The Signs of the Times, vol. 14
March 30, 1888
“The Spirit of Antichrist. No. 15” The Signs of the Times, 14, 13.
E. J. Waggoner
It has before been shown that Catholicism is virtually one with Spiritualism, because it teaches that the living may and do have intercourse with the dead. This alone is sufficient to brand it as an antichristian system. But there are so many professed Protestants nowadays who regard Catholicism as an important branch of the Christian church, that it is necessary to present some very conclusive evidence to the contrary. The Scripture, speaking of the Papacy under the form of a beast, says that “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8. It also says of the unclean spirits that represent Spiritualism, that “they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:14. This shows that those who either directly or indirectly acknowledge the authority of the Papacy, will also be Spiritualists. When we remember that Spiritualism is paganism in its original form, and that Catholicism is paganism with some modifications, and that both depend mainly upon the heathen idea of the natural immortality of the man, we can see how Spiritualists might come to acknowledge the Papacy. As for Catholics, they are Spiritualists already. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.1
Since this is so, it is as necessary to warn people against Catholicism as against Spiritualism. We therefore shall quote quite a number of additional statements from “The Glories of Mary,” to show the antichristian character and essential wickedness of the Roman Catholic system. Many of these statements are little else than repetitions of the same thing; but we wish the reader to know that we are not misrepresenting the Catholic Church by quoting a few isolated passages. Whoever will take the trouble to procure the book, will find stuff of the same kind on almost every page, until he will become nauseated. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.2
The inspired apostle tells us that Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, died “for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament.” Hebrews 9:15. But this Catholic “saint” contradicts this statement thus:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.3
“St. Bernardine of Sienna says that God did not destroy man after his fall, because of the peculiar love he bore his future child, Mary. And the saint adds, that he doubts not all the mercy and pardon which sinners received under the old law, was granted them solely for the sake of this blessed Virgin.”-Glories of Mary, page 81. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.4
This takes from Christ all the honor of the salvation of people for the first four thousand years of this earth’s history. Now when we find that sinners in this age are directed to look to Mary first, and afterwards, if at all, to Jesus, it is evident that Catholicism is emphatically antichrist. On pages 83, 84 we read:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.5
“Justly, then, does St. Lawrence Justinian call her the hope of evil-doers, since she alone can obtain their pardon from God. St. Bernard rightly calls her the ladder of sinners, since she, this compassionate queen, offers her hand to poor, fallen mortals, leads them from the precipice of sin, and helps them to ascend to God. St. Augustine rightly calls her the only hope of us sinners, since by her means alone we hope for the remission of all our sins. And St. John Chrysostom repeats the same thing, namely, that sinners receive pardon only through the intercession of Mary.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.6
The last quotation speaks of Mary as the “ladder of sinners,” and therefore the following little story comes in very aptly right here:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.7
“In the Franciscan chronicles it is related of Brother Leo, that he once saw a red ladder, upon which Jesus Christ was standing, and a white one, upon which stood his holy mother. He saw persons attempting to ascend the red ladder; they ascended a few steps and then fell; they ascended again, and again fell. Then they were exhorted to ascend the white ladder, and on that he saw them succeed, for the blessed Virgin offered them her hand, and they arrived in that manner safe in Paradise.”-Page 279. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.8
Now add to this, the following:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.9
“God has ordained that all graces should be dispensed by the prayers of Mary; where these are wanting, there is no hope of mercy, as our Lord signified to St. Bridget, saying to her: ‘Unless Mary interposes by her prayers, there is no hope of mercy.’”-Page 293. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.10
These quotations show, not that Mary divides with Christ the honor of man’s salvation, but that she is the only saviour. The Catholic Church actually teaches those who look to it for instruction, that they cannot be saved by the merits of Christ, and that if they do not seek the aid of the Virgin Mary, they must certainly be lost. And yet there are Protestants who think that it is an important part of the Christian church. On page 330 there is a prayer to be said to the Virgin Mary, from which we take the following extract:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.11
“It is enough that thou wilt save us, for then we cannot but be saved. Who can restrain the bowels of thy compassion? If thou hast not compassion on us, thou who art the mother of mercy, what will become of us when thy Son shall come to judge us.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.12
Surely nothing more is needed to convince any person not wholly blinded that the Catholic Church robs Christ of honor as the divine Mediator for sinners, and gives it to a creature, who, though she was a good woman, could obtain salvation in no other way than through the merits of Christ, and who has been dead for not less than eighteen hundred years. Again we ask the reader to remember that Mariolatry could not have any existence it if were not for the pagan notion that death does not end a man’s existence. The thoughtful person will readily connect Mariolatry with the ancient heathen custom of deifying the dead. Ancient heathenism, modern Spiritualism, and Roman Catholicism, all spring from the same root, and are very closely related. W. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.13
“The First Dominion” The Signs of the Times, 14, 13.
