The Present Truth, vol. 10
April 12, 1894
“Front Page” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
“Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Psalm 27:11. “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.” Psalm 25:4. This is a prayer that all need to utter continually, because “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps;” and God’s way, which is infinitely higher than man’s way, or his comprehension, is the only right way. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.1
We are so ignorant, and so dull of comprehension, that we have need to pray with emphasis, “Make Thy way straight before my face.” Well for us is it that we have a Teacher who is very considerate, “who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.” Even though we have neglected, or even despised, previous instruction, He is still patient to give wisdom, “and upbraideth not.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.2
Here are some good promises for our encouragement: “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.” “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:12, 14. “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know the teaching.” John 7:17. “The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way.” Psalm 25:9. Moses was the meekest man, and “He made known His ways unto Moses.” Who can estimate the favour of being taught the way of the Lord, and being allowed to share His secret? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.3
But there is one indispensable requisite to gaining this knowledge, and that is meekness. “Be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5. Who has this clothing?—Nobody, for meekness and humility are foreign to human nature. All men are by nature “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” But God provides white raiment, and He Himself will take away the filthy rags, and clothe us with “change of raiment.” That is, the Lord teaches His people, and Himself provides the clothing necessary for attending the school. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.4
“The Greatness of His Gentleness” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
In the words of Hosea the Lord says, “I will be as the dew unto Israel.” The figure conveys the idea of gentleness, refreshing, and strength. Fresh every evening, the dew wets the fields, and gives the real reviving, refreshing, and strength which vegetation needs for the growth it must make with each day’s sun. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.5
Thus it is with grace, and the mercies of the Lord. “They are new every morning.” There must be daily growth, and every day we must have the refreshing and reviving from the Lord. He reveals Himself to the believing heart as gently and noiselessly as the dew distills upon the blade of grass; but there is strength in His mercies, that fortifies the soul in distress of sin, and in the heat, “when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.6
There is so much lost to many because they are not content to rest daily in the Lord, and drinking in of His quiet presence. When Job, in his time of affliction, spoke of the days of his strength, when he was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, and the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, he said: “My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. My glory was fresh in me.” Chap. 29:19. The message to every believer is, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” This glory seen upon the Christian, as fresh and glistening as a dew-bespangled meadow in the morning sun, is the testimony of the Christian life. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.7
The Lord often uses the figure of the dew and the rain to describe the nature of His word,—the word by which we are born again, and grow, and are sanctified. He says by Moses: “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass.” Deuteronomy 32:2. “For as the rain cometh down... so shall My word be.” Isaiah 55:10, 11. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.8
It is a divinely appropriate simile. Faraday showed that there is stored in a dew drop sufficient electric force to rend a rock. Each drop of dew or rain is bringing life and power into vegetation; and thus the force that would shatter the rock, if pent up, is working itself out in perishing delicate tissues, and carrying the water of life to all animate creation. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.9
So it is God’s word. “No word from God shall be void of power,” said the angel to Mary; and the Lord says, “Is not My word... like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” The power of the word is the almighty power of God. And there is in it the same combination of power and gentleness, carried to an infinite degree. All the power is for the faint and the weary, and the word comes as a still small voice to the soul. In the heart of the believer it becomes a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. It is everlasting strength, and everlasting consolation. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 225.10
This mingling of gentleness and strength that is in the word, reproduces itself in those who take the word in its fulness. “I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” Hosea 14:5. The glory of the Lord is risen upon the believer, and he will reflect the beauty and the grace of Jesus’ character. In His meekness and humility, and Divine beauty of soul, He was “the Lily of the valley;” and to those who take Him He brings the same life that He lived. They are made partakers of the Divine nature. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.1
Then there is the infinite strength of His character, which He also shares with those who are His. The life, for beauty, is as the lily, but for the strength, it casts forth its roots as the cedars of Lebanon. It is rooted and grounded in love, rooted and built up in Him. The firmness and constancy of the character that is rooted in the Lord cannot be shaken though all the world is removed. It is a rare combination, this blending of consummate gentleness and grace with unflinching firmness and unyielding strength. It can only come as the gift of God. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.2
The Lord works this in the believer; for it is His own way of dealing with His children. His providences may appear otherwise to the natural heart and eyes, but in the end every soul that is subdued wholly to God will recognise His infinite tenderness in all His ways. David’s was a rough and stirring school of instruction, but in the end he was able to say, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.3
“The World in Wickedness” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
The World in Wickedness.-It is true to-day, as the apostle wrote in the early centuries, that “the whole world lieth in wickedness.” The same Gospel is needed now that the apostles preached, calling men to a change of heart and life, and to something separate from the course of this world. The course of this world is evil, and it is as impossible to drift along with it and still be in the service of the Lord, as it was in the apostles’ days. Many things are labelled Christian that are not, and many courses of conduct are sanctioned by professedly Christian sentiment that are utterly opposed to Christ and His life. The nations of Christendom are arming for war as never before, and still we hear about Christian nations. The fact that no nation can exist in this wicked world without the employment of physical force and all the refined developments of the fighting art, shows that there can be no such thing as a Christian nation in this present evil world. The citizens of Christ’s kingdom are told by their Lord to love their enemies, bear patiently with the oppressor, and suffer violence, if need be, without retaliation. It is thought by many nowadays that the principles which Christ taught are not applicable to the practical affairs of life. But He lived them in His days, and the same life is the Christian life to-day. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.4
“Easter in Jerusalem” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
All through the year, the Turkish soldiers are on the alert to prevent violent hostilities between the fanatical followers of the Roman and Greek Churches, who dispute with one another the possession of the so-called holy places. This long-standing rivalry shows to what lengths of unreason men may go when they do not know the spirit of the Master, and follow externals and traditions. The flesh verily profiteth nothing. The Mohammedans of Syria are excusable for their belief that Christianity, as they see it misrepresented, is idolatrous worship. What could be in greater contrast to pure Christianity than the exhibitions of Easter week in Jerusalem? A correspondent gives this description of the ceremonies which are supposed to be to the honour of Jesus of Nazareth:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.5
