The Present Truth, vol. 11
April 25, 1895
“Front Page” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
The Word of God was not given to man to be taken in hom?opathic doses. It is not medicine, it is food, of which no one need ever be afraid of taking too much. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.1
The difference between living for God and living for self is the difference between showing forth the praises of God and trying to show forth our own praises, of which there are none to be shown. The latter is the most difficult task that men have ever undertaken. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.2
God wants to invest all men with power and honour and wealth. This is His purpose towards us in Christ Jesus. All men may be sure of obtaining these things if they will seek them in God’s appointed way. And not only this, but He will give man an eternity of life in which to enjoy them. Romans 2:7. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.3
“Walking and Working” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
Walking and Working.-The problems of living the Christian life is not one of working, but of walking. The devil endeavours-too often successfully-to deter people from entering the straight and narrow way, by picturing before them a great array of difficult works which he tells them they will have to perform in order to be Christians. But the Scripture says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. The works of the Christian life are not our works, but God’s. They are the works of the life of Christ. Our part is to “walk in them,” by faith. And there can be nothing more wonderful and delightful than to walk in the works of God. Of Enoch, who was translated, we read simply that he “walked with God.” God invites all men to walk with Him. He asks only their consent to go with Him; He will attend to the works. There will be no trouble about the works so long as man does not try to pose as the worker. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.4
“Bruised and Healed” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
Our little child has fallen and bruised herself badly. The flesh is black and blue and swollen. Her eyes fill with tears, her lips quiver, and her whole body is trembling with the pain and the fright. Her countenance and her very attitude are a pitiful appeal for help and sympathy. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.5
What is to be done in such a case? Every parent knows what is the first impulse, and what brings the most speedy relief. Soothing remedies may be applied, but the greatest relief comes from the folding in the parent’s arms, and the love and kisses of sympathy that are bestowed. The little one settles down quietly, the strain is relaxed, the trembling ceases, and soon the pain is forgotten. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.6
What a common occurrence this is, and yet how slow we are to learn the lesson it suggests. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13, 14. We are but children. Compared with God, we are far more helpless than our children are compared with us. God deals with us as sons, for we are His children; and His love and pity for us are as much greater than ours for our children, as God is greater than we are. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.7
Think of that statement, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” He pities them in just the same way, only infinitely more. That is to say, He takes us up in His arms, if we will but come to Him knowing that He is our Father, and He soothes the pain and heals the bruise. For “He health the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3. Christ says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The Spirit of the Lord is upon Him “to heal the brokenhearted,” “to set at liberty them that are bruised,” “to comfort all that mourn.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.8
That is just what we need. We have fallen and are sorely bruised. We are “laden with iniquity,” “the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the soul of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores.” Isaiah 1:5, 6. Our need is desperate. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.9
Believing that the Lord is indeed our Father, we come to Him, and find that His arms are stretched out to receive us. He says, “As one whom his father comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Isaiah 66:13. What does this mean but that He will take us up in His arms? How else does a mother comfort her babes? When Jesus was on earth He took up the little ones in His arms, and in so doing He was but manifesting the love and tenderness of the Father. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.10
We are sadly battered and bruised by sin. But “He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 58:4, 5. How blessed is the assurance that PTUK April 25, 1895, page 257.11
“There is mercy with the Saviour;
There is healing in His blood.”
PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.1
“For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.”
PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.2
These things are real. They are not figures of speech. They are as real as God Himself. To doubt the reality of God’s comfort; to doubt that “underneath are the everlasting arms,” and that God does as really fold us in His embrace as the earthly father does his child, is to doubt the reality of the existence of God. We cannot know anything of God except as He reveals Himself to us. To doubt that He is just what He declares Himself to be, is to doubt that He exists at all. But in all His Word He has revealed Himself as the tender, pitting, loving Parent. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.3
Let us then come to Him believing that He is, and that he delights in mercy. Then, having tasted that the Lord is precious, we shall say, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; for Thy love is better than wine.” Why not allow the Lord to be as real to us as He actually is? PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.4
“If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.”
PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.5
“Why Men Err” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
The reason why there is so much religious error in the world was stated by our Saviour when He answered the objection of the Sadducees concerning the resurrection. “Ye do err,” He said, “not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29. In Mark it is recorded that He told them they did “greatly err.” Mark 12:27. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.6
The Bible was not given to supplement the knowledge and wisdom of man. Man has no wisdom, except in his own eyes. All the wisdom of man is foolishness with God. 1 Corinthians 1:20, 21. To them that perish, the preaching of the cross of Christ is foolishness. The mind of man, therefore, can do nothing else but err in its relation to spiritual truth. The person who thinks the wisdom of God was given to supplement his own will as surely err as did the Sadducees; and the error, like theirs, will be great. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.7
The objection which the Sadducees raised against the resurrection is a fair illustration of those objections which the wisdom of man raises against the truthfulness of God’s Word. The Word is rejected because in its light the far-fetched suppositions and speculations of man’s mind will not appear beautiful and consistent. But all such efforts of the human mind are useless, because it does not know the power of God; and man does not know the power of God until he knows the Scriptures, for God’s power is the power of His Word, and the Scriptures are His Word. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.8
What man is prepared to say that the Bible does not mean just what it says—that certain statements made in that Word concerning what is to be, cannot be true?—Only the man who knows that God’s power is not sufficient for its accomplishments; and this no man can know, for it is not true. To know God’s power we must know the Scriptures, and we do not know the Scriptures unless they are to us the revelation of the power and wisdom of God. The further men turn aside from the Word, the deeper must they plunge into error. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.9
“Gladstone on the Lord’s Day” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
A GREAT PERPLEXITY
One of the most striking features of the Sunday question is the perplexity that exists among men as to why it should be observed. If this perplexity were confined to those who make no profession of religion, there would be nothing wonderful in it; but the fact is that it exists in the minds of those who profess to be perfectly sure that Sunday is the divinely-appointed day of rest. Thus the New York Independent, of March 28, begins a review of a recent article by Professor Zahn on the Sunday, with these words:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.10
One of the knotty problems which the student of New Testament and early ecclesiastical literature must meet deals with the origin of the Christian Sunday as a day of worship, and the why and wherefore of the change from the seventh to the first day of the week as the day for public worship in the primitive church. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.11
In like manner, Mr. Gladstone, in his recent article on the Lord’s day says that there are two peculiarities in the defence of the Sunday. The first is that PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.12
There are important auxiliaries, who put wholly out of view the revealed sanction and the properly Christian motive. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.13
The other peculiarity is said to be that PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.14
Very many of these defenders, whose motives and profession are not secular but distinctly religious, are singularly ill-equipped with consistent or perspicuous ideas of the subject. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.15
And yet again He says on this latter point:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.16
As to the ideas, it can hardly be said that in our own country, of which alone I speak, the general mind is possessed with any conception, at once accurate and clear, of the religious ground on which we are to observe the Sunday. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.17
A strange condition of things! Here is the Sunday, which is held to be the very chief of Christian institutions, and the observance of which is supposed to be absolutely necessary to the preservation of religion; yet of its two classes of defenders, one is wholly secular, and the religious class do not have any definite idea of the religious grounds for Sunday observance! PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.18
Let the reader not fail to give particular attention to this significant fact: that in the nineteenth century after Christ there is no unanimity nor clear idea among professed Christians concerning what is supposed to be one of the most vital points of Christianity. People are everywhere crying out, in substance, “Tell us what we believe, and why we believe in it; especially tell us why we keep Sunday.” Could there be any more conclusive evidence that Sunday observance has no real foundation whatever? PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.19
A WORTHY CHAMPION
But now we have Mr. Gladstone to the rescue. The first part of his article appeared in March, but we delayed commenting upon it until it should be completed. It was the most widely advertised of any article that we have seen for a long time, but no more widely than the reputation of the author warranted. It is safe to say that no man in the United Kingdom is better equipped for the task than Mr. Gladstone. A Churchman born, a thorough scholar, perfectly at home in every branch of learning, knowing classical literature by heart, and nearly as well acquainted with theological literature as with the classics, a trained and experienced controversialist, a master of language, knowing how to marshal arguments and to put them in the most telling manner,—surely if there is anything in a case, Mr. Gladstone is the man to set it forth. If he fails, it is the fault of the case and not of the man. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.20
We have no disposition to criticise, and the object of this present article is solely to set before our readers the arguments for Sunday, as produced by Mr. Gladstone. If they are satisfied with them, and believe that the foundation which he lays for Sunday observance is sound, that is their privilege. We are anxious only that when men make the choice between the two days,—the seventh and the first,—they may perfectly understand the reason why they do so, and may know exactly on what foundation each stands. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 258.21
SUNDAY AND THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
Having stated that the general mind does not possess any clear and accurate conception of the religious ground on which people observe Sunday, Mr. Gladstone proceeds to say:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.1