E. J. Waggoner
That this earth belongs to the Lord, no one will for a moment call in question. It is his, because he is the Creator. Says the Psalmist: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” Psalm 24:1, 2. When the prophet Daniel interpreted to King Nebuchadnezzar the dream which foretold his abasement, he told the king that he should be driven out from his kingdom, “till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Daniel 4:25. And in Psalm 115:16; we read: “The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord’s; but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” This means simply that the Heaven is God’s dwelling-place (Psalm 11:4), and that over it he has sole control, but that he has made man the tenant of the earth. When and how the dominion of the earth was given to man, are told in the following verses:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.14
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.15
A dominion is a kingdom; to have dominion is to have kingly authority. Therefore since the earth was given to man for a dominion, the earth was designed for man’s kingdom. To this intent David speaks in the eighth psalm, where he says of man: “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet; all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” Psalm 8:5-8. The apostle quotes this (Hebrews 2:7, 8), and makes the additional statement that “now we see not yet all things put under him.” This being the case, it must be because man has lost the dominion, for it was certainly given to him. In the words of the apostle, therefore, we have at once a statement of the loss of the dominion first given to man, and a promise of its restoration. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.16
The details of the loss of the dominion which at the first was given to man, are given in the third chapter of Genesis. In the first part of the chapter we learn that the serpent beguiled Eve, and persuaded her to eat of the forbidden fruit, and that she in turn induced Adam to eat. Then God said to Adam, “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:17-19. And afterwards when Cain had killed his brother, the Lord said: “When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength.” Genesis 4:12. From this we learn that it is because of man’s disobedience that we do not now see all things put under him. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.17
But when man lost the dominion of the earth, who gained it? Evidently the one to whom he yielded obedience. Peter says that, “of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19. And Jesus said: “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” Luke 11:21, 22. Our first parents were overcome by the serpent, “which is the devil, and Satan” (Revelation 20:2), and therefore it was to Satan that they yielded up the dominion which had been committed to them. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.18
That Satan is now the ruler of this earth, instead of man, is shown by the Scriptures. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Satan is spoken of as “the god of this world.” Christ said that the wicked are children of Satan (John 8:44); and in Ephesians 2:2, “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” is called “the prince of the power of the air.” Satan is “the accuser of the brethren,” the one whom the followers of Christ are to “resist steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8, 9), and Paul says that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.” Ephesians 6:12. And none can doubt that it was to Satan that Christ referred, when he said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.19
In the account of the Lord’s temptation in the wilderness, we have the most positive evidence that Satan holds the dominion that was given to Adam. The last and greatest temptation is thus described: “Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8, 9. SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.20