The one spot in the world which presents the unique spectacle of two Easter days in the year is the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, the Greek Church, reckoning by the old calendar, is celebrating its Palm Sunday when the Latins are singing their Eastern hymns. As both churches share in the possession of the tomb, and as the rivalry between them is intensely hot, the precincts of the burial place of the “Prince of Peace” more suggest a bear-pit than anything else, unless the soldiers of another faith—that of Islam—are on guard to keep the peace. When the Latin Easter services are in progress, and the Greeks, issuing from their chapel in the Procession of Palms, pass the door of the former and sing hymns at the top of their voices (they have no instrumental music). The Latins promptly retort by singing louder, or by playing on their organ—with every stop out. The Greeks have the larger rights of the tomb, and on their Easter Saturday are able to have all light extinguished to await the coming of the “Bishop of Fire.” The gallery for Europeans and the one above it for women have been crowded for hours, and the space about the tomb is packed with the devotees, drunk with religious frenzy. They leap and howl, they clamber on to each other’s heads like acrobats, they spin round and round, shrieking—“Behold the tomb of Jesus Christ!” and by the time the first wild notes of the chant which heralds the coming of the Bishop of Fire are heard, the place is a pandemonium. At the Bishop’s appearance the Mussulman soldiers clear a path for him and his train. Three times they circle round the tomb, and the Bishop enters it alone. There is an awful silence. Then a light, supposed to be kindled from heaven, appears at an orifice in the side of the tomb. There is a shout—a rush—and instantly the pilgrims have lighted their tapers from it, bundles of candles let down from the galleries are set burning, and the place is ablaze with Holy Fire. The pilgrim’s bathe their faces in it, tear open their shirts and hug it to their naked breasts, all men stripped for running, speed away to carry it to Bethlehem and adjacent villages. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.6
“Counting the Cost” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
No person can be a Christian who is unwilling to be accounted peculiar. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.7
Popularity, the praise of men, the worship and support of the majority, political power, and all those things which contribute to world distinction, can never be realised in the experience of a Christian or of the Christian church. However contrary this may be to appearances which the Christian world presents, it is the truth, declared and upheld by the word which cannot be broken. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.8
Everyone who would be a Christian, therefore, may expect at the start to part with all those things which are to be reaped from the treasure fields of the world. He may expect that his career will be counted anything but successful from a worldly point of view. He may expect to identify himself with a company of people who are humble, few in number, and looked down upon by the majority with scorn and derision. He may expect that his whole life will be one of self-denial,—of turning away from those pleasures and repeated benefits for which the human heart naturally longs. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.9
It is wise for such an one to sit down at the outset and count the costs. There are, as we are told in one of Christ’s parables, a certain class of persons who, when they hear the word of God, at first receive it joyfully, but soon, under the pressure of difficulties and persecutions, become offended and turned back to the world. Matthew 13:20, 21. They start out apparently with no thought but that the way is smooth and easy through to the end; but when it becomes rough and difficult their courage fails them. They have not counted the cost. And no man, said Christ, who puts his hand to the plough and then turns back, is worthy of the kingdom of God. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.10
It is as true to-day as it ever was in the past, that the way to life is strait, and is travelled by but few. It is as true to-day as it was in the days of Paul, that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. Whatever occasion the present age may be furnishing for boasting, it has not progressed beyond other ages in smoothing the pathway of the pilgrim to Mount Zion. The devil hates Christians to-day as much as he did in the days of Huss and Ridley and Latimer, and his power over men in general has become no less. There are martyrs to-day, as there were martyrs then. It is true now, as it ever was, that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 226.11
To count the cost we must see with the eye of faith; otherwise our choice will be made without any just conception of the interest which it involves. Only with the eye of faith can we see those spiritual things which balance up the scale of the world’s prizes and pleasures. Spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14. The choice that is made with the natural eye will always be the wrong one, because the natural eye can see only the things that are earthly and temporal. But the eye of faith can see the “far more exceedingly eternal weight of glory.” By faith-which is belief of the word of God-we understand that the path to eternal life leads in this world through tribulation; but knowing this, we do not hesitate to choose that path, because we also know that in comparison with the glorious and eternal things to come, all these are light afflictions, which are but for a moment. 2 Corinthians 4:17. And we are able to see that even in this present world the Christian pathway is full of light and joy, and that it is better “to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:25. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.1
If therefore we have come to a point where the voice of conscience and duty bids us to take a course that will separate us from all worldly honour and popularity and that which commands the attention of the world, and identify ourselves with those who are few and despised, whom the world reckons to be either great or wise, we need not think that conscience is at fault or that we have been called to do some strange thing different from that which the followers of Christ have been called to do in the past. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” but chose to identify himself with a nation of slaves, “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” Hebrews 11:24, 26. It has been the same choice that has been made by God’s children all the way through. It is not a more difficult one that you are called to make to-day. And by the eye of faith you will be enabled to esteem the choice a wise one. For placing ourselves on the side of God, we are on the side of the majority, on the side of wealth and honour that never end, of happiness in life eternal, and of “a crown of glory, that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.2
“The Authority of Christ” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
The full title of a small pamphlet which has been sent us with a special request for notice and review is “The Authority of Christ over the Individual, the Church, and the Nation.” It is a lecture delivered in Belfast at the closing of a session of the Theological Hall of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, “by the Rev. James Dick, M.A., Professor of Hebrew, Biblical Criticism, and Pastoral Theology.” The Reformed Presbyterian Synod’s “Committee on Covenant Renovation and National Reform” unanimously requested Professor Dick to place the manuscript of the lecture at their disposal for publication, in order to its extensive circulation; and so we have it. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.3
Although the Presbyterian denomination was the only non-episcopal body resulting from the break with the Pope, which was formed on the basis of a full and complete union of the Church and the State, and although only certain branches of that body are still pledged to it, yet the essential principles of such union are fast permeating almost all religious bodies; and therefore the question which we are requested to review is a very live one. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.4
About thirty years ago the Reformed Presbyterians in the United States organised what was known as the “National Reform Association,” the object of which was to secure such an Amendment to the Constitution as would give “all Christian laws, institutions, and usages” the backing of civil law. The Association was for a long time very feeble, except in its published list of names, yet such is the natural tendency of ecclesiastical bodies to grasp civil power, that to-day, although the National Reform Association is practically lost sight of, the object for which it was organised is quite generally endorsed, and is practically attained. The same thing is insensibly moulding the churches this side of the Atlantic, and therefore a warning is most urgently needed. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.5
The zeal and sincerity of those who advocate this sort of “National Reform” cannot be questioned. At the same time the evil which must necessarily flow from its success can be described only by repeating the history of the Dark Ages. In our review, therefore, we shall deal with the subject itself, rather than with the particular statement of it in a lecture before us, following only its three-fold division. Accordingly we shall consider the authority of Christ. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.6
