The Signs of the Times, vol. 14

October 26, 1888

“The Object of Christ’s Second Coming” The Signs of the Times, 14, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

The reader will remember that last week we showed by the most plain and direct Scripture testimony that the second coming of Christ is just as sure as that he was once here upon earth, and that he is now “gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” It was also shown by the same indubitable testimony that his coming will be literal and visible, that every eye shall see him, “for as the lightning that lighteneth out of one part under heaven and shineth unto the other part under heaven, so shall the Son of man be in his day.” These questions having been settled, attention is now invited to the object of his second coming. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.1

The Lord will come again, because if he should not come the second time, his first coming would have been in vain. Said he, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” He comes to take to himself the purchase of his own blood. He has gone to prepare a place for those who become his friends indeed, and when he has the place prepared for them, he will come and take them to it. His coming will be the grand consummation of the plan of salvation. In vain would be all his sufferings for men; in vain would be the faith which men have placed in him, if he should not return to complete that which he has begun. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.2

Christ’s words imply that if he should not come, his disciples could not be with him. Notice: He said he would come to receive them to himself, that (in order that) where he was there they might be also. The object of his coming is to take his people to himself. Now it is evident that Christ does not do things that are unnecessary, but it would be unnecessary for him to come for his people, if they could be with him without his coming. Not only so, but it would be the height of folly for him to come for his disciples if they went to be with him when they died, hundreds of years ago. So the fact that Christ will come for his people, is evidence that they cannot be with him until he comes. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.3

Since Christ’s followers cannot be with him until he comes, then they all will receive their reward at the same time. To this the apostle bears witness, when, speaking of the faithfulness of past ages, he says: “These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39, 40. And again the apostle Paul says: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. “So,” that is by the resurrection of the dead and the translation of the living, at the coming of Christ, will the Saviour’s promise be fulfilled, to take his people to himself, to be with him. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.4

But the taking of his people to himself involves something else. The earth is the kingdom which God prepared for his people “from the foundation of the world.” Compare Matthew 25:34 and Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:6. To the meek it is promised that they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5. They “shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11. But this cannot be done while the wicked remain upon it; for “there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked;” they are continually troubling, not only themselves, but others (Job 3:17; 2 Timothy 3:12, 13); and “are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Isaiah 57:20. Therefore before the righteous can delight themselves in “the abundance of peace,” the wicked must be removed from the earth. And so when, in prophetic vision, John saw the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, he heard the elders around the throne in Heaven say: “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:17, 18, margin. Christ himself said that when he should come, it would be to “reward every man according to is works.” Matthew 16:27. So, then, his coming means the salvation of the righteous, and the destruction of the wicked. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.5

A few words as to the manner in which the final redemption of the righteous will be effected, may be in place. The apostle Paul tells us that it will be by the resurrection of the dead, and the translation of the living. To the Corinthian church he wrote:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.6

“Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.7

Thus the righteous enter into their eternal reward; but not immediately do they dwell on the earth. The earth must still be fitted for their dwelling-place, by the destruction of those who have corrupted it. When Christ appears in the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory, the righteous, because they are righteous, are strengthened to behold his glory; but the wicked cannot endure it. Says Isaiah: “He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:4. And the apostle Paul, speaking of “the man of sin,”-“that Wicked,”-says that he is the one “whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.8

This, however, is not the final destruction of the wicked, and the cleansing of the earth, for the millions who have died in sin lie all this time in their graves, unconscious of the wonderful events that are taking place on the earth. Not at that time do they receive the recompense for their evil deeds. Neither do the wicked who are alive at the time of Christ’s appearing, and who are slain by the brightness of his coming, receive their punishment at that time. They simply drop dead, unable to endure the dazzling glory of Christ’s presence. “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.” Jeremiah 25:33. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.9

The condition of the earth at that time is thus described by the prophets:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.10

“Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled; suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.... For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. (Compare Genesis 1:2) I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.” Jeremiah 4:20-27. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.11

“Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare; for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” Isaiah 24:17-22. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.12

