The Signs of the Times, vol. 15

January 28, 1889

“Front Page” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

April 30 the centennial of Washington’s inauguration is be generally celebrated by religious services and the churches throughout the land. These services are, according to the program of the committee, to consist of “thanksgiving in praise as may seem suitable in view of what God has done for us and for our land during the century which has elapsed since George Washington took the chair of State.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.37

There is a difference between belief and belief. Thousands are deceived by supposing Christ is their Saviour because they have nominally accepted of him, and united with the church. Their belief is merely nominal, and, therefore, ineffectual. Paul tells us what effectual belief must be: “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” This is effectual belief, or faith. It applies the righteousness of Christ to the past life of sin, and appropriates his strength in overcoming sin. Be not deceived; true faith is manifested in righteousness; and all true righteousness is “the righteousness of God by faith.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.38

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Not simply the pride of living, but pride which is inwrought in the very being, a part of the life. Knowing that even a proud look is an abomination to the Lord, how can man, whose very life is pride, stand before him? Only by dying. Says the apostle: “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Why should the leper cling to his loathsomeness, when he may have the flesh of a child? Even so, why should we cling with such tenacity to that life which only makes us repulsive, when we may have the life of Christ instead? SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.39

“None absolutely die,” says the Universalist. “We all pass from one sphere of life to another, and lay off what pertains to the lower, as we pass to the higher; but we still live on, and on, and on, and advance in life attainment, according to our seeking, out of darkness and pain of spirit into light and peace and joy, as we aspire to the good, turn to the light, pursue truth, cast out the evils of our hearts, and form our characters in righteousness.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.40

This no doubt sounds very fine to those who believe it; and moreover the doctrine is absolutely essential to the existence of Universalism. But, unfortunately for those who put their trust in it, the fact is that it is absolutely without foundation in the Scriptures of truth. Satan, the great enemy of all righteousness, is the author of the doctrine that “there is no death.” He encouraged Eve to sin, with the assurance, “Ye shall not surely die;” and to-day thousands unwittingly encourage rebellion against God in the same way. To such the Lord says: “Ye have made the heart of the righteous said, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” Ezekiel 13:22. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.41

Jacob, the patriarch, illustrates in his life the two characters of the unregenerate and regenerate individual; and these characters are also indicated in the names he bore. At first he was the child of nature, crafty, deceptive, overreaching-Jacob the supplanter-wishing to do right, yet carried away with the propensities of the carnal heart. But after the night struggle at Peniel, he through faith in God gained the victory over the sins of his heart. God met with him, blessed him, not by taking away his troubles, but by giving him strength to bear and power to prevail. After that night he was no longer Jacob, the supplanter, but Israel, the prince of God. Would we be such? The way is plain; by faith prevail with God. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.42

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Psalm 40:17. Yes, the Lord of hosts, the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy; the one whose word brought the universe into existence, who measures the heavens with the span, calling all of the numberless worlds by name, thinks upon poor, insignificant man,-man so insignificant that in comparison with God, all the nations of them are less than nothing. How wonderful that God should think of poor man. But what does he think concerning them? Listen: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11. He rides upon the heavens in the help of his creatures, and yet ungrateful man often takes his blessing as a matter of course, and forgets to thank the great Giver. Yes, God thinks upon you; do you think upon God? SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.43

The Bible states that the vegetable world was brought into existence the third day of creation; and the sun, the source of light and heat to this world, the fourth day. According to the Bible account there is no difficulty to him who has faith in God’s power. That power brought them into existence in one day. There would be no difficulty in their existing one day without sun; but, according to modern religio-science, these days were long, indefinite periods. Now it is a common fact that vegetation will not grow, flower, mature, and bear fruit without sun. But these scientists would have all these processes carried on without sun for unknown centuries! We prefer the word of God, simple and reasonable, when understood, though we may not comprehend the infinite power and wisdom behind it,-we prefer it to an inconsistent, hypothetical science which involves so many absurdities, and leads its devotees in darker mazes and deeper mire every step of the way. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.44

“Handling the Word Deceitfully” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

