The Present Truth, vol. 10

August 23, 1894

“The Harvest” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

“The harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.1

Does the Saviour mean by this that the Lord of the harvest is indifferent to the needs of the field, and must be moved to take an interest in it? Not by any means; for He Himself is loudly calling, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.2

Then what does He mean by telling us to pray that He will send forth labourers into His harvest? The answer is suggested by the prayer which Isaiah, his lips burning with holy fire, uttered just after hearing the Lord’s call. Isaiah said, “Here am I; send me.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.3

Isaiah had no sooner prayed thus to the Lord, than the answer came, “Go.” The Lord immediately sent him forth into the harvest-field. This commission was to last “until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.” Verse 11. That is, until the end of the world. It therefore includes us. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.4

Therefore the answer which we are to expect to our prayer that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers, is, “Go.” Only unselfish prayers may be expected to be answered, and no unselfish person would ask the Lord to send somebody else to do work which he himself is not willing to do. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.5

But where are we to ask Him to send us? “Into the harvest,” for that is what He tells us to pray for. And where is that? “The field is the world.” Matthew 13:38. Christ’s parting words were, “Go ye into all the world.” Mark 16:15. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.6

But someone will say, “I am ready to go, but I am waiting to find out what part of the world He wishes me to go.” What! have you not learned the prayer? Read the command again. It does not tell us to pray that the Lord would send us to some particular spot, but into the harvest, which is the world. Well, you are there now, are you not? Then if you have a mind to work your prayer is answered. What shall you do?—“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.7

It is a strange idea that many have, that they must get away from where they are, in order to be missionaries in the Lord’s harvest-field. People who live in England, or in any other country, are in the world just as much as they would be if they should cross the ocean. The same principle that would make it necessary for them to leave the place where they are, in order to enter the harvest-field, would oblige them to leave any other place where they might be located. Thus they would continually be moving, accomplishing nothing. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.8

He who cannot work for the Lord where he is now, will certainly not be able to work for Him in any other place where he may be. The journey from one place to another does not make one a missionary. A man may have travelled round the world, and still not be a missionary. It is very evident that what a man is in his native land, that he will be in any other land. He who does the work of the Lord where he is now, will be likely to keep on doing that work if duty calls him somewhere else. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.9

To be a missionary in the great harvest-field, therefore, is simply to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” It is “to do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.10

Christ did not send,
But came Himself to save;
The ransom price He did not lend,
But gave. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.11

“Heresy and Heretics” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The word “heretic” occurs but once in the Bible; the word “heresy” occurs four times, once in the singular, and three times in the plural. The full meeting of the word “heresy” is very concisely put by Mr. Gladstone, in his article on “The Place of Heresy and Schism in the Modern Christian Church,” in the current number of the Nineteenth Century. He says of heresy, “It means self-chosen and self-formed opinion. The Gospel is not chosen or formed by us: but fashioned by God, and tendered for our acceptance.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.12

That is the whole case in a nut-shell. God is the only Source of truth. Only those are heretics who will not accept the word of God. He who accepts God’s will as final is not an heretic, although he may be alone in his belief. Since God, and not the church, is the standard authority, and the source of truth, a man is not necessarily an heretic because he is not in harmony with what is called “the church.” As a general thing it is the majority of “the church” who are “heretics,” that is, choosers of their ways rather than of God’s, while those who cling closely to the word of God are the few. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 529.13

God is no respecter of persons; all are alike before Him. Therefore one man has as much right to choose for himself as any other, or as all other men. Therefore heresy is not a term that can properly be applied to a man because of any relation that he sustains to “the church.” Heresy can exist only in relation to God. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.1

This fact was recognised by the Apostle Paul when he was accused before Felix. He did not admit that he was an heretic, but said, “After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers,” and then showed that he was not an heretic, by adding, “believing all things which are written in law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.2

As no one on earth has the power to define and set the limits of the truth of God, no one has the authority to declare any other one an heretic. Men have no right to go beyond the inspired instruction, “Preach the word.” If the church of Christ does this, it may leave the responsibility of choosing for themselves or allowing God to choose for them, to those who hear; and to God may be left the responsibility of deciding who has chosen well. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.3

“Faith Shown by Works” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Faith Shown by Works.—“Show me thy faith without thy works,” writes the Apostle James, “and I will show thee faith by my works.” James 2:18. Many people to-day are deluding themselves with what the apostle calls “dead” faith, which is your profession. “It is very easy for a man to deceive himself as to his real love of God unless he translates his spiritual affections into deeds. What passes for real love of the Heavenly Father may easily be only sentiment, or vacuity, or even sloth and self-seeking.... What visions of devotion, what scenes of heroism, what deep and beautiful thoughts of heaven sometimes float before the idle contemplation of a thoroughly selfish man! But rouse him—touch him with the spear’s tip of the angel—and his airy fancies vanish like smoke, and nothing is left but the noisome sight of self crawling off as fast as it can to hide itself.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.4

Works, however, do not come first, for good fruit cannot proceed out of a corrupt tree, and all men are by nature corrupt. Nor does a good tree exert itself to bring forth good fruit. Faith is the gift of God, bestowed on whosoever will yield himself to God; and this gift, by the power inherent within it, transforms itself through the man into good works. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.5

“Studies in Romans. A Wonderful Manifestation. Romans 3:19-22” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The portion of Romans thus far studied has shown us both Jews and Gentiles in the same sinful condition. No one has anything whereof to boast over another. Whoever, whether in the church or out, begins to judge and condemn another, no matter how bad that other one may be, thereby shows that he himself is guilty of the same things that he condemns in the other. Judgment belongs alone to God, and it shows a most daring spirit of usurpation for a man to presume to take the place of God. Those who have the law committed to them have a wonderful advantage over the heathen; nevertheless they must say: “Are we better than they? No, in no wise; for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Romans 3:9. And now we come to the beginning of PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.6

THE GRAND CONCLUSION. Romans 3:19-22

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.7

QUESTIONING THE TEXT

What do we know? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.8

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.9

To whom does it speak? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.10

“To them who are under [within the sphere of] the law.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.11

What is the object of its speaking? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.12

“That every mouth may be stopped.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.13

Under what circumstances only may every mouth be stopped? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.14

“All the world may become guilty before God.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.15

What then is the conclusion? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.16

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.17

Why not? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.18

“For by the law is the knowledge of sin.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.19

What is now manifested? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.20

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.21

How is righteousness manifested? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.22

“Without the law.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.23

Whose righteousness is it that is thus manifested? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.24

“The righteousness of God.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.25

What credentials has this righteousness? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.26

“Being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.27

Where it is manifested? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.28

“Unto all and upon all them that believe.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.29

How is it manifested? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.30

“By faith of Jesus Christ.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.31

