The Present Truth, vol. 11
May 2, 1895
“Front Page” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
“The path of the just as the shining light, that shineth more and more on to the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.22
It was in harmony with this fact that the Apostle Paul prayed “that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.23
The Christian life is a race, and the watchword is, Progress. A race in which there is no advance is simply not a race. So if a professed Christian does not “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” he is not living the Christian life. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.24
The Christian life is also a school, in which Christ is the Teacher. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.” Matthew 11:28, 29. Christ says of Himself, “The Lord hath given Me the tongue of them that are taught, ... He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as they that are taught.” Isaiah 50:4. The disciple is not greater than his Lord. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.25
Therefore the man who determines that he will never believe or practise anything more than what he believed and did when he was first converted, deliberately resolves never to live the Christian life. It is the same as though a boy should determine never to learn anything more than he learned the first day he went to school. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.26
The commandments of God are “exceeding broad.” The fact that we are familiar with any portion of Scripture, is no evidence that we know all that there is in it. The riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God are unsearchable, so that nobody can ever say that he knows it all. He may know that what he does see is the truth, but he knows nothing as he ought to know it, if he does not know that there is “much more” to learn. Let us therefore all pray, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 272.27
“The Second Psalm” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
A LESSON FOR ALL TIME
In this psalm we have questions and answers and exhortations. They are applicable at all times, but most especially at the present time, as we shall see. The psalm begins, with the question,— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.1
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.2
The word “heathen” is the same as “nations.” Among men the word “heathen” is usually considered as synonymous with “uncivilised;” but the Bible calls all men heathen who do not serve the Lord, no matter how much they may have of the veneer and polish of what is called civilisation. It will be noticed that in the margin we have “tumultuously assemble” as the equivalent of “rage.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.3
PLOTTING AGAINST THE LORD
What is the cause of the tumultuous gatherings of the people? and what is the vain thing which they imagine. The second and third verses give the answer,— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.4
“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.5
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.6
The reader will see by looking at John 1:41 and margin, that the word, “Anointed” and “Christ” are the same. Therefore we may read, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Christ.” This is quoted in Acts 4:25, 26. The Father and the Son are inseparable. It is impossible to speak against one without opposing the other. It is impossible that there should be such a thing as believing in God but not in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6. They are one in redemption, as they are one in creation. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.7
Notice well that the bands and cords of both are the same. Some people like to persuade themselves that in casting away the law of the Lord they are following Christ. They try to believe that Christ came for the purpose of losing men from their obligation to keep the law of God. That is a part of the “vain thing” which the people imagine. He who seeks to cast off the law of the Lord, is rejecting the yoke of Christ. Jesus says, “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30. The law of God is the law of Christ. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.8
REJECTING GOD’S LOVE
What is there about the law of God that should cause men to try to shake it off? Is it a burdensome yoke?—Not by any means. Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly an heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Now see how perfectly this agrees with what is said of the law. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10. Instead of being a burdensome yoke, the law of God in Christ gives peace and rest. It is a comfort. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Proverbs 6:23. “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 273.9
Since the law of God is love, it is evident that those who seek to cast away God’s bands and cords, are rejecting His love. “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have by drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3. Christ is He by whom men are drawn (John 12:32), because in Him is God’s law of love. To reject the law of God is to reject Christ. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.1
EVERLASTING CORDS
It is indeed possible for men to cast away from them the loving bands of God’s law; but can they break from them asunder?—Never. “The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7, 8. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89. Therefore “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. The cords with which God draws men are the cords of love, or His law, and this love is everlasting; consequently those cords are everlasting. Men may shake them off, but it is a “vain thing” to think of breaking them. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.2