On Sunday, January 18, a large number of the ministers of Oakland, including the Catholic, preached upon the subject of the Sabbath, according to previous agreement. The object was to stir up the people to the importance of legislation to protect Sunday. At the close of the services in most of the churches, the petitions for a State Sunday law, which were gotten up by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, was circulated. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.45

But the point which we wish decided is what to call the position that was taken by some of the preachers. For example, one of them who took for his text Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord,” remarked upon it as follows:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.46

“The man who was touched with this emotion was a statesman, a warrior, a king, a poet, a man of great intellect, and one of exquisite genius. He was a man who was busily occupied on week-days, and so might well have felt that he had excuse for non-attendance in the Lord’s house on Sundays, but he no more wanted to be released from the obligation than a healthy boy wishes to be excused from a Thanksgiving dinner, or than a lover desires to be excused from visiting his sweetheart. He might have made many of the pleas that are daily made use of by the man of the present. He had nothing more important to do-no task to write letters or no papers to read; no headache which he had not on Saturday nor would have on Monday was offered as an excuse; no fear of the dampness or the dust, or the heat or cold, which on a week-day would not deter him from attending to his business or pleasure, possessed him.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.47

Another preacher did about the giving of the manna, and its miraculous preservation over the Sabbath, when it would spoil on other days. Said he, “That which the people gathered on Saturday kept fresh and good until Monday morning.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.48

Now shall we call this ignorance of the Scriptures, or a deliberate design to deceive people who might be unfamiliar with them? Did not the first speaker know that David never kept a Sunday in his life? Does he not know that David, like all the Jews, kept the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday? Did not the other know that it was the seventh day of the week that the Israelites kept in the wilderness, and upon which no manna fell, and that they gathered it on Sunday the same as on the following week-days? Did he not know that it is the seventh day of the week that James referred to when he said, “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day”? Acts 15:21. We are verily persuaded that both these preachers knew all these things. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.49

What causes us to believe that there is no minister who does not positively believe that it was the seventh day of the week-Saturday-which was kept by Moses and David, is the fact that they never fail to refer to it as the “Jewish Sabbath.” This is sufficient evidence. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.50

We do not refer to this from any desire to direct the attention of people to the short-comings of ministers, although when the command is given to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1), we do not know why an exception should be made in the sins of ministers. Indeed, we think each deception as the above ought to be promptly exposed, since an error on the part of a teacher is necessarily followed by greater evil consequences than one by a learner. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.51

That such a course as the above should be taken, shows the utter absence of any foundation for Sunday observance, and should put people on their guard against that which they seek by such means to secure. It shows that when they would show the people how to keep Sunday, they are forced to go back to examples of Sabbath-keeping. That would be allowable, if there were any command transferring the weekly rest from the seventh to the first day of the week; but when they claim that Sabbath-keeping, they give their whole case away. If this is not prophesying falsely, and handling the word of God deceitfully, we do not know when there ever was such a thing. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.52

The men who are working for a Sunday law try to secure the co-operation, or at least the assent, of seventh-day keepers by telling them that they do not want to oppress anybody; that no person shall be molested who conscientiously observes the Sabbath-day. They may be sincere, but the methods which they take to show the necessity for a Sunday law are not very assuring. W. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.53

“The Power of Christ. Romans 1:4” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.54

The statement in this verse is a continuation of that in verse three, or, rather, is the complement of that; so this article must be but little more than a continuation of the preceding one. We have learned what is embraced in the statement that Christ was made of the seed of David, “according to the flesh,” and now we have to note what he is to us “according to the Spirit of holiness.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.55

“And declared to be the Son of God, ...by the resurrection from the dead.” This must not be understood as meaning that Jesus was not the Son of God before his resurrection, nor that he was not declared to be the Son of God before that time. We well know that he was the Son of God before the world was, and he was then glorified with the glory of the Father. It was as the dearly-loved, only-begotten Son of God that Christ came to this earth. When he was baptized, at the beginning of his earthly ministry, the voice of God came from Heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17. Upon the mount of transfiguration that voice again was heard, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew 17:5. And all through his earthly life, Jesus did not hesitate to declare himself the Son of God. So we know that the resurrection did not affect his relationship with God. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.56