Some may think that Satan lied when he made this promise to Christ, and that he knew that he did not have the power to fulfill the promise, even if he could have induced the Lord to comply with the conditions. There is no doubt but that Satan lied, and that he had no intention of yielding up anything that he had; but if he did not possess the kingdom of the earth, Christ certainly knew it, and in that case the offer of them to him would not have been any temptation. When Satan said to Jesus: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread,” there was a real temptation, because Jesus was extremely hungry. When Satan placed Jesus on a pinnacle of the temple, and said, “If thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down,” there was a temptation to show his divine power. And so when Satan showed to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, offering to give them to him in return for his homage, there was a temptation, because Satan was offering just what Christ came into the world to redeem. Jesus did not tell Satan that he had no right to offer to him the kingdoms of this world, but simply refused to accept them upon the conditions imposed, thus tacitly admitting that Satan was “the prince of this world.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 198.21
In Ezekiel 28:12-17, we have an unmistakable reference to Satan. No other being could merit the following description: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold.... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so; thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee .... Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” That is a description of Satan before his fall. But let the reader take particular notice that the being thus described is called “the King of Tyrus.” Verse 12. The wisdom and power of the man who sat upon the throne of Tyre are described in verses 2-11 of this same chapter (Ezekiel 28), and he is called the “Prince of Tyrus.” In this we have further inspired testimony to the fact that Satan is “god of this world,” working in the children of disobedience. Wicked rulers like the king of Tyre, are only nominally king; they are second in power to Satan, who rules through them, and is thus real king. But while Satan has usurped the dominion which God gave to Adam, he does not have unlimited control of this earth. God did not give unlimited and supreme authority over the earth even to man in his uprightness; and so when Satan overcame man, it was not possible for him to get control of the earth to an unlimited degree. This fact Satan acknowledged, when he said to the Lord concerning Job: “Hast thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?” Job 1:10. It still remains true, that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 199.1
It was stated in connection with the reference to the temptation of Jesus, that Satan offered him that which he came into the world to redeem,-the dominion of the earth, which Adam lost. This will presently be made to appear. When Adam lost the dominion, he also lost his right to live; he sold himself to Satan, at the same time that he forfeited the earth to him. So it is that Satan is “god of this world,” and has also “the power of death.” Hebrews 2:14. Now Christ came to redeem what Adam lost, and so when the apostle quotes the words of the Psalmist, when he says that God set man over the works of his hands, but that “now we see not yet all things put under Him,” he adds: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:9, 14, 15. SITI March 30, 1888, page 199.2
In order that Christ might redeem man from the curse of death which came upon him when he yielded to Satan, he had to suffer the same curse. Says Paul: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Galatians 3:13. And so, to redeem the earth, he bore its curse, when the crown of thorns was placed upon his head. Compare Genesis 3:13, 18 and Matthew 27:29. As Christ has, by death, gained the right to destroy the one who has power over death, that is, the devil, he has also won the right to the dominion which Satan usurped. And so the prophet addresses Christ in the following language:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 199.3
“And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4:8. SITI March 30, 1888, page 199.4
In these words we have the promise of the restoration of the first dominion (see Genesis 1:28), and to Adam, who lost it, but to Christ the second Adam, who redeemed it. Those who through faith recover themselves out of the snare of the devil; who learn of Jesus to be meek and lowly in heart, will inherit the earth with Christ, when he shall take possession of it as his kingdom. W. SITI March 30, 1888, page 199.5
“The Commentary” The Signs of the Times, 14, 13.
