The Signs of the Times, vol. 13

September 1, 1887

“‘The Logic of Lynching’” The Signs of the Times, 13, 34.

E. J. Waggoner

The latest argument for the existence of an eternally burning hell, is found in the Interior under the above heading. The writer recounts a recent lynching case in Colusa, California, where a young Chinaman who had basely murdered his employer’s wife, was taken from jail and hanged, after his trial was over, and he had been sentenced to imprisonment for life. The writer argues that the reason why those citizens hanged the Chinaman, instead of leaving him to spend his life in prison, and to die a natural death, was because they believed in the eternal torment of the wicked, and from this assumption he concludes that the eternal torment must be a certainty. The reader will be interested to learn how easily a modern creature can find in his own imagination a solid foundation for a pagan superstition, so we quote:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.1

“That crowd of lynchers must have believed that if they hung Hong Di he would have to spend those fifty years in a worse place than the penitentiary. Hence they must believe in hell. If they had been materialists, thinking, with Colonel Ingersoll, that death ends all, or if they had been Universalists, thinking that everybody goes to Heaven as soon as he dies, or if they had been soul-sleepers, thinking that the spirit is unconscious between death and the resurrection, they would have said, Hanging is too good for this fellow. We have him now in our power as long as he lives. We can be sure that he will suffer for a good while at San Quentin. But if we put him to death we put him out of his misery forever, provided that Colonel Ingersoll is right, or we give him rest until the resurrection day, if the soul-sleepers are right, or we send him straight to Heaven if the Universalists are right. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.2

“If Colonel Ingersoll had gone to Colusa a few months ago, and lectured at fifty cents a head, probably most of the men who engaged in the lynching of Hong Di would have gone to hear him, would have laughed at his witty sophisms, and would have half believed that there is no hereafter. If some eloquent Universalist had visited the place, and preached in the courthouse or in some public hall, denouncing “the partialists” who limit the mercy of God, and contending that he is too good to send anybody to hell or even to have such a dreadful place in his universe, they would have listened with interest and said, That’s the doctrine for me. If the soul-sleepers had held a camp-meeting nearby, and talked, as they do, about the long unconsciousness-the dreamless rest of the tired and troubled spirit until the end of earth and time-they would have welcomed this idea of repose. But when a time of excitement came all such figments of fancy were swept away as chaff before the whirlwind, and the men in Colusa, no matter how godless in their lives or how skeptical in their speculative opinions, found they did believe in hell,-at least for Hong Di. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.3

“Those lynchers showed that they had faith in God, for what was hanging but taking the murderer away from the control of the judicial system of California, which they regarded as having failed to do full justice in the case, and sending his spirit to God to deal with him as he deserved? If there was no great unseen power in the spirit world to take that guilty man, and to punish him more fully than the jury proposed to, then the lynching was unreasonable as well as unlawful.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.4

We feel like begging pardon of our readers for filling so much valuable space which belongs to them, with such childish reasoning. But we know that there is quite a general desire to hear “both sides,” and in this case the “other side” is presented by “Obadiah Oldschool,” the ablest writer of the Interior, whose good, practical, common sense is very conspicuous when writing on other subjects. Moreover, it is considered so good a presentation of the case, that the ideas have been copied and taken to form the basis of an article by the ablest writer of the Occident. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.5

There is not the slightest possibility that one of the Colusa lynchers gave of a single thought to the future of the Chinaman. They simply knew that a great crime had been committed; they did not think the sentence of the court was severe enough; and so they determined to administer the proper punishment. It is not probable that one in ten of the men has any theory of future punishment; but if they had philosophized as Interior writer imagines, that would not in the least affect the facts. The idea that the lynching of a murderer is an evidence of faith in God, is a most novel one. If such transactions are accepted as evidences of faith, then, we can readily understand how the National Reformers can soon exhibit this country as a model of the Christian Government; for there are thousands who are willing to show their faith in this way. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.6

