The Present Truth, vol. 11
July 4, 1895
“Front Page” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Here is a sample of the working of medi?val religious laws in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburgh-Schwerin:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.1
A poor woman had just been sentenced there to fine and imprisonment for having recited a prayer over the body of her child, the minister having failed to appear at the cemetery. It seems that by virtue of a law passed in 1751 it is a penal offence to recite prayers or pronounce a speech at any funeral in the absence of an ecclesiastic. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.2
To an interviewer Mr. Maxim, of machine gun fame, said recently that Madagascar wanted to buy Maxim guns. “But we won’t sell them to Madagascar. The French are a great nation and very good customers of ours, and we are not going to sell any guns if we can help it to shoot Frenchman with.” But the considerate manufacturers are willing to sell them to the French to use in murdering the defenseless Hovas of Madagascar. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.3
“Beer doesn’t injure me,” says some one; “it is only when men take too much that the harm is done.” But the reason why some people take so much as to cause them to lose control of their senses is that this stuff is a poison, and no one can escape injury in some degree who puts a poison into his system. We never hear of an overmastering craving for bread, or potatoes, or milk which leads a man to sell up his furniture and neglect his family. It is because these things are foods. It takes a poison to pervert the physical organism and make the person a slave to an evil habit. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.4
At the recent convention of the W.C.T.U. in London, “Mother Stewart,” described as the mother of the Women’s Christian Temperance movement, told how the little band of women started the crusade in the early days by praying in the liquor saloons of Ohio. If only the movement might hold to the early simplicity, and trust to prayer rather than politics, the cause of temperance would be more rapidly advanced. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.5
“Carrying the Light” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Who has not seen a little child attempt to grasp a handful of sunshine? It would close its hand in the sunlight, and would manifest great surprise when it found, on opening its hand in the shade, that the sunshine had escaped. We are amused at the simplicity of the child, unmindful of the fact that we ourselves often manifest less wisdom in a similar case of far more importance. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.6
For instance, we have learned that the Word of God is light. We perhaps believe that if we only have that Word we shall have light; and so we make attempts to seize and hold it. When the Word is spoken with great clearness, people often jot down the thoughts in their note books, and make a special note of the text of Scripture that was referred to in the hope of carrying the light away with them. But when they have gone to their homes, and have opened their books, they are surprised to find that the light does not shine forth. They thought to show the light to their friends, but it has fled even as the sunshine from the hands of the little child. This time we are not amused, for the case is too serious for amusement. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.7
In each case the desire was most laudable. To “catch the sunshine is one of the most necessary things. To wish to carry it to others is a blessed thought. The child does catch and carry the sunshine, but in a different manner from what it thinks. Living in the bright sunlight it takes up the life-giving rays in its blood, and they are manifested in rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, sturdy limbs, and a cheerful spirit. It carries the sunshine in its life, and carries it to others too, because “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” The difference between a child who lives in the sunshine and one who lives altogether in the shade is manifest to every one who sees them. The child of the shade cannot by an occasional run into the sunlight gather up a supply of sunshine in its hands and pockets to distribute to others. There is no other way of carrying sunshine than in the blood. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.8
Even so it is with the light of the Word of God. We cannot carry it in our hands, nor in our pockets, or even in our mouths. Light is life and there is no way of carrying it except in the life. “Out of the heart are the issues of life;” and we are told, “These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart.” Deuteronomy 6:6. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:16. When the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness are received and absorbed into the life, there will be no difficulty in carrying them to others. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.9
Of Christ it is said, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. The life of Christ is the only true light, for He says, “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12. Since there is no light except the light of Christ, it is most evident that no man can carry that light except by having the life itself. So Jesus says, “He that followeth Me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We may “walk in the light as He is in the light,” and not only so, but we ourselves may be lights. Indeed, we are expected to be lights. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8. Also, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 417.10
The sun shines without an effort, because it is light. Christ shines because He is light itself. His life is light, and His word is life. Therefore whoever receives that word into his heart and life, will shine with the same light, and with no more conscious effort than the sun itself makes. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.1
“Standing Before God” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Elijah, we are told, was “a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17); he was a mortal having the same nature that we have. But that which made Elijah what he was, and distinguished him from most other men that have lived on the earth, is indicated in the words of his message to King Ahab, which so suddenly introduced him into the Scripture narrative. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab: As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.2
“Before whom I stand”—these are words that distinguished Elijah from the mass of his fellow-men. Elijah stood before the Lord, and therefore whatever he did was done before the Lord, and as in His presence. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.3
It was true of other men, and is true of men to-day, that they stand before God; but Elijah recognised and realised the fact, while others did not, and his course differed from others accordingly. And that difference could not be slight; for would not our own course of life be vastly different if we were visibly standing and acting before the Lord? Imagine the effect upon ourselves of coming into the actual presence of God, as concerns our thoughts, motives and actions. Every other presence would shrink into nothingness; its influence upon us would be gone; we would have no fear of it, or regard for its words. Our whole interest and anxiety would be concentrated upon the single thought of the will of God, and the relation of our lives to it. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.4
