{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_34520/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_34520","id":"gutenberg_34520","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34520","summary":null,"tags":["Bible -- Illustrations","Bible -- Indexes","Bible -- Study and teaching","Category: Religion/Spirituality"],"text":"\n\n\n\n\n Bible Readings\n\n For The\n\n Home Circle\n\nA Topical Study of the Bible, Systematically Arranged for Home and Private\n Study\n\n Containing\n\nTwo Hundred Readings, in Which Are Answered Nearly Four Thousand Questions\n on Important Religious Subjects, Contributed by a Large Number of Bible\n Students\n\n New, Revised, and Enlarged Edition\n\n Illuminated With Nearly Three Hundred Beautiful Illustrations\n\n 1920\n\n Review & Herald Publishing Association\n\n Washington. D.C.\n\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n\nThe Bible; Its Origin, History, and Place in the World\nThe Value Of Bible Study\nPart I. The Bible; How to Study and Understand It\n The Scriptures\n The Study Of The Scriptures\n Power In The Word\n The Life-Giving Word\n Christ In All The Bible\n Titles Of Christ\nPart II. Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy\n Creation And The Creator\n The Origin Of Evil\n The Fall And Redemption Of Man\n Creation And Redemption\n The Character And Attributes Of God\n The Love Of God\n The Deity Of Christ\n Prophecies Relating To Christ\n Christ The Way Of Life\n Salvation Only Through Christ\nPart III. The Way to Christ\n Faith\n Hope\n Repentance\n Confession And Forgiveness\n Conversion, Or The New Birth\n Baptism\n Reconciled To God\n Acceptance With God\n Justification By Faith\n Righteousness And Life\n Consecration\n Bible Election\n Bible Sanctification\n Importance Of Sound Doctrine\n Present Truth\n The Obedience Of Faith\nPart IV. Life, Parables, and Miracles of Christ\n Birth, Childhood, And Early Life Of Christ\n Christ\u2019s Ministry\n Christ The Great Teacher\n Parables Of Christ\n Miracles Of Christ\n Sufferings Of Christ\n The Resurrection Of Christ\n A Sinless Life\n Our Pattern\n Our Helper And Friend\nPart V. The Holy Spirit\n The Holy Spirit And His Work\n Fruit Of The Spirit\n Gifts Of The Spirit\n The Gift Of Prophecy\n The Outpouring Of The Spirit\nPart VI. The Sure Word of Prophecy\n Prophecy, Why Given\n Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s Dream\n The Gospel Of The Kingdom\n Four Great Monarchies\n The Kingdom And Work Of Antichrist\n The Vicar Of Christ\n A Great Prophetic Period. (The 2300 Days of Daniel 8.) Or The Time Of\n Restoration And Of Judgment\n The Atonement In Type And Antitype\n The Judgment\n The Judgment-Hour Message\n The Fall Of Modern Babylon\n The Closing Gospel Message. A Warning Against False Worship\n Satan\u2019s Warfare Against The Church\n A Great Persecuting Power (The Ten-Horned Beast of Revelation 13)\n Making An Image To The Beast. The Prophecy Of Revelation 13\n The Seven Churches\n The Seven Seals\n The Seven Trumpets\n The Eastern Question\n The Seven Last Plagues\n The Mystery Of God Finished\n Great Lines of Prophecy\nPart VII. Coming Events and Signs of the Times\n Our Lord\u2019s Great Prophecy\n Signs Of The Times\n Increase Of Knowledge\n Conflict Between Capital And Labor\n Christ\u2019s Second Coming\n Manner Of Christ\u2019s Coming\n Object Of Christ\u2019s Coming\n The Resurrection Of The Just\n The World\u2019s Conversion\n The Gathering Of Israel\n The Millennium\n Length Of The Day Of The Lord\n Elijah The Prophet\nPart VIII. The Law of God\n The Law of God\n The Law Of God\n Perpetuity Of The Law\n Why The Law Was Given At Sinai\n Penalty For Transgression\n The Law Of God In The Patriarchal Age\n The Law Of God In The New Testament\n Love the Fulfilling of the Law\n The Moral And Ceremonial Laws\n The Two Covenants\n What Was Abolished By Christ\n The Law And The Gospel\nPart IX. The Sabbath\n Institution Of The Sabbath\n God\u2019s Memorial\n Reasons For Sabbath-Keeping\n Manner Of Observing The Sabbath\n Christ And The Sabbath\n The Sabbath In The New Testament\n The Law of God\n The Change Of The Sabbath\n The Seal Of God And The Mark Of Apostasy\n The Lord\u2019s Day\n Walking As He Walked\n The Sabbath In History\n Sabbath Reform\nPart X. Christian Liberty\n The Author Of Liberty\n The Powers That Be\n Individual Accountability\n Union Of Church And State\n Sabbath Legislation\n Who Persecute And Why\nPart XI. Life Only in Christ\n Origin, History, And Destiny Of Satan\n What Is Man?\n Life Only In Christ\n The Intermediate State\n The Two Resurrections\n Fate Of The Transgressor\n The Ministration Of Good Angels\n The Dark Ministries Of Bad Angels\n Spiritualism\nPart XII. Christian Growth and Experience\n Growth In Grace\n The Christian Armor\n Walking In The Light\n Saving Faith\n Trials And Their Object\n Overcoming\n The Ministry Of Sorrow\n Comfort In Affliction\n Trusting In Jesus\n Patience\n Contentment\n Cheerfulness\n Christian Courtesy\n Confessing Faults And Forgiving One Another\n The Duty Of Encouragement\n Unity Of Believers\n Meekness And Humility\n Sobriety\n Wisdom\n Diligence\n Perfection Of Character\n Sowing And Reaping\nPart XIII. Prayer and Public Worship\n Importance Of Prayer\n Meditation And Prayer\n Watching Unto Prayer\n Answers To Prayer\n Public Worship\n Reverence For The House Of God\n Christian Communion\n Praise And Thanksgiving\n The Value Of Song\nPart XIV. Christian Service\n The Gift Of Giving\n Preaching The Gospel\n The Shepherd And His Work\n Missionary Work\n The Poor, And Our Duty Toward Them\n Christian Help Work\n Visiting The Sick\n Healing The Sick\n Prison Work\n Order And Organization\n Support Of The Ministry\n Free-Will Offerings\n Hospitality\n Who Is The Greatest?\nPart XV. Admonitions and Warnings\n Pride\n Selfishness\n Covetousness\n Debts\n Respect Of Persons\n Backsliding\n Unbelief\n Judging\n Gossiping And Backbiting\n Envy, Jealousy, And Hatred\n Hypocrisy\n Danger In Rejecting Light\n The Just Recompense\nPart XVI. The Home\n The Marriage Institution\n A Happy Home, And How To Make It\n Religion In The Home\n Honor Due To Parents\n Child Training\n The Mother\n Teaching The Children\n Promises For The Children\n Evils Of City Life\n Purity\nPart XVII. Health and Temperance\n Good Health\n Christian Temperance\n Evils Of Intemperance\n The World\u2019s Curse\n Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)\n True Temperance Reform\nPart XVIII. The Kingdom Restored\n The Kingdom Of Glory\n The Saints\u2019 Inheritance\n Promises To The Overcomer\n The Subjects Of The Kingdom\n Eternal Life\n The Home Of The Saved\n The New Jerusalem\n The Conflict Ended\n Pleasures Forevermore\n The Game Of Life In Progress\n The Game Of Life Lost\n The Game Of Life Won\nIndex Of Subjects\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Word Of God. \"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my\n path.\" Ps. 119:105.\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE; ITS ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND PLACE IN THE WORLD\n\n\nThe Bible contains proof in itself of its divine origin. No other book can\nanswer the questionings of the mind or satisfy the longings of the heart\nas does the Bible. It is adapted to every age and condition of life, and\nis full of that knowledge which enlightens the mind and sanctifies the\nsoul.\n\nIn the Bible we have a revelation of the living God. Received by faith, it\nhas power to transform the life. During all its history a divine\nwatch-care has been over it, and preserved it for the world.\n\n\n\n\nHow, When, and Why Written\n\n\nAfter the flood, as men became numerous, and darkness was again settling\nover the world, holy men wrote as they were moved by the Spirit of God.\nThus God spoke to His people, and through them to the world, that a\nknowledge of God and of His will might not perish from the earth.\n\nFor centuries this work went on, until Christ, the promised Seed, came.\nWith Him, and the blessed message of light and salvation proclaimed by Him\nand by His apostles, the Scripture record closed, and the Word of God was\ncomplete.\n\n\n\n\nOriginal Writings and Translations\n\n\nThe Old Testament Scriptures were first written in Hebrew, upon scrolls,\nor rolls of parchment, linen, or papyrus. These were later translated into\nGreek, the oldest translation being known as the Septuagint, or \u201cVersion\nof the Seventy,\u201d made at Alexandria, for the Alexandrian Library, by a\ncompany of seventy learned Jews, under the patronage of Ptolemy\nPhiladelphus, about 285 B.C. The original order for this translation is\nsaid to have been given by Alexander the Great, who previously, upon\nvisiting Jerusalem in 332 B.C., had learned from the prophecy of Daniel\nthat Grecia was to overthrow the Persian kingdom. See Josephus\u2019s\n\u201cAntiquities of the Jews,\u201d book 11, chap. 8, par. 5. This was the version\nin common use in the time of Christ.\n\nThe New Testament was all originally written in Greek, except Matthew,\nwhich was first written in Hebrew, and later translated into Greek.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Gutenberg Printing The Bible\n\n\nAt an early date, Latin translations, both of the Septuagint and of the\nGreek New Testament, were made by different individuals, and the more\ncarefully prepared Latin Vulgate of Jerome, the Bible complete, was made\nA.D. 383-405.\n\n\n\n\nPrinting and the Bible\n\n\nPrinting, however, being yet unknown, copies of the Bible could be\nproduced only by the slow, laborious, and expensive process of\nhandwriting. This necessarily greatly limited its circulation. Worse\nstill, its illuminating and saving truths were largely hidden for\ncenturies by the errors, superstitions, and apostasy of the dark ages.\nDuring this time the common people knew little of its contents.\n\nBut with the invention of the art of printing about the middle of the\nfifteenth century, and with the dawn of the great Reformation in the\ncentury following, the Bible entered upon a new era, preparatory to the\nfinal proclamation of the gospel throughout the world.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Luther Translating The Bible\n\n\nNot a little significant is the fact that the first book printed from\nmovable type was the Bible in Latin, which came from the press of John\nGutenberg, at Mentz, Germany, in 1456, a copy of which, in 1911, was sold\nin New York City for fifty thousand dollars, the highest price ever paid\nfor a single book.\n\n\n\n\nThe Bible in Native Tongues\n\n\nThus far, however, the Bible had been published only in ancient tongues,\nnow little understood by the common people. Without the Word of God in\ntheir hands, the good seed sown among them was easily destroyed. \u201cO,\u201d said\nthe advocates of its pure teachings, \u201cif the people only had the Word of\nGod in their own language, this would not happen! Without this it will be\nimpossible to establish the laity in the truth.\u201d\n\nAnd why should they not have it in their own tongue? they reasoned. Moses\nwrote in the language of the people of his time; the prophets spoke in the\ntongue familiar to the men whom they addressed; and the New Testament was\nwritten in the language then current throughout the Roman world.\n\nThe translation of the Bible into English by John Wyclif, in 1380, was the\nchief event in the beginning of the Reformation. It also prepared the way\nfor the revival of Christianity in England, and the multiplying there of\nthe Word by the millions, for all the world, that has followed.\n\nTo make such a translation at that time, says Neander, \u201crequired a bold\nspirit which no danger could appal.\u201d For making it Wyclif was attacked\nfrom various quarters, because, it was claimed, \u201che was introducing among\nthe multitude a book reserved exclusively for the use of the priests.\u201d In\nthe general denunciation it was declared that \u201cthus was the gospel by him\nlaid more open to the laity, and to women who could read, than it had\nformerly been to the most learned of the clergy; and in this way the\ngospel pearl is cast abroad, and trodden underfoot of swine.\u201d In the\npreface to his translation, Wyclif exhorted all the people to read the\nScriptures.\n\nA sense of awe and a thrill of joy filled the heart of the great German\nReformer, when, at the age of twenty, while examining the volumes in the\nlibrary of the university of Erfurt, he held in his hands, for the first\ntime in his life, a complete copy of the Bible. \u201cO God,\u201d he murmured,\n\u201ccould I but have one of these books, I would ask no other treasure.\u201d A\nlittle later he found in a convent a chained Bible. To this he had\nconstant recourse.\n\nBut all these Bibles here, as elsewhere, save in England, were in an\nancient tongue, and could be read only by the educated. Why, thought\nLuther, should the living Word be confined to dead languages? Like Wyclif,\ntherefore, he resolved to give his countrymen the Bible in their own\ntongue. This he did, the New Testament in 1522, and the Bible complete,\nthe crowning work of his life, in 1534.\n\nImpressed with the idea that the people should read the Scriptures in\ntheir mother tongue, William Tyndale, likewise, in 1525, gave to the\nEnglish his translation of the New Testament, and later, of portions of\nthe Old Testament Scriptures. His ardent desire that they should know the\nBible was well expressed in the statement that if God spared his life he\nwould cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of the Scriptures\nthan was commonly known by the divines of his day.\n\nThe first complete printed English Bible was that of Miles Coverdale,\nprinted at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1535. Matthew\u2019s Bible, Taverner\u2019s\nBible, and The Great Bible prepared at the suggestion of Thomas Cromwell,\nEarl of Essex, appeared soon after. Thus the light of truth began to shine\nforth once more; but not without opposition.\n\n\n\n\nBurning of Bibles\n\n\nAs Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes under King Zedekiah showed\ntheir contempt for God by burning the writings of Jeremiah, and confining\nthe prophet in a dungeon (Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6), so now men sought to\nstem the rising tide of reform by burning the Bible and its translators.\n\nBible burning was inaugurated in England by the destruction of copies of\nthe Antwerp edition of Tyndale\u2019s New Testament, at St. Paul\u2019s Cross,\nLondon, in 1527, followed by the burning of a second edition in 1530. A\nlittle later there were wholesale burnings of the writings and\ntranslations of Wyclif, Tyndale, Basil, Barnes, Coverdale, and others.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Burning Of Bibles At St. Paul\u2019s Cross, London\n\n\nForty-three years after the death of Wyclif, or in A.D. 1428, by order of\nthe Council of Constance his bones were dug up and burned. Oct. 6, 1536,\nby order of Charles V of Germany, Tyndale was strangled and burned at the\nstake at Vilvorde, near Brussels. \u201cIf Luther will not retract,\u201d wrote\nHenry VIII of England, \u201clet himself and his writings be committed to the\nflames.\u201d\n\nSuch, under the spiritual tyranny that ruled in those times, was the fate\nof many who stood for God and His Word.\n\n\n\n\nThe Word Not Bound\n\n\nBut the Word of God could not be forever bound. In attempting to prevent\nits circulation men soon discovered that they were undertaking a work\nbeyond their strength.\n\nThe Bible had taken deep root in the hearts of the people. What kings and\nprelates had sought to suppress and destroy, kings and prelates now began\nto foster and supply.\n\nIn his \u201cStories From English History,\u201d pages 196, 197, Henry P. Warren\nsays: \u201cHenry, by Cromwell\u2019s advice, ordered a translation of the Bible to\nbe made in English, and a copy to be placed in every church. There had\nbeen English translations before, but they had not been in the hands of\nthe people generally, and had only been read secretly and in fear....\nCromwell then appointed Cranmer and the bishops to revise the Bible, and\npublish it without note or comment; and in the year 1539 a copy of the\nEnglish Bible was chained to the reading-desk of every parish church. From\nthat time the Bible has never ceased to be printed and sold freely.\u201d\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Chained Bible\n\n\nSays Charles C. Coffin, in his \u201cStory of Liberty,\u201d page 44: \u201cThe people\nlisten to the reading with wonder and delight. They begin to think; and\nwhen men begin to think, they take a step toward freedom. They see that\nthe Bible gives them rights which hitherto have been denied them,\u2014the\nright to read, to acquire knowledge. Schools are started. Men and women\nwho till now have not known a letter of the alphabet, learn to read;\nchildren teach their parents. It is the beginning of a new life, a new\norder of things in the community\u2014the beginning of liberty.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nThe Bible to All the World\n\n\nFinally great Bible societies were organized in England, America, and many\nof the countries of Europe, for the purpose of giving the Bible to the\nworld,\u2014to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in its own language.\nSince its organization in 1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society, up\nto 1912, had published the Scriptures, or portions of them in 440\nlanguages and dialects, with a total of 53,274,516 entire Bibles,\n84,059,610 New Testaments, and 89,816,644 portions of the Bible, or a\ngrand total of 227,150,770 copies.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n British And Foreign Bible Society House, London\n\n\nThe total issue of the American Bible Society in the first ninety-six\nyears following its organization, or from 1816 to 1912, amounts to\n96,219,105 copies. It now publishes the Bible in over one hundred\nlanguages.\n\nThese, while the largest of their kind, are but two of the twenty-seven\nBible societies now disseminating the Scriptures.\n\nThus is the world being provided with the Word of God, preparatory to the\ngiving of the closing gospel message to all mankind, the ending of the\nreign of sin, and the advent of the Lord in glory. \u201cAnd this gospel of the\nkingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;\nand then shall the end come.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE VALUE OF BIBLE STUDY\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Forbidden Book. \"God\u2019s Holy Word was prized when \u2019twas unsafe to read\n it.\"\n\n\nThe Bible is God\u2019s great text-book for man. It is His lamp to our feet and\nlight to our path in this world of sin. The value of Bible study cannot\ntherefore be overestimated.\n\nConsidered from a literary standpoint alone, the Bible stands preeminent.\nIts terse, chaste style; its beautiful and impressive imagery; its\ninteresting stories and well-told narratives; its deep wisdom and its\nsound logic; its dignified language and its elevated themes, all make it\nworthy of universal reading and careful study.\n\nAs an educating power, the Bible has no equal. Nothing so broadens the\nvision, strengthens the mind, elevates the thoughts, and ennobles the\naffections as does the study of the sublime and stupendous truths of\nrevelation. A knowledge of its principles is an essential preparation to\nevery calling. To the extent that it is studied and its teachings are\nreceived, it gives strength of character, noble ambition, keenness of\nperception, and sound judgment. Of all the books ever written, none\ncontains lessons so instructive, precepts so pure, or promises so great as\nthe Bible.\n\nThere is nothing that so convinces the mind of the inspiration of the\nBible as does the reading of the Bible itself, and especially those\nportions known as the prophecies. After the resurrection of Christ, when\neverything else seemed to have failed to convince the disciples that He\nhad risen from the dead, He appealed to the inspired Word, and \u201cexpounded\nunto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself\u201d (Luke\n24:25-27), and they believed. On another occasion He said, \u201cIf they hear\nnot Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one\nrose from the dead.\u201d Luke 16:31.\n\nAs a guide, the Bible is without a rival. It gives a calm peace in\nbelieving, and a firm hope of the future. It solves the great problem of\nlife and destiny, and inspires to a life of purity, patience, and\nwell-doing. It fills the heart with love for God and a desire to do good\nto others, and thus prepares for usefulness here and for a home in heaven.\nIt teaches the value of the soul, by revealing the price that has been\npaid to redeem it. It makes known the only antidote for sin, and presents\nthe only perfect code of morals ever given. It tells of the future and the\npreparation necessary to meet it. It makes us bold for the right, and\nsustains the soul in adversity and affliction. It lights up the dark\nvalley of death, and points to a life unending. It leads to God, and to\nChrist, whom to know is life eternal. In short, it is the one book to live\nby and die by.\n\nAs the king of Israel was instructed to write him a copy of the law, and\nto read therein \u201call the days of his life,\u201d that he might \u201cfear the Lord,\u201d\nkeep His word, and thus prolong his days and the days of his children\n(Deut. 17:18-20), so ought men now to study the Bible, and from it learn\nthat fear which is the beginning of wisdom, and that knowledge which is\nunto salvation. As an aid and incentive to this, \u201cBible Readings for the\nHome Circle\u201d has been prepared and published.\n\n\n\n\nBible Readings; Their Value and Use\n\n\nBriefly stated, a Bible reading consists of questions asked concerning\nsome subject, and answers to them from the Bible. In other words, Bible\nreadings mean a topical study of the Bible by means of questions and\nanswers.\n\nIn either receiving or imparting knowledge, there is nothing like the\ninterrogation-point. Nothing so readily quickens thought or awakens\ninterest as a question. Children would learn little if they asked no\nquestions, and he would indeed be a poor teacher who asked and answered\nnone.\n\nKnowing the value of this means of awakening thought, arousing interest,\nand imparting information, God, in His wisdom, inspired those who wrote\nthe Bible to ask many questions, that He might set us to thinking and\nstudying about the great themes with which it deals. See Job 38:4, 7;\n14:14; Ps. 8:4; Mal. 3:1, 2, 8; Ex. 32:26; 1 Chron. 29:5.\n\nBut God not only asks questions; He answers them. The following may be\ncited as a few short Bible readings, taken, both questions and answers,\ndirectly from the Bible itself:\u2014\n\n\u201cWhat man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see\ngood?\n\n\u201cKeep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from\nevil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.\u201d Ps. 34:12-14.\n\n\u201cWho hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling?\nwho hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?\n\n\u201cThey that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.\u201d Prov.\n23:29, 30.\n\n\u201cWho shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His\nholy place?\n\n\u201cHe that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his\nsoul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing\nfrom the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.\u201d Ps.\n24:3-5. See also Psalm 15 and Isa. 33:14-17.\n\nThe Bible itself, therefore, sets the example of giving instruction and of\nimparting most valuable information by means of asking questions and\nanswering them.\n\nThe readings in this book as originally prepared were contributed by a\nlarge number of Bible workers, whose experience in giving Bible readings\nhad taught them the most effective methods of presenting the different\nsubjects treated. Over one million two hundred and fifty thousand copies\nof the book as thus prepared have been sold.\n\nThe work has recently been thoroughly revised and rewritten, much\nenlarged, entirely reillustrated, with the readings classified and\ncarefully arranged according to topics, by a large committee of able\ncritics and Bible students. So extensive has been the revision, and so\nmuch and valuable the new matter added, that the present work is\npractically a new book, although retaining the same name and the same\ngeneral plan as the former work. Thus prepared, it is once more sent forth\non its mission of light and blessing.\n\nAs a help in enabling the reader quickly to discover the words which most\ndirectly answer the question asked, they are generally printed in italic,\nunless the entire scripture quoted is required for the purpose.\n\n\u201cBible Readings\u201d will be found an excellent aid to private, family, and\npublic study of the Word of God.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART I. THE BIBLE; HOW TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND IT\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Sermon On The Mount. \"He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying,\n Blessed.\" Matt. 5:2, 3.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Baruch Writing The Prophecies Of Jeremiah. \"All scripture is given by\n inspiration of God.\" 2 Tim. 3:16.\n\n\n\n\nThe Scriptures\n\n\n1. By what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?\n\n\u201cJesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in _the Scriptures_, The stone\nwhich the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?\u201d\nMatt. 21:42.\n\n2. What other title is given this revelation of God to man?\n\n\u201cAnd He answered and said unto them, My mother and My brethren are these\nwhich hear _the word of God_, and do it.\u201d Luke 8:21.\n\n3. How were the Scriptures given?\n\n\u201cAll scripture is given _by inspiration of God_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:16.\n\n4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?\n\n\u201cFor the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of\nGod spake as they were moved _by the Holy Ghost_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:21.\n\n5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?\n\n\u201cMen and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, _which\nthe Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas_, which\nwas guide to them that took Jesus.\u201d Acts 1:16.\n\n6. How does David express this same truth?\n\n\u201c_The Spirit of the Lord spake by me_, and His word was in my tongue.\u201d 2\nSam. 23:2.\n\n7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?\n\n\u201c_God_, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto\nthe fathers by the prophets.\u201d Heb. 1:1.\n\n8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written?\n\n\u201cFor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written _for our\nlearning_, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might\nhave hope.\u201d Rom. 15:4.\n\n9. For what is all scripture profitable?\n\n\u201cAll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable _for\ndoctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness_.\u201d\n2 Tim. 3:16.\n\n10. What was God\u2019s design in thus giving the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cThat the man of God may be _perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good\nworks_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n11. What estimate did Job place upon the words of God?\n\n\u201cNeither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; _I have\nesteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food_.\u201d Job 23:12.\n\n12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?\n\n\u201cAnd beginning at Moses and all the _prophets_, He expounded unto them _in\nall the scriptures_ the things concerning Himself.\u201d Luke 24:27.\n\n13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as including all the\nwritings of the Old Testament?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while\nI was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written\n_in the law of Moses_, and in _the prophets_, and in _the Psalms_,\nconcerning Me.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n14. What does God\u2019s character preclude Him from doing?\n\n\u201cIn hope of eternal life, which God, _that cannot lie_, promised before\nthe world began.\u201d Titus 1:2.\n\n15. What is God called in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cHe is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: _a\nGod of truth_ and without iniquity, just and right is He.\u201d Deut. 32:4.\n\n16. What, therefore, must be the character of His word?\n\n\u201cSanctify them through Thy truth: _Thy word is truth._\u201d John 17:17.\n\n17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of\ntruth?\n\n\u201c_To the law and to the testimony:_ if they speak not according to this\nword, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d Isa. 8:20.\n\n18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in this world of\ndarkness, sin, and death?\n\n\u201cThy word is _a lamp_ unto my feet, and _a light_ unto my path.\u201d Ps.\n119:105.\n\n19. To what extent has God magnified His word?\n\n\u201cThou hast magnified Thy word _above all Thy name_.\u201d Ps. 138:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God did this by backing His promises with an oath based upon\n Himself. Heb. 6:13, 14. By this He pledged and placed at stake His\n name, or character, for the fulfilment of His word.\n\n\n20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?\n\n\u201c_Thy statutes_ have been _my songs_ in the house of my pilgrimage.\u201d Ps.\n119:54.\n\n21. How long will the word of God endure?\n\n\u201cThe grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but _the word of our God shall\nstand forever_.\u201d Isa. 40:8. \u201cHeaven and earth shall pass away, but _My\nwords shall not pass away_.\u201d Matt. 24:35.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O Word of God incarnate,\n O Wisdom from on high,\n O Truth unchanged, unchanging,\n O Light of our dark sky!\n We praise Thee for the radiance\n That from the hallowed page,\n A lamp to guide our footsteps,\n Shines on from age to age.\n\n The church from her dear Master\n Received the gift divine,\n And still that light she lifteth\n O\u2019er all the earth to shine.\n It is the golden casket\n Where gems of truth are stored;\n It is the heaven-drawn picture\n Of Christ the living Word.\n\n WILLIAM HOW.\n\n\n\n\nThe Study Of The Scriptures\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Searching The Scriptures. \"Study to show thyself approved unto God.\" 2\n Tim. 2:15.\n\n\n1. What did Christ say to the Jews concerning the study of the Scriptures?\n\n\u201c_Search the Scriptures_; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and\nthey are they which testify of Me.\u201d John 5:39\n\n2. For what were the Bereans commended?\n\n\u201cThese were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received\nthe word with all readiness of mind, and _searched the Scriptures daily,\nwhether those things were so_.\u201d Acts 17:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cIf God\u2019s Word were studied as it should be,\u201d says a modern\n Bible student, \u201cmen would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of\n character, and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in\n these times. But there is little benefit derived from a hasty\n reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through,\n and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden\n meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to\n the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is\n of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite\n purpose in view, and no positive instruction gained.\u201d\n\n\n3. By what comparison is it indicated that some portions of God\u2019s Word are\nmore difficult to understand than others?\n\n\u201cFor when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one\nteach you again which be _the first principles of __ the oracles of God_;\nand are become such as have need of _milk_, and not of _strong meat_.\u201d\nHeb. 5:12.\n\n4. In what way is this comparison further explained?\n\n\u201cFor every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:\nfor he is a _babe_. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of _full\nage_, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to\ndiscern both good and evil.\u201d Verses 13, 14.\n\n5. What writings are specifically mentioned as containing some things\ndifficult to understand?\n\n\u201cAnd account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our\nbeloved brother _Paul_ also according to the wisdom given unto him hath\nwritten unto you; as also in all _his epistles_, speaking in them of these\nthings; _in which are some things hard to be understood_, which they that\nare unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,\nunto their own destruction.\u201d 2 Peter 3:15, 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Some scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood, while the\n meaning of others cannot so readily be discerned. To obtain a\n comprehensive knowledge of any Bible truth, scripture must be\n compared with scripture, and there should be \u201ccareful research and\n prayerful reflection.\u201d But all such study will be richly rewarded.\n\n\n6. Who alone comprehends the things of God?\n\n\u201cFor what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is\nin him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but _the Spirit of\nGod_.\u201d 1 Cor. 2:11.\n\n7. How thoroughly does the Spirit search out the hidden treasures of\ntruth?\n\n\u201cBut God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for _the Spirit\nsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n8. What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent?\n\n\u201cBut the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in\nMy name, _He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your\nremembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you_.\u201d John 14:26.\n\n9. Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cBut the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for\nthey are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, _because they are\nspiritually discerned_.\u201d 1 Cor. 2:14.\n\n10. For what spiritual enlightenment should every one pray?\n\n\u201c_Open Thou mine eyes_, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.\u201d\nPs. 119:18.\n\n11. For what spiritual gift did the apostle Paul pray?\n\n\u201cThat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto\nyou _the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him_.\u201d Eph.\n1:17.\n\n12. Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine things promised?\n\n\u201cYea, _if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for\nunderstanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for\nhid treasures_; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find\nthe knowledge of God.\u201d Prov. 2:3-5.\n\n13. What great blessing did Christ confer upon His disciples after His\nresurrection?\n\n\u201c_Then opened He their understanding_, that they might understand the\nScriptures.\u201d Luke 24:45.\n\n14. What beings of a higher order than man desire to study the truths\nrevealed in the gospel of Christ?\n\n\u201cWhich things _the angels_ desire to look into.\u201d 1 Peter 1:12\n\n15. What is promised him who wills to do God\u2019s will?\n\n\u201cIf any man will [willeth to, R. V.] do His will, _he shall know of the\ndoctrine_, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.\u201d John 7:17.\n\n16. How did Christ reprove those who, though familiar with the letter of\nthe Scriptures, failed to understand them?\n\n\u201cJesus answered and said unto them, _Ye do err, not knowing the\nScriptures, nor the power of God_.\u201d Matt. 22:29.\n\n17. What are the Scriptures able to do for one who believes them?\n\n\u201cAnd that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, _which are\nable to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ\nJesus_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:15.\n\n18. When asked by the rich young man the conditions of eternal life, to\nwhat did Jesus direct his attention?\n\n\u201cHe said unto him, _What is written in the law? how readest thou?_\u201d Luke\n10:26.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jesus At The Home Of Martha And Mary. \"Mary hath chosen that good part,\n which shall not be taken away from her.\" Luke 10:42.\n\n\n19. Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed?\n\n\u201cBut He said, Yea rather, _blessed are they that hear the word of God, and\nkeep it_.\u201d Luke 11:28.\n\n20. What did Christ say concerning the book of Daniel?\n\n\u201cWhen ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by\nDaniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (_whoso readeth, let him\nunderstand_).\u201d Matt. 24:15.\n\n21. What other book of the Bible is especially commended for our study?\n\n\u201cBlessed is he that readeth, and they that hear _the words of this\nprophecy_ [_the book of Revelation_], and keep those things which are\nwritten therein: for the time is at hand.\u201d Rev. 1:3.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n *\u201c**How Readest Thou?**\u201d*\n\n It is one thing to read the Bible through,\n Another thing to read to learn and do.\n Some read it with design to learn to read,\n But to the subject pay but little heed.\n Some read it as their duty once a week,\n But no instruction from the Bible seek;\n While others read it with but little care,\n With no regard to how they read, nor where.\n Some read to bring themselves into repute,\n By showing others how they can dispute;\n While others read because their neighbors do,\n To see how long \u2019twill take to read it through.\n Some read it for the wonders that are there,\u2014\n How David killed a lion and a bear;\n While others read it with uncommon care,\n Hoping to find some contradictions there.\n Some read as if it did not speak to them,\n But to the people at Jerusalem.\n One reads with father\u2019s specs upon his head,\n And sees the thing just as his father said.\n Some read to prove a preadopted creed,\n Hence understand but little that they read;\n For every passage in the book they bend\n To make it suit that all-important end.\n Some people read, as I have often thought,\n To teach the book instead of being taught;\n And some there are who read it out of spite.\n I fear there are but few who read it right.\n But read it prayerfully, and you will see,\n Although men contradict, God\u2019s words agree;\n For what the early Bible prophets wrote,\n We find that Christ and His apostles quote.\n So trust no creed that trembles to recall\n What has been penned by one and verified by all.\n\n\n\n\nPower In The Word\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ The Word. \"He spake, and it was.\" Ps. 33:9.\n\n\n1. Through what agency did God create the heavens?\n\n\u201c_By the word of the Lord_ were the heavens made; and all the host of them\n_by the breath of His mouth_.\u201d \u201cFor _He spake_, and it was done; _He\ncommanded_, and it stood fast.\u201d Ps. 33:6, 9.\n\n2. By what does Christ uphold all things?\n\n\u201cUpholding all things _by the word of His power_.\u201d Heb. 1:3.\n\n3. Of what are some willingly ignorant?\n\n\u201cFor this they willingly are ignorant of, that _by the word of God the\nheavens were of old_, and the earth standing out of the water and in the\nwater: _whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,\nperished_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:5, 6.\n\n4. By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a similar fate?\n\n\u201cBut the heavens and the earth, which are now, _by the same word_ are kept\nin store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of\nungodly men.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n5. In what other scripture is it shown that creative power is exercised\nthrough the word of God?\n\n\u201cLet them praise the name of the Lord: _for He commanded, and they were\ncreated_.\u201d Ps. 148:5.\n\n6. What change is wrought in one who is in Christ?\n\n\u201cTherefore if any man be in Christ, _he is a new creature_ [there is _a\nnew creation_, R. V., margin]: old things are passed away; behold, _all\nthings are become new_.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:17.\n\n7. What is this new creation also called?\n\n\u201cJesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except\na man be _born again_, he cannot see the kingdom of God.\u201d John 3:3.\n\n8. Through what agency is this new creation, or new birth, accomplished?\n\n\u201cBeing born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, _by the\nword of God_, which liveth and abideth forever.\u201d 1 Peter 1:23.\n\n9. What is the first creative commandment recorded in the Bible? and what\nwas the result of it?\n\n\u201cAnd God said, _Let there be light_: and _there was light_.\u201d Gen. 1:3.\n\n10. What connection is there between the creation of light in the\nbeginning, and the light of the gospel?\n\n\u201cFor God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in\nour hearts, to give _the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the\nface of Jesus Christ_.\u201d 2 Cor. 4:6.\n\n11. Why were the people astonished at Christ\u2019s teaching?\n\n\u201cAnd they were astonished at His doctrine: _for His word was with power_.\u201d\nLuke 4:32.\n\n12. What testified to the power of the word of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word\nis this! for _with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits,\nand they come out_.\u201d Verse 36.\n\n13. What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?\n\n\u201cThe seed is _the word of God_.\u201d Luke 8:11.\n\n14. Where should the word of Christ dwell?\n\n\u201cLet the word of Christ _dwell in you_ richly in all wisdom.\u201d Col. 3:16.\n\n15. What did Christ say of the unbelieving Jews respecting the word of\nGod?\n\n\u201c_Ye have not His word abiding in you:_ for whom He hath sent, Him ye\nbelieve not.\u201d John 5:38.\n\n16. How does the word of God work in the believer?\n\n\u201cFor this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye\nreceived the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the\nword of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, _which effectually\nworketh also in you that believe_.\u201d 1 Thess. 2:13.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Centurion. \"Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.\"\n Matt. 8:8.\n\n\n17. What nature is imparted through the promises of God?\n\n\u201cWhereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: _that by\nthese ye might be partakers of the divine nature_, having escaped the\ncorruption that is in the world through lust.\u201d 2 Peter 1:4.\n\n18. By what are believers made clean?\n\n\u201cNow ye are clean _through the word which I have spoken unto you_.\u201d John\n15:3.\n\n19. How may a young man cleanse his way?\n\n\u201cWherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? _by taking heed thereto\naccording to Thy word_.\u201d Ps. 119:9.\n\n20. How did God heal His people anciently?\n\n\u201c_He sent His word, and healed them_, and delivered them from their\ndestructions.\u201d Ps. 107:20.\n\n21. How did the centurion show his faith in the power of Christ\u2019s word to\nheal?\n\n\u201cThe centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou\nshouldest come under my roof: but _speak the word only, and my servant\nshall be healed_.\u201d Matt. 8:8.\n\n22. What power has the word when hidden in the heart?\n\n\u201cThy word have I hid in mine heart, _that I might not sin against Thee_.\u201d\nPs. 119:11. See also Ps. 17:4.\n\n23. Why did God humble Israel, and suffer them to hunger?\n\n\u201cAnd He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with\nmanna, ... _that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread\nonly, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth\nman live_.\u201d Deut. 8:3.\n\n24. What is required beyond a mere hearing of the word?\n\n\u201cBut be ye _doers of the word_, and not hearers only, deceiving your own\nselves.\u201d James 1:22.\n\n25. What is the result of doing God\u2019s will?\n\n\u201cAnd the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but _he that doeth the\nwill of God abideth forever_.\u201d 1 John 2:17.\n\n\n\n\nThe Life-Giving Word\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Raising Of Jairus\u2019s Daughter. \"His commandment is life everlasting.\"\n John 12:50.\n\n\n1. What is the nature of the word of God?\n\n\u201cFor the word of God is _quick_, and _powerful_, and _sharper than any\ntwo-edged sword_, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and\nspirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is _a discerner of the thoughts\nand intents of the heart_.\u201d Heb. 4:12.\n\n2. How are the oracles of God described?\n\n\u201cThis is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which\nspake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received _the\nlively oracles_ to give unto us.\u201d Acts 7:38.\n\n3. What did Christ declare His words to be?\n\n\u201cIt is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words\nthat I speak unto you, they are _spirit_, and they are _life_.\u201d John 6:63.\n\n4. What was Peter\u2019s testimony concerning Christ\u2019s words?\n\n\u201cThen Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? _Thou hast the\nwords of eternal life._\u201d Verse 68.\n\n5. What did Christ declare His Father\u2019s commandment to be?\n\n\u201cAnd I know that His commandment is _life everlasting_.\u201d John 12:50.\n\n6. What lesson was intended by feeding the children of Israel with the\nmanna?\n\n\u201cAnd He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with\nmanna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; _that He\nmight make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every\nword that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live_.\u201d Deut.\n8:3.\n\n7. What interpretation did Jesus give to this lesson?\n\n\u201cThen Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you\nnot that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from\nheaven. _For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and\ngiveth life unto the world._\u201d John 6:32, 33.\n\n8. In further explanation of the meaning of this lesson, what did Jesus\ndeclare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus said unto them, _I am the bread of life_: he that cometh to Me\nshall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.\u201d Verse\n35.\n\n9. What benefit is derived from eating this bread of life?\n\n\u201cAs the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: _so he that\neateth Me, even he shall live by Me_. This is that bread which came down\nfrom heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: _he that\neateth of this bread shall live forever_.\u201d Verses 57, 58.\n\n10. What instance is recorded of one who fed upon the true manna?\n\n\u201c_Thy words were found, and I did eat them_; and Thy word was unto me the\njoy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God\nof hosts.\u201d Jer. 15:16.\n\n11. What name is applied to Jesus as the revelation of the thought of God\nin the flesh?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning was _the Word_, and the Word was with God, and the Word\nwas God.\u201d John 1:1. \u201cAnd He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:\nand His name is called _The Word of God_.\u201d Rev. 19:13.\n\n12. What was in the Word?\n\n\u201cIn Him was _life_; and the life was the light of men.\u201d John 1:4.\n\n13. What is Jesus therefore also called?\n\n\u201cThat which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have\nseen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,\nof _the Word of life_.\u201d 1 John 1:1.\n\n14. Why did the Jews fail to find life in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cSearch the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and\nthey are they which testify of Me. And _ye will not come to Me, that ye\nmight have life_.\u201d John 5:39, 40.\n\n15. What constitutes a part of Christian experience?\n\n\u201cAnd have _tasted the good word of God_, and the powers of the world to\ncome.\u201d Heb. 6:5. See answer to question 10.\n\n16. In assigning him his life-work, what instruction did Jesus give to\nPeter?\n\n\u201cJesus saith unto him, _Feed My sheep_.\u201d John 21:17.\n\n17. What apostolic injunction indicates the way in which this instruction\nis to be obeyed?\n\n\u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall\njudge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; _Preach the\nword_; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with\nall long-suffering and doctrine.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.\n\n18. How are we instructed to pray for both physical and spiritual\nnourishment?\n\n\u201cGive us this day our daily bread.