There is a hazy, but still practical and by no means superficial, impression that in some way it has to do with the original command delivered to Moses, so often recited in our churches, and backed there by the definite petition that God will incline our hearts “to keep this law.” We do not in due proportion weigh or measure two facts which bear materially on the case. Two changes have been imported into this law; one of them into its form, the other into its spirit. The first has been altered by translation of the commandment from the seventh day of the week to the first; the second, by imparting to it a positive and affirmative, in addition to its originally and prohibitory sense. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.2
Give good heed to several points admitted in the foregoing statement. First, the observance of Sunday is not in harmony with the fourth commandment. Second, the commandment as given required the observance of the seventh day of the week. Third, this is an acknowledgment of the fact that the day called Sunday is the first day of the week, and is not the day named in the commandment, and that the day commonly called Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and is the day named in the commandment. If these points are well grasped, there is no difficulty in arriving at a perfect understanding of the case. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.3
Note further the admission that two changes have been imported into the law of God, namely in its form and in its spirit. That means a complete change, so that in reality Mr. Gladstone agrees with Prebendary Eyton, that PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.4
To discuss then any questions about Sunday observance, in connection with the fourth commandment, is obviously to discuss questions which cannot be settled in that fashion. Sunday... has no possible connection with the Jewish Sabbath, either as regards its fundamental idea of observance, or even as regards its Divine sanction. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.5
It is obvious that a law that has been changed in both form and spirit is essentially another law; therefore according to Mr. Gladstone, as well as Prebendary Eyton, Sunday-keeping has no connection whatever with the fourth commandment. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.6
It is worth while, in passing, to call attention to the fact that the commandment is not merely negative and prohibitory, but is positive as well. It starts out with the positive injunction, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and then proceeds to tell what day the Sabbath day is. Therefore it did not stand in need of any change to make it positive. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.7
A FOREIGN IMPORTATION
One other point should be given special attention, and that is that the Bible contains no trace of this amended commandment. The Bible contains only the original commandment as spoken by Jehovah Himself from Mt. Sinai, with a voice that shook the earth. The changes in the law have been altogether “imported;” they are entirely foreign to the Bible and its Author. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.8
This is admitted by Mr. Gladstone, when, after speaking of the failure to recognise “the ascent that the fourth commandment of the decalogue has made, and the development and expansion that it has received under the Christian dispensation,” he says:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.9
Hence perhaps it is that we have but imperfectly grasped what is implied in what we familiarly call the observance of Sunday. Possibly there may have been a concurring cause for this defect in the indisposition of many minds, after the crisis of the Reformation, to recognise any action of the Church apart from the Scriptures. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.10
This point thus admitted is directly stated in the following words that occur later on:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.11
The seventh day of the week has been deposed from its title to obligatory religious observance, and its prerogative has been carried over to the first; under no direct precept of Scripture. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.12
Now we have the case squarely before us. The fourth commandment requires the observance of the seventh day of the week. That seventh day is the day immediately preceding the day known as Sunday. This commandment has been changed both in form and in spirit. But the change was not authorised by Scripture, and the record of it is not contained in Scripture. It was wholly the action of “the Church.” Therefore the change was not in reality ever made in the commandment, which remains exactly the same as it was in the beginning. So that in the Sunday we have an institution of “the Church” put forth as a rival to the Sabbath of the Bible. He who observes the seventh day follows the Bible, while He who observes the first day follows “the Church.” The issue therefore is plain. It is the Sunday against the Sabbath,—“the Church” against the Bible. Which will you choose? PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.13
A BOLD ASSUMPTION
Again we quote from Mr. Gladstone:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.14
The Christian community took upon itself to alter the form of the Jewish ordinance; but this was with a view to giving larger effect to its spiritual purpose. The seventh day had been ordained as the most appropriate, according to the decalogue, for commemorating the old creation. The advent of our Lord introduced us to a chain of events by which alone the benefits of the old creation were secured to us, together with the yet higher benefits of the new. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.15
Note this well. God Himself gave the fourth commandment. “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” “For we know that the law is spiritual.” Romans 7:12, 14. Yet “the Christian community,” without any Scripture warrant, “took upon itself” to alter the commandment, “with a view to giving larger effect to its spiritual purpose.” That is to say, “the Christian community” presumed to be able to improve God’s work. It claimed to be more spiritual than God Himself. Of course there could be no scriptural warrant for such an interference with God’s law, since the Scripture says, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30), and, “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever.” Ecclesiastes 3:14. It remained for a so-called “Christian community” to oppose and exalt itself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that it set itself forth as God. It matters not what that “Christian community” is called; the fact remains that it brought about the change in the observance of the day of rest only by doing what is ascribed to the “man of sin,” “the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.16
THE NEW CREATION
Let it be noted that the seventh day never commemorated “the old creation.” When the seventh day was sanctified as the Sabbath, the heavens and the earth were new. The seventh day commemorates the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, unsullied by the curse. It commemorates the new creation, when God saw everything that He had made, and behold it was very good. The Apostle Paul writes, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation.” It is even this new creation that the Sabbath is designed to commemorate; for the Lord says that He gave the Sabbath to His people, “that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezekiel 20:12. And since it is Christ that is made unto us sanctification, the seventh day is the badge and reminder of His sanctifying power. The seventh day commemorates the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, and the power of God to create new men to inhabit them. The first day of the week commemorates nothing but the blasphemous presumption of a so-called “Christian community” that “took upon itself” to give larger effect to the spiritual purpose of the commandment of God. The first day as a rest day is therefore simply the badge of antichrist. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 259.17