Thus it was with Elijah; for his faith made real to him that which was actual truth, but was hidden from his natural senses, and thus it may, and should be with us; for being a man of like passions with us, we also may be like him in faith. We stand, as truly as he did, before Him who is Lord of all. We act in His presence. And it will be to our infinite advantage if we but realise the fact, and confess it in our actions. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.5
“Studies in Romans. God the Only Judge. Romans 14:1-14” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
It has been a long time since we have had a study in the book of Romans, circumstances having made it seem necessary that other matter should take its place; but we will now resume the study of the book until we finish it. Since the fourteenth chapter consists wholly of practical instruction in Christian living, and has no direct dependence upon the exhortations that have preceded it, we need not now take time to review the previous chapters, but will proceed at once with the text. Let it not be forgotten that this chapter, as well as those which precede, is addressed to the church, and not to those who do not profess to serve the Lord. In the sixth verse it is plainly shown that all who are spoken of in this chapter are those who acknowledge God as their Lord. The chapter therefore tells how we should regard one another as PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.6
SERVANTS OF ONE COMMON MASTER
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth; for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.7
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Who are we not to shut away from out company? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.8
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.9
But how are we not to receive Him? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.10
“Not to doubtful disputations.” Or, as indicated in the margin, and rendered in some versions, “Not to judge his thoughts.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.11
What illustrations of difference of opinion does the apostle give? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.12
“One believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth herbs.” “One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.13
In what state should every man be? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.14
“Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.” R.V. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.15
How are those who differ in opinion not to regard each other? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.16
“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.17
Why not? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.18
“For God hath received him.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.19
What is that man doing who judges another man? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.20
He is judging “another man’s servant.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.21
To whom is the servant responsible? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.22
“To his own master he standeth or falleth.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.23
But will he really fall, if he is indeed a servant of God? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.24
“He shall be holden up.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.25
Why? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.26
“For God is able to make him stand.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.27
What is the lesson that we are to learn in all this? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.28
“None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.29
To whom do we live and die? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.30
“Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.31
Whose then are we under all circumstances? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.32
“Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 418.33
For what purpose did Christ die and rise again? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.1
“That He might be Lord both of the dead and living.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.2
Why should we not judge or set at naught our brother? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.3
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.4
What proof is cited for this? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.5
“It is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.6
What then must every one of us do? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.7
“Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.8
Since God is to judge us all, what reasonable exhortation is given? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.9
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.10
What should we rather judge? PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.11
“That no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.12
The School of Christ.-The church of Christ is not composed of perfect men, but of those who are seeking perfection. He is the perfect One, and he sends out the invitation: “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. Having called all to come to Him, He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. As one has said, “God reaches for the hand of faith in man to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that man may attain to perfection of character.” The faith may be very weak, but God does not reject him on that account. Paul thanked God that the faith of the Thessalonian brethren grew exceedingly (2 Thessalonians 1:3), which shows that they did not have perfect faith at the first. It is true that God is so good that every person ought to trust Him fully; but just because He is so good, He is very patient and forbearing with those who are not well acquainted with Him, and He does not turn away from them because they are doubtful. It is this very goodness and forbearance of God that develops perfect faith. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.13
The Pupils Not Masters.-It is not for the pupils to say who shall attend school. It is true that in this world there are schools that are exclusive, in which only a certain set of pupils are allowed. If one inferior in wealth and standing in society should seek to enter, there would be at once an uproar. The students themselves would make so strong a protest against the entrance of the newcomer, that the masters would feel obliged not to receive him. But such schools are not the schools of Christ. “There is no respect of persons with God.” He invites the poor and needy, and the weak. It is He, and not the pupils, that decides who shall be admitted. He says, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” and He asks all who hear to extend the invitation. The only qualification necessary for entering the school of Christ is willingness to learn of Him. If any man is willing to do His will, God will receive him and teach him. John 7:17. Whoever sets up any other standard, sets himself above God. No man has any right to reject one whom God receives. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.14