It seems evident that the phrase, “according to the Spirit of holiness,” must be the key to unlock the mystery. If we take the closing words of Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, we shall be upon the track of the correct explanation. He said:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.57

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18-20. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.58

The kind of power that was given unto Christ may be known from what the disciples were to do: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach.” Their going and teaching was based upon the fact that Christ had all power, and promised to be with them always. And this agrees with what Paul says in the verse immediately following the one quoted at the head of this article: “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.” Romans 1:5. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.59

Now we may know how it is that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power, by the resurrection from the dead. He was the Son of God, whatever took place. But by the resurrection from the dead he acquired power to impart holiness to as many as should believe on him. It is true that thousands lived holy lives before the first advent of Christ, but they did so only by the power which Christ obtained for them by virtue of his promised death and resurrection. It will be seen that the Scriptures sustain this exposition. We first read Hebrews 2:14, 15:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.60

“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.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.61

Christ took part of flesh and blood, in order that he might have power to redeem man. This does not in any way limit his power before he came to earth; but it is a simple fact that man could not have been redeemed except by the blood of Christ. The law could not relax its claim, and so the Lawgiver consented to receive in himself the penalty of his own law, and thus God can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. More than this, by his life of suffering and temptation, he learned how to sympathize with poor, weak mortals. And so the resurrection, which was the triumphant close of his earthly work for man, the thing toward which all his previous life tended, is said to be that by which he obtained power to fill his followers with holiness. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.62

The apostle Peter bears testimony to the same effect. He says:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.63

“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. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.64

As this text will come in again in our comment on Romans 1:16, we pass it without remark for the present. In his second epistle Peter says:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.65

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:2, 3. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.66

Here is comfort, indeed. All things that pertain unto life and godliness are given to us by this divine power of Christ. Surely there is no manner of excuse for anybody’s failing of righteousness and eternal life. Read now what the apostle Paul says: SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.67

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:9-11. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.68

The “glorious power” of God is shown in the heavens, which “declare the glory of God,” and in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This glorious power may be ours, so that we may be “strengthened with all might,” to be able to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.” This power Christ can bestow on us, because he has experienced the very lowest ebb of human weakness, so that he knows just what help is needed. Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by him. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.69

It is a soul-cheering thought that human weakness, instead of being a bar to our overcoming, may be the very stepping-stone to victory. The apostle Paul had a weakness, which it seemed to him was an insuperable obstacle to his fulfilling his divine commission, and so he besought the Lord to take it from him; but the Lord said:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.70

“My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.71

With this assurance the apostle said:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.72

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10. SITI January 28, 1889, page 39.73

But we are persuaded that it is not in physical weakness alone that Christ’s strength is made perfect. The infirmities of the flesh, those tendencies which make us an easy prey to the temptations of Satan, call for the manifestation of divine power in an especial manner. In his list of the wonderful things accomplished by faith, the apostle tells of some who “out of weakness were made strong.” Hebrews 11:34. That is, the very weakness of their moral nature called for more of the divine power, and the greater the weakness, the more divine power was called for; and so it appears that the weakest point in our nature may, through the divine power of Christ, become our strongest point. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.1

From this standpoint, then, we may even glory because of the weakness of our moral natures. Not that we should glory because we are or have been weak, but having been “strengthened with all might according to his glorious power,” being “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” we can glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world, with its lusts, is crucified unto us, and we unto the world. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.2

“All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth,” says Jesus. Let us not, then, tremble at the power of the enemy. Let us not talk about the power of the devil, for that will give him an advantage over us. By our very fear of him we give him power over us. He is a strong man armed, but Christ is the stronger than he, who has entered into his house, and bound him, and taken away his armor wherein he trusted. See Luke 11:21, 22; Revelation 1:18. His power is nothing in comparison with that of Christ. Let us, then, exalt the power of Christ, and joyfully trust it. No matter what the inherited or acquired weakness of character, nor how sorely the enemy may press, we may rest confident in the promise:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.3

“Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:25-27. And in all these things we may be “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” W. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.4