Within the Law.-This is not the place to consider the force of the term “under the law,” since it does not really occur here. It should be “in the law,” as in Romans 2:12, for the Greek words are the same in both places. The words for “under the law” are entirely different. Why the translators have given us “under the law” in this place, and also in 1 Corinthians 9:21, where the term is also “in the law,” as noted in Young’s Concordance, it is impossible to determine. There certainly is no reason for it. The rendering is purely arbitrary. What the verse before us really says is, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are in the law,” or, “within the sphere or jurisdiction of the law.” This is an obvious fact, and in view of what immediately follows, it is a very important fact to keep in mind. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.32

“What the Law Saith.”-The voice of the law is the voice of God. The law is the truth, because it was spoken with God’s own voice. In the covenant which God made with the Jews concerning the ten commandments, He said of the law, “Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice.” etc. Exodus 19:5. The commandments were spoken “in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice.” Deuteronomy 5:22. Therefore when the law of God speaks to a man, it is God Himself speaking to that man. Satan has invented a proverb, which he has induced many people to believe, to the effect that “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” This is a part of his great lie by which he causes many to think themselves above the law of God. Let every one who loves the truth, substitute for that invention of Satan the truth that the voice of the law of God is the voice of God. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 530.33

Every Mouth Stopped.-The law speaks that “every mouth may be stopped.” And so every mouth would be, if men would only consider that it is God that is speaking. If men realised that God himself speaks in the law, they would not be so ready to answer back when it speaks to them, and they would not frame so many excuses for not obeying it. When some servant of the Lord reads the law to people, they often seem to think that it is only man’s word to which they are listening, and so they feel themselves privileged to parley, and debate, and object, and to say that, although the words are all right, they do not feel under obligation to obey, or that it is not convenient. They would not think of doing this if they heard the voice of God speaking to them. But when the law is read, it is the voice of God now just as much as it was to the Israelites who stood at the base of Sinai. People often open their mouths against it now, but the time will come when every mouth will be stopped, because “our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.” Psalm 50:3. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.1

The Law’s Jurisdiction.-What things soever the law says, it saith to them who are within its sphere, or jurisdiction. Why? “That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” How extensive, then, is the jurisdiction of the law? It includes every soul in the world. There is no one who is exempt from obedience to it. There is not a soul whom it does not declare to be guilty. The law is the standard of righteousness, and “there is none righteous, no, not one.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.2

No Justification by the Law.—“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” One of two things must be the case whenever a man is justified by the law, namely, either the man is not guilty, or else the law is a bad law. But neither of these things is true in this case. God’s law is perfectly righteous, and all men are sinners. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” It is obvious that a man can not be declared righteous by the same law that declares him to be a sinner. Therefore it is a self-evident truth that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.3

A Double Reason.-There is a double reason why no one can be justified by the law. The first is that all have sinned. Therefore the law must continue to declare them guilty, no matter what their future life might be. No man can ever do more than his duty to God, and no possible amount of good deeds can undo one wrong act. But more than this, men have not only sinned, but they are sinful. “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye can not do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17. Therefore, no matter how much a man may try to do the righteousness of the law, he will fail to find justification by it. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.4

Self-justification.-If one were justified by the deeds of the law, it would be because he always did all that the law requires. Note well that it would be he that did it, and not the law. It would not be that the law itself does something to justify the man, but that the man himself does the good deeds required. Therefore if a man were justified by the law, it would be because he has in him by nature all the righteousness that the law requires. He who imagines that he can do the righteousness of the law, imagines that he himself is as good as God is, because the law requires and is a statement of the righteousness of God. Therefore for a man to think that he can be justified by the law, is to think that he is so good that he needs no Saviour. Every self-righteous person, no matter what his profession, exalts himself above the law of God, and therefore identifies himself with the Papacy. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.5

Righteousness Without the Law.-Since because of man’s weak and fallen condition no one can get righteousness out of the law, it is evident that if any man ever has righteousness he must get it from some other source than the law. If left to themselves and the law, men would truly be in a deplorable condition. But here is hope. The righteousness of God without the law or apart from the law, is manifested. This reveals to man a way of salvation. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.6

Righteousness “Manifested.”-Where? Why, of course where it most needs to be manifested, in people, that is, in a certain class described in the next verse. But it does not originate in them. The Scriptures have already shown us that no righteousness can come from man. The righteousness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ. He himself said through the prophet David: “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.” Psalm 40:8, 9. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.7

“Witnessed by the Law.”-Let no one imagine that in the Gospel he can ignore the law of God. The righteousness of God which is manifested apart from the law, is witnessed by the law. It is such righteousness as the law witnesses to, and commends. It must be so, because it is the righteousness which Christ revealed; and that came from the law, which was in His heart. So, although the law of God has no righteousness to impart to any man, it does not cease to be the standard of righteousness. There can be no righteousness that does not stand the test of the law. The law of God must put its seal of approval upon every one who enters heaven. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.8

Witnessed by the Prophets.-When Peter preached Christ to Cornelius and his family, he said, “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43. The prophets preached the same Gospel that the apostles did. See 1 Peter 1:12. There is but one foundation, and that is “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.” Ephesians 2:20. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.9

This also suggests another thought about “witnessed by the law.” It is not simply that the righteousness which is manifested in Christ is approved by the law, but it is proclaimed in the law. In the portion of Scripture specifically known as “the law,” the portion written by Moses, Christ is preached. Moses was a prophet, and therefore he testified of Christ the same, “for he wrote of Me.” John 5:46. More than this, the very giving of the law itself was a promise and an assurance of Christ. This will appear when we come to the fifth chapter of Romans. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 531.10

The Righteousness of God.-While there is no chance for the despiser of God’s law to evade its claims under cover of the expression, “the righteousness of God apart from the law,” there is also no need for the lover of that law to fear that the preaching of righteousness by faith will tend to bring in a spurious righteousness. Such is guarded against by the statement that the righteousness must be witnessed by the law, and further by the statement that this righteousness which is manifested apart from the law is the righteousness of God. No one need fear that he will be wrong if he has that righteousness! To seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness is the one thing required of us in this life. Matthew 6:33. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.1

“By Faith of Jesus Christ.”-In another place Paul expresses his desire when the Lord comes to be found “not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9. Here again we have “the faith of Christ.” Still further, it is said of the saints, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9) and Christ is faithful, for “He abideth faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:13. God deals to every one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8. He imparts to us His own faithfulness. This He does by giving us Himself. So that we do not have to get righteousness which we ourselves manufacture; but to make the matter doubly sure, the Lord imparts to us in Himself the faith by which we appropriate His righteousness. Thus the faith of Christ must bring the righteousness of God, because the possession of that faith is the possession of the Lord himself. This faith is dealt to every man, even as Christ gave Himself to every man. Do you ask what then can prevent every man from being saved? The answer is, Nothing, except the fact that all men will not keep the faith. If all would keep all that God gives them, all would be saved. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.2