Master and Servant.-Christ said to His disciples: “Be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master; and all ye are brethren.” “Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ.” Matthew 23:8, 10. It is the master who sets the task for each pupil or servant. It is to the master that the servant looks for his reward. Therefore it is the master alone who has the right to give orders, and to pronounce judgment if there is failure. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?” If you have not the power to reward his success, you have not the right to judge his failures. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.15
“God Is the Judge.”—“He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:7. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22. “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:12. The power to save and to destroy determines the right to judge. To condemn when one has not the power to carry the judgment into effect, is but a farce. Such an one makes himself ridiculous, to say the least. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.16
The Spirit of the Papacy.-The apostle Paul describes the apostasy as the revelation of “that man of sin,” “the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,” or, “setting himself forth as God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4. In Daniel 7:25 the same power is described as speaking great words against the Most High, and thinking to change times and laws. To set one’s self up against or above the law of God, is the strongest possible opposition to God, and the most presumptuous usurpation of his power. The end of the power that thus exalts itself is this: to be consumed by the Spirit of Christ, and destroyed by the brightness of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Now read in James 4:11: “He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” That tells us that whoever speaks evil of his brother, or judges or sets at naught his brother, is speaking against the law of God, and sitting in judgment upon it. In other words, he is putting himself in the place and doing the work of “that man of sin.” What else can result, but that he receive the reward of the man of sin? Surely there is enough in this thought to give us all pause. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.17
All Subjects of Judgment.—“For the judgment seat of Christ.” In this statement there is no exception, for it is written, “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” This being the case, it is the strongest reason why we should not judge and condemn one another. Verse 10 gives the fact that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ as the reason why we should not judge nor despised a brother. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Notice this, that each one is to give account of himself, and not of somebody else to God. In standing before the judgment seat of Christ, we are giving account to God, because Christ is the representative of Divinity in the judgment, as well as in all things. “For the Father judgeth no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father.” John 5:22, 23. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.18
The Time of Judgment.-One reason why we should not judge, is that God is the judge. Another is, that “He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31. The Father Himself judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son. But even the Son does not sit in judgment now; for He says: “If any man hear My words and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world but to save the world.” John 12:47. Therefore he who presumes to sit in judgment now, not only usurps the place of God, but gets ahead of Him. There will be a time when judgment will be committed to the saints of the Most High, but it will be only when the saints possess the kingdom. Daniel 7:22. And those to whom judgment is committed will all be saints. 1 Corinthians 6:2. None are to judge, except those who are without sin. The man who judges, therefore, declares himself to be without sin. But God is the only one whose testimony in this respect is of any worth; “for not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth.” 2 Corinthians 10:18. “Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 419.19
The Word of Judgment.-But although even Christ does not yet judge, He speaks the word by which men are to be judged; and that is the Word of God. He says, “He that rejecteth Me; and receiveth not My words, hath One that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” John 12:48, 49. Although Christ did not condemn anybody when He was on earth, the word that He spoke often caused those who heard it to be convicted in their own hearts, and self-condemned. “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:17-19. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.1
Truth and Condemnation.-From the words of Christ, which we have quoted in the last paragraph, we clearly see that there is a difference between condemning men and speaking the truth. Christ was not sent into the world to condemn the world; but He was sent into the world to bear witness to the truth. John 18:37. He did not condemn anybody, yet He declared the truth. So His followers are not to condemn anybody; yet none are His followers except those who speak the truth. If any are not doing the truth, the Word of truth will enlighten them as to their duty. If they then persist in error, the Word of truth testifies against them. But the one who speaks that word utters no condemnation. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.2
Knowledge of Right and Wrong.-In like manner, it by no means follows that a person, in order not to condemn, must not exercise the knowledge of right and wrong, which God has given him. If he did not, he could not be a witness for the truth. Neither could he do the truth. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), therefore the follower of Christ must both by words and actions speak the Word of God. That word points out the difference between truth and error. It tells what things ought to be done, and what should not be done. By that word one may, and ought to, declare of certain things, “They are sinful.” But in so saying he utters no decision concerning any person. In short, the Word of God condemns sin, now and always; but it does not at all condemn sinners, until the last day. Certainly all can see this clear distinction, and may know what they should do and what they should not do, in order to be in harmony with God’s Word. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.3
The Law and the Testimony.—“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. That is, the testimony which we are always to give, must be according to the law of God. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. Therefore while we are not at liberty to condemn, we are at the same time not at liberty to disregard the Word of God. We are by no means to assume that it makes no difference what we do; nor are we to give other people the idea that it is of no importance whether they keep the law of God or not. That form of charity which consists in giving away the Word of God, or, rather, in throwing it away, so as not to say anything contrary to anybody’s ideas or prejudices, is a form of charity that finds no warrant in the Bible. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.4