OVER THE INDIVIDUAL
Here there is scarcely any room for difference. The Scripture is very clear on this point. “I would have you know,” says the Apostle Paul, “the head of every man is Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:3. This is true as to the individual members of the church, and is no less true of those who make no profession, although they do not acknowledge the truth of the statement. The obligation to obey God rests equally upon every man in the world. The fact that many do not profess to serve the Lord, abates not one jot of their obligation to obey Him. If it were true that none are under obligation to serve and obey God except those who acknowledge such obligation, the same principle would absolve anarchists from all allegiance to the State. All that would then be needed to justify any one in disobeying the laws, would be the statement by him, “I do not profess to regard the laws of the State.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.7
Christ is “the firstborn of every creature; for by [or in] Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.” Colossians 1:15, 16. Christ is therefore the head of every man by virtue of being Creator. This is that which places all men equally under obligation to serve the Lord. “Know ye that the Lord He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” Psalm 100:3. “The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” Psalm 95:5-7. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.8
This applies as well to those who are not professed Christians as to those who are. All were created by Him, all are equally dependent on Him for support, and all are equally in duty bound to serve Him. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.9
Moreover, all men are Christ’s by right of purchase. It was the will of the grace of God that He should “ taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9. “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6), and thereby “the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Verse 18. He is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. The rightful authority of Jesus Christ over individuals, therefore, is universal. Not a sole man is exempt from His jurisdiction. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 227.10
This is shown, too, by the statement of Christ concerning His coming. “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27. See also Romans 2:5-11, where we learn that God “will render to every man according to his deeds,” and this rendering will be “tribulation and anguish for every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentiles; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with God.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.1
God does not make any distinction in individuals because of their profession. Both Christians and heathen will be judged by the same standard. One law is for all. The Scriptures above quoted show that there is ample authority for Professor Dick’s statement that Christ’s authority is “supreme over every man, in every relation, in every circumstance, in every place, and in every period of life.” The Lord does not require anything of Christians that He does not require of sinners. In the following text the language is addressed to man without any limitation whatever: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.2
This being the measure of God’s requirement of every man, the duty of man is thus well stated by the pamphlet under consideration: “The duty of the sinner is to look humbly to Him, and to receive humbly from Him a free salvation. The further duty of the sinner saved by grace is to receive every word of instruction that Christ speaks, to believe and embrace every doctrine that Christ reveals, to maintain inviolate every principle of Christ’s truth. His acceptance of Christ’s authority must be the same in substance as that which found expression in the words of Israel’s covenant of old—‘All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.’ God requires nothing less than was thus promised, and will not approve of anything less.” This obedience, however, it must not be forgotten, can be rendered only by that faith which “God hath dealt to every man.” Romans 12:3. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.3
Let us therefore hear the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. And the commandments of God, which are addressed to every man, and which are “not grievous,” are thus summed up: “Thou [each individual] shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.4
This division of the subject necessarily runs into the other two divisions, and will be considered there as well; so we will proceed to a brief consideration of Christ’s authority. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.5
OVER THE CHURCH
This portion of the subject is also very simple. A few texts of Scripture settle it completely. The passage where Christ is declared to be the firstborn of every creature,—the One in whom all things are created and all things consist, says that “He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.6
The same apostle also declares by inspiration that God put all things under the feet of Christ, “and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22, 23. In the church, therefore, Christ is supreme, not simply as to the faith to be professed, but as to the organisation and government thereof. That which He has ordained, it is the duty of the church to obey; and that which He has not ordained, is a sin to practise. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.7
This authority of Christ over the church is not that of an earthly ruler over a kingdom, but that of the head over the members of the body; it is not the rule of one who is distinct from that which is ruled, but it results from the vital connection existing between them. The church is His body. It derives its existence from Him; He is its life. He has purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and in so doing has imparted to it His own life. But the church is composed of individuals, and the authority of Christ over the church as a whole is simply the measure of His acknowledged authority over the individual members thereof. “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. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” John 15:1-4. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.8
With these Scriptures the pamphlet under review seems to be in substantial agreement. The author says:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.9
God’s will supreme was the principle of the first creation; God’s will restored in Christ to supremacy, is the principle of the new creation; and the church exists to exemplify before the moral universe the blessed working of this principle. In the church, if anywhere, self-will must be utterly abolished, that God’s great purpose may be accomplished altogether in His own wise way. The Scriptural conception of the church is that of the kingdom of heaven in which God’s will is done, and the authority of God’s Son is recognised by every mind, and found in every institution. “What things soever I command you, observe to do it; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it,” was the rule of the church in the wilderness. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” is the precisely similar and equivalent rule for the church of the New Testament in the more extended wilderness of the disordered kingdoms of the world. Not the very smallest allowance was made in the Old Testament for either addition or diminution in the case of His institutions. Nor is the New Testament different in this respect, unless as its corporate revelation of Christ’s gracious authority increases the obligation of the church to obey. For instruction and government, as well as for the bestowal and sustaining of life spiritual and eternal, Christ is the sole Head of the church.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.10
Whenever it is desired to know what the church should be and do, we have only to examine the Book which contains the record of the life and words of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is “head over all things to the church, which is His body.” Wherever we find the life and words of Christ deviated from to any extent, there we find, to that extent, the apostate churches. There is more involved in this principle than is perceived by very many who acknowledge it. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.11
We cannot better close this division of the subject, and introduce the next, than by quoting a sad truth that is briefly summarised in the pamphlet before us. Having shown the steps of the apostasy of Israel, which culminated in the crucifixion of Christ, the author says:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 228.12
If they had been in the days of their fathers they would not, they thought, have stoned or killed the prophets. But these self-complacent rebels against God took the very Prince of life and with wicked hands crucified and slew Him. So the New Testament church quickly followed in the wake of the transgressors of old. The simple ordinances of spiritual worship did not satisfy. The mystery of iniquity began to work. Concessions were made to carnal tastes and desires, and so the great body of the early church became the anti-Christian Church of Rome. At every stage in the growth of that bloated system of self-will and corruption, transgressors would doubtless look back self-righteously, and condemn the transgressions of Israel of old in departing from the Lord. No thought of the possibility of their being transgressors themselves would arise to disturb their complacency. And so the history of backsliding Israel repeated itself in backsliding Christendom. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.1