E. J. Waggoner
Lesson 18.—Sabbath, April 14
1. How old was Isaac when he was married? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.1
“And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.” Genesis 25:20. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.2
2. How old was he when his two sons were born? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.3
“And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s hell, and his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.” Verse 26. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.4
3. What were their names? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.5
4. What difference was there between them? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.6
“And the boys grew; and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.” Verse 27. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.7
5. How did the parents regard them? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.8
“And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison; but Rebekah loved Jacob.” Verse 28. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.9
6. What did Jacob have as Esau came in one day from a hunting trip? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.10
“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was fain.” Verse 29. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.11
7. What did Esau say to Jacob? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.12
“And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint; therefore was his name called Edom.” Verse 30. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.13
8. What did Jacob reply? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.14
“And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.” Verse 31. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.15
9. How did Esau reason concerning the birthright? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.16
“And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” Verse 32. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.17
10. What transaction was thus made by the two brothers? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.18
“And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him; and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way; thus Esau despised his birthright.” Verses 33, 34. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.19
11. What was the birthright, and what was its importance to anyone? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.20
12. How did Esau regard his birthright? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.21
“Thus Esau despised his birthright.” Verse 34 last clause. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.22
13. How highly did he value it?-He considered it worth no more than a meal of victuals to satisfy present necessity. SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.23
14. What language is used concerning Esau for this proceeding? SITI March 30, 1888, page 200.24
“Lest there be any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Hebrews 12:16. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.1
15. How did he afterward feel concerning the blessings of his birthright? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.2
“For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Verse 17. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.3
16. Relate, in brief, the circumstances. Genesis 27:1-40. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.4
17. Was he able to get back the birthright? Hebrews 12:17. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.5
18. Why not?-Because he had deliberately sold it, and could not alter the trade. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.6
19. What is the exhortation given to us in this connection? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.7
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Verses 14-17. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.8
20. If we are children of Abraham, what is our birthright? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.9
“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.10
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1:12. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.11
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:1, 2. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.12
21. Through what are we made heirs of this inheritance? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.13
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.14
22. What does the Spirit through Paul say of one who despises his heavenly birthright? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.15
“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:28, 29. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.16
23. How may we do this? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.17
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.” 2 Timothy 4:10. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.18
24. What can you say of the condition of one who deliberately barters his interest in the blood of Christ, and his hope of eternal life, for a little present enjoyment? SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.19
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:29-31. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.20
NOTES
The term “birthright” denotes the special privileges belonging to the first-born. Among these were, that he should have a double portion of the inheritance, and that he should succeed to whatever position was held by his father. Among the Jews the first-born was considered as especially devoted to God; and since the Jewish people were the chosen people of God, and the Jewish nation was the church of that time, it may justly be concluded that special spiritual blessings were considered as part of the birthright. When Esau sold his birthright, he deliberately sold all claim to the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, and afterwards Jacob. He had no trace of the faith of Abraham, and he despised the promises of God. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.21
Esau might have had a share in the promise if he had wanted it. True, Paul says that before the birth of Jacob and Esau, it was said unto Rebekah, “The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Romans 9:12, 13), but this was simply because God who “calleth those things which be not as though they were,” could foresee just what kind of character Esau would develop. God is no respecter of persons, and he does not bestow his favors arbitrarily. Esau was rejected, not simply because he deliberately sold his right to the promised inheritance, but because of the utter lack of faith, which led him to so lightly esteem the promises of God. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.22
The objector will no doubt say that Jacob appears in a worse light than Esau does, and that if God is a respecter of character, and not of persons, Jacob was less entitled to regard than Esau was. But that is a very superficial view of the case. So far as character is concerned, there is no man that has by nature anything that is worthy of the approbation of God. Even the zealous Paul, whose great aim was to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward man,” and who could say before the Jewish council, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day,” said that he had suffered the loss of all things that he might win Christ, “and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:8, 9. God respects an upright character, but since there can be no perfect character except “through the faith of Jesus Christ,” it is evident that his promises and favor must be extended to the one whose faith gives promise of a growth toward perfection. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.23
So far as the record shows, at the time of which our lesson treats, Esau had naturally the advantage of Jacob; but Esau lacked faith, and Jacob possessed it, and from that time we see a growth for the worse in Esau, and for the better in Jacob. God never showed any approval of Jacob’s course in securing the blessing; on the contrary Jacob had to suffer grievously on account of his duplicity; but through the faith that Jacob had, although it was crude and uninstructed, God could work for his complete moral reformation. Peter shows the work of true faith, when he says to the people of God that they may suffer manifold temptations, “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7. And in that day this will be found to be the case with Jacob. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.24
The case of Rahab may be taken as an illustration. James says that Rahab the harlot was justified by works when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way (James 2:25), and Paul says that “by faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31. Yet in concealing the spies, for which she received the promise that she should not perish, she deliberately lied. See Joshua 2. She was not saved because of her falsehood, but because of her faith that the God of the Israelites was the true God. She acted up to the best light that she had. Among the heathen it was esteemed a virtuous thing to lie, and she knew no better. But her faith brought her into relation with God’s people where she could learn the way of truth. Thus we see that “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith,” for “the just shall live by faith.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.25
Esau is not the only one who has sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. An old pipe, a plug of tobacco, a jug of whisky, the pleasure party, the card table, and other “good things” of this life have been sufficient to cause many to turn their backs on their heavenly inheritance. Esau said, “Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” Thousands of others when brought face to face with some duty, the performance of which would interfere with their worldly interests, have virtually said the same thing. They have said, “I know that this is the truth of God, but if I should obey it I couldn’t make a living,” thus intimating that they did not believe the promises of God would be of any profit to one who should die for them. It is more than probable that many who have accepted the truth, are putting self and selfish pleasures above the service of God, and are thus bartering their birthright. Let such beware lest they complete the sale and then find it too late to repent. And “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” W. SITI March 30, 1888, page 201.26
“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 14, 13.