The earth will then be in its original chaotic state; in the condition described as “the deep,” “the abyss,” or the “bottomless pit.” Upon the dark, dreary, desolate place, Satan will be held for a thousand years. Says the prophet: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:1-3. Unable to practice any of his hellish deceptions upon men, because there are no living men upon the earth, he is most effectually bound. No human convict in solitary confinement in the dark cell was ever more surely deprived of liberty. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.13

During that thousand years the righteous will be in Heaven, engaged with Christ, in passing judgment upon fallen angels and wicked men. See Revelation 20:4; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3. This period of a thousand years comprises the “many days,” at the end of which the wicked are to “be visited.” At the end of that time Satan shall be loosed from his prison, because the wicked will then be raised (Revelation 20:5), and he will have opportunity to practice for a little season the deceptive arts which are his very life. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, will have descended from God out of Heaven, and Satan will gather the hosts of the wicked around it, making them believe that they can capture it for their own. Revelation 20:5, 9. And then fire shall come down from God out of Heaven, and shall devour Satan and all his hosts. That fire shall burn as an oven, and the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the fire shall burn them up, and shall leave neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.14

The same fire that causes “the perdition of ungodly men,” will also melt the earth, and purify it from the curse, so that from it shall come forth a renewed earth, fitted for the abode of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:7, 9, 12, 13. The righteous, safe in the city of God, and thus enabled to “dwell with everlasting burnings” (Isaiah 33:14, 15), shall “meditate terror” which shall not come nigh them; for only with their eyes shall they behold and see the reward of the wicked. Then when the wicked shall have been consumed “like stubble fully dry,” and the fires cease for lack of fuel upon which to feed, the righteous shall go forth to inherit the land forever “they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” yes, “they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them;” and then they “shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” “Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:16-18. “For the Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein; thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” “This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” W. SITI October 26, 1888, page 646.15

“Vagaries of the Fathers” The Signs of the Times, 14, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

We have shown in articles in these columns during the past two weeks that the so-called Church Fathers were the abettors of every heresy which has ever cursed the Christian church; and that they were utterly unreliable even as to matters of fact. We now propose to give quotations from Dr. Killen, showing that the writings of the Fathers abound also in the most absurd vagaries. On this subject he says:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.1

“Nothing can be more unsatisfactory, or rather childish, than the explanations of Holy Writ sometimes given by these ancient expositors. According to Tertullian, the two sparrows mentioned in the New Testament signify the soul and the body; and Clemens Alexandrinus gravely pleads for marriage from the promise-‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ Cyprian produces as an argument in support of the doctrine of the Trinity, that the Jews observed ‘the third, sixth, and ninth hours’ as their ‘fixed and lawful seasons for prayer.’ Origen represents the heavenly bodies as literally engaged in acts of devotion. If these authorities are to be credited, the Gihon, on of the rivers of Paradise, was no other than the Nile. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.2

“Very few of the Fathers of this period were acquainted with Hebrew, so that, as a class, they were miserably qualified for the interpretation of the Scriptures. Even Origen himself must have had a very imperfect knowledge of the language of the Old Testament. In consequence of their literary deficiencies, the Fathers of the second and third centuries occasionally commit the most ridiculous blunders. Thus, Irenaeus tells us that the name Jesus in Hebrew consists of two letters and a half, and describes it as signifying ‘that Lord who contains Heaven and earth’! This Father asserts also that the Hebrew word adonai, or the Lord, denotes ‘utterable and wonderful.’ Clemens Alexandrinus is not more successful as an interpreter of the sacred tongue of the chosen people; for he asserts that Jacob was called Israel ‘because he had seen the Lord God,’ and he avers that Abraham means ‘the elect father of a sound’!”-Ancient Church, period 2, sec. 2, chap. 1, paragraphs 31, 32. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.3

Upon this the same writer makes the following most just comments, which make a fitting close to this collection of statements concerning the Fathers:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.4

