The Present Truth, vol. 11
August 1, 1895
“Eating and Living” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Eating and Living.-Some professors of religion excuse their lack of daily Scripture reading by saying they have “scarcely time to eat.” But it is just as impossible for one to be a Christian without feeding upon the Word, as it is for one to live physically without eating. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.1
“Increase of Faith” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Increase of Faith.-When the Lord spoke of the necessity of forgiveness, the apostles said to Him, “Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5. Many people to-day make the same prayer, and make it in vain because they do not recognise the Lord’s answer. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17. If a person desires more faith, he has but to listen more attentively to the Word of God. There is no other place from which faith can come, and so we must go there for it. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.2
Hearing the Word.-But let it be remembered that it is the Word of God, and not that of men, that is to be heard. If men are really sent from God, and preach only the Word, then it is all right; but let it never be forgotten that faith cannot come from hearing the word of men. It is evident, therefore, that when men speak we must be able to discern whether or not they are speaking the Word of God. That means that we must know the Word of God for ourselves. We must study it for ourselves, recognising God’s voice in it, to know exactly what it says. If this is done there will be no difficulty in the matter of faith. That man who gives himself patiently to the study of the Word of God, will have faith just as surely as he will have strength if he eats good food and breathes pure air. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.3
“‘He Must Increase’” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
The disciples of John were jealous for his sake, and felt that a wrong was being done him in that the multitudes were now flocking to Jesus, instead of to him. But no trace of jealousy was awakened in his breast. He likened himself to the friend of the bridegroom who found his joy complete in the happiness of the one whom he had served. Then he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.4
At first thought it seems as though that was the most easy and natural thing in the world for John to say. We think of the difference between Christ and John,—the latter a mere man, and the former the Son of God,—and it seems very easy to say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We imagine that we should have said the same thing, not realising that the answer of John furnishes one of the grandest instances of preferring another above self that there is on record. Consequently we lose the lesson that we should learn from it. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.5
Let us not forget that Jesus was here on earth as a man. He was man then, as He is even now in heaven “the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. To all appearance, He was only a man. Nothing in His outward appearance, nothing that could be discerned by the senses, indicated that He was “God with us.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.6
John was a great prophet, and he had preached to many thousands. Now Jesus comes, another great prophet, and He has the ears of the people. The disciples of John could see no difference between John and Jesus-no reason why John should not have the same power and influence as Jesus. Even John, who knew that Christ was preferred before him, had not seen Him except as a man among men. Nevertheless his word was, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.7
This marks the true follower of Christ. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory.” Psalm 115:1. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.8
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee,“
PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.9
is more than mere rhyme to the Christian. Self-effacement, that only Christ may be seen, is true Christianity. Christ must be lifted up, and self must be abased. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.10
Now as one thinks of Christ in glory, the leader of a host of heaven, it seems as though one could not think anything else than that He alone should be exalted. But Christ does not yet appear to us in glory. The saints who in glory shall give honour to Christ alone, will have learned to do the same to Him in His humiliation. There is something intensely practical in being able to say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.11
“The Word was made flesh.” Christ has for ever identified Himself with men. Their cause is His. Whatever good or ill is done to men He counts as being done to Him. Matthew 25:35-45. The man who turns the poor beggar away with harsh words, sees nothing but an insignificant man; but Christ says that He is the one who is slighted. The one who in the kindness of his heart receives a needy wayfarer, does not realise that he is sheltering Christ; but so it is. Christ has so completely identified Himself with humanity, that no act can be done to a fellow-man without being done to Him. Our treatment of our fellows shows exactly how we would treat the Lord Himself. Not only so, but it shows how we do treat Him. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 481.12
Now let us say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” What does it mean? It means to be “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10. It means obedience to the exhortation, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3. It means the regarding of others just as though we could see “the Lord of glory” standing in their place. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.1