\u201d Matt. 6:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When \u201cthe Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,\u201d the\n thought of God was revealed in human flesh. When holy men of God\n \u201cspake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,\u201d the thought of God\n was revealed in human language. The union of the divine and the\n human in the manifestation of God\u2019s thought in the flesh is\n declared to be \u201cthe mystery of godliness;\u201d and there is the same\n mystery in the union of the divine thought and human language. The\n two revelations of God, in human flesh and in human speech, are\n both called the _Word of God_, and both are the _Word of life_. He\n who fails to find Christ thus in the Scriptures will not be able\n to feed upon the Word as the life-giving Word.\n\n\n Like wandering sheep o\u2019er mountains cold,\n Since all have gone astray;\n To life and peace within the fold,\n How may I find the way?\n\n To Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life,\n I come, no more to roam;\n He\u2019ll guide me to my Father\u2019s house,\n To my eternal home.\n\n\n\n\nChrist In All The Bible\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n On The Way To Emmaus. \"He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the\n things concerning Himself.\" Luke 24:27.\n\n\n1. Of whom did Christ say the Scriptures testify?\n\n\u201cSearch the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and\n_they are they which testify of Me_.\u201d John 5:39.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cSearch the Old Testament Scriptures: for they are they that\n testify of Christ. To find Him in them is the true and legitimate\n end of their study. To be able to interpret them as He interpreted\n them is the best result of all Biblical learning.\u201d\u2014_Dean Alford._\n\n\n2. Of whom did Moses and the prophets write?\n\n\u201cPhilip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom\nMoses in the law, and the prophets, did write, _Jesus of Nazareth_, the\nson of Joseph.\u201d John 1:45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In her translation of the Old Testament Scriptures, Helen\n Spurrell expressed the following wish for all who should read her\n translation: \u201cMay very many exclaim, as the translator has often\n done when studying numerous passages in the original, _I have\n found the Messiah_!\u201d\n\n\n3. From whose words did Christ say the disciples ought to have learned of\nHis death and resurrection?\n\n\u201cO fools, and slow of heart to believe all that _the prophets_ have\nspoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into\nHis glory?\u201d Luke 24:25, 26.\n\n4. How did Christ make it clear to them that the Scriptures testify of\nHim?\n\n\u201cAnd beginning at Moses and all the prophets, _He expounded unto them in\nall the scriptures the things concerning Himself_.\u201d Verse 27\n\n5. What did He say a little later to the eleven?\n\n\u201cThese are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you,\nthat _all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of\nMoses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me_.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n6. Where in the Bible do we find the first promise of a Redeemer?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between\nthee and the woman, and between thy seed and _her seed_; it shall bruise\nthy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.\u201d Gen. 3:14, 15.\n\n7. In what words was this promise renewed to Abraham?\n\n\u201c_In thy seed_ shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.\u201d Gen. 22:18.\nSee also Gen. 26:4; 28:14.\n\n8. To whom did this promised seed refer?\n\n\u201cNow to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to\nseeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, _which is Christ_.\u201d\nGal. 3:16.\n\n9. Whom did God promise to send with Israel to guide them into the\npromised land?\n\n\u201cBehold, I send _an Angel_ before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to\nbring thee into the place which I have prepared.\u201d Ex. 23:20.\n\n10. Who was the Rock that went with them?\n\n\u201cAnd did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that\nspiritual Rock that followed [went with, margin] them: and _that Rock was\nChrist_.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:4.\n\n11. In what prophecy are Christ\u2019s life, suffering, and death touchingly\nforetold?\n\nIn the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.\n\n12. Where is the price of Christ\u2019s betrayal foretold?\n\n\u201cSo they weighed for My price _thirty pieces of silver_.\u201d Zech. 11:12. See\nMatt. 26:15.\n\n13. Where in the Psalms are Christ\u2019s dying words recorded?\n\n\u201cMy God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?\u201d Ps. 22:1. See Matt. 27:46.\n\u201cInto Thine hand I commit My spirit.\u201d Ps. 31:5. See Luke 23:46.\n\n14. How is Christ\u2019s resurrection foretold in the Psalms?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Made Known In The Breaking Of Bread. \"Did not our heart burn within us,\n while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the\n scriptures?\" Luke 24:32.\n\n\n\u201cI will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son;\n_this day have I begotten Thee_.\u201d Ps. 2:7. See Acts 13:33.\n\n15. Where again in the Psalms is His resurrection foretold?\n\n\u201cFor _Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell_; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine\nHoly One to see _corruption_.\u201d Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:25-31.\n\n16. In what words does Daniel foretell Christ\u2019s receiving His kingdom?\n\n\u201cI saw in the night-visions, and, behold, one like the _Son of man_ came\nwith the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they\nbrought Him near before Him. And _there was given Him dominion, and glory,\nand a kingdom_, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him:\nHis dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and\nHis kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.\u201d Dan. 7:13, 14.\n\nSee also Luke 1:32, 33; 19:11, 12; Rev. 11:15.\n\n17. How is Christ\u2019s second coming described in the Psalms?\n\n\u201cLet the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before\nthe Lord; _for He cometh to judge the earth_: with righteousness shall He\njudge the world, and the people with equity.\u201d Ps. 98:8, 9. \u201c_Our God shall\ncome, and shall not keep silence_: a fire shall devour before Him, and it\nshall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens\nfrom above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My\nsaints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by\nsacrifice.\u201d Ps. 50:3-5.\n\n18. What is Christ to one renewed after God\u2019s image? \u201cChrist is _all_, and\n_in all_.\u201d Col. 3:11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n A glory in the Word we find\n When grace restores our sight;\n But sin has darkened all the mind,\n And veiled the heavenly light.\n\n When God\u2019s own Spirit clears our view,\n How bright the doctrines shine!\n Their holy fruits and sweetness show\n Their Author is divine.\n\n How blest we are, with open face\n To view Thy glory, Lord,\n And all Thy image here to trace,\n Reflected in Thy Word!\n CAMPBELL\u2019S COLLECTION.\n\n\n\n\nTitles Of Christ\n\n\n\nIn the Old Testament\n\n\nSeed of the woman. Gen. 3:15.\nMine Angel. Ex. 23:23.\nA Star out of Jacob. Num. 24:17.\nA Prophet. Deut. 18:15, 18.\nCaptain of the host of the Lord. Joshua 5:14.\nA Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24.\nMy Beloved. Song of Solomon 2:10.\nChiefest among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5:10.\n(One) altogether lovely. Song of Solomon 5:16.\nThe Mighty God. Isa. 9:6.\nThe Everlasting Father. Isa. 9:6.\nThe Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6.\nThe Lord Our Righteousness. Jer. 23:5, 6.\nThe Son of God. Dan. 3:25.\nThe Son of Man. Dan. 7:13.\nMichael, ... the Great Prince. Dan. 12:1.\nThe Branch. Zech. 6:12, 13.\nThe Messenger of the covenant. Mal. 3:1.\nThe Sun of Righteousness. Mal. 4:2.\n\n\n\nIn the New Testament\n\n\nThe Word. John 1:1.\nThe Lamb of God. John 1:29.\nThe Bread of life. John 6:35.\nThe Light of the world. John 8:12.\nThe Door of the Sheep. John 10:7.\nThe Good Shepherd. Verse 11.\nThe Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25.\nThe Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6.\nThe True Vine. John 15:1.\nThat Rock. 1 Cor. 10:4.\nThe last Adam. 1 Cor. 15:45.\nThe Chief Corner-stone. Eph. 2:20.\nThe Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5.\nA Great High Priest. Heb. 4:14.\nThe Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.\nThe Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4.\nAn Advocate. 1 John 2:1.\nMichael, the Archangel. Jude 9.\nThe Lion of the tribe of Judah. Rev. 5:5.\nThe Morning Star. Rev. 22:16.\nKing of kings, and Lord of lords. Rev. 19:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ is referred to in the Bible under something like\n three hundred different titles and figures, of which the above are\n only examples. Why this is so is because He is all that these\n names and figures represent.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART II. SIN; ITS ORIGIN, RESULTS, AND REMEDY\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Driven From Eden. \"Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden\n of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.\" Gen. 3:23.\n\n\n\n\nCreation And The Creator\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Creation. \"Behold, it was very good.\" Gen. 1:31.\n\n\n1. By whom were the heavens and the earth created?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning _God_ created the heaven and the earth.\u201d Gen. 1:1.\n\n2. Through whom did God create all things?\n\n\u201cFor _by Him_ [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven, and\nthat are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or\ndominions, or principalities, or powers: _all things were created by Him_,\nand for Him.\u201d Col. 1:16. \u201cAll things were made _by Him_ [_through Him_, R.\nV., margin]: and without Him was not anything made that was made.\u201d John\n1:3. See also Heb. 1:1, 2.\n\n3. What do the heavens declare?\n\n\u201cThe heavens declare _the glory of God_; and the firmament showeth His\nhandiwork.\u201d Ps. 19:1.\n\n4. What was God\u2019s object in making the earth?\n\n\u201cFor thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed\nthe earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain,\n_He formed it to be inhabited_.\u201d Isa. 45:18.\n\n5. In whose image was man created?\n\n\u201cSo God created man _in His own image_, in the image of God created He\nhim; male and female created He them.\u201d Gen. 1:27.\n\n6. What home did God make for man in the beginning?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God planted _a garden_ eastward in Eden; and there He put\nthe man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to\ngrow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.... And\nthe Lord God took the man, and put him into _the garden of Eden_ to dress\nit and to keep it.\u201d Gen. 2:8-15.\n\n7. What may be perceived through the things that are made?\n\n\u201cFor _the invisible things of Him_ from the creation of the world are\nclearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even _His\neternal power and Godhead_; so that they are without excuse.\u201d Rom. 1:20.\n\n8. Whose workmanship is the Christian?\n\n\u201cFor we are _His workmanship_, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,\nwhich God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.\u201d Eph. 2:10.\n\n9. What assurance is given concerning the unfailing power of the Creator?\n\n\u201cHast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the\nLord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, _fainteth not, neither is\nweary_? there is no searching of His understanding.\u201d Isa. 40:28.\n\n10. What encouraging statement follows concerning the supply of power to\nthe faint?\n\n\u201c_He giveth power to the faint_; and to them that have no might _He\nincreaseth strength_.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n11. To whom are those who suffer exhorted to commit their souls?\n\n\u201cWherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit\ntheir souls in well-doing _unto a faithful Creator_.\u201d 1 Peter 4:19, R. V.\n\n12. What gave special force to the oath of an angel?\n\n\u201cAnd the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up\nhis hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, _who\ncreated heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the\nthings that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein_,\nthat there should be time no longer.\u201d Rev. 10:5, 6.\n\n13. What contrast is drawn in the Scriptures between the Creator and false\ngods?\n\n\u201cThus shall ye say unto them, _The gods that have not made the heavens and\nthe earth_, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these\nheavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for _He is the former\nof all things_; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of\nhosts is His name.\u201d Jer. 10:11-16.\n\n14. To whom is our worship justly due?\n\n\u201cO come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before _the Lord our\nMaker_.\u201d Ps. 95:6.\n\n15. In view of the curse upon this creation, what has God promised?\n\n\u201cFor, behold, _I create new heavens and a new earth_: and the former shall\nnot be remembered, nor come into mind.\u201d Isa. 65:17. See Rev. 21:1.\n\n16. What is the true basis of the brotherhood of man?\n\n\u201c_Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us?_ why do we deal\ntreacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of\nour fathers?\u201d Mal. 2:10.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O Thou eternal One! whose presence bright\n All space doth occupy, all motion guide;\n Unchanged through time\u2019s all devastating flight!\n Thou only God\u2014there is no God beside!\n Being above all beings! Mighty One,\n Whom none can comprehend and none explore;\n Who fill\u2019st existence with Thyself alone,\n Embracing all, supporting, ruling o\u2019er;\n Being whom we call God, and know no more!\n\n Thou from primeval nothingness didst call\n First chaos, then existence; Lord, on Thee\n Eternity hath its foundation; all\n Sprung forth from Thee,\u2014of light, joy, harmony,\n Sole origin,\u2014all life, all beauty Thine;\n Thy word created all, and doth create;\n Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine;\n Thou art and wert and shalt be! Glorious! Great!\n Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate!\n\n DERZHAVIN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Origin Of Evil\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Fall Of Satan. \"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.\" Luke\n 10:18.\n\n\n1. With whom did sin originate?\n\n\u201cHe that committeth sin is of the devil; for _the devil sinneth from the\nbeginning_.\u201d 1 John 3:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Without the Bible, the question of the origin of evil would\n remain unexplained.\n\n\n2. From what time has the devil been a murderer?\n\n\u201cYe are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.\n_He was a murderer from the beginning_, and abode not in the truth,\nbecause there is no truth in him.\u201d John 8:44.\n\n3. What is the devil\u2019s relationship to lying?\n\n\u201cWhen he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _he is a liar, and\nthe father of it_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n4. Was Satan created sinful?\n\n\u201cThou wast _perfect_ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,\n_till iniquity was found in thee_.\u201d Eze. 28:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, and the statement in John 8:44, that he \u201c_abode_ not\n in the truth,\u201d show that Satan was once _perfect_, and _in the\n truth_. Peter speaks of \u201cthe angels that _sinned_\u201d (2 Peter 2:4);\n and Jude refers to \u201cthe angels which _kept not their first\n estate_\u201d (Jude 6); both of which show that these angels were once\n in a state of sinlessness and innocence.\n\n\n5. What further statement of Christ seems to lay the responsibility for\nthe origin of sin upon Satan and his angels?\n\n\u201cThen shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye\ncursed, into everlasting fire, _prepared for the devil and his angels_.\u201d\nMatt. 25:41.\n\n6. What led to Satan\u2019s sin, rebellion, and downfall?\n\n\u201c_Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty_, thou hast corrupted\nthy wisdom by reason of thy _brightness_.\u201d Eze. 28:17. \u201cThou hast said in\nthine heart, _I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the\nstars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the\nsides of the north: ... I will be like the Most High_.\u201d Isa. 14:13, 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In a word, pride and self-exaltation led to Satan\u2019s\n downfall, and for these there is no justification or adequate\n excuse. \u201cPride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit\n before a fall.\u201d Prov. 16:18. Hence, while we may know of the\n origin, cause, character, and results of evil, no good or\n sufficient reason or excuse can be given for it. To excuse it is\n to justify it; and the moment it is justified it ceases to be sin.\n All sin is a manifestation of selfishness in some form, and its\n results are the opposite of those prompted by love. The experiment\n of sin will result finally in its utter abandonment and banishment\n forever, by all created intelligences, throughout the entire\n universe of God. Only those who foolishly and persistently cling\n to sin will be destroyed with it. The wicked will then \u201cbe as\n though they had not been\u201d (Obadiah 16), and the righteous shall\n \u201cshine as the brightness of the firmament,\u201d and \u201cas the stars\n forever and ever.\u201d Dan. 12:3. \u201cAffliction shall not rise up the\n second time.\u201d Nahum 1:9. See reading on \u201cOrigin, History, and\n Destiny of Satan,\u201d page 499.\n\n\n7. In contrast with the pride and self-exaltation exhibited by Satan, what\nspirit did Christ manifest?\n\n\u201cWho, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with\nGod: but _made Himself of no reputation_, and took upon Him the form of a\n_servant_, and was made in the likeness of _men_: and being found in\nfashion as a man, _He humbled Himself_, and became obedient unto _death_,\neven _the death of the cross_.\u201d Phil. 2:6-8.\n\n8. After man had sinned, how did God show His love, and His willingness to\nforgive?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Inasmuch as God, who is love, who delights in mercy, and who\n changes not, offered pardon and granted a period of probation to\n man when he sinned, it is but reasonable to conclude that a like\n course was pursued toward the heavenly intelligences who first\n sinned, and that only those who persisted in sin, and took their\n stand in open revolt and rebellion against God and the government\n of heaven, were finally cast out of heaven. Rev. 12:7-9.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Cain And Abel--The First Murder. \"Cain, who was of that wicked one, and\n slew his brother.\" 1 John 3:12.\n\n\n\n\nThe Fall And Redemption Of Man\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Sin And Its Remedy. \"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is\n eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.\" Rom. 6:23.\n\n\n1. What is sin declared to be?\n\n\u201cWhosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the\ntransgression of the law_.\u201d 1 John 3:4.\n\n2. What precedes the manifestation of sin?\n\n\u201cThen when _lust_ hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.\u201d James 1:15.\n\n3. What is the final result or fruit of sin?\n\n\u201cAnd sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth _death_.\u201d Same verse. \u201cThe\nwages of sin is _death_.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n4. Upon how many of the human race did death pass as the result of Adam\u2019s\ntransgression?\n\n\u201cBy one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so _death\npassed upon all men_, for that all have sinned.\u201d Rom. 5:12. \u201cIn Adam _all\ndie_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:22.\n\n5. How was the earth itself affected by Adam\u2019s sin?\n\n\u201c_Cursed is the ground_ for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all\nthe days of thy life; _thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to\nthee_.\u201d Gen. 3:17, 18.\n\n6. What additional curse came as the result of the first murder?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Cain, ... And _now art thou cursed from the\nearth_, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother\u2019s blood from\nthy hand; _when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield\nunto thee her strength_.\u201d Gen. 4:9-12.\n\n7. What terrible judgment came in consequence of continued sin and\ntransgression against God?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face\nof the earth.... The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is\nfilled with violence.\u201d \u201cAnd Noah was six hundred years old when _the flood\nof waters_ was upon the earth.... The same day were _all the fountains of\nthe great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened_.\u201d Gen.\n6:7-13; 7:6-11.\n\n8. After the flood, what came in consequence of further apostasy from God?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children\nof men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they\nhave all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be\nrestrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us go\ndown, and there _confound their language, that they may not understand one\nanother\u2019s speech_. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the\nface of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.\u201d Gen. 11:5-8.\n\n9. Into what condition has sin brought the entire creation?\n\n\u201cFor we know that the whole creation _groaneth_ and _travaileth in pain\ntogether_ until now.\u201d Rom. 8:22.\n\n10. What explains God\u2019s apparent delay in dealing with sin?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count\nslackness; but is _long-suffering to us ward_, not willing that any should\nperish, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d 2 Peter 3:9.\n\n11. What is God\u2019s attitude toward the sinner?\n\n\u201cFor _I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth_, saith the Lord\nGod: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.\u201d Eze. 18:32.\n\n12. Can man free himself from the dominion of sin?\n\n\u201cCan the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? _then may ye\nalso do good, that are accustomed to do evil_.\u201d Jer. 13:23.\n\n13. What place has the will in determining whether man shall have life?\n\n\u201cAnd the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,\nCome. And let him that is athirst come. And _whosoever will, let him take\nthe water of life freely_.\u201d Rev. 22:17.\n\n14. To what extent has Christ suffered for sinners?\n\n\u201cHe was _wounded_ for our transgressions, He was _bruised_ for our\niniquities: the _chastisement_ of our peace was upon Him; and with His\n_stripes_ we are healed.\u201d Isa. 53:5.\n\n15. For what purpose was Christ manifested?\n\n\u201cAnd we know that _He was manifested to take away our sins_; and in Him is\nno sin.... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth\nfrom the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, _that\nHe might destroy the works of the devil_.\u201d 1 John 3:5-8.\n\n16. What was one direct purpose of the incarnation of Christ?\n\n\u201cForasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also\nHimself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might\ndestroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.\u201d Heb. 2:14.\n\n17. What triumphant chorus will mark the end of the reign of sin?\n\n\u201cAnd every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the\nearth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I\nsaying, _Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that\nsitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever_.\u201d Rev. 5:13.\n\n18. When and by what means will the effects of sin be removed?\n\n\u201cBut the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which\nthe heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and _the elements shall\nmelt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein\nshall be burned up_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:10.\n\n19. How will the curse of the confusion of tongues be brought to an end?\n\n\u201cFor _then will I turn to the people a pure language_, that they may all\ncall upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.\u201d Zeph. 3:9.\n\n20. How thoroughly will the effects of sin be removed?\n\n\u201cAnd God shall _wipe away all tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be\n_no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any\nmore pain: for the former things are passed away_.\u201d Rev. 21:4. \u201c_And there\nshall be no more curse_: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in\nit [the holy city]; and His servants shall serve Him.\u201d Rev. 22:3.\n\n21. Will sin and its evil results ever appear again?\n\n\u201cWhat do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end:\n_affliction shall not rise up the second time_.\u201d Nahum 1:9. \u201cThere shall\nbe _no more death_.\u201d \u201cAnd there shall be _no more curse_.\u201d Rev. 21:4;\n22:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That sin exists none can deny. Why it was permitted has\n perplexed many minds. But He who can bring light out of darkness\n (2 Cor. 4:6), make the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10), and\n turn a curse into a blessing (Deut. 23:5), can bring good out of\n evil, and turn mistakes and downfalls into stepping-stones to\n higher ground. Heaven will be happier for the sorrows of earth.\n \u201cSorrows remembered sweeten present joy,\u201d says Robert Pollock, in\n \u201cThe Course of Time,\u201d page 29. In the final outcome it will be\n seen that all things have worked together for good to them that\n love God. Rom. 8:28. Cowper, despondent and about to drown\n himself, was carried the wrong way by his driver, and went home to\n write the inspiring hymn below.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n God moves in a mysterious way\n His wonders to perform;\n He plants His footsteps in the sea\n And rides upon the storm.\n\n Deep in unfathomable mines\n Of never-failing skill,\n He treasures up His bright designs,\n And works His sovereign will.\n\n Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;\n The clouds ye so much dread\n Are big with mercy, and shall break\n In blessings o\u2019er your head.\n\n Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,\n But trust Him for His grace;\n Behind a frowning providence\n He hides a smiling face.\n\n Blind unbelief is sure to err,\n And scan His work in vain;\n God is His own interpreter,\n And He will make it plain.\n WILLIAM COWPER.\n\n\n\n\nCreation And Redemption\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nCreative Power. \"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto\n good works.\" Eph. 2:10.\n\n\n1. What is revealed concerning God in the first verse of the Bible?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning _God created the heaven and the earth_.\u201d Gen. 1:1.\n\n2. What contrast is repeatedly drawn in the Scriptures between the true\nGod and false gods?\n\n\u201cThus shall ye say unto them, _The gods that have not made the heavens and\nthe earth_, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these\nheavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for _He is the former\nof all things_; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of\nhosts is His name.\u201d Jer. 10:11-16. See Jer. 14:22; Acts 17:22-29; Rev.\n14:6-10.\n\n3. Through whom did God work in creating all things?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning was _the Word_, and the Word was with God, and the Word\nwas God. The same was in the beginning with God. _All things were made by\nHim_; and without Him was not anything made that was made.\u201d John 1:1-3.\n\n4. Through whom is redemption wrought?\n\n\u201cBut God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet\nsinners, _Christ died for us_. Much more then, being now justified by His\nblood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.\u201d Rom. 5:8, 9.\n\n5. In what scripture do we learn that Christ, the active agent in\ncreation, is also the head of the church?\n\n\u201c_For by Him were all things created_, that are in heaven, and that are in\nearth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or\nprincipalities, or powers: _all things were created by Him_, and for Him:\nand He is before all things, and _by Him all things consist_. And _He is\nthe head of the body, the church_: who is the beginning, the first-born\nfrom the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.\u201d Col.\n1:16-18.\n\n6. What scripture shows that the Creator is also the Redeemer?\n\n\u201cBut now thus saith _the Lord that created thee, O Jacob_, and He that\nformed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for _I have redeemed thee_, I have called\nthee by thy name; thou art Mine.\u201d Isa. 43:1.\n\n7. Who is declared to be the source of power to the weak?\n\n\u201cHast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the\nLord, _the Creator_ of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is\nweary? there is no searching of His understanding. _He giveth power to the\nfaint_; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.\u201d Isa.\n40:28, 29.\n\n8. What prayer of David shows that he regarded redemption as a creative\nwork?\n\n\u201c_Create in me a clean heart_, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.\u201d\nPs. 51:10.\n\n9. Who keeps the heavenly bodies in their places?\n\n\u201cTo whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith _the Holy One_.\nLift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, _that\nbringeth out their host by number_: He calleth them all by names by the\ngreatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.\u201d\nIsa. 40:25, 26.\n\n10. What can the same Holy One do for the believer?\n\n\u201cNow unto Him that is able to _keep you from falling_, and to present you\nfaultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only\nwise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now\nand ever. Amen.\u201d Jude 24, 25.\n\n11. What is the measure of the power which is available for the help of\nthe believer?\n\n\u201cThat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto\nyou the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes\nof your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope\nof His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the\nsaints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who\nbelieve, _according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought\nin Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right\nhand in the heavenly places_.\u201d Eph. 1:17-20.\n\n12. How great was the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage?\n\n\u201cAsk now of the days that are past, which were before thee, _since the day\nthat God created man upon the earth_, and ask from the one side of heaven\nunto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing\nis, or hath been heard like it?... _Hath God assayed to go and take Him a\nnation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by\nwonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and\nby great terrors_, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in\nEgypt before your eyes?\u201d Deut. 4:32-34.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The great deliverance of Israel from bondage and oppression\n in Egypt is but a type of the power of God displayed in the\n deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery of sin. In both is\n seen a manifestation of creative power.\n\n\n13. What scripture plainly states that it is creative power which\ntransforms the believer?\n\n\u201cFor we are His workmanship, _created in Christ Jesus unto good works_,\nwhich God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.\u201d Eph. 2:10.\n\n14. Of what great work is the Sabbath both a memorial and a sign?\n\n\u201c_Remember the Sabbath day_, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor,\nand do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy\nGod: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy\ndaughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy\nstranger that is within thy gates: _for in six days the Lord made heaven\nand earth, the sea, and all that in them is_, and rested the seventh day:\nwherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\u201d Ex. 20:8-11.\n\u201cIt is a _sign_ between Me and the children of Israel forever: _for in six\ndays the Lord made heaven and earth_, and on the seventh day He rested,\nand was refreshed.\u201d Ex. 31:17.\n\n15. Inasmuch as creation and redemption are both wrought by the same\ncreative power, of what besides the original creation was the Sabbath\ngiven to be a sign?\n\n\u201cMoreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them,\n_that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them_.\u201d Eze. 20:12.\n\n16. Through whose agency is the material universe sustained?\n\n\u201cAnd He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things _hold\ntogether_.\u201d Col. 1:17, R. V., margin.\n\n17. What statement shows that all things, both material and spiritual, are\nsustained by the same personal agency?\n\n\u201cBut to us there is ... one Lord Jesus Christ, _by whom are all things_,\nand we by Him.\u201d 1 Cor. 8:6.\n\n18. Why is God worthy to receive glory and honor?\n\n\u201cThou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: _for Thou\nhast created all things_, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.\u201d\nRev. 4:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That comparatively modern view of creation known as\n evolution, which rests upon human research rather than upon divine\n revelation, and which substitutes an impersonal force for a\n personal Creator, overthrows the very foundation of the gospel.\n Redemption is simply the new creation, and the Creator is the\n Redeemer. The Head of the original creation is the Head of the new\n creation. The original creation was wrought through Christ by the\n power of the word; the new creation, or redemption, is wrought in\n exactly the same way. The evolutionary theory of creation\n inevitably involves an evolutionary theory of the gospel, and sets\n aside the truth concerning sin, the atoning sacrifice of Christ,\n and the necessity of becoming new creatures through faith in the\n saving power of Christ.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O worship the King, all-glorious above,\n And gratefully sing His wonderful love;\n Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days,\n Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise!\n\n O tell of His might, and sing of His grace,\n Whose robe is the light; whose canopy, space;\n His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,\n And dark is His path on the wings of the storm!\n\n Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?\n It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;\n It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,\n And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.\n\n Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail;\n In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;\n Thy mercies, how tender! how firm to the end!\n Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!\n ROBERT GRANT.\n\n\n\n\nThe Character And Attributes Of God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Bow Of Promise. \"This is the token of the covenant.\" Gen. 9:17.\n\n\n1. In what one word is the character of God expressed?\n\n\u201cHe that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is _love_.\u201d 1 John 4:8.\n\n2. What are some of the attributes of God?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is _righteous_ in all His ways, and _holy_ in all His works.\u201d\nPs. 145:17.\n\n3. Does Christ possess these same attributes?\n\n\u201cBy His knowledge shall _My righteous servant_ [Christ] justify many.\u201d\nIsa. 53:11. \u201cNeither wilt Thou suffer _Thine Holy One_ to see corruption.\u201d\nActs 2:27.\n\n4. When proclaiming His name to Moses, how did the Lord define His\ncharacter?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and\nproclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and\nproclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, _merciful_ and _gracious_,\n_long-suffering_, and _abundant in goodness and truth_, _keeping mercy for\nthousands_, _forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin_, and that will\nby no means clear the guilty.\u201d Ex. 34:5-7.\n\n5. What is said of the tender compassion of God?\n\n\u201cBut Thou, O Lord, art a God _full of compassion_, and gracious,\nlong-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.\u201d Ps. 86:15.\n\n6. What is said of God\u2019s faithfulness in keeping His promises?\n\n\u201cKnow therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, _the faithful God_,\nwhich keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His\ncommandments to a thousand generations.\u201d Deut. 7:9.\n\n7. What is said of the strength and wisdom of God?\n\n\u201cBehold, God is _mighty_, and despiseth not any: He is _mighty in strength\nand wisdom_.\u201d Job 36:5.\n\n8. What treasures are hid in Christ?\n\n\u201cIn whom are hid all the treasures of _wisdom_ and _knowledge_.\u201d Col. 2:3.\n\n9. In what language is the justice of God described?\n\n\u201cHe is the Rock, His work is perfect; for _all His ways are judgment_: a\nGod of truth and without iniquity, _just and right is He_.\u201d Deut. 32:4.\n\n10. In what words is His impartiality proclaimed?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a\nmighty, and a terrible, _which regardeth not persons_, nor taketh reward.\u201d\nDeut. 10:17. \u201cThen Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive\nthat _God is no respecter of persons_: but in every nation he that feareth\nHim, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.\u201d Acts 10: 34, 35.\n\n11. To how many is the Lord good?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is _good to all_: and His tender mercies are over all His\nworks.\u201d Ps. 145:9.\n\n12. Why did Christ tell us to love our enemies?\n\n\u201cBut I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good\nto them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and\npersecute you; _that ye may be the children of your Father which is in\nheaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and\nsendeth rain on the just and on the unjust_.\u201d Matt. 5:44, 45.\n\n13. How perfect does Christ tell His followers to be?\n\n\u201cBe ye therefore perfect, _even as your Father which is in heaven is\nperfect_.\u201d Verse 48.\n\n\n\n\nThe Love Of God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Burial Of Christ. \"God so loved the world, that He gave His only\n begotten Son.\" John 3:16.\n\n\n1. What is God declared to be?\n\n\u201cGod is love.\u201d 1 John 4:16.\n\n2. How great is God\u2019s love for the world?\n\n\u201c_For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son_, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n3. In what act especially has God\u2019s love been manifested?\n\n\u201cIn this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that _God sent\nHis only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him_.\u201d 1\nJohn 4:9.\n\n4. In what does God delight?\n\n\u201cWho is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the\ntransgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger\nforever, because _He delighteth in mercy_.\u201d Micah 7:18.\n\n5. How are His mercies continually manifested?\n\n\u201cIt is of the Lord\u2019s mercies that we are not consumed, because His\ncompassions fail not. _They are new every morning_: great is Thy\nfaithfulness.\u201d Lam. 3:22, 23.\n\n6. Upon how many does God bestow His blessings?\n\n\u201cHe maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain\non the just and on the unjust.\u201d Matt. 5:45\n\n7. What did Jesus say of the one who loves Him?\n\n\u201c_He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him_, and\nwill manifest Myself unto him.\u201d John 14:21.\n\n8. Into what relationship to God does His love bring us?\n\n\u201cBehold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we\nshould be called _the sons of God_.\u201d 1 John 3:1.\n\n9. How may we know that we are the sons of God?\n\n\u201cFor _as many as are led by the Spirit of God_, they are the sons of\nGod.... _The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit_, that we are\nthe children of God.\u201d Rom. 8:14-16.\n\n10. How is the love of God supplied to the believer?\n\n\u201cAnd hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in\nour hearts _by the Holy Ghost_ which is given unto us.\u201d Rom. 5:5.\n\n11. In view of God\u2019s great love to us, what ought we to do?\n\n\u201cBeloved, if God so loved us, _we ought also to love one another_.\u201d 1 John\n4:11.\n\n12. With what measure of love should we serve others?\n\n\u201cHereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us:\nand _we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren_.\u201d 1 John 3:16.\n\n13. What exhortation is based upon Christ\u2019s love for us?\n\n\u201cAnd _walk in love_, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself\nfor us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.\u201d\nEph. 5:2.\n\n14. Upon what ground does God\u2019s work for sinners rest?\n\n\u201cBut God, who is rich in mercy, _for His great love wherewith He loved\nus_, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with\nChrist, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made\nus sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.\u201d Eph. 2:4-6. See Titus\n3:5, 6.\n\n15. In what other way is God\u2019s love sometimes shown?\n\n\u201cFor whom the Lord loveth He _chasteneth_, and _scourgeth_ every son whom\nHe receiveth.\u201d Heb. 12:6.\n\n16. In view of God\u2019s great love, what may we confidently expect?\n\n\u201cHe that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how\nshall He not with Him also freely _give us all things_?\u201d Rom. 8:32\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nBearing The Cross. \"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.\" Jer.\n 31:3.\n\n\n17. What is God\u2019s love able to do for His children?\n\n\u201cNevertheless the Lord thy God would not harken unto Balaam; but the Lord\nthy God _turned the curse into a blessing_ unto thee, because the Lord thy\nGod loved thee.\u201d Deut. 23:5.\n\n18. When men appreciate God\u2019s love, what will they do?\n\n\u201cHow excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of\nmen _put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings_.\u201d Ps. 36:7.\n\n19. How enduring is God\u2019s love for us?\n\n\u201cThe Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, _I have loved thee\nwith an everlasting love_: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn\nthee.\u201d Jer. 31:3.\n\n20. Can anything separate the true child of God from the love of God?\n\n\u201cFor I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor\nprincipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor\nheight, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us\nfrom the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d Rom. 8:38, 39.\n\n21. Unto whom will the saints forever ascribe praise?\n\n\u201c_Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins_ in His own blood,\n... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.\u201d Rev. 1:5, 6.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n There\u2019s a wideness in God\u2019s mercy,\n Like the wideness of the sea;\n There\u2019s a kindness in His justice,\n Which is more than liberty.\n\n There is welcome for the sinner,\n And more graces for the good;\n There is mercy with the Saviour;\n There is healing in His blood.\n\n For the love of God is broader\n Than the measure of man\u2019s mind,\n And the heart of the Eternal\n Is most wonderfully kind.\n\n If our love were but more simple,\n We should take Him at His word;\n And our lives would be all sunshine\n In the sweetness of our Lord.\n\n FREDERICK W. FABER.\n\n\n\n\nThe Deity Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Raising The Widow\u2019s Son. \"In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead\n bodily.\" Col. 2:9.\n\n\n1. How has the Father shown that His Son is one person of the Godhead?\n\n\u201cBut _unto the Son He saith_, Thy throne, _O God_, is forever and ever: a\nscepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.\u201d Heb. 1:8.\n\n2. In what other scripture is the same truth taught?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and _the Word\nwas God_.\u201d John 1:1.\n\n3. In what way did Christ refer to the eternity of His being?\n\n\u201cAnd now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory\nwhich I had with Thee _before the world was_.\u201d John 17:5. \u201cBut thou,\nBethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,\nyet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel;\nwhose goings forth have been of old, _from everlasting_.\u201d Micah 5:2. See\nmargin; and Matt. 2:6; John 8:58; Ex. 3:13, 14.\n\n4. How was Christ begotten in the flesh?\n\n\u201cAnd the angel answered and said unto her, _The Holy Ghost_ shall come\nupon thee, and _the power of the Highest_ shall overshadow thee: therefore\nalso that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son\nof God.\u201d Luke 1:35.\n\n5. What scripture states that the Son of God was God manifested in the\nflesh?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and _the Word\nwas God_.\u201d \u201cAnd _the Word was made flesh_, and dwelt among us, (and we\nbeheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full\nof grace and truth.\u201d John 1:1, 14.\n\n6. What does Christ say is His relation to the Father?\n\n\u201cI and My Father are _one_.\u201d John 10:30.\n\n7. How was He manifested on earth as a Saviour?\n\n\u201cFor unto you is _born_ this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is\nChrist the Lord.\u201d Luke 2:11.\n\n8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and partake of human\nnature?\n\n\u201cWherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His\nbrethren, _that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things\npertaining to God_, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.\u201d\nHeb. 2:17.\n\n9. How was He recognized by the Father while on earth?\n\n\u201cAnd lo a voice from heaven, saying, _This is My beloved Son_, in whom I\nam well pleased.\u201d Matt. 3:17.\n\n10. What shows that Christ sustains the same relation to the angels as\ndoes the Father?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father _with His\nangels_; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.\u201d Matt.\n16:27. See Matt. 24:31.\n\n11. How did Christ assert an equal proprietorship with His Father in the\nkingdom?\n\n\u201cThe Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of\n_His kingdom_ all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.\u201d Matt.\n13:41.\n\n12. To whom do the elect equally belong?\n\n\u201cAnd shall not God avenge _His own elect_, which cry day and night unto\nHim, though He bear long with them?\u201d Luke 18:7. \u201cAnd He [the Son of man]\nshall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall\ngather together _His elect_ from the four winds, from one end of heaven to\nthe other.\u201d Matt. 24:31.\n\n13. Who are equally joined in bestowing the final rewards?\n\n\u201cBut without faith it is impossible to please Him [God, the Father]: for\nhe that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that _He is a rewarder\nof them that diligently seek Him_.\u201d Heb. 11:6. \u201cFor the Son of man shall\ncome in the glory of His Father with His angels; and _then He shall reward\nevery man according to his works_.\u201d Matt. 16:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the texts (Matt. 16:27; 13:41; 24:31) in which Christ\n refers to the angels as \u201cHis angels\u201d and to the kingdom as \u201cHis\n kingdom\u201d and to the elect as \u201cHis elect,\u201d He refers to Himself as\n \u201cthe Son of man.\u201d It thus appears that while He was on earth as a\n man, He recognized His essential deity and His equality with His\n Father in heaven.\n\n\n14. What fulness dwells in Christ?