But the simple fact is, those men believed, what all laws recognize, that death is a more severe punishment than any length of imprisonment can be. And how comes it that this opinion is so prevalent? Because the law of life is implanted in the breast of every individual. This statement, “All the man hath will he give for his life,” is none the less true because the devil used it; he was then talking with One to whom it was useless to lie. As long as there is life there is hope; but when life is gone, everything is gone. For this reason men universally regard the death penalty as the greatest penalty that can be inflicted. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.7

But more than this, is the inspired statement that “the wages of sin is death,” that “the soul of that sinneth, shall die,” and that the wicked “shall be punished with everlasting destruction.” Instead of reasoning as the writer in the Interior does, that men inflict the death penalty so that God the sooner can begin to torment men, how much more natural to reason that men regard death as the highest penalty, simply because God has decreed, and it is a fixed principle in nature, that death,-the total extinction of being,-is the sum of all calamities that can befall a man. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.8

This would be in harmony with the Scriptures, which declare that the wicked “shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away” (Psalm 37:20); that they shall be “like the chaff which the wind driveth away” (Psalm 1:4); that the chaff shall be burned up with “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12); that day shall be “as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney” (Hosea 13:3); and finally, that “they shall be as though they had not been.” Obadiah 16. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.9

Life, under whatever conditions, is the gift of God. God is the living God, and the source of all life. “In his favor is life.” Psalm 30:5. That is, whoever has life, has it by the favor of God, and only those have life, who are objects of God’s favor. We are now living in the day of salvation,-the time of God’s grace to mankind. All people alike share of the favor of God, in that he gives them time to become reconciled to him. “The longsuffering of our God his salvation.” But when the wicked shall have filled up the measure of their iniquity; when even the longsuffering of God cannot wait any longer, because they have become “filled with all unrighteousness,” so that they are only as thorns that cumber the ground;-then further probation will be of no use to them, and the favor of God will be wholly withdrawn. But since only in the favor of God is there any life, it follows that when that favor is withdrawn, life must cease; and this agrees with the inspired declaration: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not sea life; but the wrath of God abideth him.” John 3:36. When God shall judge the world in righteousness then, he will “make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Zephaniah 1:18. He will have a clean universe, and not a corner of it will be defiled by being reserved as a prison pen where blaspheming wretches may be tormented to all eternity. W. SITI September 1, 1887, page 534.10

“The Sabbath—For What, and to Whom?” The Signs of the Times, 13, 34.

E. J. Waggoner

In Exodus 31:13 we read: “Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Again in Ezekiel 20:19, 20 we read: “I am the Lord your God; walked in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and to them; and hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.1

These two texts declare the Sabbath to be a sign by which the people might know that God is indeed the Lord. The question would naturally arise, How can the Sabbath serve as a sign by which people may know the true God? This question is answered in Exodus 31:16, 17: “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days of the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.2

Here it is plainly stated that the reason why the Sabbath is a sign, is that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested on the seventh day. Now remembering that the Sabbath is declared to be a sign by which the people may know God, it is pertinent to inquire what there is in the fact stated in the latter part of Exodus 31:17 which would constitute it such a sign. The answer is that the Sabbath brings directly to view and keeps before the mind, the fact that God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested upon the seventh, which is the basis of the Sabbath commandment. See Exodus 20:8-11. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.3

It must not be lost sight of, that God’s distinguishing characteristic is that he is self-existent,-the living God,-and consequently a Creator. The fact that God can create distinguishes him from the “gods many and lords many” which people may worship. It is this, also, which constitutes his sole claim to the obedience of mankind, and, indeed, of all creatures. These points are plainly stated in the sacred word. Thus in Jeremiah 10:10-12, we read:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.4

“But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and everlasting; at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even day shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.5

Here the true God is contrasted with the false gods, in that he created the heavens and earth, and continues forever. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.6

Again in Psalm 96:4, 5 the psalmist exhorts people to declare the glory of God, “For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations our idols; but the Lord made the heavens.” In Psalm 100:2, 3 we read:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.7