And with this we proceed to discuss the principle which was responsible for this development of the mystery of iniquity into the “man of sin.” That principle was nothing other than the false idea of the authority of Christ. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.2
OVER THE NATION
“There is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1. Therefore it needs no argument to prove that God is above all nations. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1. “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” Daniel 4:25. He even “setteth up over it the basest of men.” Verse 17. “Wisdom and might are His; and He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” Daniel 2:20, 21. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.3
He says “I have made the earth, the man and beast that are upon the ground, by My great power, and by My outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto Me.” Jeremiah 27:5. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.4
The authority of God over the nations is just the same as His authority over individuals; because a nation is composed of individuals. There is no such thing as a nation apart from the aggregation of men composing it. A nation is not a person, but a collection of persons. The State as a distinct entity, having a personality of its own, has no more existence than the memory of a dream. It is not even the shadow of a substance. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.5
Now while it is true that God is supreme Ruler, it is as certain that His rule is one of love, and not of force. While He is an absolute monarch, existing and ruling solely by His own will, and answerable to none, He is not a despot. Earthly monarchs, though they be the farthest removed from despots, do not say, “All day long have I stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people;” but that is what the Lord says. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.6
Who may come?—All who will. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. But what about those who will not?—God gives them the liberty of staying away, and eating of the fruit of their own way, and being filled with their own devices. “For the turning away of the simple shall slay them.” See Proverbs 1:20-23. Christ said, “If any man hear My words and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.7
Let it be remembered that “the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither is he that is sent greater than He that sent him.” John 13:16. That which Christ did not do, no man has the right to do. Remember that Christ and He alone is the head of every man. To those who would presume to exercise authority in Christ’s stead, the Divine word comes: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth.” Romans 14:4. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.8
The pamphlet before us says: “Where any man goes, be he friend or enemy of Christ, the authority of Christ follows him. The Christian, the Atheist, the Jew, the Romanist, the infidel, the libertine, are all equally bound to bow before God’s Anointed. The Christian bows and kisses the Son; the others, if they fail to do this, must bow and lick the dust.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.9
All very true, if regard is had to the proper relation of things. Two things must be remembered. One is, that God has not committed to men the work of compelling people to acknowledge His authority, because He does not do that Himself. And the second is that the time when rebels against God will bow in the dust before Him is at the second coming of Christ, at the end of the world. These points involve a consideration, necessarily brief in this case, of the kingdom of Christ as contrasted it with the kingdoms of this world, or what is commonly known as the PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.10
RELATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
This might be settled in one sentence, namely, there is no matter of relation between them. The proof of this is sufficiently stated in the following passage:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.11
“And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man; for Thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto C?sar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, C?sar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto C?sar the things which are C?sar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:16-21. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.12
By this we learn that C?sar, that is, civil government, has no connection whatever with God. All men are in duty bound to be subject to the State, and not to resist its authority, but they may be mindful of all their obligations to the State, and still be unmindful of God. No Christian can ever rise in rebellion against the government, no matter how base the men by whom it is administered, because the Lord forbids it, and because as a subject of the Prince of Peace must of necessity keep the peace. A Christian cannot be an anarchist, nor rail against rulers, because it is forbidden by the Lord. See Romans 13:2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.13
It is not necessary to go into a statement of the proper sphere of civil government. It is sufficient to say that it is utterly impossible for it to administer the law of God, because “the law is spiritual.” Spiritual things are only spiritually discerned, and consequently the State has no power even to so much as comprehend the law of God, much less to enforce it. Civil government is a necessity, and will be a necessity so long as this present evil world exists; but it is not a necessity to true Christians. It is necessary in order to restrain the violence of ungodly men; but Christians have and acknowledge the restraining power of the Spirit of God. Their submission to the authority of the State is not because of benefits that it confers on them, because the governments of earth never have and never can confer any favours on the true church of Christ; on the contrary they have always persecuted it, and always will. See Galatians 4:29; 2 Timothy 3:12. But the Christian’s subjection to civil government is because he is to “do violence to no man,” to “be gentle to all men,” and not to resist evil that is done unto him, but to “follow peace with all men.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 229.14
It is evident, therefore, that the State can exercise no rightful authority over the true church; for the true church is the body of Christ, and Christ is superior to the State. As a general thing the church members of all denominations would repudiate the idea that the State should control the church; and yet that is what they virtually plead for when they ask for State support. What they are more apt to claim, however, is that the church should control the State to a greater or lesser degree. This is, in fact, the shape that a voluntary union of Church and State always assumes. When officers of the government enact laws concerning religion, it is under the advice and direction of the ministers of the church. And when the union is complete, the church assumes the prerogative of dictating to the State in everything. But this is no better than for the State to control the church. If there be any difference it is worse. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.1
The servant is not greater than his Lord; they that are sent are not greater than the one sending them. The body cannot act without the head, nor go where the head does not go, nor do what the head does not approve of. What did Christ do? He lived on this earth, most zealous to perform His Father’s business, and to advance the interests of the kingdom of heaven, yet He never once appealed to the civil authority, nor presumed to interfere with it. This of itself should be sufficient to settle the matter with all followers of Christ. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.2
When one said to Jesus, “Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me,” Jesus said, “Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?” Luke 12:13, 14. The idea that the church should control secular affairs, is purely Papal. While it is true that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, it is not true that He has any viceregent on earth, to execute authority in His stead. Herein Catholics are consistent while professed Protestants are inconsistent. For the Catholic Church believes that it should rule over the kings of the earth, and boldly claims that the Pope is Christ’s vicar; while Protestants repudiate the Pope, and the idea of a vicar of Christ, and yet claim that the church should rule. Wherever you have the church domination, there you have the Papacy; for when the church presumes to interfere in the least with the affairs of State, it is putting itself above Christ. Whether you have one Pope or many thousands of them, makes very little difference. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.3