“It would seem as if the great Head of the church permitted these early writers to commit the grossest mistakes, and to propound the most foolish theories, for the express purpose of teaching us that we are not implicitly to follow their guidance. It might have been thought that authors, who flourished on the borders of apostolic times, knew more of the mind of the Spirit than others who appeared in succeeding ages; but the truths of Scripture, like the phenomena of the visible creation, are equally intelligible to all generations. If we possess spiritual discernment, the trees and the flowers will display the wisdom and the goodness of God as distinctly to us as they did to our first parents; and, if we have the ‘unction from the Holy One,’ we may enter into the meaning of the Scriptures as fully as did Justin Martyr or Irenaeus [and to a far greater degree, for their minds were blinded and fettered by their false philosophy]. To assist us in the interpretation of the New Testament, we have at command a critical apparatus of which they were unable to avail themselves. Jehovah is jealous of the honor of his word, and he has inscribed in letters of light, over the labors of the most ancient interpreters-‘Cease ye from man.’ The ‘opening of the Scriptures,’ so as to exhibit their beauty, their consistency, their purity, their wisdom, and their power, is the clearest proof that the commentator is possessed of ‘the key of knowledge.’ When tried by this test, Thomas Scott of Matthew Henry is better entitled to confidence than either Origen or Gregory Thaumaturgus. The Bible is its own safest expositor. ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.’”-Ancient Church, sec. 2, chap. 1, last paragraph. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.5

These quotations refer to the Fathers in general, perhaps more strictly speaking to the Ante-Nicene Fathers, but that there is very little difference between them and the so-called “Apostolic Fathers” will appear from the following extracts. The “Encyclopedia Britannica” says:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.6

“The Apostolic Fathers is a name given to certain writers in the earliest period of Christianity, who were believed to have been the disciples of the apostles and to have had intercourse with them. Those generally included under the title are Clemens Romanus, Ignatius, Polycarp, Barnabas, and Hermas. Sometimes the name is extended to Papias of Hierapolis, and the writer of the epistle to Diognetus. A critical examination of the writings attributed to these men, and a critical sifting of the traditions which we have in relation to their history, bring out the circumstance that the name is unsuitable. Clemens Romanus, Barnabas, and Hermas were supposed to be persons mentioned in the New Testament; but criticism proves conclusively that this is a mistake in regard to Clemens. Polycarp, in all probability, and according to the best testimony, had intercourse with apostles, but it was in his early youth; and his letter belongs to a period considerably later than that of the apostles. The epistles of Ignatius, as well as the personal history of that martyr, are involved in great obscurity, and critics differ widely in regard to both.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.7

In his “Introductory Notice” to the “Apostolic Fathers,” Bishop Coxe says of them:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.8

“Disappointment may be the first emotion of the student who comes down from the mount where he has dwelt in the tabernacles of evangelists and apostles; for these disciples are confessedly inferior to the masters; they speak with the voices of infirm and fallible men, and not like the New Testament writers, with the fiery tongues of the Holy Ghost.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.9

“Their very mistakes enable us to attach a higher value to the superiority of inspired writers. They were not wiser than the naturalists of their day who taught them the history of the Phoenix and other fables; but nothing of this sort is found in Scripture. The Fathers are inferior in kind as well as degree.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.10

Neander speaks of the writings attributed to the so-called Apostolic Fathers, as follows:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.11

“The next ecclesiastical writers who come after the apostles, are the so-called Apostolic Fathers (Patres Apostolic), who come from the apostolic age, and must have been the disciples of the apostles. The remarkable difference between the writings of the apostles and those of the Apostolic Fathers, who are yet so close upon the former in point of time, is a remarkable phenomenon of its kind. While in other cases such a transition is usually quite gradual, in this case we find a sudden one. Here there is no gradual transition, but a sudden spring; a remark which is calculated to lead us to a recognition of the peculiar activity of the divine Spirit in the souls of the apostles.”-Rose’s Neander, p. 407. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.12

Again he says— SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.13

“The writings of the so-called Apostolic Fathers are, alas! come down to us, for the most part, in a very uncertain condition; partly, because in early times writings were counterfeited under the name of those venerable men of the church, in order to propagate certain opinions of principles; partly, because those writings which they had really published were adulterated, and especially so to serve a Judae-hierarchical party, which would fain crush the free evangelical spirit.”-Ib. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.14