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.8

Here the fact that God has created us, and that he preserves us,-in other words that “in him we live and move, and have our being,”-is given as the reason why we should serve him. And a good and sufficient reason it is too. Indeed, it is the only reason that could be given, or that is necessary, for it is certain that if God had not created us, and did not sustain us, we should be under no obligation to serve him. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.9

God’s creative power, then, is his distinguishing characteristic, and the one by which he appeals to men to obey him. So long as men rightly consider the creation, so long they will remember God; for God is known by his works. “The heavens declare of the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” So Paul says that all that may be known of God is manifest unto the heathen, “for God have showed it unto them;” because ever since the creation of the world the invisible attributes of God, namely, his eternal power and Godhead, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. Romans 1:19, 20. But the Sabbath is the great memorial of God’s power as manifested in creation. When kept aright it necessarily leads the mind back to creation; and the design of the Sabbath is that men may meditate upon God and his works. See Psalm 92:1-6, which is a psalm for the Sabbath day. Thus the Sabbath, being the great reminder of God’s creative power, is emphatically a sign by which men may know the true God. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.10

It will readily be seen, therefore, that the sincere observance of the Sabbath of the Lord, as set forth in the fourth commandment, is of the very essence of worship to God. One cannot fully keep the first commandment unless he keeps the Sabbath; for if he does not regard the memorial of creation, it must be that he does not properly appreciate the value of God’s creation, nor his power as Creator; and to fail to recognize God to the full extent of one’s intellect is to come short of the requirement (Matthew 22:37, 38); and when a man does not regard God with all his mind, he necessarily regards something else with at least a portion of it. Therefore to simply neglect to keep the Sabbath may be unconscious idolatry; but to willfully refuse to keep it is open idolatry. The individual may not bow down to images, but he worships himself more than he does God. There is plenty of idolatry without image-worship. While an image-worship is necessarily idolatry, idolatry is not necessarily image-worship. This is shown by the fact that there is one commandment forbidding idolatry, and another forbidding the making and worshiping of images. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.11

In harmony with the thought in the above paragraph, is the fact that Sabbath-breaking and idolatry were inseparable among the ancient Israelites. They went and served Baal, yet it is stated that their captivity was a punishment for their persistent violation of the Sabbath. See 2 Chronicles 36:14-21; Jeremiah 17:27. Now when it is remembered that Baal was the ancient sun god, the same to whom, under the name of Apollo, the Greeks and Romans dedicated Sunday, and that the first day of the week was “the wild solar holiday of all pagan times,” the connection between the Sabbath-breaking and the idolatry of the ancient Israelites will be more apparent. When they joined themselves to the heathen nations around them, and forgot the Lord, they broke his Sabbath and began to celebrate “the venerable day of the sun.” It would not be straining a point to say that the Israelites were punished for observing Sunday, in violation of the command of God. SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.12

But the objection is often urged that the texts which we have quoted refer only to the Israelites, and that therefore there is no evidence that the Sabbath was ever designed by the Lord to be observed by any other than the Israelites. Thus in the paper read before the late Baptist Conference in Oakland, after reference to Exodus 31:12, 13, and Ezekiel 20:12, 20, we find the following statements:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 535.13

“With these declarations before us we may observed: 1. That the duration of the seven-day Sabbath is at least impliedly limited to the generations of Israel. God says to that the ancient people: “It is a sign between me and you, throughout your generations.” Why should this language be used if the Sabbath was of universal application, given at the creation of the world, and designed for all time? The inference is natural, reasonable, and almost unavoidable, that when Israel’s generations ceased, the Sabbath would cease also. A limit is placed upon the Sabbath and that limit is the limit of his people Israel.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.1

This is a fair sample of the objection that is raised over these texts, and it may be that similar thoughts have sometimes crept into the minds of some who professed transference for the Sabbath of the Lord. For the benefit of such we wish to state a few points which will not only clear the matter of all difficulty, but show that the Sabbath this fixed to all eternity:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.2

