The Signs of the Times, vol. 14

May 25, 1888

“Salvation-Present and Future” The Signs of the Times, 14, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

There are some scriptural expressions that have been so misused by ignorant and fanatical persons that they have almost fallen into disrepute among sober-minded people. One of these terms is the word “saved,” as applied to an individual in this present life. In a certain class of revivals it is very common to hear persons who have been wrought up to the proper pitch of excitement, testify that they are saved. The more that can be induced to rise and say with greater or less vehemence, “I am saved,” or who, in response to the question, will hold up their hands to that effect, the greater the list of “converts” the revivalist has to report. Now we earnestly deprecate any such methods as this; yet simply because the term “saved” is abused, we ought not to reject it, any more than we would refuse to believe in present conversion, because the term is used by many people who have not the slightest idea of its meaning. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.1

The word “saved” is frequently used in the Bible in a sense similar to that of “conversion.” Paul says: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. Here it is used in the present tense, and has no reference to future salvation. Again he says: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:8, 9. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.2

To the same intent the word is used in Titus 3:4-6:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.3

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.4

Other texts might be quoted, but these are sufficient. They show that when one has been forgiven for all his past transgression,-when the burden of sin that clung to him as a body of death, has been removed,-and a new heart has been given him,-a heart loving righteousness and hating iniquity,-it is proper to say that he is saved. The trouble arises from confounding that salvation which is wholly future as is evident from the following texts:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.5

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:12, 13. Here we learn that those who are converted-saved-must endure to the end if they would be saved. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.6

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5. Here again we learn that at “the last time” a salvation is to be brought to those who, having a hope in God through the resurrection of Jesus, endure, through the grace of God, to the end. There is a possibility that this present salvation may not be lasting, that those who have “tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come” (Hebrews 6:5, 6) may fall away; but the salvation “to be revealed at the last time” cannot be lost, as is seen by the following text:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.7

“But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” Isaiah 45:17. From this we learn of a salvation that is to be everlasting, that will be shared by Israel-all who overcome. This is the salvation that is to be revealed at the last time. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.8

Now, what connection have the two? Simply this, the first is a preparation for the second. One is salvation in the kingdom of grace, and the other is salvation in the kingdom of glory. Paul, in writing to the Colossians, prays that they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.9

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 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 1:12-14. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.10

Here is present salvation, and translation into a kingdom; yet it is not until Christ comes “the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28), sitting upon the throne of his glory, accompanied by all his holy angels, that he says to the righteous: “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. Now, of those who have been delivered from the powers of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s grace, “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” only those will have an entrance ministered unto them “abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” who heed the exhortation, “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10, 11), so that they do not fall. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.11

The kingdom of grace receives subjects to be fitted for the kingdom of glory. It saves men from the guilt and the love of sin, clothing them with the divine nature, so that when the Lord shall come in his glory, they may be clothed upon with immortality, which will then be the only thing lacking. But none will share this glory who indulge in vain boasting, or who imagine that a work just begun for them is already done. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” W. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.12

“The Throne of David. (Concluded.)” The Signs of the Times, 14, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

The rejection of the Messiah filled up the cup of the iniquity of the Jewish nation. “He came unto his own, and is own received him not.” John 1:11. If they had accepted him, they might even at that late day, and after so many apostasies, have still remained the chosen people of God, through whom the nations of the world should be enlightened, and around whose standard all the faithful would flock. But they rejected the last offer of mercy. As Jesus thought of what they might have been if they had received him, he wept, saying:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.13

“If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.14

Never again would the tribes go up to Mount Zion, the joy of the whole earth; no longer should the gorgeous temple be called a house of prayer for all nations. They day of Israel was past, and soon their city would be destroyed, because they knew not the time of their visitation. When Christ uttered that last cry upon the cross, “It is finished,” the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, showing that their house was left unto them desolate. Less than forty years later (A.D. 70), the Romans besieged Jerusalem and utterly destroyed it, fulfilling the words of Christ, recorded in Matthew 24:1, fulfilling the words of Christ, recorded in Matthew 24:1, and Luke 19:43, 44. This destruction, which marked the utter extinction of the Jewish people as a nation, also prefigured the final destruction of all that reject the gospel. From this point we leave the lineal descendants of Abraham. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.15

But God had not forgotten his promise. Centuries before, he had said to David that his throne shall be established, and the people of Israel should continue forever; and this promise he could not break. Said He:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.16