Within and Without.-This righteousness of God, which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, is unto, literally into, and upon all them that believe. Man’s own righteousness, which is of the law, is only on the outside. Matthew 23:27, 28. But God desires truth in the inward parts. Psalm 51:6. “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” Deuteronomy 6:6. And so the promise of the new covenant is, “I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” Jeremiah 31:33. He does it, because it is impossible for man to do it. The most that men can do is to make a fair show in the flesh, to gain the applause of their fellow men. God puts His glorious righteousness in the heart. But He does more than that, He covers men with it. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 51:10. “He will beautify the meek with salvation.” Psalm 149:4. Clothed with this glorious dress, which is not merely an outward covering, but the manifestation of that which is within, God’s people may go forth, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun; and terrible as an army with banners.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.3

“Secret Societies of Islam” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

In the Pall Mall Gazette a writer describes the secret societies which exist in the interests of Mohammedanism. Northern Africa is said to be honeycombed with these societies. This chief order, known in the East as the Jesuits of Islam, was established about fifty years ago. The writer says of it:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.4

“The rulers of the order are very severe, and its doctrines absolutely fanatical. The present chief is El Mahedi, the son of the Sheik Mohammed, who died in 1869, and the entire body of the affiliated is as thoroughly under his control as if it were formed of none other but slaves. He transferred the seat of the order to an oasis in the centre of the Libye desert-to Djerboub, where stood the ancient temple of Jupiter-Ammon-and there he lives, like Alexander Selkirk, the lord of all he surveys, and rules the entire Mussulman world, just as the Pope-and more influentially than the Pope-rules the Roman Catholic world. His emissaries, who are legion, carry his orders, which they see are obeyed, throughout the whole of Mohammedan Africa, and to the Mussulmans of Eastern Russia, China, and British India. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.5

“Djerboub is a fortress full of arms and ammunition, and is defended by a resident guard of 3,000 fanatical warriors; but these measures of defence are scarcely necessary, for it is not at all likely that an army, either small or large, would march through the sea of sand which surrounds the oasis. The zaouias-leaders-meet there about once every two years, for the purpose of regulating the religious and political interests of the association. That it is a threatening influence operating unceasingly against European dominion in North Africa there can be no doubt; as there is no doubt that it is at the bottom of all the political intrigues against which foreign Powers have to contend; and, moreover, it is certain that El Mahedi has as many fanatics subject to his authority in Persia and Afghanistan as he has in North Africa.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.6

“The Communion of Saints” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Speaking of the memorial service for departed ministers, which was a feature of the recent Wesleyan Conference, the Church Times says:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.7

It is characteristic of our time that there is among Christians a growing desire to return to the ancient and Catholic view of the intermediate state. Among ourselves, for instance, the practice of holding a memorial service is a sign that the modern Protestant idea of an absolute separation between those on earth and those in Paradise is losing its hold upon men’s minds. And we may feel confident that in time the bareness and want of meaning in such memorials will come to be felt, and the doctrine of the Communion of Saints will be fully grasped. The memorial service having found its way into Methodism, we may hope that the more timid amongst us will take courage and rise to the Catholic level of intercession for the dead. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.8

The Biblical doctrine of the communion of saints is the doctrine of the “fellowship of the Spirit.” No other kind of fellowship is from the Christian standpoint profitable or desirable. The nature of this fellowship is set forth by Paul in the epistle to the Philippians. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, but being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in holiness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:1-3. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.9

This is the only true fellowship in communion of saints. But it is not that communion which the Times hopes to see prevailing among the professed followers of Christ; for the fundamental idea of that communion is the participation in it of the departed saints. And as the saints are supposed to know a great deal more after death than they did before, they naturally assume the position of teachers to those still in the flesh, thus destroying that perfect equality which is a feature of the communion set forth in Scripture, and also usurping the place of the Holy Spirit, which is the divinely-appointed Teacher and Guide into all truth. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 532.10

From the communion of which Paul writes, the dead are evidently shut out, for it is clear that he is addressing only the living. Nor do the Scriptures anywhere address the dead as conscious intelligent hearers; but of them it declares that “the dead praise not the Lord” (Psalm 115:17), and that they “know not anything” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Therefore they can have no communion with either the living or each other. But this supposed communion with departed saints is the main foundation upon which the doctrines of Rome rest; and in accepting that doctrine and following out the line of its teaching, an individual will speedily and surely find, as the above writer suggests, the level of Roman Catholic doctrine. The person who believes in the communion of the living with the dead, and is determined to hold to the doctrine in spite of the plain statements of Scripture such as have been quoted, might as well join hands with Rome at once. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.1

It is a deplorable and alarming “characteristic of our time that there is among Christians a growing desire to return to the ancient and Catholic view of the intermediate state.” It is alarming that so many persons are ready to adopt any other view of the subject than the one supported by Scripture. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.2

“The Soul’s Rudder” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The Soul’s Rudder.—“Behold, also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth. Even so also the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.” James 3:4, 5. Every unwise use of the tongue turns the soul out of its proper course and into the channels that lead to destruction. As great care should be exercised in the use of the tongue as in the handling of the rudder of a ship at sea. The scriptural rule is, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. And in order to speak and say nothing contrary to the Divine oracles, one must be thoroughly familiar with them. We cannot possibly keep ourselves in the right path unless we become acquainted with the word of God. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.3

“A Sunday Memorial” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

We have received from the “Working Men’s Lord’s Day Rest Association” a copy of a memorial to the Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery, with the request that it be signed and returned to the secretary of the association. The memorial reads thus:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.4

To the Right Hon. The Earl of Rosebery, K.G., PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.5

First Lord of the Treasury. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.6

We, the undersigned, feeling the necessity of preserving Sunday as a day for all classes to rest from labour, express our earnest hope that Her Majesty’s Government will refuse to encourage any proposal to open National Museums and Art Galleries on the Lord’s Day, but will, on the contrary, extend the opportunities for visiting the National Collections on week-day events. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.7

We have not signed this petition, and cannot; and we give the following reasons, which ought to be sufficient, if known, to prevent anybody from signing it. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.8

In the first place, the memorial is misleading. It conveys the idea, which no doubt the ones who sent it out honestly entertain, that Sunday is the Lord’s Day. Now all that may be known of the Lord is found in the Bible, and therefore all that may be known of the Lord’s day must be found there. Perhaps many may have signed the memorial without any question; but if there are any who have not, we should like to have them first settle the question, PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.9

WHAT IS THE LORD’S DAY?