E. J. Waggoner
One of the latest dispatches from Berlin states that there are hopes that the Emperor Frederick may recover. The next one may be that his death is expected at any moment, and the one following that he is on the high road to health. The dispatches concerning his health, and those concerning the war situation in Europe, are very similar. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.1
It is stated in Public Opinion that “an early number of the North American Review will contain an article by Mr. Gladstone on the religious opinions of Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll. “That is the first intimation we ever had that Ingersoll had any religious opinions. If he has any, he never gives utterance to any of them, for everything that he says is decided irreligiously. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.2
A few days since an ex-pork-packer testified before the House Agricultural Committee at Washington, that to his personal knowledge cholera-infected hogs are cut up and put upon the market as good meat. Carcasses of animals that have died from cholera and other causes, he says, are used in the manufacture of “pure steam lard” for family use. The custom of selling diseased meat he claims is quite common, and says that packers cannot deny it. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.3
A secular contemporary contains the following item:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.4
The following choice bit of pulpit sensationalism is recently perpetuated by the pastor of a wealthy church in an Eastern city:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.5
The pastor will preach on the following text and topics on Sunday evenings:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.6
February 6........ “Ho” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.7
February 13....... “As” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.8
February 20....... “So” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.9
February 27....... “But” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.10
March 6........... “Only” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.11
March 13.......... “Yes” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.12
March 20.......... “No” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.13
March 27.......... “By and by” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.14
Come and bring your friends. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.15
P.S. The pastor will sing a sacred solo each Sabbath evening. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.16
We do not know just how many different words there are in the Bible, but there are several thousand, so that this fashionable pastor will not be in danger of running out of sermon topics as long as he lives. The paper from which we quote gives evidence of good taste by the remark: “Of such is [not] the kingdom Heaven.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.17
The following indictment of the saloon is by Dr. Lyman Abbott:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.18
“As a deceiver and a liar it swindles the poor and rich; it creates the base and horrible appetite on which it lives; it is a breeder of crime and poverty beyond anything else; it corrupts juries and courts of justice; it fills an almshouses and idiot and insane asylums; it makes orphans of children, and widows of wives, breaks up homes innumerable, robs men of their mental and spiritual worth; slavery never so robbed the working man of his wages; Mormonism never so debauched womanhood, and struck so fatal blows at the home; it is a corrupter of the nation at the very source of its power.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.19
This is only a part of the charge which he brings against it, yet he advocates high license on the ground that “the saloon should be made to pay fully for the wrong it does.” Thereupon the Voice challenges the doctor as follows:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.20
“Now, will Dr. Abbott take pencil and paper and figure out for us just how high the license should be for the saloons ‘to pay fully’ in dollars and cents for these wrongs which it inflicts on society? Come, doctor, try your hand at it.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.21
In civilized countries it is not considered that money is an adequate compensation for a murder. “Whoso man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” The only way that the liquor traffic can do anything to atone for the wrong that it has done is to give up its life that the wrong may stop. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.22
Someone sends the following from the Pacific:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.23
“A Methodist clergyman says he asked a seventh-day minister the following question: ‘Suppose you were a legislator; the question comes before you that without reference to any denomination, or even Christianity, you were convinced that one day in seven, for the good of the country, for the best physical, social, and moral development of those for whom you were elected to make the laws, the wheels of business, labor, and commerce should cease, what day would you select?’ We suppose that the Saturday man was not able to look at the question in that way.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.24