\n\n\u201cFor in Him dwelleth _all the fulness of the Godhead bodily_.\u201d Col. 2:9.\n\n15. What does God (Jehovah) declare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the Lord of\nhosts; I am the _first_, and I am the _last_; and beside Me there is no\nGod.\u201d Isa. 44:6.\n\n16. In what scripture does Christ adopt the same expression?\n\n\u201cAnd, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man\naccording as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and\nthe end, the _first_ and the _last_.\u201d Rev. 22:12, 13.\n\n17. Having such a wonderful Saviour, what are we exhorted to do?\n\n\u201cSeeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the\nheavens, Jesus the Son of God, _let us hold fast our profession_. For we\nhave not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our\ninfirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without\nsin.\u201d Heb. 4:14, 15.\n\n\n Before the heavens were spread abroad,\n From everlasting was the Word;\n With God He was, the Word was God,\n And must divinely be adored.\n\n Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,\n He led the host of morning stars;\n His generation who can tell,\n Or count the number of His years?\n\n But lo! He leaves those heavenly forms;\n The Word descends and dwells in clay,\n That He may converse hold with worms,\n Pressed in such feeble flesh as they.\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nProphecies Relating To Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Star Of Bethlehem. \"There shall come a Star out of Jacob.\" Num. 24:17.\n\n\n1. Whom did Moses say the Lord would raise up?\n\n\u201cThe Lord thy God will raise up unto thee _a Prophet_ from the midst of\nthee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto Him ye shall harken.\u201d Deut.\n18:15. See also verse 18.\n\n2. What use of this prophecy by the apostle Peter shows that it referred\nto Christ?\n\n\u201cFor Moses truly said unto the fathers, _A prophet_ shall the Lord your\nGod raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me.... Yea, and all the\nprophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken,\nhave likewise foretold of _these days_.\u201d Acts 3:22-24.\n\n3. In what language did Isaiah foretell Christ\u2019s birth?\n\n\u201cBehold, _a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son_, and shall call His\nname Immanuel.\u201d Isa. 7:14.\n\n4. In what event was this prophecy fulfilled?\n\n\u201cNow _all this was done_ [the birth of Jesus of the Virgin Mary], that it\nmight be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,\nBehold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and\nthey shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with\nus.\u201d Matt. 1:22, 23.\n\n5. Where was the Messiah to be born?\n\n\u201cBut thou, _Bethlehem Ephratah_, though thou be little among the thousands\nof Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler\nin Israel.\u201d Micah 5:2.\n\n6. When was Jesus born?\n\n\u201cJesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea _in the days of Herod the king_.\u201d\nMatt. 2:1.\n\n7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by Balaam?\n\n\u201cThere shall come _a Star_ out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of\nIsrael.\u201d Num. 24:17.\n\n8. In what scripture does Christ apply the same emblem to Himself?\n\n\u201cI am the root and the offspring of David, and _the bright and morning\nstar_.\u201d Rev. 22:16. See also 2 Peter 1:19; Rev. 2:28.\n\n9. What prophecy was fulfilled in the slaughter of the children of\nBethlehem?\n\n\u201cThen Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding\nwroth, and sent forth, and _slew all the children that were in Bethlehem_,\nand in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to\nthe time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was\nfulfilled _that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet_, saying, In Rama\nwas there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,\nRachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they\nare not.\u201d Matt. 2:16-18.\n\n10. How was Christ\u2019s first advent to be heralded?\n\n\u201c_The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness_, Prepare ye the way of\nthe Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.\u201d Isa. 40:3.\n\n11. By whom was this fulfilled?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the record of _John_, when the Jews sent priests and Levites\nfrom Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?... he said, _I am the voice of\none crying in the wilderness_, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said\nthe prophet Esaias.\u201d John 1:19-23.\n\n12. How was Christ to be received by His own people?\n\n\u201cHe is _despised_ and _rejected_ of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted\nwith grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was _despised_,\nand _we esteemed Him not_.\u201d Isa. 53:3.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ Before Pilate. \"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He\n opened not His mouth.\" Isa. 53:7.\n\n\n13. How is the fulfilment of this prophecy recorded?\n\n\u201cHe was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew\nHim not. _He came unto His own, and His own received Him not._\u201d John 1:10,\n11.\n\n14. What was predicted of Christ\u2019s preaching?\n\n\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because _the Lord hath anointed Me\nto preach good tidings unto the meek_; He hath sent Me to bind up the\nbroken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of\nthe prison to them that are bound.\u201d Isa. 61:1.\n\n15. What application did Jesus make of this prophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom\nwas, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to\nread. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And\nwhen He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The\nSpirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the\ngospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach\ndeliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set\nat liberty them that are bruised.... And He began to say unto them, _This\nday is this scripture fulfilled in your ears_.\u201d Luke 4:16-21. See Luke\n7:19-22.\n\n16. How, according to prophecy, was Christ to conduct Himself when on\ntrial?\n\n\u201cHe was oppressed, and He was afflicted, _yet He opened not His mouth_: He\nis brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers\nis dumb, _so He openeth not His mouth_.\u201d Isa. 53:7.\n\n17. When accused by His enemies before Pilate, how did Christ treat these\naccusations?\n\n\u201cThen said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness\nagainst Thee? And _He answered him to never a word_; insomuch that the\ngovernor marveled greatly.\u201d Matt. 27:13, 14.\n\n18. What prophecy foretold of the disposal of Christ\u2019s garments at the\ncrucifixion?\n\n\u201cThey _part My garments_ among them, and _cast lots_ upon My vesture.\u201d Ps.\n22:18.\n\n19. What record answers to this prophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd they crucified Him, and _parted His garments, casting lots_: that it\nmight be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My\ngarments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots.\u201d Matt. 27:35.\n\n20. What was foretold of His treatment while on the cross?\n\n\u201cThey gave Me also _gall_ for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me\n_vinegar_ to drink.\u201d Ps. 69:21.\n\n21. What was offered Christ at His crucifixion?\n\n\u201cThey gave Him _vinegar_ to drink mingled with _gall_: and when He had\ntasted thereof, He would not drink.\u201d Matt. 27:34. See also John 19:28-30,\nand page 167 of this work.\n\n22. With whom did the prophet Isaiah say Christ would make His grave?\n\n\u201cAnd He made His grave with the _wicked_, and with the _rich_ in His\ndeath.\u201d Isa. 53:9.\n\n23. With whom was Christ crucified?\n\n\u201cThen were there _two thieves_ crucified with Him, one on the right hand,\nand another on the left.\u201d Matt. 27:38.\n\n24. Who took charge of Christ\u2019s body after it was taken down from the\ncross?\n\n\u201c_A rich man of Arimath\u00e6a, named Joseph_, ... went to Pilate, and begged\nthe body of Jesus.... He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in\nhis own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.\u201d Verses 57-60.\n\n25. What experience in the life of a noted prophet indicated the length of\nChrist\u2019s stay in the grave?\n\n\u201cBut He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation\nseeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign\nof the prophet Jonas: for _as Jonas was three days and three nights in the\nwhale\u2019s belly_; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in\nthe heart of the earth.\u201d Matt. 12:39,40.\n\n26. What prophecy foretold Christ\u2019s triumph over death?\n\n\u201cFor _Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell_; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine\nHoly One to see corruption.\u201d Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:24-27.\n\n\n\n\nChrist The Way Of Life\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n At Jacob\u2019s Well. \"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him\n shall never thirst.\" John 4:14.\n\n\n1. What does Jesus declare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cJesus saith unto him, _I am the way, the truth, and the life_: no man\ncometh unto the Father, but by Me.\u201d John 14:6.\n\n2. In what condition are all men?\n\n\u201cBut the Scripture hath concluded all _under sin_.\u201d Gal. 3:22. \u201cFor _all\nhave sinned_, and come short of the glory of God.\u201d Rom. 3:23.\n\n3. What are the wages of sin?\n\n\u201cThe wages of sin is _death_.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n4. How many are affected by Adam\u2019s transgression?\n\n\u201cWherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;\nand so _death passed upon all men_.\u201d Rom. 5:12.\n\n5. What is the gift of God?\n\n\u201cThe gift of God is _eternal life_.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n6. How many may receive this gift?\n\n\u201cAnd the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,\nCome. And let him that is athirst come. And _whosoever will_, let him take\nthe water of life freely.\u201d Rev. 22:17.\n\n7. In whom is the gift?\n\n\u201cThis is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and _this\nlife is in His Son_.\u201d 1 John 5:11.\n\n8. In receiving the Son, what do we have in Him?\n\n\u201cHe that hath the Son hath _life_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n9. What loss do those sustain who do not accept Him?\n\n\u201cAnd he that hath not the Son of God _hath not life_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n10. In what other way is this same truth stated?\n\n\u201c_He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that\nbelieveth not the Son shall not see life_; but the wrath of God abideth on\nhim.\u201d John 3:36.\n\n11. After one truly receives Christ, whose life will be manifested in him?\n\n\u201cI am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but _Christ\nliveth in me_: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the\nfaith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.\u201d Gal.\n2:20.\n\n12. In what condition are all before they are quickened with Christ?\n\n\u201cGod, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even\nwhen we were _dead in sins_, hath quickened us together with Christ.\u201d Eph.\n2:4, 5.\n\n13. What is this change from death to life called?\n\n\u201cBeing _born again_, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the\nword of God, which liveth and abideth forever.\u201d 1 Peter 1:23.\n\n14. When man first transgressed, what was done to prevent him from living\nforever in sin?\n\n\u201cAnd now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life,\nand eat, and live forever.... So _He drove out the man_; and He placed at\nthe east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned\nevery way, to keep the way of the tree of life.\u201d Gen. 3:22-24.\n\n15. What is declared to be one purpose of Christ\u2019s death?\n\n\u201cForasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also\nHimself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might\ndestroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.\u201d Heb. 2:14.\n\n16. Through whom will Abraham receive the promise of the future\ninheritance?\n\n\u201cThe Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto _thy seed_ will I give this\nland.\u201d Gen. 12:7.\n\n17. How many were embraced in God\u2019s promises to Abraham?\n\n\u201cAnd in thy seed shall _all the kindreds of the earth_ be blessed.\u201d Acts\n3:25.\n\n18. To whom does the \u201cseed\u201d in these promises refer?\n\n\u201cNow to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to\nseeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is _Christ_.\u201d\nGal. 3:16.\n\n19. What would make the death of Christ in vain?\n\n\u201c_If righteousness come by the law_, then Christ is dead in vain.\u201d Gal.\n2:21.\n\n20. Why have all been reckoned under sin?\n\n\u201cBut the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, _that the promise by\nfaith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe_.\u201d Gal. 3:22.\n\n21. How then do all become children of God?\n\n\u201cFor ye are all the children of God _by faith in Christ Jesus_.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n22. With whom are the children of God joint heirs?\n\n\u201cIf children, then heirs; heirs of God, and _joint heirs with Christ_.\u201d\nRom. 8:17.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Thou art the Way; to Thee alone,\n From sin and death we flee;\n And he who would the Father seek,\n Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.\n\n Thou art the Truth; Thy word alone.\n True wisdom can impart;\n Thou only canst inform the mind\n And purify the heart.\n\n Thou art the Life; the rending tomb\n Proclaims Thy conquering arm;\n And those who put their trust in Thee,\n Nor death nor hell shall harm.\n\n Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life;\n Grant us that way to know,\n That truth to keep, that life to win,\n Whose joys eternal flow.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Serpent In The Wilderness. \"When he beheld the serpent of brass, he\n lived.\" Num. 21:9.\n\n\n\n\nSalvation Only Through Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n On The Cross. \"He is able to save to the uttermost.\" Heb. 7:25.\n\n\n1. For what purpose did Christ come into the world?\n\n\u201cThis is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ\nJesus came into the world _to save sinners_.\u201d 1 Tim. 1:15.\n\n2. Why was He to be named \u201cJesus\u201d?\n\n\u201cThou shalt call His name Jesus: _for He shall save His people from their\nsins_.\u201d Matt. 1:21.\n\n3. Is there salvation through any other?\n\n\u201cNeither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name\nunder heaven given among men, _whereby we must be saved_.\u201d Acts 4:12.\n\n4. Through whom are we reconciled to God?\n\n\u201cAll things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself _by Jesus\nChrist_, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that\n_God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself_, not imputing\ntheir trespasses unto them.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:18, 19.\n\n5. What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose?\n\n\u201cFor He hath made Him to be _sin_ for us, who knew no sin; _that we might\nbe made the righteousness of God in Him_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n6. How dependent are we upon Christ for salvation?\n\n\u201cI am the vine, ye are the branches: ... _without Me ye can do nothing_.\u201d\nJohn 15:5.\n\n7. What three essentials for a Saviour are found in Christ?\n\n_Deity._ \u201cBut unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, _O God_, is forever and\never.\u201d Heb. 1:8.\n\n_Humanity._ \u201cWhen the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His\nSon, _made of a woman_, made under the law.\u201d Gal. 4:4.\n\n_Sinlessness._ \u201c_Who did no sin_, neither was guile found in His mouth.\u201d 1\nPeter 2:22.\n\n8. How did Christ show from the Scriptures that the promised Saviour of\nthe world must be both human and divine?\n\n\u201cWhile the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying,\nWhat think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto Him, _The son of\nDavid_. He saith unto them, _How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord_;\nsaying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make\nThine enemies Thy footstool? _If David then call him Lord, how is He his\nson?_\u201d Matt. 22:41-45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Another has aptly put this important truth concerning the\n union of the human and divine in Christ thus: \u201cDivinity needed\n humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication\n between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to\n restore him to the likeness of God. There must be a power working\n from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from\n sin to holiness. That power is Christ.\u201d\n\n\n9. What two facts testify to the union of divinity and humanity in Christ?\n\n\u201cConcerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was _made of the seed of\nDavid according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with\npower, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the\ndead_.\u201d Rom. 1:3, 4\n\n10. How complete was Christ\u2019s victory over death?\n\n\u201cI am the first and the last: _I am He that liveth, and was dead; and,\nbehold, I am alive forevermore_, Amen; and have the keys of _hell_ and of\n_death_.\u201d Rev. 1:17, 18. See Acts 2:24.\n\n11. How complete is the salvation obtained in Christ?\n\n\u201cWherefore, _He is able also to save them to the uttermost_ that come unto\nGod by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.\u201d Heb.\n7:25.\n\n12. What should we say for such a Saviour?\n\n\u201cThanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.\u201d 2 Cor. 9:15.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART III. THE WAY TO CHRIST\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Prodigal Son. \"When he came to himself, he said, ... I will arise and\n go to my father.\" Luke 15:17, 18.\n\n\n\n\nFaith\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJoshua Commanding The Sun To Stand Still. \"All things are possible to him\n that believeth.\" Mark 9:13.\n\n\n1. What is faith declared to be?\n\n\u201cFaith is _the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not\nseen_.\u201d Heb. 11:1.\n\n2. How necessary is faith?\n\n\u201cWithout faith it is impossible to please Him.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n3. Is mere assent to divine truth sufficient?\n\n\u201cThou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: _the devils also\nbelieve, and tremble_.\u201d James 2:19.\n\n4. What is required besides a belief in the existence of God?\n\n\u201cFor he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and _that He is a\nrewarder of them that diligently seek Him_.\u201d Heb. 11:6, last part.\n\n5. From whom does faith come?\n\n\u201cFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; _it\nis the gift of God_.\u201d Eph. 2:8.\n\n6. Why did God raise Christ from the dead?\n\n\u201cWho by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave\nHim glory; _that your faith and hope might be in God_.\u201d 1 Peter 1:21.\n\n7. What is Christ\u2019s relation to this faith?\n\n\u201cLooking unto Jesus the _author_ and _finisher_ of our faith.\u201d Heb. 12:2.\n\n8. What is the basis of faith?\n\n\u201cSo then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by _the word of God_.\u201d Rom.\n10:17.\n\n9. What relation does faith bear to knowledge?\n\n\u201c_Through faith we understand_ that the worlds were framed by the word of\nGod.\u201d Heb. 11:3.\n\n10. By what principle is genuine faith actuated?\n\n\u201cIn Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor\nuncircumcision; but faith which worketh by _love_.\u201d Gal. 5:6.\n\n11. Of what is faith a fruit?\n\n\u201cBut _the fruit of the Spirit_ is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,\ngentleness, goodness, _faith_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n12. What in the early church showed living faith?\n\n\u201cRemembering without ceasing your _work of faith_, and labor of love.\u201d 1\nThess. 1:3.\n\n13. What is necessary in order that the preaching of the gospel may be\nprofitable?\n\n\u201cFor unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word\npreached did not profit them, not being _mixed with faith_ in them that\nheard it.\u201d Heb. 4:2.\n\n14. What is the character of any act or service not performed in faith?\n\n\u201cWhatsoever is not of faith is _sin_.\u201d Rom. 14:23.\n\n15. How does Abraham\u2019s experience show that obedience and faith are\ninseparable?\n\n\u201c_By faith Abraham_, when he was called to go out into a place which he\nshould after receive for an inheritance, _obeyed_; and he went out, not\nknowing whither he went.\u201d Heb. 11:8.\n\n16. With what, therefore, is the faith of Jesus joined?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep _the\ncommandments of God_, and _the faith of Jesus_.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n17. In what other statement is the same truth emphasized?\n\n\u201cBut wilt thou know, O vain man, that _faith without works is dead_?\u201d\nJames 2:20.\n\n18. How is faith brought to perfection?\n\n\u201cSeest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made\nperfect_?\u201d Verse 22.\n\n19. What is the result of faith\u2019s being put to the test?\n\n\u201cThe trying of your faith _worketh patience_.\u201d James 1:3.\n\n20. What relationship to God is established by faith?\n\n\u201cFor ye are all the _children of God by faith_ in Christ Jesus.\u201d Gal.\n3:26.\n\n21. How do the children of God walk?\n\n\u201cFor _we walk by faith_, not by sight.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:7.\n\n22. Upon what condition may one expect answers to prayer?\n\n\u201cBut _let him ask in faith_, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is\nlike a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.\u201d James 1:6.\n\n23. To what parts of the ancient armor is faith compared?\n\n\u201cAbove all, taking the _shield_ of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to\nquench all the fiery darts of the wicked.\u201d Eph. 6:16. \u201cPutting on the\n_breastplate_ of faith and love.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:8.\n\n24. What chapter in the Bible is devoted to faith?\n\nThe eleventh chapter of Hebrews. In verses 33-38 are summarized the\nvictories of the heroes of faith.\n\n25. What gives victory in our conflicts with the world?\n\n\u201cThis is the victory that overcometh the world, _even our faith_.\u201d 1 John\n5:4.\n\n26. What is the ultimate purpose of faith?\n\n\u201cReceiving the end of your faith, even _the salvation of your souls_.\u201d 1\nPeter 1:8, 9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n \u2019Tis by the faith of joys to come\n We walk through deserts dark as night;\n Till we arrive at heaven, our home,\n Truth is our guide, and faith our light.\n\n The want of sight she well supplies;\n She makes the pearly gates appear;\n Far into distant worlds she pries,\n And brings eternal glories near.\n\n Though lions roar, and tempests blow,\n And rocks and dangers fill the way,\n With joy we tread the desert through,\n While faith inspires a heavenly ray.\n ISAAC WATTS\n\n\n\n\nHope\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Return Of The Dove. \"Blessed be God ... which ... hath begotten us again\n unto a lively hope.\" 1 Peter 1:3.\n\n\n1. What is the relation between faith and hope?\n\n\u201cNow faith is the _substance_ of things _hoped for_, the evidence of\nthings not seen.\u201d Heb. 11:1.\n\n2. Why were the Scriptures written?\n\n\u201cFor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our\nlearning, _that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might\nhave hope_.\u201d Rom. 15:4.\n\n3. Why should God\u2019s wonderful works be rehearsed to the children?\n\n\u201cWe will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to\ncome the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works\nthat He hath done.... _That they might set their hope in God_, and not\nforget the works of God, but keep His commandments.\u201d Ps. 78:4-7.\n\n4. In what condition are those who are without Christ?\n\n\u201cWherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, ...\nthat at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the\ncommonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,\n_having no hope_, and without God in the world.\u201d Eph. 2:11, 12.\n\n5. What does hope become to the Christian?\n\n\u201cWhich hope we have as _an anchor of the soul_, both sure and steadfast,\nand which entereth into that within the veil.\u201d Heb. 6:19.\n\n6. Who have hope in their death?\n\n\u201cThe wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but _the righteous hath hope\nin his death_.\u201d Prov. 14:32.\n\n7. In bereavement, from what hopeless sorrow are Christians delivered?\n\n\u201cBut I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which\nare asleep, _that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope_.\u201d 1\nThess. 4:13.\n\n8. Unto what has the resurrection of Christ begotten us?\n\n\u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according\nto His abundant mercy hath _begotten us again unto a lively hope_ by the\nresurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.\u201d 1 Peter 1:3.\n\n9. What is the Christian\u2019s hope called?\n\n\u201cLooking for _that blessed hope_, and the glorious appearing of the great\nGod and our Saviour Jesus Christ.\u201d Titus 2:13.\n\n10. At what time did Paul expect to realize his hope?\n\n\u201cHenceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the\nLord, the righteous Judge, shall give me _at that day_: and not to me\nonly, but unto all them also that love _His appearing_.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:8.\n\n11. What will this hope lead one to do?\n\n\u201cAnd every man that hath this hope in him _purifieth himself_, even as He\nis pure.\u201d 1 John 3:3.\n\n12. What does the prophet Jeremiah say is a good thing for a man to do?\n\n\u201cIt is good _that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the\nsalvation of the Lord_.\u201d Lam. 3:26.\n\n13. What is said of the hope of the hypocrite?\n\n\u201cSo are the paths of all that forget God; and _the hypocrite\u2019s hope shall\nperish_: whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider\u2019s\nweb.\u201d Job 8:13, 14.\n\n14. What is the condition of one whose hope is in God?\n\n\u201c_Happy_ is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in\nthe Lord his God.\u201d Ps. 146:5. \u201c_Blessed_ is the man that trusteth in the\nLord, and whose hope the Lord is.\u201d Jer. 17:7.\n\n15. In what may the child of God abound?\n\n\u201cNow the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye\nmay _abound in hope_, through the power of the Holy Ghost.\u201d Rom. 15:13.\n\n16. In what do Christians rejoice?\n\n\u201cBy whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,\nand _rejoice in hope of the glory of God_.\u201d Rom. 5:2.\n\n17. What will prevent us from being put to shame?\n\n\u201cAnd _hope maketh not ashamed;_ because the love of God is shed abroad in\nour hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n18. In the time of trouble, who will be the hope of God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cThe Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem;\nand the heavens and the earth shall shake: but _the Lord will be the hope\nof His people_, and the strength of the children of Israel.\u201d Joel 3:16.\n\n19. What inspiring words are spoken to such as hope in God?\n\n\u201c_Be of good courage_, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that\nhope in the Lord.\u201d Ps. 31:24.\n\n20. How long should our hope endure?\n\n\u201cAnd we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the\nfull assurance of _hope unto the end_.\u201d Heb. 6:11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How cheering is the Christian\u2019s hope\n While toiling here below!\n It buoys us up while passing through\n This wilderness of woe.\n\n It points us to a land of rest\n Where saints with Christ will reign;\n Where we shall meet the loved of earth,\n And never part again,\u2014\n\n A land where sin can never come,\n Temptations ne\u2019er annoy;\n Where happiness will ever dwell,\n And that without alloy.\n\n\n\n\nRepentance\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nMicaiah Urging Israel To Repentance. \"The goodness of God leadeth thee to\n repentance.\" Rom. 2:4.\n\n\n1. Who are called to repentance?\n\n\u201cI came not to call the righteous, but _sinners_ to repentance.\u201d Luke\n5:32.\n\n2. What accompanies repentance?\n\n\u201cAnd that repentance and _remission of sins_ should be preached in His\nname among all nations.\u201d Luke 24:47.\n\n3. By what means is sin made known?\n\n\u201c_By the law_ is the knowledge of sin.\u201d Rom. 3:20.\n\n4. How many are sinners?\n\n\u201cWe have before proved _both Jews and Gentiles_, that _they are all under\nsin_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n5. What do transgressors bring upon themselves?\n\n\u201cLet no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things\ncometh _the wrath of God_ upon the children of disobedience.\u201d Eph. 5:6.\n\n6. Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?\n\n\u201cWhen _He_ [_the Comforter_] is come, _He will reprove_ [_convince_,\nmargin] _the world of sin_.\u201d John 16:8.\n\n7. What are fitting inquiries for those convicted of sin?\n\n\u201cMen and brethren, _what shall we do_?\u201d \u201cSirs, _what must I do to be\nsaved_?\u201d Acts 2:37; 16:30.\n\n8. What replies does Inspiration return to these inquiries?\n\n\u201c_Repent, and be baptized every one of you_ in the name of Jesus Christ\nfor the remission of sins.\u201d \u201c_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou\nshalt be saved.\u201d Acts 2:38; 16:31.\n\n9. What will the truly repentant sinner be constrained to do?\n\n\u201cI will _declare mine iniquity_; I will be _sorry_ for my sin.\u201d Ps. 38:18.\n\n10. What is the result of godly sorrow?\n\n\u201cFor godly sorrow _worketh repentance to salvation_.\u201d 2 Cor. 7:10.\n\n11. What does the sorrow of the world do?\n\n\u201cThe sorrow of the world _worketh death_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n12. How does godly sorrow for sin manifest itself?\n\n\u201cFor behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what\n_carefulness_ it wrought in you, yea, what _clearing of yourselves_, yea,\nwhat indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what\nzeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be\nclear in this matter.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n13. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees when he\nsaw them come to his baptism?\n\n\u201cO generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to\ncome?\u201d Matt. 3:7.\n\n14. What did he tell them to do?\n\n\u201cBring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThere can be no repentance without reformation. Repentance\n is a change of mind; reformation is a corresponding change of\n life.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Raleigh_.\n\n\n15. When God sent the Ninevites a warning message, how did they show their\nrepentance, and what was the result?\n\n\u201cAnd God saw their works, that _they turned from their evil way; and God\nrepented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them_; and He\ndid it not.\u201d Jonah 3:10.\n\n16. What leads sinners to repentance?\n\n\u201cOr despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and\nlong-suffering; not knowing that _the goodness of God leadeth thee to\nrepentance?_\u201d Rom. 2:4.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJohn The Baptist Preaching Repentance. \"Bring forth therefore fruits meet\n for repentance.\" Matt. 3:8.\n\n\n\n\nConfession And Forgiveness\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Mary Magdalene\u2019s Repentance. \"According unto the multitude of Thy tender\n mercies blot out my transgressions.\" Ps. 51:1.\n\n\n1. What instruction is given concerning confession of sin?\n\n\u201cSpeak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any\nsin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be\nguilty; _then shall they confess their sin which they have done_.\u201d Num.\n5:6, 7.\n\n2. How futile is it to attempt to hide sin from God?\n\n\u201cBut if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and\n_be sure your sin will find you out_.\u201d Num. 32:23. \u201cThou hast set our\niniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.\u201d\nPs. 90:8. \u201cAll things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom\nwe have to do.\u201d Heb. 4:13.\n\n3. What promise is made to those who confess their sins?\n\n\u201cIf we confess our sins, _He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins_,\nand to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d 1 John 1:9.\n\n4. What different results attend the covering and the confessing of sins?\n\n\u201cHe that covereth his sins _shall not prosper:_ but whoso confesseth and\nforsaketh them _shall have mercy_.\u201d Prov. 28:13.\n\n5. How definite should we be in confessing our sins?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he\nshall confess that he hath sinned _in that thing_.\u201d Lev. 5:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cTrue confession is always of a specific character, and\n acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to\n be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be\n confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or\n they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly\n confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point,\n acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.\u201d\u2014\u201c_Steps to\n Christ_,\u201d page 43.\n\n\n6. How fully did Israel once acknowledge their wrong-doing?\n\n\u201cAnd all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord\nthy God, that we die not: for _we have added unto all our sins this evil,\nto ask us a king_.\u201d 1 Sam. 12:19.\n\n7. When David confessed his sin, what did he say God did?\n\n\u201cI acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I\nsaid, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and _Thou forgavest\nthe iniquity of my sin_.\u201d Ps. 32:5.\n\n8. Upon what did he rest his hope for forgiveness?\n\n\u201cHave mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: _according\nunto the multitude of Thy tender mercies_ blot out my transgressions.\u201d Ps.\n51:1.\n\n9. What is God ready to do for all who seek for forgiveness?\n\n\u201cFor Thou, Lord, art good, and _ready to forgive_; and plenteous in mercy\nunto all them that call upon Thee.\u201d Ps. 86:5.\n\n10. What is the measure of the greatness of God\u2019s mercy?\n\n\u201cFor _as the heaven is high above the earth_, so great is His mercy toward\nthem that fear Him.\u201d Ps. 103:11.\n\n11. How fully does the Lord pardon when one repents?\n\n\u201cLet the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and\nlet him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our\nGod, for _He will abundantly pardon_.\u201d Isa. 55:7.\n\n12. What reason is given for God\u2019s readiness to forgive sin?\n\n\u201cWho is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the\ntransgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger\nforever, _because He delighteth in mercy_.\u201d Micah 7:18. See Ps. 78:38.\n\n13. Why does God manifest such mercy and long-suffering toward men?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count\nslackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, _not willing that any should\nperish_, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d 2 Peter 3:9.\n\n14. What prayer did Moses offer in behalf of Israel?\n\n\u201c_Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people_ according unto the\ngreatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt\neven until now.\u201d Num. 14:19.\n\n15. What reply did the Lord immediately make?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said, _I have pardoned according to thy word_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n16. When the prodigal son, in the parable, repented and turned toward\nhome, what did his father do?\n\n\u201cWhen he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and _had\ncompassion_, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.\u201d Luke 15:20.\n\n17. How did the father show his joy at his son\u2019s return?\n\n\u201cThe father said to his servants, _Bring forth the best robe, and put it\non him_; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and _bring\nhither the fatted calf, and kill it_; and let us eat, and be merry: for\nthis my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.\u201d\nVerses 22-24.\n\n18. What is felt in heaven when a sinner repents?\n\n\u201cLikewise, I say unto you, _there is joy in the presence of the angels of\nGod_ over one sinner that repenteth.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n19. What did Hezekiah say God had done with his sins?\n\n\u201cBehold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my\nsoul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for _Thou hast cast all my\nsins behind Thy back_.\u201d Isa. 38:17.\n\n20. How completely does God wish to separate sin from us?\n\n\u201cThou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.\u201d Micah 7:19.\n\u201cAs far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our\ntransgressions from us.\u201d Ps. 103:12.\n\n21. How did the people respond to the preaching of John?\n\n\u201cThen went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round\nabout Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, _confessing their\nsins_.\u201d Matt. 3:5, 6.\n\n22. How did some of the believers at Ephesus testify to the sincerity of\nthe confession of their sins?\n\n\u201cAnd many that believed came, and _confessed, and showed their deeds_.\nMany of them also which used curious arts _brought their books together,\nand burned them before all men_: and they counted the price of them, and\nfound it fifty thousand pieces of silver.\u201d Acts 19:18, 19.\n\n23. Through whom are repentance and forgiveness granted?\n\n\u201cThe God of our fathers raised up _Jesus_, whom ye slew and hanged on a\ntree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a\nSaviour, for _to give repentance_ to Israel, and _forgiveness of sins_.\u201d\nActs 5:30, 31.\n\n24. What is the only unpardonable sin?\n\n\u201cWherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be\nforgiven unto men: but _the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost_ shall not be\nforgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man,\nit shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost,\nit shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world\nto come.\u201d Matt. 12:31, 32.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As the Holy Spirit is the agent that convicts of sin, and\n brings the offer of pardon through the Word, the denial of the\n Spirit\u2019s work is the refusal of pardon. In other words, the only\n unpardonable sin is the sin which refuses to be pardoned.\n\n\n25. Upon what basis has Christ taught us to ask forgiveness?\n\n\u201cAnd forgive us our debts, _as we forgive our debtors_.\u201d Matt. 6:12.\n\n26. What spirit must those cherish whom God forgives?\n\n\u201cFor _if ye forgive men their trespasses_, your Heavenly Father will also\nforgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your\nFather forgive your trespasses.\u201d Verses 14, 15.\n\n27. What exhortation is based on the fact that God has forgiven us?\n\n\u201cAnd be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, _forgiving one another_,\neven as God for Christ\u2019s sake hath forgiven you.\u201d Eph. 4:32.\n\n28. In what condition is one whose sins are forgiven?\n\n\u201c_Blessed_ is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.\n_Blessed_ is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in\nwhose spirit there is no guile.\u201d Ps. 32:1, 2.\n\n\n\n\nConversion, Or The New Birth\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ And Nicodemus. \"Ye must be born again.\" John 3:7.\n\n\n1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?\n\n\u201cVerily I say unto you, _Except ye be converted_, and become as little\nchildren, _ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven_.\u201d Matt. 18:3.\n\n2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth?\n\n\u201cVerily, verily, I say unto thee, _Except a man be born again_, he cannot\nsee the kingdom of God.\u201d John 3:3.\n\n3. How did he further explain the new birth?\n\n\u201cJesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, _Except a man be born of\nwater and of the Spirit_, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.\u201d Verse\n5.\n\n4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject?\n\n\u201c_The wind_ bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,\nbut canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: _so is every\none that is born of the Spirit_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?\n\n\u201cEven when we were dead in sins, hath _quickened_ us together with Christ,\n(by grace ye are saved).\u201d Eph. 2:5.\n\n6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life?\n\n\u201cWe know that we have passed from death unto life, because _we love the\nbrethren_. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.\u201d 1 John 3:14.\n\n7. From what is a converted sinner saved?\n\n\u201cLet him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his\nway shall save a soul from _death_, and shall hide a multitude of sins.\u201d\nJames 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18.\n\n8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?\n\n\u201cCreate in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me....\nThen will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be _converted\nunto Thee_.\u201d Ps. 51:10-13.\n\n9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of service a\nconverted person should render to his brethren?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,\nthat he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith\nfail not: and _when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren_.\u201d Luke\n22:31, 32.\n\n10. What other experience is associated with conversion?\n\n\u201cFor this people\u2019s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of\nhearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see\nwith their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with\ntheir heart, and should be _converted_, and I should _heal them_.\u201d Matt.\n13:15.\n\n11. What gracious promise does God make to His people?\n\n\u201c_I will heal their backsliding_, I will love them freely: for Mine anger\nis turned away from him.\u201d Hosea 14:4.\n\n12. By what means is this healing accomplished?\n\n\u201cHe [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our\niniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and _with His\nstripes we are healed_.\u201d Isa. 53:5.\n\n13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?\n\n\u201cWherefore if any man is in Christ, _he is a new creation_: the old things\nare passed away; behold, they are become new.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:17, R. V., margin.\nSee Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.\n\n14. What is the value of merely outward forms?\n\n\u201cFor in Christ Jesus _neither circumcision availeth anything, nor\nuncircumcision_, but a new creature.\u201d Gal. 6:15.\n\n15. Through what was the original creation wrought?\n\n\u201c_By the word of the Lord_ were the heavens made; and all the host of them\nby the breath of His mouth.\u201d Ps. 33:6.\n\n16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?\n\n\u201cBeing born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, _by the\nword of God_, which liveth and abideth forever.\u201d 1 Peter 1:23.\n\n17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?\n\n\u201cBut we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,\nare _changed into the same image_ from glory to glory, even as by the\nSpirit of the Lord.\u201d 2 Cor. 3:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an\n Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It\n represented the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed\n little street child, coming across the statue in her play one day,\n stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it.\n She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she went\n home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another day she\n stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got a new\n idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and mended. Each\n time she looked at the statue she found something in its beauties\n to admire and copy, until she was a transformed child. By\n beholding we become changed.\n\n\n18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?\n\n\u201cIf ye know that He is righteous, ye know that _every one that doeth\nrighteousness is born of Him_.\u201d \u201cBeloved, let us love one another: for\nlove is of God; and _every one that loveth is born of God_, and knoweth\nGod.\u201d 1 John 2:29; 4:7.\n\n19. What is true of every one who believes in Jesus?\n\n\u201cWhosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is _born of God_.\u201d 1 John\n5:1.\n\n20. What do those born of God not do?\n\n\u201cWe know that _whosoever is born of God sinneth not_; but he that is\nbegotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.\u201d\nVerse 18.\n\n21. What indwelling power keeps such from sinning?\n\n\u201cWhosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for _His seed remaineth in\nhim_: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.\u201d 1 John 3:9. See 1\nJohn 5:4; Gen. 39:9.\n\n22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cThere is therefore now _no condemnation_ to them which are in Christ\nJesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.\u201d Rom. 8:1.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Conversion Of Saul. \"It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.\"\n Acts 9:5.\n\n\n\n\nBaptism\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Baptism Of Christ. \"Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.\"\n Matt. 3:15.\n\n\n1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to\nevery creature. He that believeth and is _baptized_ shall be saved; but he\nthat believeth not shall be damned.\u201d Mark 16:15, 16.\n\n2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on\nthe day of Pentecost?\n\n\u201cThen Peter said unto them, _Repent_, and be baptized every one of you in\nthe name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.\u201d Acts 2:38.\n\n3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian\njailer told to do?\n\n\u201cAnd they said, _Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou shalt be\nsaved, and thy house.\u201d Acts 16:31.\n\n4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted\nChrist as their Saviour?\n\n\u201cAnd he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed\ntheir stripes; and was _baptized_, he and all his, straightway.\u201d Verse 33.\n\n5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?\n\n\u201cAnd now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and _wash away thy\nsins_, calling on the name of the Lord.\u201d Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1\nPeter 3:21.\n\n6. By what means are sins washed away?\n\n\u201cUnto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins _in His own blood_.\u201d\nRev. 1:5.\n\n7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?\n\n\u201cGo ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them\ninto the name of the _Father_ and of the _Son_ and of the _Holy Ghost_.\u201d\nMatt. 28:19, R. V.\n\n8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?\n\n\u201cFor as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have _put on\nChrist_.\u201d Gal. 3:27.\n\n9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?\n\n\u201cKnow ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were\n_baptized into His death_?\u201d Rom. 6:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the _death_,\n _burial_, and _resurrection_ of Christ. In baptism public\n testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been\n crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to\n walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly\n represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,\u2014the\n mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.