The Signs of the Times, vol. 13

May 19, 1887

“Words and Thoughts” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

The psalmist prayed, “Give ear to my words, O Lord; and consider my meditation.” Psalm 5:1. How few there are who could from the heart make that request? Who would like to have the Lord listen to all that they say? Certainly not they who blaspheme, or who use vulgar, idle, or foolish words, which they would not want even a good man to hear. Yet whether we wish God to hear our words, or not, we may rest assured that he does consider them, for, says the psalmist, “there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” Psalm 124:1. And those words are recorded, for the Saviour says: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36, 37. SITI May 19, 1887, page 293.1

Then there is our meditation. That is worse still, for every heart has cherished thoughts that have never been formed into words, because the individual would not betray his real character to his associates. It is the thoughts which mark the measure and character of the man. “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Many people who pass for upright Christians, would be seen to be wholly corrupt, if their thoughts were but laid open to public view. Well, whether we pray that God will consider our meditation or not, we may rest assured that he does do so, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12, 13. SITI May 19, 1887, page 293.2

The heart of mind of man is to the Lord like a printed page. He knows all its imaginings. And the time is coming when not only the Lord, but all the world, will be able to read the secrets of the heart. The apostle says that when the Lord comes he will “bring to light the hidden thing of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. That will be the time when he who now is lifted up shall be terribly abased. SITI May 19, 1887, page 293.3

Who is the one, then, who can ask the Lord to consider his meditation, and who will not be put to shame in the Judgment? It is he whose delight is in the law of the Lord, in which he meditates day and night. It is he whose works are committed to the Lord, and whose thoughts are consequently established. It is he who is pure I heart. What a blessed condition does that man occupy, who can rejoice in the thought that the pure and holy God knows all his thoughts and approves them. Our daily prayer should be: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14. W. SITI May 19, 1887, page 293.4

“‘He Descended into Hell’”

E. J. Waggoner

This is one clause of the so-called apostles’ creed, which was formulated somewhere between the fourth and the ninth centuries, and which is now adopted by nearly the whole of Christendom. The sentiment was evidently based on the mistranslation of the Greek word hades, in Acts 2:27, and a misconception of 1 Peter 3:18-20. In the last number but one of the SIGNS, we showed what this text really does mean, and now, according to promise, we propose to show what it does not mean; that it cannot by any possibility mean that in the interval between his crucifixion and his resurrection Christ went to some unknown region where wicked spirits were confined, and preached to them. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.1

It cannot be possible that the thousands who are accustomed to interpret 1 Peter 3:18-20 as we have just indicated, as proof that what we call death is not really death, have any idea of all that such an interpretation involves. A few words, however, will suffice to show any candid, thinking person that those who use this text to prove the immortality of the soul, thereby open the door for the introduction of some grievous heresies. If it were true that the “spirits in prison,” of whom Peter speaks, were preached to by Christ in person in the period between his crucifixion and his resurrection, then we should be forced to admit,- SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.2

1. That there is a probation after death. For preaching is for the purpose of saving those who will believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:13, 14. It makes no difference whether the ones preached to will believe and repent or not; the fact that they are preached to, shows that there is a possibility of their repenting, and therefore they are still on probation. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.3

2. We should also have to admit the Catholic dogma of purgatory, for that doctrine is based chiefly on this common perversion of this text. Purgatory and probation after death are practically synonymous. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.4

3. Prayers for the dead would follow as a necessary consequence. For if souls are in a condition to be preached to, they are on probation; and if they are on probation, there is a possibility that they may be saved; and if there is a possibility that they may be saved, all good people ought to, and will, pray that they may be saved. It is not necessary here to show how unscriptural all these positions are, for nearly all Protestants are agreed that they are unscriptural; what we design is to show those who reject purgatory and prayers for the dead, that they cannot do so consistently without also rejecting the dogma of the natural immortality of the soul. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.5