“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.” Psalm 89:34-38. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.17

Later still Isaiah had made the prophetic statement that:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.18

“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6, 7. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.19

Here, as in the promise made to Abraham, we find that Christ is the seed. It is through Christ that David’s kingdom is to be established forever, and so when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, he said:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.20

“Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.21

David understood that the promise concerning the establishment of his kingdom was to be fulfilled in this manner. On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted the words of David in the sixteenth psalm: “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad, moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope, for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:29-31. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.22

It was this assurance that caused David, like the other patriarchs, to die in full faith that the promise would be fulfilled. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.23

Christ knew full well that the house of Jacob and the throne of David should endure forever, even while he was foretelling the utter destruction of the Jewish nation. When he stood before Pilate he acknowledged that he was a king, but indicated that the time had not yet come for him to manifest kingly power, by saying: “My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.24

After his resurrection, as he was about to ascend to the Father, his disciples asked him, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Acts 1:6, 7. Immediately afterward he ascended to Heaven, to sit down at the right hand of God. Why he went there, and what he is doing there, will be briefly indicated by a few scriptures. Through the prophet John he said:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.25

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Revelation 3:21. SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.26

So he has not yet received his kingdom, but sits upon his Father’s throne, which is a throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16), procuring pardon and salvation for all who come unto God by him. It was this work that the prophet Zechariah foretold in these words:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.27

“Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord; even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Zechariah 6:12, 13. As he sits upon a throne of grace, the kingdom in which he now rules must be a kingdom of grace. This is an entirely different kingdom from the kingdom of glory, and is designed to fit subjects for that kingdom. It is this kingdom of grace that is referred to in the following texts:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 310.28

“For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.2

It is a kingdom in which the Spirit of God is being used; and Christ said: “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” Matthew 12:28. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.3

The Spirit performs its work silently, as Jesus said: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8. And so Jesus said of the kingdom of grace, when the Pharisees demanded when the kingdom of God should come: “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20, 21, marginal reading. By the coming of the kingdom of God, the Pharisees meant the coming of the Messiah, and he was already among them, “full of grace and truth.” SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.4

So it was this same kingdom that John was in when he said: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.5

Those who are in the kingdom of grace may expect to suffer tribulation, because tribulation works patience, and causes the sufferer to know more of the grace of God. But the kingdom of glory will put an end to all tribulation. So Jesus comforts the despised and sorrowing little band of disciples with the words: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.6

James says: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.” James 2:5. Here is the kingdom of which those rich in faith are only heirs; it is promised to those that love God, but they do not yet possess it. And to the same intent Peter, after mentioning the Christian graces,-faith, virtue, godliness, patience, brotherly kindness, charity, etc. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.7

Thus we see that the grace of God, which is freely dispensed while Christ sits upon the throne of grace, and by means of which we are enabled to overcome (Hebrews 4:14-16), simply fits us for the kingdom of glory, into which an abundant entrance will be ministered to the faithful at the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And so Christ said:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.8

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory [not the throne of grace]: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:31-34. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.9

While he sits upon his Father’s throne, it is as a priest, counseling with his Father for the peace of mankind. David tells until what time he will remain there, saying, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.” Acts 2:34, 35; Psalm 110:1. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.10

From all these texts it is evident that Christ did not receive the kingdom at his first advent. Instead of having a kingdom, he had not so much as a place to lay his head. But he has ascended to the right hand of God, there to remain until the kingdom is given to him, and his enemies are made his footstool, when he will return to rid his kingdom of his enemies, and to plant his people Israel in their own land. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.11

The parable of the ten pounds, as recorded by Luke, was given for the purpose of teaching this very thing. “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” Luke 19:11-15. Then follows the accounting with the servants, and the commendation of those who had been faithful; and the parable closes with these words: “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” This is so plain as to need no comment. It shows that Christ has gone to Heaven to receive the kingdom, and that he will return when he has received it. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.12

In the seventh chapter of Daniel, verses 9 and 10, there is a graphic word-picture of the judgment in Heaven, which will determine who are worthy to be raised from the dead, or to be translated, when the Lord comes. s soon as this judgment is over, Christ will receive his kingdom, as we read in the following verses:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.13

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 8:13, 14. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.14

This is the fulfillment of the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary, when he announced the birth of Jesus, saying: “And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32, 33. W. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.15