The expression, “Lord’s day,” occurs but once in the Bible, namely, in Revelation 1:10, where John says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” There is nothing in the text or the context to indicate what day of the week this was. We simply learn from it that the Lord has a day which He claims as His own. What day that is, we shall have to find out in other portions of the Scriptures. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.10

Before reading the positive statements, there is a negative argument which may be noticed. It is this: The same John who wrote the book of Revelation, also wrote the fourth Gospel, wherein he twice mentions “the day called Sunday,” and each time he names it simply “the first day of the week.” Of course this is only negative; still it is a significant fact that nowhere in the Bible is the day called Sunday given in the other title than its numerical designation, “the first day of the week.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.11

Some person will hastily retort to us, “That is an argument that works both ways; for the fact that the seventh day of the week is called simply the Sabbath, and is nowhere named the Lord’s day, is evidence that in Revelation 1:10 the writer has some other day in mind; for if he had meant the seventh day of the week, he would have used the term Sabbath instead of the Lord’s day.” This is a very common statement, but it is one that is made without consulting the Scriptures; for the Bible does declare in most explicit terms that the seventh day is the Lord’s day. Let us read it. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.12

In Exodus 20:8-10 we read a portion of the fourth commandment, as follows: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work,” etc. Here the seventh day is said by the Lord Himself to be the Sabbath, and, moreover, to be His Sabbath. That it is the seventh day of the week, and not some indefinite seventh part of time that is the Sabbath, is evident from Luke 23:54-56, and 24:1, where we learn that the Sabbath immediately follows “the first day of the week.” So when we read that “the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord,” we may understand without any doubt that the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday, is the Sabbath of the Lord. Consequently the seventh day of the week is the Lord’s day. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.13

Further, we read these words in Isaiah 58:13, 14; “If thou turn thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My the day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.14

Here we have the direct statement by the Lord that the Sabbath, which is none other than the seventh day of the week, is His day; that it is holy and honourable; and that our own labour and pleasure are to be kept out of it. So although the exact words, “the Lord’s day” are found but once in the Bible, we have the direct testimony that the seventh day of the week is the Lord’s day. But no intimation can be found to the effect that the Sunday is also His day. On the contrary, the Sunday is one of the six days in which the Lord says that we should labour. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 533.15

Here then is reason enough why we cannot sign this petition, and why nobody should sign it. We are not at all concerned to have museums and art galleries open on Sunday. We should by no means sign a petition to have them open; for whether they are open or shut on Sunday is a matter of indifference to us. But we certainly cannot take any steps to preserve Sunday as a day of rest from labour, when the Lord Himself has declared in tones of thunder that work should be done on that day the same as on other days; and we are in duty bound to protest against any petition that calls Sunday the Lord’s day, when the Lord claims the seventh day, and that alone, as His holy day. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.1

SUNDAY AS LORD’S DAY

Of one thing we may be sure, and that is that the application of the term Lord’s day to Sunday, did not have its origin in the Bible. As Dr. Scott says in his comments on Acts 20:7, the change from the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday was “gradually and silently introduced, by example rather than by express precept.” What caused this gradual change? A few paragraphs will show us. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.2

All church historians are united in saying that after the first century the Christian bishops began to bid for the patronage of the pagans. In order to win the heathen to the church, they thought it necessary to make the Christian rites and ceremonies as nearly as possible like those of paganism. They also “purposely multiplied sacred rites for the sake of rendering the Jews and the pagans more friendly to them.” So that as Mosheim says, even in the second century a large part of the Christian observances and institutions had the aspect of pagan mysteries. (Ecclesiastical History, Cent. 2, part 2, chap. 4.) PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.3

Still further, the teachers in the church were very early recruited from the ranks of pagan philosophers, who “were induced to embrace Christianity without feeling it necessary to abandon scarcely any of their former principles.” The consequence was that in a short time the so-called Christian church was only heathenism slightly modified, and with a change of name. Of course there were real Christians, who were loyal to Christ and the Bible, but these were in a very small minority-so small that they are practically ignored in ecclesiastical history. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.4

Among the heathen, the first day of the week had been from time immemorial a festival in honour of the sun, which was almost universally worshipped. It was, under various titles, the chief god among all nations. The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia has this note under the heading of Sunday:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.5

Sunday (Dies Solis of the Roman calendar; “day of the sun,” because dedicated to the sun), the first day of the week, was adopted by the early Christians as a day of worship. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.6

It should be understood, however, that they made a distinction between this festival day and the Sabbath. In their writings this distinction is very clear, as they always call the seventh day the Sabbath, and never apply that term to the first day of the week. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.7

It should also be understood that although the first day of the week was a festival in honour of the sun god as early perhaps as the sun was worshipped, it was by no means regarded as a sabbath. It was not a rest day, but a holiday, in which all manner of sports, and all the revelry that characterised heathen worship, were indulged in. And thus it was regarded by the first professed Christians who accepted it. Mosheim says that in consequence of Constantine’s Sunday law the day was regarded more sacredly than before; yet that law granted full liberty to all who lived in the country to carry on their agricultural labour the same as on other days. Of this law, “Chambers’s Encyclop?dia” says:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.8

Unquestionably the first law, either ecclesiastical or civil, by which the Sabbatical observance of that day is known to have been ordained is the edict of Constantine 321 A.D. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.9

Before this date, however, the first day of the week had been called the Lord’s day. It is not difficult to see how this came about. In observing the chief festival of the sun, the professed Christians persuaded themselves that they were worshipping, not the ruler of the day, but “the Sun of righteousness.” It would very naturally follow that it would in time come to be called the Lord’s day. Indeed it may have been known by that title even among the heathen; for they had “lords many and gods many.” Indeed, the name “Baal,” whose worship was simply sun-worship, means nothing but “lord.” The sun was regarded as the chief lord of all, so that it would be sufficiently designated as the lord, and therefore his day as the lord’s day. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.10

The Council of Laodicea, in the latter part of the fourth century, ordained that Christians should not be idle on Saturday, and that, if possible, they should do no work on Sunday. But nothing was said about their playing, and so the day remained a holiday until the time of the Reformation. In all Roman Catholic countries it is still regarded the same, the only requirement being that people shall attend mass on that day. Sunday is classed in Catholic works with other church festivals, and the statement is made that “Sundays and holydays all stand on the same foundation, namely, the authority of the church.”— Catholic Christian Instructed. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.11

This non-observance of Sunday as a sacred day continued in the Church of England after its break with Rome. Clergymen of the Church of England wrote against those who would observe it more strictly, showing that Sunday is not the Sabbath, and that sports could properly be enjoyed on that day, as well as on other days. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.12