It will be seen that Neander supposes that the writings are partly, at least, the genuine productions of the men whose names they bear; but he acknowledges that, even if genuine, they have been counterfeited and adulterated till there is no confidence to be placed in them, either as to matters of doctrine or matters of fact. To show that Neander’s conclusions are justified by the facts we propose at another time to examine in detail some of the writings to which reference has been made. W. SITI October 26, 1888, page 647.15

“Baptized for the Dead” The Signs of the Times, 14, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

Will you please explain 1 Corinthians 15:29? What does the apostle mean by the expression, “baptized for the dead”? SITI October 26, 1888, page 648.1

The text which we are asked to explain reads thus: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” And to understand it the reader must keep in mind the general argument, especially the proposition laid down in verses 12-14. In this chapter the apostle is meeting the objection of some professed Christians who claimed that there will be no resurrection of the dead. He first proves (what they no doubt believed) that Christ had risen from the dead. Then he says: “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.” Verses 12, 13. The resurrection of Christ being an established fact, this is an overwhelming argument; for it is manifestly absurd to admit that one person has been raised from the dead, and at the same time to deny that there is a resurrection. SITI October 26, 1888, page 648.2

The apostle then shows the condition of the dead, provided there is no resurrection, and reiterates the statement that there will be one. Then in verse 29 he returns to the original question, proving the resurrection from their own faith and practice. Being baptized for the dead has reference to the death and resurrection of Christ, of which baptism is an emblem. See Romans 6:3, 4. By being buried in the water we show our faith in the death and burial of Christ, and by coming out of the water, our faith in his resurrection as the pledge of ours. Now comes in his question: “If the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?” Or, in other words, uniting the two parts of the argument: “If the dead rise not, then Christ is not risen; and if Christ be not risen, what is the use of being baptized in memory of his death and resurrection? since in that case our faith is vain.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 648.3

Following is the closing portion of Dr. Clarke’s comment on this text:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 648.4

“But as they receive baptism as an emblem of death in voluntarily going under the water, so they receive it as an emblem of the resurrection unto eternal life, in coming up out of the water; thus they are baptized for the dead, in perfect faith of the resurrection. The three following verses seem to confirm this sense.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 648.5

“The Commentary. Second Epistle of Peter. 2 Peter 1:6, 7” The Signs of the Times, 14, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

(Lesson 3. Sabbath, Nov. 10.)

1. What grace in Peter’s list follows next after temperance? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.1

“And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness.” 2 Peter 1:6. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.2

2. How are we to inherit promises of God? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.3

“And we desire that everyone of you to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11, 12. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.4

3. How alone can we inherit eternal life? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.5

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, and eternal life.” Romans 2:7. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.6

4. Under what circumstances must we be patient? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.7

“Rejoicing in hopes; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.8

5. What alone can produce patience? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.9

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Romans 5:3. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.10

6. If we are to glory in tribulation, and rejoice in the midst of trials, what time shall we take for doubting, fears, and discouragement? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.11

“Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.12

“Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.13

7. If we have the grace of patience in perfection, what shall we lack that is necessary to perfect character? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.14

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.15

8. When trial shall have perfected patience in us, what will await us? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.16

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Verse 12. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.17

9. What does Peter mention next after patience? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.18

10. What is declared to be “great gain”? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.19

But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.20

11. What follows godliness? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.21

12. What commandment have we received that shows the fitness of saying that brotherly kindness must be added to godliness? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.22

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God loves his brother also.” 1 John 4:21. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.23

13. How alone may we know how we ought to love one another? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.24

“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.25

14. What is the evidence that one has been converted? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.26

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.27

15. Is the measure of love that the new convert feels for the brethren sufficient for all time? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.28

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia; but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9, 10. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.29

16. How should we love one another? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.30

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 15:12; 13:34. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.31