\n\n\n10. How is such a baptism described?\n\n\u201cTherefore we are _buried with him_ by baptism into death: that like as\nChrist was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we\nalso should walk in newness of life.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death\nand resurrection?\n\n\u201cFor if we have been _planted together_ in the likeness of His _death_, we\nshall be also in the likeness of His _resurrection_.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?\n\n\u201cNow if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also _live with\nHim_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with\nbaptism?\n\n\u201cBuried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him _through\nthe faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead_.\u201d\nCol. 2:12.\n\n14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the\nbenefit of His followers?\n\n\u201cThen cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be _baptized_ of\nhim.\u201d Matt. 3:13.\n\n15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:\nand, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw _the Spirit of God\ndescending like a dove, and lighting upon Him_: and lo a voice from\nheaven, saying, _This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased_.\u201d\nVerses 16, 17.\n\n16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?\n\n\u201cThen Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in\nthe name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and _ye shall receive\nthe gift of the Holy Ghost_.\u201d Acts 2:38.\n\n17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto\nhim?\n\n\u201cAnd as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the\neunuch said, See, here is water; _what doth hinder me to be baptized_?\u201d\nActs 8:36.\n\n18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?\n\n\u201cAnd he commanded the chariot to stand still: and _they went down both\ninto the water_, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.\u201d Verse\n38.\n\n19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the\npreaching of Philip?\n\n\u201cBut when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom\nof God, and the name of Jesus Christ, _they were baptized_, both men and\nwomen.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles\nwho had believed?\n\n\u201cCan any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have\nreceived the Holy Ghost as well as we? _And he commanded them to be\nbaptized in the name of the Lord._\u201d Acts 10:47, 48.\n\n21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being\nbaptized into Christ?\n\n\u201cFor as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of\nthat one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one\nSpirit are we all _baptized into one body_, whether we be Jews or\nGentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all _made to drink\ninto one Spirit_.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:12, 13.\n\n22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and\nresurrection, what should the believer do?\n\n\u201cIf ye then be risen with Christ, _seek those things which are above_,\nwhere Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.\u201d Col. 3:1.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Lord, in humble, sweet submission,\n Here we meet to follow Thee,\n Trusting in Thy great salvation,\n Which alone can make us free.\n\n Naught have we to claim as merit;\n All the duties we can do\n Can no crown of life inherit;\n All the praise to Thee is due.\n\n Yet we come in Christian duty,\n Down beneath the wave to go;\n O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!\n Christ the Lord was buried so.\n ROBERT T. DANIEL\n\n\n\n\nReconciled To God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJonah Preaching To The Ninevites. \"Be ye reconciled to God.\" 2 Cor. 5:20.\n\n\n1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through his appointed\nmessengers?\n\n\u201cNow then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by\nus: we pray you in Christ\u2019s stead, _be ye reconciled to God_.\u201d 2 Cor.\n5:20.\n\n2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?\n\n\u201cAll things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself _by Jesus\nChrist_, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?\n\n\u201cFor if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by _the death of\nHis Son_, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.\u201d\nRom. 5:10.\n\n4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ\u2019s death?\n\n\u201cHaving made _peace_ through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile\nall things unto Himself.\u201d Col. 1:20.\n\n5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?\n\n\u201cWe also joy in God _through our Lord Jesus Christ_, by whom we have now\nreceived the atonement [reconciliation, margin].\u201d Rom. 5:11.\n\n6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God through\nthe cross?\n\n\u201cAnd that He might reconcile both unto God _in one body_ by the cross,\nhaving slain the enmity thereby.\u201d Eph. 2:16.\n\n7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?\n\n\u201cSeventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to\nfinish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and _to make\nreconciliation for iniquity_.\u201d Dan. 9:24.\n\n8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take\ntoward men?\n\n\u201cGod was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, _not imputing\ntheir trespasses unto them_.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:19.\n\n9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?\n\n\u201cAll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own\nway; and _the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all_.\u201d Isa. 53:6.\n\n10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?\n\n\u201cFor He hath made Him to be _sin_ for us, who knew no sin; that we might\nbe made the righteousness of God in Him.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:21.\n\n11. How was He treated?\n\n\u201cBut He was _wounded_ for our transgressions, He was _bruised_ for our\niniquities: the _chastisement_ of our peace was upon Him; and with His\n_stripes_ we are healed.\u201d Isa. 53:5.\n\n12. What did John declare concerning Him?\n\n\u201cBehold the Lamb of God, _which taketh away_ [_beareth_, margin] _the sin\nof the world_.\u201d John 1:29.\n\n13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?\n\n\u201cWho His own self bare our sins in His own body _on the tree_, that we,\nbeing dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye\nwere healed.\u201d 1 Peter 2:24.\n\n14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?\n\n\u201cAnd you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked\nworks, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death,\n_to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight_.\u201d Col.\n1:21, 22.\n\n\n\n\nAcceptance With God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Noah\u2019s Sacrifice. \"He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.\" Eph. 1:6.\n\n\n1. In whom has God made us accepted?\n\n\u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed\nus with all spiritual blessings ... in Christ: according as He hath chosen\nus in Him ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath\nmade us _accepted in the Beloved_.\u201d Eph. 1:3-6.\n\n2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the\nSon, and believeth on Him, may have _everlasting life_: and I will raise\nhim up at the last day.\u201d John 6:40. See also John 17:2.\n\n3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?\n\n\u201cIf we receive the witness of men, the _witness of God is greater_: for\nthis is the witness of God _which He hath testified of His Son_.... And\nthis is the record, _that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life\nis in His Son_.\u201d 1 John 5:9-11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word of\n God,\u2014that which God Himself has _said_. To receive and believe\n this is the first essential to salvation,\u2014the first evidence of\n acceptance.\n\n\n4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God\u2019s love and purpose in\ngiving Christ?\n\n\u201cThese things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son\nof God; _that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may\nbelieve on the name of the Son of God_.\u201d Verse 13. \u201cThese are written,\n_that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that\nbelieving ye might have life through His name_.\u201d John 20:31.\n\n5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted\nof God?\n\n\u201cHe that believeth on the Son of God _hath the witness in himself_: he\nthat believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the\n_record_ that God gave of His Son.\u201d 1 John 5:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to\n exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often\n in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon\n and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not\n take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to their\n changeable moods and feelings. _Faith_ always precedes the _joyful\n feelings_ which naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness\n and acceptance. This order is never reversed.\n\n\n6. How only do any become children of God?\n\n\u201cYe are all the children of God _by faith in Christ Jesus_.\u201d Gal. 3:26.\n\n7. What is the foundation of faith?\n\n\u201cFaith cometh by hearing, and hearing _by the word of God_.\u201d Rom. 10:17.\n\n8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?\n\n\u201cHereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, _because He hath given\nus of His Spirit_.\u201d 1 John 4:13.\n\n9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?\n\n\u201cThere are three that bear witness in earth, the _Spirit_, and the\n_water_, and the _blood_: and these three agree in one.\u201d 1 John 5:8.\n\n10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?\n\n\u201cBecause ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your\nhearts, crying, _Abba, Father_.\u201d Gal. 4:6. \u201cThe Spirit itself beareth\nwitness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.\u201d Rom. 8:16.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Prodigal\u2019s Return. \"This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was\n lost, and is found.\" Luke 15:24.\n\n\n11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?\n\n\u201cAs many of you as have been baptized into Christ have _put on Christ_.\u201d\nGal. 3:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of\n God\u2019s acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ\u2019s baptism,\n said, \u201cThis is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,\u201d\n witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his\n baptism.\n\n\n12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?\n\n\u201cThese things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.... If we walk\nin the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,\nand the blood of Jesus Christ His Son _cleanseth us from all sin_.\u201d 1 John\n1:4-7. \u201cIn whom we have redemption through His blood, _the forgiveness of\nsins_.\u201d Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5, 6.\n\n13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?\n\n\u201cI have heard thee _in a time accepted_, and _in the day of salvation_\nhave I succored thee: behold, _now is the accepted time_; behold, _now is\nthe day of salvation_.\u201d 2 Cor. 6:2.\n\n14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?\n\n\u201c_Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood_,\nand hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be\nglory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.\u201d Rev. 1:5, 6.\n\n15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?\n\n\u201cWe know that we have passed from death unto life, _because we love the\nbrethren_.\u201d 1 John 3:14.\n\n16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your\nhearts and minds through Christ Jesus.\u201d Phil. 4:7.\n\n\n Arise, my soul, arise,\n Shake off thy guilty fears;\n The bleeding Sacrifice\n In my behalf appears;\n Before the throne my Saviour stands,\n My name is written on His hands.\n\n Five bleeding wounds He bears,\n Received on Calvary;\n They pour effectual prayers,\n They strongly speak for me.\n Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,\n Nor let the contrite sinner die!\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n\n\nJustification By Faith\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Penitent Thief. \"Thou shalt be with Me in paradise.\" Luke 23:43.\n\n\n1. What is the ground of justification on God\u2019s part?\n\n\u201cThat being justified _by His grace_, we should be made heirs according to\nthe hope of eternal life.\u201d Titus 3:7.\n\n2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available\nto the sinner?\n\n\u201cMuch more then, being now justified _by His_ [_Christ\u2019s_] _blood_, we\nshall be saved from wrath through Him.\u201d Rom. 5:9.\n\n3. How is justification laid hold upon?\n\n\u201cTherefore we conclude that a man is justified _by faith_ without the\ndeeds of the law.\u201d Rom. 3:28.\n\n4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made righteous?\n\n\u201cKnowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but _by the\nfaith of Jesus Christ_, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we\nmight be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the\nlaw: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.\u201d Gal. 2:16.\n\n5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?\n\n\u201cAnd He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward\nheaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said\nunto him, So shall thy seed be. And _he believed in the Lord; and He\ncounted it to him for righteousness_.\u201d Gen. 15:5, 6.\n\n6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?\n\n\u201cAnd be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which is of the\nlaw, but that which is through the faith of Christ, _the righteousness\nwhich is of God by faith_.\u201d Phil. 3:9.\n\n7. Upon what basis is justification granted?\n\n\u201cAnd not as it was by one that sinned, so is the _gift_: for the judgment\nwas by one to condemnation, but _the free gift_ is of many offenses unto\njustification.\u201d Rom. 5:16.\n\n8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?\n\n\u201cNow to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of\n_debt_.\u201d Rom. 4:4.\n\n9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?\n\n\u201cBut to him that worketh not, but _believeth on Him that justifieth the\nungodly_, his faith is counted for righteousness.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness\nby works?\n\n\u201cAnd _if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more\ngrace_. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is\nno more work.\u201d Rom. 11:6.\n\n11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?\n\n\u201cIs He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of\nthe Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the\ncircumcision _by faith_, and uncircumcision _through faith_.\u201d Rom. 3:29,\n30.\n\n12. What statement testifies to Abraham\u2019s faith in God?\n\n\u201cHe staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong\nin faith, giving glory to God; and _being fully persuaded that what He had\npromised, He was able also to perform_.\u201d Rom. 4:20, 21.\n\n13. What did this bring to him?\n\n\u201cAnd therefore _it was imputed to him for righteousness_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?\n\n\u201cNow it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;\nbut for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, _if we believe on Him that\nraised up Jesus our Lord from the dead_.\u201d Verses 23, 24.\n\n15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the\nresurrection of Christ?\n\n\u201cWho was _delivered for our offenses_, and _was raised again for our\njustification_.\u201d Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16),\n was necessary in order to fulfil to Abraham the promise of an\n innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham\u2019s faith in the promise of\n God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for\n righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed\n righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.\n\n\n16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?\n\n\u201cBe it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man\nis preached unto you _the forgiveness of sins_: and by Him all that\nbelieve are _justified from all things_, from which ye could not be\njustified by the law of Moses.\u201d Acts 13:38, 39.\n\n17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the\nbeliever?\n\n\u201cFor as by one man\u2019s disobedience many were made sinners, so _by the\nobedience of one_ shall many be made righteous.\u201d Rom. 5:19.\n\n18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?\n\n\u201c_In the Lord_ shall all the seed of Israel be _justified_, and shall\nglory.\u201d Isa. 45:25.\n\n19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?\n\n\u201c_By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many_; for He shall\nbear their iniquities.\u201d Isa. 5:11.\n\n20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and\nstill be just?\n\n\u201cTo declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: _that He might be\njust, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus_.\u201d Rom. 3:26.\n\n21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?\n\n\u201cBehold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a\nrighteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute\njudgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and\nIsrael shall dwell safely and this is His name whereby He shall be called,\nTHE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.\u201d Jer. 23:5, 6.\n\n22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our\nrighteousness?\n\n\u201cTherefore being justified by faith, _we have peace with God_ through our\nLord Jesus Christ.\u201d Rom. 5:1.\n\n23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?\n\n\u201cFor _He is our peace_, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the\nmiddle wall of partition between us.\u201d Eph. 2:14.\n\n24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?\n\n\u201cTherefore _by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in\nHis sight_: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.\u201d Rom. 3:20.\n\n25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?\n\n\u201cI do not frustrate the grace of God: for _if righteousness come by the\nlaw, then Christ is dead in vain_.\u201d Gal. 2:21.\n\n26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?\n\n\u201c_Christ is become of no effect unto you_, whosoever of you are justified\nby the law; _ye are fallen from grace_.\u201d Gal. 5:4.\n\n27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?\n\n\u201cBut Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not\nattained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? _Because they sought it\nnot by faith, but as it were by the works of the law._ For they stumbled\nat that stumbling-stone.\u201d Rom. 9:31, 32.\n\n28. What is revealed by the law?\n\n\u201cBy the law is _the knowledge of sin_.\u201d Rom. 3:20\n\n29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by\nfaith, apart from the deeds of the law?\n\n\u201cBut now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, _being\nwitnessed by the law and the prophets_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n30. Does faith set aside the law of God?\n\n\u201cDo we then make void the law through faith? _God forbid_: yea, we\n_establish_ the law.\u201d Verse 31.\n\n31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace\nthrough faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?\n\n\u201cWhat shall we say then? _Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?\nGod forbid._ How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?\u201d\nRom. 6:1, 2.\n\n32. Does faith exclude works?\n\n\u201cBut wilt thou know, O vain man, that _faith without works is dead_?\u201d\nJames 2:20.\n\n33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?\n\n\u201cShow me thy faith without thy works, and _I will show thee my faith by my\nworks_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?\n\n\u201cYe see then how that by _works_ a man is justified, and not by faith\nonly.\u201d Verse 24. See also verse 22.\n\n35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?\n\n\u201cFor He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be\nmade the righteousness of God in Him.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Said Luther: \u201cLearn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn\n to sing a new song\u2014to despair of your own works, and to cry unto\n Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou\n hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given to me what was\n Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that I might become what\n I was not.\u201d\u2014_D\u2019Aubigne\u2019s_ \u201c_History of the Reformation_,\u201d _book 2,\n chap. 8_.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;\n Father, impute His life unto me.\n My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,\n Cover with His life, whiter than snow.\n\n Deep are the wounds transgression has made:\n Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.\n O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,\n Safe from the law that now judgeth me!\n\n Longing the joy of pardon to know;\n Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:\n \u201cLord, I accept it! leaving my own,\n Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.\u201d\n\n Reconciled by His death for my sin,\n Justified by His life pure and clean,\n Sanctified by obeying His word,\n Glorified when returneth my Lord.\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\nRighteousness And Life\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Lord Our Righteousness. \"He that hath the Son hath life.\" 1 John 5:12.\n\n\n1. What is assured to the believer in Christ?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have _everlasting\nlife_.\u201d John 3:16.\n\n2. What is revealed in the gospel?\n\n\u201cFor therein is _the righteousness of God_ revealed from faith to faith:\nas it is written, The just shall live by faith.\u201d Rom. 1:17.\n\n3. What has Christ brought to light through the gospel?\n\n\u201cWho hath abolished death, and hath brought _life and immortality_ to\nlight through the gospel.\u201d 2 Tim. 1:10.\n\n4. How closely are righteousness and life thus united?\n\n\u201cIn the way of _righteousness_ is _life_; and in the pathway thereof there\nis no death.\u201d Prov. 12:28.\n\n5. What does he find who follows after righteousness?\n\n\u201cHe that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth _life_,\nrighteousness, and honor.\u201d Prov. 21:21.\n\n6. Through what does grace reign unto eternal life?\n\n\u201cThat as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign _through\nrighteousness_ unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.\u201d Rom. 5:21.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nHealing The Lame Man. \"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and\n walk.\" Acts 3:6.\n\n\n7. What is the very life of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cAnd if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit\nis life because of _righteousness_.\u201d Rom. 8:10.\n\n8. What are the commandments of God declared to be?\n\n\u201cAll Thy commandments are _righteousness_.\u201d Ps. 119:172.\n\n9. What did Jesus declare God\u2019s commandment to be?\n\n\u201cAnd I know that His commandment is _life everlasting_.\u201d John 12:50.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Life and righteousness are thus shown to be inseparable.\n\n\n10. What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?\n\n\u201cAnd this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR\nRIGHTEOUSNESS.\u201d Jer. 23:6.\n\n11. What does Christ declare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cI am the way, the truth, and the _life_.\u201d John 14:6.\n\n12. How is righteousness received?\n\n\u201cFor if by one man\u2019s offense death reigned by one; much more they which\nreceive abundance of grace and of _the gift of righteousness_ shall reign\nin life by one, Jesus Christ.\u201d Rom. 5:17.\n\n13. How is eternal life bestowed?\n\n\u201cFor the wages of sin is death; but the _gift_ of God is eternal life\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n14. What did Moses set forth as the basis of righteousness?\n\n\u201cAnd _it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these\ncommandments_ before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us.\u201d Deut.\n6:25.\n\n15. What did Christ indicate as essential to eternal life?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but\none, that is, God: but _if thou wilt enter into life, keep the\ncommandments_.\u201d Matt. 19:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in\n Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably\n connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is\n bestowed upon man as a gift through his faith in Christ, is a life\n of righteousness,\u2014the righteousness, or right-doing, of Christ.\n\n\n\n\nConsecration\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Carpenter\u2019s Son. \"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ\n Jesus.\" Phil. 2:5.\n\n\n1. What offering did King Hezekiah command to be made when he\nreestablished the worship of the temple?\n\n\u201cAnd Hezekiah commanded to offer the _burnt offering_ upon the altar. And\nwhen the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the\ntrumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.\u201d 2\nChron. 29:27.\n\n2. After the people had united in this service, how did Hezekiah interpret\nits meaning?\n\n\u201cThen Hezekiah answered and said, _Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto\nthe Lord_, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the\nhouse of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and\nthank-offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.\u201d\nVerse 31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The morning and the evening burnt offering, or the continual\n offering (Ex. 29:42), symbolized the daily consecration of the\n people to the Lord.\n\n\n3. How is this consecration urged upon all Christians?\n\n\u201cI beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present\nyour bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your\nreasonable service.\u201d Rom. 12:1.\n\n4. What is the continual sacrifice of praise declared to be?\n\n\u201cThrough Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God\ncontinually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His\nname.\u201d Heb. 13:15, R. V.\n\n5. How is the service of consecration to be carried forward by the\nChristian church?\n\n\u201cYe also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy\npriesthood, _to offer up spiritual sacrifices_, acceptable to God by Jesus\nChrist.\u201d 1 Peter 2:5.\n\n6. Who has set the example of complete consecration?\n\n\u201cAnd whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as\n_the Son of man_ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to\ngive His life a ransom for many.\u201d Matt. 20: 27, 28.\n\n7. What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?\n\n\u201cFor whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is\nnot he that sitteth at meat? but _I am among you as he that serveth_.\u201d\nLuke 22:27.\n\n8. In what does likeness to Christ consist?\n\n\u201cLet this _mind_ be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.\u201d Phil. 2:5.\n\n9. What did Christ\u2019s spirit of meekness and consecration lead Him to do?\n\n\u201cBut made Himself of no reputation, and _took upon Him the form of a\nservant_, and was made in the likeness of men.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n10. To what extent did Christ humble Himself?\n\n\u201cAnd being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became\nobedient _unto death, even the death of the cross_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n11. How does He exhort us to the same consecration?\n\n\u201c_Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me_; for I am meek and lowly in\nheart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.\u201d Matt. 11:29.\n\n12. What does He make the condition of discipleship?\n\n\u201cSo likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,\nhe cannot be My disciple.\u201d Luke 14:33.\n\n13. What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?\n\n\u201cIf any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.\u201d Rom. 8:9.\n\n14. How should he walk who professes to abide in Christ?\n\n\u201cHe that saith he abideth in Him _ought himself also so to walk, even as\nHe walked_.\u201d 1 John 2:6.\n\n15. Do we belong to ourselves?\n\n\u201cKnow ye not that ... _ye are not your own_? for ye are bought with a\nprice.\u201d 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.\n\n16. What are we therefore exhorted to do?\n\n\u201cTherefore _glorify God in your body, and in your spirit_, which are\nGod\u2019s.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Our time, strength, and means are God\u2019s, and should be given\n to His service.\n\n\n17. Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?\n\n\u201cWhat? know ye not that your body is _the temple of the Holy Ghost_ which\nis in you, which ye have of God?\u201d Verse 19.\n\n18. When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?\n\n\u201cAlso I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who\nwill go for us? _Then said I, Here am I; send me._\u201d Isa. 6:8.\n\n19. How is this willingness for service otherwise expressed?\n\n\u201cBehold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and\nas the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; _so our eyes wait\nupon the Lord our God_.\u201d Ps. 123:2.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Take my life, and let it be\n Consecrated, Lord, to Thee!\n Take my hands, and let them move\n At the impulse of Thy love.\n\n Take my feet, and let them be\n Swift and beautiful for Thee;\n Take my voice, and let me sing\n Always, only, for my King.\n\n Take my will, and make it Thine:\n It shall be no longer mine!\n Take my heart,\u2014it is Thine own,\u2014It\n shall be Thy royal throne.\n FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.\n\n\n\n\nBible Election\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Ten Virgins. \"They that were ready went in with him to the marriage.\"\n Matt. 25:10.\n\n\n1. What does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?\n\n\u201cWherefore ... brethren, _give diligence to make your calling and election\nsure_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This text at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so\n far as our own individual cases are concerned, is dependent upon\n our own action. We are elected to be saved; but we are to give\n diligence to make this election _sure_. If we do not, it will not\n meet its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost.\n\n\n2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same truth?\n\n\u201cBehold, I come quickly: _hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take\nthy crown_.\u201d Rev. 3:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally redeemed.\n Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, and hence\n for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will\n hold it fast.\n\n\n3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?\n\n\u201c_Be thou faithful unto death_, and I will give thee a crown of life.\u201d\nRev. 2:10.\n\n4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen unto holiness and\nsalvation?\n\n\u201cAccording as He hath chosen us _in Him_ [_Christ_] _before the foundation\nof the world_.\u201d Eph. 1:4, first part.\n\n5. What is the character of those thus chosen before the foundation of the\nworld?\n\n\u201cThat we should be _holy_ and _without blemish_ before Him in love.\u201d Same\nverse, last part, R. V.\n\n6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to this character?\n\n\u201cHaving foreordained us _unto adoption as sons_ through Jesus Christ unto\nHimself.\u201d Verse 5, R. V.\n\n7. According to what does God call us?\n\n\u201cAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,\nto them who are the called _according to His purpose_.\u201d Rom. 8:28.\n\n8. According to what have we been predestinated?\n\n\u201cBeing predestinated _according to the purpose of Him who worketh all\nthings after the counsel of His own will_.\u201d Eph. 1:11.\n\n9. How many does God desire to be saved?\n\n\u201c_Who will have all men to be saved_, and to come unto the knowledge of\nthe truth.\u201d 1 Tim. 2:4.\n\n10. Upon what condition is salvation offered?\n\n\u201c_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou shalt be saved.\u201d Acts 16:31.\n\n11. For how long must this faith be preserved in order to bring final\nsalvation?\n\n\u201c_He that shall endure unto the end_, the same shall be saved.\u201d Matt.\n24:13. See James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.\n\n12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence that God is arbitrary in\nHis dealings with men?\n\n\u201cTherefore hath He mercy on whom He _will_ have mercy, and whom He _will_\nHe hardeneth.\u201d Rom. 9:18.\n\n13. But what other scripture shows with whom God _wills_ to be merciful,\nand with whom otherwise?\n\n\u201cWith the _merciful_ Thou wilt show Thyself _merciful_; with an _upright_\nman Thou wilt show Thyself _upright_; with the _pure_ Thou wilt show\nThyself _pure_; and with the _froward_ Thou wilt show Thyself _froward_.\u201d\nPs. 18:25, 26. See also Isa. 55:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God wills that men shall be saved. He has foreordained the\n characters that will entitle men to salvation, but He does not\n _compel_ any one to receive Christ, possess this character, and be\n saved. This is a matter of individual choice. By His mighty acts\n and judgments in Egypt, God \u201chardened Pharaoh\u2019s heart.\u201d Ex. 7:3,\n 13, 22. But the same manifestations _softened_ the hearts of\n others. The difference was in the _hearts_, and in the way God\u2019s\n message and dealings were received; not in God. The same sun which\n melts the wax hardens the clay. Ex. 8:32 says that Pharaoh\n hardened his own heart.\n\n\n14. What, on man\u2019s part, is essential to salvation?\n\n\u201c_Choose_ ye this day whom ye will serve.\u201d Joshua 24:15. \u201cIf any man\n_willeth to do His will_, he shall know of the teaching.\u201d John 7:17, R. V.\n\u201c_Believe_ on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.\u201d Acts 16:31.\n\u201cWhosoever _will_, let him take the water of life freely.\u201d Rev. 22:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A man once wished to join a certain church, but said he\n could not do so on account of the views this church held on the\n subject of \u201celection.\u201d The minister to whom he was sent for help\n and enlightenment, failing to make the matter clear, an old\n colored man, a layman, came to the rescue, and said: \u201cBrother,\n this is the very easiest thing in the church. You see, it is like\n this: The votin\u2019 is goin\u2019 on all the time; and God, He is votin\u2019\n for you; and the devil, he is votin\u2019 agin you; and whichever way\n _you_ vote, that is the way the _election_ goes.\u201d Commenting upon\n this incident, Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist, says: \u201cI\n have studied theology some myself, and graduated at a theological\n seminary; but I never got anything quite so good as that.\u201d\n\n\n15. In what fact may every believer rejoice?\n\n\u201cBut rejoice _that your names are written in heaven_.\u201d Luke 10:20, R. V.\n\n16. Whose names are to be retained in the book of life?\n\n\u201c_He that overcometh_, ... I will not blot out his name out of the book of\nlife.\u201d Rev. 3:5.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O, happy day! that fixed my choice\n On Thee, My Saviour and my God;\n Well may this glowing heart rejoice,\n And tell its raptures all abroad.\n\n \u2019Tis done, the great transaction\u2019s done;\n I am my Lord\u2019s, and he is mine;\n He drew me, and I followed on,\n Charmed to confess the voice divine.\n\n Now rest, my long-divided heart,\n Fixed on this blissful center rest;\n Nor ever from thy Lord depart,\n With Him of every good possessed.\n PHILIP DODDRIDGE.\n\n\n\n\nBible Sanctification\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Moses At The Burning Bush. \"The place whereon thou standest is holy\n ground.\" Ex. 3:5.\n\n\n1. What inspired prayer sets the standard of Christian experience?\n\n\u201cAnd the very God of peace _sanctify you wholly_; and I pray God your\nwhole _spirit_ and _soul_ and _body_ be preserved _blameless_ unto the\ncoming of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:23.\n\n2. How necessary is the experience of sanctification?\n\n\u201cFollow after peace with all men, and the sanctification _without which no\nman shall see the Lord_.\u201d Heb. 12:14, R. V.\n\n3. What encouragement is held out as an aid in attaining this experience?\n\n\u201cFor _this is the will of God_, even your sanctification.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Whatever is the will of God concerning us can be realized in\n our experience if our wills are in harmony with His will. It is\n therefore a matter of great encouragement to know that our\n sanctification is included in the will of God.\n\n\n4. What distinct purpose did Christ have in giving Himself for the church?\n\n\u201cHusbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave\nHimself for it; _that He might sanctify and cleanse it_ with the washing\nof water by the word.\u201d Eph. 5:25, 26.\n\n5. What kind of church would He thus be able to present to Himself?\n\n\u201cThat He might present it to Himself _a glorious church, not having spot,\nor wrinkle, or any such thing_; but that it should be holy and without\nblemish.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n6. In the experience of sanctification, what attitude must one assume\ntoward the truth?\n\n\u201cGod hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through\nsanctification of the Spirit and _belief of the truth_.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:13.\n\n7. What instruction shows that sanctification is a progressive work?\n\n\u201cBut _grow_ in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus\nChrist.\u201d 2 Peter 3:18. See chap. 1:5-7.\n\n8. What description of the apostle Paul\u2019s experience is in harmony with\nthis?\n\n\u201cBrethren, _I count not myself to have apprehended_: but this one thing I\ndo, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto\nthose things which are before, _I press toward the mark_ of the prize of\nthe high calling of God in Christ Jesus.\u201d Phil. 3:13, 14.\n\n9. By what is this cleansing from sin and fitting for God\u2019s service\naccomplished?\n\n\u201cFor if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer\nsprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how\nmuch more shall the _blood of Christ_, who through the eternal Spirit\noffered Himself without spot to God, _purge your conscience from dead\nworks to serve the living God_?\u201d Heb. 9:13, 14. See also chap. 10:29.\n\n10. What change is thus brought about?\n\n\u201cAnd be not conformed to this world: but _be ye transformed by the\nrenewing of your mind_, that ye may prove what is that good, and\nacceptable, and perfect, will of God.\u201d Rom. 12:2.\n\n11. Can any one boast of sinlessness?\n\n\u201cIf we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not\nin us.\u201d 1 John 1:8.\n\n12. What are we exhorted by the prophet to seek?\n\n\u201cSeek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His\njudgment; _seek righteousness, seek meekness_: it may be ye shall be hid\nin the day of the Lord\u2019s anger.\u201d Zeph. 2:3.\n\n13. In whose name should everything be done?\n\n\u201cAnd whatsoever ye do in word or deed, _do all in the name of the Lord\nJesus_.\u201d Col. 3:17.\n\n14. In all we do, whose glory should we have in view?\n\n\u201cWhether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, _do all to the\nglory of God_.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:31.\n\n15. What classes of persons are necessarily shut out of the kingdom of\nGod?\n\n\u201cFor this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous\nman, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and\nof God.\u201d Eph. 5:5. \u201cKnow ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the\nkingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor\nadulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor\nthieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,\nshall inherit the kingdom of God.\u201d 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.\n\n16. What must be crucified and eliminated from our lives if we would be\nholy?\n\n\u201cMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,\nuncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,\nwhich is idolatry: for which things\u2019 sake the wrath of God cometh on the\nchildren of disobedience.\u201d Col. 3:5, 6.\n\n17. When purged from these sins, in what condition is a man, and for what\nis he prepared?\n\n\u201cIf a man therefore purge himself from these, _he shall be a vessel unto\nhonor, sanctified, and meet for the Master\u2019s use, and prepared unto every\ngood work_.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cSanctification is the term used to describe the work of God\n the Holy Ghost upon the character of those who are justified. We\n are justified in order that we may be sanctified, and we are\n sanctified in order that we may be glorified. \u2018Whom He justified,\n them He also glorified.\u2019 Rom. 8:30. The grace of God is given to\n make us holy, and so to fit us for God\u2019s presence in eternity; for\n \u2019without holiness no man shall see the Lord.\u2019 Heb. 12:14.\u201d\u2014\u201c_The\n Catholic Religion_\u201d (_Episcopal_), _by Rev. Vernon Staley, page\n 327_.\n\n\n\n\nImportance Of Sound Doctrine\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nEzra Reading The Law. \"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.\" 1\n Thess. 5:21.\n\n\n1. Does it matter what one believes, so long as he is sincere?\n\n\u201cGod hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through\nsanctification of the Spirit _and belief of the truth_.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Doctrine affects the _life_. Truth leads to life and God;\n error to death and destruction. No one would think of saying it\n matters not what _god_ one worships, so long as he is sincere, any\n more than he would think of saying it matters not what one _eats_\n or _drinks_, so long as he _relishes_ what he eats and drinks; or\n what _road_ he travels, so long as he _thinks_ he is on the right\n road. Sincerity is a virtue; but it is not the test of sound\n doctrine. God wills that we shall know the _truth_, and He has\n made provision whereby we may know what is truth.\n\n\n2. Did Joshua think it immaterial what God Israel served?\n\n\u201cNow therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and\n_put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the\nflood and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord_. And if it seem evil unto you\nto serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the\ngods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,\nor the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but _as for me and my\nhouse, we will serve the Lord_.\u201d Joshua 24:14, 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The influence of all idolatrous worship is degrading. See\n Rom. 1:21-32; Numbers 15; 1 Cor. 10:20; 1 John 5:21.\n\n\n3. How may we determine the truthfulness of any doctrine?\n\n\u201c_Prove all things_; hold fast that which is good.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:21.\n\n4. By what should we test, or prove, all doctrine?\n\n\u201c_To the law and to the testimony_: if they speak not according to this\nword, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d Isa. 8:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Bible is the test of all doctrine. Whatever does not\n harmonize and square with this, is not to be received. \u201cThere is\n but one standard of the everlastingly right and the everlastingly\n wrong, and that is the Bible.\u201d\u2014T. DE WITT TALMAGE.\n\n\n5. Of what kind of doctrines should we beware?\n\n\u201cThat we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried\nabout with every _wind of doctrine_.\u201d Eph. 4:14. See also Heb. 13:9.\n\n6. What is a \u201cwind of doctrine\u201d?\n\n\u201cAnd the prophets shall become _wind_; and _the word is not in them_.\u201d\nJer. 5:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Calling a doctrine a wind of doctrine does not make it such.\n That is a wind of doctrine which is not sustained by the Word of\n God.\n\n\n7. For what is all scripture profitable?\n\n\u201cAll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is _profitable for\ndoctrine_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:16.\n\n8. What advice was given to Timothy while preparing for the gospel\nministry?\n\n\u201cTill I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to\n_doctrine_.... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the _doctrine_.\u201d 1 Tim.\n4:13-16.\n\n9. What solemn charge was given him concerning his public work?\n\n\u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall\njudge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; _Preach the\nword; ... reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine_.\u201d\n2 Tim. 4:1, 2.\n\n10. Why did the apostle say this duty was so imperative?\n\n\u201c_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine_; but\nafter their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having\nitching ears; _and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and\nshall be turned unto fables_.\u201d Verses 3, 4.\n\n11. What similar instruction was given to Titus?\n\n\u201cBut speak thou the things which become _sound doctrine_: ... in all\nthings showing thyself a pattern of good works: _in doctrine showing\nuncorruptness_, gravity, sincerity.\u201d Titus 2:1-7.\n\n12. What will sound doctrine enable the faithful teacher to do?\n\n\u201cHolding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be\nable _by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers_.\u201d\nTitus 1:9.\n\n13. What danger attends the teaching of false doctrine?\n\n\u201cWho concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past\nalready; and _overthrow the faith of some_.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:18.\n\n14. Who are the disciples of Jesus, and what gracious work does the truth\ndo for those who receive it?\n\n\u201c_If ye continue in My word_, then are ye My disciples indeed; and _ye\nshall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free_.\u201d John 8:31, 32.\n\n15. Through what are they to be sanctified?\n\n\u201cSanctify them through _Thy truth_: Thy word is truth.\u201d John 17:17.\n\n16. What kind of worship results from false teaching?\n\n\u201c_But in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments\nof men.\u201d Matt. 15:9.\n\n17. Can we close our ears to truth, and remain innocent before God?\n\n\u201cHe that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, _even his prayer shall\nbe abomination_.\u201d Prov. 28:9.\n\n18. What did Christ say of those who will to do God\u2019s will?\n\n\u201cIf any man willeth to do His will, _he shall know of the teaching_,\nwhether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.\u201d John 7:17, R. V.\nSee also Ps. 25: 9; John 8:12.\n\n19. What will God allow to come to those who reject truth?\n\n\u201cBecause they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.\nAnd for this cause God shall send them _strong delusion_, that they should\nbelieve a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth,\nbut had pleasure in unrighteousness.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:10-12.\n\n20. By what doctrines are some to be misled in the last days?\n\n\u201cNow the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall\ndepart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and _doctrines of\ndevils_.\u201d 1 Tim. 4:1. See 2 Peter 2:1.\n\n21. What fate awaits blind teachers and their followers?\n\n\u201cLet them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead\nthe blind, _both shall fall into the ditch_.