Personal Questions.-Sometimes a person will ask concerning some duty pointed out by the law of God, “Ought I do that?” The one questioned can only reply, “You ought to obey the Lord; now when you know what the Lord says, why do you ask me if you shall obey? I cannot absolve you from obeying God; and if you do obey Him, you ought to do it because He says so, and not because a man tells you to.” Again, a man sometimes asks, “Do you think that I should be condemned if I do not keep the Sabbath?” We can only say, “I am not the judge; I have nothing to do with condemnation. You know what the Lord commands; decide for yourself whether or not you can reject His Word and be justified.” The Word of God is the sole guide, the sole standard of authority. Men must be brought face to face with it, and then left there alone with it. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.5
The Law Not Disparaged.-There are many people who seem to be quite familiar with the words of the first part of the fourteenth of Romans, who evidently very seldom read any other part of the epistle. That is, they know that the Apostle Paul wrote, “One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth everyday alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” But they are so unfamiliar with the rest of the epistle that they suppose that this statement does away with the law of the Sabbath. What evidence have we that these words do not in the least degree intimate that the law of God, which includes the fourth commandment, is a matter of indifference? Note the following points, and you will readily see: First, the apostle says in this same chapter that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Second, he says also in the first part of the epistle, that “as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law, ... in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” Romans 2:12, 16. When the apostle says that we are all to stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and the law of God is to be the standard of that judgment, it is very evident that he never intends to be understood as saying that it is a matter of no importance whether or not we keep that law. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.6
The Law and the Sabbath.-The fourth commandment of the law by which all men are to be judged reads thus: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy works; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; it thou shalt not do any work; ... for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11. Of this law Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17, 18. The Sabbath therefore stands in the law just the same as when it was spoken from Sinai; and the law in which it stands is the law by which men are to be judged at the last day. Therefore it cannot be a matter of indifference whether the Sabbath is kept or not; and must be that the Sabbath, with the rest of the law, is to be proclaimed to all men, in order that they may be prepared for the judgment. This being the case, we very well know that in the fourteenth chapter of Romans the Apostle Paul does not convey the least shadow of an idea that the keeping of the Sabbath is a matter of indifference. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 420.7
“Every Day.”-Some one will of course interpose that the apostle says, “every day,” and that therefore he must necessarily include the Sabbath among things indifferent. Not so fast. In the sixteenth of Exodus we read that the people were told that they were to go out and gather a certain portion of manna “every day;” and yet in the same chapter we are told that they should find none at all on the seventh day. We are not to try to catch the Lord in His own words. When He says that a certain work is to be done every day, we are to know that He excepts, as a matter of course, those days on which He Himself has said that work may not be done. When a man says that his children go to school every day, he means of course that they go every school day, and not that they go when there is no school. So when the Apostle Paul, writing by inspiration of God, seems to imply that there are certain days which may be regarded or not, as one may choose, we must know that he does not by any means design to convey the idea that the holy Sabbath of the Lord, which was commanded to all men by His own voice, is among those indifferent days. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.1
“Fully Persuaded.”—“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” So far as the statement is concerned, it makes no difference if it is applied to the Sabbath of the Lord. God desires willing, intelligence service. The man who professes to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and yet is not sure that it is the Sabbath, is not keeping it at all. The law of God is not to be regarded simply as a thing to dodge behind in order to escape the wrath of God. The man who is not sure about the law, but who thinks that he will keep it so as to be on the safe side in the judgment, if it should chance to be the standard in that judgment, is not serving the Lord, but himself. Let a man be fully persuaded in his own mind that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good,” and then let him keep it unto the Lord. If he does not keep it because he knows it to be right, his apparent service is but mockery and sin. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.2
“Christ? or the Church?” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
“To whom shall we go?” This question was asked by Simon Peter, in the presence of the other disciples, concerning the source of that wisdom which leads to salvation. It is asked by many others to-day who would be made wise unto salvation; but not always is it answered as it was by Peter. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.3
Peter’s question and answer were addressed to Christ. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life; and we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:68, 69. But many now answer the same question by turning to “the church.” This was not Peter’s answer. He was himself an apostle, and could speak with as much wisdom and authority as any one of the followers of Christ; but both he and the other apostles with him confessed their own spiritual insufficiency in the question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Whoever might have come to the apostles for the words of eternal life would not have found them, except as the apostle spoke the words of Christ. And every individual who is a component part of “the church” to-day is just as dependent upon Christ for the words of eternal life as was Peter. And the Saviour is just as accessible to every individual who desires to hear the words of life as He was to Peter. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.4
Peter never invited the attention of those whom he addressed to himself, or to “the church.” In his first epistle he writes: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:2-5. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.5
There is laid in Zion a “chief corner stone,” which is the Lord Jesus Christ. To that Stone every seeker for salvation must come; to that alone are they invited by the Lord to come. They must fall on the Rock and be broken. The church is but the light which God has placed in the world to show men the way to Christ, the living Stone. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.6