The Puritans, however, did not wish to have the appearance of likeness to the Catholics, and so they contended for a strict observance of Sunday. But they were met with the unanswerable retort that Sunday itself was an institution of the Catholic Church, and that if they really wished to have nothing of the Roman Catholic Church in their practice, their only way was to keep the Sabbath of the commandment, the seventh day of the week, and to ignore Sunday entirely. This they were unwilling to do, and in order to persuade themselves that they were justified in their course, they invented the idea that Sunday was really the day enjoined in the commandment. Dr. Nicholas Bound published this theory in 1595, and it was adopted by others, and in course of time became quite general. Sunday, therefore, by a piece of Jesuitism as great as any that was ever practiced by the church against whose Jesuitism they protested, was fully elevated to the place of the Sabbath of the Lord. To ask a Protestant to petition for the preservation of such an institution is virtually to ask him to renounce his Protestantism. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.13

SELF-DECEIVED

Since Sunday as a professed Christian institution is one of the basest of frauds, it is but natural that deception should be practised in the efforts to maintain it. This does not necessarily mean that those who are interested in it are dishonest, or that they would by any means wilfully deceive. Lack of information is responsible for their action. Moreover, men who might safely be trusted with uncounted gold, seem to be unable to distinguish between things that differ when the Sunday is concerned. The reason is that Sunday is in direct opposition to the law of God. “No lie is of the truth.” Neither can a lie ever be supported by the truth, for the truth would kill it. But Sunday as a so-called Christian institution is a lie against the truth of God; therefore it is impossible that it should be sustained by straightforward argument. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 534.14

It is worthy of note in this connection that although these Sunday associations are said to be in behalf of the working men, they are carried on largely by men who do not engage in manual labour for a living. The real working men are not very much concerned about having Sunday observance established by law. For those working men who really believe that Sunday is the Lord’s day, and have love for the Lord, will keep it without any Government aid; and those who have not such conscientious scruples in regard to it, wish to have the day for rest or work as they may choose. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.1

If the working men were much concerned for Sunday, or if they felt oppressed because its observance is not strictly enough enforced, they would soon let it be known. When it is a question of wages, they usually make themselves heard. It may be said that they are afraid to protest against Sunday labour, lest they should lose their situation; but this loses all its force when we remember how many thousands have again and again voluntarily given up their situations-struck-because of dissatisfaction with their wages. The fact is that all these efforts are for the protection of Sunday, and not for the benefit of the working men. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.2

But the petition which we are considering is accompanied by statements of some who labour, who plead for a cessation of Sunday work. Yes, “A Tired Musician” submits that “the professional musician requires Sunday as a day of rest if anyone does.” Then let him take it. Why should the man who does not wish to rest, be compelled to do so because somebody else wants to? Why should all be compelled to take their rest at the same time and in the same way that a few do? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.3

It is true that one labouring man is quoted as saying that he is opposed to Sunday labour, because he believes that it is contrary to God’s word. Then by all means let him abstain from Sunday labour. But there is very little conscientious conviction manifested in an appeal which virtually says, “I think it is a sin to work on Sunday; pray induce Her Majesty’s Government to stop me from doing it.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.4

There was once a time in Great Britain when thousands of men stood loyally by their religious convictions although all the strength of Government was arrayed against them. Men now speak loudly in honour of them, but do not like to follow their example. The religious world is becoming intoxicated with the fallacy that the function of Government is “to make it as easy as possible to do right, and as difficult as possible to do wrong.” They wish to prove that the Saviour was mistaken when He said that the way to life is narrow, and that His followers would meet with much tribulation in this world. But we are sure that the men who would do what they thought right, even though that way was made difficult, have not all vanished from the earth, and that there are many left who ask for no other help to do right but the help of God. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.5

One thing more we must note. The memorial has blank spaces, not only for the name and address, but also for the “position or occupation” of the signer, together with the “name of the society you represent,” and the number of members. And still further spaces left for answering the question, “Do you sign this officially, or in your individual capacity?” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.6

We have heard something of “official” and “representative” signatures. For instance, a Sunday petition to the United States Congress a few years ago was counted as having been increased by over 7,000,000 names, simply because Cardinal Gibbons had signed his approval of it. At another time over four million signatures to a Sunday-law petition were reported from a State that has less than two million inhabitants all told. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.7

Now we do not call attention to this for the purpose of reproaching those who are concerned in it. They doubtless think that the end justifies the means, and are so convinced of the sacredness of Sunday that they suppose that nothing that is done to advance its interest can be wrong. But it is a grave mistake. A good cause can never be benefited by wrong methods. We refer to these things only because we would have people see that there must be something inherently wrong in an institution that will admit such methods. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.8

THE LORD’S MEMORIAL

From what has been said about Sunday not being the Lord’s day, some might hastily conclude that we would favour such a petition if it were in behalf of the genuine Lord’s day. Not by any means. The Lord wishes people to be reconciled to Him and His law, but reconciliation can never be effected by force. The Sabbath of the Lord is a matter of spirit, and not of mere letter. “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.” To ask for Government protection of the Sabbath of the Lord, would be to deny the Lord’s power and authority. The only reason why the Government aid is solicited in behalf of Sunday is that it has no Divine sanction. If it had, men would be content with that. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.9

The Sabbath of the Lord is God’s own memorial, and it is a memorial in behalf of the labouring man, too. It is the badge and the surety of the rest and perfect liberty which He gives. It is more than simply twenty-four hours’ cessation of toil. It is the renewal of life. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.10

Men want a human law which will assure them that they will be in no danger of losing their position and their support if they keep Sunday. But the Sabbath has God’s own law to maintain it, and it brings to those who take it as it is in Christ, the power to keep it in the face of certain loss of position. The reason is that it is the memorial of God’s power and love. To keep the Sabbath as God designs that it should be kept, is to know God, and to know that His power which created and upholds the universe is abundantly able to sustain those who obey Him. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.11

“Dethroning God” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Dethroning God.-While some people reject God because His ways are not satisfactory to human critics, there could be no greater calamity come upon the world and the universe than that God should become such a one as they would approve of, and whose ways they would endorse. He who can properly criticise another, must know at least as much about the subject of criticism as the one whom he criticises; and a god whose ways these critics would endorse would be just as good and wise as they are themselves, and no more so, since he would have to do things just as they viewed them, or become subject to their criticism. A man might just as well proclaim himself a god as to make God such a one as themselves. Therefore he who criticises God or (what is the same thing) His word, says in his heart, “There is no God.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 535.12

“Ancient Writing” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Through the kindness of the publishers of the Oxford Bible, we are able this week to present two more specimens of the plates contained in its “Helps to the Study of the Bible.” The Publishing of these plates in connection with the Bible, enables the reader to get the benefit, at a trifling expense, of some of the treasures in the British Museum, which enliven the pages of the history of Bible times. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.1