1. We have already shown that the Sabbath is the thing which above all others helps us to recognize God and his power. It is the sign by which he may be known. Now while it is true that these words were addressed directly to the literal descendants of Jacob, there is no more reason for supposing that they apply to them alone than there is for supposing that the exhortation, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God” (Philippians 2:14, 15), applies to the Philippians alone. God is no respecter of persons, and what he requires of one he requires of all. He certainly desires to be known by all nationalities, as well as by the Jewish nation; therefore, although the language was addressed to one race, it is a fact that it should be heeded by all. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.3

2. We cheerfully and hardly accept the statement that “the inference is natural, reasonable, and almost unavoidable that when Israel’s generations ceased the Sabbath would cease also. A limit is placed upon the Sabbath, and that limit is the limit of his people Israel,” we say that the inference is not “almost” but altogether unavoidable, that when Israel’s generations cease, the Sabbath will cease, but not till then. Now when will Israel’s generations cease? David was certainly an Israelite, and to him the Lord said: “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all generations.” Psalm 89:3, 4. Again, “His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of having.” Verse 29. And yet again: “Once have I swore by my holiness that I will not lie and to David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.” Verses 35-37. Surely if the Sabbath is to be limited by the limit of the generations of Israel, it has yet a long time to continue. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.4

Again the Lord says:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.5

“Thus saith the Lord, which give the sun for a light day, which divideth the sea when the waves of thereof roar: The Lord of hosts is his name; if those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever. Thus said the Lord: If Heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth search out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:35-37. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.6

Here is stated in the most positive terms that the seed of Israel shall be a nation forever. Then the Sabbath, even according to the admission of the objector, must continue forever, and so it will. And let it be remembered that it is the seventh-day Sabbath,-the only Sabbath in existence,-which is to continue throughout all the generations of Israel. See Exodus 31:13-17. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.7

These texts teach that the Sabbath of the Lord is to be kept by the saints throughout eternity. An abundance of texts might be cited to show that the generations of Israel will never cease, but the above are sufficient. Not only is it true that Israel shall never cease, but it is also true that it is the only people whose generations will never come to an end. To Israel alone are the promises (Romans 9:4) and only Israel will be saved. Romans 11:26. Two texts in conclusion must suffice, and they alone prove the proposition just made, that Israel alone shall continue throughout eternity, and that the Sabbath shall exist the same space. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.8

Isaiah 45:16, 17. “They shall be ashamed, and also compounded, all of them; they shall go to confusion together that are makers of titles. But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with and everlasting salvation; ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.9

Isaiah 66:22, 23. “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the lord, so shall you receive and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” W. SITI September 1, 1887, page 536.10

“Solemn Warnings” The Signs of the Times, 13, 34.

E. J. Waggoner

The Commentary.
NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
(September 18.-Matthew 7:13-25.)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and a broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Verses 13, 14. The way to enter into life, according to our Saviour’s own words on another occasion, is to “keep the commandments,”-in other words, to do right,-to “cease to do evil, and learn to do well.” Now the reason why the road to destruction is so broad, is because a person may get there by doing anything not in harmony with the ten commandments. There are thousands of ways in which a person may do wrong; there is only one way of doing right. The way to life is both a strait and straight. Right means straight, direct; as Bunyan expresses it, is a way cast up as straight as a line can make it. The broad way as all the world beside this straight and narrow way, which is not of this world. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.1

But before the way to life is entered upon, one must pass through the gate leading to it. What is this gate? Said Christ: “I am the door; by me if any man in enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. The way to life is to keep the commandments; but before a start can be made in this way, the sinner must be delivered from the body of death, which can be done only by Jesus Christ. See Romans 7:14-25. All a man’s efforts to walk in the narrow way without Christ are vain and useless. But the first thing that God does for the sinner when he accepts Christ, is to forgive his sins; therefore pardon for past sins, through our Lord Jesus Christ, is the way into the Christian life. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.2