The church existed long before the time of Peter; for the church is the body of Christ, and Christ has been the spiritual Head of His followers ever since the time of Adam. The martyr Stephen said that the great company who went with Moses out of Egypt constituted “the church in the wilderness.” Acts 7:38. So there was the church in the time of Peter and the other apostles, for the same spiritual organisation had been retained from the time of Moses, with its system of sacrifices and beautiful temple, which stood in the place of the tabernacle which Moses built. The “church in the wilderness” was the true church of Christ; for we are told “they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 421.7
Frequently they rebelled against the Lord, and their descendants did the same; but the Lord, though they often rejected Him, did not reject them; so that even as late as the time of Peter Jesus said of them, “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat; all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do.” Matthew 23:2, 3. But if Peter had sought to “the church” for spiritual light and wisdom, he would not have been a follower of Christ; for “the church” rejected Him and put Him to death. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.1
If Martin Luther and his fellow-workers had made “the church” the spiritual guide, the world would never have heard from them the preaching of the Gospel in the Reformation. Yet they found the Word of the Lord-the Holy Scriptures-and gave that Word to the people, having first received it into their own hearts. They drank from the fountain of life, and then led others to the same fountain. They all as did ancient Israel, “drank of that spiritual Rock that went with them,” which was Christ. And Christ Himself is the fountain of life to-day. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.2
“Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4. Who can bring infallibility out of fallibility? When any number of fallible beings take action together, the result is fallibility still. They can produce only fallible decisions and speak only fallible words. This is an infallible Word which they can hold forth, and that is the word of Christ, which He said should not pass away. Philippians 2:16; Mark 13:31. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.3
There is an infallible Guide, which will guide the believer into all spiritual truth; but that Guide is the “Comforter,”—the Holy Spirit, whom the Father gives willingly to all that ask Him. John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13. Thus God has given us His Word, which is the Word of life, and His Spirit, whose office is to guide men into all truth and reveal to them the things of God. All this is free to rich and poor, and to learned and unlearned, alike. And therefore no man can have any occasion or excuse for being led by any other word or guide. If he lacks wisdom he has only to “ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.4
The principle of looking to “the church” for spiritual guidance is the principle of the Papacy, and is consistent with papal assumptions and claims,—implying as it does that God is far off from mankind, so that He needs a viceregent here to carry on His work, who must needs demonstrate his infallibility, which is necessary to his acting in God’s stead, by a vote of several hundred men, all of whom were fallible. But God is not far off from every one of us, Christ is with His church even unto the end of the world, and His sheep hear His own voice, and know not the voice of a stranger. There is nothing that has any rightful place between the soul and Him. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.5
“Intemperance” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
There is no poorer way to repress intemperance than to make it respectable. The worst feature in the outlook for temperance reform is the picture of the well-furnished, palatial saloon or public-house, frequented by respectable young men who are seemingly so far removed from the “habitual toper.” In New Zealand it is proposed to forbid liquor selling to habitual topers; but it would be vastly better if liquor selling were confined to this class alone. Then no more topers would be made, the existing ones would in time disappear, and the youth would be saved. The truth is that the liquor traffic is in itself thoroughly disreputable and Satanic; and this fact should be everywhere made to appear as plainly as possible. This is the most effective way of dealing with intemperance. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.6
“Two Voices on Ritualism” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
In the last week’s issue of the Church Times that organ of the more Catholic party in the Established Church speaks of the triumph of the party as follows:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.7
The number of people who recognise the critical character of the present moment in the history of the Church of England is comparatively small. We have reached a period of calm and rest after a prolonged and angry contest. The Catholicity of our Church has been vindicated, and the Puritanism which had settled on her like a fungus growth has been, if not cut away, at all events deprived of much of its power for evil by being declared a parasitic growth, and treated accordingly. What its opponents call the High Church party, or what we prefer to call the more Catholic members of the Church of England, have been pronounced by high authority to be in the ascendant. A protracted trial, to vary the metaphor, has been conducted, in which the ablest counsel has been engaged on both sides. Precedents, customs, laws, and history have been industriously brought under the light, and judgment has been given for the Catholic defendant. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.8
It is because the appeal was to “precedents, customs, laws and history” more than to the living Word that the more Protestant party has been worsted in the trial. There is no half-way ground. It is either the Bible alone, or it must be precedent, custom, and ecclesiastical law, and purely papal principles. The Church of Rome sees the triumph of her principles-so far as temporal influence and numbers are concerned-and rejoices at it. Thus the Melbourne Argus reports a sermon preached by R. C. Archbishop Carr, in which he said of the movement toward Rome:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.9
Whatever the result may be, it is certain that many Anglicans are yearning for union with the Roman See. They have been taking back one by one the visible symbols of religion which they discarded with outrage at the Reformation. The Cross again surmounts their Temples. The Crucifix is in the place of honour above the reredos-aye, the Mother and Child once more guard the entrance to England’s noblest fane-Westminster Abbey. They have been adopting Catholic practices and devotions to such an extent that a stranger entering one of their churches finds it difficult to distinguish the counterfeit from the real. They have introduced aurricular confession, they believe in the real presence, they recite the Rosary of the blessed Virgin, they pray for the dead. They feel the inconsistency of being at once so near and yet so far from us. They bewail their want of unity, and as a consequence their lack of Catholicity. And now, after 300 years of separation and disintegration, they are turning again to that rightful mother. The words of the Good Shepherd are ringing in their ears:—“And other sheep I have that are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” Truly a marvellous change has come over the tone and temper of Protestantism with the last fifty years. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.10
