General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
The Evening Service
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
A CALL TO FINISH THE WORK
E. W. FARNSWORTH. June 6, 7:30 P. M.
For this, the last Sabbath-evening service of the General Conference session, Elder Farnsworth selected as the basis of his discourse the first few verses of the ninth chapter of Daniel. By way of introduction, he called attention to the fact that, though Daniel was a prophet greatly honored and blessed of God, he nevertheless made a careful study of another prophet, especially on the subject of the restoration from captivity. He did not ask for a vision for himself, but looked to the word of God by Jeremiah. In this situation Daniel prayed, and Gabriel came out of heaven to bring light, and the issue of it all was that Israel was set free, and some forty-five or fifty thousand of the most devout Jews returned and laid the foundation of the new Jewish state. So effectual is the prayer of a man of God. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.1
PHOTO-A view in the Review and Herald book tent at the camp
After relating the experiences attending the laying of the foundation of the temple, the speaker pointed out to his hearers that of all the many adversaries of these devout, broken-hearted Jews, it was not those who were on the outside, the heathen Samaritans, but those within, the half-hearted Jews, who little by little came to seek their own selfish ends. They took the funds given by Cyrus for the rebuilding of the temple, and used them in building ceiled houses for their own use, excusing themselves by saying that the time was not fulfilled to build the house of the Lord. They contended that the seventy years were not complete, that the call to rebuild was premature. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.2
This same condition is seen among many who claim to be numbered among the people of God today. Many have doubts of the near coming of Christ, and as a result a spirit of luxury and worldliness is coming in. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.3
At this time, as in the days of the restoration of the Jews, there is great waste and loss where we work at cross purposes with God. There is now a great dearth of laborers among us, because we seek our own ends. The testimonies of God sent to us at this meeting have bidden us to be strong, and work, even as the word of Haggai and Zechariah urged Israel in their day. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.4
In God’s name and by his power, let us arise to finish this work; for “he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.5
STEREOPTICON
W. A. RUBLE. June 7, 7:30 P. M.
Dr. Ruble, president of the Loma Linda Medical School, showed slides of nearly all our sanitariums in the different parts of the world, and then gave by means of a well-selected list of slides, a vivid picture of our medical school and sanitarium at Loma Linda. The views were accompanied by a detailed description which demonstrated the charms and advantages of the Loma Linda institutions, to the upbuilding of which the people two evenings before had contributed so largely. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.6
HOLINESS THE REQUISITE OF SALVATION
R. C. PORTER. June 8, 7:30 P. M.
The last evening service in the pavilion was an address by R. C. Porter, of Africa. Notwithstanding the many departures through the day, a large company was in attendance. Elder Porter took for his text Matthew 24:14, and in connection with it read the first part of Revelation 14. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.7
The gospel must be preached in all the world, before Christ comes. The false doctrines of theosophy, Spiritualism, and kindred errors are sweeping over our world to blind and deceive mankind, but though they claim to bring peace and salvation, they are the antithesis of the gospel. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.8
The gospel demands holiness, righteousness. The wicked must forsake his ways, his thoughts. He who truly has the hope of the soon-coming of Christ in his heart purifies himself even as Christ is pure. We are called to follow his steps who did no sin. Should we not, then, see among us a full surrender of all, and reach the high standard of holy living? One sin excluded Adam from the garden, and one sin will keep us out of heaven. Our hope is in a perfect, complete Saviour. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.9
The speaker then read Romans 3:21-23, showing that on the condition of faith the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us. Our sins are placed on the perfect Son of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-22. By the suffering and death of Christ, we are set free from the death penalty of the law. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.10
In the thirty-second psalm we have the promise of God that he will not impute iniquity to those who live in the righteousness of Christ. Thus may we remain without guilt before God. If, after our sins are forgiven, we live with a full purpose of purity and righteousness, God will accept and keep us. This is the standard of the remnant people of God. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.11
Our Saviour calls us to peace and full salvation, in the assurance that Christ is our perfect advocate, whose wisdom, love, and power are full and perfect. The world is waiting to see in us a perfect, holy life. That this may be so, let us with full, glad consecration give ourselves to our God and Saviour. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.12
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SERVICE
June 8
On the last afternoon of the Conference, K. C. Russell, of Chicago, spoke in the large pavilion at 2:30, choosing as his subject one phase of the Sabbath question. Quite a number of visitors were in attendance. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.13
This Sabbath question is occupying the minds of many classes of people these days. But the only Sabbath command in the Bible is found in the bosom of God’s law, occupying one third of the entire law of Jehovah. In fact, the law of God lies at the foundation of God’s eternal government. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.14
The Sabbath was made at creation. Genesis 1. This is the only record in the Bible where any Sabbath was made. The One who made the world in six days is the One who rested on the seventh day. John 1:1, 10, 14. Jesus Christ brought the world into existence. Hebrews 1:1, 2. He made all the worlds that revolve in space. Christ then made the seventh-day Sabbath. Anything that Christ made is Christian. Then the seventh day is the Christian Sabbath. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.15
Christ and the Father were associated in creation: “Let us make man in our image;” “The Word was with God.” Three things stand out in bold relief in the making of the Sabbath; namely, God’s resting, his blessing, his sanctification. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.16
The Lord did not rest because he was weary or fatigued. The Sabbath is a day of spiritual rest, and not one of physical rest. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.17
The Sabbath cannot be changed; it is impossible for even God to change it unless he should recreate the earth. July 4 is a memorial of independence; it can never be changed; it will always remain the birthday of independence in this country. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.18
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. GCB June 9, 1913, page 329.19