There is wonderful help for us in putting ourselves actually in John’s place as regards our fellows. When tempted to envy another; when the thought is suggested that another has more honour and attention than we have, and that he even has it at our expense, what a blessed peace and content comes to us when we put Christ in his place, and say from the heart, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It must be so; it is absolutely necessary, from the very nature of things, that Christ be exalted above us. It should be a pleasure to us to acknowledge that fact, since our fulness of joy is found only in His supremacy over all. Remembering this, and also that He identifies Himself with every man, becomes delightfully easy to say of our brother who has more honour than we “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Then instead of the demand of unrest that continually gnaws at the hearts of those who are ambitious, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” shall keep our hearts and lives. Then indeed will Christ be lifted up even in us, and we ourselves shall be made sharers of His exaltation. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.2
“The Fight of Faith” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
“Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:12. This fight is an individual affair, not a battle of armies, no other person can have faith for us. It is a dangerous thing, therefore, to learn to lean upon others and look to them for guidance in the Christian pathway. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.3
Jacob fought the good fight of faith when, on the night before his meeting with Esau, he was “left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” None of the company he brought with him could have aided him in that conflict; they would have been a hindrance rather than a help. For that was a spiritual conflict, where faith and doubt were contending for the mastery. Jacob had the promise of God, made to him years before, and his faith grasped this, and he triumphed. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.4
Abraham fought this fight when, alone with his terrible secret, he went up with Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah. He had the promise of God concerning the seed that should come through Isaac, and his faith grasped this, “accounting that God was able to raise him from the dead.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.5
The Saviour met the temptations of Satan alone in the desert, and His faith in the word of God won the victory. Again, in His last most terrible conflict, He was alone in Gethsemane; but His faith did not fail. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.6
If we win the prize of eternal life, we must certainly fight this fight, and we must fight it as those did who have been victorious before us, that is, by trust in the promises of God. We have His promises given us in rich abundance. We must know them so that we can say to the adversary, “It is written.” Faith alone wins the victory, and faith is perfect trust in the Word of God. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.7
“Shutting the Eyes” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
The ostrich, when in danger, it is said, sometimes hides its head in the sand so that it cannot see its foes, and imagines itself secure. This is thought to be very stupid; but it is no more so than the course of people who shut their eyes to the truth and think to pass on in security. We can no more escape truth by shutting our eyes to it than we can delay time by turning back the hands of a clock. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.8
Many persons pursue this course with reference to the truths of God’s Word. They find some of those truths very unpleasant; or it may be they are afraid they will find unpleasant truths if they investigate; so they shut their eyes, refusing to look at what God’s Word presents, thinking that somehow it will come out all right in the end. But the Lord has never sanctioned willful ignorance. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.9
What they should do is to open their eyes wider instead of shutting them, and investigate fully the truths which come to them out of God’s Word, and then they would see that those are not unpleasant truths, as they had thought, but are really “good tidings of great joy.” They are each a part of the Gospel, which is the “good news” sent from God to man, the news that He has undertaken to redeem fallen man, restore to him his innocence and purity, and his home in paradise. All the truths of God’s Word which relate to man’s duty here are pleasant truths to the one who will believe them. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.10
Doubtless there were some people in Noah’s day who shut their eyes to the truth of a coming flood, after the conviction had come to them that Noah was preaching the truth. But while they thus “knew not” (Matthew 24:39), the flood came, and they miserably perished. Their example is surely not one to be imitated. It is in love and mercy that God shows us truth, whatever truth it may be. It is only a token that He is going forward in His plan of saving us, and we should receive it as such, and gladly go forward with Him. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.11
“The Real Object of Sunday Laws” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Last week’s American mails brought papers reporting the latest case of Sunday-law prosecution. This time eight Seventh-day Adventists, of Tennessee, were committed to jail for Sunday work. The presiding judge declared: PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.12
In pronouncing judgment in these cases I have little to add to what was said in similar cases at the last term. My views, as then expressed, have not changed. I will take occasion, however, to express again my sincere personal regret, that a necessity exists for inflicting punishment upon these people, for it must be patent even to the most casual observer that they are good citizens, who are thoroughly conscientious in the course they have taken. They are not Sabbath-breakers in the ordinary sense of that term. The original intention of the law was certainly not to punish such people. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.13
Here the judge was mistaken. The men who enacted these laws may have had no idea of how they would work; but the whole scheme of making the enforcement of religious institutions a part of the work of the State, as modern States have received it from the Roman State, is of pagan origin. The pedigree of the modern Sunday law is well established. The first Sunday law, Constantine’s, was issued by a pagan, in the pagan name of the day, “the venerable day of the sun,” and from this has come every succeeding Sunday law. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.14