Doubtless many who have heard about how much the discovery of ancient monuments and clay tablets has corroborated the Bible narrative, and has also served as connecting links between different portions of it, have wondered how the inscriptions upon them could be read with any certainty. Some have thought that it is all conjecture; but it is not. The story of how scholars became acquainted with those long-buried records in a language that was forgotten long before the English language existed, is very interesting. Plate III from the Oxford Bible “Helps,” which is here given, tells a part of the story. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.2

It will be noticed that there are three divisions in the characters upon the “Rosetta Stone.” The lowest is in Greek, the middle one is in the “demotic,” or writing of the people of Egypt, and the topmost is in hieroglyphics, or the writing of the priests. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.3

Of course scholars could read the Greek writing without much difficulty. Then it was naturally supposed that the other two kinds of writing were the same inscription as the Greek. This proved to be the case. Using the Greek as a key, the others were deciphered, and the value of the different characters was fixed. The picture, it may be necessary to state, is very many times smaller than the stone itself, so that the characters are actually much larger than the illustration. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.4

This stone furnished a key to the Egyptian writing only. It was not too many years later that the Assyrian and Babylonian cuneiform (wedge-shaped) writing was deciphered, and then many treasures were opened to the world. Many things mentioned in the Bible, which had previously been difficult, were now made clear. Critics had declared that certain names mentioned in the Bible were absolutely wrong, and that no such people had ever existed; but the inscriptions on the monuments and the tablets showed that they had existed, and gave their place in history. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.5

Dr. A. H. Sayce, in “Social Life Among the Assyrians and Babylonians,” says that the Babylonians “were essentially a reading and writing people. In spite of the intricacy of their system of writing, with its multitudinous characters, each of which had more than one phonetic value, and might be used to express an idea or a word, books were numerous, and students were many. The books were for the most part written upon clay with a wooden reed or metal stylus, for clay was cheap and plentiful, and easily impressed with the wedge-shaped lines of which the characters were composed.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.6

One of the cylinders is represented in Plate LI. They may be seen in the British Museum in all sizes, from two feet in length to those so small that a dozen might be carried in the pocket. Dr. Sayce says:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.7

“The use of clay for writing purposes extended, along with Babylonian culture, to the neighbouring populations of the East. In the century before the exodus, recent discoveries have shown that clay libraries existed, and that an active correspondence was carried on by means of clay tablets in all parts of the Oriental world.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 536.8

“The cuneiform system of writing,” says the above writer, “allowed the use of many abbreviations-thanks to its ideographic nature-and the characters were frequently of a very minute size.” As a consequence, a great deal of matter could be written upon a single tablet. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.1

“Where it was found impossible to compress a text within the limits of a single tablet, it was continued on a second, a very clever arrangement being adopted in order to facilitate reference. The tablets were called ‘the first’ or ‘second’ of a series, which received its name from the first word or line of the work inscribed upon them, and the last line of the first tablet was repeated at the beginning of the second. In this way the librarian and readers were able without loss of time to refer to any tablet which was required in a particular series or work. Of course the scribes who copied the tablets endeavoured to make each tablet correspond with what we should call a chapter, so that the several tablets of a series may be described as the successive chapters of a book.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.2

Whole libraries were thus preserved, and the evidence is clear that people read as much in those days as they do now, although it is doubtful if their minds were weakened by so much trash as is now devoured. There were critics that were chiefly noted for their collections of books. Thus in Judges 1:11-13 we are told of the capture of Kirjath-Sepher by Othniel, who received Caleb’s daughter as a reward. Kirjath-Sepher means “the city of books.” It is quite likely that some of these ancient “book towns” may yet be discovered, and so much more light be shed upon the people of the past. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.3

“We already know enough, however, to see that education was by no means backward in the old empires of Western Asia. As in Egypt, so too in Babylonia, if not in Assyria, a knowledge of reading and writing was widely spread, books were multiplied, and there were plenty of readers to study them. So far from being illiterate, the ancient civilised East was almost as full of literary activity as is the world of to-day. The so-called critical judgments that have been passed upon it, begotten of ignorance and prejudice, must be revised in the light of the full knowledge which we now possess.”—Sayce, “Social Life Among the Assyrians and Babylonians,” p. 43. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.4

The Bible says that in the last days “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge of the increased.” Daniel 12:4. Many have supposed that this indicates that the last generation will be wiser than any previous generation in the world; but we shall do well to restrain our conceit. The only real wisdom of this or any other age comes from some of the most ancient records of the past. The Bible is full of the perfection of wisdom. It is not the production of an age of ignorance, but it is a revelation from God, the Source of all wisdom, to a people who were in no degree inferior to the wisest of their time. Dr. Sayce says:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.5

“The Israelites in Canaan were surrounded by nations who were in the enjoyment of ancient cultures, and abundant stores of books. There is every reason for believing that the Israelites also shared in the culture of their neighbours, and the literary activity implied. We now know that the Egyptians and Babylonians wrote and read, not only in the time of David and Solomon, but ages before; why should not the Hebrews also have done the same? If the historical authority of the Old Testament Scriptures is to be overthrown, it must be by other arguments than the unwarranted assumption that letters were unknown in the epoch which they claim to record.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.6

And most conclusive all are these words from the one who was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians“: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely, this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:5, 6. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 537.7

“The Seed and the Harvest” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

When Jesus taught the people, it was by such simple lessons that all might understand. He most often talked of common things that even the children knew all about, and He used these things to teach truths about Himself and His care for us. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.1

He talked about sowing and reaping, about the flowers and the grass and the birds, about fruit trees and vineyards, and the work of the fishermen and shepherds. Everyone knew about these things, and so the Lord talked of them, just to show how simple the Gospel is, and how easy it is to learn of Him. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.2

A SERMON BY THE SEA

We will put together some of the things said about sowing seed, and the harvest, and see how easy it is to understand what He says. He spoke from a boat to the multitude gathered on the seashore. Perhaps in the fields, a little way off, men were sowing the corn very much as we have seen the farmers do in the country. Or it may be the farm labourers had slipped the bag of seed off their shoulders, and had come to the shore to hear the words of the Teacher; for the common people flocked to hear Him. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.3

“A sower went out to sow his seed.” Luke 8. He was teaching them of something far more important than the seed-sowing they knew about. “The seed,” He said, “is the word of God.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.4