Men fancy that they have done away the law, when they have only made it void in their own hearts. They think that the law of God has changed, when it is only they who have changed. The Papacy, “the man of sin,” has boasted great things against God, setting itself forth in the place of God; but yet the prophecy says that at its greatest it can only “think to change times and laws.” Daniel 7:25. It can go no farther than the thought; it can accomplish nothing except vainly to persuade itself and its dupes that it has the power. The law of God is “like the great mountains.” Far better might puny man think to level the Alps or the Himalayas with a pickax and spade, than to overthrow the law of God. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.3
OPPOSITION TO GOD
There is no nation on earth that has not set itself in opposition against God. No argument will be needed to establish this statement so far as it concerns what are called “heathen nations.” But what about the so-called “Christian nations”? They have done the same thing. Following the lead of the Papacy, they have every one enjoined the observance of the first day of the week in direct opposition to God’s law, which commands the observance of the seventh day. Let a man who is in court to answer for working on Sunday quote the fourth commandment, and he will be told that the court does not recognise that, and that the law of the land must be enforced, no matter what the Bible says. Thus men exalt themselves above God. In setting aside the Sabbath of the Lord for the Sunday of Pope and pagan, governments to-day as really set themselves against Christ as did “Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.4
A LAUGHABLE FARCE
How does the Lord regard these attempts upon His law?—Here is the answer,— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.5
“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.6
It is well known that ants have means of communicating among themselves, and that they have a form of government, and doubtless as perfect for them as human government is for men. Suppose now that we were able to understand their language, and should overhear them plotting to overthrow the English Government, and all other governments. Would there not be a peal of laughter that would sound throughout the earth? The idea is too ridiculous for consideration. But the difference between ants and men is not nearly so great as that between men and God. “All nations before Him as nothing; and they are counted to Him as less than nothing, and vanity.” Isaiah 40:17. No wonder that God laughs at the “great swelling words of vanity” that men speak. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.7
Men may rage and storm, but the Government of God is in no danger. Every attack upon it will only recoil upon the misguided men who make it. It is forgetfulness or ignorance of this fact that causes people sometimes to manifest so much zeal in defending the Lord’s cause. Many laws have been made by man for the purpose of “protecting” the religion of Jesus Christ. If those men had known the Lord, they would rather have sought His protection for themselves. No wonder that every such law, however conscientiously made, has been a miserable failure. Since it was uncalled for, it was only in the way. The attempts of men to prop up the Government of God are as ridiculous, even if they be not as wicked, as the attempts of men to overthrow it. They show that men vainly imagine themselves to be more powerful than God, and that He is dependent upon them. When God laughs at human designs against His Government, we need not be alarmed for its safety. Our only anxiety should be to seek, and to induce others to seek, its protection. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.8
TROUBLING THE WICKED
What will God do to those wicked plotters? PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.9
“Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.10
In the margin we have “trouble” as the alternative of “vex.” Notice that it requires only a word from the Lord to throw men into confusion. It is not necessary that He even speak; a look is sufficient. When the hosts of Pharaoh were pursuing Israel through the Red Sea, “it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:24. We can trust the Lord to defend and protect His own cause and His own people. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.11
A ROYAL DECREE
In the face of all the plots against His Government, the Lord says, PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.12
“Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.13
More literally we may read it as indicated in the margin, “Yet have I anointed My King upon Zion, the hill of My holiness.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.14
Men may think to break asunder the bands of the Lord and His Anointed, but nevertheless the proclamation of Christ as King is calmly made in the face of it. And when Christ has thus been proclaimed King, what will be the result?—Here is the announcement which Christ makes, to prove His right to reign:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.15
“I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.16
“The government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end.” Isaiah 9:6, 7. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.17
GOD’S EVERLASTING KINGDOM
Let it not be forgotten that only “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” It is not done by any human agency. It is the Lord God, and not man, who gives to Christ the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.18
When the nations are given to Christ, together with the whole earth, for what purpose is it?—He Himself tells us, and the remainder of the decree which God issued to Him:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.19
“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.20
In the second chapter of Daniel the nations of earth are represented as an image composed of various metals. The kingdom of Christ is represented as a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, with the following results: “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:35. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.21
