The Present Truth, vol. 10
May 24, 1894
“Front Page” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Jesus was on His way to the house of Jairus, “as He went the people thronged Him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, either could be healed of any, came behind Him, and touched the border of His garment; and immediately her issue of blood stanched.” Luke 8:42-44. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.1
“The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Leviticus 17:11. Therefore the poor woman’s life was steadily passing away. From Jesus she obtained that of which she stood in need, namely, life. Jesus said that power had gone from Him. Life from Him went into the woman, and gave her new life. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.2
The miracles of Jesus were recorded that we might believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we might have life through His name. John 20:31. He came for the purpose of giving life to as many as would believe on Him (John 3:16); and the healing of the woman is an illustration of the reality of the life that He gives. It is not a matter of theory, but a fact. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.3
“Out of the heart are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. The law of God was in the heart of Jesus. Psalm 40:8. Therefore the life of Christ is the righteousness of the law of God. It is the perfection of the law in a living form. And therefore the life which believers in Christ obtain, is the righteousness of God’s law, of obedience to the ten commandments. Without that life of Christ received, it is as impossible for a man to keep the law, as for a dead man to walk. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.4
In order to receive this life from Jesus, we must come close to Him, as the poor woman did. Her case shows us what it is to be near to the Lord. There were certainly others who were nearer to Jesus in body than she was; because the throng round Jesus was so great that she could only reach through and touch the hem of His garment. Yet she got near enough to receive life from Him, while the others did not. It was her faith that made her near to Him, and that saved her. Even so we are exhorted to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Hebrews 10:22. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.5
“The Spirit’s Sword” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The Spirit’s Sword.-Sometimes people who find in the word of God truths which they do not wish to obey declare that the Spirit tells them they are right. But the Spirit and the word agree, and what the Spirit speaks is by the word. The “sword of the Spirit,” says inspiration, “is the word of God.” One may be sincere in arraying the Spirit against the word; but such an one is fearfully deceived. The clamour of the flesh, which shrinks from obedience, is interpreted as the voice of the Spirit. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.6
“Is Christ Divided?” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Is Christ Divided?-Jesus Christ is the Truth. All truth is in Him, and He is the Word, and He declared, “Thy Word is truth.” Then when a person says he will believe something, but does not want to believe other truths that are stated in the Scriptures, he virtually attempts to divide Christ-to take a little and reject a little. Some like to believe anything that does not disturb their ease, or inconvenience them, but fight against believing plain words of God pointing out sins to be given up, and duties to be performed. Such a course is not only inconsistent but wicked. Christ is not divided. He is crucified; and when men shrink from the cross they find in any truth they are really refusing to be crucified with Him, and reject Him. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.7
“The Two Deposits” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The Apostle Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12. The literal rendering (see margin of R.V.) is, “He is able to keep my deposit.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.8
He had deposited his life with the Lord against that day “when Christ who is our life shall appear.” People usually put their valuable possessions in the safe deposit or the bank for safe keeping, because they are afraid of losing them. It is dangerous to carry about large sums of money. The apostle knew that he was powerless to keep himself; that the only safe place for his life was with the Lord. So he deposited himself in the bank of heaven, knowing that there was perfect safety there. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.9
If all who are worrying over the conduct of life, fearful of losing their souls, would just make a full deposit with the Lord, they would learn Paul’s peaceful confidence. If a child of God who finds the way hard, and is fearful lest the strength promised should fail, will deposit all the cares with God, the burden will be loosed and the abiding rest will be found. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.10
The rich man who deposits his gold in the bank is not required to stand by to guard the deposit. The bank takes the responsibility of holding it. In these days of bank failures the depositor may be anxious for the safety of his funds, it is true. But when we put ourselves, our life, into the hands of God, we know whom we believe, and know that He is able to keep the deposit. There is no anxious thought for the future where there is a full and complete deposit and perfect confidence. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 321.11
The apostle speaks of another deposit. “The good deposit,” he charges Timothy,—“that good thing which was committed unto thee”—“guard through the Holy Ghost.” Verse 14, R.V. The Lord takes our life as a deposit with Him, and deposits with us His life, His grace, and “the faith of Jesus.” He commits to the believer this life that He may reveal it to sinners who have not the life. It is to be guarded by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is given to all who believe. Only by this power can the sacred trust be held. When Paul was about to die, he said, “I have kept the faith.” The one who puts His life in the keeping of the Lord will be able to keep the faith committed to him, and to those who make the deposit and keep the deposit will be given the crown of life and righteousness “in that day.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.1
Have you committed your whole life to God? Are you keeping the faith of Jesus? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.2
“Miracles and the Gospel” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Miracles and the Gospel.-When John sent from his prison to know if Jesus was indeed the expected Messiah, Jesus had the messenger stand by while He was healing the people, raising the dead, and doing mighty works. Then He said to them, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and to the poor the Gospel is preached.” Luke 7:22. But Jesus is not the only one who works miracles. The spirits of devils do them also. Revelation 16:14. False Christs and false prophets work miracles to deceive. See Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13:12-14; 19:20. Miracles by themselves, therefore, are not necessarily a proof of one’s Divine authority; and Christ did not depend on them alone to test His Divine mission. “Unto the poor the Gospel is preached.” It was by His words, more than by His miracles, that men were convinced. The rough soldiers who were sent to seize Him, saying, “Never man spake like this Man.” John 6:46. And so we are thrown back upon the word as the only test. If the ones who perform great signs and wonders are in any point opposed to the plain word of God,—if they seek in any degree to weaken its force, or to show that it does not mean what it says,—know at once that they are not of God. “To the law, and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.3
“A Personal Message to You” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the Gospel, “Without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears.” 2 Timothy 1:3, 4. Many readers of the Bible pass over passages like this, getting no comfort or encouragement from them, as they seem to them to be restricted in their application to those immediately addressed. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.4
But who put this feeling into the heart of the apostle? It was Christ, of course. “Christ liveth in me,” said Paul. The apostle is dead, and cannot address to us the sympathetic message that he sent to Timothy; and yet those words show the feeling of Christ our Lord, toward every toiling child of the Gospel to-day. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.5
Without ceasing He remembers us, and prays for us, too. When Peter was once about to go into sore trial, the Lord said to him, “I have prayed for thee.” Do you wish that you might hear the same words in your trial of faith? You have them. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” That means you, if you believe on Jesus through the word. Even now He remembers His own, and makes intercession for them, marks their trials and tears, and longs to see them in His kingdom. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.6
“Justifying God and Being Justified” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Justifying God and Being Justified.—“And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” Luke 7:29, R.V. John preached the baptism of repentance, and those who were baptized by him confessed their sins. Thus they justified God; for it is God who declares that “all have sinned;” and whosoever confesses that he has sinned, thereby declares God’s justice. He confesses that God is just in His sayings and in His judgments, as David said in his confession, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest.” Psalm 51:4. But “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. If we justify God, we shall partake of His justness. God has no good thing that is not for His children; and we get His goodness by acknowledging it. If we recognise and acknowledge His power, we receive of that power. If we truly acknowledge the perfect righteousness of His word in every particular, we shall be filled with that righteousness. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.7