“True Words” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

In commenting upon fifth date late address of the Pope to the Sacred College, the Christian Oracle (Chicago) says:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.5

“If there is anything clearly taught in the New Testament, it is the distinction between the State and the Church, the kingdoms of this world in the kingdom of Christ. Nothing has so tended to weaken the power and influence of the cross of Christ as the assumptions of temporal power by those whose business it is to look after the things allotted to them.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.6

These are true words, but their full force is probably not realized even by the man who penned them. Certain it is that thousands in our land to-day who suppose that they are opposed to all union of civil and ecclesiastical power are aiding and abetting the very movement which, if successful, will surely result in the establishment of a system modeled after the Papacy. Should the Blair Amendment, which provides that the principles of the Christian religion shall be taught in the public schools in our land, become a law, some tribunal must decide what constitutes the principles of the Christian religion, and what will that be but the establishment of an American Papacy? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.7

It is true that “nothing has so tended to weaken the power and influence of the cross of Christ as the assumption of temporal power” by religious teachers; and yet, knowing this, the clergy of our own land are striving after civil power to-day as never before. The present almost universal demand on the part of the popular ministry for religious legislation will also greatly “tend to weaken the power and influence of the cross of Christ,” but it will greatly strengthen the political influence of the churches and of the ministers, and that is why they are clamoring for it. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.8

“Our Attestation and Shield” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

The proof of the mission of the messenger of God in these days is not miracles. If it were, how could we distinguish between the false and the true? for Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9. And these will be wrought in order “that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.” Mark 13:22, Revised Version. The word here translated signs occurs in Mark 16:17; John 20:30; Acts 5:12, and many other places. It is also translated miracles, as in John 3:2; Acts 6:8; Revelation 13:14, and Revelation 16:14. Signs were miracles are wrought by both good and bad; by the messengers of Satan as well as the messengers of Christ; to deceive and sin as well as to confirm in righteousness. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.9

But the great test and great attester is the “more sure word” of God. The minister of Christ is to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4. And he is to do this because of the deceptions and departure from that word. If one comes to us manifesting great zeal and power, we are to judge and not by the miracles he works, or by his character and zeal, but by his teaching, and the effects of that teaching. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, and it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Not those who do great wonders, but those who do God’s will, are his children. See Matthew 7:21-23. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.10

All this is summed up by the apostle in 2 Corinthians 6:4-7: “In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting, by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.11

It is not by one proof that the messenger of God is attested, but by many; and the word of truth reveals them all. And those who have the knowledge of the truth, and the love of the truth, will not be deceived. “Thy word,” says David, “have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” God’s truth must be the shield and buckler of his people. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.12

“The Sabbath-School. Hardening Pharaoh’s Heart” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

Old Testament History.
(Lesson 6. February 9, 1889.)

1. When the Lord sent to Moses to Egypt, what did he say that he knew of Pharaoh? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.13

“And that I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, but by strong hand.” Exodus 3:19, margin. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.14

2. What did he say he would have to do before Pharaoh would relent? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.15

“And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.” Verse 20. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.16

3. Then what was Pharaoh’s natural disposition?-Stubborn and self-willed; hard and unyielding. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.17

4. Afterward, what did the Lord tell Moses he would do to Pharaoh? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.18

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 7:3. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.19

5. What did he say that Pharaoh’s stubbornness would give him an opportunity to do? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.20

“But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Verses 4, 5. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.21

6. What first tended to harden Pharaoh’s heart? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.22

“And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.” Verses 10-13, 7. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.23

7. What again confirmed him in this stubbornness? SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.24

“And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.” Verses 20-22. SITI January 28, 1889, page 55.25

8. Through whose power did the magicians resist the truth, and strengthened the king’s evil purpose? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.1

9. What first caused Pharaoh’s determination to weaken? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.2

“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.” Exodus 8:8. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.3

10. When the Lord granted him this favor, what was the result? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.4

“And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh; and Moses cried unto the Lord because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. And they gathered them together upon heaps; and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.” Verses 12-15. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.5

11. Did the next plague have any affect on the king? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.6

“And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God; and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.” Verses 17-19. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.7