That image represented the nations of earth until the end of time. The head of gold represent Babylon, which passed away hundreds of years before the first advent of Christ. The breast and arms of silver, representing Medo-Persia, long since ceased to figure in the affairs of the world. The brass, representing Grecia, crumbled to pieces under the iron monarchy of Rome; and world itself, represented by the legs of iron, went into a decline soon after one of its governors hearkened to the wicked counsels of the people, and crucified the Lord of glory. Then it became divided, retaining some of the strength of the iron, but incapable of united action, and in that condition it has been for about fourteen hundred years. That is a long time as men count, but not long enough for God to forget. We are living in the days when we must expect as the next great event the smiting of the nations, and their utter destruction by the Lord. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.22
AN EXHORTATION
In view of all this, how important the exhortation,— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.23
“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath will soon be kindled.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.24
In this last we have given the literal rendering, as in the Revision. Very soon will the wrath of the Lord be kindled. How are the kings and judges of the earth to kiss, or acknowledge allegiance to, the Son, and thus escape His wrath?—Manifestly by obeying His commands. Certainly not by presumptuously passing laws designed to “protect” Him and His cause. The Lord asked for their submission, not for their support. This is shown by the closing words of this psalm,— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.25
“Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.26
Instead of thinking to uphold the Government of God, men, even though they be kings, are to seek His protection for themselves. This will not be done by their passing laws defining how other people shall worship God, but by their personally obeying the laws that God Himself has made for the guidance of all men, both high and low. When the time comes that the Lord takes possession of His inheritance, and begins to reign, and “the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich man, and the chief captains, and the mighty men,” flee to hide themselves in the dens and caves of the earth, saying to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:15, 16), each one will be acting only for himself. Even so they must act only for themselves in serving God, if they will yield to Him. No man, even though he be king or judge, can serve God for another. Each individual, however high or low, is called upon to render personal obedience. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.27
The thing that God calls upon men to do is to cease fighting against Him. That message, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth,” is one which the servants of God are now to bear. “Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings,” the message is to go. It is not a message of denunciation, but of entreaty. Every nation of earth has set itself up against God, and successive rulers and judges have accepted as a matter of course what has been done by their predecessors, and have acted on the same plan. Not all are by any means knowingly guilty of opposition to God. Therefore they are to be shown what is the real power of God, that they may have opportunity to yield to it. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.28
It is natural for men to make much of the fact that cruel persecution results from the laws that have been made to supply a supposed deficiency in the Government of God. But that evil, although great, is only secondary. The primary and the chief evil is the opposition to God’s law. If they would deal fairly with God, no injustice could possibly result to men. And the burden of those who love the Lord will ever be, not that they are oppressed, but that God is dishonoured, and that those who are dishonouring Him are in danger in their own souls. The evil with its consequences is to be faithfully set before them, together with the invitation and assurance, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 274.29
“More About the Sunday” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
When we tell the people that the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday, is and always has been the Sabbath, and that there is no Divine authority whatever for the observance of Sunday, they often sceptically ask, “If this is so, why have not the ministers and learned men found it out?” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.1
The truth is, that they have found it out, and have told it, and we have published much of their testimony in PRESENT TRUTH. This week we have some more of the same sort to present. The late Dr. R. W. Dale, of Birmingham, was a Congregationalist, but as a preacher, a scholar, and a theologian, he was and is held in very high repute by all Nonconformists, and by Churchmen as well. In 1871 a book of his entitled “The Ten Commandments,” was published by Hodder & Stoughton, of whom it is said that their imprint is a certificate of orthodoxy, and from that we extract the following:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.2
It is quite clear that however rigidly or devoutly we may spend Sunday, we are not keeping the Sabbath. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.3
The Sabbath was founded on a specific Divine command. We can plead no such command for the obligation to observe Sunday.-Page 106. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.4
Again, on page 107 we read:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.5
The penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death. There is not a single sentence in the New Testament to suggest that we incur any penalty by violating the supposed sanctity of Sunday. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.6