“Looking at the Difficulties” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
When the Apostle Paul was convicted of sin and shown his duty, he says, “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” The Lord had spoken, he knew it; and he neither went about to ask men if he should yield to the Lord, nor took counsel with his own natural feelings and tendencies. It meant an entire change in his life, separation from his former co-religionists, and the renunciation of all the world; but what was all that when dealing with the Lord of all? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.8
The man who settles once for all that the Lord is God, will save himself anxiety and worry and sinful procrastination which makes the service of the Lord appear so hard to the man who, when conviction comes from the word of God, goes about to take counsel with men or with his fears. If the Lord says a thing, that is established, and the person who lays hold upon it will find that the Lord will take all the responsibility of fulfilling His word. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.9
When we begin to conjure up the difficulties in the way of following the Lord, it shows that we do not believe Him to be the God revealed in the Bible. The word that reveals a duty to us does not show it to make it hard for us, but offers in the very word the power which will bless us by enabling us to do the duty, and by making known the joy of following the Lord. When we look at the selfish side of the problem we turn away from the power and the blessing, and of course the demand seems hard and impossible. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.10
Some “hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the loss of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:19. The word has power to make the fruit abound in blessed obedience and peace. But when anxiety for self and temporal things chokes the word, and does not allow it a place in the heart, there is no fruit. The secret of Christian service is in believing that the Lord means just what He says, and that He is just what He says He is. Then instead of hesitating and distrusting, the believer will take counsel with God, who is “wonderful in counsel,” and the life will be a happy walk with God. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 322.11
“Do You Want to Know the Truth?” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
“Seek, and ye shall find,” said Jesus. The person who wants to know the truth, and seeks to know it, will find it. The way to look for it is to search for it as the man in the parable searched for the treasure that was hid in the field. He really wanted to find it, and was willing to give up all that he possessed for it. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.1
The attitude of the one who is inquiring about truth makes all the difference between getting it and losing it. “If any man will do His will, he shall know the doctrine.” John 7:17. If a man does not want to do the will of God, he can easily deceive himself by shutting his eyes to the light. He who sets his heart to learn the will of God in any matter, at whatever cost to self, will get the light. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.2
The complaint is sometimes made that there are so many conflicting theories that one does not know what to believe. We have no business to believe anything but the word of God. Anyone who wants to know God’s will will find it in the word. Multitudes of souls are being deceived, for the time has come when the devil has come down, “having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12. His deceptions are so subtle, that if possible he would deceive the very elect. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.3
The only safe attitude is to be truly seeking to know the Lord’s will. When the Lord speaks, the genuine seeker knows that what He says is truth, because His name is Faithful and True. The seeking will be to learn what He says, not to find out if He means what He says. Just here is the danger. One who is seeking to be convinced that the Lord does not mean just what He says, is very sure to be successful, at the peril of his soul. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.4
When men are convinced of a truth, and are looking for some way to avoid yielding obedience to it, they have a powerful ally at hand to help them. We are told that as the enemy nears the time when his work will be cut short by the coming of the Lord, he will work “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.5
It is the love of the truth, for truth’s sake, that we must have. Then it will make no difference whether it is popular and pleasant to the natural heart or not. We shall search for it and find it and obey it; for Jesus Christ is the Truth and the Life. Receiving the love of the truth is receiving the love of Christ. Rejecting a truth, or seeking for some way to evade it, is rejecting the Lord, its Author, because of the cross. Those who love the Lord, glory in the cross. “They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward.” Jeremiah 50:5. They shall know the way of the Lord, and delight in it. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.6
“The Educational Battle” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
ROME SCORES A POINT
Under this heading the Catholic Times of May 4 begins an editorial thus:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.7
Catholics throughout every part of the country will rejoice that their leaders have at last taken a decisive step in the educational struggle. The bishops at their Low Week meeting drew up a series of resolutions on the subject, which have just been published, and under the presidency of the Cardinal-Archbishop a committee has been appointed to draft a Bill which will in due course be presented to Parliament. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.8
The main points and the resolutions above referred to are these: That Catholic parents cannot accept for their children a system of education in which secular instruction is wholly divorced from education in their religion. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.9
That the only system of religious education which Catholic parents can accept for their children is that given under the authority and direction of the Catholic Church. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.10
That to take the management of schools intended for Catholic children out of the hands of Catholics, and to place it in the hands of public rate-payers, is “a violation of parental rights, to be resisted as an unwarrantable attack upon religious liberty.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.11
“That Catholic public elementary schools, satisfying the demands of the Education Department, have a right to as full a share of public money, whether from the rates or from the taxes, as any other public elementary schools in the country; and that it is unjust to deprive them of it because of the religious instruction required by the parents, which is given to the children attending such schools.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.12
“That, in the present religious condition of England, the State ought to observe a consistent and strict impartiality in respect to religious education, whether given in voluntary or in Board Schools; and to distribute for ‘maintenance,’ to all public elementary schools fulfilling the requirements of the Education Department, an equal proportionate share of the public money collected for public elementary education.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.13
“That compulsory State education is an intolerable tyranny, unless due regard be paid by the State to the education of the children in their own religion.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.14
“That Catholics, deeply impressed with all that is involved in the issue of popular education, are now compelled to assert their just claim to a full share of the public money raised for the purposes of elementary education.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.15
This is, in brief, and largely in their own words, the Catholic position. As before stated, the Cardinal and his bishops are at work upon a Bill to be presented to Parliament at a fit time, which, if passed, will give to the Catholics all that they desire. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.16
The Catholics have chosen their time well. The circular which has been issued, and which has cost so much controversy in the School Board, is to the effect that teachers are to give instruction in “the Christian religion.” Now the Catholic Church claims to be Christian, and the majority of Protestants allow the claim. Therefore by the decision of the majority of the School Board, the Catholics are justified in their claim for a proportionate share in the public money. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.17
From the point of view that it is the duty of the State to provide religious instruction for the people, the Catholic claim is unanswerable; for it is very evident to all that the State has the right to insist on giving children religious instruction to which their parents object; and if religious instruction is to be given, it must be given by those who profess the religion to be taught. Consistency and common fairness, therefore, demand that all who believe that public schools ought to teach religion, shall acquiesce in the demand made by the Catholics. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 323.18