The Scripture shows that in all Paganism was the “god of this world,” working to overthrow the truth; and in the Sunday tradition we have the device by which he seeks to make void the commandment of the Lord and turn all men away from the Sabbath. While men who framed the Sunday laws may have been ignorant of the true Sabbath, there was one behind this line of legislation who did know exactly what he was doing. Just the use that was to be made of these laws is shown in Revelation 12:17: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 482.15
This is the reason of the discrimination against Sabbath-keepers, of which one secular paper in Tennessee complains:— PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.1
The grand juries that indicted them ignored the “lawlessness” of the 400 or 500 men who work within sight of the court house every Sunday, and went five miles away to find indictments against a little band of Seventh-day Adventists down at Graysville. Their neighbours of other religious beliefs say the Adventists are admirable citizens, and they denounced their persecution in the most unmeasured terms. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.2
But as to this, Seventh-day Adventists urge no grievance. It is just as wicked to try to force an unbeliever who keeps no day to recognise the Sunday, as to try to force a Sabbath-keeper to do so. This is the reason why Seventh-day Adventists cannot plead for special exemptions in their favour. To ask for exemption from the operation of a wicked law, is to consent without protest to the wrong which the law will do to those not included in the special exemption. The work of the Christian is to preach the Gospel, and so he can only warn all men against paying homage to traditions which make void God’s law and demand allegiance to men, rather than to Jesus Christ the Lord of the conscience. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.3
“The Secret of Contentment” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Some very pertinent observations as regards the problem of shorter hours and higher wages, for which the labour organisations are so earnestly striving, are these of Sir William Harcourt, made at a recent temperance demonstration:— PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.4
We hear of an eight hour day, but what is the use of an eight hour day if the other hours are spent in drink? We hear of high wages, and we wish to see them; but what is the use of high wages if they are spent in drink? Why, there are few men in this country who cannot raise their own wages if they like by the pursuit of temperance. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.5
The trouble is that human foresight and power are too weak to penetrate to the root of the difficulty which is making existence miserable for so large a portion of mankind. After higher wages and shorter hours have been secured, there will still remain the evil propensity of the heart, to spend those hours and wages in a way that will make the condition of the individual worse instead of better. There can be no sure amelioration of an individual’s condition without a change of heart, and this can be accomplished only by the power of the Gospel. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.6
The language of a follower of Christ is, “I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13. And this is not the language of sloth and indifference, but was written by one who laboured and toiled as few men have ever done. But it is the language of peace and contentment. The Christian is always content with his lot. And well he may be, for he has Christ and eternal life. Christ is the one great panacea that all men need. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.7
“Studies in Romans. Confirming the Promises. Romans 15:8-33” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
With this number we finish our study of the book of Romans. While the study has covered a long time, and there have been many articles, it has not nevertheless been exhaustive. Indeed, it is impossible to have an exhaustive study of the Bible; for no matter how thoroughly we study any portion of it, we shall still find ourselves but upon the threshold. The more we study the Bible, the more will our best study seem to be only preliminary to further study that will be seen to be necessary. But although we cannot expect ever to exhaust the truth, so that we can say that we have it all, we may be sure that as far as we have gone we have only the truth. And this assurance arises not from any wisdom that we have, but solely from adhering closely to the word of God, and not allowing the alloy of human ideas to mingle with its pure gold. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.8
The portion of Scripture which we have before us in this study, namely, from the eighth verse of the fifteenth chapter of Romans to the close of the sixteenth chapter, is long, but it is difficult to find any place for dividing it, especially since much of it is devoted to personal matters. On account of the length of it, we have not reprinted the text. Many verses will however be found in the course of the lesson, and it is expected that the student will carefully read the entire portion from the Bible itself. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.9
“A Minister of the Circumcision.”-Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision. Bear this in mind. Shall we learn from it that He saves only the Jews? By no means, but we must learn from it that “salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22. “Jesus Christ our Lord” was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Romans 1:3. He is the “root of Jesse,” which stands “for an ensign of the people,” to which the Gentiles seek. Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12. The Gentiles who find salvation must find it in Israel. None can find it anywhere else. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.10