\u201d Matt. 15:14.\n\n22. To whom will the gates of the heavenly city finally be opened?\n\n\u201cOpen ye the gates, that _the righteous nation which keepeth the truth_\nmay enter in.\u201d Isa. 26:2. See also Rev. 22:14.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Truth is the gem for which we seek,\n O tell us where shall it be found!\n For this we search, and pray, and weep,\n That truth may in our hearts abound.\n\n We want the truth on every point,\n We want it all to practise by;\n Do thou, O Lord, our eyes anoint\n With a fresh unction from on high.\n CHARLOTTE HASKINS.\n\n\n\n\nPresent Truth\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Nehemiah Viewing The Ruins Of Jerusalem. \"And they said, Let us rise up\n and build.\" Neh. 2:18.\n\n\n1. By what are men sanctified?\n\n\u201cSanctify them _through Thy truth_: Thy word is truth.\u201d John 17:17.\n\n2. To what knowledge would God have all men come?\n\n\u201cWho will have all men to be saved, and _to come unto the knowledge of the\ntruth_.\u201d 1 Tim. 2:4.\n\n3. After receiving a _knowledge_ of the truth, what must one do in order\nto be sanctified by it?\n\n\u201cGod hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through\nsanctification of the Spirit and _belief of the truth_.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:13.\n\n4. And what besides a mere belief in the truth is necessary?\n\n\u201cElect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through\nsanctification of the Spirit, _unto obedience_.\u201d 1 Peter 1:2.\n\n5. What effect does obedience to the truth have?\n\n\u201cSeeing _ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth_ through the\nSpirit.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n6. How should the truth ever be cherished?\n\n\u201cBuy the truth, and _sell it not_.\u201d Prov. 23:23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, buy the truth at whatever sacrifice or cost, and\n sell it under no consideration.\n\n\n7. Does the Bible recognize what may be called \u201cpresent truth\u201d?\n\n\u201cWherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of\nthese things, though ye know them, and be established in the _present\ntruth_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Some truths are applicable in all ages, and are therefore\n _present_ truth for every generation; others are of a special\n character, and are applicable to only one generation. They are\n none the less important, however, because of this; for upon their\n acceptance or rejection depends the salvation or loss of the\n people of that generation. Of this kind was Noah\u2019s message of a\n coming flood. To the generation to whom it was preached that\n message was _present truth_; to later generations it has been\n _past truth_, and not a present, testing message. Similarly, had\n the first advent message of John the Baptist, of the Messiah at\n hand, been proclaimed in the generation either before or after\n John\u2019s time, it would not have been applicable\u2014would not have been\n _present truth_. The people of the generation before would not\n have lived to see it fulfilled, and to those living after, it\n would have been wrongly timed. Not so with general truths, such as\n love, faith, hope, repentance, obedience, justice, and mercy.\n These are always in season, and of a saving nature at all times.\n Present truths, however, always include all these, and hence are\n saving in character, and of vital importance.\n\n\n8. What was the special message for Noah\u2019s day?\n\n\u201cAnd God said unto Noah, _The end of all flesh is come_ before Me; for the\nearth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, _I will destroy\nthem with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopherwood._\u201d Gen. 6:13, 14.\n\n9. How did Noah show his faith in this message?\n\n\u201c_By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with\nfear, prepared an ark_ to the saving of his house; by the which he\ncondemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by\nfaith.\u201d Heb. 11:7.\n\n10. How many were saved in the ark?\n\n\u201cThe long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a\npreparing, wherein few, that is, _eight souls were saved by water_.\u201d 1\nPeter 3:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Doubtless many who were lost in the flood held, in a nominal\n way, to faith in God; but the test as to the genuineness of this\n came with Noah\u2019s special message; and the difference between their\n faith and his was made plain when they rejected the saving truth\n for that time,\u2014the warning message concerning the coming flood.\n\n\n11. What special message was given to Jonah for Nineveh?\n\n\u201cSo Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the\nLord.... And Jonah began to enter into the city a day\u2019s journey, and he\ncried, and said, _Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown_.\u201d Jonah\n3:3, 4.\n\n12. What saved the people from the predicted overthrow?\n\n\u201cSo the people of Nineveh _believed_ God, and proclaimed a fast, and put\non sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.... And\nGod saw their works, that _they turned from their evil way_; and God\nrepented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He\ndid it not.\u201d Verses 5-10. See Jer. 18:7-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014So likewise would God have spared the antediluvian world had\n they received Noah\u2019s message, and turned from their evil ways.\n\n\n13. What was the special mission of John the Baptist?\n\n\u201cThere was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a\nwitness, _to bear witness of the Light_, that all men through Him might\nbelieve.\u201d John 1:6, 7.\n\n14. What answer did he return when asked concerning his mission?\n\n\u201cHe said, _I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight\nthe way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias_.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n15. What did Christ say of those who rejected John\u2019s message?\n\n\u201cBut the Pharisees and lawyers _rejected the counsel of God against\nthemselves_, being not baptized of him.\u201d Luke 7:30.\n\n16. What did those do who were baptized of John?\n\n\u201cAnd all the people that heard Him, and the publicans, _justified God_,\nbeing baptized with the baptism of John.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, they honored God by this act, which showed their\n faith in His truth for that time.\n\n\n17. Did God\u2019s chosen people receive Christ when He came?\n\n\u201cHe came unto His own, and _His own received Him not_.\u201d John 1:11.\n\n18. What reason did they give for not receiving Him?\n\n\u201cWe know that God spake unto Moses: _as for this fellow, we know not from\nwhence He is_.\u201d John 9:29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That was the trouble; they had no faith in anything new.\n They _knew_ that God spoke by Moses: it required little faith to\n believe that. They felt perfectly safe in accepting him, for\n everything had demonstrated that he was sent of God. All could see\n that. But here was One whom, although He had come in fulfilment of\n the prophecies of Moses and the prophets as their long-looked-for\n Messiah, they felt there was a risk in accepting, because they did\n not understand the prophecies relating to Him, and time had not\n worked out to their satisfaction the truthfulness of His claims.\n It required too much _faith_, as against their desire to walk by\n _sight_, to accept Christ. It also called for a change of views in\n some things, and a reformation in life. So they rejected Him. They\n believed in the flood, faith in which had saved Noah; they\n believed in Elijah also, and professed faith in all the prophets;\n but when it came to this special truth for their time, they\n refused to accept it. Thus it has been in all ages, and thus we\n may expect it to continue to be to the end.\n\n\n19. How did Christ say those who rejected Him reasoned?\n\n\u201cYe build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the\nrighteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would\nnot have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.\u201d Matt.\n23:29, 30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014While they condemned the action of their fathers in slaying\n the prophets whom God had sent with messages of reproof and\n warning applicable to those times, they soon filled up the measure\n of the iniquity of their fathers by putting to death the Son of\n God. This showed that they would have done as did their fathers\n had they lived in their day. Thus we see that present truths are\n testing truths.\n\n\n20. What was the result of the Jews\u2019 not accepting Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying,\nIf thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which\nbelong unto thy peace! but _now they are hid from thine eyes_.\u201d Luke\n19:41, 42. \u201cBehold, your house is left unto you _desolate_.\u201d Matt. 23:38.\n\n21. Is there to be a special message for the last days?\n\n\u201cTherefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son\nof man cometh. _Who then is a faithful and wise servant_, whom his Lord\nhath made ruler over his household, _to give them meat in due season_?\u201d\nMatt. 24:44, 45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the last days a message will go forth which will be \u201cmeat\n in due season\u201d to the people. This must be the warning concerning\n the Lord\u2019s soon coming, and the preparation necessary to meet Him.\n Because such a message was not always preached, is no evidence\n that it is not now to be proclaimed. In his farewell address to\n the Pilgrim Fathers on their departure from Holland for America,\n John Robinson said: \u201cThe Lord knoweth whether I shall ever see\n your faces more; but whether the Lord hath appointed that or not,\n I charge you before God and His blessed angels to follow me no\n farther than I have followed Christ. If God should reveal anything\n to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it\n as you ever were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am\n very confident that the Lord hath more truth and light yet to\n break forth out of His Holy Word. For my part, I cannot\n sufficiently bewail the condition of the Reformed churches, who\n are come to a period in religion, and will go no farther than the\n instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to\n go any farther than what Luther saw; and the Calvinists, you see,\n stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet\n saw not all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for\n though they were burning and shining lights in their time, yet\n they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God, but were they\n now living, would be as willing to embrace further light as that\n which they first received.\u201d\n\n\n22. What does Christ say of that servant who, when He comes, is found\ngiving \u201cmeat in due season\u201d?\n\n\u201c_Blessed_ is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so\ndoing.\u201d Verse 46.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The coming of Christ in glory has been the hope of the\n faithful in all ages.\n\n Luther declared: \u201cI persuade myself verily, that the day of\n judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will\n not, cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer. The great day\n is drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be\n overthrown.\u201d\n\n Melanchthon said: \u201cThis aged world is not far from its end.\u201d\n\n Calvin bade Christians \u201cnot to hesitate, ardently desiring the day\n of Christ\u2019s coming as of all events most auspicious;\u201d and declared\n that \u201cthe whole human family of the faithful will keep in view\n that day.\u201d \u201cWe must hunger after Christ, we must seek,\n contemplate,\u201d he adds, \u201ctill the dawning of that great day, when\n our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.\u201d\n\n Said Knox, the Scotch Reformer: \u201cHas not our Lord Jesus carried up\n our flesh into heaven? and shall He not return? We know that He\n shall return, and that with expedition.\u201d\n\n Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth,\n looked in faith for the Lord\u2019s coming. Ridley wrote: \u201cThe world\n without doubt\u2014this I do believe, and therefore I say it\u2014draws to\n an end.\u201d\n\n Said Baxter: \u201cThe thoughts of the coming of the Lord are most\n sweet and joyful to me. It is the work of faith and the character\n of His saints to love His appearing, and to look for that blessed\n hope.\u201d\n\n\n23. What will be the burden of the closing gospel message?\n\n\u201cFear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:\nand worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the\nfountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen.... If any man\nworship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or\nin his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.\u201d Rev.\n14:7-10.\n\n24. How are those described who accept this message?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n25. How earnestly is this work to be prosecuted?\n\n\u201cAnd the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges,\n_and compel them to come in_, that my house may be filled.\u201d Luke 14:23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This work is now going on. In every part of the world the\n sound of this closing gospel message is being heard, and the\n people are being urged to accept it, and to prepare for Christ\u2019s\n coming and kingdom. See readings on pages 251-263.\n\n\n\n\nThe Obedience Of Faith\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nAbraham Entering The Promised Land. \"By faith Abraham, when he was called\n to go out ... obeyed.\" Heb. 11:8.\n\n\n1. What did the Lord command Abraham to do?\n\n\u201cNow the Lord had said unto Abram, _Get thee out of thy country_, and from\nthy kindred, and from thy father\u2019s house, _unto a land that I will show\nthee_.\u201d Gen. 12:1.\n\n2. How did Abraham respond to this command?\n\n\u201c_So Abram departed_, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with\nhim: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of\nHaran.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n3. Of what was Abraham\u2019s obedience the fruit?\n\n\u201cBy _faith_ Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place\nwhich he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing\nwhither he went.\u201d Heb. 11:8, R. V.\n\n4. What command did the Lord later give to Abraham?\n\n\u201cAnd He said, _Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest_,\nand get thee into the land of Moriah; _and offer him therefor a burnt\noffering_ upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.\u201d Gen. 22:2.\n\n5. Upon what ground were the previous promises then renewed to Abraham?\n\n\u201cAnd said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for _because thou hast\ndone this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son_: that in\nblessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as\nthe stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and\nthy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all\nthe nations of the world be blessed; _because thou hast obeyed My voice_.\u201d\nVerses 16-18.\n\n6. What enabled Abraham to endure the test?\n\n\u201cBy _faith_ Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had\nreceived the promises offered up his only begotten son.\u201d Heb. 11:17.\n\n7. Of what were the works of Abraham an evidence?\n\n\u201cWas not Abraham our father _justified_ by works, when he had offered\nIsaac his son upon the altar?\u201d James 2:21.\n\n8. By his works what was shown to be perfect?\n\n\u201cSeest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made\nperfect_?\u201d Verse 22.\n\n9. In what statement of the scripture was Abraham\u2019s obedience really\nimplied?\n\n\u201cAnd the scripture was fulfilled which saith, _Abraham believed God_, and\nit was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of\nGod.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n10. What kind of faith avails with God?\n\n\u201cFor in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor\nuncircumcision; but _faith which worketh by love_.\u201d Gal. 5:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The faith which justifies is the faith which works. Those\n who say, and do not, are not men of faith. The obedience which is\n pleasing to God is the fruit of that faith which takes God at His\n word, and submits to the working of His power, being fully assured\n that what He has promised He is able also to perform. This is the\n faith which is reckoned for righteousness. See Rom. 4:21, 22.\n\n\n11. For what purpose is the mystery of the gospel made manifest?\n\n\u201cBut now [the mystery] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the\nprophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known\nto all nations _for the obedience of faith_.\u201d Rom. 16:26.\n\n12. For what purpose is the grace of Christ received?\n\n\u201cThrough whom we received grace and apostleship, _unto obedience of faith_\namong all the nations, for His name\u2019s sake.\u201d Rom. 1:5, R. V.\n\n13. What example of obedience has Christ set for us?\n\n\u201cAnd being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and _became\nobedient unto death_, even the death of the cross.\u201d Phil. 2:8.\n\n14. At what cost did even He learn the lesson of obedience?\n\n\u201cThough He were a Son, yet _learned He obedience by the things which He\nsuffered_.\u201d Heb. 5:8.\n\n15. To whom did Christ become the author of salvation?\n\n\u201cAnd being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation _unto\nall them that obey Him_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n16. How complete should this obedience be?\n\n\u201cCasting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself\nagainst the knowledge of God, and _bringing into captivity every thought\nto the obedience of Christ_.\u201d 2 Cor. 10:5.\n\n17. What effect did the preaching of the apostles have upon the hearers?\n\n\u201cAnd the word of God increased; and _the number of the disciples\nmultiplied_ in Jerusalem greatly; _and a great company of the priests were\nobedient to the faith_.\u201d Acts 6:7.\n\n18. What effect did the preaching of the apostle Paul have upon the\nGentiles?\n\n\u201cFor I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not\nwrought by me, _to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed_.\u201d Rom.\n15:18.\n\n19. How highly does God regard obedience?\n\n\u201cAnd Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and\nsacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, _to obey is\nbetter than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams_.\u201d 1 Sam. 15:22.\n\n20. With what sins are rebellion and stubbornness classed?\n\n\u201cFor rebellion is as _the sin of witchcraft_, and stubbornness is as\n_iniquity_ and _idolatry_. Because thou hast rejected the word of the\nLord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nRuth And Naomi. \"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.\" Ruth\n 1:16.\n\n\n21. Whose voice had more weight with Saul than had the commandment of God?\n\n\u201cAnd Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the\ncommandment of the Lord, and thy words: because _I feared the people, and\nobeyed their voice_.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n22. What charge did Jesus bring against the Pharisees?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Full well _ye reject the commandment of God, that\nye may keep your own tradition_.\u201d Mark 7:9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Human tradition is simply the voice of man preserved in the\n church. To follow the traditions of men instead of obeying the\n commandments of God is to repeat the sin of Saul.\n\n\n23. What will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be\nrevealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire _taking\nvengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our\nLord Jesus Christ_.\u201d 2 Thess. 1:7, 8.\n\n24. What condition is attained in obeying the truth?\n\n\u201cSeeing ye have _purified your souls in obeying the truth_ through the\nSpirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another\nwith a pure heart fervently.\u201d 1 Peter 1:22.\n\n25. What promise is made to the obedient?\n\n\u201cIf ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_.\u201d Isa.\n1:19.\n\n26. Whose example are we urged to imitate?\n\n\u201cThat ye be not slothful, but followers of them _who through faith and\npatience inherit the promises_.\u201d Heb. 6:12.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said;\n To harken when He commandeth, than an offering made.\n\n All ye who say, \u201cThere is naught to do since Christ doth save,\u201d\n Remember what He commands you in the Book He gave.\n\n Remember only the doers of the word are blessed;\n \u2019Tis well to hear and believe it, but to do is best.\n\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART IV. LIFE, PARABLES, AND MIRACLES OF CHRIST\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nImmanuel\u2014God With Us. \"In the beginning was the Word.... And the Word was\n made flesh, and dwelt among us.\" John 1:1-14. \"He Was Wounded For Our\nTransgressions, He Was Bruised For Our Iniquities: The Chastisement Of Our\n Peace Was Upon Him; And With His Stripes We Are Healed.\" Isa. 53:5.\n\n\n\n\nBirth, Childhood, And Early Life Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Flight Into Egypt. \"Arise, ... and flee into Egypt.\" Matt. 2:13.\n\n\n1. In what promise was a Saviour from sin first revealed?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between thee\nand the woman, and between thy seed and _her seed_; it shall bruise thy\nhead, and thou shalt bruise His heel.\u201d Gen. 3:14, 15.\n\n2. Through whom was a restoration of the lost dominion promised to\nAbraham?\n\n\u201cTo thee will I give it, and to _thy seed_ forever.\u201d Gen. 13:15.\n\n3. Who was this promised seed?\n\n\u201cHe saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed,\nwhich is _Christ_.\u201d Gal. 3:16.\n\n4. Where was Christ to be born?\n\n\u201cAnd ... he [Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they\nsaid unto him, _In Bethlehem of Judea_.\u201d Matt. 2:4-6. See Micah 5:2.\n\n5. Of whom was Christ to be born?\n\n\u201cBehold, _a virgin_ shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His\nname Immanuel.\u201d Isa. 7:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Immanuel means \u201cGod with us.\u201d See Matt. 1:23.\n\n\n6. Before His birth, what did the angel say to Joseph concerning the\nnaming of the child?\n\n\u201cAnd she shall bring forth a son, and _thou shalt call His name Jesus_:\nfor He shall save His people from their sins.\u201d Matt. 1:21.\n\n7. At His birth, what message did the angel bring to the shepherds abiding\nin the field?\n\n\u201cAnd the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, _I bring you good\ntidings of great joy_, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born\nthis day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.\u201d Luke\n2:10, 11.\n\n8. In what song of praise did a host of angels join?\n\n\u201cAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host\npraising God, and saying, _Glory to God in the highest, and on earth\npeace, good will toward men_.\u201d Verses 13, 14.\n\n9. What prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled at Christ\u2019s birth?\n\n\u201c_For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given_: and the government\nshall be upon His shoulder.\u201d Isa. 9:6.\n\n10. What did the prophet say His name should be called?\n\n\u201cAnd His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The\neverlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government\nand peace there shall be no end.\u201d Verses 6, 7.\n\n11. What did the devout Simeon say when he saw the child Jesus?\n\n\u201cAnd when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the\ncustom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and\nsaid, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy\nword: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared\nbefore the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the\nglory of Thy people Israel.\u201d Luke 2:27-32.\n\n12. How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself at the sight of\nJesus?\n\n\u201cAnd she coming in that instant _gave thanks likewise unto the Lord_, and\nspake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.\u201d Verse\n38.\n\n13. What did the wise men of the East do when they had found Jesus?\n\n\u201cWhen they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary\nHis mother, and _fell down, and worshiped Him_: and when they had opened\ntheir treasures, they _presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense,\nand myrrh_.\u201d Matt. 2:11.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Visit Of The Shepherds. \"And they came with haste, and found ... the\n babe lying in a manger.\" Luke 2:16.\n\n\n14. How came Jesus to live for a time in Egypt?\n\n\u201cAnd when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to\nJoseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child, and His\nmother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:\nfor Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n15. How does the revelator describe this satanic desire to destroy Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,\nfor to devour her child as soon as it was born.\u201d Rev. 12:4.\n\n16. By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?\n\n\u201cThen Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding\nwroth, and sent forth, and _slew all the children that were in Bethlehem_,\nand in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.\u201d Matt. 2:16.\n\n17. After Herod\u2019s death, where did Joseph and his family live?\n\n\u201c_And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth_: that it might be\nfulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a\nNazarene.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n18. What is said of Christ\u2019s childhood and early life?\n\n\u201cAnd the child _grew_, and _waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom_:\nand _the grace of God was upon Him_.... And He went down with them, and\ncame to Nazareth, and _was subject unto them_.\u201d Luke 2:40-51.\n\n19. Upon returning from a feast at Jerusalem, how came Joseph and Mary to\nlose Jesus when He was twelve years old?\n\n\u201cBut _they, supposing Him to have been in the company_, went a day\u2019s\njourney; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And\nwhen they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking\nHim.\u201d Verses 44, 45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is how many lose Jesus today. They suppose He is in\n their _company_, but do not see to it that He is with them\n _personally_. Through carelessness it takes but a day to lose Him;\n but, when once lost, it sometimes takes days of sorrowful\n searching, as it did Joseph and Mary, to find Him again.\n\n\n20. What was Jesus doing when they found Him?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple,\n_sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them\nquestions_.\u201d Verse 46.\n\n21. How did His questions and answers impress those who heard Him?\n\n\u201cAnd all that heard Him _were astonished at His understanding and\nanswers_.\u201d Verse 47.\n\n22. With what words do the Scriptures conclude the record of Christ\u2019s\nearly life?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and\nman.\u201d Verse 52.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ\u2019s early life is a pattern for all children and youth.\n It was marked by respect and love for His mother. He was obedient\n to His parents, and kind to all. He hated sin, and to every\n temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to understand the reason\n of things, and so increased in knowledge and wisdom. He was\n sympathetic and tender-hearted, and ever ready to relieve the\n oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we love Christ, we\n shall love to talk of Him; our sweetest thoughts will be of Him;\n and by beholding Him we shall be changed into the same image. See\n note on page 98.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n All praise to Thee, eternal Lord,\n Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;\n Choosing a manger for Thy throne,\n While worlds on worlds are Thine alone!\n\n Once did the skies before Thee bow;\n A virgin\u2019s arms contain Thee now:\n Angels, who did in Thee rejoice,\n Now listen to Thine infant voice.\n\n A little child, Thou art our guest,\n That weary ones in Thee may rest;\n Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth,\n That we may rise to heaven from earth.\n\n Thou comest in the darksome night\n To make us children of the light;\n To make us, in the realms divine,\n Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.\n\n All this for us Thy love hath done;\n By this to Thee our life is won;\n For this we tune our cheerful lays,\n And tell our thanks in songs of praise.\n\n MARTIN LUTHER.\n\n\n\n\nChrist\u2019s Ministry\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nNazareth. \"Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed\n of the devil.\" Acts 10:38.\n\n\n1. With what words had John the Baptist announced Christ\u2019s ministry?\n\n\u201cHe that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy\nto bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.\u201d Matt.\n3:11.\n\n2. How old was Jesus when He began His ministry?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus Himself began to be _about thirty years of age_.\u201d Luke 3:23.\n\n3. By what act and what miraculous manifestations was His ministry opened?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of\nGalilee, and was _baptized of John in Jordan_. And straightway coming up\nout of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and _the Spirit like a dove\ndescending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art\nMy beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased_.\u201d Mark 1:9-11.\n\n4. Before entering upon His ministry, through what experience did Jesus\npass?\n\n\u201cAnd immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. _And He was\nthere in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan_; and was with the\nwild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.\u201d Verses 12, 13. See also\nMatt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.\n\n5. With what was Jesus anointed for His work?\n\n\u201cHow God anointed Jesus of Nazareth _with the Holy Ghost and with power_:\nwho went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the\ndevil; for God was with Him.\u201d Acts 10:38.\n\n6. Where did Jesus begin His ministry?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into _Galilee_: and there\nwent out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught\nin their synagogues, being glorified of all.\u201d Luke 4:14, 15.\n\n7. How did He announce His mission while at Nazareth?\n\n\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom\nwas, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to\nread. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And\nwhen He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The\nSpirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the\ngospel to the poor; He hath sent Me _to heal the broken-hearted, to preach\ndeliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set\nat liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the\nLord...._ And He began to say unto them, _This day is this scripture\nfulfilled in your ears_.\u201d Verses 16-21.\n\n8. How were the people impressed with His preaching?\n\n\u201cAnd all bare Him witness, and _wondered at the gracious words which\nproceeded out of His mouth_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n9. Why were the people at Capernaum astonished at His teaching?\n\n\u201cAnd [He] came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on\nthe Sabbath days. And they were astonished at His doctrine: _for His word\nwas with power_.\u201d Verses 31, 32.\n\n10. Wherein did His teaching differ from that of the scribes?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were\nastonished at His doctrine: _for He taught them as one having authority,\nand not as the scribes_.\u201d Matt. 7:28, 29.\n\n11. How did the common people receive Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd the common people heard Him _gladly_.\u201d Mark 12:37.\n\n12. In His ministry, what work was closely associated with His preaching?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and\npreaching the gospel of the kingdom, and _healing all manner of sickness\nand all manner of disease among the people_.\u201d Matt. 4:23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In His ministry, Christ combined plain, practical teaching\n with practical, helpful relief work.\n\n\n13. How extensive was His fame, and how many were attracted to Him?\n\n\u201cAnd His fame went _throughout all Syria_: and they brought unto Him all\nsick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those\nwhich were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those\nthat had the palsy; and He healed them. And there followed Him _great\nmultitudes_ of people from _Galilee_, and from _Decapolis_, and from\n_Jerusalem_, and from _Judea_, and from _beyond Jordan_.\u201d Verses 24, 25.\n\n14. What expression used frequently in narrating His ministry shows\nChrist\u2019s deep sympathy with mankind?\n\n\u201cBut when He saw the multitude, _He was moved with compassion_ on them,\nbecause they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no\nshepherd.\u201d \u201cAnd Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was\n_moved with compassion_ toward them, and He healed their sick.\u201d Matt.\n9:36; 14:14.\n\n15. In what few words did Christ sum up the object of His ministry?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man is come _to seek and to save that which was lost_.\u201d\nLuke 19:10.\n\n16. How did Christ feel over the impenitence of Jerusalem?\n\n\u201cAnd when He was come near, He beheld the city, and _wept over it_.\u201d Luke\n19:41.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In no other place did Christ appear so much a reformer as in\n Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Jewish religion, which\n religion, though having come from Christ Himself, had degenerated\n into mere formalism and a round of ceremony. Both the beginning\n and the close of His ministry here was marked by a cleansing of\n the temple. See John 2:13-18 and Matt. 21:12-16.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O blessed Christ! my Strength, my King,\n He is my comfort and my stay;\n In Him I hope, of Him I sing,\n While toiling o\u2019er life\u2019s rugged way.\n Chiefest among ten thousand He,\n For Christ, my King, is all to me.\n\n MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.\n\n\n\n\nChrist The Great Teacher\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist Teaching The Multitude. \"Never man spake like this man.\" John 7:46.\n\n\n1. What report did the officers bring who were sent out by the chief\npriests and Pharisees to take Jesus?\n\n\u201cNever man spake like this man.\u201d John 7:46.\n\n2. How did Christ teach the people?\n\n\u201cHe taught them _as one having authority_, and not as the scribes.\u201d Matt.\n7:29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe teaching of the scribes and elders was cold and formal,\n like a lesson learned by rote. To them the Word of God possessed\n no vital power. Their own ideas and traditions were substituted\n for its teaching. In the accustomed round of service they\n professed to explain the law, but no inspiration from God stirred\n their own hearts or the hearts of their hearers.\u201d\n\n\n3. Why was Christ\u2019s preaching so impressive?\n\n\u201cFor _His word was with power_.\u201d Luke 4:32.\n\n4. With what was He filled?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus being _full of the Holy Ghost_ returned from Jordan, and was\nled by the Spirit into the wilderness.\u201d Verse 1.\n\n5. How freely was the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Him?\n\n\u201cFor He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: _for God giveth not\nthe Spirit by measure unto Him_.\u201d John 3:34.\n\n6. How had Christ\u2019s teaching by parables been foretold?\n\n\u201cI will open My mouth _in a parable_: I will utter dark sayings of old.\u201d\nPs. 78:2.\n\n7. How was this fulfilled?\n\n\u201cWithout a parable spake He not unto them.\u201d Matt. 13:34.\n\n8. What question did Christ\u2019s wonderful teaching call forth?\n\n\u201cAnd when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their\nsynagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, _Whence hath this\nman this wisdom_, and these mighty works?\u201d Verse 54.\n\n9. What did Isaiah say Christ would do with the law?\n\n\u201cHe will _magnify_ the law, and make it _honorable_.\u201d Isa. 42:21.\n\n10. Because some thought He had come to destroy the law, what did Christ\nsay?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and\nearth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till\nall be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least\ncommandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the\nkingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall\nbe called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except\nyour righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and\nPharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.\u201d Matt.\n5:17-20.\n\n11. What testimony did Nicodemus bear concerning Him?\n\n\u201cRabbi, _we know that Thou art a teacher come from God_: for no man can do\nthese miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.\u201d John 3:2.\n\n12. What did Christ\u2019s words at Jacob\u2019s well lead the woman of Samaria to\nask?\n\n\u201cThe woman then left her water-pot, and went her way into the city, and\nsaith to the men, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I\ndid: _is not this the Christ?_\u201d John 4:28, 29.\n\n13. How were the two on the way to Emmaus affected by Christ\u2019s\nconversation with them?\n\n\u201cAnd they said one to another, _Did not our heart burn within us, while He\ntalked with us by the way_, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?\u201d\nLuke 24:32.\n\n14. In His teaching, to what did Christ direct attention?\n\n\u201cAnd beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in\nall the scriptures the things concerning Himself.\u201d \u201cAnd He said unto them,\nThese are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that\nall things must be fulfilled, which were written in the _law of Moses_,\nand in the _prophets_, and in the _Psalms_, concerning Me. Then opened He\ntheir understanding, that they might understand _the Scriptures_.\u201d Verses\n27, 44, 45.\n\n15. How did He encourage His disciples to look for the fulfilment of\nprophecy?\n\n\u201cWhen ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by\nDaniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (_whoso readeth, let him\nunderstand_:) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.\u201d\nMatt. 24:15, 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ was a faithful student, a consistent user, and a\n perfect expounder, of the Scriptures. He met temptation with the\n Scriptures; He proved His Messiahship by the Scriptures; He taught\n from the Scriptures; and He told His disciples to look to the\n Scriptures as their counselor and guide for the future.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Blest they who seek\n While in their youth,\n With spirit meek,\n The way of truth.\n To them the Sacred Scriptures now display\n Christ as the only true and living way;\n His precious blood on Calvary was given\n To make them heirs of bliss in heaven.\n And e\u2019en on earth the child of God can trace\n The blessings of his Saviour\u2019s grace.\n For them He bore\n His Father\u2019s frown;\n For them He wore\n The thorny crown;\n Nailed to the cross,\n Endured its pain,\n That His life\u2019s loss\n Might be their gain.\n Then haste to choose\n That better part,\n Nor e\u2019en refuse\n The Lord thy heart,\n Lest He declare,\n \u201cI know you not,\u201d\n And deep despair\n Should be your lot.\n Now look to Jesus, who on Calvary died,\n And trust on Him who there was crucified.\n\n\n\n\nParables Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Lessons From Nature. \"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.\"\n Matt. 6:28.\n\n\n1. What reference is made in the Psalms to Christ\u2019s use of parables?\n\n\u201cI will open My mouth _in a parable_: I will utter _dark sayings of old_.\u201d\nPs. 78:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A parable primarily means a _comparison_ or _similitude_;\n specifically it is a short story or narrative drawn from life or\n nature, by means of which some important lesson is taught, or some\n moral drawn.\n\n\n2. From what sources did Christ usually draw His parables?\n\nFrom nature and from every-day experiences.\n\n3. For what are His parables noted?\n\n\u201cOur Saviour\u2019s parables are distinguished above all others for clearness,\npurity, chasteness, intelligibility, importance of instruction, and\nsimplicity. They are taken mostly from the affairs of common life, and are\nintelligible, therefore, to all men.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 13:3._\n\n4. Following one of His parables, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201cWho hath ears to hear let him hear.\u201d Matt. 13:9.\n\n5. What question did the disciples then ask?\n\n\u201cAnd the disciples came, and said unto Him, _Why speakest Thou unto them\nin parables_?\u201d Verse 10.\n\n6. What reply did Christ make?\n\n\u201cHe answered and said unto them, _Because it is given unto __ you to know\nthe mysteries of the kingdom of heaven_, but to them it is not given. For\nwhosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:\nbut whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.\nTherefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and\nhearing they hear not, neither do they understand.\u201d Verses 11-13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ\u2019s object, therefore, in using parables was to teach\n the mysteries, or truths, of the kingdom of heaven,\u2014truths not\n necessarily difficult to understand, but which had long been\n hidden or obscured by sin, apostasy, and tradition,\u2014in such a way\n that the spiritually minded and those desirous of learning the\n truth, might understand them, and the worldly-minded and unwilling\n would not. When asked the meaning of any parable, Christ readily\n explained it to His disciples. See Luke 8:9-15; Matt. 13:36-43;\n Mark 4:33,34.\n\n\n7. After giving instruction by the use of parables, what question did\nChrist ask His disciples?\n\n\u201cJesus saith unto them, _Have ye understood all these things?_ They say\nunto Him, Yea, Lord.\u201d Verse 51.\n\n8. How extensively did Christ make use of parables?\n\n\u201cAll these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and _without\na parable spake He not unto them_.\u201d Verse 34.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Parables are simply stories. All, young and old, like to\n hear a story. Story-telling is one of the most successful means of\n awakening an interest, securing attention, and teaching,\n illustrating, and enforcing important truths. Christ, the greatest\n of all teachers, recognized this, and therefore made constant use\n of this method of instruction. See reading on \u201cPreaching the\n Gospel,\u201d page 631.\n\n\n9. How did Christ suggest that His disciples follow His example in\nteaching gospel truth?\n\n\u201cThen said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto\nthe kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, _which\nbringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old_.\u201d Verse 52.\n\n10. Which are some of the most touching and soul-winning of Christ\u2019s\nparables?\n\nThe parable of the lost sheep, and that of the prodigal son. Luke 15:3-7,\n11-32.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Each parable is designed to teach some one great and\n important truth. The first twelve in the list here given are\n intended to teach the following lessons, respectively: (1) Good\n and evil in life and judgment. (2) Value of the gospel. (3)\n Seeking salvation. (4) The visible church of Christ. (5) Truths\n new and old. (6) Duty of forgiving others. (7) Call at various\n epochs. (8) Insincerity and repentance. (9) Need of righteousness.\n (10) Watchful and careful profession. (11) Use of abilities. (12)\n Final separation of good and bad.\n\n\nChrist\u2019s Parables\n\nParables Locality Matt. Mark Luke\nI. Recorded in only\none Gospel\nThe Tares Gennesaret 13:24-30\nThe hid treasure 13:44\nThe goodly pearl 13:45,46\nThe draw-net 13:47-50\nHouseholder and 13:52\ntreasure\nThe unmerciful servant Capernaum 18:23-35\nLaborers in the Jerusalem 20:1-16\nvineyard\nThe two sons 21:28-32\nMarriage of the king\u2019s Mt. of 22:1-14\nson Olives\nThe ten virgins 25:1-13\nThe ten talents 25:14-30\nThe sheep and goats 25:31-46\nThe seed growing Gennesaret 4:26-29\nsecretly\nHouseholder and 13:34-37\nservants\nThe two debtors Galilee 7:40-47\nThe good Samaritan Jerusalem 10:25-37\nThe friend at midnight 11:5-13\nThe rich fool 12:16-21\nThe wedding-feast 12:35-40\nThe wise steward 12:42-48\nThe barren fig-tree 13:6-9\nThe seat to take 14:7-11\nThe great supper 14:15-24\nTower; king going to 14:28-33\nwar\nThe piece of money 15:8-10\nThe prodigal son 15:11-32\nThe unjust steward 16:1-12\nRich man and Lazarus 16:19-31\nThe unprofitable 17:7-10\nservant\nThe importunate widow 18:1-8\nPharisee and publican 18:9-14\nThe pounds 19:11-27\nII. Recorded in two\nGospels\nHouse on rock and sand Galilee 7:24-27 6:47-49\nThe leaven in meal Gennesaret 13:33 13:20,21\nThe lost sheep Jerusalem 18:12-14 15:3-7\nIII. Recorded in three\nGospels\nNew cloth on old Capernaum 9:16 2:21 5:36\ngarment\nNew wine in old 9:17 2:22 5:37\nbottles\nThe sower Gennesaret 13:3-9 4:3-9 8:4-15\nThe mustard-seed 13:31,32 4:30-32 13:18,19\nThe wicked husbandmen Jerusalem 21:33-43 12:1-9 20:9-16\nThe fig-tree Mt. of 24:32,33 13:28,29 21:29-31\n Olives\n\n\n\n\nMiracles Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nHealing The Lunatic. \"A man approved of God ... by miracles and wonders.\"\n Acts 2:22.\n\n\n1. What testimony did the chief priests and Pharisees bear concerning\nChrist\u2019s work?\n\n\u201cThen gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said,\nWhat do we? for _this man doeth many miracles_.\u201d John 11:47.\n\n2. By what did Peter, on the day of Pentecost, say that Christ had been\napproved by God?\n\n\u201cYe men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of\nGod among you _by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in\nthe midst of you_, as ye yourselves also know.\u201d Acts 2:22.\n\n3. By what means did Christ claim to cast out devils?\n\n\u201cBut if I _with the finger of God_ cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom\nof God is come upon you.\u201d Luke 11:20. Matt. 12:28 says \u201cby the _Spirit_ of\nGod.\u201d\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Under the third plague in Egypt,\u2014that of turning the dust\n into lice,\u2014the magicians, failing to duplicate it, said to\n Pharaoh, \u201cThis is the finger of God.\u201d Ex. 8:18, 19.\n\n\n4. Upon what ground did Nicodemus rest his belief that Christ was a\nteacher from God?\n\n\u201cRabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: _for no man can do\nthese miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him_.\u201d John 3:2.\n\n5. After the healing of the blind man, upon what charge did some of the\nPharisees seek to prove that Christ was not of God?\n\n\u201cTherefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, _because He\nkeepeth not the Sabbath day_.\u201d John 9:16, first part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This was a false charge. Christ did keep the Sabbath, but\n not according to the Pharisees\u2019 idea of Sabbath-keeping. See\n reading on \u201cChrist and the Sabbath,\u201d page 430.\n\n\n6. What question did others raise in opposition to this view?\n\n\u201cOthers said, _How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?_ And there\nwas a division among them.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n7. What was the result of Christ\u2019s working miracles at His first Passover?\n\n\u201cNow when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast-day, _many\nbelieved in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did_.\u201d John\n2:23.\n\n8. What question did the performing of these miracles lead many to ask?