Unfortunately all but a very small and insignificant minority are committed to the idea of State instruction in religion. Those who have protested against the School Board circular have had no case, because they continually asserted their belief that religion should be taught in the public schools. Thus their protest against the proposal to make such instruction definite was deprived of all force. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.1
The dignitaries of the Church of England have just placed another weapon in the hands of the Roman Catholics. Until recently King’s College, London, has been receiving ?1700 a year from the Government. This has now been discontinued on the ground that the college is a religious institution. A meeting was recently held under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in which was voted “that the action of the Government in laying down rules for the appointment of the Parliamentary grant to university colleges, by which any college founded on the religious basis of King’s College is excluded, is illiberal and oppressive.” Lord Salisbury characterised the action as “spontaneous, gratuitous, and arbitrary persecution.” King’s College is now in exactly the same condition as the Catholic schools; and every statement made concerning it will apply equally to them. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.2
We do not by any means expect that as a general thing either churchmen or Nonconformists will agree that the Catholics ought to be given a share of the public money, to be used in instructing their children in the Catholic religion. They thought only of themselves when contending for religious instruction, to be supported with public money; but now they may see that they were all the time working for the Roman Catholics, who are determined to reap the full benefit. They cannot oppose the Catholic claim without giving up their own claim, and even if they should do that it would not deprive the Catholics of the advantage that they have gained. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.3
Thus Rome steadily moves ahead, assisted by professed Protestants. This is a case that is worth watching. It may be that it will result in bringing many professed Protestants to stand on real Protestant ground, namely, that the State and Christianity have no manner of connection, and that the true church asks for and accepts no aid from any power except God. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.4
“The Geography of the Kingdom” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The citizenship of the believer is in the spiritual kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. That kingdom is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,” a blessed kingdom in which to live. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.5
Surely, did men only believe that there is such a kingdom they would go far to find it, to escape from the turmoil and strife and trouble in the kingdoms of this world. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.6
The exiled apostle, John, found the kingdom on the “isle that is called Patmos,” to which he was banished “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In his letter to the church he speaks of himself as their “companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.7
The brethren scattered abroad shared with the apostle the kingdom of joy and peace, and no tribulation could take it from them. Wherever the believers went they were to preach the Gospel and say, “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Christ said this to the wicked Pharisees; and to the scribe who answered discreetly He said, “Thou art not far from the kingdom.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.8
It lies so near to all men that it is but one step into it. The most wicked man who turns to Jesus, who but looks unto Him, shall live; and that life is the life of the kingdom-the righteousness, the peace, and the joy of the Holy Ghost. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.9
Only a step to Jesus!
Believe, and thou shalt live:
Lovingly now He’s waiting,
And ready to forgive.
PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.10
Only a step to Jesus!
A step from sin to grace:
What has thy heart decided?
The moments fly apace.
PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.11
Men do not realise how near God is, with His kingdom of grace. A foot-weary and heart-sore wanderer from home and from truth once laid down in the wilderness to sleep, with a stone for his pillow. When he awoke he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.... How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:16, 17. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.12
The gate of heaven is at the feet of every sinner, and yet men hesitate, and go on in the mad rush of business and pleasure knowing nothing of the rest and joy of Christ, thinking of it-if they give it a thought-as being something afar off, a kingdom fanciful and unreal, because it is a spiritual kingdom. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.13
But the believer knows the geography of the kingdom. He breathes its invigorating atmosphere every day, and knows that neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor height, nor depth, nor any creature can separate him from it. The citizen of this kingdom of righteousness must submit himself to the righteousness of its rule, but loyalty to the law of the kingdom is liberty and life, and joy and peace. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.14
“Tolerance” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
When you are inclined to feel intolerant toward others, stop and ask yourself how long the Lord has tolerated you; and consider whether you had not better devote your energies first to setting yourself right in His sight, before attempting to make other people set themselves right in your sight. And then ask yourself if you cannot love your fellow instead of regarding him with a feeling of tolerance, seeing that God, through all your own perverseness and sinfulness, has loved you. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.15
“The Labour Problem” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The greatest problem that confronts the statesmen of the world to-day is the labour problem. For years they have been trying to solve this problem, but their efforts have not been successful. On the contrary, its aspect has been growing more serious year by year, and thoughtful minds are beginning to see with alarm that it carries political and social earthquakes in its train. We have reached the time of “distress of nations, with perplexity,” foretold in the prophecy of our Saviour, and men’s hearts are “failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth.” We may shut our eyes to these things and refuse to look beyond the narrow compass of our own individual affairs, but the facts of the situation remain, and sooner or later will find us out, whether we find them out or not. In view of this, there is only one wise course to pursue, and that is to open our eyes to the truth, however unwelcome, and prepare ourselves to meet the issue before us. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.16
And this is not, to anyone, a hopeless task. We have the truth, and it only remains for us to open our eyes and hearts to receive it. God’s word is truth (John 17:17), and that word is not silent in matters which concern both our temporal and spiritual welfare. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105) in times of peril, as well as in the days of safety. And by its counsel we may know exactly how to meet the issue that is coming. It is time now to gather our wisdom from that word, rather than from political speeches and the utterances of the press. Luke 21., Mark 13., and Matthew 24., will afford us a clearer view into the future than all the oracular sayings of statesmen and politicians. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 324.17
There is but one solution of the labour question, and that is contained in the words of Christ: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What the labouring men of the world need is rest in the Lord; not idleness, but rest. They do not know that they need this; they have never known it. But Christ knew it, and knows it to-day. Those who come to Him will find rest and satisfaction, and life will become to them a plain path to the realisation of the heart’s longings and aspirations. But those who will not come to Him will never find what they need elsewhere, no matter how many plans they may devise for lifting themselves up to the elysium of their dreams. No man can, by taking hold of himself, raise himself into the air. The base metals of fallen human nature cannot, by any alchemy of the human mind, be transmuted into the gold of love, joy, and peace. These are the fruits of the Spirit,—the result of the touch of the magic figure of God. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20, 21. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.1
The only message that has in it light and wisdom and hope for the human race, or any power to elevate them above their present plane of existence, is the message of the Gospel. The political messages of the day, of which so many are being heard, are the preaching of the power of man unto salvation. The Gospel message is the preaching of the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16. Can we hesitate in deciding which one of these to choose and obey? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.2
“Ten Lepers” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