Notice the words, “the supposed sanctity of Sunday.” The words were well chosen, for there is no real sanctity to Sunday. The Scriptures contain no suggestion of a penalty for labouring on Sunday, because they contain no suggestion that it should be kept. Therefore it is no more a sin to work or play on Sunday than on Monday or Tuesday. This is admitted by Dr. Dale in these words found on page 112:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 275.7
There is no reason to believe that the apostles required their converts to keep the first day of the week as a day of rest. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 276.1
Of course there is not, since there is no hint of such a thing in the New Testament. Yet the Apostle Paul said, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,” and, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:20, 27. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 276.2
Sunday, therefore, being wholly unscriptural, unchristian, and unapostolic, was left to be brought into the church when it has apostatised far enough to reject the counsel of God. So Dr. Dale says:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 276.3
As it is difficult to determine the exact time when Jewish Christians ceased to rest on the Sabbath, it is also difficult to determine the exact time when Christians generally began to rest on Sunday.-Page 110. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 276.4
Mr. Gladstone has said that the general mind has no clear conception of why Sunday is kept. We hope to be able to present the facts so clearly that none need have any doubt as to the reason why Sunday ought not to be observed. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 276.5
“The Sure Word. God’s Final Message to Men” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
In the days of Noah God looked upon the earth in its wickedness and said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” Genesis 6:3. Noah preached a final message to the antediluvians. The flood came, and “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6); and those who heeded not the message perished with it. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.1
What of the present world? Can we now expect that God’s Spirit will always strive with man? His Word tells us. “The heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7. A final message will therefore precede the coming of that day,—a message of warning, as in the days before the flood. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.2
God has not left the world to speculate upon this subject. That men do speculate and indulge in fanciful conjectures concerning things to come, is not the fault of the Lord, but is due to the fact that men are more ready to trust in their own wisdom than in His. The Word of God has much to say about “the last days.” It tells us what the nature of those days will be, what signs will appear in them, and what final efforts will be made by the great enemy of mankind to secure the homage of all men to Himself. It is our fault if we do not read it, and be made wise thereby. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.3
The end of human probation will be signalised by the terrible visitation of the “seven last plagues,” in which is filled up the wrath of God. Revelation 15:1. But there is a message sent to save men from the fate of being made to drink “the wine of the wrath of God.” In the fourteenth chapter of Revelation we read: “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Verses 9-11. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.4
These are words of most solemn and awful import. Noah’s message proclaimed a coming flood, which would engulf the unbelievers; but here is threatened the wrath of God “without mixture,” “filled up” in the seven last plague. To whom are such words spoken? If they concern us, it is time that we knew the fact and understood by what means we may avoid being worshippers of “the beast and his image,” and escape so awful a fate. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.5
Do not say that the message of God cannot be understood. God’s words are not idle talk, and He does not send men messages they cannot understand. Do not treat it as a matter of indifference. Consider what will be the result to those who hear this message and do not heed it. They will drink of the wine of the wrath of God poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. This settles the question for them, and for us as well. They must understand it. When ignorance means destruction, there is but one path to safety, and that is God’s path of wisdom. And we may be sure that when God sends the world such a message as this which warns against the worship of the beast and his image, it will be only wilful ignorance that will keep any person from being enlightened by it. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.6
God does not hold men responsible for what they cannot avoid, nor does He send them messages which they cannot comprehend. But He does not force people to see the truth. There is a wilful ignorance which arises from a heart of unbelief,—from a careless and indifferent attitude toward sacred truth as revealed in the Word of God. Such ignorance is sinful, and avails nothing. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.7
There was much wilful ignorance in the days of Noah, but it afforded no protection against the flood. Although Noah preached faithfully, the people “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Matthew 24:39. And Peter tells us that “there shall come in the last days scoffers,” saying “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:3-7. Such will go into perdition if they continue to be willingly ignorant. When God has spoken, wilful ignorance of His Word is a short and sure path to destruction. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.8