17. What is the greatest measure of love that a man can possess? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.32

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.33

18. Ought we to love the brethren to that extent? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.34

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.35

19. What state of mind will render this less difficult than it would naturally be? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.36

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in loneliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.37

20. Repeat the apostle Paul’s specific description of perfect brotherly kindness? SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.38

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31, 32. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.39

NOTES

“Tribulation worketh patience.” Nothing but tribulation can develop patience. When everything goes smoothly there is no call for patience, and the person who has none can get along very well. And when there is no demand for patience, it is certain that none can be developed. Some people say that it is not true that tribulation works patience; they say that trials and difficulties make them impatient. But that is an error. It is impossible that trials should plant impatience in the heart. All they do in the case of one who manifests ill-temper, is to bring to light the fact that he is destitute of patience, and to develop impatience into greater magnitude. But then why does his patience increase rather than diminish with the continuance of trials? Simply because he has not the foundation upon which to build patience. Without a groundwork of faith, it is impossible that tribulations should work patience. And the Bible does not say that they will do so under any other circumstances. See Romans 5:1-5. But the one who has firm faith will believe, and believing will realize that “all things work together for good to them that love God,” and so he will gladly endure trials. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.40

“And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This is literally true, not of a few persons merely, but of all who are followers of Christ, and not simply in times of persecution, but all the time. This does not mean that we shall all or any of those be called to go to the stake, the block, or the gallows for the brethren; it means that our lives should be considered as not belonging to us, but to the Lord, and that therefore they should be used in this service.Christ is the great Example. He “went about doing good.” When he was weary with toil, and faint with hunger, he found rest and refreshment in laboring to lift up the fallen. He “pleased not himself.” He sought only the welfare and pleasure of others. It is such service as this that calls for self-denial of the same class as that which would lead one actually to lay down his life for another. Without such a self-sacrificing spirit as the ruling principle of one’s life, one would not actually lay down his life for another, and if it were required; or if he should do so, the sacrifice would not be acceptable to God. See 1 Corinthians 13:3. Daily dying is the order with one who is a true follower of Christ. This does not mean self-denial that is accompanied by a wry face, it means service of which no one is cognizant-necessary labor performed when weary, with the same cheerfulness as when fresh. It is that quiet service which finds its reward in the fact that God knows. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.41

How may we esteem others better than ourselves? Easily enough; simply by looking only at the good qualities of others, and by seeing ourselves just as God sees us. The Holy Spirit, by means of its sword, the word of God, lays bare our own deceitful hearts, and lets us see them just as they appear to God. To be sure, for the sins that we find there we may readily secure pardon; nevertheless having seen what manner of actions our hearts naturally produce, and knowing that but for the grace of God they would never produce any other, we should learn humility. Now our brother may be in reality as bad as we, or even worse; but since it is not given us to know the secrets of his heart, the things which we can see in our own hearts-that is, the evil passions which, if not repressed, would result in the wickedest acts-are far worse than what we can see in our brother’s actions. And so we can, in lowliness of mind, esteem other is better than ourselves. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.42

Without godliness there can be no brotherly kindness. For (1) we must first be adopted into the family of God before we can have brethren to whom to exercise Christian kindness. And (2) it is from the love of God that we learn to love one another; and we cannot know the love of God except as it becomes a part of our being. Brotherly kindness is simply the natural outflow of the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit-that Spirit whose presence in us marks us as children of God. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.43

The measure of love which the newly converted man feels, is only a sample of the love which he ought to feel after he has been a long time in the way. Brotherly love which grows less after the beginning of one’s Christian experience is not such love as will give an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That is not an instance of progress toward Heaven, but of having one’s feet set in the right way and then turning around and going back toward the world. The Christian should “abound yet more and more” in faith and love and every grace. SITI October 26, 1888, page 651.44

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 14, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

Do not fail to read “The Sentinel Extra,” on page 647. Now, if ever, every lover of present truth should be alive and working for the spread of the Third Angel’s Message. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.1

A society exists in Chicago, the avowed object of which is “to reform government, morals, and religion.” It advocates, as a matter of course, woman suffrage, and at a recent meeting of its leading spirits stated that it is a political and religious society, believing in the union of Church and State. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.2