12. When the plague of flies came, how was he affected? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.8

“And the Lord did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt; the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God; lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away; entreat for me.” Verses 24-28. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.9

13. When favor was again shown him, what was the result? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.10

“And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.” Verses 30-32. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.11

14. How was Pharaoh affected by the next two plagues? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.12

“And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died; but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.” “And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.” Exodus 9:6, 7, 10-12. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.13

15. After Pharaoh had so often hardened his heart, what did the Lord do? Verse 12. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.14

16. What was the seventh plague? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.15

“And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.” Verses 23-25. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.16

17. How did this terrible plague affect the king? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.17

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.” Verses 27, 28. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.18

18. Was his request granted? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.19

“And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.” Verse 33. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.20

19. What did this favor lead Pharaoh to manifesto more? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.21

“And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.” Verses 34, 35. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.22

20. When the terrible plague of locusts was sent, what request, confession, and promise did the king may? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.23

“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.” Exodus 10:16, 17. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.24

21. Did the Lord grant his request? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.25

“And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.” Verse 19. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.26

22. What did the Lord again do to Pharaoh, even by this act of kindness? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.27

“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.” Verse 20. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.28

23. In all this record, what especial thing is it that had the effect of hardening Pharaoh’s heart?-The rejection of light from God. See notes. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.29

24. With what Scripture is this in harmony? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.30

“Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” Isaiah 26:10. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.31

25. What is it that makes wicked persons more settled in their determination to sin? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.32

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.33

26. After the sixth plague, what did the Lord say was the reason he had preserved Pharaoh for so long the time? See note. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.34

“For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” Exodus 9:15, 16. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.35

27. When God’s judgments are in the land, for what purpose is it? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.36

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early; for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.37

NOTES

God knows the heart of all men (Acts 15:8; John 2:25), and so he knew the full stubbornness of Pharaoh’s nature before he sent Moses to him. Nevertheless he gave Pharaoh ample opportunity to receive the knowledge of God. At first God manifested this power to Pharaoh by simple miracles. But the king rejected this evidence, and not only allowed but invited the devil to destroy its force. Then the Lord began to bring judgments upon Pharaoh, and made himself known in a more marked manner; but still the king’s stubborn heart willfully rejected light, even after his magicians-the agents of the devil-had confess their own impotence, and the power of God. By this means Pharaoh hardened his own heart so much that it was impossible for him to see light. He was in the condition of those of whom Paul speaks when he says:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.38

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.39

Then God proceeded to harden his heart still more. Paul says of the heathen in general, who were wholly corrupt, that, “even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a mind avoid of judgment, to do those things that are not convenient.” Romans 1:28, margin. So of those in the last days who willfully reject light, he says that “for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.40

God always lets men have just what they are determined to have. If they hunger and thirst after righteousness, he will fill them with it; but if they fortify themselves in stubbornness, resist the strivings of the Spirit, and are bound to have their own evil way, then his Spirit ceases to strive with them, and he lets them have darkness to the full. Of those who hate knowledge, and despise God’s reproof, he says: “Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” Proverbs 1:31, 32. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.41

The bearing of this lesson upon the doctrine of the future probation is obvious. In this life God gives to every man ample opportunity to know him, and to accept the salvation. The true Light “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9. The rejection of this Light leaves the man in darkness. The light tends to soften and subdue his heart; the rejection of it hardens his heart. After a man has deliberately rejected light, and hardened his heart, additional light and favor only harden his heart the more. So then if, after this life, God should grant man another probation, it would tend, not to his salvation, but to increase his wickedness, and would thus be useless. So it is that if they favor be shown to the wicked, his wickedness will not depart from him; and yet in the favor of God there is life, and it is his goodness that leads to repentance all who do repent. The same thing which saves some destroys others, according to the way in which they receive it, just as the same sun which melts wax hardens clay. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.42

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

Good Health, the well-known and popular monthly published at Battle Creek, Mich., by J. H. Kellogg, M.D., enters upon the year 1889 greatly enlarged in size and improved in appearance. Dr. Kellogg spares neither pains nor expense to make his journal second to none; and he well deserves the success which has attended his efforts. The former subscription price of Good Health was $1.00 per year; it is now $1.25, which, in view of recent improvements in the size and style of the journal, is even cheaper than before. It is certainly well worth the money. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.43