It is certain, therefore, that men will not be incapable of understanding that warning that God sends them against the worship of “the beast and his image,” and the reception of his “mark.” It is certain that God, who has made an infinite sacrifice to save men, will not make them drink of the wine of His unmixed wrath without having given them a full opportunity to escape the threatened doom. It is certain that He would not condemn them for not making a right “guess” concerning something which was at best but a matter of conjecture, and for not seeing clearly into a misty field of speculation. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” It is as certain, therefore, as that He will do right, that His Word does not present to men a field of conjecture or speculation at all, but one of positive knowledge. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 277.9
It is true, men do speculate about the meaning of God’s Word and the application of terms and symbols there used; but such work is as needless as it is vain. God has provided that men shall understand what He speaks to them, with a wisdom that never fails. He has given His Spirit to be a Divine Teacher, to guide men into all truth, and to show them things to come (John 16:13); and He has left the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbaideth not, and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. He who would make the Word of God like the dark sayings of the mystic heathen oracles, must be prepared to prove that the Holy Spirit is not competent to teach men the truth, and that God is either unable or unwilling to give to the humble, prayerful seeker the wisdom that he needs. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.1
With all confidence, therefore,—not in ourselves, nor in the wisdom of man, but in the wisdom and liberality of God,—we may study this most momentous and solemn message of warning against the worship of “the beast” and his “image,” and the reception of his “mark.” The field of investigation is God’s Word. There is the wisdom of God, which is able to make us “wise unto salvation,” and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.2
All that we need to know is already revealed to us. God’s word to man is not a sealed mystery, but a revelation. The message we are considering is a part of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Revelation 1:1. If we will treat it as a revelation, we shall find that God has spoken the truth, and that “His servants,” may indeed learn therefrom things which must come to pass, and which are of vital interest and concern to all the world. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.3
“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.4
“Not Subject to God’s Law” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
One doctrine which has become a very popular one, is that the law of God is abolished. The Scripture teaches that the days before the coming of the Lord are to be characterised by lawlessness. The last days are to be as the days before the flood, when men were so lawless that the earth was destroyed. It is to this condition that the world is rushing at nineteenth century speed. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.5
The preaching of lawlessness must always be popular “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7. One of our workers the other day reported coming in contact with professedly Christian opposers of the law of God who had the courage to admit the logical conclusion of all no-law arguments. They declared that they were at liberty to break all of the commandments, to steal or to lie-only they did not want to. This is no new position. In the days of Jeremiah this was a popular doctrine; and those who advocated it were still bolder, and admitted that they practised what they preached. The Lord, by the prophet, said to them:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.6
“Behold; ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal [sun-worship], and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.7
“Slavery and Freedom” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
God has no slaves. He has anointed Jesus Christ for the special work of blotting slavery out of His universe. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18. This is the world’s proclamation of emancipation, written with the finger of God. Its signature and seal are both Divine. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.8
Some of the leading governments of earth have sought to abolish slavery, and have largely done so within the sphere of power of the civil arm. It is a cherished sentiment and a fundamental principle of British constitutional law that “Britons never shall be slaves;” and any slave who sets foot upon British soil becomes by that very act a free man. Yet Britain contains a multitude of slaves,—many thousands who are oppressed by the selfish avarice of their fellow-men in more fortunate stations, and a far greater number who are slaves to some more merciless demon of sin within them. The world is full of such slaves, from whose souls no human arm can strike the shackles. But God’s proclamation of the emancipation is to all, proclaiming liberty to every captive on the earth. The thing most greatly needed is that it be made known to all; for but few know that the glorious proclamation has been made. There is no more important or honourable work for any person than to be the bearer of such a message; and God has a place for all who will engage in the work. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.9
“Protestants and the Roman System” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
In the thirteenth of Revelation the revival of the power of the Papacy is represented as the healing of the deadly wound; and the prophet saw that when the wound was fully healed “all the world wondered after the beast.” The Reformation let free the Word of the Lord, and called multitudes out of the antichristian organisation of the Papacy, and placed them upon the foundation of the Scriptures, which was able to build them up. But latterly the attitude of popular Protestantism towards the Church of Rome has modified, and reunion is loudly talked in some quarters. The old leaven of Romanism which was not wholly cast out is leavening the lump. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.10