At one time Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of whom had enough appreciation of the favour to return and give thanks. Those nine lepers were not the only ungrateful ones whom Jesus healed. Yet we do not read that He took back what He had done, or that He expressed regret that He had bestowed charity upon people so unworthy. He was the manifestation of the Father in heaven, who “maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good; and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Yet many professed followers of God carefully weigh the fitness of everyone before they render assistance, and feel terribly chagrined if they have been led to bestow alms upon one who proves to be below their standard. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.3
“Christ and the ‘Living Wage’” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
No person ever took so great an interest in the welfare of human beings as did the Lord Jesus Christ. No person can take so great an interest in them as He does to-day. But the method which He took to relieve the woes of humanity, and raise mankind to a higher plane of life, was not that of the men who have so much to say nowadays about the “living wage;” although some of these, both in Church circles and out, would have us think that Christ would stand exactly in their place and speak their words if He were here. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.4
Recently we saw it announced that the Rev. Mr.—would on the following Sunday discuss the question, “Why did Christ demand a living wage for a one-hour day?” referring, presumably, to the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The Saviour was not forgetful of the physical wants of men when He ministered among them, but He never occupied the position of a socialist, or Labour agitator, or a politician, or a statesmen, Christ was none of these; and he ever put first before men that which was spiritual, and through this reached and relieved their physical wants, and bettered the circumstances and prospects of their lives. He knew—what men now need to know—that the only uplifting power in the world among men is the Gospel of God. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.5
The socialist and Labour questions existed in the days of Christ just as they exist in our day; no doubt with some difference of feature and detail, but the same in general aspect. We read that great multitudes followed Christ in His journeys throughout Judea, and it is plain that their interest in Him was not all due to the spirituality of His teachings. No doubt they consisted largely of the unemployed, or those who had no pressing and constant occupation. And on one occasion, when they numbered above five thousand, He gave them all a free dinner. Let us notice this instance. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.6
After commanding the multitude to sit down, He took the five loaves and the two fishes which His disciples had, and blessed them, and then commanded His disciples to distribute them among the multitude; and “they did all eat and were filled.” And in the account given by John (chap. 6:1-15) we read that “when Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.” The man who could create for them loaves and fishes, was just the kind of a king that they wanted. Here was a solution of the Labour question-the wants of men supplied without any cost to themselves, or any burden upon the Government, or any doubtful dependence upon politicians and statesmen. Who would ask anything better than this at the present time? Yet there is something better even than this, and it is what all men can have if they will take it. It is the Gospel. That is God’s way of bettering the condition of mankind, labouring classes and all. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.7
When Jesus again saw the multitude (for we read that they came again seeking Him), He said to them, “Ye seek Me, but not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” This reveals the thought which actuated them in their attempt to make Him a king. But the Saviour immediately added, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.” This is God’s counsel on the Labour question, and it is the best counsel on the subject that was ever given. Then does not God have regard for the physical needs of men? Most certainly; the Saviour, speaking of these needs in His sermon on the mount, said, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:32, 33. The only trouble is, that men will not take God at His word and put in practice the instruction He has given. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.8
In the miracle of the Saviour which the multitude had witnessed, was a most valuable lesson which they might have learned on this point; namely, that man does not need very much, if he only has with it the blessing of God. A little, with His blessing, becomes a large amount. And as God blessed the loaves and fishes then for the good of the multitude, so He will bless them now for the good of any of His creatures; for He is not partial, and never changes. Loaves and fishes are the labouring man’s food. And the labouring man to-day may for the asking have God’s blessing upon his food and all that he has, and find in that the solution of his difficulties; for “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22. Riches without care or sorrow! Surely no one would ask for more than this. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 325.9
“The Same Thing” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The Same Thing.-It is not the name but the soul of the thing that determines its character. Roman Catholic authorities recognise the fact that their doctrines are being spread among the people by the dominant party of the Church of England, the High Church branch. Professor St. George Mivart wrote a few months ago in the Nineteenth Century as follows:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.1
The English people are sadly inaccessible to the Catholic clergy on accountable of old habits and traditional prejudices, and modern Catholic worship is often strange and repellent to them. But the Ritualistic ministers of the Establishment can easily obtain a hearing, and succeed in scattering the good seed of Roman doctrines far and wide. We now frequently meet with devout practices which, forty years ago, were unheard of, save to be denounced and scouted outside the small Catholic body. But Ritualists are rapidly making the word Protestant to stink in the nostrils of their congregations, and causing them to regard it as a detestable form of belief. Thus, not only are our ancient churches being renovated and decorated in the Roman spirit, and so prepared for us, but congregations to fill them are being gathered together. The devout and noble-minded men who form the advance party, are preparing the way for a great increase of the Catholic Church in England. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.2
“Nourishing Diet” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Nourishing Diet.-The science of cookery has no doubt made progress, but at the same time it is unquestionably the case that too much attention has been given to the mere pleasing of the palate. The departure from the old-time simplicity of diet has not been a reform in the right direction. The report has just been made by Mr. Wilson Fox, of the Labour Commission, for districts in the West of Ireland. He says: “Evidence is overwhelming that the food now partaken of by the people, though of more refined quality, and more in accordance with modern ideas, is not nearly so strengthening, and in consequence, the actual physical superiority of the people is deteriorating.” White bread and tea now take the place of the strengthening oatmeal stirabout and milk. A Westmeath labourer said to the commissioner: “The children are spoilt in their youth from not having any milk. The people are killing themselves with tea, and do not do so much work in consequence. Stirabout and milk used to be a great thing for them.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.3
“The Lord’s Day” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The Apostle John, in beginning the account of the wonderful revelations given him on the isle Patmos, states in the following words the time when he had his visions: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” Revelation 1:10. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.4
What day was that? What is the Lord’s day? Most people would doubtless answer without a moment’s thought or hesitation that it is Sunday, the first day of the week. But the most prompt reply needs the backing of proof; and so we ask again: Is there anything by which we may certainly know which day of the week is the Lord’s day? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.5
One thing is sure, and that is that our information, in order to be trustworthy, must come from the Bible. It is not what men think, but what the Bible says, that must be our guide. The expression, “the Lord’s day,” is found only this once in the Bible, but we are told so plainly in the Scriptures which day is the Lord’s day, that there is no need for any doubt. Let us read some of the statements. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.6
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy works; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8-10. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.7
Then we read the words of the Lord in Isaiah 58:13, 14: “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; ... then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.8
Now let us read once more the words of Christ the Lord. He was walking through the fields on the Sabbath day, when some of the Jews found fault with His disciples for plucking and eating the ears of corn. They accused them of breaking the Sabbath, but Jesus maintained that they were not breaking it, and declared, “The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.9