When we have entered the door, however, our connection with Christ does not cease, if we walk the narrow way. Says Christ again: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. How can it be that the keeping of the commandment is the way to life, and that at the same time Christ is the way also? Simply thus: Christ himself is “the truth,” and the law of God is declared to be the truth. Psalm 119:142. Christ is law personified, and he who lives in Christ, and abides in him, keeps the commandments. And he who does not abide in Christ does not keep the commandments, for Christ says: “Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in a divine; no more can he, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:4, 5. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.3

The same thought is expressed by Paul in Romans 10:1-4: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The righteousness of God is the law of God; the Jews had not accepted Christ, and therefore they failed of attaining righteousness, for Christ is the only way by which the righteousness of the law may be obtained. That Christ is the end or object of the law, in the sense that in him we are enabled to keep the commandments, is evident from the next verse, which says: “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” So Christ is both the door and the way of life. Whosoever at the last day stands without fault before the throne of God, will be only “complete in him.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.4

The way is described as a narrow way, and yet it is the only way in which there is any real liberty and freedom of action. Said David: “I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45. Said Christ to the Jews who were walking in the broad way, and boasting of their freedom: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth [the law of God as revealed in Christ], and the truth shall make you free..... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-36. There is no liberty except in the narrow way. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.5

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” Matthew 7:15-17. This warning is especially applicable at this time, for Christ said that one of the characteristics of the last days would be that “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11. Peter, also, whose second epistle treats especially of the last days, says: “But there were false prophets also among the people [in old time], even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” 2 Peter 2:1, 2. A prophet is a teacher; of that Peter’s statement that there shall be false teachers in the last days, is the same as Christ’s statement that there shall be false prophets. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.6

These false teachers will have a wonderful power to counterfeit the truth. Said Christ again: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. This has undoubted reference to the phenomena of Spiritualism, whose mediums are enabled, by their connection with the devil and his angels, to counterfeit the miracles of Christ and his apostles so successfully that no man by his unaided senses detect the difference. Some will thoughtlessly ask, “Why does the Lord allow his children to be thus deceived?” He does not. The people of God will not be deceived, and there will be no excuse for anybody’s being deceived; for ample warning has been given. Says John: “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:3. This is of itself a sufficient warning against being deceived by the miracles of Spiritualism. All the miracles and the pretended good of Spiritualism are done for the express purpose of detracting from the glory of Christ as the son of God. If any are deceived by them, it is only because they “received not the love of the truth.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.7

In the book of Deuteronomy there is a test by which we may be attacked the false prophet. Says Lord: “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:20-22. That certainly is evidence enough, for the word of the Lord never fails. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.8

But it will be urged that sometimes the signs and wonders do come to pass, and that in such a case nobody can be blamed for not distinguishing between the truth and the false. The Lord has anticipated this objection, for we read: “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” Deuteronomy 13:1-4. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.9

In this we are directed to the word of the Lord as the greaat counterfeit detector. The whole thing is summed up by the prophet as follows: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 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 8:19, 20. And this test is not only good in the case of the teacher of Spiritualism, but in the detection of false teachers of the less pronounced type. Whenever a teacher utters a thing that deviates from the plain word of God, he is not to be received. It may be that his error is comparatively slight; but an error is an error, and he who accepts the slightest degree of error, has no warrant against accepting the diabolical teachings of Spiritualism, which is the sum of all errors. Our only safety is then sticking to the word of God. He in whose heart the law of God is, will not slide. SITI September 1, 1887, page 538.10

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23. Men may deceive their fellow-men with a great profession, they may deceive themselves; but they cannot deceive the Lord, who looks upon the heart. The Lord does not condemn the making of a profession of religion, nor prophesying in his name; what he condemns is the lawless lives of many who do these things. A man cannot serve God, with out having a form of godliness; but no perfection of form will save a man who does not do the will of God. The will of God is law of God (see Psalm 40:8, 9; Romans 2:17, 18), and when Christ says, “Depart from me, chief that working iniquity,” he really says: “Depart from me, ye that work unlawful deeds.” Here again we are brought to the fact that Christ is the truth,-the embodiment of the ten commandments,-and that no one can be really in Christ,-a Christian,-who does not keep the commandments. To profess Christianity while living in open violation of the law of God, is the sheerest hypocrisy. False prophets are declared to be a wolves in sheep’s clothing; this hypocritical garb is necessary at first in order that men may be deceived; but sin has so terribly blinding an effect that after error has once been accepted and cherished, the wolves may throw off their mask, and appear in their true character, and still the poor, deluded victims will regard them as friends of the flock. SITI September 1, 1887, page 539.1