THE LIFE OF THE SEED

As the little seed has life given to it, so that it grows after being put into the ground, so the word of God has life to grow and bear fruit when it is sown in our hearts. And the word that has this life in it is the very word that we read when we open the Bible. It is not like any other book, but is something that really lives, and has power to work. It was God’s word as He spoke it, but that made the earth bring forth trees and grass and flowers on the third day; and the same word works to-day to do the same thing, and it can work in our hearts and lives also. It is a solemn thing to be able to open a book, and have God’s own voice to speak to us in it. Yet He wants us to come now to hear His voice just as trustingly as the people gathered about the boat that Jesus was in. But those who know what the word of God is, can never read it lightly or treat it jestingly. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.5

HARD SOIL-FORGETFUL HEARERS

As we read of the sower, remember that the seed is the word of God. As he sowed, “some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” “Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.6

The seed had the life in it, and if it had only been taken in and held, it would have sprung up. But it was forgotten as soon as it was heard. Sometimes people hear the word preached, and then think no more of it; and that one who watches to take all the good from them catches the words they have heard or read away from their hearts, and they forget all about it. We ought to keep the heart’s door shut against this evil one, who is always hovering near, and think about the word and remember it. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.7

SHALLOW SOIL HEARERS

“And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.” “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.8

Some who have given themselves to the Lord, have thought when they did so that they would never again be tempted to do wrong. But after a time it was found that old playmates would say and do things which were wrong, and the temptation kept coming to join with them. Or perhaps the old temper would rise up and make the heart think angry words. Then they tired of watching and watering the seed that was growing. That is what many do, old people as well as young. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.9

THORNS-HALF-AND-HALF CHRISTIANS

“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.” “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” The fruit does not get fully ripe. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.10

The world is full of thorns. It is not the older people and the rich, or the men of large businesses who alone are in danger of having the word choked by thorns. Did you ever know anyone who thought he had so much to do that he did not have time to read the Bible? It may be it was work, or play, or reading other books,—whatever it was, it was a thorn growing into the heart and choking the life of the seed which had started to grow. Sometimes it may be that playmates are not as they should be, and yet we still go with them, thinking we shall not be harmed by their ways. But this has choked the good seed out of many hearts. Look out for the thorns, and get away from them or root them up. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.11

GOOD GROUND-FRUITFUL HEARERS

“And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred-fold.” “But that on the good ground, are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” This is what we want-to hold the good seed and let it grow up into our life and bear fruit. The way to have it so is to read the word and study it, and listen to it, receiving it as God’s word. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.12

Those who do this will find it something that is just as really alive as the plant growing in the field. And it will just as surely bring forth fruit in them as the corn in the field ripens and yields its fruit. The fruit that it will bear is told in Galatians 5:22, 23. Read those verses, and see if it is not a beautiful field that the Lord wants us to be when He comes to gather the harvest of the earth. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.13

THE REAPING TIME

And the harvest will surely come. The Lord said, “The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” Matthew 13:39. Those who will take the word of God, the good seed, into their hearts and keep it, will be found in that day as the wheat in the field, ripe and fruitful, and the angels will gather them as sheaves for the kingdom of God. But, sad to say those who will not let the word grow in their hearts will not be able to stand with the fruitful wheat, but will be only tares and weeds which the Lord cannot take into His kingdom. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 541.14

In the Revelation the Apostle John tells of this harvest day, which the Lord showed to him in a vision of the future. He says:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.1

“I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:14-16. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.2

“News of the Week” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

-China is endeavouring to raise a war loan of ?10,000,000 in Berlin. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.3

-A new gas has been discovered in the atmosphere, of which it constitutes about one per cent. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.4

-The various water companies of the Metropolis gave a daily supply last month of 216,653,000 gallons. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.5

-Nearly the whole population of a village in Poland fell ill after eating diseased herring, eighteen dying. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.6

-About 400 Anarchists are believed to have arrived in England recently, to escape the wholesale arrests on the Continent. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.7

-The North Metropolitan Tramway Company in twelve months carried close upon eighty-three million passengers. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.8

-Some Fijians raided several towns on their islands, and after killing the inhabitants ate their bodies. This is the first known case of cannibalism in Fiji for twenty years. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.9

-Three cases of cholera occurred in Amsterdam, August 16. At Haarlem there were one case and two suspected oases of the disease, and one case at Maastricht. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.10

-The new tariff bill for the United States, over which there has been a long and bitter struggle in Congress, has been finally passed, and sent to President Cleveland for his signature. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.11

-A train wrecked by miscreants in Nebraska, U.S.A., fell through a bridge. The engine boiler exploded, and the wreckage taking fire, twenty-four passengers were burned to death. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.12

-In lieu of the ordinary postcard a person may now take any plain card of the proper size, write a letter upon it, affix a halfpenny adhesive stamp, and have it transmitted through the post. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.13

-The Mikado of Japan has just issued a decree permitting native women to remain single if they so choose. Hitherto if found unmarried at a certain age a husband was selected for them. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.14

-The Governor of Formosa has issued a proclamation offering pecuniary rewards of varying amounts and the promise of Paradise for Japanese heads and the destruction of Japanese warships. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.15

-Caserio Santo, the young Italian murderer of President Carnet, was executed at Lyons. The youth was livid and trembling on being led to the scaffold, and died with a feeble exclamation of “Viva l’Anarchie!” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.16

-At Shuklung, China, a lady missionary who had been condemning Chinese idolatry, was rescued by the captain of a British man-of-war after being almost stoned to death. The mission stations were burned. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.17

-A fated boating accident occurred off Deal Island, Maryland, where a camp meeting was being held on Aug. 12. A sailing-boat is supposed to have capsised, resulting in the drowning of twenty-one persons. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.18

-Recent experiments are said to have shown that people, after recovering from cholera, whilst pursuing their business, carry infection with thorn for a period of six weeks, and are able to propagate the disease during that time. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.19

-The corner-stone of a building to be erected in Fourteenth-street, New York, by the Salvation Army, as a memorial to the hate Mrs. Booth, was laid August 14. The cost of the building, which is to be used as the headquarters of the army in America, will be 350,000 dollars. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.20

-On the night of August 13 a fire broke out in the Flums harbour, Hungary, in a wharf, which was soon reduced to ashes. The fire rapidly spread to the next storehouse, where goods worth 5,000,000 florins (?400,000) were destroyed. It is the greatest fire which has taken place in Hungary for twenty years. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.21

-The Kaffirs are again causing trouble in South Africa. A despatch from Pretoria says: “A commando of 100 Boers is proceeding to the relief of the occupants of the Government buildings at Agatha, who are besieged by the Kaflirs. The rebels are murdering Boor farmers and burning homesteads.” PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.22

-A new life saving apparatus for miners has been devised by Dr. J. S. Haldane. He claims that by means of a steel bottle of compressed oxygen, it will be possible for miners who are below when an explosion takes place to walk about for an hour without succumbing to the deadly effects of afterdamp. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.23