“The Commonwealth of Israel.”-In writing to the brethren at Ephesus, Paul refers to the time before they were converted as the time when they were “Gentiles in the flesh,” and says, “At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:11, 12. That is, outside of Israel there is no hope for mankind. They who are “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel” are “without Christ,” and “without God in the world.” In Christ Jesus we are brought to God. But being brought to God we are “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Verses 18, 19. Therefore we have two things most clearly and positively taught, namely, That none are saved unless they are of the house of Israel; and, That none are of the house of Israel except those who are in Christ. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.11
Confirming the Promises.—“Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” That shows that all the promises of God to the fathers were made in Christ. “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, wherefore also through Him is the Amen.” 2 Corinthians 1:20. “To Abraham and His seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to Thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16. There was therefore never any promise made to the fathers which was not to be obtained only through Christ, and therefore through the righteousness which is by Him. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 483.12
Christ Not Divided.-Jesus Christ is declared to be a minister of the circumcision. Suppose now we hold that the promises to the fathers mean the natural descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; we should then be shut up to the conclusion that only those natural descendants, those who are circumcised, can be saved. Or, at least, we should be driven to the conclusion that Christ does something for them that He does not do for the rest of mankind. But Christ is not divided. All that He does for one man He does for every man. All that He does for any He does through his cross; and He is crucified but once. “God so loved the world, that He gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Therefore since Christ is the minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the fathers, it is evident that those promises included all mankind. “There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him” Romans 10:12. “Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also; seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” Romans 3:29, 30. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.1
The “Tabernacle of David.”-At the time when the apostles and elders were assembled in Jerusalem, Peter told how he had been used by the Lord to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. Said he, “God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8, 9. Then James added, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:14-18. That is, the house of David is to be built up only by the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and the taking from them of a people for God. And this was the purpose of God from the beginning, as the prophets tesity. “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.2
“The Blessing of Abraham.”-Again we read that “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; ... that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13, 14. The curse that Christ was made for us, was the cross, as is stated in the words omitted from the text just quoted. Therefore we learn that the promises to the fathers were assured only by the cross of Christ. But Christ tasted death for every man. Hebrews 2:9. He was “lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14, 15. Therefore the promises made to the fathers were simply the promises of the Gospel, which is “to every creature.” By the cross, Christ confirms the promises made to the fathers, in order “that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.3
“One Fold, and One Shepherd.”-In the tenth chapter of John we find some of the most beautiful, tender, and encouraging words of the Lord Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the gate by which the sheep enter into the fold. He gives His life to save them. Then He says, “And other sheep I have, which 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.” Verse 16. Therefore when His work is completed, there will be but one fold, and He will be the Shepherd. Let us see who will compose that flock. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.4
The Lost Sheep.-In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, that wonderful bouquet of blessed illustrations of the love and mercy of the Saviour, Jesus represents His work as that of the shepherd going to seek the lost and wandering sheep. Now who are the sheep that He is seeking? He Himself gives the answer: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. This is emphatic. Therefore it is evident that all the sheep whom He finds, and whom He brings back to the fold, will be Israel. And so it is just as evident that the “one fold” will be the fold of Israel. There will be no other fold, since it is to be “one fold.” And He will be the Shepherd. To-day, as well as in the days of old, we may pray, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth.” Psalm 80:1. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.5
The Characteristic of the Sheep.-Those who are following Christ are His sheep. But He has “other sheep.” There are many who are not now following Him, who are His sheep. They are lost and wandering, and He is seeking them. What determines who are His sheep? Hear him tell: “The sheep hear His voice.” “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice.” “Ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear My voice.” John 10:3, 16, 26, 27. When He speaks, those who are His sheep will hear His voice, and come to Him. The word of the Lord is the test as to who are His sheep. Every one therefore who hears and obeys the word of the Lord is of the family of Israel; and those who reject or neglect the word, are eternally lost. “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.6