“The Angry Nations” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Of the last days, when the kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, the prophet declares: “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward to Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.11
It was the violence of men, the fruit of the general disobedience to God’s law, that destroyed the earth in the days before the flood. And as the last days, the Saviour said, are to be as the days before the flood, we may see in the wars and preparations for war now going on, the filling up of the cup of violence on the part of the angry nations. Even men of the world who stop to contemplate the future are appalled at what they see must be the outcome of the preparations for war, and the development of new social and international complications. The Vienna correspondent of the Times sent a despatch to that journal giving the substance of an interview with a Hungarian financier, which has attracted considerable attention. He said:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 422.12
“Bismarck’s achievements have cost Europe more than 125,000,000,000f., even if account is taken only of the last twenty-five years of peace, or rather of armed terrorism, organised by him with a view to guarantee the conquest of Germany. Twenty-five years have thus been lost, and 125,000,000,000f. have been squandered without anybody having had the courage to go to war. There still exists that forcible mass of destructive engines and explosive material which a mere spark, a clumsy telegram dispatched by one of our great men, might instantly blow up. Modern wars are not of long duration, but they are expensive and sanguinary. Let us admit that six months would suffice to annihilate one or other of the belligerents, or to exhaust both of them. It will cost at least 500,000,000f. a month, or in all 30,000,000,000f., to be added to the 125,000,000,000f. spent on preparations, for it is not true that the present preparations for war will be conducive to peace. When a million of men shall have been massacred in the fearful collision of peoples and races, each man killed will cost a 155,000f. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 423.1
“Now if only two-thirds of that sum had been employed to increase the general wealth and welfare, and to improve the lot of the working classes in town and country, the social question would not now weigh like a fearful nightmare on all Europe. There would have been moral pacification, and we should not have had these periodical outbursts which shake the nations of Western Europe to their very foundations. One thing is certain-namely, that if the European Powers continue in the perilous path upon which they have entered they will soon have to face bankruptcy, which catastrophe will inevitably be followed by a period of decay like that which overtook ancient Rome and was only to the advantage of the barbarians. Let us not forget that the great invasions in the world’s history have come from Asia. The ‘yellow peril’ is more threatening than ever. Japan has made in a few years as much progress as other nations have made in centuries. It is only twenty-five years since Japan entered upon the era of progress.... If the Chinese are roused from their lethargy, if a man of genius comes forward to organise that immense empire, which comprises one-third of the human race and only occupies one-fifteenth part of the habitable globe, the Chinese will be obliged to undertake for their very existence a struggle which will sweep away the famous Wall of China, behind which they have lived for so long almost ignored, and it will effect an exodus towards the West. If Europe were united it would be able to resist this invasion of the yellow race. But its present state of folly will not admit of this. It will lead to ruin, and, as in the fifteenth century, it will open the gates of Europe to the barbarians of the East.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 423.2
“Reading vs. Study” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
There are many more Bibles in the world than there are readers of the Bible. And there are more readers than students of the Bible. Some one has pertinently said:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 425.1
“It is not much good just reading the Bible. The Word itself does not say anything, that I can remember, about reading it. But it says a great deal about searching the Scriptures. And it says a great deal more about meditating on them. I do not know much about pearls, but I have heard that they come from the bottom of the sea. Now, we come up and look at the great stretch of water, and say, ‘This is where the pearls come from,’ and we take up the water and get nothing but bubbles of foam. But David comes along, and he dives down under the water, and brings up a wonderful pearl; and so he says, ‘It’s more to be desired than gold.’ Reading skims, and cannot find anything but what floats on top; meditation dives down deep and finds pearls.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 425.2
“Homes” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Homes are like harps, of which one is finely carved and bright with gilding, but ill-tuned, and jarring the air with its discords; while another is old and plain and word, but from its chords float strains that are a feast of music. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 425.3
“Singing in Church” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
The man in church who sings heartily knows less of the discords and disagreeable tunes than the other one who sits as a listener. It is so in anything-he who is actively engaged in work, helping with might and main, sees infinitely less to complain of than his lazy brother who is a critic. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 427.1
“Fallen Plants” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
The flowers of the field are set before us as examples of the beauty of holiness, and as a lesson of trust in the power of God to clothe and sustain His creatures. With few exceptions the flower family reminds us only of loveliness and purity. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.1
But there are exceptions, which go to show that the plant world shared in the curse of sin. That sin that was introduced into the world through man perverted animal life, so that the beasts of the field learnt violence and strife, and many species preyed upon one another. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.2
The same perversion of the life that moves in every living thing has given some of the plants a nature strikingly allied to the carnivorous animals. Hence we have the name, carnivorous plants, describing those which eat flesh. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.3
In the Daily Chronicle science column, not long ago, was an interesting note, showing that this habit in the plant is a perversion of its nature-its divine nature, we may say-and not at all necessary to its life. This is the paragraph:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.4