In the notes on the Sunday-school lesson in the Interior of January 3, the writer, a D.D. by the way, says, “That is the true way to spend Sunday, to do is Jesus did.” We say, Amen. But that does not mean to regard Sunday as a holy day; for Jesus never did that. To do as Jesus did we would regard Sunday as a secular day. The writer means to spend Sunday as Jesus spent the Sabbath; but he writes just as though Sunday was the Sabbath kept by Jesus. This is one of the common, wicked, dishonest ways which Sunday advocates are now using to bolster up an institution which has no foundation in truth. They know that Sunday was never observed by our Lord or by holy men before him. “Let no man deceive you with vain words.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.44

The Catholic Review argues that because Catholics go to mass Sunday morning the day is not abused one-tenth part as much in Catholic countries as appears upon the surface. Thus it appears that with Romanists, as with many Protestants, the essential thing in Sunday-keeping is attendance upon church services. Among Catholics it matters little how the rest of the day is spent if only the morning hours be devoted to religion; and that the same idea is rapidly taking possession of the Protestant mind is evidenced by the fact that the great argument against Sunday papers, Sunday trains, Sunday mails, etc., is that they keep people away from church. Indeed, the real purpose of Sunday laws, for which so many are now clamoring, seems to be to fill the churches by closing up everything else. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.45

The attendance at the last quarterly meeting of the Oakland Seventh-day Adventist church was larger than at any previous quarterly meeting ever held. The largest per cent. of attendance ever known at any quarterly meeting of the church before was sixty-five per cent., but on the first Sabbath of the new year, seventy-five per cent. of the members were present, although the membership has greatly increased. The membership of the church on that Sabbath was 408, but this number has been considerably increased since by additions by letter. The celebration of the ordinances was entered into heartily, very many being present who had never taken part before. But the increase in membership does not by any means indicate the extent of the blessing of the Lord upon this church. This cannot be expressed in words. Sinners have been converted, backsliders reclaimed, and old professors have been quickened to a life that they never experienced before. The church social meetings are precious seasons, and the general testimony is, Hear what the Lord has done for my soul. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.46

The rapidly increasing membership of this church, together with the important interests committed to it, make its responsibilities very great, and we feel that the blessing that has been experienced greatly augments this responsibility. The prayers of God’s people are earnestly desired for the church here as a whole, and for those upon whom heavy burdens have been especially laid. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.47

In speaking of our public-school system, the Catholic Telegram says:- SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.48

“It will be a glorious day for Catholics in this country when, under the laws of justice and morality, our school system shall the shivered to pieces.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.49

Then of course Roman Catholics ought to favor the Blair Amendment Bill, for if that will not shiver our system of public free schools, we know not what will. Then in that glorious day, in the rivalry which will come between the infidel and Christian elements, the Catholics will hold the balance of power, and so be able to dictate just what “principles of the Christian religion” will be taught in our schools as provided by the Blair Amendment. But all men may not be able to indorse what Rome calls Christian. And so legal prosecution will follow. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.50

What Unitarianism is may be gathered very clearly from an article by the Rev. C. W. Wendte, in the Oakland Tribune of January 12, in which he enumerate the points which Unitarianism is destined to make orthodoxy surrender. Among them are these: The deity of Christ; personality of the Holy Spirit; a personal devil; endless punishment for the sinful; all theories of the atonement which endeavor to make Christ’s sacrifice more than a type of the vicariousness of all human life; the so-called fall of man; the literal inspiration and infallible authority of the Bible, or any view of it which denies its natural, human, and historic origin, and excludes the merit and grace in the other sacred literatures of the race; and belief in miracles past or present. That is quite an extended list. Now we would like to know what there is to hinder Ingersoll from being a member in good standing in the Unitarian Church. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.51

The Oakland Sabbath-school has just closed a prosperous year, and a few items concerning it may be of interest to many who had formerly been connected with it, but who are now in distant fields of labor. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.52