-An explosion, supposed to have boon caused by an Anarchist, occurred on Tuesday night at the post-office in New-Cross-road, from a small packet supposed to contain gunpowder, which had been dropped in the letter-box. Not much damage was done, but considerable alarm was caused in the neighbourhood. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.24

-The Carlist propaganda is again active throughout Spain. One section of the Spanish press attributes to the Carlist movement the extraordinary military aril other precautions now being adopted near the residence of the royal family, and the special measures taken for the protection of the Premier. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.25

-Several of the members of the organisation known some months ago as the Commonweal Army, who have been reduced to a state of extreme destitution, made an attack on Mr. Corey, their late leader, at Baltimore, United States, August 15, He escaped serious injury by mounting his horse and riding away. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.26

-An annual religious carnival has recently taken place in the Flemish town of Furnes. It dates from remote times, and is in reality a Passion Play acted in groups. The forty groups in the monster procession represented the Stable at Bethlehem, and all the episodes in the Saviour’s life, ending with the Crucifixion scene. The procession attracted enormous crowds of sightseers from all parts of Belgium. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.27

-The first detachment of African pioneers has recently left Marseilles for Madagascar, to choose a favourable spot for the establishment of an agricultural colony in accordance with the plans of the late Cardinal Lavigerie. They will be followed shortly by 100 others, while other parties are being organised to prrceed to the French Soudan, the French Congo, and the banks of Lake Tehad. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.28

-The attempt of the French Government to treat theoretical and violent Anarchists as belonging to one class, has been defeated by the Courts, which acquitted twenty-seven out of thirty persons tried for bolding anarchical opinions. This has given great satisfaction to the Radicals and Socialists, who regard it as a triumphant vindication of liberty of thought. The Government papers, on the other hand, consider the verdict disastrous. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.29

-A cyclone in Spain did great damage at Herencia, in the province of Ciudad Real, on August 19. All the crops were destroyed, and the loss is estimated at 3,000,000 pesetas. The storm was accompanied by a fierce shower of hail, the hailstones being of extraordinary size, and causing injuries to some 200 persons. Several thousand head of cattle and other domestic animals were killed. The river Amarguilla has overflowed, devastating a vast extent of arable land, including many fields and vineyards. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 542.30

“Back Page” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

A writer in a New Zealand paper gives statistics showing that the annual cost of the liquor traffic in that country is ?3 15s. per person. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.1

The war in the East is already creating some difficulties for missionaries in China and Japan. But the Lord is able to send onward the Gospel of peace even in the midst of the Satanic propaganda of war. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.2

The British representatives in Lagos, West Coast of Africa, who recently took part in the dedication of a Mohammedan mosque, told the people that the religion of Mohammed “does not differ materially from Christianity in its main doctrine.” Yet he would doubtless feel it an insult if one were to insist that he had not the slightest idea of what Christianity is. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.3

The Lord has given the word that the Gospel must go to all, and no power on earth can shut out the sound of it. Dr. A. T. Pierson recently said:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.4

In 1866, when I was first in Europe, I could not carry a copy of the Bible inside the walls of Rome. Last year there were twenty-nine Protestant chapels in the city of Rome, and preaching openly carried on in them with impunity, the Pope and cardinals finding it impossible to interfere. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.5

The speech made by Lord Salisbury as president of the British Association, at its recent meeting, is worthy of all the notice that it has received, and more. It was a review of the scientific discoveries of the past generation, but for a different purpose than such reviews are generally made. Instead of boasting of the wonderful amount that we know, and flattering ourselves that we are so much wiser than our ancestors, as is usually the case, Lord Salisbury pointed out how little we know. He showed that in regard to some of the most important points that have been the study of science for years, and about which great boasts have at times been made, we are as ignorant as we ever were, and that the discoveries that have been made have only served to emphasise our ignorance. Such a rehearsal is a refreshing change from the ordinary boasting of how far “science” has advanced beyond the Bible. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.6

Following is one of the points which Lord Salisbury made in his recent speech before the scientists. Speaking of the elements, and of the knowledge of them that has been gained through spectrum analysis, he said:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.7

It is a great aggravation of the mystery which boasts the question of the elements, that among the lines which are absent from the spectrum of the sun, those of oxygen and nitrogen stand first. Oxygen constitutes the largest proportion of the solid and liquid substance of our planet, so far as we know it; nitrogen is very far the predominant constituent of our atmosphere. If the earth is a detached bit whirled off the mass of the sun, as cosmogonists love to tell us, how comes it that in leaving the sun we cleaned him out so completely of his nitrogen and oxygen that not a trace of these gases remains behind to be discovered by the sensitive vision of the spectroscope? PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.8

In connection with the talk of reunion of churches that is going on at present we notice that it is insisted that “mutual concessions” must be made in order to unite. But it is not by making concessions that Christian unity is secured. It is by studying the word of God and believing it that people are welded into unity by the Spirit. The Bible says the same thing to all. Interpretations differ, but the word speaks the same thing. Conferences to study the word of God are needed more than conferences devoted to the rearranging and adjusting of ecclesiastical machinery. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.9

The first person to whom Jesus came with Divine light and comfort after His resurrection, was a woman out of whom He had cast seven devils! Mark 16:9. He passed by even the “beloved disciple,” and Nathanael, the pure Israelite, in whom was not guile, and manifested Himself first to Mary. There is a world of encouragement in this for those who are conscious of having wandered very far from God. A person can hardly be worse off spiritually than was Mary in the possession of seven demons; and on the other hand no one was better off than was the same Mary at the feet of her risen Lord when He had appeared to her first of all. The Saviour makes no favourites of the upright and respectable, and manifests Himself to none more readily than to those who most need His help. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.10

There are said to be over 100,000 lepers in India, while Japan has 200,000 known cases, and in China there are probably as many as in both these countries. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.11

“A Great Fall” The Present Truth 10, 34.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

A Great Fall.-John Wesley, speaking of the “conversion” of Constantine, said:— PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.12

Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle, patient love which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck by Constantine the Great, when he called himself a Christian, and poured in a flood of riches, honours, and power upon the Christians, more especially upon the clergy.... From the time that the Church and the State, the kingdoms of Christ and of the world, or so strangely and unnaturally blended together, Christianity and heathenism were so thoroughly incorporated with each other that they will hardly ever be divided till Christ comes to reign upon the earth. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.13

This is sadly true as to the fall. But there can be no blending of Christianity and heathenism. There can be no concord between the temple of God and idols. Nor is the individual Christian to wait supinely for the Lord to come to separate the good and evil. The separation comes before the coming of the Lord. To every man God now says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate.” Again, in the words of the Revelation, spoken of a time just before the coming of the Lord, we read, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4. PTUK August 23, 1894, page 544.14