The National Reform idea is that the nation ought as a nation to recognise Christ’s authority as dispensed by His ministers. The tract before us gives the statement of what would follow in such case:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.4
First of all, every enemy of Christ would be deprived of vote or other exercise over national affairs. Then every law on the statute book would be tried by the Divine law, and brought into harmony with it or expunged. Then Christian morality would regulate every national and international transaction. Then efforts would be made to right every wrong and to reform every abuse, to repress all tyranny, and to succour the weak and helpless and oppressed. Then the nation would feel it to be a duty and privilege to promote the interests of Christ’s spiritual kingdom by the influence of its legislation and resources, that through the accompaniment of His gracious purposes in the church men might be blessed in Him, and all nations might call Him blessed. And over all would be Christ’s excellency and the sunshine of His blessing. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.5
Very pretty and very plausible, but fortunately we are not left to speculate as to the result. The resources of the State, which are to be placed at the service of Christ’s spiritual kingdom, are its armies and policemen, and in times past these have been at the full disposal of the church. The result was not the sunshine of Christ’s blessing, but the blight of desolation, as seen in Piedmont and Provence. Henry IV. standing barefoot in mid-winter, at Canossa, is another example of the result of the attempt to deprive all the enemies of Christ of all power over national affairs. England languishing under the interdict of Innocent III. and the Pope’s legate showing the authority of his Master by contemptuously spurning with his foot the King of England’s crown, is another instance. Even the Covenanters themselves furnish an example. They will doubtless say, “But we were not the enemies of Christ.” Ah, but “the church” said that you were; and when it is conceded that men may sit in judgment and decide who are enemies of Christ, then it is conceded that the will of “the church” that is in power is always right. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 230.6
Christ is not now on this earth in person. In His absence His followers,—the whole church,—are His representatives. He has no vicar on earth, but each individual member of the church is to be His representative, by showing forth in his life the excellencies of Christ. But Christ is infinite, and men are finite; therefore it takes the whole family of God to be the perfect representative of Christ. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.1
Now since the church as a whole is Christ’s representative on earth, it follows that to say that Christ is now ruling, or ought to rule over the nations of earth, is to say that the church ought to rule over the nations of earth. But the assumption of power by the church is nothing but the Papacy. Men think that the evil of the Papacy is in its corruption; but its connection with earthly affairs is what made it corrupt. In the beginning the church was pure; it became corrupt only when it departed from the Master’s principles, and began to reach out for the control of worldly affairs. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.2
The National Reform idea, no matter in what denomination it appears, is nothing but the Papacy as it has existed from the days of Constantine. When professed Protestant denominations become imbued with the idea that the church is to rule the world, then will they be fully identified with “Babylon the great,” the harlot “which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17.), and will receive of her plagues. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.3
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
When Christ was before Pilate He said, “My kingdom is not of this world, if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36. Christ did not refrain from fighting because His following was too small to cope with the Roman Government, because each one of His loyal disciples, together with Himself could have had a legion of angels at his back. Matthew 26:53. But His kingdom was not of this world, and could not use earthly power. The using of force would have been His ruin, for He Himself said, “They that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.4
There was a time when the disciples and all the people were going to take Jesus by force to make Him king, and if He had consented the whole Jewish nation would have flocked to His standard; but He would not listen to the proposition. Surely if the kingdom of Christ could be advanced by civil power, then was the time to make use of it. The fact that Christ would have nothing to do with it, shows what He expects of His followers. By allowing Himself to be betrayed into the hands of wicked men, and suffering the cruel death of the cross, Christ showed how only His kingdom can be gained and advanced. Because of the suffering of death, He was crowned with glory and honour. Let none of the professed servants of Christ think to gain the kingdom in a different matter. To make such an attempt is to deny Christ, and to make His sufferings of no account. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.5
Men have nothing to do with giving Christ His kingdom. All they are called upon to do is to yield themselves to the Holy Spirit, that they may be fashioned into a fit subject for the kingdom which the Lord God will give unto Him. True, “the government shall be upon His shoulder,” but it is “the zeal of the Lord of hosts” that is to give it to Him. Isaiah 9:6, 7. The Father has sworn to give unto Him the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession (Psalm 2:7, 8); but when He receives them it is that He may dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. But He will do it in person, and not by deputy. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.6
Christ Himself showed how and when He was to receive His kingdom. He spoke a parable for the benefit of those who thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He likened Himself to a nobleman who “went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.” “And it came to pass that when He was returned, having received the kingdom,” etc. Luke 19:11-27. Christ has now gone to that far country to receive the kingdom. The receiving of it is described in Daniel 6:13, 14. When He comes the second time, He will come in His kingdom. Then He will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance upon them that know not God. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. Then will those that would not have Him to rule over them be slain before Him,—“punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” And when He shall have destroyed all the wicked, “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43. “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.7
Christ is now sitting upon His Father’s throne (Revelation 3:21), reigning as a priest, and devising peace for His people. Zechariah 6:12, 13. He is the “one Mediator between God and men.” 1 Timothy 2:5. He is Mediator between God and men, not between God and nations. Moreover His authority as Mediator is not that of compulsion, but that of love and entreaty. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.8
Christ’s ministers are ambassadors, not judges nor officers in earthly kingdoms. The ambassador who should presume to interfere in the affairs of the country to which he is sent, or who should even express his opinion about the politics of that country, would at once lose his position. Christ’s ministers are sent as ambassadors to the whole world. They are to know nothing of nations as nations, but only to deal with individuals. Whether those individuals be in a palace or a hovel, makes no difference. Princes and peasants are all the same to them, so far as their mission is concerned, only they acknowledge constituted authority wherever they are. Of the affairs of nations, they have no opinion to express, for they are not sent to judge the world, but to save the world. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.9
The sum of the whole matter therefore is, that while Christ is supreme over everybody and every thing. He is to be left to exercise His supremacy in His own way and time. No men, not even His own followers, are to presume to exercise authority in His stead. He is indeed “The Prince of the kings of the earth,” but no man nor body of men is authorised to be His deputy in exercising dominion. Only Divinity can exercise Divine power. Christ Himself uses no force, neither over men as individuals, nor over nations, and therefore none of His followers can do so. He judges no man now, although all judgment has been committed to Him; because there is a day appointed when all shall stand before His judgment seat. Therefore His followers are to “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come.” Until that time they are to be content to be in this world even as He was-despised and rejected, pilgrims and strangers. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 231.10
“Looking at Others” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