Another point: The same ones who use 1 Peter 3:18-20 as proving that the man does not wholly die, use Christ’s reply to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43) to prove the same thing. From the one they claim that Christ descended into some place where the wicked antediluvians were kept, and preached to them, and from the other they claim that immediately after his death he went to paradise. These two positions destroy each other, for if Christ spent the time between his death and his resurrection in preaching to wicked spirits in purgatory, he certainly did not go to the “paradise of God.” Some people seeing the inconsistency of these two positions, both of which are wrong, have sought to evade it by taking another position equally erroneous, namely, that those wicked spirits were in paradise! As many people are in doubt over this point, we shall, erelong, show from the Bible what and where paradise is. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.6

But does not the Bible say something about Christ being in hell? It does say that he was in a place which King James’s translation incorrectly rendered “hell,” but which the revisers have very properly left untranslated, namely, hades. In Acts 2:25-31 we read the following:- SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.7

“For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved; therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope; because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.8

The words which Peter here quoted, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hades,” are found in Psalm 16:10 where the Hebrew word corresponding to hades in the New Testament is sheol. Let us now examine a few texts to ascertain the nature of this place, who go there, and their condition while there. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.9

1. Good people go there. This is proved by the fact that Christ went there. Jacob said to his sons who thought to comfort him after Joseph was taken away, “I will go down into the grave [sheol] unto my son mourning.” Genesis 37:35. He expected to go to sheol, and he knew that Joseph, if dead, was there. When Christ comes and calls the righteous from their graves, and the saying is brought to pass that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory,” they will shout, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave [hades], where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:51-55. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.10

2. Wicked people also go there. David says of the wicked: “Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:11-14. We read also of the rebellious princes of Israel, that “the ground clave asunder that was under them; and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them; and they perished from among the congregation.” Numbers 16:31-33. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.11

3. All must go to this place. Says David: “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave [sheol]?” Psalm 89:48. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.12

4. The souls as well as the bodies of men and likewise animals, go there. See Numbers 16:31-33; Psalm 49:15; 89:48; Acts 2:31, etc. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.13

5. The wicked who go there are silent. Says David: “Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave [sheol].” Psalm 31:17. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.14

6. The righteous who go there do not call on the Lord. “For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave [sheol] who shall give thee thanks?” “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.15

7. Not only do the righteous not praise the Lord in sheol but no one who goes there can be converted to the truth. Said Hezekiah: “For the grave [sheol] cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee; they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.” Isaiah 38:18. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.16

8. It is a land of forgetfulness. “Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?” Psalm 88:10-12. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.17

9. Finally, it is a place where there is absolutely no consciousness of anything. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave [sheol], whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.18

10. Dead people cannot think. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 118:3, 4. See also John 11:21; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, etc. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.19

These texts show conclusively that it is absolutely impossible that at the time of Christ’s crucifixion there could have been any of the antediluvian sinners, or any others who had died, capable of listening to preaching, or that Christ could have preached to them or to anybody else, between his crucifixion and his resurrection. In addition to these texts, we may note that Christ’s soul was in hades, whence it was rescued only by his resurrection (Acts 2:31); that it was Christ’s soul that was made an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10); and that his soul was poured out unto death (Isaiah 53:12). Surely lovers of the Bible ought to accept the simple, consistent statements of that book, rather than a view which makes the Bible contradict itself, and brings in a train of pernicious heresies. W. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.20

“The Lord’s Prayer. Lead Us Not into Temptation” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

This petition cannot well be considered apart from that which immediately follows it: “but deliver us from evil.” Both together form a fitting climax to this wonderful prayer, for they indicate, if used understandingly, the soul’s desire for purity of heart. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.21

There are two senses in which the word tempted is used in the Bible. The apostle says: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” James 1:2. Again he says: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Verse 14. Now it is evident that the apostle would not exhort men to count it a joyful thing to be drawn away of their own lust, and enticed into sin; therefore the temptation of the second verse is different from that of the fourteenth. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.22

The temptation of the second verse is that which is successfully met, and which leaves the individual stronger than ever. It is the trying of faith. In Ephesians 6:16 we learn that faith is the shield by which the darts of the wicked may be quenched. The office of a shield is to protect the person. If a missle is received upon the shield, the person at whom it was aimed receives no injury; he does not feel it. The temptations, then, which work patience, and which strengthen, are those which meet with no response in our own hearts, but which are instantly repelled. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.23