\n\n\u201cAnd many of the people believed on Him, and said, _When Christ cometh,\nwill He do more miracles than these which this man hath done?_\u201d John 7:31.\n\n9. Why were many attracted to Christ?\n\n\u201cA great multitude followed Him, _because they saw His miracles which He\ndid on them that were diseased_.\u201d John 6:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A miracle is the display of divine or superhuman power in\n some unusual or extraordinary manner; hence its nature to attract\n attention. Christ fed the five thousand with the multiplied loaves\n and fishes, and all men wondered. Every day God feeds millions of\n humanity with the multiplied fruits of the earth, and no one\n marvels. Christ, by a shortened process, changed water into wine,\n and everybody was astonished; but every year God does this in the\n usual way\u2014through the vine\u2014in almost limitless quantities, and no\n one is astonished. A divine miracle, therefore, whenever\n performed, is wrought to heal and to save, and to call attention\n to the source of divine power.\n\n\n10. What did the people say when they saw these things?\n\n\u201c_He hath done all things well_: He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the\ndumb to speak.\u201d Mark 7:37.\n\n11. What kinds of disease and sickness did Jesus cure?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and\npreaching the gospel of the kingdom, and _healing all manner of sickness\nand all manner of disease among the people_.\u201d \u201cGreat multitudes followed\nHim, and _He healed them all_.\u201d Matt. 4:23; 12:15.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Miraculous Draft Of Fishes. \"Launch out into the deep, and let down your\n nets.\" Luke 5:4.\n\n\n12. Who were brought to Him for healing?\n\n\u201cAnd they brought unto Him _all sick people that were taken with divers\ndiseases and torments_, and those which were _possessed with devils_, and\nthose which were _lunatic_, and those that had the _palsy_; and He healed\nthem.\u201d Matt. 4:24.\n\n13. To the woman who had been healed by touching His garment, what did\nChrist say made her whole?\n\n\u201c_Thy faith_ hath made thee whole.\u201d Matt. 9:22.\n\n14. What did He say to the two blind men as He healed them?\n\n\u201cAccording to your _faith_ be it unto you.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n15. To another whose sight He had restored, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201c_Thy faith_ hath saved thee.\u201d Luke 18:42.\n\n16. Why did not Christ work many miracles in His own country?\n\n\u201cAnd He did not many mighty works there _because of their unbelief_.\u201d\nMatt. 13:58.\n\n17. What lesson did Christ design to teach in healing the man sick of the\npalsy?\n\n\u201cBut _that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to\nforgive sins_, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee,\nArise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.\u201d Luke 5:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By His miracles, therefore, Christ designed to teach faith\n in the power of God not only to _restore the body_, but to _heal\n the soul_.\n\n\n18. What effect did Christ\u2019s miracles have upon the individuals restored,\nand the people who witnessed them?\n\n\u201cAnd immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, _glorifying God:\nand all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God_.\u201d \u201cAnd all the\npeople _rejoiced_ for all the glorious things that were done by Him.\u201d Luke\n18:43; 13:17.\n\n19. What message did Christ send to John the Baptist while John was in\nprison, to strengthen his wavering faith?\n\n\u201cGo and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: _The blind\nreceive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the\ndeaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached\nto them._ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.\u201d Matt.\n11:4-6.\n\n20. In what miracle did Christ bring to a climax His works on earth?\n\n\u201cAnd when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, _Lazarus, come\nforth_. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with\ngrave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith\nunto them, Loose him, and let him go.\u201d John 11:48, 44.\n\n21. What was the result of this great miracle?\n\n\u201cThen _many of the Jews_ which came to Mary, and had seen the things which\nJesus did, _believed on Him_.\u201d Verse 45.\n\n22. Because of the interest which this miracle created in Him, what did\nthe Pharisees say?\n\n\u201cBehold, _the world is gone after Him_.\u201d John 12:19.\n\n23. What did Jesus present to the people as a basis of confidence in Him?\n\n\u201cIf I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though\nye believe not Me, _believe the works_: that ye may know, and believe,\nthat the Father is in Me, and I in Him.\u201d \u201cBelieve Me that I am in the\nFather, and the Father in Me: or else _believe Me for the very works\u2019\nsake_.\u201d John 10:37, 38; 14:11.\n\n24. Did Jesus ever make use of ordinary means in performing His miracles?\n\n\u201cWhen He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the\nspittle, and He _anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay_, and\nsaid unto him, Go, _wash in the pool of Siloam_, (which is by\ninterpretation, Sent). He went his way therefore, and washed, and came\nseeing.\u201d John 9:6, 7. See also Mark 7:33-35; 8:23-25; 2 Kings 5:1-14.\n\n25. Why were the miracles of Christ recorded by the inspired writers?\n\n\u201cAnd many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples,\nwhich are not written in this book: but _these are written, that ye might\nbelieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye\nmight have life through His name_.\u201d John 20:30, 31.\n\nChrist\u2019s Miracles\n\nMiracle Matt. Mark Luke John\nI. Recorded in only one\nGospel\nTwo blind men healed 9:27-31\nA dumb demoniac healed 9:32, 33\nPiece of money in mouth 17:24-27\nof fish\nDeaf and dumb man healed 7:31-37\nA blind man healed 8:22-26\nPassed through throng 4:28-31\nunseen\nDraft of fishes 5:1-11\nRaising the widow\u2019s son 7:11-17\nHealing woman with 13:11-17\ninfirmity\nHealing man with dropsy 14:1-6\nHealing ten lepers 17:11-19\nHealing ear of Malchus 22:50, 51\nTurning water into wine 2:1-11\nHealing nobleman\u2019s son 4:46-54\nHealing impotent man 5:1-16\nHealing man born blind 9\nRaising of Lazarus 11:1-46\nDraft of fishes 21:1-11\nII. Recorded in two\nGospels\nHealing centurion\u2019s 8:5-13 7:1-10\nservant\nBlind demoniac healed 12:22-30 11:14-26\nHealing Syrophenician 15:21-28 7:24-30\nmaiden\nFeeding the four 15:32-39 8:1-9\nthousand\nCursing the fig-tree 21:17-22 11:12-14\nDemoniac in synagogue 1:23-28 4:33-37\nhealed\nIII. Recorded in three\nGospels\nHealing the leper 8:2, 3 1:40-42 5:12, 13\nHealing Peter\u2019s 8:14, 15 1:30, 31 4:38, 39\nmother-in-law\nStilling the storm 8:23-27 4:35-41 8:22-25\nLegion of devils cast 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-37\nout\nHealing man sick of 9:1-8 2:3-12 5:18-26\npalsy\nHealing woman with issue 9:20-22 5:25-34 8:43-48\nRaising Jairus\u2019s 9:18-26 5:22-43 8:41-56\ndaughter\nHealing man\u2019s withered 12:10-13 3:1-5 6:6-10\nhand\nWalking on the sea 14:22-33 6:48-51 6:16-21\nCuring demoniac child 17:14-21 9:14-29 9:38-42\nCuring blind Bartim\u00e6us 20:30-34 10:46-52 18:35-43\nIV. Recorded in four\nGospels\nFeeding the five 14:15-21 6:35-44 9:12-17 6:5-14\nthousand\n\n\n\n\nSufferings Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ In The Garden. \"There appeared an angel unto Him from heaven\n strengthening Him.\" Luke 22:43.\n\n\n1. For what purpose did Christ come into the world?\n\n\u201cThis is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ\nJesus came into the world _to save sinners_; of whom I am chief.\u201d 1 Tim.\n1:15.\n\n2. What constrained God to give His Son to die for man?\n\n\u201cFor _God so loved the world_, that He gave His only begotten Son, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16. See 1 John 4:9, 10; Rom. 5:8.\n\n3. What did the prophet say Christ would be called to endure?\n\n\u201cHe was _oppressed_, and He was _afflicted_, yet He opened not His mouth:\nHe is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her\nshearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. He was taken from prison\nand from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was _cut\noff out of the land of the living_: for the transgression of My people was\nHe stricken.\u201d Isa. 53:7, 8.\n\n4. Did Christ know beforehand the treatment He was to receive?\n\n\u201cThen He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, _Behold, we go up\nto Jerusalem, and all things that are written by __ the prophets\nconcerning the Son of man shall be accomplished_. For He shall be\ndelivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be _mocked_, and _spitefully\nentreated_, and _spitted on_: and they shall _scourge Him_, and _put Him\nto death_.\u201d Luke 18:31-33.\n\n5. How heavy was the burden which rested on His soul on the night of His\nbetrayal?\n\n\u201cAnd He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be\nsorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, _My soul is exceeding\nsorrowful, even unto death_: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.\u201d Matt.\n26:37, 38.\n\n6. What prayer of Christ shows that the redemption of a lost world\ntrembled in the balance in that terrible hour?\n\n\u201cAnd He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,\n_O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me_: nevertheless\nnot as I will, but as Thou wilt.\u201d Verse 39.\n\n7. How great was the agony of His soul?\n\n\u201cAnd being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it\nwere great drops of blood falling down to the ground.\u201d Luke 22:44.\n\n8. After He had prayed this remarkable prayer three times, what occurred?\n\n\u201cAnd while He yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas,\none of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him.\nBut Jesus said unto him, Judas, _betrayest thou the Son of man with a\nkiss_?\u201d Verses 47, 48.\n\n9. To what place was Christ taken?\n\n\u201cThen took they Him, and led Him, and brought Him _into the high priest\u2019s\nhouse_. And Peter followed afar off.\u201d Verse 54.\n\n10. While at the high priest\u2019s house, how did Peter deny Him?\n\n\u201cAnother confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was\nwith Him: for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, _Man, I know not what thou\nsayest_. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord\nturned, and looked upon Peter.\u201d Verses 59-61.\n\n11. To what insults was Christ subjected at the house of the high priest?\n\n\u201cAnd _the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him_. And when they\nhad blindfolded Him, _they struck Him on the face_, and asked Him, saying,\nProphesy, who is it that smote Thee?\u201d Verses 63, 64.\n\n12. Where was Christ next taken?\n\n\u201cAnd as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests\nand the scribes came together, and _led Him into their council_.\u201d Verse\n66.\n\n13. What admission did they secure from Him as the basis of condemning\nHim?\n\n\u201cThen said they all, Art Thou then the Son of God? And He said unto them,\n_Ye say that I am_. And they said, What need we any further witness? for\nwe ourselves have heard of His own mouth.\u201d Verses 70, 71.\n\n14. What was the next step in their plan to secure lawful authority to\ncarry out their unlawful purpose?\n\n\u201cAnd the whole multitude of them arose, and _led Him unto Pilate_.\u201d Luke\n23:1.\n\n15. When Pilate desired Christ released, how did they remonstrate?\n\n\u201cAnd _they were the more fierce_, saying, _He stirreth up the people_,\nteaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.\u201d\nVerse 5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This has ever been a favorite accusation of the enemies of\n truth against the work of true reformers. The Romans at this very\n time had a law forbidding the teaching of any new religion\n \u201cwhereby the minds of men may be _disturbed_.\u201d\n\n\n16. When Pilate heard that Christ was from Galilee, what did he do?\n\n\u201cAnd as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod\u2019s jurisdiction, _he\nsent Him to Herod_, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.\u201d Verse\n7.\n\n17. Who appeared to accuse Christ before Herod?\n\n\u201cAnd _the chief priests and scribes_ stood and vehemently accused Him.\u201d\nVerse 10.\n\n18. To what indignities did Herod subject the Saviour?\n\n\u201cAnd Herod with his men of war _set Him at naught_, and _mocked Him_, and\n_arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe_, and sent Him again to Pilate.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n19. What did Pilate propose to do when Christ was again brought before\nhim?\n\n\u201cI have found no cause of death in Him: _I will therefore chastise Him,\nand let Him go_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Crucifixion. \"There was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth\n hour.\" Luke 23:44.\n\n\n20. Instead of consenting to His release, what did Christ\u2019s accusers now\ndemand?\n\n\u201cAnd _they were instant_ [_earnest_] _with loud voices, requiring that He\nmight be crucified_. And the voices of them and of the chief priests\nprevailed.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n21. Although Pilate had declared his belief in Christ\u2019s innocence, yet\nwhat cruel punishment did he inflict upon Him?\n\n\u201cThen Pilate therefore took Jesus, and _scourged Him_.\u201d John 19:1.\n\n22. What shameful treatment did Christ receive from the soldiers?\n\n\u201cAnd _when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head_,\nand a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and\nmocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! _And they spit upon Him, and\ntook the reed, and smote Him on the head._\u201d Matt. 27:29, 30.\n\n23. After bringing Him to the place of crucifixion, what drink was offered\nChrist to stupefy Him?\n\n\u201cThey gave Him _vinegar to drink mingled with gall_: and when He had\ntasted thereof, He would not drink.\u201d Verse 34.\n\n24. In what prayer for those who crucified Him did Christ manifest the\ntrue spirit of the gospel,\u2014love for sinners?\n\n\u201cThen said Jesus, _Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do_.\u201d\nLuke 23:34.\n\n25. With what words did the chief priests and others mock Jesus while on\nthe cross?\n\n\u201cLikewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders,\nsaid, _He saved others; Himself He cannot save_. If He be the King of\nIsrael, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.\u201d\nMatt. 27:41, 42.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In their blindness they could not see that Christ could not\n save others and save Himself at the same time.\n\n\n26. As He cried out in agony on the cross, and said, \u201cI thirst,\u201d what was\ngiven Him?\n\n\u201cAnd straightway one of them ran, and _took a sponge, and filled it with\nvinegar_, and put it on a reed, and _gave Him to drink_.\u201d Verse 48. See\nJohn 19:28, 29.\n\n27. What closed this terrible scene?\n\n\u201cWhen Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said It is finished:\n_and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost_.\u201d John 19:30.\n\n28. By what miracle, and phenomenon in nature did God indicate the\ncharacter of the deed which was being committed?\n\n\u201cAnd it was about the sixth hour [noon], and _there was a darkness over\nall the earth_ until the ninth hour. And _the sun was darkened_, and _the\nveil of the temple was rent in the midst_.\u201d Luke 23:44, 45.\n\n29. What divine purpose was wrought out in the sufferings of Christ?\n\n\u201cFor it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things,\nin bringing many sons unto glory, _to make the Captain of their salvation\nperfect through sufferings_.\u201d Heb. 2:10.\n\n30. For whom did Christ suffer all these things?\n\n\u201cHe was _wounded for our transgressions_, He was _bruised for our\niniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His\nstripes we are healed_.\u201d Isa. 53:5.\n\n31. How much was included in the gift of Christ for the salvation of man?\n\n\u201cHe that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, _how\nshall He not with Him also freely give us all things?_\u201d Rom. 8:32.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n \u2019Tis midnight; and on Olives\u2019 brow\n The star is dimmed that lately shone:\n \u2019Tis midnight; in the garden, now,\n The suffering Saviour prays alone.\n\n \u2019Tis midnight; and from all removed,\n The Saviour wrestles lone with fears;\n E\u2019en that disciple whom He loved\n Heeds not His Master\u2019s grief and tears.\n\n \u2019Tis midnight; and for others\u2019 guilt\n The Man of Sorrows weeps in blood;\n Yet He who hath in anguish knelt,\n Is not forsaken by His God.\n\n \u2019Tis midnight; and from ether plains\n Is borne the song that angels know;\n Unheard by mortals are the strains\n That sweetly soothe the Saviour\u2019s woe.\n\n WILLIAM B. TAPPAN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Resurrection Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Visit To The Sepulcher. \"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.\"\n Matt. 28:6.\n\n\n1. In what psalm was the resurrection of Christ foretold?\n\n\u201cFor Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell [Heb., _Sheol_, the grave]:\nneither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.\u201d Ps. 16:10.\n\n2. In what way was Jonah a type of Christ?\n\n\u201cFor as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale\u2019s belly; so\nshall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the\nearth.\u201d Matt. 12:40.\n\n3. In what plain words did Christ foretell His resurrection?\n\n\u201cFrom that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He\nmust go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief\npriests and scribes, and be killed, _and be raised again the third day_.\u201d\nMatt. 16:21. \u201cAnd while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The\nSon of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill\nHim, _and the third day He shall be raised again_.\u201d Matt. 17: 22, 23. \u201cThe\nSon of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and\nchief priests and scribes, and be slain, _and be raised the third day_.\u201d\nLuke 9:22. See also Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 8:31; 9:31, 32; 10:32-34; Luke\n18:31-34.\n\n4. When asked by the Jews for a sign of His Messiahship, what did Jesus\nsay?\n\n\u201cJesus answered and said unto them, _Destroy this temple, and in three\ndays I will raise it up_.\u201d John 2:19.\n\n5. To what temple did He refer?\n\n\u201cThen said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and\nwilt Thou rear it up in three days? But _He spake of the temple of His\nbody_.\u201d Verses 20, 21.\n\n6. After His resurrection, what effect had this prediction upon His\ndisciples?\n\n\u201cWhen therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that\nHe had said this unto them; and _they believed the scripture, and the word\nwhich Jesus had said_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n7. How did the chief priests and Pharisees seek to prevent the fulfilment\nof Christ\u2019s words concerning His resurrection?\n\n\u201cNow the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief\npriests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember\nthat that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will\nrise again. _Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the\nthird day_, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say\nunto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be\nworse than the first.\u201d Matt. 27:62-64.\n\n8. How did Pilate comply with their request?\n\n\u201cPilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, _make it as sure as\nye can_. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and\nsetting a watch.\u201d Verses 65, 66.\n\n9. How futile was all this?\n\n\u201cIn the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of\nthe week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.\nAnd, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord\ndescended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,\nand sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white\nas snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead\nmen. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I\nknow that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for _He is\nrisen, as He said_. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go\nquickly, and tell His disciples that _He is risen from the dead_.\u201d Matt.\n28:1-7. See also Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24:1-8, 44-46; John 20:1-9.\n\n10. Was it possible for Christ to be holden of death?\n\n\u201cHim being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,\nye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath\nraised up, having loosed the pains of death: _because it was not possible\nthat He should be holden of it_.\u201d Acts 2:23,24.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Resurrection. \"Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen\n from the dead.\" Matt. 28:7.\n\n\n11. How does Paul speak of the resurrection of Christ?\n\n\u201cFor I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how\nthat Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was\nburied, and that _He rose again the third day according to the\nScriptures_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:3, 4.\n\n12. Who does the apostle say saw Christ after He was risen?\n\n\u201cHe was seen of _Cephas_, then of _the twelve_: after that, He was seen of\n_above five hundred brethren at once_; ... after that, He was seen of\n_James_; then of _all the apostles_. And last of all He was seen of _me_\nalso, as of one born out of due time.\u201d Verses 5-8.\n\n13. What importance is attached to Christ\u2019s resurrection?\n\n\u201cIf Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is\nalso vain.... Ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen\nasleep in Christ are perished.\u201d Verses 14-18.\n\n14. What positive assurance of the resurrection is given?\n\n\u201cBut _now is Christ risen from the dead_, and become the first-fruits of\nthem that slept.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n15. What great truth therefore follows?\n\n\u201cAs in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n16. What cheering message has Christ sent to His people touching His\nresurrection?\n\n\u201cI am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, _I am alive forevermore_,\nAmen; _and have the keys of hell and of death_.\u201d Rev. 1:18.\n\n17. What is the measure of the power of God which believers may experience\nin their daily lives?\n\n\u201cThat ye may know ... the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who\nbelieve, _according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought\nin Christ, when He raised Him from the dead_.\u201d Eph. 1:18-20.\n\n18. What Christian ordinance has been given as a memorial of Christ\u2019s\nburial and resurrection?\n\nBaptism, the symbol of the new birth. Rom. 6:3-5.\n\n\n\n\nA Sinless Life\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nA Teacher Of Righteousness. \"He was in all points tempted like as we are,\n yet without sin.\" Heb. 4:15.\n\n\n1. What testimony is borne concerning Christ\u2019s life on earth?\n\n\u201c_Who did no sin_, neither was guile found in His mouth.\u201d 1 Peter 2:22.\n\n2. What is true of all other members of the human family?\n\n\u201c_For all have sinned_, and come short of the glory of God.\u201d Rom. 3:23.\n\n3. With what question did Christ challenge His enemies?\n\n\u201cWhich of you convinceth Me of sin?\u201d John 8:46.\n\n4. To what extent was Christ tempted?\n\n\u201c[He] was _in all points tempted like as we are_, yet without sin.\u201d Heb.\n4:15.\n\n5. In His humanity, of what nature did Christ partake?\n\n\u201cForasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, _He also\nHimself likewise took part of the same_; that through death He might\ndestroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.\u201d Heb. 2:14.\n\n6. How fully did Christ share our common humanity?\n\n\u201cWherefore _in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His\nbrethren_, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things\npertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.\u201d\nVerse 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature.\n If not, then He was not \u201cmade like unto His brethren,\u201d was not \u201cin\n all points tempted like as we are,\u201d did not overcome as we have to\n overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Saviour\n man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born\n of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no tendencies to\n sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm\n of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed.\n On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam\n inherits\u2014a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very\n conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this\n was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and to demonstrate\n that _in the same way_ every one who is \u201cborn of the Spirit\u201d may\n gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each\n one is to overcome _as Christ overcame_. Rev. 3:21. Without this\n birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation\n from sin. John 3:3-7.\n\n\n7. Where did God, in Christ, condemn sin, and gain the victory for us over\ntemptation and sin?\n\n\u201cFor what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God\nsending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,\n_condemned sin in the flesh_.\u201d Rom. 8:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it\n merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by coming and\n living _in the flesh, in sinful flesh_, and yet without sinning.\n In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and\n power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and _live a sinless\n life in sinful flesh_.\n\n\n8. By whose power did Christ live the perfect life?\n\n\u201cI can of Mine own self do nothing.\u201d John 5:30. \u201cThe words that I speak\nunto you I speak not of Myself: but _the Father that dwelleth in Me, He\ndoeth the works_.\u201d John 14:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In His humanity Christ was as dependent upon divine power to\n do the works of God as is any man to do the same thing. He\n employed no means to live a holy life that are not available to\n every human being. Through Him, every one may have God dwelling in\n him and working in him \u201cto _will_ and to _do_ of His good\n pleasure.\u201d 1 John 4:15; Phil. 2:13.\n\n\n9. What unselfish purpose did Jesus ever have before Him?\n\n\u201cFor I came down from heaven, _not to do Mine own will, but the will of\nHim that sent Me_.\u201d John 6:38.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Have I need of aught, O Saviour!\n Aught on earth but Thee?\n Have I any in the heavens,\n Any one but Thee?\n\n Though I have of friends so many,\n Love, and gold, and health,\n If I have not Thee, my Saviour,\n Hold I any wealth?\n CORIE F. DAVIS.\n\n\n\n\nOur Pattern\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nSea Of Tiberias. \"Leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.\"\n 1 Peter 2:21.\n\n\n1. In whose steps should we follow?\n\n\u201cFor even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,\n_leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps_.\u201d 1 Peter 2:21.\n\n2. How should the Christian walk?\n\n\u201cHe that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as\n_He walked_.\u201d 1 John 2:6. See Col. 2:6.\n\n3. What mind should be in us?\n\n\u201cLet this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.\u201d Phil. 2:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The mind of Christ was characterized by humility (verses\n 6-8); dependence upon God (John 5:19, 30); a determination to do\n only the Father\u2019s will (John 5:30; 6:38); thoughtfulness of others\n (Acts 10:38); and a willingness to sacrifice and suffer, and even\n to die, for the good of others (2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 5:6-8; 1 Peter\n 2:24).\n\n\n4. As a child, what example did Christ set in the matter of obeying His\nparents?\n\n\u201cAnd He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and _was subject unto\nthem_.\u201d Luke 2:51.\n\n5. How are His childhood and youth described?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus _increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and\nman_.\u201d Verse 52.\n\n6. What example did He set concerning baptism?\n\n\u201cThen cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, _to be baptized of\nhim_. But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee,\nand comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be\nso now: for _thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness_. Then he\nsuffered Him.\u201d Matt. 3:13-15.\n\n7. How did Christ teach the prayerful life?\n\n\u201cHe went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to\nGod.\u201d Luke 6:12. \u201cHe took Peter and John and James, and went up into a\nmountain to pray.\u201d Luke 9:28.\n\n8. To what kind of work did Jesus devote His life?\n\n\u201cWho went about _doing good_.\u201d Acts 10:38.\n\n9. For whom and why did Christ leave the riches of heaven?\n\n\u201cFor ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich,\n_yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be\nrich_.\u201d 2 Cor. 8:9.\n\n10. When reviled and mistreated, what did He do?\n\n\u201cWho when He was reviled, _reviled not again_; when He suffered, _He\nthreatened not_; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.\u201d 1\nPeter 2:23.\n\n11. How did He pray for those who crucified Him?\n\n\u201cThen said Jesus, _Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do_.\u201d\nLuke 23:34. See Acts 3:17.\n\n12. What is the inspired testimony concerning Him?\n\n\u201c_Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity_; therefore God, even\nThy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.\u201d\nHeb. 1:9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Majestic sweetness sits enthroned\n Upon the Saviour\u2019s brow;\n His head with radiant light is crowned,\n His lips with grace o\u2019erflow.\n\n No mortal can with Him compare,\n Among the sons of men;\n Fairer is He than all the fair\n That fill the heavenly train.\n SAMUEL STENNETT.\n\n\n\n\nOur Helper And Friend\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nStilling The Tempest. \"He arose, and rebuked the winds ... and there was a\n great calm.\" Matt. 8:26.\n\n\n1. Through Christ, what has been opened to the house of David?\n\n\u201cIn that day there shall be _a fountain_ opened to the house of David and\nto the inhabitants of Jerusalem _for sin and for uncleanness_.\u201d Zech.\n13:1.\n\n2. Who has borne our sins, and stands ready to help us?\n\n\u201cI that speak in righteousness, _mighty to save_.\u201d Isa. 63: 1. last part.\n\n3. For what purpose did Christ come to this world?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man is come _to seek and to save that which was lost_.\u201d\nLuke 19:10.\n\n4. Through what was Christ made a complete and perfect Saviour?\n\n\u201cFor it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things,\nin bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation\nperfect _through sufferings_.\u201d Heb. 2:10.\n\n5. Because of this, what is Christ able to do?\n\n\u201cFor in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, _He is able to succor\nthem that are tempted_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n6. How complete a Saviour is He?\n\n\u201cWherefore _He is able also to save them to the uttermost that __ come\nunto God by Him_, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.\u201d\nHeb. 7:25.\n\n7. From what is He able to keep us?\n\n\u201cNow unto Him that is able _to keep you from falling_, and to present you\nfaultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only\nwise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now\nand ever. Amen.\u201d Jude 24, 25.\n\n8. What does He call those who accept Him?\n\n\u201cHenceforth I call you not servants; ... I have called you _friends_.\u201d\nJohn 15:15.\n\n9. What kind of friend is He?\n\n\u201cThere is _a friend that sticketh closer than a brother_.\u201d Prov. 18:24.\n\n10. What is the mark of a true friend?\n\n\u201c_A friend loveth at all times_, and a brother is born for adversity.\u201d\nProv. 17:17.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I will sing the wondrous story\n Of the Christ who died for me,\n How He left His home in glory,\n For the cross on Calvary.\n\n I was lost, but Jesus found me,\n Found the sheep that went astray;\n Threw His loving arms around me,\n Drew me back into His way.\n\n I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,\n Faint was I from many a fall,\n Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,\n But He freed me from them all.\n\n Days of darkness still come o\u2019er me,\n Sorrow\u2019s paths I often tread,\n But the Saviour still is with me,\n By His hand I\u2019m safely led.\n\n Yes, I\u2019ll sing the wondrous story\n Of the Christ who died for me,\n Sing it with the saints in glory,\n Gathered by the crystal sea.\n FRANCIS H. ROWLEY.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART V. THE HOLY SPIRIT\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nOutpouring Of The Spirit At Pentecost. \"It shall come to pass in the last\n days ... I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.\" Acts 2:17.\n\n\n\n\nThe Holy Spirit And His Work\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Ascension Of Christ. \"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you\n another Comforter.\" John 14:16.\n\n\n1. What precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before\nHis crucifixion?\n\n\u201cI will pray the Father, and _He shall give you another Comforter_, that\nHe may abide with you forever.\u201d John 14:16.\n\n2. Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?\n\n\u201cBut the Comforter, even _the Holy Spirit_, whom the Father will send in\nMy name, _He shall teach you all things_, and bring to your remembrance\nall that I said unto you.\u201d Verse 26, R. V.\n\n3. Why cannot the world receive Him?\n\n\u201cEven the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, _because it\nseeth Him not, neither knoweth Him_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n4. How intimate is His union with believers?\n\n\u201cBut ye know Him; for _He dwelleth with you_, and shall be _in you_.\u201d Same\nverse.\n\n5. Whose presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the believers?\n\n\u201cI will not leave you comfortless: _I will come to you_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n6. What promise is thus fulfilled?\n\n\u201cLo, _I am with you alway_, even unto the end of the world.\u201d Matt. 28:20.\nSee also John 14:21-23.\n\n7. What threefold union is thus established?\n\n\u201cAt that day ye shall know that _I am in My Father_, and _ye in Me_, and\n_I in you_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Rom. 8:9 shows the Spirit of each of the three persons of\n the Godhead to be one and the same Spirit.\n\n\n8. How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to every heart?\n\n\u201cBehold, _I stand at the door, and knock_: if any man hear My voice, and\nopen the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with\nMe.\u201d Rev. 3:20.\n\n9. Why was it necessary for Christ to go away?\n\n\u201cNevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go\naway: for _if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you_; but if\nI depart, I will send Him unto you.\u201d John 16:7.\n\n10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?\n\n\u201cAnd when He is come, He will _reprove_ [margin, _convince_] the world of\n_sin_, and of _righteousness_, and of _judgment_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n11. By what other title is the Comforter designated?\n\n\u201cBut when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the\nFather, even _the Spirit of truth_, which proceedeth from the Father, He\nshall testify of Me.\u201d John 15:26.\n\n12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?\n\n\u201cHowbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, _He will guide you into\nall truth_: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall\nhear, that shall He speak: and _He will show you things to come_.\u201d John\n16:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Spirit _speaks_ (1 Tim. 4:1); _teaches_ (1 Cor. 2:3);\n _bears witness_ (Rom. 8:16); _makes intercession_ (Rom. 8:26);\n _distributes the gifts_ (1 Cor. 12:11); and _invites the sinner_\n (Rev. 22:17).\n\n\n13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?\n\n\u201cHe shall glorify _Me_: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it\nunto you.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is\n the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in\n the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows\n that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the\n place of the third person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man\n in the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the\n Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.\n\n\n14. How has God revealed to us the hidden things of the kingdom?\n\n\u201cBut God hath revealed them unto us _by His Spirit_: for the Spirit\nsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.\u201d 1 Cor. 2:10.\n\n15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?\n\n\u201cFor the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of\nGod spake as they were moved by the _Holy Ghost_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:21.\n\n16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?\n\n\u201cWith the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.\u201d 1 Peter 1:12.\n\n17. How are believers sealed?\n\n\u201cIn whom also after that ye believed, ye were _sealed with that Holy\nSpirit of promise_.\u201d Eph. 1:13.\n\n18. What warning is therefore given?\n\n\u201c_Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God_, whereby ye are sealed unto the day\nof redemption.\u201d Eph. 4:30.\n\n19. Is there a limit to the strivings of God\u2019s Spirit?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man.\u201d Gen. 6:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the\n Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and\n further appeals would be without avail. God foreknowing all\n things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as\n in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood\n (Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long\n as there is hope of his salvation.\n\n\n20. For what did David pray?\n\n\u201cCast me not away from Thy presence; and _take not Thy Holy Spirit from\nme_.\u201d Ps. 51:11.\n\n21. How willing is God to give to us the Holy Spirit?\n\n\u201cIf ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children:\nhow much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that\nask Him?\u201d Luke 11:13.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O for that flame of living fire?\n Which shone so bright in saints of old;\n Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,\n Calm in distress, in danger bold!\n\n Remember, Lord, the ancient days;\n Renew Thy work, Thy grace restore;\n And while to Thee our hearts we raise,\n On us Thy Holy Spirit pour.\n WM. H. BATHURST.\n\n\n\n\nFruit Of The Spirit\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n David And Jonathan. \"The fruit of the Spirit is love.\" Gal. 5:22.\n\n\n1. What is the fruit of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cThe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,\ngoodness, faith, meekness, temperance.\u201d Gal. 5:22, 23.\n\n2. What are the works of the flesh?\n\n\u201cNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,\nfornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,\nvariance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings,\nmurders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like.\u201d Verses 19-21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The evils here mentioned are a close parallel to the lists\n found in Matt. 15:18, 19; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:29-31; and 2 Tim.\n 3:1-5.\n\n\n3. How may the works of the flesh be avoided?\n\n\u201c_Walk in the Spirit_, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.\u201d\nGal. 5:16.\n\n4. By what is the love of God shed abroad in the heart?\n\n\u201cThe love of God is shed abroad in our hearts _by the Holy Ghost_ which is\ngiven unto us.\u201d Rom. 5:5.\n\n5. What is love declared to be?\n\n\u201cAnd above all these things put on love, which is the _bond of\nperfectness_.\u201d Col. 3:14, R. V.\n\n6. By what does genuine faith work?\n\n\u201cFor in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor\nuncircumcision; but _faith which worketh by love_.\u201d Gal. 5:6.\n\n7. What does love do?\n\n\u201cHatred stirreth up strifes: but _love covereth all sins_.\u201d Prov. 10:12.\n\u201cHave fervent charity among yourselves: for _charity shall cover the\nmultitude of sins_.\u201d 1 Peter 4:8.\n\n8. Of what does the kingdom of God consist?\n\n\u201cFor the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but _righteousness_, and\n_peace_, and _joy_ in the Holy Ghost.\u201d Rom. 14:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is the Christian\u2019s privilege to have righteousness,\n peace, and joy,\u2014a righteousness which is of God by faith (Rom.\n 3:21, 22); a peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7), which\n the world can neither give nor take away; and a joy that rejoices\n evermore (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4).\n\n\n9. In what way does love manifest itself?\n\n\u201cLove suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not\nitself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its\nown, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil.\u201d 1 Cor. 13:4, 5, R. V.\n\n10. What does God\u2019s gentleness do for us?\n\n\u201cThy gentleness hath _made me great_.\u201d Ps. 18:35.\n\n11. What spirit should we show toward others?\n\n\u201cAnd the servant of the Lord must not strive; but _be gentle unto all\nmen_.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:24.\n\n12. What does the goodness of God do?\n\n\u201cOr despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and\nlong-suffering; not knowing that _the goodness of God leadeth thee to\nrepentance_?\u201d Rom. 2:4.\n\n13. How should we treat those who have wronged us?\n\n\u201cDearly beloved, _avenge not yourselves_, but rather give place unto\nwrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.\nTherefore _if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:\nfor in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head_.\u201d Rom. 12:19,\n20.\n\n14. How does faith determine our standing with God?\n\n\u201cBut _without faith it is impossible to please Him_: for he that cometh to\nGod must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that\ndiligently seek Him.\u201d Heb. 11:6.\n\n15. How does God regard the meek and quiet spirit?\n\n\u201cWhose adorning ... let it be the hidden man of the heart, ... even the\nornament of _a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of\ngreat price_.\u201d 1 Peter 3:3, 4.\n\n16. In our Christian growth and experience, what is to accompany faith,\ncourage, and knowledge?\n\n\u201cAdd to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and to\nknowledge _temperance_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One of the briefest and best definitions of temperance is\n _self-control_. The word in the text means much more than mere\n abstinence from intoxicating drinks,\u2014the limited sense now\n frequently given to it. It means control, strength, power, or\n ascendency over exciting and evil passions of all kinds. It\n denotes the self-rule which the overcomer or converted man has\n over the evil propensities of his nature. Commenting on this\n passage, Dr. Albert Barnes says: \u201cThe influences of the Holy\n Spirit on the heart make a man _moderate_ in all indulgences;\n teach him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself.\u201d\n\n\n17. How highly is he commended who controls his spirit?\n\n\u201cHe that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and _he that ruleth\nhis spirit than he that taketh a city_.\u201d Prov. 16:32.\n\n18. What is said of all these different virtues?\n\n\u201cAgainst such there is no law.\u201d Gal. 5:23, last clause.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The law condemns sin. But all these things, being virtues,\n are in harmony with the law. They are produced by the Spirit; and\n the law, which is spiritual, cannot, therefore, condemn them.\n\n\n19. From what condemnation does Spirit-leading save us?\n\n\u201cBut if ye be led of the Spirit, _ye are not under the law_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n20. To what unity are Christians exhorted?\n\n\u201cEndeavoring to keep _the unity of the Spirit_ in the bond of peace.\u201d Eph.\n4:3.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Spirit of life, and light, and love,\n Thy heavenly influence give;\n Quicken our souls, our guilt remove,\n That we in Christ may live.\n\n His love within us shed abroad,\n Life\u2019s ever-springing well;\n Till God in us, and we in God,\n In love eternal dwell.\n THOMAS HAWEIS.\n\n\n\n\nGifts Of The Spirit\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Healing The Leper. \"He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.\"\n Eph. 4:8.\n\n\n1. Concerning what subject ought we to be informed?\n\n\u201cNow _concerning spiritual gifts_, brethren, I would not have you\nignorant.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:1.\n\n2. When Christ ascended, what did He give to men?\n\n\u201cWherefore He saith, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive\n[margin, a multitude of captives], and _gave gifts unto men_.\u201d Eph. 4:8.\n\n3. What were these gifts that Christ gave to men?\n\n\u201cAnd He gave some, _apostles_; and some, _prophets_; and some,\n_evangelists_; and some, _pastors_ and _teachers_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n4. How are these gifts elsewhere spoken of?\n\n\u201cAnd God hath set some in the church, first _apostles_, secondarily\n_prophets_, thirdly _teachers_, after that _miracles_, then _gifts of\nhealing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues_.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:28.\n\n5. For what purpose were these gifts bestowed upon the church?\n\n\u201c_For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the\nedifying of the body of Christ_: ... that we henceforth be no more\nchildren, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of\ndoctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie\nin wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him\nin all things, which is the head, even Christ.\u201d Eph. 4:12-15.\n\n6. What result is to be obtained by the exercise of the gifts in the\nchurch?\n\n\u201c_Till we all come in_ [_into_, margin] _the unity of the faith_, and of\nthe knowledge of the Son of God, _unto a perfect man_, unto the measure of\nthe stature of the fulness of Christ.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n7. How is unity preserved in the diversities of gifts?\n\n\u201cNow there are diversities of gifts, but _the same Spirit_.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:4.\n\n8. For what purpose is the manifestation of this one Spirit given?\n\n\u201cBut the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man _to profit\nwithal_. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of _wisdom_; to\nanother the word of _knowledge_ by the same Spirit; to another _faith_ by\nthe same Spirit; to another the gifts of _healing_ by the same Spirit; to\nanother the _working of miracles_; to another _prophecy_; to another\n_discerning of spirits_; to another _divers kinds of tongues_; to another\nthe _interpretation of tongues_.\u201d Verses 7-10.\n\n9. Who controls the distribution of the gifts of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cBut all these worketh that one and _the selfsame Spirit_, dividing to\nevery man severally _as He will_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n10. Was it God\u2019s design that all should possess the same gifts?\n\n\u201cAre all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of\nmiracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all\ninterpret?\u201d Verses 29, 30.