We have lately commented on the talk of reunion in Britain, and as evidence that the same ideas are working in other countries we print the following words by leading Methodist ministers of America. We clip these significant sayings from Zion’s Herald, which gives place to a round-table conference on the question, “What should be the attitude of Methodism towards the Roman Catholic Church?” Remember that it is not the attitude towards individuals that is discussed, but the relation to be sustained to the papal system. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.11
Methodism should recognise the Roman Catholic Church as a branch of the Church of Christ, preserving still much of truth amid its corruptions, superstitions, and idolatries. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.12
The attitude of Methodism toward the Roman Catholic Church should be one of readiness to unite with that church or its members in any moral reform or work of Christian philanthropy, where such union necessitates no sacrifice of principle. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 278.13
Methodism should take toward Romanism an attitude of Christian brotherliness. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.1
It is difficult to maintain a consistent attitude toward this great question. It includes so much. On the one hand due recognition of the Roman Catholic as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the other uncompromising hostility to its errors.... No unprejudiced person can deny that it is a Christian church; that it contains a larger number of communicants than any other Christian church; that we are largely indebted to it for our present Christian civilisation. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.2
The mighty Roman Church with its unrivalled opportunities and possibilities will not be destroyed. It will be renovated from within. It will be re-energised and purified by that God whom its adherents reverently, however blindly and mistakenly, worship. It will cast off the errors and delusions that now mar it, and take its place as a potent factor in the regeneration of the world. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.3
Of course the call, “Come out of her, My people,” cannot be sounded from the pulpit which contributes this last paragraph. An apologists for the veneration of relics says:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.4
Before me on the desk lies an open Bible, printed in 1550 by one “Dr. Mart. Luther.” Do I do wrong to “venerate” the relic that is so eloquent of a magnificent past? What hearts it stirred! What doors it opened it! What history it changed! What glory it let loose on the earth! Clinging to my relics, I have a weakness toward my brother who clings in like manner to his. Perhaps we both may mean something like the same thing. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.5
It was because the Bible to Luther was not a relic, but a living voice, that he accomplished so great a work in turning men from the darkness of the Papacy to the light of the Gospel. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 279.6
“Helping One Another” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
When sin entered into the world, all creation shared in the curse. So strife and hatred entered into the animal creation. But it is interesting to see the workings of the Divine life still moving animals hearts to kindliness and mutual helpfulness. It is a trace of the same nature that they had in the beginning, when the lion and the lamb lay down together. This intelligent kindliness is of course more frequently manifested between animals of the same species, but very many anecdotes are reported showing that animals are capable of acting on good Samaritan principles. Here are a few clippings which illustrate sagacity and goodwill combined:— PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.1
TWO CANINE FRIENDS
A horse trough in one of the suburbs of Sydney was the scene of a funny incident the other afternoon. Two dogs, water spaniels, were trotting along, when they came to this place, and stopped for a drink. They were both thirsty, but neither was tall enough to reach the trough; and they talked the matter over, as dogs will, and wondered why they had not been treated with as much consideration as horses. Presently they solved the problem. One of them ranged himself under the edge of the trough; and the other, resting his hind-feet upon his companion’s back was able to reach into the pool and sIake his thirst. When he had finished he hopped down, seemed to say that the water was good, and then in turn ranged himself under the edge of the trough, and the other reached up for the drink he had earned. When he was satisfied they trotted away together, as well contented as any man could be who had met a problem and vanquished it. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.2
EYES TO THE BLIND
A remarkable story of rats’ sagacity comes from Batchworth, in the locality Rickmansworth. At that place here is a sewage farm, where it is no uncommon sight to see rats, attracted by the miscellaneous garbage there collected. A labouring man employed it the sewage farm asserts that, when working on this farm he has recently seen, on more than one occasion, an old blind rat carrying a piece of stick in its mouth, and that two other lounger rats, one on each side of the blind one, lead it about with each end if the stick also in their mouths, and that in this fashion they all cross over a wooden plank. This is not only most surprising, but shows very remarkable sagacity on the part of these rodents, which are of the sewer, or water species. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.3
SAGACITY OF A HEN
In consequence of some very heavy rains, nearly all the ground about a poultry yard was covered with water. All this time there was a brood of young thickens in the hen-house. They were on the roosting-place, and could not get down because of the water. In this situation they remained nearly two days, at the end of which time the hen was seen, to convey them one by one, on her back, wading through the water as well as she could, to a grass-plat near by. Thus were the chickens saved from being either starved or drowned. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.4