The other temptations are those which are entertained in the heart. The sin presents itself, and the mind goes out towards it, and longs for it. It may be that the overt act is never committed, but since “the thought of foolishness is sin” (Proverbs 24:9), the one who only in imagination does the sinful act is in the sight of God accounted guilty. Such temptations as those are natural to every human being, “for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.24

The petition “lead us not into temptation,” must be understood as meaning, “suffer us not to fall into temptation;” and it must also be understood as referring to the second class of temptations,-those which proceed from within. The reason is (1) that we are not to ask freedom from trials, but rather to count them a blessing, and (2) that God cannot and does not lead people into sin. The prayer, then, is “suffer us not to fall into foolish and hurtful lust, but deliver us (keep us back) from evil.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.25

This cannot mean that God will not allow a man to act out the evil that is in him, for that would be impossible; if evil is in the heart, it must show itself, and we are expressly told that at one time God left a man to do what his heart prompted him to do. The man was Hezekiah. After he had been healed, the Babylonian ambassadors came to congratulate, and he showed them all the treasures of his kingdom. 2 Kings 20:12, 13. This action was prompted by pride. 2 Chronicles 32:24, 25. The historian, speaking of this, says: “Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.” 2 Chronicles 32:31. We must therefore conclude that the petition “lead us not into temptation” does not mean that God is to interpose his mighty power to miraculously preserve us from the wickedness that is in our own hearts. SITI May 19, 1887, page 294.26

There can be, then, but one conclusion, and that is that the prayer implies a renunciation and hatred of sin, and a desire to have the heart cleansed from it, and to be strengthened again allowing it to pass the shield of faith, and gain access to the heart. This is the only way that temptations can be instantly repelled, since, as we have read, evil thoughts are natural to the human heart. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.1

It was to effect this that Christ came into the earth. It is not enough that we be freed from the guilt of sin,-from past transgressions,-but we must be freed from the love of sin. Paul says that Christ “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Galatians 1:1. This “present evil world” does not mean the physical creation, but “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” 1 John 2:16. Again we read that he “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.2

This is what God wants to do for us; it is what we are to ask him to do for us, for he will not do it against our will. What is there to hinder his doing it? Nothing, if we offer the prayer in all sincerity, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We cannot cleanse ourselves from the defilement of sin, however much we may desire to be freed from it (Proverbs 20:9); but if we do earnestly desire to be kept from sin, God will work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), and that will be to make us perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is good. Hebrews 13:21. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.3

But while this is in one sense a passive state, in that it is an entire yielding of self to God, it is by no means a state of inactivity. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Luke 13:24. There is to be a constant watchfulness against the insidious assaults of the enemy. A reaching out after God implies a drawing away from sin. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.4

This part of the Lord’s prayer cannot be uttered from the heart, except of him who with the psalmist can say, “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love.” And this cannot be done until the individual realizes that fellowship with God is the only thing to be desired,-that the loving-kindness of God is better than life. Every man in the world will have just what he wants. If he loves the pleasures of sin, he will be left to its lusting enjoyment; but if his heart and his soul cry out after God, the promise is that he shall be filled. W. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.5

“Liquor and the Sabbath” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

A case that recently occurred in New York, in connection with the enforcement of the Sunday law, is somewhat significant. Some liquor sellers were brought before the court, when their counsel contended that they had not violated the law, because it forbids selling liquor on the Sabbath, and that Sabbath means the seventh day of the week, while they had sold it on the first day. This puzzled the Judge, until he consulted Webster’s Dictionary, where he learned that “the Sabbath of Christians is on Sunday.” Accordingly the men were convicted. We have no sympathy with saloon men, but we note this as showing that in the enforcement of Sunday laws, custom, and not reason is the guide. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.6

“Conditional Immortality—What Is It?” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

At the Baptist Convention recently held in this city, one of the essays, written and read by a prominent clergyman, contained the following:- SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.7

“Two of the foremost nations of the world stand face to face with two great problems. Conditional immortality is leavening the Church of England, and probation after death is sapping the foundation of Congregationalism.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.8

From the fact that the essayist connected conditional immortality with probation after death, which he regards as a dangerous heresy, we conclude that he regards conditional immortality in the same light. We know, indeed, that many people do regard that doctrine as a pernicious one, and we are forced to conclude that, if they are honest, their aversion is due to ignorance of what conditional immortality is. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.9