\n\n11. Were the gifts of the Spirit to continue forever?\n\n\u201cWhether there be prophecies, _they shall be done away_; whether there be\ntongues, _they shall cease_; whether there be knowledge, _it shall be done\naway_.\u201d 1 Cor. 13:8, R. V.\n\n12. When will the gifts of the Spirit be no longer needed?\n\n\u201c_When that which is perfect is come_, then that which is in part shall be\ndone away.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n\n\nThe Gift Of Prophecy\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Writing The Prophecies. \"And He sent and signified it by His angel unto\n His servant John.\" Rev. 1:1.\n\n\n1. How did God communicate with man in Eden?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God _called unto Adam, and said unto him_, Where art thou?\u201d\nGen. 3:9.\n\n2. Since the fall, by what means has God generally made known His will to\nman?\n\n\u201cI have also spoken _by the prophets_, and I have multiplied visions, and\nused similitudes, _by the ministry of the prophets_.\u201d Hosea 12:10.\n\n3. What things belong to God, and what to us?\n\n\u201c_The secret things_ belong unto the Lord our God; but _those things which\nare revealed_ belong unto us and to our children forever.\u201d Deut. 29:29.\n\n4. How fully and to whom does God reveal His purposes?\n\n\u201cSurely the Lord God will do _nothing_, but _He revealeth His secret unto\nHis servants the prophets_.\u201d Amos 3:7.\n\n5. Can the wise men of the world foretell the future?\n\n\u201cDaniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king hath\ndemanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers,\nshow unto the king.\u201d Dan. 2:27, R. V. See notes on page 202.\n\n6. Who did Daniel say could reveal secrets?\n\n\u201cBut _there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets_, and maketh known\nto the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n7. How did the prophet Daniel acknowledge the insufficiency of human\nwisdom?\n\n\u201c_As for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have\nmore than any living_, but for their sakes that shall make known the\ninterpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of\nthy heart.\u201d Verse 30.\n\n8. After revealing and interpreting the dream, what did Daniel say?\n\n\u201cThe great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass\n_hereafter_.\u201d Verse 45.\n\n9. How does God show His foreknowledge?\n\n\u201cBehold, the former things are come to pass, and _new things do I declare:\nbefore they spring forth I tell you of them_.\u201d Isa. 42:9.\n\n10. How does the Lord reveal Himself to His prophets?\n\n\u201cIf there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto\nhim in a _vision_, and will speak unto him in a _dream_.\u201d Num. 12.6.\n\n11. Under what influence did the prophets of old speak?\n\n\u201cFor the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of\nGod spake _as they were moved by the Holy Ghost_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:21. See 2\nSam. 23:2.\n\n12. How are both the origin of prophecy and the means of communicating it\nstill further shown?\n\n\u201cThe revelation of Jesus Christ, _which God gave unto Him_, to show unto\nHis servants things which must shortly come to pass; and _He sent and\nsignified it by His angel unto His servant John_.\u201d Rev. 1:1.\n\n13. What angel revealed to Daniel his visions and dreams?\n\n\u201cWhiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man _Gabriel_, whom I had seen\nin the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me\nabout the time of the evening oblation. And _he informed me, and talked\nwith me, and said_, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and\nunderstanding.\u201d Dan. 9:21, 22. See also chapter 10, and Rev. 22:9, 10.\n\n14. What Spirit was in the prophets inditing their utterances?\n\n\u201cO which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who\nprophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what\nmanner of time _the Spirit of Christ which was in them_ did signify, when\nit testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that\nshould follow.\u201d 1 Peter 1:10, 11.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Anointing Of Christ. \"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a\n dove, and it abode upon Him.\" John 1:32.\n\n\n15. How were the Lord\u2019s words to the prophets preserved?\n\n\u201cDaniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then _he wrote\nthe dream_, and told the sum of the matters.\u201d Dan. 7:1. See Jer. 51:60;\nRev. 1:10, 11.\n\n16. By whom has God spoken to us in these last days?\n\n\u201cGod, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto\nthe fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us _by\nHis Son_.\u201d Heb. 1:1, 2.\n\n17. What was one of the offices to be filled by the Messiah?\n\n\u201cThe Lord thy God will raise up unto thee _a Prophet_ from the midst of\nthee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall harken.\u201d Deut.\n18:15.\n\n18. What was foretold through the prophet Joel?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon\nall flesh; _and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men\nshall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions_.\u201d Joel 2:28.\n\n19. When did this prediction begin to be fulfilled?\n\n\u201cBut this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come\nto pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all\nflesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men\nshall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.\u201d Acts 2:16, 17.\n\n20. What were some of the gifts Christ gave to His church?\n\n\u201cWhen He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts\nunto men.... And He gave some, _apostles_; and some, _prophets_; and some,\n_evangelists_; and some, _pastors_ and _teachers_.\u201d Eph. 4:8-11.\n\n21. By what means did God deliver and preserve Israel?\n\n\u201c_By a prophet_ the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and _by a prophet_\nwas he preserved.\u201d Hosea 12:13.\n\n22. When Moses complained of his slowness of speech, what did God say\nAaron should be to him?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall be thy _spokesman_ unto the people: and he shall be, even he\nshall be to thee instead of a _mouth_, and thou shalt be to him instead of\nGod.\u201d Ex. 4:16.\n\n23. What did God afterward call Aaron?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and\nAaron thy brother shall be _thy prophet_.\u201d Ex. 7:1.\n\n24. What is one test by which to detect false prophets?\n\n\u201cWhen a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, _if the thing follow\nnot, nor come to pass_, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken,\nbut the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of\nhim.\u201d Deut. 18:22.\n\n25. What other test should be applied in determining the validity of the\nclaims of a prophet?\n\n\u201cIf there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth\nthee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof\nhe spake unto thee, saying, _Let us go after other gods_, which thou hast\nnot known, and _let us serve them_; thou shalt not harken unto the words\nof that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth\nyou, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and\nwith all your soul. _Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him,\nand keep His commandments, and obey His voice_, and ye shall serve Him,\nand cleave unto Him.\u201d Deut. 13:1-4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From these scriptures it will be seen that, in the first\n place, if a prophet\u2019s words do not prove to be true, it is\n evidence that God has not sent that prophet. On the other hand,\n even though the thing predicted comes to pass, if the pretended\n prophet seeks to lead others to break God\u2019s commandments, this,\n regardless of all signs, should be positive evidence that he is\n not a true prophet.\n\n\n26. What rule did Christ give for distinguishing between true and false\nprophets?\n\n\u201c_By their fruits_ ye shall know them.\u201d Matt. 7:20.\n\n27. What general rule is laid down for testing all prophets?\n\n\u201c_To the law and to the testimony_: if they speak not according to this\nword, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d Isa. 8:20.\n\n28. How did God\u2019s prophets anciently use the words of former prophets in\nexhorting the people to obedience?\n\n\u201c_Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former\nprophets_, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity?\u201d Zech. 7:7.\n\n29. What is the promised result of believing God\u2019s prophets?\n\n\u201cBelieve in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; _believe His\nprophets, so shall ye prosper_.\u201d 2 Chron. 20:20.\n\n30. What admonition is given regarding the gift of prophecy?\n\n\u201c_Despise not prophesyings._ Prove all things; hold fast that which is\ngood.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:20, 21.\n\n31. What will characterize the last, or remnant, church?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the\nremnant of her seed, _which keep the commandments of God, and have the\ntestimony of Jesus Christ_.\u201d Rev. 12:17.\n\n32. What is the \u201ctestimony of Jesus\u201d?\n\n\u201cThe testimony of Jesus is _the spirit of prophecy_.\u201d Rev. 19:10. See Rev.\n1:9.\n\n33. What results when this gift is absent?\n\n\u201cWhere there is no vision, _the people perish_: but he that keepeth the\nlaw, happy is he.\u201d Prov. 29:18. See also Ps. 74:9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n What poor, despised company\n Of travelers are these,\n Who walk in yonder narrow way,\n Along the rugged maze?\n\n Ah! these are of a royal line,\n All children of a King,\n Heirs of immortal crowns divine;\n And lo! for joy they sing.\n\n Why do they, then, appear so mean,\n And why so much despised?\n Because of their rich robes unseen\n The world is not apprized.\n\n But why keep they that narrow road,\u2014\n That rugged, thorny maze?\n Why, that\u2019s the way their Leader trod,\n They love and keep His ways.\n\n Why do they shun the pleasing path\n That worldlings love so well?\n Because that is the road to death,\n The open road to hell.\n\n What! is there then no other road\n To Salem\u2019s happy ground?\n Christ is the only way to God,\n No other can be found.\n\n\n\n\nThe Outpouring Of The Spirit\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nPeter Preaching On The Day Of Pentecost. \"This is that which was spoken by\n the prophet Joel.\" Acts 2:16.\n\n\n1. For what did Christ, just before His ascension, tell His disciples to\nwait?\n\n\u201cAnd, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in\nthe city of Jerusalem, _until ye be endued with power from on high_.\u201d Luke\n24:49.\n\n2. With what did He say they would be baptized?\n\n\u201cYe shall be baptized _with the Holy Ghost_ not many days hence.\u201d Acts\n1:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014John the Baptist had foretold this baptism. He said: \u201cI\n indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh\n after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:\n He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.\u201d Matt.\n 3:11.\n\n\n3. For what work was this baptism to prepare them?\n\n\u201cBut ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:\nand _ye shall be witnesses unto Me_ both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,\nand in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.\u201d Acts 1:8.\n\n4. What were some of the results of the preaching of the gospel under the\noutpouring of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cNow when they heard this, _they were pricked in their heart_, and said\n... Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent,\nand be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the\nremission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost....\nThen they that gladly received his word were baptized: _and the same day\nthere were added unto them about three thousand souls_.\u201d Acts 2:37-41.\n\u201cAnd by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought\namong the people; ... _and believers were the more added to the Lord_,\nmultitudes both of men and women.\u201d Acts 5:12-14. \u201cAnd the word of God\nincreased; and _the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem\ngreatly_; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.\u201d\nActs 6:7.\n\n5. How did persecution affect the preaching of the gospel?\n\n\u201cAnd at that time there was a great persecution against the church which\nwas at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the\nregions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.... _Therefore they that\nwere scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word._\u201d Acts 8:1-4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cPersecution has only had a tendency to extend and establish\n the faith which it was designed to destroy.... There is no lesson\n which men have been so slow to learn as that to oppose and\n persecute men is the very way to confirm them in their opinions,\n and to spread their doctrines.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Acts 4:4._\n\n\n6. What words of Peter seem to indicate another outpouring of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cRepent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,\n_when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord_.\u201d\nActs 3:19.\n\n7. What event does he speak of as immediately following these times of\nrefreshing?\n\n\u201c_And He shall send Jesus Christ_, which before was preached unto you:\nwhom the heaven must receive [Syriac, retain] until the times of\nrestitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His\nholy prophets since the world began.\u201d Verses 20, 21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this it seems evident that we may look for another\n outpouring of the Spirit for a final proclamation of the gospel to\n all the world just before Christ\u2019s second advent and the\n restitution of all things.\n\n\n8. What prophecy was fulfilled in the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit\nin the time of the apostles?\n\n\u201cBut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said,\n... These are not drunken, as ye suppose, ... but _this is that which was\nspoken by the prophet Joel_; And it shall come to pass in the last days,\nsaith God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and\nyour daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and\nyour old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens\nI will pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.\u201d Acts\n2:14-18. See Joel 2:28, 29.\n\n9. What expressions in the prophecy of Joel seem to imply a double\nfulfilment of this outpouring of the Spirit?\n\n\u201cBe glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for\nHe hath given you the _former rain_ moderately, and He will cause to come\ndown for you the rain, the _former rain_, and the _latter rain_ in the\nfirst month.\u201d Joel 2:23. See also Hosea 6:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In Palestine the early rains prepare the soil for the seed\n sowing, and the latter rains ripen the grain for the harvest. So\n the early outpouring of the Spirit prepared the world for the\n extensive sowing of the gospel seed, and the final outpouring will\n come to ripen the golden grain for the harvest of the earth, which\n Christ says is \u201cthe end of the world.\u201d Matt. 13:37-39; Rev. 14:14,\n 15.\n\n\n10. For what are we told to pray at this time?\n\n\u201c_Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain_; so the Lord\nshall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one\ngrass in the field.\u201d Zech. 10:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Before the apostles received the baptism of the Spirit in\n the early rain on the day of Pentecost, they all \u201ccontinued with\n one accord in prayer and supplication.\u201d Acts 1:14. During this\n time they confessed their faults, put away their differences,\n ceased their selfish ambitions and contentions for place and\n power, so that when the time for the outpouring came, \u201cthey were\n all _with one accord_ in one place,\u201d ready for its reception. To\n be prepared for the final outpouring of the Spirit, all sin and\n selfish ambition must again be put away, and a like work of grace\n wrought upon the hearts of God\u2019s people.\n\n\n11. How is the closing work of the gospel under the outpouring of the\nSpirit described by the revelator?\n\n\u201cAfter these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having\ngreat power; and _the earth was lightened with his glory_.\u201d Rev. 18:1.\n\n12. What does this angel say?\n\n\u201cAnd he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, _Babylon the great is\nfallen, is fallen_, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold\nof every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.\u201d Verse\n2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The religious world will then be in much the same condition\n as was the Jewish nation after it had rejected Christ at His first\n advent. See 2 Tim. 3:1-5.\n\n\n13. What did Peter on the day of Pentecost tell his hearers to do?\n\n\u201cAnd with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, _Save\nyourselves from this untoward generation_.\u201d Acts 2:40.\n\n14. What similar call and appeal will be made under the final outpouring\nof the Spirit?\n\n\u201cAnd I heard another voice from heaven, saying, _Come out of her, My\npeople_, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of\nher plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath\nremembered her iniquities.\u201d Rev. 18:4, 5.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014A great work will be accomplished in a short time under the\n final outpouring of the Spirit. Many voices all over the earth\n will sound the warning cry. Signs and wonders will be wrought by\n the believers, and, as at Pentecost, thousands will be converted\n in a day.\n\n Those who fail to heed this final gospel call, like the\n unbelieving Jews, will be doomed to destruction. The seven last\n plagues will overtake them, as war, famine, death, and destruction\n overtook the Jews, who, not believing in Christ, failed to heed\n His call to flee, and shut themselves up in Jerusalem to their\n doom. Those who heed the call, and separate themselves from sin\n and from sinners, will be saved.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Come, Holy Spirit, come,\n Let Thy bright beams arise,\n Dispel the sorrow from our minds,\n The darkness from our eyes.\n\n Convince us all of sin,\n Then lead to Jesus\u2019 blood,\n And to our wondering view reveal\n The mercies of our God.\n\n Revive our drooping faith,\n Our doubts and fears remove,\n And kindle in our breasts the flame\n Of never-dying love.\n\n \u2019Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,\n To sanctify the soul,\n To pour fresh life in every part,\n And new-create the whole.\n\n Come, Holy Spirit, come,\n Our minds from bondage free;\n Then shall we know, and praise, and love\n The Father, Son, and Thee.\n JOSEPH HART.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART VI. THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Handwriting On The Wall. \"In that night was Belshazzar ... slain, and\n Darius the Median took the kingdom.\" Dan. 5:30, 31.\n\n\n\n\nProphecy, Why Given\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nDaniel In Babylon. \"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth\n His secret unto His servants the prophets.\" Amos 3:7.\n\n\n1. Why were the Sacred Writings given?\n\n\u201cFor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written _for our\nlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might\nhave hope_.\u201d Rom. 15:4.\n\n2. By what means is all scripture given?\n\n\u201cAll scripture is given _by inspiration of God_.\u201d 2 Tim 3:16, first part.\n\n3. For what is it profitable?\n\n\u201cAnd is profitable for _doctrine_, for _reproof_, for _correction_, for\n_instruction in righteousness_.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n4. How was the prophecy given?\n\n\u201cFor the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but _holy men\nof God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:21.\n\n5. What is the Lord able to do regarding the future?\n\n\u201cBehold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare:\n_before they spring forth I tell you of them_.\u201d Isa. 42:9.\n\n6. How far-reaching is God\u2019s ability to reveal the future?\n\n\u201cRemember the former things of old: for I am God, ... and there is none\nlike Me, _declaring the end from the beginning_, and from ancient times\nthe things that are not yet done.\u201d Isa. 46:9, 10.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In contrast with this, note the following confession of a\n noted modern historian as to man\u2019s inability to reveal the\n future:\u2014\n\n \u201cHistory has yet made so slight progress toward the scientific\n basis that she is able to foretell nothing that is to be\n hereafter. As to the future, she is stone-blind. There is not a\n philosopher in the world who can forecast the historical evolution\n to the extent of a single day. The historian is as completely dumb\n before the problems of 1895 as a charlatan weather-prophet ought\n to be with respect to the meteorological conditions of the next\n season. The year will come and go. It will fulfil its purpose in\n the great calendar of man-life. Its events and issues will be\n evolved with scientific exactitude out of antecedent conditions.\n But no man living can predict what the aspect and event will be.\n The tallest son of the morning can neither foretell nor foresee\n the nature of what is to come in the year that already stands\n knocking at the door.\u201d\u2014_John Clark Ridpath, in Christian at Work,\n Dec. 27, 1894._\n\n Knowing all things, the future is present with God. More, perhaps,\n than any other one thing, the prophecies of the Bible and their\n fulfilment bear witness to its divine inspiration.\n\n\n7. To whom does God reveal the secrets of the future?\n\n\u201cSurely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His\nservants _the prophets_.\u201d Amos 3:7.\n\n8. To whom do the things which have been revealed belong?\n\n\u201cThe secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which\nare revealed belong _unto us and to our children forever_.\u201d Deut. 29:29.\n\n9. What testimony did the apostle Peter bear concerning his experience on\nthe mount of transfiguration?\n\n\u201c_For we have not followed cunningly devised fables_, when we made known\nunto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, _but were\neye-witnesses of His majesty_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:16.\n\n10. When did he say he saw the majesty of Christ, and heard the voice from\nheaven?\n\n\u201cAnd this voice which came from heaven we heard, _when we were with Him in\nthe holy mount_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n11. How does he emphasize the reliability of prophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd we have the word of prophecy _made more sure_.\u201d Verse 19, R. V. \u201cNow\n_more confirmed_.\u201d Boothroyd\u2019s translation.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Every fulfilment of prophecy is a confirmation of the\n truthfulness and reliability of prophecy.\n\n\n12. What admonition is therefore given?\n\n\u201cWhereunto ye do well that ye _take heed_, as unto a lamp shining in a\ndark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.\u201d\nVerse 19, last part, R. V.\n\n13. What has ever been the theme of God\u2019s prophets?\n\n\u201cReceiving the end of your faith, even _the salvation of your souls_. Of\nwhich salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who\nprophesied of the grace that should come unto you.\u201d 1 Peter 1:9, 10.\n\n14. Whose spirit inspired their utterances?\n\n\u201cSearching what, or what manner of time _the Spirit of Christ which was in\nthem_ did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,\nand the glory that should follow.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n15. In what prophecy did Christ recognize Daniel as a prophet?\n\n\u201cWhen ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by\n_Daniel the prophet_, stand in the holy place, (_whoso readeth, let him\nunderstand_).\u201d Matt. 24:15.\n\n16. To what time were the prophecies of Daniel, as a whole, to be sealed?\n\n\u201cBut thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to _the\ntime of the end_: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be\nincreased.\u201d Dan. 12:4.\n\n17. What assurance was given by the angel that these prophecies would be\nunderstood in the last days?\n\n\u201cAnd he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed\ntill the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and\ntried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall\nunderstand; _but the wise shall understand_.\u201d Verses 9, 10.\n\n18. What is the last book of the Bible called?\n\n\u201c_The Revelation of Jesus Christ_, which God gave unto Him.\u201d Rev. 1:1.\n\n19. What is said of those who read, hear, and keep the things contained in\nthis book?\n\n\u201c_Blessed_ is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this\nprophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n\n\nNebuchadnezzar\u2019s Dream\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Daniel Interpreting The Dream. \"There is a God in heaven that revealeth\n secrets.\" Dan. 2:28.\n\n\n1. What statement did Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, make to his wise\nmen whom he had assembled?\n\n\u201cAnd the king said unto them, _I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was\ntroubled to know the dream_.\u201d Dan. 2:3.\n\n2. After being threatened with death if they did not make known the dream\nand the interpretation, what did the wise men say to the king?\n\n\u201cThe Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, _There is not a man\nupon the earth that can show the king\u2019s matter_: therefore there is no\nking, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or\nastrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth,\nand _there is none other that can show it before the king, except the\ngods, whose dwelling is not with flesh_.\u201d Verses 10, 11.\n\n3. After the wise men had thus confessed their inability to do what the\nking required, who offered to interpret the dream?\n\n\u201cThen _Daniel_ went in, and desired of the king that he would give him\ntime, and that he would show the king the interpretation.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n4. After Daniel and his fellows had sought God earnestly, how were the\ndream and its interpretation revealed to Daniel?\n\n\u201cThen was the secret revealed unto Daniel _in a night-vision_. Then Daniel\nblessed the God of heaven.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n5. When brought before the king, what did Daniel say?\n\n\u201cDaniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which\nthe king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the\nmagicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; but _there is a God in\nheaven that revealeth secrets_, and maketh known to the king\nNebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the\nvisions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.\u201d Verses 27, 28.\n\n6. What did Daniel say the king had seen in his dream?\n\n\u201cThy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; ... Thou,\nO king, sawest, and behold _a great image_. This great image, whose\nbrightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was\nterrible.\u201d Verses 28-31.\n\n7. Of what were the different parts of the image composed?\n\n\u201cThis image\u2019s head was of fine _gold_, his breast and his arms of\n_silver_, his belly and his thighs of _brass_, his legs of _iron_, his\nfeet _part of iron and part of clay_.\u201d Verses 32, 33.\n\n8. By what means was the image broken to pieces?\n\n\u201cThou sawest till that _a stone_ was cut out without hands, which smote\nthe image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to\npieces.\u201d Verse 34.\n\n9. What became of the various parts of the image?\n\n\u201cThen was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken\nto pieces together, and _became like the chaff of the summer\nthreshing-floors; and the wind carried them away_, that no place was found\nfor them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and\nfilled the whole earth.\u201d Verse 35.\n\n10. With what words did Daniel begin the interpretation of the dream?\n\n\u201cThou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee\na kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of\nmen dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He\ngiven into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. _Thou art\nthis head of gold._\u201d Verses 37, 38.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The character of the Babylonian Empire is fittingly\n indicated by the nature of the material composing that portion of\n the image by which it was symbolized\u2014the head of gold. It was \u201cthe\n golden kingdom of a golden age.\u201d The city of Babylon, its\n metropolis, according to history towered to a height never equaled\n by any of its later rivals. \u201cSituated in the garden of the East;\n laid put in a perfect square sixty miles in circumference, fifteen\n miles on each side, surrounded by a wall three hundred and fifty\n feet high and eighty-seven feet thick, with a moat, or ditch,\n around this, of equal cubic capacity with the wall itself; divided\n into six hundred and seventy-six squares, laid out in luxuriant\n pleasure-grounds and gardens, interspersed with magnificent\n dwellings,\u2014this city, containing in itself many things which were\n themselves wonders of the world, was itself another and still\n mightier wonder.... Such was Babylon, with Nebuchadnezzar,\n youthful, bold, vigorous, and accomplished, seated upon its\n throne.\u201d\n\n\n11. What was to be the nature of the next kingdom after Babylon?\n\n\u201cAfter thee shall arise another kingdom _inferior to thee_.\u201d Verse 39,\nfirst part.\n\n12. Who was the last Babylonian king?\n\n\u201cIn that night was _Belshazzar_ the king of the Chaldeans slain. And\nDarius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years\nold.\u201d Dan. 5:30, 31. See also verses 1, 2.\n\n13. To whom was Belshazzar\u2019s kingdom given?\n\n\u201cThy kingdom is divided, and given to _the Medes and Persians_.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n14. By what is the Medo-Persian Empire represented in the great image?\n\n\u201cThe breast and arms of silver.\u201d Dan. 2:32.\n\n15. By what is Grecia, the kingdom succeeding Medo-Persia, represented in\nthe image?\n\n\u201cHis belly and his thighs of _brass_.\u201d Verse 32. \u201cAnd another _third\nkingdom of brass_, which shall bear rule over all the earth.\u201d Verse 39.\n\n16. What is said of the fourth kingdom?\n\n\u201cAnd the fourth kingdom _shall be strong as iron_: forasmuch as iron\nbreaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all\nthese, _shall it break in pieces and bruise_.\u201d Verse 40.\n\n17. What scripture shows that the Roman emperors ruled the world?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass in those days, that _there went out a __ decree from\nCaesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed_.\u201d Luke 2:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Describing the Roman conquests, Gibbon uses the very imagery\n employed in the vision of Daniel 2. He says: \u201cThe arms of the\n republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in\n war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the\n Rhine, and the ocean; and the images of _gold_, or _silver_, or\n _brass_, that might serve to represent the nations and their\n kings, were successively broken by the _iron_ monarchy of\n Rome.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,__\u201d__ chap. 38,\n par. I, under __\u201c__General Observations,__\u201d__ at the close of the\n chapter._\n\n\n18. What was indicated by the mixture of clay and iron in the feet and\ntoes of the image?\n\n\u201cAnd whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters\u2019 clay, and\npart of iron, _the kingdom shall be divided_.\u201d Dan. 2:41.\n\n19. In what prophetic language was the varying strength of the ten\nkingdoms of the divided empire indicated?\n\n\u201cAnd as the toes of the feet were _part of iron, and part of clay_, so the\nkingdom shall be _partly strong, and partly broken_ [margin, _brittle_].\u201d\nVerse 42.\n\n20. Were any efforts to be made to reunite the divided empire of Rome?\n\n\u201cAnd whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, _they shall mingle\nthemselves with the seed of men_: but they shall not cleave one to\nanother, even as iron is not mixed with clay.\u201d Verse 43.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Charlemagne, Charles V, Louis XIV, and Napoleon all tried\n to reunite the broken fragments of the Roman Empire, but failed.\n By marriage and intermarriage ties have been formed with a view to\n strengthening and cementing together the shattered kingdom; but\n none have succeeded. The element of disunion remains. Many\n political revolutions and territorial changes have occurred in\n Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D.; but its\n divided state still remains.\n\n This remarkable dream, as interpreted by Daniel, presents in the\n briefest form, and yet with unmistakable clearness, the course of\n world empires from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the close of\n earthly history and the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of\n God. The history confirms the prophecy. The sovereignty of the\n world was held by Babylon from the time of this dream, B.C. 603,\n until B.C. 538, when it passed to the Medes and Persians. The\n victory of the Grecian forces at the battle of Arbela, in B.C.\n 331, marked the downfall of the Medo-Persian Empire, and the\n Greeks then became the undisputed rulers of the world. The battle\n of Pydna, in Macedonia, in B.C. 168, was the last organized effort\n to withstand a world-wide conquest by the Romans, and at that time\n therefore the sovereignty passed from the Greeks to the Romans,\n and the fourth kingdom was fully established. The division of Rome\n into ten kingdoms is definitely foretold in the vision recorded in\n the seventh chapter of Daniel, and occurred between the years 351\n A.D. and 476 A.D.\n\n\n21. What is to take place in the days of these kingdoms?\n\n\u201cAnd in the days of these kings shall _the God of heaven set up a kingdom,\nwhich shall never be destroyed_: ... but it shall break in pieces and\nconsume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This verse foretells the establishment of another universal\n kingdom, the kingdom of God. This kingdom is to overthrow and\n supplant all existing earthly kingdoms, and is to stand forever.\n The time for the setting up of this kingdom was to be \u201cin the days\n of these kings.\u201d This cannot refer to the four preceding empires,\n or kingdoms; for they were not contemporaneous, but successive;\n neither can it refer to an establishment of the kingdom at\n Christ\u2019s first advent, for the ten kingdoms which arose out of the\n ruins of the Roman Empire were not yet in existence. It must\n therefore be yet future.\n\n\n22. In what announcement in the New Testament is the establishment of the\nkingdom of God made known?\n\n\u201cAnd the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,\nsaying, _The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,\nand of His Christ_; and He shall reign forever and ever.\u201d Rev. 11:15.\n\n23. For what have we been taught to pray?\n\n\u201c_Thy kingdom come._ Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.\u201d Matt.\n6:10.\n\n24. What event is closely associated with the establishment of God\u2019s\neverlasting kingdom?\n\n\u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall\njudge the quick and the dead at _His appearing_ and His kingdom.\u201d 2 Tim.\n4:1.\n\n25. With what prayer do the Scriptures close?\n\n\u201cHe that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. _Even\nso, come, Lord Jesus._\u201d Rev. 22:20.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Look for the way-marks as you journey on,\n Look for the way-marks, passing one by one:\n Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,\u2014\n Where are we standing? Look the way-marks o\u2019er.\n\n First, Babylonia\u2019s kingdom ruled the world,\n Then Medo-Persia\u2019s banners were unfurled;\n And after Greece held universal sway,\n Rome seized the scepter,\u2014where are we today?\n\n Down in the feet of iron and of clay,\n Weak and divided, soon to pass away;\n What will the next great, glorious drama be?\u2014\n Christ and His coming, and eternity.\n\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Gospel Of The Kingdom\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jerusalem And The Mount Of Olives. \"In the days of these kings shall the\n God of heaven set up a kingdom.\" Dan. 2:44.\n\n\n1. What gospel did Jesus preach?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and\npreaching _the gospel of the kingdom_.\u201d Matt. 4:23.\n\n2. How extensively did He say this should be preached?\n\n\u201cAnd this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached _in all the world_ for a\nwitness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n3. What shows that it has always been God\u2019s purpose that all the world\nshould hear the gospel?\n\n\u201cNow the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from\nthy kindred, and from thy father\u2019s house, unto a land that I will show\nthee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and\nmake thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and _in thee shall all\nfamilies of the earth be blessed_.\u201d Gen. 12:1-3. \u201cAnd the Scripture,\n_foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith_, preached\nbefore the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be\nblessed.\u201d Gal. 3:8.\n\n4. How did God warn Israel against formalism?\n\n\u201cForasmuch as this people draw near Me with their _mouth_, and with their\n_lips_ do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their\nfear toward Me is taught by the precept of men: therefore, behold, I will\nproceed to do a marvelous work among this people: ... for the wisdom of\ntheir wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men\nshall be hid.\u201d Isa. 29:13, 14.\n\n5. What shows that they had substituted the ritual service of the temple\nfor heart service?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord, ... Amend your ways and your doings, and I will\ncause you to dwell in this place. _Trust ye not in lying words, saying,\nThe temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord,\nare these._\u201d Jer. 7:3, 4.\n\n6. What national disaster did they bring upon themselves by their apostasy\nfrom God?\n\n\u201cSo all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were\nwritten in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, _who were carried\naway to Babylon for their transgression_.\u201d 1 Chron. 9:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From the earliest times it has been God\u2019s purpose that those\n who receive the gospel should make it known to others. For this\n purpose He chose a special people and established them in\n Palestine, in the highway of the nations; but they shut up the\n revelation of the truth to themselves, and so lost it. A few, like\n Daniel and his companions, maintained a personal connection with\n God, although surrounded by spiritual declension and dry\n formalism, and so were chosen by God to carry out His plan that\n the gospel of the kingdom should be preached in Babylon. They were\n tested and trained in Babylon, as shown in the first chapter of\n Daniel, and then, being ready to make known the gospel, the way\n providentially opened for them by the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.\n\n\n7. In interpreting Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s dream, what kingdom did Daniel say\nwould follow the four world empires?\n\n\u201cAnd in the days of these kings shall _the God of heaven set up a\nkingdom_, which shall never be destroyed.\u201d Dan. 2:44.\n\n8. What was this kingdom to do to the other kingdoms?\n\n\u201cThe kingdom shall not be left to other people, but _it shall break in\npieces and consume all these kingdoms_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n9. How long is this kingdom to continue?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall _stand forever_.\u201d Same verse, last clause.\n\n10. What words of Christ imply the gospel\u2019s final triumph?\n\n\u201cAnd I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will\nbuild My church; and _the gates of hell shall not prevail against it_.\u201d\nMatt. 16:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Anciently the gates to cities were places for holding\n courts, transacting business, and deliberating on public matters.\n The word gates, therefore, is used for counsels, designs,\n machinations, and evil purposes. The gates of hell mean the\n plottings, stratagems, and designs of Satan to overthrow the\n church. But none of these are to prevail.\n\n\n11. What promises to David will thus be fulfilled?\n\n\u201cThine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever: ... thy throne\nshall be established forever.\u201d 2 Sam. 7:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By uniting His divinity with humanity in becoming the Son of\n David, Christ laid the foundation upon which He built His church,\n and thus established the house of David forever. The kingdom of\n God, the house of David, and the church of Christ are so\n inseparably connected in this prophecy that the establishment of\n either involves the establishment of the other two.\n\n\n12. Through whom are these promises to be fulfilled?\n\n\u201cHe shall be great, and shall be called _the Son of the Highest_: and the\nLord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall\nreign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be\nno end.\u201d Luke 1:32, 33.\n\n13. In order to fulfil these promises, whose son did the Son of God\nbecome?\n\n\u201cThe son of _David_.\u201d Matt. 22:42.\n\n14. What is this union of divinity and humanity called?\n\n\u201cAnd without controversy great is _the mystery of godliness_: God was\nmanifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached\nunto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.\u201d 1\nTim. 3:16.\n\n15. What did Jesus call this same mystery?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know _the mystery of the\nkingdom of God_: but unto them that are without, all these things are done\nin parables.\u201d Mark 4:11.\n\n16. In what confession did the wise men of Babylon deny any knowledge of\nthis essential doctrine of Christianity?\n\n\u201cAnd it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other\nthat can show it before the king, except _the gods, whose dwelling is not\nwith flesh_.\u201d Dan. 2:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The union of the divine and human in the person of Christ is\n \u201cthe mystery of godliness,\u201d or \u201cthe mystery of the kingdom of\n God.\u201d In the case of the seed which is sown in the field, this\n same principle is illustrated by the union of the reproducing\n power with the material form. As the seed is thus capable of\n multiplying itself, so Christ reproduces His own character in\n believers, by making them partakers of the divine nature. At His\n coming He bestows upon the subjects of the kingdom the gift of\n immortality (1 Cor. 15:51-53), and so the kingdom will stand\n forever. It is quite likely that the wise men of Babylon did not\n understand about the incarnation of God in the flesh in the coming\n Messiah, but in their statement that the dwelling of the gods was\n not with flesh they announced the fundamental error of Babylon,\n both ancient and modern, and really denied the vital principle of\n Christianity. This was the essential secret, or mystery, of the\n kingdom of God, which needed to be known in Babylon, and which is\n still to be proclaimed throughout the world.\n\n\n17. Concerning what did Daniel and his companions pray?\n\n\u201cThen Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah,\nMishael, and Azariah, his companions: that they would desire mercies of\nthe God of heaven _concerning this secret_.\u201d Verses 17, 18.\n\n18. What would have been the result of failure on their part to obtain a\nknowledge of this mystery?\n\n\u201cThat Daniel and his fellows should not _perish with the rest of the wise\nmen of Babylon_.\u201d Verse 18, last part.\n\n19. How was the secret concerning the king\u2019s dream revealed, and thus the\nmystery of the kingdom of God made known in Babylon?\n\n\u201cThen was the secret revealed unto Daniel _in a night-vision_. Then Daniel\nblessed the God of heaven.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The most vital truth of the gospel of the kingdom of God was\n denied in the religion of Babylon. This made it necessary that\n this very truth should be preached in Babylon. This mystery of the\n kingdom of God was the real and essential secret which the wise\n men of Babylon could not make known to the king, and which could\n be learned only by revelation. This is the mystery which \u201cfrom the\n beginning of the world hath been hid in God\u201d (Eph. 3:9); and the\n \u201criches of the glory of this mystery\u201d is \u201cChrist in you, the hope\n of glory\u201d (Col. 1:27), or \u201cthe mystery of the gospel\u201d (Eph. 6:19).\n\n\n20. How did Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge God as the revealer, and thus\nDaniel\u2019s intimate fellowship with Him?\n\n\u201cThe king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that _your God\nis a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing\nthou couldest reveal this secret_.\u201d Verse 47.\n\n21. When the gospel of the kingdom has been fully preached, and Christ\nappears as King, what invitation will be extended to those who have\nlearned \u201cthe mystery of the kingdom\u201d?\n\n\u201cWhen the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with\nHim, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall\nbe gathered all nations.... Then shall the King say unto them on His right\nhand, _Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you\nfrom the foundation of the world_.\u201d Matt. 25:31-34.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Thy kingdom come. Thus day by day\n We lift our hands to God, and pray;\n But who has ever duly weighed\n The meaning of the words He said?\n\n\n\n\nFour Great Monarchies\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Isaiah\u2019s Vision Of The Ruins Of Babylon. \"And the dream is certain, and\n the interpretation thereof sure.\" Dan. 2:45.\n\n\n1. At what time was Daniel\u2019s second vision given?\n\n\u201c_In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon_ Daniel had a dream and\nvisions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the\nsum of the matters.\u201d Dan. 7:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, in the first year of Belshazzar\u2019s office as\n associate king with his father Nabonadius, or 540 B.C.\n\n\n2. What effect did this dream have upon Daniel?\n\n\u201cI Daniel was _grieved in my spirit_ in the midst of my body, and the\nvisions of my head _troubled me_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The effect of Daniel\u2019s dream upon him, it will be noticed,\n was similar to the effect of Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s dreams upon him; it\n troubled him. See Dan. 2:1.\n\n\n3. What did Daniel ask of one of the heavenly attendants who stood by him\nin his dream?\n\n\u201cI came near unto one of them that stood by, _and asked him the truth of\nall this_. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the\nthings.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n4. What did the prophet see in this vision?\n\n\u201cDaniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, _the\nfour winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea_.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n5. What was the result of this strife?\n\n\u201cAnd _four great beasts came up from the sea_, diverse one from another.\u201d\nVerse 3.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Four Beasts Of Daniel 7. \"These great beasts, which are four, are four\n kings, which shall arise out of the earth.\" Dan. 7:17.\n\n\n6. What did these four beasts represent?