be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” May the longing of each heart be that of the woman at the well, who said, “Give me of this water.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 343.9

“Little Folks. The Cattle” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

Read the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth verses of the first chapter of Genesis, which tells us that “God made the ... cattle after their kind.” Everything that God made belongs to Him. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof,” because He made it and filled it. “The sea is His, for He made it,” and we ourselves belong to Him “for it is He that hath made us.” And so God says of the cattle that He has made, “Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.1

And God thinks of and cares for everything that belongs to Him, and so “He maketh grass to grow for the cattle.” He who made them knows exactly what they need, and creates just the right kind of food for them. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.2

At the time of the flood, we are told, “God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark.” He thought not only of Noah and his family, but He “remembered the cattle” also which were just as much His. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.3

And again, when Jonah was angry because the Lord did not destroy Nineveh as He had purposed to do, God reminded Jonah that there was “much cattle” in the city, as well as many thousand people. To His own people, the children of Israel, He gave special instructions about the treatment of their cattle. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.4

All these things show us with what loving care God thinks of His cattle, and we may be sure that He notices just how they are treated by those who have the care of them. God made man “to have dominion over the cattle,” to rule them. That meant that he was to take care of them, to guide, protect, and feed them. God is the Ruler of the whole universe, and has dominion over all, because He has the power to supply all the needs of every creature. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.5

If you have some animal pets, a kitten, a bird, or some rabbits, given to you for your own, you know that makes you responsible for them,-you must see that they are well supplied with the right kind of food, and kept comfortable and happy so far as it is in your power to make them so. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.6

So when God gave to man the whole animal creation, He meant to use man as the channel through which He would supply all their needs, and keep them in a state of perfect happiness. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.7

But oh, what a sad change sin has brought, and how man has fallen from his dominion! For now, instead of being the one through whom the needs of all other animals are supplied, he takes from them all to supply his own needs. He takes the wool from the sheep, the skin from the cattle, fur and hair from other animals, the shell from the tortoise, the ivory from the elephant, and even the feathers from the birds, to make clothes and ornaments for himself. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.8

If he feeds any of the animals for a time it is only that he may use their strength to do his work, or at last feed on them, use their flesh for his own food. If you could see some at the terrible sights in the slaughter-houses, where thousands of God's creatures are slain, sometimes with unnecessary cruelty, to make food for man, you would see how sadly true is God's Word which tells us that “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.9

Think what terrible sufferings have been brought upon the animals through man's disobedience to God, and be sure that you do nothing to add to these groanings that go up to the ears of God; but be sorry for the sins that have made them suffer so, and do all in your power to relieve them. Always be kind to all the animals that you have anything to do with, and try to influence others to be the same. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.10

God did not make the cattle to be eaten. He did not create them for our food, for He gave us “every herb bearing seed,” and “every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree bearing seed,” to be our food. He made the cattle for His own pleasure for “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created.” He gave all living creatures to man to care for so that he might share in “the joy of the Lord,” the pleasure that He feels in giving life and happiness. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.11

Thank God that the time is coming when God's loving purpose will be fulfilled, when all creation's groans shall cease, when in the new earth man's dominion shall be restored. Then he shall again be king over the whole earth, not to “exercise lordship” over God's creatures and make them his servants, but to be the one through whom God shall serve and give life and happiness to all His creatures in this earth. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 346.12

“Jottings” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

-The Daily Telegraph has now followed the example of the Daily Mail in dropping its Sunday edition. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.1

-A great look-out of all the industries connected with the iron and building trades of Denmark has begun all over the country. Its economic and social consequences are likely to be grave. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.2

-Some of the machines for making matches turn out as many as 2,500,000 matches a day. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.3

-On May 20th a company of 128 persons started from Stockholm for the Polar regions in search of André. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.4

-Since January, 1898, 333 people were murdered by lynching in the United States. Of these only eight were white. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.5