“The Impelling Power” The Signs of the Times, 14, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

A writer in the Lutheran Observer comments upon the “Sad Results of Our [Their] Divisions,” among which he names the lack of American Lutheran theological seminaries in the West. After telling what the German and Swedish Lutherans have done he says:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.16

“But now, what of the young people of these vast multitudes, who are rapidly becoming anglicized, and cannot be kept long in the churches using only the languages of their fathers? Are we Americans following them up, and ready to supply them with English Lutheran ministers, to gather them into congregations, and to break the bread of life to their souls? What are we doing to provide ministers for them? Must I answer, Nothing? Comparatively NOTHING. Not an American theological school in all these mighty Northwester States! Perhaps a dozen or twenty young men, sent from the West, in our Eastern theological seminaries, studying for the ministry, and they will stay in the East, if they can get better salaries!” SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.17

And then he closes with the sad confession:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.18

“Not the love of Christ, nor the love of men’s souls, commends the ministers of the present day, but the almighty dollar!” SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.19

This reminds us of the words of an ancient prophet: “They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.” Micah 3:10, 11. And the worst of all is that the people themselves are responsible for such a state of things. See 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Hosea 4:9. SITI May 25, 1888, page 311.20

“Moses and His Work” The Signs of the Times, 14, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

1. Who claimed Moses as her son? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.1

“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses; and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:10. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.2

2. What advantages did this give him? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.3

“And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” Acts 7:21, 22. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.4

3. What happened one day when he was grown? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.5

“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” Exodus 2:11, 12. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.6

4. How old was he when this happened? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.7

“And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian.” Acts 7:23, 24. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.8

5. Why did he do this? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.9

“For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.” Verse 25. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.10

6. What is indicated by this verse?-That Moses had in some way learned that God would make use of him to deliver the children of Israel; and he supposed that they would understand it also. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.11

7. Did they understand it? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.12

8. What shows that they did not? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.13

“For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?” Verses 25-28. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.14

9. By this attempted deliverance of Israel, what stand did Moses take?-He identified himself with Israel. Hebrews 11:24. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.15

10. What choice did he make? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.16

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:25. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.17

11. What did he value more highly than the wealth of Egypt? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.18

“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Verse 26. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.19

12. When Moses found that even his own people would not acknowledge him as a deliverer, what did he do? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.20

“Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.” Exodus 2:15. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.21

“Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.” Acts 7:29. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.22

13. How long did he remain there? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.23

“And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.” Acts 7:30. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.24

14. What did he do all these years? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.25

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian.” Exodus 3:1, first part. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.26

15. At the expiration of forty years, what took place? Acts 7:30. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.27

16. What did the Lord then propose to do with Moses? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.28

“I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.” Verse 34. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.29

17. Did the Israelites believe in the mission Moses this time? SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.30

“And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel; and Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Exodus 4:29-31. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.31

18. What must have been the reason that they did not accept him before?-Because although he had been appointed to do the work, he did not go in the Lord’s way nor the Lord’s time; he had only his own credentials. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.32

NOTES

“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” The learning of the Egyptians was proverbial. The sacred historian in describing the wisdom of Solomon, could express it in no better way than to compare it with the wisdom of the Egyptians. He says: “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” 1 Kings 4:30. Rawlinson’s “Herodotus,” chapter 8, first paragraph, says: “That the Greeks should have been indebted to Egypt for their early lessons in science is not surprising, since it is known, in those days, to have taken the lead in all philosophical pursuits. Thales, the first Greek who arrived at any proficiency in geometry, went to study there; and his example was afterwards followed by others, who sought the best school of science and philosophy.” “It was doubtless from Egypt that Thales and his followers’ derived the fact of the moon receiving its light from the sun.” SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.33

Still further Rawlinson says (we leave out his references):- SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.34

“No one will for a moment imagine that the wisest of the Greeks went to study in Egypt for any other reason than because it was there that the greatest discoveries were to be learnt; and that Pythagoras or his followers suggested, from no previous experience, the theory of the sun being the center of our system; or the obliquity of the ecliptic, or the moon’s borrowed light, or the proof of the milky way being a collection of stars.... The same may be said of the principle by which the heavenly bodies were attracted to a center, and impelled in their order, the theory of eclipses, and the proof of the earth being round. These and many other notions were doubtless borrowed from Egypt, to which the Greeks chiefly resorted.” SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.35