The number present the last Sabbath in 1887 was 300. The last Sabbath in 1888 there were 343. The membership at the close of 1887 was 405, and at the close of 1888 it was 408. This shows a great improvement in the attendance of members. The average attendance during the year has been 85 per cent. The average attendance for the last quarter of 1888 was 88 per cent. of the membership, which averaged 370. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.53

The class contributions for the year amounted to $983.61. Reckoning on the basis of the average attendance, this is a little more than five cents as the weekly contribution of the scholar. The school has paid $98.36 tithe to the State association; the running expenses for the year have been $256.44, and the remainder of the contributions for the year, $588.23, has been given to the London City mission. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.54

Better than all this is the fact that the interest in the study of the lessons has greatly increased, and many members of the school have given their hearts to the Lord. The school has begun the new year with good courage and zeal, and the outlook is better than ever before. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.55

The Golden Gate makes the following comment on a thing which we were about to notice, having also seen it in the secular papers:— SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.56

“Brother Moody, the evangelist, is reported as saying a few evenings ago, in his discourse at the pavilion: ‘We are going to see our friends in Heaven. They are not going to lose their identity. Nor do I believe they sleep in their graves until the resurrection. Paul has not been in his grave these 1,800 years. He has been with Christ. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are there, too. They have not lost their identity. Nor have Moses and Elijah. When Peter and John saw Moses and Elijah just before the crucifixion they recognized them. We are going to know our friends in Heaven. We are going to have all we want, too. If a child wants toys in Heaven I believe it well get them.’ That is a very practical kind of a Heaven. But what becomes of the evangelical idea of the resurrection of the physical body? How can Brother Moody’s ministerial brethren sit quietly and listen to such heresy to dogmatic creed? Is the great evangelist coming over to the Spiritualist side of theology?” SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.57

That is just what he is doing. That is just what everybody will do who swings loose from the teachings of the Bible. We thought that we would like to ask Mr. Moody where our dead friends do sleep, if it is not in their grave; for that they are asleep is most clearly stated in the Bible. One of two positions he must take: either they are asleep in Heaven, or else they are not asleep all. The evangelist shows that he does not believe in the former, and so what becomes of his boasted loyalty to the Bible? SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.58

“Religio-Political Clubs” The Signs of the Times, 15, 4.

E. J. Waggoner

And so it goes. The Christian Cynosure of the 3rd inst. gives an account of a convention held at Worcester, Mass., at which the New England Christian Association was organized. The object of this association is to proclaim and publish pure Christianity, Bible holiness, and sound morality. So says article 2 of their constitution. And this is all good. But the same convention adopted a constitution for local organizations, the objects of which are, “the advancements of the Redeemer’s kingdom and the overthrow of those evils which block the away,-the lodge, the saloon, the tobacco habit, the Sunday newspaper, debasing literature,-Romish aggression is on the divine right of liberty of conscience, or any other thing which is contrary to the word of God,” or the New England Christian Association, for that is what it means. To the proclamation of “pure Christianity” we have no objection; we will rejoice in it. We believe these associations have the right to publish their counter-blasts against tobacco, or against secret societies, or Sunday newspapers, or Romish aggressions, or the divine right of liberty of conscience, and if thedr things can be overthrown by preaching or publishing, let them go by all means; for these had been in operation for years; and these things are “not fully accomplished by existing agencies,” says the preamble to this constitution. What are the means to use? We can learn this by the resolution “again Sabbath [Sunday] desecration,” and the “hearty approval,” by this convention, “of the constitutional amendment proposed by Senator Blair, of New Hampshire.” SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.59

This reveals the true inwardness of this “Christian” Association, as also of others similarly called. It is but a National Reform ally, as is the Christian Cynosure.The local organizations are but religio-political clubs, not to overthrow “aggression on the divine right of liberty of conscience,” but to establish an ecclesiastical tyranny which will bind in bands of steel the man who dares to think aloud things contrary to this so-called Christian Association. Christian forsooth; that system which would compel religious observances in any form-right or wrong-is stamped by the divine word as antichrist. SITI January 28, 1889, page 58.60