-Nearly 3,000,000 persons in the famine district northwest of the Black Sea are reported to be on the verge of starvation. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.6

-The grain crops of Tunis this year are irreparably spoiled, which means desolation and misery for that country. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.7

-Russia has just placed with a Berlin manufacturer, an order for forty-eight powerful locomotives for the Siberian railway. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.8

-Russia's commerce by sea has grown to such an extent that a company for the classification of ships has been formed on the model of the British Lloyds. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.9

-Cases of bubonic plague are reported from Alexandria, West Coast of Africa, and Hong Bong. Precautions are being taken against the disease at European ports. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.10

-Reports from Manila state that the insurgents are renewing their aggressive attitude. The Fillipine Commissioners will not accept a single condition of the American proposals. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.11

-Owing to the encroachment of the sea, the Lowestoft Lighthouse will be moved further inland for the third time. Although it weighs 120 tons, an effort will be made to move it bodily. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.12

-Some weeks ago the Czar sent a person of confidence to inspect the penal establishments in Siberia. The reports brought back are of so grave a nature, that the Czar has resolved to personally visit these places himself. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.13

-At an inquest on the body of a furniture dealer who died at the age of thirty-eight, the medical evidence showed that his nervous system had bean nearly destroyed by “tee poisoning,” owing to the large quantities he drank. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.14

-The Duke of the Abruzzi, an Italian Noble man, has recently organised a Polar Expedition, which will sail from Christiania Fiord, about June 15th. No expense or effort has been spared in the light of all past experience, to make this effort a success. It is expected that it will take two years to make the trip. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.15

-Prompted no doubt by the rapid growth of trusts in America, the Chinese merchants of San Francisco and other leading cities of the Pacific coast are organising a “combine” to include all the great industries in which they are interested in Canada and the United States, with a capital of many millions of pounds. In connection with this project it is proposed to found a great bank. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.16

-In a recent Temperance address, Lady Henry Somerset stated that in some districts in London there was one public-house to every 193 persons of the population. Manchester had one to every 180 inhabitants; Birmingham, one to every 215; Liverpool, one to every 279; Bristol, one to every 195 of the inhabitants; while in Ireland, in Clonmel alone, one out of every 11 houses is a licensed house, and in Waterford one out of every 25; in Dublin and Belfast one out of every 33. The Brewers’ Almanac stated that ?230,000,000 were invested in the trade. The share list of Guiness and Co. bore the names of peers and doctors and of “hundreds of women.” In the same company were 178 parsons bearing the title “revered” excluding bishops, deans, archdeacons and canons. Another brewery company included 133 persons designated as “reverend.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.17

“Back Page” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

Writing on the prominent features of the May Meetings, Dr. Gritton says that out of eight conspicuous points, the “Sabbath question stands to the very front.” This would be all right if it were true, but when he goes on to apply such terms as “Lord's Day,” and “Divinely-given Rest Day” to the first day of the week, and to speak of Sunday keeping as one of “the blessings which flow from obedience to the Sabbath law of God,” it is easy to understand that among the eight noticeable features, there is no reference to a closer study of the Word of God. If there were, men would quickly learn that the seventh day, and not the first, is stilt as it has always been, the Sabbath of the Lord, and the only Divinely-given Rest Day. It is noteworthy too that the exaltation of a spurious Sabbath is now the main object of religious effort. All who would follow the Lord and worship Him in spirit and in truth, need to turn from the traditions and wisdom of men to enquire, “What saith the Lord?” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.18

One writer in the press calls attention to the enormous saving which might be effected if the ?226,000,000 which Europe now spends for military purposes could be used to benefit the condition of its people. There is little hope, however, of the different States uniting since even those of them who are at present joined together cannot agree among themselves. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.19

At present Europe is split up into four empires’ eleven kingdoms, two republics, and four principalities. Two of the Empires-Germany and Austria-Hungary-are “composite,” and the cleavage in the latter between the German, Magyar, and Slav element is widening every day, while even the “eternal union” of the twenty-two German states sworn to with such triumphant vehemence at Versailles covers no small amount of sharp antagonism. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.20