Can there be any question as to what day of the week is referred to in these texts? None whatever. They all refer to the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday, the day which the Jews professed to regard, and which many of them do still. The day immediately preceding the first day of the week, is the day that in the New Testament is declared to be “the Sabbath according to the commandment.” See Luke 23:54-56; 24:1. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.10
We know also that it was on the seventh day of the week that the disciples plucked and ate the corn; for the Jews accused them of Sabbath-breaking; and the seventh day of the week-the day before Sunday-is the day that the Jews have always regarded as the Sabbath. Notice also that Jesus, in harmony with His own commandment, spoke of the same day as the Sabbath, and called Himself its Lord. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.11
What then do we learn from these texts? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.12
1. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. It is therefore His day. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.13
2. The Lord calls the Sabbath “My holy day.” The Sabbath therefore is the Lord’s day. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.14
3. Christ Himself declares that He is the Lord of the Sabbath day. And the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week-the day before Sunday. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.15
Therefore the seventh day of the week (Saturday)-the Sabbath-is the Lord’s day. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.16
John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day; the seventh day of the week, known in these days as Saturday, is the Lord’s day; therefore it was on the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, that John was in the Spirit, and had his wonderful visions. No other day is ever called the Lord’s day in the Bible, and no other day has the slightest right to that title. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.17
“Critics not Students” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Critics not Students.-It is well known that an art critic is not usually an artist. He does not take the brush into his own hands, neither does he instruct others how to paint; he simply points out defects, or what he is pleased to call defects; he does not tell how those defects may be remedied or avoided, because he does not know. The literary critic, in like manner, is not a writer of books; he simply finds fault with, or approves, as his judgment or disposition may dictate, the work of others. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.18
Even so it is with the Bible critic. He is not often a real Bible student. To be sure he studies, and he necessarily has a degree of familiarity with the Bible; but one who adopts the profession of critic cannot at the same time devote time to straightforward, thorough study. The man who is reverently searching the deep things of God, has neither the time nor the disposition to be a critic. The critic will attract more attention in the world than the student, even as a balloon will attract more attention than a modest cottage. Still it is better to be a humble student than a boastful critic. The charity that builds up is better than the knowledge that puffs up. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 326.19
“Notions About the Church” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The church of Christ is the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Ghost, made up of men and women who have been born anew, begotten by the word of God. Membership is not gained by assent to this or that form of words, or by any formal profession. It is a life with and in Christ, an abiding in the Vine continually. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.1
Strange ideas are abroad nowadays about the nature of the church. It is popular to patronise Christianity, and to talk in religious phraseology. Almost every scheme must be ticketed “Christian” in order to be considered respectable. Now statesmen talk about making a church as they make the navy, and we hear about “labour” churches, “civic” churches, and the like. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.2
The other day an energetic and somewhat famous reformer on these lines advised certain theatrical performers to organise themselves into a Christian church to secure their rights. Commenting on this the Women’s Signal says that really every trade union is a branch of the Christian church, and adds that “the most effectual way to preach the Gospel among many classes is to urge them to form associations.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.3
How far short, according to this, did Jesus and the apostles come in their preaching. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” was the word in those days; and this, too, was the Gospel which was preached to the poor. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.4
The reversal of the Gospel in these days, putting material things first, is making it another Gospel entirely. It is making the interests of self first, instead of teaching men to renounce self and put themselves into the hands of a Saviour who saves from sin, and in that salvation gives something that makes men rich though in poverty, and joyful in tribulation. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.5
It is so easy to allow oneself to be carried along by the newest fashions in religion, that many sincere people think this labelling of everything as Christian means that the world is becoming Christianised. Loose thinking about the Gospel is a sin; for man’s eternal destiny depends upon obedience to it. Injustice to the poor and oppression of the weak is rampant in a selfish world, but the greatest injustice that could be done under the sun is to give sinners the idea that Christianity is summed up in the possession of material advantages. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.6
“Religion the Change of a Cloak” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Before the marriage of the Princess Alix, of Hesse, to the heir to the Russian throne, she must go through the form of changing her religion. It having been first decided that she will embrace the Greek religion, she is soon to go under the instruction of a famous ecclesiastic, to learn what that faith is. Unfortunately such views of the nature of religion are not confined to officialdom. Many people seem to regard it as something that can be put on or off, or changed with the fashion, as they would change a cloak. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.7
“Death Abolished” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
The greatest act of abolition ever accomplished was that performed by the Lord Jesus Christ when He abolished death. We read of this in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, where the apostle exhorts his fellow-worker to be partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel, “According to the power of God; who have saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” The purpose and grace of God toward us were given us in Christ before the world began, He being the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world;” and therefore men have shared in all ages all the provisions of the Gospel, and by the Gospel death has in all ages been virtually abolished, although the fact was not brought plainly and vividly “to light” until the day of Christ’s resurrection. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.8
That death was abolished was the import of Christ’s language to the Sadducees, where He cited the words of God, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” and added, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 22:32. Though Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were dead, God counted them as alive, because they were to come up at the resurrection of the just. With God, the eternal One, to whom a thousand years are as a day and as a watch in the night, time is counted as nothing; for it is nothing in relation to eternity. Those things therefore which exist in the purpose of God, though they now be not, He counts as though they were. Romans 4:17. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.9
The abolition of death means the abolition of the law by which it works; and so we find the Christian’s testimony to be that “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from of law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2. This baleful law has been repealed by a stronger Power than the power for which it came, and all men are at liberty to avail themselves of this freedom. And so to all who do so, death, though “the last enemy that shall be destroyed,” is even now virtually abolished. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.10
“Liberty and Law” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Liberty and Law.-The idea that civil laws are the preservers or destroyers of religious liberty, or of the freedom of each to practice what religion he pleases, which is commonly miscalled religious liberty, should be dissipated by the fact that in the most enlightened countries, and when the greatest personal liberty prevails, there are still on the statute book some of the most intolerant laws. Last week we referred to the Bill for the abolition of some of these relics of ancient bigotry in England. They could be enforced now as well as at any previous time, if there was the disposition to do so. And although they may be abolished, it would be but a slight matter to re-enact them, if a persecuting spirit should once more prevail among the people. No persecution has ever ceased because the laws which justified it were repealed; but in every case the laws have been repealed because a spirit of justice had caused a persecution to cease, so that the laws were no longer needed to give it the colour of respectability. Law does not make, but follows, popular feeling. Therefore the only true way to advance religious liberty is to instil the principles of the Gospel into the people. When these exercise a controlling influence over even unbelieving men, there will be no persecution, no matter how many intolerant laws stand on the books; such laws will be dead letters. But when the principles of the Gospel are spurned, the most liberal laws will afford but the name of religious liberty, and the people will either repeal them, or find an excuse to persecute in spite of them. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 327.11