The sum of the whole matter is to build on a rock. The rock is the truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus, as far distinguished from the slime and mud of worldly things, in which all men grovel by nature. He who builds on anything outside of the word of God, is like the man who builds his house on the sand of the sea-shore at low tide, or who builds in the dry bed of a stream which in winter is a torrent. No matter how beautiful a structure he may build for himself, nor how smoothly the foundation may be laid, “There shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it.” Ezekiel 13:11-15. SITI September 1, 1887, page 539.2

Then “let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. Thus shall we be “fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief coroner-stone.” Ephesians 2:19, 20. W. SITI September 1, 1887, page 539.3

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 13, 34.

E. J. Waggoner

We have received the Annual Report for 1886-87 of the “Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society” of San Francisco. The society is now in the fourteenth year of its existence, and of all the societies and institutions for the help of the homeless and unfortunate children and youth there is not one more deserving of the sympathy and charity of individuals and the generous support of the public. Mr. E. T. Dooley, superintendent, corner Baker and Grove Streets, San Francisco. Cal. SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.1

In the Gospel in All Lands, the M. E. missionary magazine, for August, there is a letter from a missionary in India in which he speaks of “baptized children not counted as probationers.” Neither are they members. But if they are neither members nor probationers, why then are they baptized? If it be said “for of such is the kingdom of Heaven,” then how is it that they can belong to the kingdom of Heaven, and yet cannot belong to the church either as a member or as a probationer? Is the kingdom of Heaven made up of people who are neither members nor probationers of the church? SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.2

Mr. Grant Allen says that “the most important result achieved by science in the past fifty years has been the establishment of principles antagonistic to the Biblical teaching of the origin and nature of man, and the history and order of the universe.” But such science as that is not science at all. It is speculation only, and science falsely so called. Yet it is the popular thing, even in the leading pulpits of the world. In fact the “leading” pulpits would not be leading pulpits if they were not first led by this anti-Biblical science. “The leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.3

A San Diego (Cal.) correspondent of the Golden Gate, a Spiritualist, of course, closes an article with the following pertinent paragraph:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.4

“No greater failure has been witnessed in the history of the world than Spiritualism as it has been presented. Not twelve men have been gathered together in one place capable of founding a new church, or any institution, college, or university where mediums may be properly taught. Think of it; after forty years, with thousands of wealthy Spiritualists-not a university in the whole world endowed by the people who rail against the churches. Is it not time to cry, Halt! and ask ourselves what all this cant and chaos mean?” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.5

Spiritualism, being a religion of selfishness, could not be expected to endow colleges and hospitals; but now that it sees the necessity of counterfeiting Christianity, instead of openly combating it, we may expect something of the kind before long. SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.6

The Rome correspondent of the New York Observer says that “Pope Leo, the great conciliator, hopes for a reconciliation with Italy before December, 1887, when his jubilee will be celebrated, all Roman Catholic nations sending ambassadors to do him reverence.” And then quotes from the sayings of the Pope himself a paragraph in which are these words:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.7

“The only road to peace is to place the Roman Pontiff in a condition where he will be subject to no power whatever.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.8

Yes, that has ever been the ambition of the Papacy, and that is precisely the view which the Bible gives of “That man of sin... who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” No power on earth, or that ever was on earth, except the Papacy, meets the prediction. But the Papacy fulfills it to the letter. SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.9