“Bible Studies,” from the Old and New Testaments, covering the International Sunday-school lessons for 1889, by George F. Pentecost, D.D., has reached our table. It will prove a valuable help in the study of the International lessons. Published by A. S. Barnes & Co., New York and Chicago. Price, fifty cents. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.3

The Anarchists and Socialists of Chicago are preparing for a demonstration on the 11th of November, the anniversary of the execution of their fellows who were hanged for murder committed in connection with the Haymarket Riot. A secular paper truthfully says that “it is poor policy to allow these people to meet and incite great masses of idle men to violence by their artfully prepared pleas to the worst passions. Freedom of speech is a great thing, but freedom does not mean license to advocate the doctrines of the Anarchist.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.4

Orders for the “Great Controversy,” “Abiding Sabbath,” “Fathers of the Catholic Church,” “Prophetic Lights,” National Reform Tracts, and the American Sentinel are such that we have run three presses day and night on “present truth” alone during the past week. The shipments of denominational books and papers by freight, mail, and express, have averaged over a ton per day for the past ten days, or a car load per week for the past two weeks. The circulation of our three periodicals is growing steadily. We are pleased to state that the SIGNS list of subscribers and clubs is increasing week by week. Made the good work continue. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.5

The article entitled “Sabbath and Sunday,” printed on page 644, is worthy of a most careful perusal by all into whose hands it may fall, and we are sorry that every man in this country, whether Christian, Jew, or infidel, cannot have the privilege of reading it. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.6

Sunday legislation in this country threatens to prove disastrous to religious liberty, from the fact that its bearing and tendency are not fully understood by the masses. The popular idea with us as a nation is, that the majority must rule, and that whatever the majority decrees must be right; but when carried to extreme, the ordinarily wholesome doctrine of majority rule becomes exceedingly mischievous; the rule of the people may become as tyrannical as that of an individual. If liberty of conscience be destroyed, it matters little by whom it is stricken down, whether by the voice of a “free” people, or by the “autocrat of all the Russias.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.7

Many people suppose, or at least profess to think, that so long as each individual is permitted to observe any day he chooses it is not an infringement of his religious liberty to require him also to refrain from work, business, or pleasure upon another day. But Sabbath-keeping is an act of worship-an acknowledgment of the authority of God-and the writer of the article before referred to, “Sabbath and Sunday,” well says that- SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.8

“Every man’s conception of God’s will is to be of absolute authority with himself, so long as it does not lead him into acts which invade the rights of others; and no man, no majority, nor the whole nation, is to compel any man to do toward God any act whatever which he prefers not to do. No more shall they prevent a man from doing any act toward God which he chooses to do, so long as his acts are not injurious. The religious conscience of every man, while it keeps to its own proper function, is to be supreme, both in acting and abstaining; and the civil law is not to assume the least authority over it.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.9

The principles of religious liberty could scarcely be more clearly stated, and we trust that all will give Mr. Ganse’s article the careful reading that it deserves. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.10

“Pagan Counterfeits in the Christian Church,” is the title of a fifty-two-page pamphlet by Chas. A. S. Temple, of Redding, Mass., in which he shows the pagan origin of Christmas, Lent, and the Easter, but strangely omits all mention of the greatest counterfeit of all, namely, the Sunday-sabbath. Mr. Temple’s pamphlet is well worth reading, as it contains much valuable information not readily obtained by those who have access to but few books; we can but wonder, however, how he can see so clearly the nature and tendency of the festivals, the history of which he gives, and at the same time fail to discern the fraudulent nature of the monstrous claims which are made in behalf of Sunday, “the wild solar holiday of all pagan times.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.11

The price of the pamphlet is fifteen cents, post-paid, for single copy, or $8.00 per hundred. It can be obtained from the author. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.12

The Congregationalist of September 6 said editorially:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.13