“Hearing Abraham’s Gospel” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Hearing Abraham’s Gospel.-The Gospel was preached in the days of Abraham. Not only so, but we who live in this nineteenth century are admonished to take heed to that Gospel and that preaching. It is the same Gospel that has been preached in all ages,—the Gospel which is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16. Of this preaching we are told that “the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:8. It was preached also to Abraham’s descendants, those “whose carcasses fell in the wilderness,” who “because of unbelief” could not enter into the promised rest. Hebrews 3:17-19. The promise of rest and inheritance is the Gospel, since it comes through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13. And now the exhortation comes, “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them.” Hebrews 4:1, 2. In preaching the Gospel to Abraham and to them, God also preached it to us, who are the children of Abraham by faith. Very profitable is it, therefore, to consider Abraham and the promises made to him. Unless we do, we shall be ignorant of what the Gospel means, and of what it has for us. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 328.1
“Adorning the Doctrine” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Adorning the Doctrine.-The Apostle Paul wrote: “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining; but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Titus 2:9, 10. The only recommendation that the truth of God has, is the lives of those who profess it. The theory is nothing if it is not practical. If the Gospel does not make men better in their everyday life, then there is nothing desirable about it. But the upright lives of the followers of Jesus, are the beauty, the ornament, of the doctrine of Christ. The kingdom of God is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” But the bare statement of the fact is nothing; they will attract no one unless he who utters them exhibits in his own life that righteousness and peace and joy. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 328.2
“Trial of Stundists” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
Russia has a summary method of bringing about unity of faith in her dominions. The Daily Chronicle Moscow correspondent has just received from a trustworthy source the following account of the trial of three leading Stundists at Valki, in the province of Kharoff:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 330.1
“The Stundist peasants, Slies, Kholod, and Filonenko, were indicted for preaching Stundism during the years 1892 and 1893. At a first glance the prisoners in the dock looked like ordinary peasants, but a nearer look showed that they were scrupulously clean and remarkably intelligent looking. One was an old man over sixty, and the other two about forty. They were well-to-do men, apparently owning a little land and garden. They had families-one of them grown up. After a few general questions, the president of the Court ordered the public to be excluded. The doors were accordingly shut in our faces, but a few friends of the prisoners were allowed to remain at their special request. The court had been crowded, and we waited about outside the doors several hours, waiting for the decision to be made known. We don’t know what went on inside, but at last the doors were thrown open, and we were told that Slies and Kholod had been sentenced to be deprived of all rights and privileges, and to be sentenced to banishment to Transcaucasia, and that Filonenko had been sentenced to the temporary loss of certain specified rights, and to imprisonment for one year. The prisoners were immediately handed over to their gaolers.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 330.2
“In the Days of Noah” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
“In the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Matthew 24:38, 39. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.1
In the days of Noah the wickedness of men upon the earth had become so great that every thought of their hearts was only evil continually. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.2
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” “And it grieved Him at His heart.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.3
No wonder that it grieved God’s loving heart. Think of all that He had done for men. Think of the beautiful home that He had given them, and of the countless blessings that He had strewn about them. Think of His wonderful lovingkindness and tender mercy when they forsook Him. Think of the Way of life that He had provided for them at such great cost. Think how He had striven with them and drawn them toward Him by His Holy Spirit. And yet they would not trust Him nor accept His way of life! PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.4
No wonder that His heart ached. It would do no good for His Spirit to strive with them any longer. He had done all that Divine love could do to save them, but they put His salvation away from them, and would have none of it. They had chosen the way of death when He had done all that He could do to get them to choose the way of life. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.5
Enoch, the man of God, had been sent to prophesy unto them of the coming of the Lord, and of the wages of sin, and to entreat them to forsake their ways and their thoughts and return unto the Lord, and He would have mercy upon them and abundantly pardon. But no, most of them preferred their own ways and the fleeting, unsatisfying pleasures of sin. They would not come unto Christ that they might have life. Therefore nothing remained for them but death, and the sooner it came the better; for were they not but heaping up misery and unhappiness to themselves and to those around them? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.6
God’s heart yearned over them and loved them, although they were so wicked, and He could not bear to see them go deeper and deeper into wickedness and sorrow when there was no hope of saving them. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.7
The Lord therefore said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air; ... for the earth is filled with violence through them.” “Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.8
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,” for “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.9
And God told Noah to make him an ark of the strongest wood. It was to be a sort of house three storeys high, with one window in the top and one door in the side, and a bottom like a boat. And the Lord told him to put pitch upon it within and without so that it would not leak, for he and his family and two of every sort of living thing upon the earth were to stay in it during the flood, so that they might be kept alive. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.10
But think of the wonderful longsuffering of God. That was not all that God told Noah to do. He told him to go while the ark was preparing and preach, and once more entreat those who had chosen death to turn to Him that they might have life. And God said that He would wait yet one hundred and twenty years before He brought the flood upon them! PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.11
Can you not see how God loved them, and how he hated to have them die? “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.12
But alas, they would not turn, although Noah faithfully did according to all that the Lord commanded him. They went right on the same as ever, drinking and feasting and marrying and giving in marriage until the very day that Noah entered into the ark. At the end of the one hundred and twenty years when the ark was finished and all things were ready, among those who were alive upon the earth not one was on the Lord’s side save Noah and his family! PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.13
“And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.14
“And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons wives with him, into the ark; they and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.... And the Lord shut him in.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.15
Notice: Noah and his family were shut in with the Lord, but the rest of the people were shut out with Satan. Why? Because Noah and each one of his family had had faith in Jesus and had chosen to be with Him, while all of the other people had rejected Jesus and had chosen to be with Satan. Each one had just what he had chosen. Which made the better choice? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.16
At the end of seven days the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, and the rain descended upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, just as God had said it should. And the waters increased and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth, and went safely upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth until all the high hills and mountains that were under the whole heavens were covered! PTUK May 24, 1894, page 333.17
“And Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.1