Among the various reasons alleged by individuals for disregarding some of the requirements of God as set forth in the Scriptures-as for example, that of Sabbath observance-one quite frequently heard is, that many thousands of Christians in past times lived lives that were guided by the Holy Spirit, and yet did not observe the seventh day, which the Sabbath commandment requires. If I do as well as they, says the objector, God will accept me as He did them. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 232.1
But hold! You are not doing as well as they; for they lived in harmony with all that they knew of God’s requirements, and this you are not willing to do. Before the Reformation started, the good men who afterward espoused its cause were in the Church of Rome, holding and practising its erroneous doctrine; and from that day to this there has been a continuous unfolding of Divine truth which had been covered up by the rubbish of Romish traditions and dogmas; for the Reformation was not all accomplished in the days of Luther, but is yet going on in the proclamation of the Bible Sabbath, and in calling the attention of men to God’s word as the only infallible guide in all matters of Christian faith. The same issue is joined to-day that brought the conflict then; viz., the Bible against tradition, but-the power of God’s word against the power of man. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 232.2
But again; the Christian must not look to man, but only to God. The life of Christ is the example by which he is to shape his own life. Christ speaking through the prophet said, “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 14:22), and we are exhorted further to “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith.” Hebrews 12:1, 2. To whom, then, are you looking? Whatsoever is not in the life of Christ does not belong to Christianity; and whatsoever is in that life should be accepted by the Christian without any question. And such is Sabbath-keeping; for Christ kept the seventh-day Sabbath. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 232.3
“‘Backward and Romeward’” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
Under the above heading The Christian Commonwealth gives the following account of some of the doings in English churches on Easter Sunday. Whether the churches indulging in such heathenish ceremonies have gone backward or not, we cannot tell; but one thing is certain, and that is that if they have not gone backward, then they were never separated from Rome except in name. And while all this is going on, the majority of Protestants are laughing at Cardinal Vaughan’s expectation of some day seeing England brought back to the Roman Catholic Church. We do not see anything to laugh at. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.1
“The trumpet blasts of Archdeacon Farrar and the few other brave Protestant Church dignitaries seem to have evoked little interest. At any rate, the movement back to Rome goes steadily on all over the country. Are the English people being bewitched by the mummery, the millinery, the gewgaws, the mumbo-jumbo show, the vestments, the music, and the incense? It begins to appear that such is almost the case, for the High Anglican organs are making a very proud show of the Easter doings in a vast number of churches. And to what do these tend? Let anyone judge who exercises judgment at all. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.2
“At Chester Cathedral the Bishop ‘celebrated,’ and was vested in cope of cloth of gold and mitre. Only last week a correspondent of a London evening paper protested indignantly in view of a notice of a presentation of a ‘magnificent cope of stamped red velvet, richly embroidered with gold, and bearing figures of saints and of the Annunciation.’ A ‘morse’ given with it, is set with large carbuncles and amethysts, the probable cost being ?500. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.3
“At Hammersmith high celebration and procession at 11 o’clock, the priest was vested in a magnificent cope, attended by two acolytes in red cassocks and lace surplices. The high altar was covered with flowers, and looked very beautiful, with the large cross (lately presented to the church) and the numerous candles. Solemn evensong and procession was at 7, the church being again so full that people were obliged to sit in the chancel. It is evident enough that plenty of people can be found to enjoy such a sensuous display. The blunder is in supposing that there is any token in it all of a revival of religion. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.4
“At Harlesden a white silk chasuble was used for the first time. At St. Peter’s, London Docks, on Palm Sunday, High Mass was celebrated. The Bishop of Lebombo ‘assisted pontifically.’ PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.5
“At Notting Hill the high altar, with its tall ‘office’ lights, choice flowers, and small tapers, gave, it is boastfully said, ‘a thoroughly Catholic appearance to the church.’ So much the worse for the Protestantism of the Church in that London parish! PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.6
“Much is being said of the Oxford Mission in poor parishes. But the true character of that sort of mission begins to be seen in the report from Poplar that at St. Friedswide’s, the Christ Church (Oxford Mission), after the great events of Holy Week were duly solemnised, the great feast of Easter was ushered in at the 8.30 P.M. Evensong, when the blessing of the Paschal Candle took place-a high candle standing on the north side of the altar. The decorations were profuse, embracing the altar, chancel-screen, font, and the large picture of Our Lady. The celebrations of the Holy Communion were at 6, 7, 8, 9.45 and High Celebration at 11 A.M. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.7
“These are a few samples out of very many such records. They are ominous of progress the wrong way.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 233.8
“The Lamb of God” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.1
All the gold and silver in heaven and earth could not redeem man, or buy him back, after he had once sold himself to Satan. Nothing but the precious life of God in His only begotten Son could do it. His blood alone could cleanse from sin; His life alone could swallow up death. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.2
The promise that He would come and die to free man from the power of Satan, was the only hope of a lost world. His was the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we could be saved. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.3
All who would believe this promise, and confess their sins, and every day trust in the blood of Christ to cleanse them from sin, and in the power of His life to keep them from sin,—they should be the free sons of God, and finally have everything restored to them that they had lost. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.4
The pure, gentle, lovely Son of God had given Himself to die for ungrateful man,—the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty. Not a spot of sin could be found upon Him, not a blemish, or fault, of any kind. He was to be brought “as a lamb to the slaughter.” Guilty man was to be redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, “as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.5
God did not want men to forget this wonderful promise, for if he forgot it, it would do him no good. He could never be saved unless he remembered it and really believed it and confessed his sins. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.6
God therefore gave him something to do that would continually and most vividly remind him of the Saviour. If he did it just as God told him to, it would also show that he believed the promise and accepted God’s Son for his Saviour. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.7
God told him that he should build an altar of earth, or rough stone, lay wood upon it, kill a little lamb that was without spot or blemish, and lay it upon the altar and offer it up as a burnt offering,—and confess his sins. And God would hear him and cleanse him from sin, not with the blood of the lamb that he had slain, but with the blood of the Lamb of God in whom he had shown his faith. The little innocent lamb that lay bleeding before him could not save him, but it reminded him of the Lamb of God who could save him, and who was to be slain because of his sins. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.8
How sad Adam must have felt when he first raised his hand to take the life of an innocent lamb, and realised that his sin was going to take the life of the spotless Lamb of God! Never before had he looked upon a scene like that. Never before had death visited the fair new earth. And never could it have come to man or beast if he had obeyed his Creator’s voice. He must have realised then as he never had before the greatness of his sin, and the awfulness of death. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.9
But oh, as he raised his eyes to heaven and remembered the promise that the blood of God’s Lamb was to save him, how his heart must have thrilled with joy and how he must have bowed in wonder and adoration before the One who had loved him enough to give His own life to redeem him from eternal death! PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.10