“Mr. Meehan, of Philadelphia, notices in some observations on the well-known Darlingtonia of California, notices that the so-called carnivorous plants are just as able to get their food from the earth as other species. The animal nutriment which they devour through their foliage can only be looked upon as ‘a gastronomic luxury,’ in no way to be classed among the necessaries of life. This is, of course, quite in keeping with previous data, sun-dews and other flesh-eating plants flourishing when deprived of flies or similar organic food.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.5
It awakens a feeling of pity to think of the innocent plant indulging such preying propensities as are common to the animal kingdom, and that, too, in sheer superfluity of naughtiness. Truly the whole creation will have to be purged from the fruits of sin before the time comes when the desert shall blossom as Carmel and Sharon, and the beasts shall lie down together, and none shall hurt nor destroy in all the earth. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.6
HOW THEY LIVE
The life which teaches the plant to take from the soil the elements and quantities required is, in these plants, perverted into the faculty for discriminating in the choice of victims for its depraved appetite. Thus we read of them:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.7
“The order of flesh-eating plants, of which the well-known Venus fly-trap is a sample, display such a wonderful discrimination in the selection of food, and an adaptation of means to ends, as to afford a striking and wonderful problem in this direction. If a live insect alight upon the leaves of the dionea, the unwary victim is immediately entrapped by its parts closing over it like a thing possessed of life and intelligence; and when the insect’s juices are extracted and digested the plant again slowly opens, ready apparently for another victim. Small bits of beef will be devoured in the same manner, but inanimate substances, such as minute stones or fragments of dead moss, will be rejected as completely as by any animal judgment and discernment. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.8
“In common with other varieties of these carnivorous vegetables, the English sundew, a little plant common to soft, marshy places, lives almost entirely on the flies and insects which alight upon it. The outer surface of its leaves is covered with a number of tentacles, terminating in a little knob covered with a soft, sweet, sticky substance to attract its prey, which deceived by a pathway paved with such good intentions, alights upon it to partake of the tempting meal. Then it becomes a case of the biter bit, and the little victim finds himself gradually enveloped in the folds of the voracious plant. As in most other plants of the same kind, pieces of dead matter, and balls of paper, or even a lifeless insect fail to tempt the fastidious appetite of this vegetable ‘bon vivant.’” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 428.9
“News of the Week” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
-It is proposed to build a railway from the East coast of Africa to the lake region in the interior, the work to be commenced next spring. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.1
-At the recent conference of the W.W.C.T.U., a document was produced showing that forty-seven clergymen were among the shareholders of a certain brewery company. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.2
-London has an “Early Rising Association,” which recently held its midsummer mooting on an eminence in North London, and passed a resolution recommending early rising to all persons desirous of health, wealth, and long life. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.3
-The latest use for the penny-in-the-slot machine seems to have been found by an American, who has produced a machine with the inscription: “Put a penny in the slot and you will gets blessing from, the Pope, in the Pope’s can voice, per phonograph.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.4
-June 25 is observed by the Abyssinians as “St. Pilate’s day.” The festival amounts, it is said, almost to a national ablution. Since Pilate washed his hands and protested himself innocent of Jesus’ death, they have thought him a worthy subject for canonisation. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.5
-The sale of brandy for drinking in France is declared to have doubled in the last ten years. Much of the brandy now sold there is said to be made from ethylic alcohol, which is a very poisonous substance, having the effect of rapidly breaking down the will of the unfortunate drinker. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.6
-The danger of collision at sea has been prospectively lessened by the invention of an electrical apparatus, which; attached to a compass, causes the needle to deviate in the direction of an approaching ship when the latter is still a mile distant, and thus to close an electric circuit and ring an alarm. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.7
-Out of 54,946, male criminals confined in English prisons last year, 20,172 had been only once committed, while 8,898 had been in prison ten times and over. The number of males committed doubled that of females, but in the cases of supposed total depravity, shown by over ten commitments, the feales outnumbered the males by about 80 per cent. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.8
-An insurrection against Turkish misrule has broken out in Macedonia, and some fighting has been reported between the inhabitants and Turkish troops. A grave aspect has been given to the situation by the action of Bulgaria, where all political parties are uniting in efforts to give active aid to the insurgents. From Crete there comes news of an encounter between Turkish soldiers and “Christians,” in which several of the participants were killed. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.9
-No fewer than seventeen female foretune-tellers, soothsayers, and “witches” of various sorts were recently cited before the Paris magistrates in one week. It was said, during the hearing of one of the charges, that there are at least 800 women in Paris at the present moment who live upon the credulity of their fellow-citizens. One of the biggest sources of profit is made by their “interpretation” of the dreams which are communicated to them by hosts of anxious inquirers. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.10
-Dr. Merriam, the well-known ornithologist, has just issued a useful report to farmers, giving the results of his examination of the food of birds. He shows that the popular notions about owls, crows, and blackbirds, are altogether erroneous Seventy-five per cent. of their food was town to be field-mice, grasshoppers, and crickets, which are more injurious than these birds to fare, crops. He also found that they eat noxious insects, and although 25 per cent. of their food is corn, it is mostly waste corn. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.11
-Stundist exiles are apparently about to enjoy the privilege of emigration. A circular issued by the Minister of the Interior to the Military Governor of the Province of Kutais, Caucasus, states that in consequence of the overcrowding of Caucasia by banished sectarians, and the difficulty of finding dwellings and providing surveillance, it has been decided to sanction emigration where desired, and to grant passports for doing so on condition that the emigrants declare their intention never again to return to Russia. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 430.12