What would be thought of a soldier who should carry his weapons confidently and proudly when on dress parade, and throw them away as soon as he came into the presence of the enemy? Or, what would be thought of the soldier who carried the weapons of the ancient time, who would invariably throw his shield away as soon as the darts of the enemy began to fly? Everybody would say that he was most foolish. The weapons are made for the attack, and the shield for the time of danger. And yet scores of Christians act just so foolishly. The Christian’s shield is faith. With this we are told we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. With this we may ever see the loving, compassionate Father, and our faithful High Priest, and thus know that the Lord is on our side. But how many there are who have great confidence in God, and hold aloft the shield of faith when all is well, but to, when trials and affliction come, lose all heart, and think that even God has forsaken them? How foolish such a course seems, who has not done so? The faith which enables us to be at peace when the conflict is raging, is the only faith which will gain the victory. And this peace may be ours, for the promise is, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on the.” Isaiah 20:3. Therefore “trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” So the prophet says: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2. How true the words:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.10

“Oh, peace we often forfeit.
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.11

In the Occident of August is an editorial on “The Righteousness of God without the Law,” that is, the righteousness which God imputes to all that believe,- SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.12

“The righteousness of sinless creatures, though it be a perfect righteousness, well-pleasing to God, can only be available while it continues to be performed. The whole law is binding upon every creature during every instant of his existence. It is evident, therefore, that he can work up no superabounding righteousness to avail him in case of future transgression. The moment he transgresses, all the advantage derived from previous obedience ceases.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.13

Boston has at last assuredly earned her right, if ever before, to be entitled the seat of culture and the chief city of refinement in the universe. The Boston correspondent of the Christian Union gives decisive proof of this, thus:- SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.14

“If hitherto any doubt has existed in any mind that Boston is fairly credited with the title, Hub of the Universe, the event in the Boston Theater last week should be final on that question. The renowned citizen and accomplished John L. Sullivan, the great expounder, whom the New York police interfered with while in the practice of his humane art of making jelly of other people’s faces, was given a magnificent reception and presented with a “golden belt” which cost $10,000. The large hall was crowded to its last limits with representatives from the principal cities of the United States and Canada. His honor Mayor O’Brien and the Aldermen were present by invitation. The location was called a sparring exhibition. The Mayor and Alderman were publicly thanked for granting license to give such an exhibition for the first time in history of the Puritan city. When Mr. Sullivan was presented the orchestra played ‘Hail to the Chief,’ and the immense audience rose and cheered him to the echo. Thus John L. Sullivan the prizefighter, goes to Europe, as he says, ‘to bring back the greatest honors the world ever conferred on an athlete,’ indorsed by the presence of the Boston city government. The belt he will wear abroad, and the honors of the occasion will say to all European municipalities that the municipal authorities of Boston recognize Mr. Sullivan as a worthy citizen, and virtually commend him to foreign countries as an honored American. They virtually send him over the waters as a boxing plenipotentiary, which is refined English for prize-fighter. He sails on this fighting exhibition (please remember the polite synonyms boxing, sparring) with their good-will and farewell blessing.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.15

Of London’s craze over the “Wild West” people the Saturday Review says: “This same worship is in close analogy to the later and more rotten days of the Roman Empire, when the gladiators were the favored ones and pets of the Roman ladies.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.16

Yes, and so is Boston’s craze for the modern gladiator, John L. Sullivan. Ancient Athens was the seat of culture and refinement, and yet her citizens loved to witness the brutal sports of the arena, and their highest conception of virtue was the strength and great courage of the champion of the prize ring. Thus it was with Rome. The modern Athens prides itself upon its culture, yet the man whose only claim to recognition is that he has more of the bull-dog in him than any other man in America, is thus officially recommended to the people of the Old World. And Boston is not alone in this sort of hero worship, only her “refinement” makes the comparison with ancient Greece and Rome more conspicuous. How long will it be before gladiatorial contests, possibly with some modifications, will be as popular among the “higher classes” in America as they were among the aristocrats of Rome? Not long, at the present rate of “progress.” SITI September 1, 1887, page 544.17