Stephen’s statement would indicate that Moses was not simply well versed in the arts and sciences, but that he was a practical man. Josephus says (“Antiquities,” book 2, chap. 10) that he was placed at the head of the Egyptian armies, and that by his skillful leadership he defeated the Ethiopians, gaining great glory for the Egyptians. Whether this is true or not, it is certain that he was a great general. In all the years of his stay in the court of Egypt, as well as while he was in the land of Midian, God was preparing him for the great work of his life. God works through means. While he could have miraculously endowed an ignorant man with the knowledge necessary to lead his people, he chose to take a man possessed of all the natural and acquired qualifications that from a human standpoint would seem necessary, and to place his Spirit upon him. The Lord doesn’t usually call people to do a work for which they have no fitness. One of the qualifications of a minister of the gospel is that he should be “apt to teach.” If he has not this aptness, and cannot cultivate it, he may accept that fact as evidence that God has not called him to the ministry. When God calls a man to a work, he calls him to prepare for it. W. SITI May 25, 1888, page 314.36

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 14, 20.

E. J. Waggoner

On Sunday, the 20th, Elder A. J. Cudney sailed in the bark Sonoma for Honolulu, en route to Tahiti, whence he will sail for Pitcairn Island on the first opportunity. Brother Tay will sail shortly for Tahiti direct, and will meet Brother Cudney there. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.1

By the terms of a law just passed in Brazil, slavery is abolished in that empire. All the emancipated negroes now on coffee plantations are required to remain there until the next coffee crop is gathered, but in the meantime they are to receive a small rate of wages from their former owners, and are not to be locked up in their quarters as formerly. Former owners receive no compensation for liberated slaves. Nearly a million and a half of slaves are liberated by the new law. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.2

The pamphlet containing the Sabbath-school lessons (with notes) for the last half of the present year is now in process of preparation. The pamphlet containing the lessons for the first six months of the year was an experiment, and, owing to the little time left for its preparation after the General Conference, but few notes were inserted. This defect will not appear in the present series. Copious notes will be appended to every lesson. Send in your orders to Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., early and they will be filled as soon as the pamphlet is ready. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.3

The Chinese minister in England has warned Lord Salisbury that his Government will probably respond to the exclusion of Chinese from Australia, by an immediate edict enjoining absolute prohibition of the entry of Australian ships or produce to any points in China. In consequence of this threatened action on the part of China, the British premier has promised that the home Government will not give its support to any immigration laws passed by the colonies independently of the Imperial Parliament, and will specially oppose any such laws that bear directly against the Chinese. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.4

We are asked to correct the statement made a few weeks ago in giving a favorable notice of an article from the Christian Leader, to the effect that the Campbellites (Disciples) quite generally reject the Old Testament, and that some of them reject all that was written or spoken before the crucifixion, not excluding the Lord’s prayer. Of course we did not mean that they rejected all as uninspired, but that they do not regard it as having any force in the Christian age. We see no reason to modify the statement which we made, for we spoke from knowledge. The one who asked us to retract our statement, says in the very letter in which he makes that request that “some of the Disciples question the propriety of present use of the Lord’s prayer, on account of the phrase ‘Thy kingdom come.’” So according to his admission we were correct in our statement. We would ask only this: If it is not proper to use the Lord’s prayer now, was it ever proper to use it? Why did the Lord give it to his disciples if it was not to be used? SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.5

In answer to a query as to what conditions “polite society,” and what a gentleman must do to be popular, the new journal, America, says:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.6

“Society could be defined as a conglomeration of pleasure, dissipation, gossip, and sick-headaches. The poor devotee is limited in his fears; if he talks about literature, the world brands him as a pedant; if he talks about people, he is a gossip; if he converses on politics, and he is objectionable to those holding opposite views; should his conversation turn to religious subjects, he is a fanatic; if he has musical tastes, he is congenial to none but his confreree; should he converse on art, he is understood by few; if he brings business into social life, he is considered a boor. What course remains for him to follow? But one-flattery.” SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.7