“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
The English Church Union, which represents the Catholic party in the Establishment, has on its role of membership over 35,000 names, of which 4,277 are clergymen, including 26 Bishops. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.1
Lord Halifax, president of the E.C.U., addressed the annual meeting last week on reunion prospects. His visit to Rome renders him more hopeful of reunion, and he thinks the dream of Leo XIII. may be realised in his lifetime. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.2
From the far-away colony of Western Australia comes one item of news which shows that many there are interested in religious questions. One agent has sold during the past two years 1,400 copies of the large work, “Patriarchs and Prophets,” 150 of “Steps to Christ” and 500 copies of our smaller pamphlets. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.3
At the laying of the foundation stone of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster last week the “purple of Monsignori and Bishops, the violet cassocks of clerical assistants, the gold and white of cope and mitre, the more sacred black and white of the pallium, and the crimson of two Cardinals” greatly impressed some of the newspaper correspondents. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.4
Sketches of the proposed cathedral show that it will be a great edifice, and gorgeously decorated. Catholics expect to draw many people into their fold by the pomp and splendour of the services when all is completed. No doubt their expectations will be realised. Sensuous religion is popular. People like to see spectacular displays which they cannot understand, and which appeal to their imagination. But it is easy for anyone to see that these things do not come from the New Testament. The fallen church has taken its pompous ceremonies over from Paganism, of which the “mystery of iniquity” is an exact copy. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.5
Writing from Hungary of the progress of the work in fields over which he has general oversight, Brother L. R. Conradi, of Hamburg, says:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.6
The work of translating and publishing in foreign tongues steadily increases, and we publish now from Hamburg in Hungarian, Bohemian, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian, Servian, Roumanian, and Livonian; and as the seeds of truth are sown, Sabbath-keepers of all these nationalities come to our knowledge. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.7
Speaking of the sensationalism of the age one of the reviewers of last month said:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.8
Preachers, thinkers, writers, and artists of every kind have attracted attention and gained popularity in direct ratio to the novelty of their productions. The very word “old-fashion” is now a reproach which requires no amplification, as “up-to-date” symbolises perfection. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.9
It is the condition predicted: “The time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.” PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.10
The thirsty man does not refuse the cup of cold water because he has had water to drink before; nor does the man thirsting for righteousness object to the old story of Christ and His righteousness. The water of life from the well of the Word is ever fresh and new, but not novel and untried. Therefore, while the world is seeking novelties, the Gospel worker is to follow the old and only method of saving souls—“Preach the Word.” It is the Lord’s direction for just such a time as that described in the preceding paragraph. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.11
The ways of the Mohammedan pilgrim are ways of darkness, as well from a sanitary as from the spiritual point of view. It is from the annual pilgrimages to Mecca that the cholera scourge usually starts. The population of Mecca suddenly rises by from one to three hundred thousand, the water supply is befouled, and, according to Professor Proust, a French sanitarian, the worst feature lies in the sacrificial rites in the valley of Monna, where in 1893 over 120,000 sheep were slain. This valley is narrow, there is no water in it, the heat is tropical, and the superficial burial of the carcasses turns the charnel house into a putrefying scene of desolation. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.12
One of the bishops of the American Methodist Church has been visiting Korea, and is enthusiastic over the progress that the country is making toward Christianity. He says:— PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.13
During our brief stay the barbarous practice of beheading criminals and exposing the heads outside the gates was abolished by royal edict, and at the same time Sunday was made a legal holiday and Saturday a half holiday. In fact, the reforms instituted by their alert and energetic allies of the island empire, if enforced throughout the eight provinces, will put new life into this torpid race, and give Korea a creditable place among civilised nations. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.14
Constantine’s reputation as a Christian rests upon his Sunday edict, and from that day to this the keeping of Sunday has been very largely accepted as a sufficient substitute for obedience to the commandments of God. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.15
The propensity for making a show is one of the prominent characteristics of weak human nature. Fallen man, the weakest intelligence in the universe, is also the most boastful. The proud Nebuchadnezzar has his successors to-day, among nations as well as individuals, who desire to call the attention of the world to the great Babylon’s which they have built. But it is as true now as in his day that “Pride goeth before a fall;” for vanity is only another name for folly, and when vanity becomes so great that it must find vent in boastful displays meant only to glorify man, it is an indication that man’s folly has arisen to such a height that it must be humbled by the hand of God. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.16
“Keeping the Peace” The Present Truth 11, 27.
E. J. Waggoner
Keeping the Peace.-The Psalmist writes, “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165. How do they obtain this peace? The Saviour said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace give I unto you.” John 14:27. He gives to His followers the peace that He has Himself. They have but to take it, according to the exhortation, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:15. The only obstacle to this will be some other ruler in the heart, namely, self. Where self rules, there will not be peace; but the peace of God will rule wherever it is let in. Being God’s peace, it has in it His power and His joy. It is infinite, and so “passeth all understanding.” And it will “keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” That which controls the mind, will control the body. So there are no persons in the world so peaceful and so truly keepers of the peace, as Christians. PTUK July 4, 1895, page 432.17