What is meant by conditional immortality? Simply this, that immortality, or eternal life, which is the same thing, is conditioned upon the individual’s belief in Christ. It means that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. It is the doctrine which our Saviour himself taught, when he said: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. Or as expressed by the apostle: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:11. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.10

It is the doctrine which Christ taught to Nicodemus in these words: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. It is the doctrine which gives Christ his rightful title of Life-giver, which he himself claimed, when he said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.11

To hear the same men talk, one would get the idea that the doctrine of conditional immortality is rank infidelity, and utterly opposed to all true Christianity. As a matter of fact, it is based on the reception of the fact that in all things Christ has the preeminence; that man can have nothing except as he gets it through Christ. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.12

As a matter of fact, a denial of the doctrine of conditional immortality is to that extent a denial of Christ. Indeed, we may truly say that it is wholly a denial of Christ, since it denies the very thing for which Christ came. He himself declares that his only object, by believing on him, have life. Now the man who says that eternal life is not conditioned upon his believing in Christ, virtually says that man has no need of Christ. This was just what so many of the ancient Jews did, to whom Christ sadly said, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” They did not profess to be Christians; they rejected Christ unreservedly. Is it not strange that in these days Christ is rejected in exactly the same way by those who profess to love and honor him? Why should people refuse to acknowledge their indebtedness to Christ for all that they have or hope to have? W. SITI May 19, 1887, page 295.13

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

Last Sunday evening (May 15) a series of meetings was begun in a 60-foot tent on the corner of 8th and Myrtle Street, Oakland, with a good attendance. These meetings will continue several weeks during the entire week, and will be devoted to the consideration of the prophecies for this time, and practical Bible truth in general. Preaching will begin every evening and 7:45, except Sunday evenings, when the service will begin at 7:30. Services will be conducted by Elders J. O. Corliss and R. S. Owen. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.1

The international convention of the Young Men’s Christian Association was held in San Francisco last week. Delegates were present from every state and territory in the union, and from some foreign countries. This week there is a Secretaries’ Conference in Oakland. California is no longer regarded as outside the world, and societies and associations of all classes are holding general meetings here. We are glad to know that the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is going to fall into line and meet here next fall. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.2

The Christian Cyneour says that it is “sorry to see in the United Presbyterian a strong apology for Good Friday and Easter, on the ground that the doctrine and fact of the resurrection deserve a prominent place in pulpit instruction, and if a certain time for this is not set apart by the authority of some pope, our pious and godly pastors will forget it.” And in this connection the same paper indorses certain views of Dr. Howard Crosby, and says that he “reasons strongly and truly upon this Easter matter, showing that the popular celebration has no foundation in Scripture, and therefore should not be observed.” Yet the Cycamore calls Sunday “the Sabbath” and “Lord’s day,” strangely losing sight of the fact that this festival stands upon precisely the same ground as Easter and Good Friday. The latter have just as much foundation in the Scriptures as the former, and they are vastly less potent for evil, for the reason that they do not displace a divinely ordained day, or render necessary the violation of the law of God, as does Sunday-keeping. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.3

The Christian Register (Unitarian) has published a series of letters from prominent scientific men, in answer to questions as to whether or not the immortality of the soul is proved to any degree by science. The Christian Union says of these answers: “A considerable divergence of opinions is exhibited. On the whole, however, the letters are not encouraging reading to a Christian believer. The weight of authority, we should say, appears to be in support of the doctrine that the question lies wholly without the pale of science, properly so-called, though we judge that those who give this answer mean by science simply natural science. One or two of the writers take the position that the doctrine of immortality rests wholly on revelation.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.4

And this is said to be discouraging reading for Christians. We can’t see how it can concern Christians in the least. Christ brings “life and immortality to light through the gospel,” and he is our life. The fact that science confesses itself ignorant of a future life, should not be at all discouraging to the Christian. The true Christian will not seek to “demonstrate” the immortality of the soul. They who claim inherent immortality for men, seek to rob Christ of his divine prerogative of Lifegiver. It certainly should cause no sorrow to a Christian to know that immortality is unknown outside of Christ. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.5