Very likely not, unless he was cross-eyed, for the question is too crooked to be taken in at a glance by a man with ordinary vision. But if we get the proper meaning of the mass of verbiage, we should answer it thus: If we were a legislator, and believed that on one day in seven all business ought to be stopped by law, we should no doubt endeavor to have it cease on the day on which we were convinced it ought to cease. If we were a National Reformer, we should not be a Seventh-day Adventist. Ask us something hard. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.25
An Eastern religious paper instances the fact that “there are 60,000,000 people in the United States, one-half of whom never go to church;” and then adds: “Those 30,000,000 souls comprise the bulk of the restless, uneasy class whose manner of life is hostile to our civilization.” It then significantly asks: “What are we going to do about it?” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.26
This question is by no means an easy one to answer. It is one thing to tell what ought to be done, and it is quite another thing to tell what will be done. Every minister ought to preach so plainly and earnestly the duty of all men to “fear God and keep his commandments” that evil-doers would, by “the terrors of the Lord,” be restrained from much of their wickedness. And professed Christians ought to live such humble and devout lives that all men would be constrained to acknowledge that there is a reality in the Christian religion. But it is not likely that this will be done, for the reason given in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.27
What a backslidden church lacks in spiritual power, she will strive to gain in political and civil power. Already large and influential associations are clamoring for constitutional amendments, and for State and national legislation, which can be appealed to coerce all whose “manner of life is hostile” not only “to our civilization,” but to certain popular theological tenets. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.28
The Interior, in an article entitled, “Does It Pay?” contrasts the present expensive churches and the fancy prices paid to the pastors of fashionable churches, with the churches and salaries in early days, and says:- SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.29
“Many, contrasting the present with the past say that the churches are becoming proud and extravagant, and that they cost more than they are worth. It is easy for one who takes a superficial view of the facts to find fault. But a careful study of them will show that the Christian church has only followed in its development the leadings of Providence, and kept, as was its duty, abreast of the age. To-day, as in those early days, it pays liberally for all that is invested in it. It is a financial success.... Leaving out of our estimate for the time the higher interests for which churches are organized, considering them only as institutions for promoting the culture, the elevation, and the enjoyment of the people who sustain them, we see that they can safely challenge comparison with the other institutions of the age. As merely human organizations they are models of efficiency and economy. He who helps to sustain a church is not giving to a charity, but is making a first-class investment for himself and his family. The church will pay back to him in its elevating influences upon himself, his home, and his neighborhood, double compound interest for all that he puts into it. This view of the matter is commended to the attention of business men, to public-spirited patriots, and philanthropists. The church does not come to them as a beggar, but as offering them the best of all investments for the life that now is.” SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.30
While we fully believe that “godliness is profitable for all things; having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come,” and while there is no doubt that the church, when it does its duty, does exert a refining, elevating influence, we deprecate its being put forward as a paying institution. It is not true. The bulk of the world’s wealth is not in the church, but is held by non-professors. The result of attempting to make the church a paying institution will be to bring the customs of the world into the church. This tendency is already manifested to a large degree. When business men listen to such proposals as the Interior makes to them, one of two things will happen: Either they will become disgusted when they find the church does not pay them financially, and will give it up, or else they will make it pay, by applying the business methods which give them success in the world. We protest that their natural desire to succeed in whatever they undertake will lead them to the latter course. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.31
How differently the Saviour represented his church. To the rich ruler he said: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:21. And he showed that his church would not be a steppingstone to worldly wealth and honor, by saying: “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23. “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38. SITI March 30, 1888, page 208.32