And you, my dear child, have as much reason to be glad and thankful as Adam had. The promise was for you as much as for him. Look up, and think often of the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Whosoever will believe and yield to Him may at last stand before the throne of God with the happy company to have washed their robes from all sin and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.11
If you confess your sins and turn away from them with all your heart, He says that “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.12
Will you let Him cleanse you and give you His own pure life of righteousness? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.13
1. To whom did men belong when he was first placed upon the earth? Luke 3:38, last clause. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.14
2. Describe him, and tell what belonged to him. Genesis 1:26; 2; Psalm 8:5-9. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.15
3. To whom did he sell himself? 1 John 3:8. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.16
4. How did he sell himself to Satan? Romans 6:16. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.17
5. Did he better his condition in any way? Isaiah 52:3; Genesis 3:16-24. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.18
6. Must he always stay in that hopeless condition? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.19
7. Who promised to buy him back, or redeem him? Genesis 3:15;1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.20
8. How much did He promise to pay for him? 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Acts 20:28. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.21
9. Would not gold or silver do? Why not? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.22
10. Could not some other person do it? Acts 4:12. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.23
11. What made him willing to pay so much? John 3:16. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.24
12. Like what was He to be led to the slaughter? Isaiah 53:7. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.25
13. Like what kind of lamb? 1 Peter 1:18, 19. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.26
14. In what way was He like a lamb that had no spot or blemish? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.27
15. What did God tell man to do that he might not forget about this precious Lamb of God, and that he might show his faith in Him? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.28
16. Would anything else do for this offering as well as a lamb? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.29
17. Why would not fruit or grains do as well? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.30
18. Was man to offer this, as the heathen do their gods, to coax Him to feel kindly toward him?—No, for He already loved him, and was giving His life to save him. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.31
19. If when he did it just as God said, confessing his sins and believing that the blood of Christ cleansed him, what blessing would come to him while performing this service? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.32
20. Was it the lamb that cleansed him from sin? What, then? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.33
21. How do you suppose Adam felt when he offered his first lamb? Why? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.34
22. What had caused death to come into the world? Romans 5:12. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.35
23. But how must he have felt when he remembered the promise that the blood of God’s Lamb would save him from eternal death? PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.36
24. Had Adam any more reason to be glad and thankful that you have? Why not? Hebrews 2:9. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 237.37
“Interesting Items” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
-The ministerial crisis in Chili has been ended by the formation of a new Cabinet. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.1
-In China recently a man who killed his father was executed, and with him his school-master for not having taught him better. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.2
-Women station-mistresses have been substituted for men at 200 stations in Victoria. The men received ?150 a year; the now station-mistresses will only get ?20. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.3
-According to a telegram received at Cape Town from Dr. Jameson, the gold prospects in Matabeleland exceed expectation, and the pannings brought to Buluwayo are described as marvellous. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.4
-The total revenue of the United Kingdom for the financial year ended March 31, 1894, amounted to ?98,297,362. As compared with ?97,609,579 for the previous financial year, this shows an increase of ?687,788. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.5
-A fire broke out on April 3, in Shanghai, and speedily assumed alarming proportions. All through the night the flames continued to spread, and before they could be subdued, 1,000 houses had been destroyed. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.6
-It is announced by the New York Herald that the Freemasons of Argentina have appealed to the Prince of Wales, to President Cleveland, and to Marshal Peixoto of Brazil, on behalf of the Brazilian insurgents. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.7
-The Berlin Kreus Zeitung learns that as a result of the famous Hanover trial, in which gambling on a large scale was shown to exist among officers of the army, fifteen officers have been dismissed the service. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.8
-Colonel Sir Francis Scott, Inspector-General of Constabulary, has returned to Accra at the bead of the Ashantee Expeditionary Force. The objects of the expedition have been attained and the British flag has been accepted. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.9
-Serious strikes have broken out among the brick makers employed at the kilns at Hoboken, Rumpet, Niel, and Hemlxem, in the neighbourhood of Antwerp. The centre of the agitation is Hemlxem, the burgomaster of which place has asked for troops. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.10
-In the Spanish Cortes a Bill has been introduced for the suppression of Anarchism. It provides that all attempts against persons or buildings by the use of explosives will be punishable by death or penal servitude for life, where loss of life or injury to person results. Proportionate punishment is provided for in other cases. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.11
-A riot occurred in Kansas City on the 3rd inst., between the members of the American Protective Association and the Roman Catholics. One of the latter was killed by a deputy constable, who, as well as another Catholic, was shot dead. Several other persons were hurt. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.12
-A rupture has occurred between the two highest officials of the Theosophical Society, Col. Olcott and Mr. W. Q. Judge, over an alleged misuse by the latter of “the names and handwriting of the Mahatmas.” The offender has been requested to resign, but refuses to do so. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.13
-The marriages in England last year numbered 218,261, the births 914,189, and the deaths 569,923. The males born exceeded the females by 16,845, although in London there were more females born than males, while the male deaths in the metropolis were 2,108 more than the female. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.14
-It is telegraphed from New York that the Brazilian Cabinet is discussing a proposal to confiscate the property of Brazilian citizens and foreigners who have aided the insurgents. A decree is said to have been issued announcing that the insurgent refugees if surrendered will be shot. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.15
-Another bomb explosion; has occurred in Paris, at a fashionable restaurant just opposite the Paris Senate. A painter, M. Taillade and a lady who was with him were seriously hurt, and several persons sustained bruises or slight injuries. A man who was seen running away was stopped and taken into custody. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.16
-A telegram from New York reports a very serious strike among the coke workers of Western Pennsylvania. Outbreaks have taken place at various places in the district. In one case the strikers came into collision with armed deputy-sheriffs, and a workman was mortally wounded, while in another an engineer was killed. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.17
-A crisis has been reached in governmental affairs in Newfoundland, the Premier, Sir W. Whiteway, having ordered the Govern or to dissolve the Legislature owing to the circumstance that seventeen members of the Legislature have had petitions for bribery and corruption brought against them. The Governor has not yet given his decision in the matter. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.18
-The Provisional Government of Hawaii has passed a Bill to elect a convention for drafting a new constitution. The convention is to consist of the Provincial Council and eighteen delegates. The voters for the latter are restricted to residents of one year, who take oath to support the Government, and oppose the restoration of the Monarchy. The election will take place on May 2. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.19