The only day of the week which is named in the Bible is the seventh day. That is called the Sabbath. All other days of the week are invariably referred to by their number, but the last day of the week is most commonly known by its title, Sabbath. Since the time when the Bible was written, names have been given to all the days of the week. The first day is called Sunday, the second, Monday, the third, Tuesday, etc. A secular title, Saturday, has also been given to the seventh day, but its only true name is Sabbath. Knowing this, we can see the absurdity of the note in Webster’s dictionary, which says that “the Sabbath of the Christians is on Sunday.” But there is only one Sabbath, and how can that come on Sunday? It would be just as reasonable to say that the Monday of the Chinese comes on Wednesday, or that the Sunday of the Mohammedans comes on Friday. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.6

The Psalmist prayed: “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; .... Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.” Psalm 20:1, 4. That is a comprehensive request, and it would seem that it could not be granted; at any rate there are very few people who have all they want. Yet in the very next psalm we read, “Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.” Psalm 21:2. There was one, at least, who had everything he wished for, and we are assured that anyone may fare as well. The psalmist again says: “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4. The condition is, delight thyself in the Lord. now we can understand it. He who delights himself in the Lord, will not delight himself in things which are contrary to the Lord and his righteousness, and if he does not delight in them he will not want them. If he delights in the Lord, he will desire only that which will tend to make his union with the Lord still closer, and the promise is that they who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.7

The Independent says of the Sabbath-day during which Jesus lay in the tomb: “It was a day not to be recorded; a day to block out of the calendar of history. So none of the evangelists tell us anything of that ever-to-be-forgotten day.” It must be that the editor of that paper has seldom, and possibly never, read Luke 23:55, 56: “And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” This is all that is recorded of that day, but it is enough; it is all there was to record. The disciples did not do any thing, they simply rested, and it takes but few words to state that simple fact. All the record we have of the first seventh day of time is that God rested upon it; we are told to remember every seventh day, to keep it holy; and we are also told that these humble disciples kept that one Sabbath “according to the commandment.” What a shout would go up if only one recorded instance of a rest upon the first day, could be found in the Bible. SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.8

“A Significant Paragraph” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

The “narrative” read at a recent session of the Presbytery of Oregon, contains the following significant paragraph:- SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.9

“From almost every part of the presbytery comes a bitter lamentation over the excessive worldliness which surrounds and which in too many cases exists in the church. No particular form of evil is spoken of—but simply a general encroachment of the world upon the church, or a kind of indifference upon the subject of religion.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.10

This is significant, because we know from the Bible that it is characteristic of the last days. “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” said the Saviour, and on every hand we see his words fulfilled to-day. Thousands everywhere are in the condition described by the apostle, “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof;” and while it is probably true that no one form of evil is particularly prevalent, “the general encroachment of the world upon the church,” and “indifference upon the subject of religion,” indicate that we are in that time when iniquity abounds; but the Saviour added, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved;” and we should comfort our hearts with this thought and be assured that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.11

“Antichrist” The Signs of the Times, 13, 19.

E. J. Waggoner

From an editorial in the last number of the Catholic Mirror, we take the following extracts reflecting the idolatry which the Papal Church imposes upon those who blindly accept its teachings-: SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.12

“Devotion to the blessed virgin is the best indication of the faith and sincerity that dwell in the Catholic heart.” “Her office is that of protectoress of the weak and faltering, and the dispenser of mercies and graces, flowing from the fountain of all good.” “It is inconceivable that a Catholic who understands the position of Mary,-the attitude of powerful mediatrix in which she lovingly stands between him, in his ever-recurring lapses from the narrow path, and the justice of God,-should fail to be drawn towards her by the strongest and deepest feelings of reverence and devotion.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.13

“Devotion to the blessed virgin, we are told by some of the greatest saints who illustrated the truth of this belief in their own lives, is the surest passport to eternal exaltation.” SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.14

The Bible student will readily see that Christ is left altogether out of the account in this dictum, which denies such statements as that the name of Jesus is the only one under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12); and that “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above very name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth.” Philippians 2:9, 10. And yet there are thousands of professed Protestants who are almost ready to stone anyone who says that the Papacy is antichrist! SITI May 19, 1887, page 304.15