Too late the people on the outside believed that the flood was coming. Too late they reached out towards the ark of safety; the door was shut and they could not enter. They had no more faith in Jesus than they had before, but they were afraid to die. But they had chosen death, and death they received. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.2
Noah’s righteousness could not save them; he could deliver neither son nor daughter by his righteousness, but only his own soul. Remember this when you are tempted to think that your father’s or mother’s faith is going to save you. You must yield to Jesus and walk with God yourself if you are ever saved. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.3
1. What did Cain do after he had killed Abel?—He left his father’s home and went to another place. Genesis 4:16. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.4
2. What was the result of this?—Cain and his followers were thus separated from Adam and his followers. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.5
3. Whose sons did those become who, with Adam, received Christ? Genesis 6:2; John 1:12. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.6
4. Whose sons did those remain who, with Cain, rejected Christ?—The sons of men. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.7
5. When men greatly increased upon the earth, and the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, what did they do? Genesis 6:2. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.8
6. What did this mingling with the sons and daughters of men, taking them right into their own families, result in?—It caused many of the sons of God to become bad too, and wickedness rapidly increased on every side. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.9
7. How great did the wickedness finally become? Genesis 6:5. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.10
8. How did this cause the Lord to feel? Genesis 6:6. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.11
9. Why did it cause his heart to ache? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.12
10. Name some of the things that He had done for them? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.13
11. Could He do any more for them than He had done? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.14
12. And yet what did they refuse to do? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.15
13. Since they would not accept the way of life, what only remained for them?—Death. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.16
14. Since they had fully decided to have that and nothing else, would longer life be any blessing to them?—No, only a curse. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.17
15. Would the continued strivings of the Spirit do them any good?—No. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.18
16. Therefore what did God in mercy say that He would do? Genesis 6:7, 17. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.19
17. Who only were to be saved? Genesis 6:8, 18. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.20
18. Why? Genesis 6:9; 7:1. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.21
19. How were they to be kept alive? Genesis 6:14-21. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.22
20. How long would it be until the flood? Genesis 6:3. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.23
21. Why do you suppose the Lord waited so long?—Because of His great love and longsuffering; He wanted to give them one more opportunity to turn from the ways of death to the way of life. 1 Peter 3:20. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.24
22. Who was to preach to them? 2 Peter 2:5. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.25
23. If they would repent and have faith in Jesus, what would God do even then? Isaiah 55:7. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.26
24. Did God take pleasure in their destruction? Ezekiel 33:11. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.27
25. Did they believe it and get ready? Matthew 24:38, 39. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.28
26. How many were found ready, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.29
27. Therefore how many were taken into the ark of safety? Genesis 7:1. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.30
28. Who shut them in? Genesis 7:16. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.31
29. Which proved to be the safer place-the outside or the inside of the ark? Genesis 7:23. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.32
30. Why was it more safe on the inside? Because Jesus was with them. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.33
31. How did they come to have Christ with them?—By faith. Ephesians 3:17. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.34
32. Therefore what saved them? Their faith in Christ. Hebrews 11:7. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.35
33. What must save us if we are ever saved?—Faith in Christ. Acts 4:12. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.36
34. Could not some of them have been saved by Noah’s faith and righteousness?—No. Ezekiel 14:20. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.37
35. What may we learn from that? PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.38
“Interesting Items” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
-It is said that over 200,000 books have been written about the Bible. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.39
-Austria has twenty-six divorces to 1,000 marriages; Hungary but six. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.40
-An earthquake in Venezuela destroyed four cities and several villages. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.41
-Six new cardinals were created by the Pope at a secret “consistory,” May 18. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.42
-The racing cutter Valkyrie has foundered off the coast of Africa with the loss of all hands. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.43
-Three hundred persons are reported to have been killed in a railway accident in Salvador. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.44
-Twenty thousand sheep are reported to have perished in a terrible snowstorm in California. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.45
-Onions are imported into this country annually to the extent of about 4,000,000 bushels. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.46
-One hundred fresh arrests of students on political grounds have been made at St. Petersburg. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.47
-No fewer than 30,000 persons were apprehended last year for drunkenness in the streets of London. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.48
-The United States authorities are making active use of Federal troops in suppressing disorders caused by Coxey’s “Industrial army.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.49
-By the upsetting of a boat on the River Deben, near Ipswich, six persons, chiefly consisting of a family named Stollery, were drowned. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.50
-The Suez Canal, the greatest work of marine engineering, is 88 miles long, and reduces the distance from Europe to India from 11,379 miles to 7,628 miles. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.51
-The strike movement In Austria is breaking down all along the line, most of the strikes being practically at an end with adverse results to the men. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.52
-An attempt, which uses prove successful, is being made to force the Upper House of the Hungarian Diet to reconsider the civil marriage bill and pass it. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.53
-The Italian Government has given to an English company in Rome a monopoly of the trade in alcoholic drinks, for a consideration of 47,000,000 francs annually, PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.54
-Upwards of 50,000 tons of English and Nova Scotia coal have been purchased for consumption in New York, in consequence of the closing of the United States collieries. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.55
-According to intelligence from Cairo, Egypt, an important trial is about to take place in which M. Ferdinand de Lesseps and other early directors of the Suez Canal Company are implicated. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.56
-The latest statistics show that only 7 per cent, of the English people are unable to sign their names. When the Queen ascended the throne 41 per cent, of the population were unable to write. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.57
-The police in St. Petersburg, having discovered an organisation called “The Friends of Political Liberty,” are arresting its members wholesale, including officials, professors, students, and priests. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.58
-According to intelligence received at Buenes Ayres from Rio Grande do Sul, General Saraiva with a body of 4,000 insurgents is approaching the Government forces, and an important battle is impeding. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.59
-The Pope has resolved to take active steps to put an end to the differences between his American delegate, Sattoli, and the “reactionary” American bishops. The Pontiff is soon to deliver an important encyclical. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.60
-Marshal Peixoto, President of Brazil, has broken off diplomatic relations with Portugal. The Portuguese Minister has had his passports handed to him, and orders have been given for the recall of the Brazilian Legation from Lisbon. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.61
-A crisis prevails in Servia, owing to the fact that the Court of Cassation, sitting with a full bench, has declared to be null and void the Royal ukase reinstating the father and mother of the King in their rights as members of the Royal Family. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.62