“One Faith.”-We may now stop to see how this that the apostle has said connects with what he has said in the fourteenth chapter, about Christ’s being the minister of the circumcision, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, in order that the Gentiles might glorify God. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Mark this: They who are to be received “as Christ also received us to the glory of God,” are those who have the faith. Now there is but “one faith,” as there is but “one Lord.” Ephesians 4:5. And faith comes by hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17. Since there is to be but one fold, and Christ, the one Shepherd, is not divided, there must be no division in the fold. Disputings, which come from human wisdom and human human ideas, are to be left out, and the word of God alone followed. That allows of no disputing, since it tells ever one and the same thing. This is the rule: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:1-3. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 484.7
Faith, Hope, Joy, and Peace.—“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Here we have faith and hope, joy and peace. The God of hope is to fill us with all joy and peace in believing, and this is to be by the power of the Holy Ghost. This connects the present instruction with that of the fourteenth chapter, where we are told that “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.1
The Gospel Commission.-When Jesus was about to leave this world, He told His disciples that they should first receive power by the Holy Spirit, and then, said He, “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. “To the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” but to all alike, and the same Gospel to all. So Paul declared that his work as a minister of the Gospel consisted in “testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21. So in our text he tells us that as “the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God,” he had “through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God” “fully preached the Gospel of Christ” “from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.2
Partaking the Same Spiritual Things.-The apostle, speaking of his desire to visit the Romans, said that he hoped to see them when he took his journey into Spain. “But now,” said he, “I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” A very simple statement, but it shows that the Gentiles received nothing spiritual except that which came from the Jews. The spiritual things of which the Gentiles had been made partakers came from the Jews, and were ministered to them by Jews. Both partook of the same spiritual meat, and therefore the Gentiles showed their gratitude by ministering to the temporal necessities of the Jews. So here again we see but one fold and one Shepherd. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.3
The God of Israel.-Many times in the Bible God is declared to be the God of Israel. Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, immediately after the healing of the lame man, said to the people, “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus.” Acts 3:13. Even in this age, therefore, God is identified as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel. God desires to be known and remembered, and so we read His words, “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” Exodus 31:13, 16, 17. God is the God of Israel. True, He is the God of the Gentiles also, but only as they accept Him, and become Israel through the righteousness by faith. But Israel must keep the Sabbath. It is the sign of their connection with God. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.4
Greetings.-Two-thirds of the last chapter of Romans consists of greetings. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in the Lord.” “Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” “Greet Mary, who hath bestowed much labour upon us.” “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen.” “Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.” “Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.” “Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.” And so the list runs including both men and women impartially. Let one but read that blessed list, realizing that it shows not only the largeness and heartiness of Paul’s sympathy, but also the special care which the Holy Spirit has for each individual member of the household of faith, singling them out by name, and there will be no questioning as to why such things were written. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.5
But one thing is very significant and that is the fact that there is no mention of Peter, who is claimed to have been “the first Bishop of Rome.” We may sometimes learn as much by what the Bible does not say as by what it does say. From what is not said in this place we may learn that so far from being Bishop of Rome, Peter was not in Rome at all when Paul wrote, and that if he was ever in Rome it was after the Epistle to the Romans was written, and long after the church was established and flourishing there. For it is most certain that in saluting the members of the church by name he would not have omitted the name of the chief person in it, whose hospitality he had once shared in Jerusalem for fifteen days. Of course there is abundance of the most positive evidence that neither the church of Christ nor the church of Rome was founded upon Peter; but if there were no other, this testimony of the sixteenth chapter of Romans would be sufficient to settle the matter. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.6
In Conclusion.—“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.7
What a magnificent conclusion! It reaches from eternity to eternity. The Gospel of God is the thing of the ages. It was kept secret in the mind of God from times eternal. Christ “was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” 1 Peter 1:19, 20. But now the mystery is “made manifest.” Not simply is it made manifest by the preaching of the apostles, but, “according to the commandment of the everlasting God,” “by the Scriptures of the prophets” it is “made known to all nations, for the obedience of faith.” The Gospel plan originated in the mind of God in the eternity of the past; patriarchs, prophets and apostles have worked in unison in making it manifest; and “in the ages to come” it will be both the science and the song of the redeemed “of all ages to come” it will be both the science and the song of the redeemed “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” who shall gather with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God, and will say, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 485.8