“While not all of them are Prohibitionists, many of our Roman Catholic fellow-citizens are strong advocates of total abstinence, and we watch the proceedings of their Total Abstinence Unions with great interest; for the success of the cause here in New England, and in fact all over the country, must depend largely upon the attitude taken by this class of our population. According to the Rockville (Ct.) Journal, the delegates present at one of these unions lately held there were a company of clean and intelligent young men, and there was a true temperance ring in their speeches, which means a grand success for the organization. As we have said before, all churches and all classes in the community should by all means work in co-operation for the cause of temperance.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.14

We can imagine the grim satisfaction with which the prelates of the Catholic Church read the admissions that everything depends on them. They will soon let the country know how indispensable they are. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.15

A great deal of what is called Bible study nowadays is nothing but speculation, of the vainest sort. An instance of this is given by a correspondent of the Interior, who writes thus: “In our Bible-class, while discussing the lesson for September 2, the question was asked, ‘Did Moses do right in sending the twelve rulers to spy out the land of promise?’ As to this there were diverse views. Some, perhaps the majority, thought he sinned, and a host of Israel with him, in that it showed a lack of faith in God in sending them to spy the land.” If these wise students had only read the Bible instead of guessing, they would have appeared too much better advantage. In Numbers 13:1-3 we read:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.16

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, everyone a ruler among them. And Moses by the command of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.17

In the face of this scripture it is rather cool, to say the least, to discuss the question whether or not Moses sinned in sending out the spies, and to gravely decide that he did. And the Bible class that did this must have read the scripture, or else they would not have known that he sent rulers. But so much of the Bible is now turned into fable by the “leaders of Christian thought” that the majority of people have implied the idea that it never means what it says. To counteract this idea, and to exalt the authority of the simple word of the Lord, is the great mission of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.18

The following item from the Chicago Intelligence is of more than passing interest to very many people, and should have wide circulation, since what is done in Illinois is without doubt done in other parts of the country:- SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.19

“Prosecuting Attorney Richolson has received a letter from a leading firm of wholesale cheese dealers, calling his attention to the vast amount of adulteration by the cheese manufacturers. The letter states that there are 100 or more cheese manufacturers in this State who are making adulterated cheese, filled with lard, neutral, cotton seed, and other oils. The complaint is made that the market is being flooded with this stuff, which is made in close imitation of the best creamery and dairy products.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.20

People who do not care what they eat, provided it tastes good for the moment, will probably not be affected in the least by this item; but others will conclude to run no risk, and will be better off. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.21

The Sabbath (Sunday) Association of Philadelphia has appointed a committee to ascertain, in whatever manner its members “may deem best, from the candidates of the several political parties for the Legislature, whether or not they will defend the laws protecting the Sabbath that are now upon the statute books.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.22

The “Sabbath” law referred to is a most iniquitous statute enacted in 1794, and under which conscientious Sabbatarians have been repeatedly fined and imprisoned for doing ordinary labor upon the first day of the week after having religiously observed the “seventh day according to the commandment.” But this “Sabbath” association is determined that the law shall neither be repealed or modified, hence its anxiety to have the different candidates pledge themselves to defend something which is clearly indefensible from any standpoint other than that of the religious bigot. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.23

Late dispatches from Berlin indicate that the Pope is much dissatisfied with the outcome of the recent visit of Emperor William. There seems to be no doubt that Leo XIII. counted on being able to secure the influence of Germany in favor of the restoration of the temporal power of the Papacy; but for the time being at least he has failed. “The Vatican does not, however,” so the dispatch runs, “rest submissive or inactive. Cardinal Rampolo, besides instructing the bishops to renew the agitation for sympathy with the Pope, has proposed a statement explaining that Leo only consented to receive the Emperor after receiving a formal declaration that the visit did not imply any recognition of the incorporation of Rome with Italy.” SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.24

In view of these facts nobody need be surprised to hear at an early day of some pet scheme of the Iron Chancellor’s suffering defeat at the hands of the Catholic members of the Reichstag who have more than once joined hands with the Socialists for the discomfiture of the Government and the ultimate accomplishment of their own ends. SITI October 26, 1888, page 656.25