Guessing at the meaning of prophetic symbols, and trying to imagine a hidden meaning for every incidental allusion in a parable, and then putting forth such conjectures and vain imaginings with as much confidence as though they were matters of special revelation, are among the most pernicious things that are done under the head of Scripture exposition. Nobody has any right to declare anything from the Bible, which he cannot prove by the Bible. “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” What any man believes or thinks about a given passage is not worth the paper on which it is written, no matter how learned and pious the man may be, if he cannot present Bible authority for his position. There is no man on earth that is to be taken as an authority on any matter of doctrine. There is no authority but the Bible. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.8

Under the heading, “A Narrow Escape from Death,” a religious exchange prints a report from a minister, in which he tells of an accident that occurred to him as he was driving. The harness broke as he was going down a steep hill, and he was thrown out of the carriage, receiving a severe shock which rendered him unconscious for some time. After telling of this he adds, “Oh, it would have been delightful, when so near the ‘border-land,’ to have been permitted to pass over. But our God seems to have had other thoughts,” etc. Now just think of it! He was unconscious, almost died just within sight of Heaven, and if life could have gone out with consciousness he is sure that he would have gone straight to Heaven, but fortunately he escaped such a dread calamity! But that is just as consistent as error can be. It shows that however fully people may sing themselves into the belief that “death is the gate to endless joy,” they instinctively feel that death is an enemy, a bitter and cruel foe, to be feared and shunned, as is taught in the Scriptures. Nowhere in the Bible are people encouraged to look upon death as a friend. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.9

A lady correspondent of the Open Court makes the following vigorous protest against a common nuisance, which we print, not with any hope that it will abate the nuisance, but for the satisfaction it gives. It is, however, barely possible that there are some smokers who have not become so narcotized as to be wholly selfish, and who may be made to see themselves as others see them:- SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.10

“Is there not a question of right, involved in a condition which bears so hardly upon one side and gives the other so vast an advantage? Why should the smoker be given, or take, the mean privilege of driving from comfort to misery all those who dislike tobacco, even in the most public places? Can anyone explain, on principles of justice or good breeding, the right of the smoker to render the air of cars, steamboats, public coaches, hotels, and boarding-houses, and all other places where he likes to be, disagreeable, and often sickening? It has been truly said that “smoking is the only vice that all people are compelled to share the effects of in their own persons.” If my neighbor drinks whisky, I am not obliged to take even a drop into my system. But if my neighbor smokes, I am obliged, as long as he remains my neighbor, on the plazza or other places of resort, to inhale some of the poison he is consuming. There is much to say about the pecuniary waste and physical harm of tobacco-using as a personal habit, but the sole purpose of this article is to draw attention to the infringement upon the rights of those who dislike tobacco, perpetuated by tobacco users and sanctioned by those who cater to a tobacco-smoking public. This aspect of the question has passed beyond the boundaries of taste, or preference, or conventional good manners. It has entered the domain of ethics. The point now to be determined is, in brief, this: Have those who dislike tobacco any rights which tobacco-users are bound to respect?” SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.11

On the point that is mentioned elsewhere in this paper, concerning the propriety of using the Lord’s prayer, we would simply offer the following: The prayer occurs in the sermon on the mount, which was given in the second year of our Lord’s earthly ministry. He introduced the prayer with the command, “After this manner therefore pray ye.” And at the close of his ministry on earth, when he delivered the great commission to his disciples, he said: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19, 20. This certainly includes the commandment to use the Lord’s prayer as a model petition. But the fact that the Lord’s prayer is the prayer for Christians of all ages, is self-evident that we feel almost ashamed to give even the defense of it. Those who reject it would certainly do well to consider Luke 6:46. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.12

The Papal rescript intermeddling in Irish affairs is meeting with considerable apparently determined opposition in Ireland, and indeed among Irish Catholics everywhere, but it is safe to say that very soon the most of those who now boldly talk rebellion against the Pope will be again at his feet, supplicants for the Papal blessing. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.13

The McGlynn protest in New York amounted to nothing; neither will the protests of the Irish Catholics. Every Catholic believes, is taught from the infancy to believe, that the Pope holds the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and that he can close the gates against whomsoever he will. Only let the communion and absolution be withheld from the Catholics of Ireland, and the nationalist leaders can no more lead them than a shepherd could a flock of sheep with a pack of wolves in the midst of them. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.14

The Papal system enslaves its votaries, body and soul; it puts a man in the place of God and clothes him with divine powers, and all who assent to these monstrous claims of the Pope must of necessity be his slaves and do his bidding, not only in spiritual but also in political affairs. SITI May 25, 1888, page 320.15