“News of the Week” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
-Germany sends us ?2,000,000 worth of toys annually. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.1
-The mortality from snake bite increases every year in India. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.2
-Large quantities of tomatoes are shipped to the London markets from Tasmania. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.3
-Strikes, requiring the calling out of troops, occurred last week in Spain and Austria. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.4
-The last weekly returns showed Brighton to have the lowest death rate and Liverpool the highest. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.5
-The scarcity of water in the East-end of London has caused great distress and ill health, some deaths being attributed to it. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.6
-The Brazilian Government is protesting against the occupation by the British of a small island off the coast of South America. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.7
-Russia in Europe has now about 85,000 miles of navigable rivers and canals, or about 6,000 miles more than all the rest of Europe. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.8
-The Conservative majority is so large that doubts are expressed as to their being able to find seats on the Government side of the house. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.9
-Japan demands of China a further indemnity of seven and a half million pounds for giving up the Liaotung Peninsula, on which the citadel of Port Arthur is situated. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.10
-The Paris press declares that the treaty of alliance between Pamela and France provides unconditionally that one power is to support the other in case of attack or danger. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.11
-Within easy reach of the bed in the Queen’s saloon carriage is a handle on the floor, by pulling up which Her Majesty is able to apply the brakes to the whole train at any moment. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.12
-The trouble in Macedonia continues, and all last week news of fighting and preparations for it came in. An uneasy feeling pervades Europe in view of this re-opening of the old-time Eastern Question. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.13
-Trouble between Indians and whit; in the Far West led to the sending of troops to the scene last week. A Washington despatch says “the troops have been ordered to stop the fighting and protect the red men from the whites.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.14
-Baron Blanc, the Italian Foreign Minister, made a statement in the Chamber last week on the position of Italy in Abyssinia. It is thought that another war is imminent, and the Corriere states that ten alliance has been formed between Italy and England. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.15
-A remarkable sequel to the Liverpool election was disclosed at the local police-court. A man was brought up for murder, and the solicitor had to ask for a remand, it being impossible, he said, to go on with the ease, all the witnesses without exception being drunk. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.16
-The ships on the British East African station have been punishing one of the tribes on the coast. The punitive expedition met some opposition from men armed with clubs and arrows, but “two Maxim guns scoured the hills like a steam hose” and the natives retreated. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.17
-It was thought that the question of the boundary line between British and Russian spheres in the Pamir regions was soon to be settled. A hitch has occurred, however, and Russia insists upon the evacuation by Afghanistan of certain points before discussing the question. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.18
-Stalin Pasha, one of the prisoners of the Mahdists in the Soudan, who escaped recently, says that under the Khalifs who succeeded the Mahdi the native tribes of the Soudan have been disillusioned, and are ready to revolt, but are overpowered by the Western Arabs, who hold all the Soudan in their hands. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.19
-Spain is finding the Cuban insurrection a very serious affair. With an army of 64,000 men the Government has been unable to suppress the rising and despatches indicate that the revolutionists are increasing in numbers, having a force of 16,000 men. The system of taxation which Spain has maintained has alienated the people of Cuba, who are largely in sympathy with the rebel cause. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 494.20
“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
It is said that the Vatican has received intelligence from Egypt of the return in mass of several thousand Copts to Catholic unity. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.1
A number of our workers have sailed recently from Liverpool for various parts of South America. Two of the number are German brethren who will work in the German colonies. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.2
The Danish Parliament has made a grant of money to enable a priest of the Lutheran Church, the State Church of Denmark, to go to America to organise a Danish Lutheran Church in the United States. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.3
As we feared, the unrest in China succeeding the war, has given rise to attacks upon missionaries in some quarters. The authorities have connived at the display of spite against the teachers of the “foreign religion,” and missionaries have had to flee for their lives. But these things, we know, cannot shut the Gospel out of China. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.4