THE “RECORD OF FACTS’
But some one will ask if Mr. Gladstone does not claim that there is some warrant in Scripture for the change. Yes, he does, and we propose to give every bit of the evidence that he produces, and in his own words. He says that the change has been made “under no direct precept of Scripture,“ PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.1
Yet, with a Biblical record of facts, all supplied by St. John, which go far toward showing that among the apostles themselves, and therefore from apostolic times, the practice of Divine woship on the Lord’s day has been continuously and firmly established. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.2
It will be borne in mind that by the term “Lord’s day” Mr. Gladstone means the Sunday. We shall presently give special attention to this term, but will pass it by for the present, to quote the “record of facts” which the Apostle John is said to give, which “go far” toward establishing the apostolic origin of Sunday-keeping. Here is the entire “record of facts,” in Mr. Gladstone’s own words:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.3
On the day of the resurrection itself, in the evening, the disciples were solemnly assembled, with the door shut “for fear of the Jews,” (St. John 20:19), and the Lord, in His risen body, appeared among them, to confer on them their great mission (verses 21-23). Again on the eighth day, or, as we should term it, seven days after the great day of the resurrection, we have a similar assembly and the like appearance, which records the confirmation of the faith of St. Thomas (verses 26-28). The same apostle who had linked together thus markedly these three occasions, introduces the Apocalypse to us, with a proem that shows a deep sense of its dignity and importance; and proceeds to localise it, first in place, by describing the isle of Patmos as the scene, and then in time, by specifying that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:9, 10). PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.4
This is the complete “record of facts” which Mr. Gladstone says “go far” towards showing that Sunday was kept from the days of the apostles. Notice that he does not claim that these facts actually show that Sunday was observed by them; he simply cautiously claims that they “go far” towards showing it. We will now examine each statement in detail, and then we shall see just how far they go, and how far they fall short of showing any Divine sanction whatever for Sunday-keeping. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.5
A FIRST DAY MEETING
First we have John 20:19, where after speaking of the resurrection of Jesus, the apostle says:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.6
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace unto you.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.7
Now we submit to every candid person that there is not in that verse the slightest hint of Sunday sacredness. If a man entirely ignorant of the Sunday controversy, and therefore unprejudiced, read it, he could gather from it nothing further than that the disciples were fearful lest the Jews should include them in the condemnation of Jesus, and that they therefore huddled together in a room with closed doors, and that Jesus hastened after His resurrection to call on their fears. Scarcely anything more is needed to show the unscripturalness of Sunday observance, than the fact that this verse is relied on to prove it. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.8
“AFTER EIGHT DAYS’
The next fact referred to is given in John 20:26:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.9
“And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.10
Compare this with the words of Mr. Gladstone concerning it:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.11
Again on the eighth day, or, as we should turn it, seven days after the great day of the resurrection, we have a similar assembly and a like appearance. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.12
But the Scripture does not say that the appearance was “on the eighth day,” nor even “eight days after,” but “after eight days.” By no method of “reduction descending” known to mathematics could “after eight days” be made the same as “seven days after.” That first appearance came on Sunday, the second one, “after eight days,” could not by any possibility be earlier than Monday night of the following week. The use of this verse only still further emphasises the absence of Scripture to sustain Sunday observance. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.13
“AT HOME’
But it is a matter of the utmost indifference whether that meeting with the disciples was on Sunday night or Tuesday night; for there is not the slightest hint of any sacredness attaching to the time. Note the expression, “His disciples were within.” That is the common form of expression to denote that people are at home. Can it mean that in this instance?—Certainly, and it can mean nothing else. We read that after the disciples had seen Jesus ascended to heaven they returned to Jerusalem, “and when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.” Acts 1:13. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.14
So from these two texts we learn that the disciples, fearing lest the sight of them should stir up the passions of the mob, shut themselves closely at home, where Jesus came to see them on the day of His resurrection, and again sometime in the middle of the next week. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.15
What have we next? The next and the last fact cited is the declaration made by John that he was in the Spirit on PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.16
THE LORD’S DAY
Very good; but what has that to do with Sunday? What say the Scriptures? They tell us in plain terms what day the Lord’s day is. Thus, in Exodus 20:8-10 we read:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.17
“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.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.18
Again, referring to the same day of the week, the Lord says:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.19
“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,” etc. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.20
Note the two texts. One tells us that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and the other tells us that the Sabbath is the Lord’s day, and holy. The seventh day, therefore, and none other, is the Lord’s day. And it was of this very day that the Saviour declared Himself to be Lord, when He was falsely accused of breaking it. Matthew 12:8. He therefore claimed it as His day. With what face, then, can any one assume that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day? PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.21
AN INVENTION TO MEET A WANT