SPARROWS TO THE RESCUE
The social contract among the sparrows, whatever its nature, is certainly most efficient. Every one of them takes for granted that he is his brother’s keeper. The danger or misfortune of one is assumed by all. One luckless builder of a nest in the front of a church became entangled in a string so that he could not extricate himself. His call for help was sounded down the street, and soon a multitude of his fellow-citizens were on the spot, tugging at the string, turning him about and about, while the air was flied with cries of distress. Their efforts were in vain. Weeks afterward the shrivelled body hung beating about in the wind; but I noticed that every sparrow that came within range of the sorrowful spectacle uttered a plaintive note, as if exclaiming, How dreadful! PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.5
SAVING A CAT
A recent writer tells of a dog who was seen to plunge into a rushing stream to save from drowning a cat which some human being had thrown in in order to witness her struggles for life. It is not every dog that worries the cat. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.6
“Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.7
“News of the Week” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
-It is reported that the “head wife” of King Mwanga, in Uganda, is preparing to be received into the Christian Church. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.8
-Quite a trade in female attire is said to be springing up in West Africa; amongst other things the black ladies have a great lilting for corsets. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.9
-During 1894, 805,715 copies of the Scriptures were distributed in China by the American Bible Society, and 70,211 “gospels” distributed among the soldiers in Japan. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.10
-Emigration from India to Fiji is, it is said fast changing the preponderating religious element in the islands from Christian to pagan, as the immigrants consist mainly of coolie and Hindu labourers. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.11
-Only one church has been built in the Mexican city of Puebla in the last two hundred years, although the population is about 100,000; that one is the Protestant M.E. mission church, recently erected at a cost of ?4,000. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.12
-The largest forest is the world is in Siberia, and is said to be about 1,000 miles in width by 3,000 in length. The trees are latches and fire, and grow close together, nearly shutting out the pale Arctic sunlight and giving to the wooded depths a gloomy and monotonous aspect. A person lost in this forest rarely finds his way out. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.13
-The Belgian Government is about to appoint a commission to inquire into the ravages caused by drink. The licensing system, it is declared, has proved utterly inefficient, the suppression of 88,000 public-houses having resulted in the creation of an equal number of clandestine establishments, and an increased consumption of alcohol. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.14
-The Polyglot Petition for the suppression of the trade in intoxicants, which now contains seven and a half million of signatures, will be presented to the British Government in June, in connection with the meeting of the World’s Women’s Temperance Union. The signatures have been mounted on a strip of canvas over a mile in length. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.15
-The Queen of Madagascar recently attended a native gathering of 100,000 people at which it was resolved to fight to the death in the war which the French are thrusting upon them. The Queen announced that, though a woman, she would herself lead her troops against the enemy, and would rather perish than survive the ruin and slavery of her people. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.16
-Ashantee envoys are on their way to England to protest against a British protectorate being establishes over their country. They desire to state their grievance to the Queen, but are not likely to be successful, as the British authorities do not admit the so-called king of Ashantee’s claim to that title, and Her Majesty, it is pointed out, could not receive a mission from a ruler who, there is good reason to believe, countenances the practice of human sacrifices. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.17
-Some idea of the terrible work being done by the liquor traffic in Africa can be obtained from a statement recently made in the House of Commons by Mr. Buxton, the Under-Secretary for the Colonies. He said that according to the latest returns the spirits annually imported into the Oil River Protectorate were 1,855,000 gallons; into Lagos, 1,680,000 gallons; the Gold Coast, 1,450,000 gallons; Sierra Leone, 695,000 gallons; and the Gambia, 47,000 gallons. This is making slaves of the poor Africans much faster than the united efforts of the Powers engaged in suppressing African slavery, are liberating them. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.18
-The powers of Europe have decided to place a curbing hand upon Japan. A joint protest has been made by Russia, France, and Germany against the terms of peace exacted from China, and in addition, the Russian Government has sent a note to the Japanese Government stating certain treaty conditions which Russia cannot allow to be put into execution, the chief of these being the cession by China of Port Arthur. Japan has replied saying that to give up Port Arthur would be to precipitate a revolution at home, as the Japanese are intoxicated with victory, and would never acquiesce in the surrender. An ultimatum from Russia is anticipated. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 284.19
“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 18.