The words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar two thousand five hundred years ago, exactly describe the nations into which the iron kingdom of Rome was divided. “And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” Daniel 2:42, 43. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.21

The Coroner at Newington stated last week that in nine out of ten inquests held by him, death was due to strong drink. He said, PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.22

It is a shocking state of affairs, and the most extraordinary thing is that, when a medical man has made a post mortem examination of the body which shows conclusively that death resulted from alcohol, the relatives swear that the deceased was not addicted to habits of intemperance. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.23

Probably the relatives are not often guilty of wilful perjury. There is a very prevalent idea that men may drink freely of alcoholic beverages and yet not be considered addicted to habits of intemperance. The smallest use of poisons is intemperate. The only true temperance is to leave them alone entirely. That which men call moderate drinking is that which unduly shortens their lives, and makes them too often subjects of a coroner's inquest. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.24

The Christian says: “Popery in every form is no advocate of a spiritual Sunday.” That is true, if for no other reason than that popery is no advocate of spirituality in any form whatever; for popery and spirituality are as much opposed as are darkness and light. But at the same time popery is the originator of the Sunday as the rival of the Sabbath of the Lord,-the seventh day,-and no one knows so well as its author how the day is designed to be observed. The papal use of the day is as a holiday; God's use of it is as a working-day. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.25

In these days of busy activity, wealth, and worldly honour the real spirit of the Gospel has leaked out of the hearts of many of the professed followers of Christ. Everything else is subservient to the “cares of this life.” But that is not as it should be. An old cobbler struck the keynote of true spiritual life when he said, “My chief work is to serve Christ, and I mend shoes to pay expenses.” The Apostle Paul's chief business was to serve Christ,-“For I am determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified,”-yet for a living he made tents. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.26

Trials come to all. They are blessings in disguise, although it is not always easy to say so. They are good for us. “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” So let them come, and God will give us grace to bear them, according to our need. But when they come, do not lose heart, and never, never let go of God. There is no possible situation that the devil can bring upon a single child of God, that will result in defeat when he has hold of God. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.27

“The Fruit of Higher Criticism” The Present Truth 15, 22.

E. J. Waggoner

Dr. L. W. Munhall, an American evangelist, spoke lately of the way in which infidelity, under the title of “the higher criticism,” is establishing itself in the pulpit. Professors of theology who are not themselves converted by the sanctifying influence of the truth, find the criticism more to their taste than simple obedience and surrender to the living Word, and as a result the ministry is becoming permeated with men who know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Dr. Munhall said:- PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.28

Nearly every objection raised against the integrity of the Bible by the present day higher critics can be found in Voltaire's works, and Paine's “Age of Reason.” The plan of the battle has changed. The enemy used to be outside the breastworks; now he is inside-in our own pulpits, in our educational institutions and editorial chairs; and the weapons used against the Book are the very same the infidels have always used. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.29

I know that in two of our theological schools the Old Testament professors are giving their students all the objections against the integrity of the record, and making no attempt whatever to answer such objections; and these students are going out to fill our pulpits with little or no knowledge of the Bible, their minds filled with objections to the Book which the Church commissions them to expound. Can we reasonably expect spiritual results from the ministry of such men? PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.30

I know of one of these young men who, within four years of his graduation, left the Methodist Episcopal Church, became pastor of a Congregational Church, then pastor of a Unitarian Church, and then a blatant infidel, all in the same town. PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.31

A wealthy member of our church me:-“I sent my eldest son to a Methodist educational institution not 300 miles from New York city. Before he left home he was considered by all who knew him to be a model Christian young man. While at school he came under the influence of a certain professor who is a higher critic. He returned home an infidel, and has not once been inside a church since.” PTUK June 1, 1899, page 352.32