The answer to that last question is found in the fact that “the Christian community” “took upon itself,” without any Scripture warrant, to change the ordinance of God. Having done that, and wishing afterwards to make it appear that the Bible sanctioned their wickedness, they simply declared that the term “Lord’s day” meant Sunday. When asked for proof that Revelation 1:10 refers to Sunday, they merely pointed to their own work. That is, they perverted the Bible to make it appear to sanction their deeds, instead of making their actions harmonise with it. The term Lord’s day, as applied to Sunday, is pure invention, with no foundation whatever in the Scriptures. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 260.22
Looking at the whole of the so-called evidence for the Sunday, it is evident that it is but an afterthought. That is, there is nothing whatever in the Scriptures from which a person coming to them ignorant of the customs of “the Church” could possibly get the idea that the first day of the week is to be, or that it ever was, observed by anybody. No; people find themselves keeping Sunday, without knowing the reason why. They wish to know why, and appeal to those who are supposed to know, who straightway try to find in the Bible an excuse for their custom. No wonder that their efforts bear the stamp of failure. The Christian Commonwealth, which is by no means favourable to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, says that Mr. Gladstone’s article “may be regarded as timely,” but is nevertheless constrained to add:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.1
However, it must be admitted that Mr. Gladstone is not at his best in the line of argument for himself in the article under consideration. There is too much “glittering generality” and not enough definiteness in order to carry conviction. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.2
The fault is not in Mr. Gladstone, but in the case itself. Where Mr. Gladstone has failed, who can hope to succeed? His failure was predicted by a minister of his own church, who said:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.3
This much I may prophesy-that with all his great genius, and all his deep and reverent knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, he will not be able to quote a single passage in the New Testament which states that the Christian Sunday is a substitute for the Jewish Sabbath. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.4
THE REAL GROUND
Another writer, Prebendary Eyton, also of the Church of England, says: PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.5
The observance of Sunday in the Christian Church comes to us with quite a different sanction, and based on different grounds, from that of the Jewish Sabbath. It rests upon no direct Divine command; no word is said about it in the New Testament. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.6
And the Rev. Dr. Isaac Williams, also of the Church of England, says: PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.7
The reason why we keep the first day of the week holy instead of the seventh is for the same reason that we observe many other things, not because the Bible, but because the Church, has enjoined it. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.8
If Sunday defenders will all take up this position, and stick to it, there will very soon be an end of all perplexity over the Sunday question. We have no words of condemnation for those who do so. Indeed, our whole effort is to this end, that all may know the exact grounds on which both the seventh day and the first day are observed. When it is seen and acknowledged that while the observance of the seventh day rests on the fourth commandment and the example of Christ, the observance of the first day rests solely on the authority of “the Church,” the Sabbath controversy will come to an end. There will then be just two classes,—those who accept the Bible only as the rule of life, and those who take the Church as the only infallible guide. Then the man who is now perplexed will simply have to decide whether he will follow the Bible or “the Church,” and the Lord Himself will judge between the men who make the decision. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 261.9
“The ‘Up-to-Date’ Pulpit” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
A well-known clergyman has drawn up in one of the Reviews a statement of the attitude which the new pulpit must assume in order to minister to clever people of this advanced age. It is instructive to see it plainly stated, as it marks the progress of the popular movement which is causing the old-fashioned infidel critic of the Bible a loss of his occupation. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.1
The Old Pulpit said, “The Bible is the word of God.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.2
The New Pulpit says, “The word of God is in the Bible.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.3
The Old Pulpit said, “The Bible is an inspired history.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.4
The New Pulpit says, “The Bible is the history of an inspired people.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.5
The Old Pulpit said, “The Bible is infallibly inspired.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.6
The New Pulpit says, “The Bible is inspired, but not infallible.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.7
The Old Pulpit said, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.8
The New Pulpit adds, “I believe in the survival of the ego and the continuity of the individual in some suitable, though at present unknown, form, under some suitable, though at present unknown, conditions, and so forth.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.9
“When the Son of man cometh shall He find faith on the earth?” As the Word is the word of salvation, and as “It is written” is the one defence against the power against the power of sin, it is not strange that Satan’s attacks have always been directed against the Word, nor that when “he knoweth that he hath but a short time” he should specially work to undermine the Scriptures in the last days. Over against this statement of the position of the New Pulpit, let us place the apostle’s declaration in that epistle which warns against latter-day perils and conditions:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.10
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the Word.... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.... And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.11
“False Charity” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
One of the characteristics of charity, or love, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is that it “doth not behave itself unseemly.” Measured by this rule, much that passes for charity is found to be such only in appearance. Charity always maintains the distinction between the sacred and the common. It never leads its possessor to take the name of God in vain, or to mingle lightness and irreverence with that which pertains to His worship. There is a spurious charity in the world which is not incompatible with great zeal and devotion in the cause which it represents, but which accomplishes nothing in the work of saving souls from sin. When the sacred and the common are mixed, the mixture is common, not sacred. Only that which is sacred can be used in the service of God. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.12