-The use of carrier-pigeons has increased to such a degree that the French Government has decided to impose severe penalties upon all persons found keeping them without a licence, and to prohibit the importation of foreign-born pigeons, even when merely destined for pie purposes, the object being to prevent any possible carrying of news with regard to French military matters, should there be necessity. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.20
-The convention embodying the decisions of the International Sanitary Conference was signed in Paris on April 3, by the plenipotentiaries of Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, and Persia. The United States representatives agreed to the convention with certain reservations, while the Ottoman, Norwegian, and Swedish delegates accepted it ad referendum. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.21
-There has been serious rioting in South Carolina, attended with loss of life, owing to the Governor’s action in closing the illicit drinking shops, and the situation is still regarded as somewhat critical. The State authorities have control of the telegraph wires, and no telegrams are allowed to be sent off except such as are approved of by the Governor. Several counties are under martial law, and the Governor, in addressing the Militia, announced his determination of enforcing the law at all hazards. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.22
-There is growing distress among the labouring population of Audalusia, Spain. At San Lucar, near Cadiz, where riots occurred recently, bands of famishing workpeople pillaged the bakers’ shops, and their demeanour was so threatening that the few available police gave way before them. At the old town of Ecija, on the River Genil, in the province of Seville, there was rioting in the streets, and the municipality had to distribute 3,000 bread tickets in order to calm the mob. At Tarifa, near Gibraltar, 2,000 workpeople went to the town hall to demand work. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 238.23
“Back Page” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
One of the latest of the late features combining religion and entertainment, is a “sacred smoking concert.” PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.1
While Papal encyclicals have lately been enjoyed upon Catholics in France and Russian Poland the duty of submission to the civil authority, the Vatican has never been more outspoken in its refusal to submit to civil authority in Italy than at present. It was to the church in Rome that the apostle wrote “Let everyone be subject unto the higher powers.” But he wrote to a church whose kingdom, like that of its Master, was not of this world. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.2
The Independent (New York, U.S.A.), a journal and no reader of which would be likely to accuse of unfairness to Roman Catholic interests, publishes a table giving a comparison between Catholic and Protestant countries of Europe in the matter of school attendance. The comparison takes as a whole the Catholic countries France, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Austria, and Hungary, and the Protestant countries England, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, and Switzerland, and shows a ratio of 97 to 79 in favour of the latter. A comparison between Protestant and Catholic countries in America would show a much greater disparity in the same direction. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.3
A writer in the Journal of the German Palestine Society has been conducting investigations with a view to ascertaining where the “ten lost tribes” are, and has come to the conclusion that the ten tribes were never lost. He arrives at his conclusion “from the standpoint of modern Old Testament criticism, and data gleaned from the cuneiform literature of the Euphrates-Tigris valleys.” But this cannot be claimed, as the Christian Commonwealth thinks, as a victory for modern criticism. Thousands of people who know nothing of the “higher criticism” except the name, and who know no more of cuneiform inscriptions than they do of Chinese, have known from the simple reading of the Bible in the old-fashioned way, that there never was in reality any such thing as the lost tribes of Israel. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.4
“An Expensive Process” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
An Expensive Process.-It is well known that titles are sometimes bought by living persons; but it is not so generally known that it costs a large sum of money to secure the title of “Saint” from the Roman College for an individual who may have been dead for years or centuries. A Catholic magazine writer tells how expensive the process is. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.5
Testimony must be taken of facts in his life, secretaries hired, postage and telegrams paid, judges selected and requited for their services, a vast amount of correspondence done, printing, travelling, etc. You know how costs mount up in ordinary legal matters. Well, this is a legal matter, and of the nicest, most exact nature. There’s a great deal of evidence taken, and discussion without end, before a miracle can be proved and accepted as such; and all this must needs have doctors, priests, and other specialists to deliver their opinions in the most technical and formal way. In short, the expense reaches tens of thousands. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.6
“In the Minority” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
In the Minority.-It is a very human trait to feel a certain satisfaction in the belief that we are right and someone else is wrong. Now and then-and sometimes oftener-we find an individual who glories in the idea that he is in the minority, and that he alone knows the truth. Granting even that he has the form of doctrine, and that he is among the few that have it, he is yet fully with the great majority, who are pleased with themselves. The Christian always has been and always will be in the minority in this world. But he can glory only in one thing-that he knows the Lord. When one passes from this to glorying in the thought that he knows more of the Lord than some others, he manifests only his utter ignorance of the Lord. The believer who has really apprehended a truth unknown to others, knows that he has it not because of any superiority of his, but only as a gift of God to pass on to others. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.7
“The Crucifixion of Jesus” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
The Crucifixion of Jesus.-The Jew hater who thinks he hates Jews because his fathers crucified Christ would himself have joined in the cry, “Crucify Him!” had he lived then; for it was an ignorant hatred that inspired it. But the Jewish people have suffered heightened persecution for the deed of their fathers, and it is not unnatural that they should wish to shift the responsibility from their father’s shoulders. In the Jewish journal Menorah, a writer says of the Jew:— PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.8
He has only one important request to make of Christian teachers and preachers-namely, that they desist from teaching their schoolchildren and congregations the prevailing error that the Jews have crucified Jesus of Nazareth. Because of this error, the believing world look upon the Jew through an imperfect medium, it is this error which has caused so much prejudice, bitter hatred, and unjust persecution. If it were once corrected, the way would be opened for the correction of many other errors. Let the truth be told that not the Jews but the Romans crucified the great Nazarene teacher. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.9
It is a pitiful protest against that declaration of the Jewish populace, “His blood be upon us, and on our children.” The accursed legacy has been a heavy load. Only a few days after the resurrection the rulers were ready to deny their awful responsibility. They commanded the disciples to be silent and said, “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” The Lord sent the word of pardon to those who were red-handed in the guilt, and by this same word He speaks peace to us all; for we all have had a partnership in the cruel death. Those who hate the Jews for his father’s sake should remember that there is such a thing as crucifying the Son of God afresh. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.10
“‘Honourable Woman’” The Present Truth 10, 15.
E. J. Waggoner
“Honourable Woman.”-It is somewhat remarkable that the Catholic Times, professing a regard for the rights of men, should glory in the fact that a Protestant church in Madrid has been closed by the authorities. The Spanish correspondent of this journal tells how it was done. “The continued energetic protest of the aristocratic ladies of Madrid have borne fruits.” The Ministry held out against them for a time, yet “they still laboured and left nothing undone to foil the designs of the proselytisers, working within the constitution and the articles of the Concordat with our Holy See.” So it was with the apostles at Antioch. The “devout and honourable women” were stirred up by the Jews, and Paul and Barnabas were expelled. PTUK April 12, 1894, page 240.11