-News has reached Tripoli of serious fighting between Tuareg and Tibboos, in the neighbourhood of Kawar, the latter sustaining a loss of seventy killed. After the battle, the Tuareg, to the number of 6,000, entered Kawar, capturing 600 camels and pillaging the merchants’ stores. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.63
-Fire and flood in America have within a few days past destroyed property valued at several millions of dollars. One hundred and thirty buildings were burned in Boston, and Dr. Talmage’s Tabernacle in Brooklyn. The destruction from floods was greatest in Minnesota. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.64
-The committee of the National Liberal Federation has convened a conference of the Liberal party at Leeds, June 20, “to elicit the fullest and freest expression of opinion from those present” as to the House of Lords, and to give a “definite and concrete” expression to that feeling. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.65
-A wealthy charitable lady left her property for the relief of the sick and poor in the past of Poland where she resided. An action was brought to exclude the Jewish population from participation in the bequest; it being seriously argued that the Jews were not human beings. The Court, however, has declared that according to law the Jews in Poland are recognised as human beings. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.66
-The Chronicle’s St. Petersburg correspondent says a whole train, specially designed for use on Continental railroads, has just been completed for the Czar at the waggon works of the Nickolai is railway. The train, which is fitted up with every conceivable luxury and comfort, consists of eleven carriages, including a magnificent dining saloon and a van for the luggage and electrical apparatus. The length of each carriage is some sixty feet. In order to diminish the danger of collision the train is supplied with breaks of three different types, viz., the Hardner, the Westinghouse, and the ordinary hand brake. Train and fittings are built entirely of Russian materials and by Russian workmen. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 334.67
“Back Page” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
It is announced that the canals of Canada are henceforth to be closed to traffic on Sundays. An order in council has been issued, closing them from twelve o’clock on Saturday night until the same hour on Sunday night. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.1
The Chronicle says:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.2
Owing to the absolute objection of the Czar to the bestowal of a cross, the symbol of Christianity, upon the Jews, whom he regards as enemies of the Christian religion, a proposal is being discussed in high official quarters to add to the Order of the White Eagle about which does not have a cross in its insignia, some supplementary classes of a lower grade, which could be conferred upon non-Christians. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.3
The Czar’s ideas of Christianity are altogether too prevalent, both within his empire and outside of it. That “Christianity” which can be put into the form of a symbol, and become damaged by bestowal upon a sinner, is not the Christianity which God sent into the world for the salvation of men. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.4
The last number of The Morning Star, a paper devoted to the subject of the restoration of the Jews to Palestine, asks all its readers to remember Israel in prayer every Saturday, adding:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.5
That day, the seventh day of the week, is, of course, the true Sabbath, according to the law. It will be God’s Sabbath for the earth when He shall make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.6
It is refreshing to find some first day observers who know, and are willing to acknowledge, that the law of God requires the observance of the seventh day of the week, and that that day is not Sunday, but is Saturday. When to that is added the knowledge that it will be the Sabbath in the time when Jerusalem is restored, and that, too, by God’s appointment, we cannot see what reason they give for not keeping God’s Sabbath now. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.7
The late British Commissioner for the Sikkim-Tibet Convention thus describes a method employed in Tibet for preparing tea for drinking:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.8
Take a handful of bricked tea; rub it between the hands until it is well loosened, then put it in open vessel with a little water and alum or wood ashes; keep on boiling the decoction (adding a little water from time to time to counterbalance the loss by evaporation) until the infusion is black as ink; then pour into a “choonga” or long churn, filling up with boiling water, and two or three chittacks of butter and salt to taste, and churn with a wooden whisk until the mixture becomes like a rich-brown greasy soup. It looks nasty, but one can get used to it. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.9
The statement that “one can get used to it,” shows that this stuff tastes as nasty as it looks. It is astonishing what martyrdom people will undergo in order to “get used” to something which, besides being unpalatable, is unfit to be put into the human stomach. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.10
Here is one of the reasons given by a clerical correspondent of the Church Family Newspaper, why the Establishment should be maintained:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.11
Any schoolboy who believes in the Bible must know that the apostles who went forth with staff and scrip lacked the spiritual power of our own bishops, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified, and it was not till the day of Pentecost that they received power from on high. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.12
Yet we read that the first time Jesus sent them out He “gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1, 2. We have not yet heard of anything of this kind in connection with the bishops of the Church of England. If they had this power, it would not be spending their time begging for State support. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.13
One of the so-called “labour leaders” of the United States is Morrison I. Swift, a man of culture, and of university education. In a speech on May Day he said:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.14
In Massachusetts the workingmen were brow-beaten and not heard. If things go on in this way and the rich and the law-makers turn their backs on the poor, refusing to listen to the workingmen, there will follow at an epidemic of assassination. Bombs will be exploded, and all the devices known in taking off oppressors will be the fate of our delinquent legislators and capitalists. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.15
Even officers of the State are talking anarchy. The Secretary of State of Kansas, referring to the arrest of Corey, the leader of the “Labour Army,” said:— PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.16
I want to make a prediction. It is that there will be no overt act until the next election. Then simultaneously with the returns, the flames will shoot up into the air from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and every palatial residence will be destroyed in this uprising of the people. Woe unto them who have sought to stay this tide of the past six months. The farmers are preparing for this. They are selling a horse or a bow and buying Winchesters, and many mechanics are doing the same. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.17
It will be a wonder if some of this incendiary talk does not produce some direful results. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.18
“It is Called Heresy” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
It is Called Heresy.-A man who really acts on the principles laid down by the Lord in His teaching is considered very peculiar by the world, and a worldly church. The German recruit who some time ago refused to be put in training to kill his fellow-men was referred to the medical authorities to determine as to his sanity. The missionary who would refuse to ask help of his consul or the authorities to punish those who misuse him or destroy his property is sometimes seriously blamed, even by mission authorities, because he is so peculiar as to pray for those who despitefully use him, instead of punishing them. Depend upon it, the man who reads his Bible and believes just what the Lord says will find himself considered very peculiar. It has always been heresy in the eyes of the great religious world to believe the Bible. The Apostle Paul really believed the Scriptures which the Jewish Church professed to believe, and he had to confess that “after the way which they call heresy,” he worshipped God, “believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.19
“An Old-Time Bazaar” The Present Truth 10, 21.
E. J. Waggoner
An Old-Time Bazaar.-Mrs. John Richard Green, writing of English town life in the fifteenth century, describes the methods of raising church funds sometimes resorted to in olden times. For example, when St. Andrews, Plymouth, was enlarged, a “church ale” was held each year, on which day the taverns were closed by the town council, and every ward made a booth in the cemetery of the church for the sale of bread and ale. All were commanded to come, bringing as many friends as possible, “for the increasing of the said ale.” This was the church bazaar at its worst, perhaps. At its best, it is a humiliating way for a Christian church to raise funds. When the Gospel takes hold of people’s hearts, they first give themselves to the Lord, as the Macedonian churches did, and then their love for the Lord is shown in “the riches of their liberality.” The preaching of the same Gospel has the same effect to-day upon those receive it. PTUK May 24, 1894, page 336.20