Knowledge is always an essential thing in the service of God. God has given men particular instructions concerning the manner in which He is to be worshipped and served, and He did this because man could not obtain this knowledge by any power of his own. God has never tolerated any departure from these instructions, because there has never been any occasion for such departure on man’s part. This knowledge He has given to man in His Word; and the reason why so many have a zeal without knowledge, and a spurious charity in the place of the genuine, is that they have neglected that Word. They that worship God must worship both in spirit and in truth. They that pray aright must pray with the heart, and with the understanding also. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.13
To slight the word of a man is to slight the man. Likewise, to slight the Word of God is to slight God Himself. And God cannot be worshipped and slighted at the same time. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.1
When men disregard the Word of the Lord,—when they become too busy in His service to find time to read and study His instructions-the inevitable result is that they mingle their own ideas and ways with His sacred things, and turn His worship into that which is unseemly. Let professed Christians remember that before charity comes knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-7), and that knowledge comes by the earnest, prayerful study of God’s Word. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.2
While we should not think or speak evil of any man or organisation of men, it is of the highest importance that we should be able to discern between the work of the Spirit of God, and that of some spirit which is not of God. And the test is, “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 April 25, 1895, page 263.3
“Sons of God” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
The religion of Christ is the realisation and enjoyment of our relation to God as His children. It tells us that the relation we sustain to the earthly parent whom we honour and love, also exists between us and the One who created all things. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.4
This is the true religion, and not a mysterious something which has to do with creeds and dogmas, ceremonies, and irksome duties. It is seen by looking, not at the church, but at Christ. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.5
A son is privileged to come directly to his father and speak with him. What kind of a father would he be who would not allow his son to hear his voice, or speak a word in his presence? God is not such a Father to us as that. “God is love.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.6
God is a Father to whom we can come personally and make known our wants. He puts nothing between us and Himself,—no priest, no dead “saints,” no church, no minister, no proxy of any kind. We should not enjoy the relation of Father and child if He did. He puts us in His church, where we experience the privileged and the benefit of the association with others who love Him, and to whom He speaks. But He takes us at the same time into the closest and most confidential relationship with Himself. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.7
“As Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us.” John 17:21. And “in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” No earthly relationship is so close is this. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.8
The devil and all “the synagogue of Satan” would have us believe we are servants,—slaves,—and must stand aloof, fearful and trembling, and only essay to communicate with God through others higher in His favour. But Bible Christianity sweeps all this aside with the declaration, “Ye are sons!” We are sons, and enjoy the favour of sons. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!” 1 John 3:1. “And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6. Let us believe in it and “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 263.9
“‘Declined with Thanks’ in Chinese” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
One of the most difficult tasks of an editor is to decline the contributions sent in, which for lack of room or ether reasons he does not consider it best to use. The Chinese editor does this so gracefully that the task must be a pleasant one to him. The following is certified to be a true translation of a letter sent by a Chinese editor to a would-be contributor, whose manuscript he found it necessary to decline:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 267.1
“ILLUSTRIOUS BROTHER OF THE SUN AND MOON: Behold thy servant prostrate before thy feet. I kowtow to thee and beg that of thy graciousness thou mayst grant that I may speak and live. Thy honoured manuscript has deigned to cast the light of its august countenance upon us. With raptures we have perused it. By the bones of my ancestors, never have I encountered such wit, such pathos, such lofty thought. With fear and trembling I return the writing. Were I to publish the treasure you sent me, the emperor would order that it should be made the standard, and that none be published except such as equalled it. Knowing literature as I do, and that it would be impossible in ten thousand years equal what you have done, I send your writing back. Ten thousand times I crave your pardon. Behold, my head is at your feet. Do what you will. Your servant’s servant.—“THE EDITOR.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 267.2
“Jokes” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
Teach children early to distinguish between fun and mischief, which always has in it an element of evil. Join in their fun as heartily as you can, but beware how you applaud their mischief. Don’t let them bear you laughing over the good jokes they have played off on each other, if those jokes have in them, as nearly all practical jokes do, a spice of malice, or if anybody is made uncomfortable by them. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 267.3
“Birds and Their Eyes” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
Birds, as rule, cannot focus their eyes on an object save at a considerable distance, and then only with difficulty. The reason for this singular fact is found in the position of the eyes in the head, one being planed on each side and looking directly outward, so that they cannot be brought to bear on one object save, perhaps, at a very long distance and directly in front. The truth of this statement may be demonstrated by anyone who has observed ordinary fowls turning their heads on one side when desirous of more closely examining some object which has attracted their attention. When excited by the presence of a strange object, chickens will often be noticed examining it, first with one eye and then with the other, turning their heads for that purpose, thus showing, that they cannot bring both eyes to bear upon it at once. The only exception to the general rule is found in the case of the owl, whose eyes are placed in front of the head, and are capable of being brought to a focus on an object a very short distance in front. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 268.1
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 268.2
“Be Punctual” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
The following is told as a good illustration of the advantage of punctuality it is the story of a young man named Jackson, who for several years was the favourite of the late King of Wurtemburg. There is a greater reason for forming the habit of punctuality than any such advancement as is here spoken of. It is that the Christian is given opportunities to serve the Lord in all that is done every day, and only by being prompt aid faithful in little things can we improve the time which the Lord sends us to use for Him:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 269.1