That little work “Steps to Christ” is just being brought out in the Polish language. Our German brethren are also bringing out other publications in the Polish, Bohemian, and Levonian, and are preparing others for the Esthonian and Lettish tongues, spoken in the Baltic provinces, where there are already calls for our literature and teachers of the Word. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.5
Of the work of John the Baptist we read that he was “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Luke 3:4. In this present day, however, we read in religious journals that “good civil government makes a straight path for Christianity.” But such work as John’s has nothing in common with the work of civil government, for his work was to preach “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Verse 3. Has God’s plan changed since John’s day? or have men changed? Is God’s plan still the right one? or have men invented a better way? PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.6
Modern intervention promises to afford facilities for increasing the papal income unknown in the days of Tetzel and his collecting box. Thus it is said that a penny-in-the-slot machine has been produced with the inscription: “Put a penny in the slot and you will get a blessing from the Pope, in the Pope’s own voice, per phonograph.” PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.7
There is talk of forming a Protestant party in Parliament, to further Protestant interests and defeat measures subversive of Protestantism. But appeals to Parliament mean simply appeals to force and majorities, and this is not Protestantism, if by Protestantism we mean the Gospel of Christ. Whenever Protestants have put their trust in princes or in the sons of men, “in whom there is no help,” Protestantism has been defeated in the end. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.8
One of our workers in Brazil says that at Rio de Janeiro one morning he heard a noise in the street like the beating of a drum, and inquired what it meant. Friends told him it was the ceremony in which the priests profess to carry the Holy Spirit through the streets for the veneration of the people. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.9
We looked out and saw several carrying a stick, or pole, with a few wreaths and a dove on one end of it. The people ran out to kiss it. The time has come to make known to the people the latter rain that does not need to be carried by man, but that is given like showers of rain to quicken the faint, to strengthen the weak, and to carry those that cannot walk. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.10
A despatch from Rome says that a conference on the union of the German Protestant and Catholic Churches will commence there in October. It would be interesting if some German delegate would read the Protest which was presented at Spires, giving the name Protestant to the Reformation. But as the principles which are set forth in that historic Protest are long since abandoned there is no likelihood that any member of the conference will act as though there had ever been a Reformation. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.11
Coroners remark the unparalleled number of suicides and tragedies, and judges complain that the multitude of divorce cases block the courts. One of the influences helping to demoralise the minds of the people is undoubtedly the foolish and often viciously foolish literature which pours out in a steady stream from the press, giving its readers unreal and morbid ideas of life. It is time for parents to know what kind of mental food their children are getting in their reading. The evil is not confined to the penny novelties, by any means. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.12
“Good Cheer” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Good Cheer.—“In the world,” said Christ, “ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The good cheer rests upon nothing we have done or can do, but upon what he has done. Therefore there is good cheer for the Christian all the time. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.13
“Rome Rebuking Protestants” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Rome Rebuking Protestants.-The use which some Protestants in America are making of the Sunday laws has brought upon them the rebuke of the Catholic press. While we do not approve of the tone of censure in the following from the Catholic Monitor, it is nevertheless interesting:— PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.14
We do not believe that there is a Catholic paper or a Catholic citizen in this country that approves of this persecution of the Seventh-day Adventists. If there be such a paper we are ashamed of it, and if there be such a Catholic he is a bigot. This persecution is a disgrace to the States that permit it, and if it occurred in Catholic countries it would be taken up by all the Protestant sects and heralded to the world as an example of papal intolerance. But because it occurs among the dear, good, liberty-loving Methodists nobody seems to consider it anything extraordinary. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.15
When Rome rebukes Protestants for their zeal in enforcing Roman institutions, it is like the father who punishes his son for following the paternal example. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.16
“Abyssinia and the Sabbath” The Present Truth 11, 31.
E. J. Waggoner
Abyssinia and the Sabbath.-While we are hearing about the visits of Russian ecclesiastics to Abyssinia to turn the remnant of the old Abyssinian churches into the Greek fold, it is interesting to remember that the history of this Ethiopian church furnishes a striking testimony to the Sabbath. These churches in Africa were surrounded by enemies and cut off from all touch with the Roman world in early centuries, before the apostasy was fully developed. They were lost sight of for a thousand years, and when rediscovered by the Portuguese navigators were keeping the Sabbath, as an ambassador of the king of Ethiopia declared at the court of Lisbon, “not in imitation of the Jews, but in obedience to Christ and His holy apostles.” No sooner had the Emperor been brought to submit to the Pope of Rome, early in the seventeenth century, than the Pope commanded, under extreme penalties, that they should give up observing the Sabbath. PTUK August 1, 1895, page 496.17