E. J. Waggoner
“Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:4, 5. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.1
“Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:22. How much may we hope in the Lord?—There is no limit; it is left for us to hope as much as we please; and however much we hope, we have the Divine assurance that mercy will fulfil the hope. “Hope maketh not ashamed.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.2
In his recent letter to the English people, the Pope complements them on “the strict public observance of Sunday.” He also appends a prayer to the Virgin Mary, for the conversion of England to himself, and promises an indulgence of three hundred days to all who “piously recite” it, no matter to what nation they belong. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.3
It is reported, as an item of missionary progress, that the only thing that stands in the way of the king of Uganda’s accepting Christianity, and joining the Church, is his unwillingness to give up his favourite sins. There are many millions of people, both in pagan and so-called Christian lands, who stand in the same position. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.4
When Israel had fallen into gross idolatry, the Lord said to Moses, “Let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them.” Exodus 32:10. But Moses would not let the Lord alone, and therefore He could not consume them; for God cannot ignore the prayers of His people. Therefore “ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest.” Isaiah 62:6, 7. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.5
Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. Again; “The Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11. Further, we read, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Although He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He was sent to save the lost in all the world. How can this be? It is very simple, since “the household of God” is “the commonwealth of Israel,” and “there is no difference between the Jew and the Greeks; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.” Romans 10:12. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.6
The medical profession is being forced by the prevalence of trashy literature to take novel-reading into account as one of the causes of nervous diseases. The Hospital recently alluded to facts “observable in every part of the civilised world,” proving that a “diet of novel-reading is extremely debilitating.” The physical effects are not the most lamentable. The mind that is filled with fiction is poorly equipped for giving attention to serious life and Christian experience. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.7
A struggle is impending in Manitoba, Canada, between Protestants and Catholics over the question of religious teaching in the public schools. The Protestants see that the only way to get rid of Catholicism in the schools is to do away with all religious instruction, and this is the ground they are expected to take in the contest. When “Protestants” see they cannot successfully compete with Rome on her own ground, they abandon it and begin to talk about the just principle of the separation of Church and State; but the inconsistency has then so weakened their cause that the chance of success is very slight. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.8
The Bible speaks of some who are “partial in the law,” and we find many in these days who strangely discriminate between the commandments, always to the disadvantage of the fourth. For instance they say, “We do not get salvation by the works of law,” and this is thought to be sufficient reason for not keeping the seventh day, the Sabbath of the Lord. Yet they would never think that it is a reason for taking the name of the Lord in vain, or for killing. We are not saved because we do not swear, but that gives us no license to swear. We shall not be saved because we keep the sixth commandment; yet everybody will admit that it would be a very dangerous experiment to enter upon a career of murder with the expectation of being saved. So we do not expect to be saved because of keeping the Sabbath of the Lord; but that does not mean that we should be saved if we break it. We are saved by faith; but faith “worketh by love,” and “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.9
Daniel and his three companions were only a few of the captive Israelites who were taken into Nebuchadnezzar’s palace to be his counsellers, yet these four are the only ones who were afterward noted for wisdom. Why was this?—Because they had a fixed purpose to serve the Lord under all circumstances. Wisdom necessarily follows from such a purpose. “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28. “A good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Psalm 111:10. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.10
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4. The same psalm gives assurance of deliverance from all our troubles, but this verse goes even further, and assures us of salvation from all things that we are afraid of. There is no evil, either near or distant, either real or imaginary, that the Lord does not save those from who trust in Him. “Behold my God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.11
Last week our publishers shipped over three tons of books to Melbourne, Australia. This week another shipment of two tons goes to the Australian colonies, the greater portion of this last order being called for in West Australia. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.12
A new pamphlet has just been published, being a study of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. It is entitled, “His Glorious Appearing,” and is profusely illustrated. An advertisement of the work will be found on the preceding page. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.13
What the Catholic Church thinks of the Reformation, may be learned from the Catholic Times, which speaks of “the rascality of the so-call Reformation.” The foundation of the Reformation was the study of the Bible and justification by faith; and yet the Catholic Church stands unqualifiedly opposed to it. PTUK May 2, 1895, page 288.14