Some boys and girls are apt to think that a minute after time is just as well as before, but young Jackson did not think so. He went to Germany to study music, but sprained his hand by practising too on the piano. Fortunately it was his left hand, and while he could not practise his music, he could write. He obtained some help from the American Consul at Stuttgart, who gave Jackson only one rule-and that was, he must be at his work exactly at nine o’clock each morning. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 269.2
Every morning exactly at five minutes to nine, Jackson crossed the square in front of the Royal Palace on his way to the consul’s office. The King of Wurtemburg was always taking his morning exercise at the time, and without appearing to observe the young man, remarked his promptness. After Jackson had continued his work about two months, the King’s confidential friend died. Then the King made inquiries about Jackson and summoned him to appear. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.1
“I have decided to make you my confidential friend,” said his Majesty. “From to-day you will take up your residence in the Palace. I have ordered a set of apartments to be fitted up for you near my own.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.2
Jackson was at a loss to understand this, and asked the king to what he owed this elevation. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.3
“To your punctuality,” said the king. “I have noticed your habits for the past months, and you have never been one second late or earlier in passing the Palace gate. You are the man I wish for my confidant. From to-day you are Baron Jackson.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.4
Young Jackson removed to the Palace and for years was the constant companion of the king, who loaded him with favours. After a time he gave him a beautiful villa on one of the lakes in Switzerland, where the king is in the habit of going every summer. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.5
“News of the Week” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
One of the largest life insurance companies refuses to take risks upon the lives of persons who have been habitual smokers of cigarettes between the ages of eight and eighteen. Shopkeepers and business men are discovering that the usefulness of boys who smoke cigarettes is so rapidly impaired that they are likely to prove of little service, and hence decline to employ them. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.6
Recently published statistics show that the working classes in England alone last year spent more money on intoxicating drink than the total rent of all the houses in great Britain. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.7
Intemperance has a fearful hold upon Belgium. It is computed that 200,000 deaths occur in that country annually as the result of strong drink, and that 75 per cent. of all crime is due to the same cause. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.8
-The report of the Challenger expedition to explore the ocean bed by means of dredging, has been completed, and contains 29,500 printed pages, 3,000 plates and maps, and innumerable engravings. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.9
-Missionaries in India are indignant that a firm of European silversmiths should have undertaken recently a contract to make a bull to be worshipped at a Hindoo temple. The bull is to be of sliver and life-size. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.10
-During a bull-fight recently at Barcelona, Spain, one of the animals jumped over the barriers amongst the spectators, causing a panic. A shot fired at the bull passed through its body and killed one of the spectators. The fight than went on as usual. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.11
-Persecution still, goes on in Tennessee, the latest news from Rhea County, in that State, reporting fifteen indictments against conscientious observers of the Bible Sabbath, for work done on Sunday, several of those indicted being already in prison for the same “offence.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.12
-The British Chitral expedition has encountered obstinate resistance from the natives of the district ruled by Umra Khan, and after severe and continuous fighting for several days, during which the command forced its way over hills and mountains in the face of the enemy, the expedition has attained its object, and Umra Khan has been compelled to sue for peace. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.13
-Recent votes in the French Chamber and Senate in favour of a tax on the revenues of religious communities have greatly irritated the Pope. The Osservatore Romano, the official journal of the Vatican, declares that this action inaugurates in France a veritable Kulturkampf. It is understood that the Pontiff will send instructions to the bishops and religious orders to refuse to pay the tax in the hope that the Republic, seeing Leo’s attitude of opposition, will beat a retreat. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.14
-A treaty of peace between China and Japan was signed April 17. Although the terms arena officially stated, it is understood that they include the cession to Japan of the Liao-tung peninsula from the port of Newchwang to the Yalu River, the island of Formosa and the Pescadores, an indemnity of 200,000,000 taels (about ?33,000,000), the opening of five or seven treaty ports, including Peking, and a number of commercial advantages which are not definitely announced. The indemnity is to be paid in silver, and this fact is expected to lessen considerably the present prostration of that metal. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.15
-In the matter of the dispute between England and Nicaragua over the claim for damages made by England for the violation of the rights of British subjects in Nicaragua, it is reported that the United States will strenuously insist upon upholding the “Monroe doctrine,” which as applied to the present case will demand that whatever may be the outcome of the pending controversy, Great Britain shall not be permitted to seize any territory, that in no event shall there be any cession of territory to her by Nicaragua, and that tinder no circumstances shall Great Britain be permitted to land a naval or military force for either a temporary or a permanent occupation. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.16
-Over an area of at least five degrees of longitude and three of latitude, from the borders of Servia to within the line of the Bavarian highlands, and from the Italian lakes to Vienna, there came, just before midnight of Sunday, April 14, an earthquake which did not cease its shocks, thirty-one in number, for nearly eight hours. It was felt chiefly in Carnicia, in the Upper Valley of the Save, but tremblings are said to have extended as far as Rome and Hungary. Even in Vienna clocks stopped, and at Venice, which is now, like Rome, crowded with English people, the occupants of hotels rushed out at midnight and camped in the square of St. Mark. The worst effects were felt at Laibach, the capital of Carnicia, where nearly every building was damaged or destroyed, and a dozen lives were lost, many other persons sustaining injuries. Such an earthquake in the central portion of Europe is a most unusual occurrence. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 270.17
“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 17.
E. J. Waggoner
“O Lord, truly I am Thy servant; I am Thy servant, and the son of Thine handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.” Psalm 116:16. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.1
That is the language of the soul that has learned that “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” Verse 5. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.2
But the loosing of bonds is the work of the Holy Spirit; “for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17. The Spirit of the Lord proclaims “liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.3
But “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:14-16. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.4
Therefore as soon as we recognise the fact that God has delivered us, so that we may serve Him, and we acknowledge that we are His servants, and free, He says, “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:7. When the returning prodigal said, “I have sinned... make me as one of thy hired servants,” the father said, “This my son was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.5
The Paris correspondent of The Catholic Times, of Philadelphia, speaks thus of the French invasion of Madagascar:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.6
The Catholic missions there may suffer somewhat, although from a letter just received from Mgr. Cozet, the Vicar Apostolic, I learned that so far the Catholic religion has not suffered on account of the approaching French invasion. The expedition, indeed, from the Catholic point of view is most desirable. The Protestant sects have had their own way there far too long. The time is approaching when our missions will receive a substantial support from that European power which, whatever the faults at home, has never failed to protect Catholic interests abroad. It is the fashion to speak of French policy in Madagascar as a check to England. It is nearer the truth to regard it as a check to British Protestantism. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.7
Last week a party of our friends, seven adults, sailed from Southampton for South Africa, on their way to the Matabele country where they expect to join others who have preceded them in missionary effort. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.8
The Battersea branch of the Social Democratic Federation has just started a Sunday school for the children of Socialists, because it is believed that “such schools will do more to make Socialists than street-corner oratory.” Nearly one hundred pupils attend. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.9
The Catholic Times says that “the prospect for the conversion of Wales, for the furtherance of which the new Vicariate Apostolic is to be established, is on the whole fairly encouraging.” Most Protestants will doubtless laugh at this expression of confidence; but he who laughs at Romanism usually ends by laughing with it, or else by mourning. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.10
A petition recently presented to the Czar, praying for a relaxation of the laws governing the Press in Russia, has been rejected, the commission to which it was referred, consisting of the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, and the chief Procurator of the Synod of the Russian Church having reported adversely upon it. At the same time, Russia is taking steps toward a more strict enforcement of Sunday observance. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.11
In a recent sermon at the City Temple, Dr. Parker said that men are now trying to protect the Sunday. But he said, “It was useless to try to legislate about the Sabbath. Whip and scourge could not do the Lord’s work.” This will be acknowledged by all who know the first principles of the Gospel, but the cry for the whip and scourge of human legislation is bound to increase as men learned that the institution has no Divine sanction to uphold it. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.12
Here is another Church of England testimony concerning Sunday observance, which we commend to those who wish to know just why they keep Sunday, and how to keep it:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.13
It is quite impossible, with the evidence of the Book of Common Prayer in our hands and the fact that our Anglo-Saxon forefathers did assist at the recitation of the choir office as well as at mass, to say otherwise than that the Church desires, though she does not command, her lay members to do more in the way of worship on Sundays than to hear mass only.... The man who simply hears mass on Sunday fulfils his obligation of Sunday worship, and if he does not hear mass he entirely fails to fulfil it.-From Essay on “Canonical Sunday Worship,” by the Rev. Edmund G. Wood, B. D., Vicar of St. Clement’s, Cambridge, in “The Lord’s Prayer and the Holy Eucharist,” pp. 91, 92. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.14
The fact that the Italian Government is now reduced to such straits that it is seeking aid from the Vatican, is most significant. Indeed obsequiousness to the Catholic clergy is such that the Osservatore Romano, the official organ of the Vatican, considers it necessary to put Catholics on their guard. The following from that journal indicates that the Vatican will doubtless soon be master of the situation:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.15
We have entered upon a period which may prove really dangerous to the cause we have been defending for so many years at the cost of personal sacrifices. We are no longer derided, despised, or loaded with anathemas. We are, indeed, almost assured that we alone can save suffering in Italy and society, which is in a desperate condition. Let us be on our guard lest this period of blandishments and cajoleries be not followed by deception. Let us take care not to use in an hour of thoughtlessness and blindness all that we have gained in many years of resistance and struggle. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.16
Here is a very brief extract from a letter which we have received:— PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.17
Christ said, “The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath day.” After His resurrection it was changed from Saturday to Sunday, by Divine inspiration, as I hold, though there is no record of this. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.18
Before our friend can get us to hold with him, he will have to produce the record. When Jesus met the tempter, He did not attempt to do it with notions of His own, for which He had no authority, nor did He say, “I hold that we ought to worship God,” but His reply was prefaced every time with, “It is written.” Remembering that man cannot live except “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” we dare not ignore one of His words, nor dare we manufacture words for Him. “Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.19
The cross of Christ is God’s unanswerable answer to all the objections from whatever source that can be brought against His government and His Word. PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.20
“Plead the cause of the poor and needy.” PTUK April 25, 1895, page 272.21