\n\n\u201cThese great beasts, which are four, are _four kings, which shall arise\nout of the earth_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word kings here, as in Dan. 2:44, denotes kingdoms, as\n explained in verses 23 and 24 of the seventh chapter, the two\n words being used interchangeably in this prophecy.\n\n\n7. In symbolic language, what is represented by winds?\n\nStrife, war, commotion. See Jer. 25:31-33; 49:36, 37.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That winds denote strife and war is evident from the vision\n itself. As a result of the striving of the winds, kingdoms rise\n and fall.\n\n\n8. What, in prophecy, is symbolized by waters?\n\n\u201cAnd he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest ... are _peoples_, and\n_multitudes_, and _nations_, and _tongues_.\u201d Rev. 17:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the second chapter of Daniel, under the figure of an\n image of man, the mere political outline of the rise and fall of\n earthly kingdoms is given, preceding the setting up of God\u2019s\n everlasting kingdom. In the seventh chapter, earthly governments,\n are represented as viewed in the light of Heaven,\u2014under the\n symbols of wild and ferocious beasts,\u2014the last, in particular,\n oppressing and persecuting the saints of the Most High. Hence the\n change in the symbols used to represent these kingdoms.\n\n\n9. What was the first beast like?\n\n\u201c_The first was like a lion_, and had eagle\u2019s wings: I beheld till the\nwings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made\nstand upon the feet as a man, and a man\u2019s heart was given to it.\u201d Dan.\n7:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The lion, the first of these four great beasts, like the\n golden head of Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s dream, represents the Babylonian\n monarchy; the lion, the king of beasts, standing at the head of\n his kind, as gold does of metals. The eagle\u2019s wings doubtless\n denote the rapidity with which Babylon extended its conquests\n under Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned from B.C. 604 to B.C. 561. This\n kingdom was overthrown by the Medes and Persians in B.C. 538.\n\n\n10. By what was the second kingdom symbolized?\n\n\u201cAnd behold another beast, _a second, like to a bear_, and it raised up\nitself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the\nteeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.\u201d Verse\n5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThis was the _Medo-Persian_ Empire, represented here under\n the symbol of a _bear_.... The Medes and Persians are compared to\n a bear on account of their _cruelty and thirst after blood_, a\n bear being a most voracious and cruel animal.\u201d\u2014_Adam Clarke, on\n Dan. 7:5._\n\n\n11. By what was the third universal empire symbolized?\n\n\u201cAfter this I beheld, and lo another, _like a leopard_, which had upon the\nback of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and\ndominion was given to it.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014If the wings of an eagle on the back of a lion denoted\n rapidity of movement in the Babylonian, or Assyrian, Empire (see\n Hab. 1:6-8), four wings on the leopard must denote unparalleled\n celerity of movement in the Grecian Empire. This we find to be\n historically true.\n\n \u201cThe rapidity of Alexander\u2019s conquests in Asia was marvelous: he\n burst like a torrent on the expiring Persian Empire, and all\n opposition was useless. The gigantic armies collected to oppose\n him melted like snow in the sunshine. The battles of Granicus,\n B.C. 334, Issus in the following year, and Arbela in B.C. 331,\n settled the fate of the Persian Empire, and established the wide\n dominion of the Greeks.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Divine Program of the World\u2019s\n History,__\u201d__ by H. Grattan Guinness, page 308._\n\n \u201cThe beast had also four heads.\u201d The Grecian Empire maintained its\n unity but a short time after the death of Alexander, which\n occurred in B.C. 323. Within twenty-two years after the close of\n his brilliant career, or by B.C. 301, the empire was divided among\n his four leading generals. Cassander took Macedonia and Greece in\n the west; Lysimachus had Thrace and the parts of Asia on the\n Hellespont and Bosporus in the north; Ptolemy received Egypt,\n Lydia, Arabia, Palestine, and C\u0153le-Syria in the south; and\n Seleucus had all the rest of Alexander\u2019s dominions in the east.\n\n\n12. How was the fourth kingdom represented?\n\n\u201cAfter, this I saw in the night-visions, and behold _a fourth beast,\ndreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron\nteeth_: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the\nfeet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it;\n_and it had ten horns_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n13. What was the fourth beast declared to be?\n\n\u201cThus he said, _The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth_,\nwhich shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole\nearth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThis is allowed on all hands to be the Roman Empire. It\n was _dreadful_, _terrible_, and _exceeding strong_; ... and\n became, in effect, what the Roman writers delight to call it, the\n _empire of the whole world_.\u201d\u2014_Adam Clarke, on Dan. 7:7._\n\n The final overthrow of the Greeks, by the Romans, was at the\n battle of Pydna, in 168 B.C.\n\n\n14. What was denoted by the ten horns?\n\n\u201cAnd the ten horns out of this kingdom are _ten kings that shall arise_.\u201d\nVerse 24.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Roman Empire was broken up into ten kingdoms between\n the years 351 A.D. and 476 A.D.\n\n \u201cThe historian Machiavelli, without the slightest reference to\n this prophecy, gives the following list of the nations which\n occupied the territory of the Western Empire at the time of the\n fall of Romulus Augustulus (476 A.D.), the last emperor of Rome:\n The Lombards, the Franks, the Burgundians, the Ostrogoths, the\n Visigoths, the Vandals, the Heruh, the Suevi, the Huns, and the\n Saxons: ten in all.\n\n \u201cAmidst unceasing and almost countless fluctuations, the kingdoms\n of modern Europe have from their birth to the present day\n _averaged_ ten in number. They have never since the breaking up of\n old Rome been united into one single empire; they have never\n formed _one whole_ even like the United States. No scheme of proud\n ambition seeking to reunite the broken fragments has ever\n succeeded; when such have arisen, they have been invariably dashed\n to pieces.\n\n \u201cAnd the division is as apparent now as ever. Plainly and palpably\n inscribed on the map of Europe this day, it confronts the skeptic\n with its silent but conclusive testimony to the fulfilment of this\n great prophecy. Who can alter or add to this tenfold list of the\n kingdoms now occupying the sphere of old Rome? _Italy, Austria,\n Switzerland, France, Germany, England, Holland, Belgium, Spain,\n and Portugal_\u2014ten, and no more; ten, and no less.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Divine\n Program of the World\u2019s History,__\u201d__ by H. Grattan Guinness, pages\n 318-321._\n\n\n15. What change did Daniel see take place in these horns?\n\n\u201cI considered the horns, and, behold, _there came up among them another\nlittle horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by\nthe roots_: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and\na mouth speaking great things.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n16. What inquiry on the part of Daniel shows that the fourth beast, and\nespecially the little horn phase of it, constitutes the leading feature of\nthis vision?\n\n\u201cThen _I would know the truth of the fourth beast_, which was diverse from\nall the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his\nnails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue\nwith his feet; _and of the ten horns_ that were in his head, and _of the\nother which came up_, and _before whom three fell_; even of that horn that\nhad eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more\nstout than his fellows.\u201d Verses 19, 20.\n\n17. When was the little horn to arise?\n\n\u201cAnd another shall rise _after them_.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The ten horns, as already shown, arose when Rome, the fourth\n kingdom, was divided into ten kingdoms. This division was\n completed in A.D. 476. The little-horn power was to arise after\n them.\n\n\n18. What was to be the character of the little horn?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall be _diverse_ from the first, and he shall _subdue three\nkings_.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014That power which arose in the Roman Empire after the fall\n of Rome in A.D. 476, which was entirely different from all the ten\n kingdoms into which Rome was divided (for it demanded and\n exercised spiritual power over the other kingdoms), and before\n whom three of the other kings\u2014the Heruli, the Vandals, and the\n Ostrogoths\u2014fell, was the Papacy.\n\n Having located the place and the time of the kingdom of the little\n horn, the study of its character and work will be considered in\n the readings which follow.\n\n\n\n\nThe Kingdom And Work Of Antichrist\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Papal Tiara. \"He shall speak great words against the Most High.\" Dan.\n 7:25.\n\n\n1. What is said of the little horn as compared with the ten horns of the\nfourth beast of Daniel 7?\n\n\u201cHe shall be _diverse_ from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.\u201d\nDan. 7:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Papacy, which arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire,\n differed from all previous forms of Roman power, in that it was an\n ecclesiastical despotism claiming universal dominion over both\n spiritual and temporal affairs, especially the former. It was a\n union of church and state, with the church dominant.\n\n\n2. What attitude of rivalry was the Papacy, represented by the little\nhorn, to assume toward the Most High?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall _speak great words against the Most High_.\u201d Verse 25, first\nclause.\n\n3. How does Paul, speaking of the man of sin, describe this same power?\n\n\u201cWho opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that\nis worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing\nhimself that he is God.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The following extracts from authoritative works, most of\n them by Roman Catholic writers, will indicate to what extent the\n Papacy has done this:\u2014\n\n \u201cAll the names which are attributed to Christ in Scripture,\n implying His supremacy over the church, are also attributed to the\n Pope.\u201d\u2014_Bellarmine, __\u201c__On the Authority of Councils__\u201d__ book 2,\n chap. 17._\n\n \u201cFor thou art the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the\n director, thou art the husbandman; finally thou art another God on\n earth.\u201d\u2014_From Oration of Christopher Marcellus in fourth session\n of Fifth Lateran Council, Labbe and Cossart\u2019s __\u201c__History of the\n Councils,__\u201d__ published in 1672, Vol. XIV, col. 109._\n\n \u201cFor not man, but God, not by human but rather by divine\n authority, releases those whom, on account of the need of the\n churches or what is regarded as a benefit, the Roman pontiff (who\n is vicegerent on earth, not of mere man, but of the true God)\n separates [from their churches].\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Decretals of Gregory\n IX,__\u201d__ book 1, title 7, chap. 3._\n\n \u201cThe Pope is the supreme judge of the law of the land. He is the\n vicegerent of Christ, who is not only a priest forever, but also\n King of kings and Lord of lords.\u201d\u2014_From the Civilta Cattolica,\n March 18, 1871, quoted in __\u201c__Vatican Council,__\u201d__ by Leonard\n Woolsey Bacon, American Tract Society edition, page 220._\n\n \u201cChrist entrusted His office to the chief pontiff; ... but all\n power in heaven and in earth has been given to Christ; ...\n therefore the chief pontiff, who is His vicar, will have this\n power.\u201d\u2014_Gloss on the __\u201c__Extravagantes Communes,__\u201d__ book 1,\n __\u201c__On Authority and Obedience,__\u201d__ chap. 1, on words Porro\n Subesse Romano Pontiff. Canon law, published in 1556, Vol. III,\n __\u201c__Extravagantes Communes,__\u201d__ col. 29._\n\n \u201cHence the Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven,\n and earth, and purgatory (_Infernorum_).\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Prompta\n Bibliotheca,__\u201d__ Ferraris, Vol. VI, page 26, article\n __\u201c__Papa__\u201d__ (the Pope)._\n\n \u201cThe decision of the Pope and the decision of God constitute one\n decision, just as the opinion of the Pope and his disciple are the\n same. Since, therefore, an appeal is always taken from an inferior\n judge to a superior, as no one is greater than himself, so no\n appeal holds when made from the Pope to God, because there is one\n consistory of the Pope himself and of God Himself, of which\n consistory the Pope himself is the key-bearer and the doorkeeper.\n Therefore no one can appeal from the Pope to God, as no one can\n enter into the consistory of God without the mediation of the\n Pope, who is the key-bearer and the doorkeeper of the consistory\n of eternal life; and as no one can appeal to himself, so no one\n can appeal from the Pope to God, because there is one decision and\n one curia [court] of God and of the Pope.\u201d\u2014_Writings of Augustinus\n de Ancona, printed without title-page or pagination, Ques. VI,\n __\u201c__On an Appeal From the Decision of the Pope.__\u201d_\n\n \u201cAll the faithful of Christ must believe that the Holy Apostolic\n See and the Roman pontiff possesses the primacy over the whole\n world, and that the Roman pontiff is the successor of the blessed\n Peter, prince of the apostles, and is true vicar of Christ, and\n the head of the whole church, and father and teacher of all\n Christians, and that full power was given him in blessed Peter to\n rule, feed, and govern the universal church by Jesus Christ our\n Lord.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Petri Privilegium,__\u201d__ in section on __\u201c__The Vatican\n Council and Its Definitions,__\u201d__ by Henry Edward Manning,\n archbishop of Westminster (Roman Catholic), London, Longmans,\n Green & Co., 1871, page 214._\n\n \u201cWe teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed; that\n the Roman pontiff, when he speaks _ex cathedra_, that is, when in\n the discharge of the office of Pastor and Doctor of all\n Christians, by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority he\n defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the\n universal church, by the divine assistance promised to him in\n blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the\n divine Redeemer willed that His church should be endowed for\n defining doctrine regarding faith or morals; and that therefore\n such definitions of the Roman pontiff are irreformable of\n themselves, and not from the consent of the church.\u201d\u2014_Id., page\n 218._\n\n \u201cShould Jesus Christ come in person from heaven into a church to\n administer the sacrament of reconciliation, and should He say to a\n penitent, \u2018I absolve thee,\u2019 and should a priest sitting at His\n side in the tribunal of penance pronounce over a penitent the\n selfsame words, \u2018I absolve thee,\u2019 there is no question that in the\n latter case, as in the former, the penitent would be equally\n loosed from his sin.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Jesus Living in the Priest,__\u201d__ by the\n Rev. P. Millet, S. J., English translation by the Rt. Rev. Thomas\n Sebastian Byrne, D. D., bishop of Nashville; New York, Benziger\n Brothers, printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1901, pages 23, 24.\n Imprimatur, Michael Augustine, archbishop of New York._\n\n Among the twenty-seven propositions known as the \u201cDictates of\n Hildebrand,\u201d who, under the name of Gregory VII, was Pope from\n 1073-87, occur the following:\u2014\n\n \u201c2. That the Roman pontiff alone is justly styled universal.\n\n \u201c6. That no person ... may live under the same roof with one\n excommunicated by the Pope.\n\n \u201c9. That all princes should kiss his feet only.\n\n \u201c12. That it is lawful for him to depose emperors.\n\n \u201c18. That his sentence is not to be reviewed by any one; while he\n alone can review the decisions of all others.\n\n \u201c19. That he can be judged by no one.\n\n \u201c22. That the Romish Church never erred, nor will it, according to\n the Scriptures, ever err.\n\n \u201c26. That no one is to be accounted a Catholic who does not\n harmonize with the Romish Church.\n\n \u201c27. That he can absolve subjects from their allegiance to\n unrighteous rulers.\u201d\u2014_Annals of Baronius, 1076, Vol. XI, col. 506.\n See Gieseler\u2019s __\u201c__Ecclesiastical History,__\u201d__ third period,\n div. 3, par. 47, note 3; and Mosheim\u2019s __\u201c__Ecclesiastical\n History,__\u201d__ book 3, cen. 11, part 2, chap. 2, par. 9, note._\n\n \u201cThey have assumed infallibility, which belongs only to God. They\n profess to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. They profess\n to open and shut heaven, which belongs only to God. They profess\n to be higher than all the kings of the earth, which belongs only\n to God. And they go beyond God in pretending to loose whole\n nations from their oath of allegiance to their kings, when such\n kings do not please them. And they go _against_ God, when they\n give _indulgences for sin_. This is the _worst_ of all\n blasphemies.\u201d\u2014_Adam Clarke, on Dan. 7:25._\n\n\n4. How was the little horn to treat God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cAnd shall _wear out the saints_ of the Most High.\u201d Dan. 7:25.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cUnder these bloody maxims [previously mentioned], those\n persecutions were carried on, from the eleventh and twelfth\n centuries almost to the present day, which stand out on the page\n of history. After the signal of open martyrdom had been given in\n the canons of Orleans, there followed the extirpation of the\n Albigenses under the form of a crusade, the establishment of the\n Inquisition, the cruel attempts to extinguish the Waldenses, the\n martyrdoms of the Lollards, the cruel wars to exterminate the\n Bohemians, the burning of Huss and Jerome, and multitudes of other\n confessors, before the Reformation; and afterwards, the ferocious\n cruelties practised in the Netherlands, the martyrdoms of Queen\n Mary\u2019s reign, the extinction by fire and sword of the Reformation\n in Spain and Italy, by fraud and open persecution in Poland, the\n massacre of Bartholomew, the persecution of the Huguenots by the\n League, the extirpation of the Vaudois, and all the cruelties and\n prejudices connected with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.\n These are the more open and conspicuous facts which explain the\n prophecy, besides the slow and secret murders of the holy tribunal\n of the Inquisition.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The First Two Visions of Daniel,__\u201d__\n Rev. T. R. Birks, M. A., London, 1845, pages 248, 249._\n\n A detailed summary of the number of the victims of the Inquisition\n in Spain, under each Inquisitor-General, is given in \u201cThe History\n of the Inquisition in Spain,\u201d by Llorente, formerly secretary of\n the Inquisition, pages 206-208. According to this authority the\n number who were condemned and perished in the flames is 31,912.\n\n \u201cThe church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will\n deny that.... One hundred and fifty years after Constantine the\n Donatists were persecuted, and sometimes put to death....\n Protestants were persecuted in France and Spain with the full\n approval of the church authorities. We have always defended the\n persecution of the Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition.\n Wherever and whenever there is honest Catholicity, there will be a\n clear distinction drawn between truth and error, and Catholicity\n and all forms of error. When she thinks it good to use physical\n force, she will use it.\u201d\u2014_The Western Watchman (Roman Catholic),\n of St. Louis, Dec. 24, 1908._\n\n\n5. What else does the prophecy say the little horn would do?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall _think to change the times and the law_.\u201d Dan. 7:25, third\nclause, R. V.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe little horn, further, shall think to change times. The\n description applies, in all its force, to the systematic\n perversion of God\u2019s words by which all promises of millennial\n glory are wrested from their true sense, and referred to the\n dominion and grandeur of the Church of Rome. The orator of the\n Pope, for instance, in the Lateran Council, declares that in the\n submission of all nations to Leo the prophecy was fulfilled: \u2018All\n kings shall fall down and worship Him; all nations shall serve and\n obey Him.\u2019 The same antichristian feature appears in those\n advocates of the Papacy who would clear it from the guilt of\n actual idolatry, because \u2018it is part of that church from which the\n idols are utterly abolished.\u2019 Thus are the times changed; but only\n in the vain \u2018thoughts\u2019 of dreamers who see false visions and\n divine lying divinations; because the visible glory of Christ\u2019s\n kingdom remains still to be revealed.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The First Two Visions\n of Daniel,__\u201d__ Rev. T. R. Birks, M. A., London, 1845, pages 257,\n 258._\n\n Although the ten commandments, the law of God, are found in the\n Roman Catholic versions of the Scriptures, as they were originally\n given, yet the faithful are instructed from the catechisms of the\n church, and not directly from the Bible. As it appears in these,\n the law of God has been changed and virtually reenacted by the\n Papacy. Furthermore, communicants not only receive the law from\n the church, but they deal with the church concerning any alleged\n infractions of that law, and when they have satisfied the\n ecclesiastical authorities, the whole matter is settled.\n\n The second commandment, which forbids the making of, and bowing\n down to, images, is omitted in Catholic catechisms, and the tenth,\n which forbids coveting, is divided into two.\n\n As evidence of the change which has been made in the law of God by\n the papal power, and that it acknowledges the change and claims\n the authority to make it, note the following from Roman Catholic\n publications:\u2014\n\n \u201c_Question._\u2014Have you any other way of proving that the church has\n power to institute festivals of precept?\n\n \u201c_Answer._\u2014Had she not such power, she could not have done that in\n which all modern religionists agree with her,\u2014she could not have\n substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week,\n for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for\n which there is no Scriptural authority.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__A Doctrinal\n Catechism,__\u201d__ Rev. Stephen Keenan, page 174. Imprimatur, John\n Cardinal McCloskey, archbishop of New York._\n\n \u201c_Ques._\u2014How prove you that the church hath power to command\n feasts and holy days?\n\n \u201c_Ans._\u2014By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which\n Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict\n themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other\n feasts commanded by the same church.\n\n \u201c_Ques._\u2014How prove you that?\n\n \u201c_Ans._\u2014Because by keeping Sunday they acknowledge the church\u2019s\n power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin: and by not\n keeping the rest by her commanded, they deny again, in fact, the\n same power.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine,__\u201d__\n composed in 1649, by Rev. Henry Tuberville, D. D., of the English\n College of Douay; New York, John Doyle, 1883, page 58._\n\n \u201cIs not every Christian obliged to sanctify Sunday, to abstain on\n that day from unnecessary servile work? Is not the observance of\n this law among the most prominent of our sacred duties? But you\n may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not\n find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The\n Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day\n which we never sanctify.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Faith of Our Fathers,__\u201d__ by\n James Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore, John Murphy & Co., 1893, page\n 111._\n\n All Roman Catholic writers agree in this teaching. See page 441.\n\n\n6. Until what time were the saints, times, and laws of the Most High to be\ngiven into the hands of the little horn?\n\n\u201cAnd they shall be given into his hand _until a time and times and the\ndividing of time_.\u201d Dan. 7:25, last clause.\n\n7. In what other prophecies is this same period mentioned?\n\n\u201cAnd to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might\nfly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for _a\ntime, and times, and half a time_, from the face of the serpent.\u201d Rev.\n12:14. \u201cAnd there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and\nblasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue [margin, to make\nwar] _forty and two months_.\u201d Rev. 13:5. See also Rev. 11:2. \u201cAnd the\nwoman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God,\nthat they should feed her there _a thousand two hundred and threescore\ndays_.\u201d Rev. 12:6.\n\n8. In symbolic prophecy what length of time is represented by a day?\n\n\u201cAfter the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty\ndays, _each day for a year_, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty\nyears.\u201d Num. 14:34. See Eze. 4:6.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014A time in prophecy being the same as a year (see Dan.\n 11:13, margin, and R. V.), three and one-half times would be three\n and a half years, or forty-two months, or twelve hundred and sixty\n days, since the calendar year of 360 days, or twelve months of\n thirty days each, is used in prophetic chronology. As each day\n represents a year, the period, the end of which was to mark the\n limit of the time of the supremacy of the little horn, the Papacy,\n over the saints, times, and the law, would therefore be twelve\n hundred and sixty years.\n\n The decree of the emperor Justinian, issued in A.D. 533,\n recognized the Pope as \u201chead of all the holy churches.\u201d\n (Justinian\u2019s Code, book 1, title 1. Baronius\u2019s Annals, A.D. 533.)\n The overwhelming defeat of the Ostrogoths in the siege of Rome,\n five years later, A.D. 538, was a death-blow to the independence\n of the Arian power then ruling Italy, and was therefore a notable\n date in the development of papal supremacy. With the period\n 533-538, then, commences the twelve hundred and sixty years of\n this prophecy, which would extend to the period 1793-1798. The\n year 1793 was the year of the Reign of Terror in the French\n Revolution, and the year when the Roman Catholic religion was set\n aside in France and the worship of reason was established in its\n stead. As a direct result of the revolt against papal authority in\n the French Revolution, the French army, under Berthier, entered\n Rome, and the Pope was taken prisoner Feb. 10, 1798, dying in\n exile at Valence, France, the following year. This period,\n 1793-1798, during which this death-stroke was inflicted upon the\n Papacy, fittingly and clearly marks the close of the long\n prophetic period mentioned in this prophecy. Any standard history\n of the time may be consulted in substantiation of the facts here\n stated.\n\n\n9. What will finally be done with the dominion exercised by the little\nhorn?\n\n\u201cBut the judgment shall sit, and they shall _take away his dominion, to\nconsume and to destroy it unto the end_.\u201d Dan. 7:26.\n\n10. To whom will the dominion finally be given?\n\n\u201cAnd the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the\nwhole heaven, shall be given _to the people of the saints of the Most\nHigh_, whose kingdom is _an everlasting kingdom_, and _all dominions_\nshall serve and obey Him.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Here, as in the second chapter of Daniel, the announcement\n of the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God in the earth\n includes a brief outline of the history of this world; and the\n prophecies of Daniel concerning the powers that would oppose the\n purpose of God, furnish additional features of this outline. The\n exact fulfilment of this outline in the history of the world since\n the time of Nebuchadnezzar constitutes an unimpeachable testimony\n to the inspiration of these prophecies, and furnishes a ground of\n confidence that the unfulfilled portion of the prophecies will be\n wrought out in the future with absolute certainty and in every\n detail.\n\n\n\n\nThe Vicar Of Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n St. Peter\u2019s And The Vatican. \"He as God sitteth in the temple of God.\" 2\n Thess. 2:4.\n\n\n1. What appeared unto Daniel in 538 B.C., the same year in which Babylon\nfell?\n\n\u201cIn the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a _vision_ appeared\nunto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the\nfirst.\u201d Dan. 8:1.\n\n2. Where was Daniel at this time?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was _at\nShushan_ in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a\nvision, and I was by the river of Ulai.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n3. What first attracted the prophet\u2019s attention?\n\n\u201cThen I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the\nriver _a ram_ which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one\nwas higher than the other, and the higher came up last.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n4. What power was represented by the ram having two horns?\n\n\u201cThe ram which thou sawest having two horns are _the kings of Media and\nPersia_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n5. How are the rise and work of this power described?\n\n\u201cI saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no\nbeasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver\nout of his hand; but he did according to his will, and _became great_.\u201d\nVerse 4.\n\n6. What symbol was next introduced in the vision?\n\n\u201cAnd as I was considering, behold, _an he goat_ came from the west on the\nface of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a\nnotable horn between his eyes.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n7. What did the goat with the notable horn represent?\n\n\u201cAnd the rough goat is _the king of Grecia_: and the great horn that is\nbetween his eyes is _the first king_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n8. How was the conquest of Medo-Persia by Grecia foretold in this symbolic\nprophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler\nagainst him, and _smote the ram, and brake his two horns_: and there was\nno power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the\nground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the\nram out of his hand.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n9. When the he goat \u201cwas strong,\u201d what occurred?\n\n\u201cTherefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, _the\ngreat horn was broken_; and for it came up four notable ones toward the\nfour winds of heaven.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n10. Who was represented by \u201cthe great horn,\u201d and what followed when it was\nbroken?\n\n\u201cAnd the rough goat is the king [kingdom] of Grecia: and the great horn\nthat is between his eyes is _the first king_. Now that being broken,\nwhereas four stood up for it, _four kingdoms shall stand up out of the\nnation_, but not in his power.\u201d Verses 21, 22.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014From the interpretation given, it is plain that the notable\n \u201chorn\u201d upon the he goat represented Alexander the Great, who led\n the Grecian forces in their conquest of Medo-Persia. Upon the\n death of Alexander at Babylon, B.C. 323, there followed a brief\n period of confusion in the struggle for the kingdom, but the\n succession was definitely determined by the battle of Ipsus, B.C.\n 301. Alexander\u2019s four leading generals\u2014Cassander, Lysimachus,\n Ptolemy, and Seleucus\u2014became his successors.\n\n \u201cThe vast empire created by Alexander\u2019s unparalleled conquests was\n distracted by the wranglings and wars of his successors, and\n before the close of the fourth century before Christ, had become\n broken up into many fragments. Besides minor states, four\n well-defined and important monarchies rose out of the ruins....\n Their rulers were Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus Nicator, and\n Ptolemy, who had each assumed the title of king. The great horn\n was broken; and instead of it came up four notable ones toward the\n four winds of heaven.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s __\u201c__History of Greece,__\u201d__ page\n 457, edition 1902._\n\n\n11. What came out of one of the four horns of the goat?\n\n\u201cAnd out of one of them came forth a _little horn_, which waxed _exceeding\ngreat_, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant\nland.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n12. What interpretation is given to this little horn?\n\n\u201cAnd in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come\nto the full, _a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark\nsentences, shall stand up_.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n13. What did this little horn do to the people of God?\n\n\u201cAnd it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and _it cast down some of\nthe host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them_.\u201d Verse\n10.\n\n14. In what literal language is this persecution of the people of God\nfurther described?\n\n\u201cAnd his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall\ndestroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy\nthe mighty and the holy people.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n15. How was this little horn to exalt itself against Christ and His\nmediatorial work?\n\n\u201cYea, it magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host, and _it took\naway from Him the continual burnt offering_, and the place of His\nsanctuary was cast down.\u201d Verse 11, R. V.\n\n16. In the interpretation of the vision, how is this self-exaltation set\nforth?\n\n\u201cAnd through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand;\nand _he shall magnify himself in his heart_, and by peace shall destroy\nmany: _he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes_; but he shall\nbe broken without hand.\u201d Verse 25.\n\n17. What similar language is used by the apostle Paul in describing the\n\u201cmystery of iniquity,\u201d or \u201cman of sin\u201d?\n\n\u201cThat day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that\nman of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; _who opposeth and exalteth\nhimself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as\nGod sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God_.\u201d 2\nThess. 2:3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The last two scriptures evidently describe one and the same\n power,\u2014a power which, while religious and professedly Christian,\n is anti-christian in spirit, and the very \u201cman of sin\u201d himself.\n Possessed with the selfish ambition of Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14;\n Eze. 28:17), he assumes to occupy the very seat and place of Deity\n in the temple of God. Professing to be Christ\u2019s vicar, or personal\n representative on earth, he magnifies himself against Christ, and\n \u201cstands up,\u201d or reigns, in the place of, and \u201cagainst,\u201d the Prince\n of princes.\n\n\n18. What was given into the hands of the power represented by the little\nhorn?\n\n\u201cAnd _the host_ was given over to it together with _the continual burnt\noffering_ through transgression.\u201d Dan. 8:12, first clause, R. V.\n\n19. What did this power do to the truth?\n\n\u201cAnd _it cast down truth to the ground_, and it did its pleasure and\nprospered.\u201d Same verse, last clause, R. V.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The interpretation already given to this vision shows\n plainly that the power represented by the little horn is the\n successor of Medo-Persia and Grecia. In the vision of the seventh\n chapter of Daniel, which is closely related to this vision, the\n fourth beast represented the fourth kingdom, or Rome, in its\n entirety, special attention, however, being given to the \u201clittle\n horn\u201d phase of its history. As shown by the work attributed to it,\n this little horn, which arose among the ten kingdoms into which\n Rome was divided, was to be a religio-political power, which was\n to change the times and law of God, and persecute the people of\n God. In the vision of the eighth chapter the ecclesiastical\n features of this fourth world power are especially noticed and\n emphasized, and hence the only symbol there used to represent it\n is the \u201clittle horn\u201d which waxed \u201cexceeding great.\u201d\n\n The religion of all the four great monarchies mentioned in these\n prophecies was paganism; but the paganism of ancient Babylon was\n reproduced in pagan Rome, and then adapted and adopted by papal\n Rome. The little horn of the eighth chapter represents Rome, both\n pagan and papal, in its ecclesiastical aspect, with its union of\n paganism, and later of apostate Christianity, with the secular\n power; with its antichristian persecutions of the saints of God;\n with its perversion of the priesthood of Christ; and with its\n assertion of both temporal and spiritual power over all the world.\n It is evident that pagan Rome is introduced into this prophecy\n chiefly as a means of locating the place and work of papal Rome,\n and the ecclesiastical features of pagan Rome as typical of the\n same features accentuated in papal Rome, and that the emphasis is\n to be placed upon the fulfilment of the prophecy in the work of\n papal Rome. A careful comparison of Dan. 7:21, 25, with Dan.\n 8:10-12, R. V., and 2 Thess. 2:3, 4, will amply justify this\n conclusion.\n\n \u201cThe Romans could not forget\u2014never did forget\u2014that they had once\n been masters and rulers of the world. Even after they had become\n wholly unfit to rule themselves, let alone the ruling of others,\n they still retained the temper and used the language of\n masters.... In the absence of an emperor in the West the popes\n rapidly gained influence and power, and soon built up an\n ecclesiastical empire that in some respects took the place of the\n old empire and carried on its civilizing work.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s\n __\u201c__Rome; Its Rise and Fall,__\u201d__ Boston, 1900, pages 398, 399,\n 442, 443._\n\n The host and the stars of Dan. 8:10 are the same as the saints of\n the Most High of Dan. 7:25; and the Prince of the host of Dan.\n 8:11 is the Prince of princes, or Christ. When the same being\n appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15, margin), He applies the same\n expression to Himself.\n\n In Dan. 8:11-13, in the Revised Version, the words \u201cburnt\n offering\u201d have been supplied by the translators after the word\n \u201ccontinual,\u201d but this rendering seems to place too restricted a\n meaning upon the word \u201ccontinual.\u201d The fact that no word is\n connected with \u201ccontinual\u201d in the original text, although in the\n typical service of the sanctuary it is used with \u201cburnt offering\u201d\n (Ex. 29:42), with \u201cincense\u201d (Ex. 30:8, here rendered perpetual),\n and with \u201cshowbread\u201d (Num. 4:7), indicates that that which is\n continual represents the _continual service or mediation of Christ\n in the heavenly sanctuary_, in which all that was continual in the\n typical service found its antitype and fulfilment. See Heb. 6:19,\n 20; 7:1-3, 14-16, 23-25. The action which made the Pope the vicar\n of God and the high priest of the apostasy, really took away from\n Christ, as far as human intent and power were concerned, his place\n and work as the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5),\n and this took away from Him, as far as man could take it away, the\n continual mediation, according to the prediction in this prophecy.\n\n The prophecies of Daniel are cumulative and widening in their\n view, each carrying matters farther than the preceding one, and\n bringing out more explicitly and more in detail important features\n down the stream of time. In Daniel 2, under the fourth universal\n kingdom, the Papacy is not represented under any direct symbol or\n figure at all,\u2014simply Rome in its united and divided state; in\n Daniel 7 Rome is symbolized by the \u201clittle horn\u201d coming up among\n the ten horns representing the divided state of Rome; while in\n Daniel 8 the only figure used to represent the fourth world power\n is the \u201clittle horn\u201d which waxed \u201cexceeding great.\u201d\n\n In each of these last two chapters the little horn is introduced\n to tell especially of the workings of the same terrible power\u2014Rome\n papal. Both chapters deal with the same great apostasy. In the\n seventh chapter, the little horn takes away _the law of God_. In\n the eighth chapter, it takes away _the gospel_. Had it taken away\n only the law, this would have vitiated the gospel; for, with the\n law of God gone, even the _true_ gospel could not save, because\n the law is needed to convict and give a knowledge of sin. And had\n the Papacy taken away only the gospel, and left the law, salvation\n through such a system would still have been impossible, for there\n is no salvation for sinners through even the law of God itself\n apart from Christ and the gospel. But to make apostasy doubly\n sure, this power changes, vitiates, and takes away both the _law_\n and the _gospel._\n\n In changing the Sabbath, the Papacy struck directly at the very\n heart and seal of the law of God, just as in substituting its own\n mediatorial system for that of Christ\u2019s it struck directly at the\n heavenly sanctuary and its service, which, in his epistle to the\n Hebrews, Paul shows to be the very heart and essence of the\n gospel.\n\n\n20. What question was asked in the hearing of the prophet?\n\n\u201cThen I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain\nsaint which spake, _How long shall be the vision concerning the daily\nsacrifice_, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the\nsanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot?\u201d Dan. 8:13.\n\n21. What answer was addressed to Daniel?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto me, _Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then\nshall the sanctuary be cleansed_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In verse 13, R. V., the vision is clearly defined. It is\n \u201cthe vision concerning the continual burnt offering [or continual\n mediation], and the transgression that maketh desolate,\u201d which\n results in giving both the sanctuary and the people of God to be\n trodden underfoot. The time when the vision was to have its\n special application is stated in verse 17 to be \u201cat the time of\n the end,\u201d or in the last days. This is additional proof that this\n prophecy was to find its complete fulfilment in papal Rome only,\n as pagan Rome passed away many centuries ago. The sanctuary and\n the twenty-three-hundred-day period here referred to are\n considered at length in succeeding readings. See pages 230, 238.\n\n\n22. What prophetic period begins at the time when the continual mediation\nof Christ was taken away by the Papacy?\n\n\u201cAnd from the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away,\nand the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be _a\nthousand two hundred and ninety days_.\u201d Dan. 12:11, R. V.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Inasmuch as the taking away of the continual mediation of\n Christ is made the beginning of a prophetic period, there must be\n some definite act at some definite time which, in form and intent,\n takes from Christ His priestly work in the heavenly sanctuary.\n This act was the official decree of an ecclesiastical council held\n at Rome in 503 A.D., by which it was declared \u201cthat the Pope was\n judge as God\u2019s vicar, and could himself be judged by no one.\u201d See\n Hardouin\u2019s \u201cCouncils,\u201d Vol. II, page 983; Labbe and Cossart\u2019s\n \u201cCouncils,\u201d Vol. IV, col. 1364; and Bower\u2019s \u201cHistory of the Popes\u201d\n (three-volume edition), Vol. I, pages 304, 305. The work of\n Clovis, king of the Franks, who earned for himself the title of\n \u201cthe eldest son of the church\u201d by his campaigns to subdue the\n kingdoms hostile to the Papacy, contributed much toward putting\n into practical effect this claim of the Papacy, which finally\n resulted in establishing the Pope as the head of the Roman\n priesthood which has usurped the priestly work of Christ, and has\n established another system of mediation in its place. This work of\n Clovis came to its climax in the period 503-508, and this period\n therefore becomes the natural one from which to date the 1290\n years of Dan. 12:11, which would accordingly end in the period\n 1793-98, at the same time as the 1260 years of Dan. 7:25. See\n notes on page 223.\n\n \u201cWith Rome would have fallen her bishop, had he not, as if by\n anticipation of the crisis, reserved till this hour the\n master-stroke of his policy. He now boldly cast himself upon an\n element of much greater strength than that of which the political\n convulsions of the time had deprived him; namely, that the bishop\n of Rome is the successor of Peter, the prince of the apostles,\n and, in virtue of being so, is Christ\u2019s vicar on earth. In making\n this claim, the Roman pontiffs vaulted at once over the throne of\n kings to the seat of gods: Rome became once more the mistress of\n the world, and her popes the rulers of the earth.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The\n Papacy__\u201d__ by J. A. Wylie, page 34._\n\n\n23. What assurance was given to Daniel concerning the period of time\nmentioned in verse 14?\n\n\u201cAnd the vision of the evening and the morning which was told _is true_;\nwherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.\u201d Dan.\n8:26.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014By the expression \u201cthe vision of the evening and the\n morning\u201d reference is made to the vision concerning the\n twenty-three hundred days, as may be seen by referring to the\n marginal readings of Dan. 8:14.\n\n The interpretation of the vision of chapter 8 closes without\n making any explanation of the long period of time which was\n mentioned to Daniel in the answer to the question, \u201cHow long shall\n be the vision?\u201d This important feature was left to be interpreted\n later. See next reading.\n\n\n\n\nA Great Prophetic Period. (The 2300 Days of Daniel 8.) Or The Time Of\nRestoration And Of Judgment\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Artaxerxes Restoring The Vessels Of The Temple. \"Unto two thousand and\n three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.\" Dan. 8:14.\n\n\n1. Immediately after the vision of Daniel 8, what did Daniel learn from\nhis study of the prophecy of Jeremiah?\n\n\u201cIn the first year of Darius ... _I Daniel understood by books the number\nof the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet,\nthat he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem_.\u201d\nDan. 9:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The first deportation to Babylon, when Daniel and his\n companions were carried captive, was in B.C. 606, and the seventy\n years of Jeremiah\u2019s prophecy would therefore expire in B.C. 536.\n The first year of Darius was B.C. 538, and the restoration period\n was therefore only two years distant from that time.\n\n\n2. What did this nearness of the time of restoration from captivity lead\nDaniel to do?\n\n\u201cAnd I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,\nwith fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n3. What urgent petition of the prophet connects this prayer with the\nvision of the taking away of the continual mediation and the desolation of\nthe sanctuary recorded in Daniel 8?\n\n\u201cNow therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his\nsupplications, and _cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is\ndesolate_, for the Lord\u2019s sake.\u201d Dan. 9:17.\n\n4. At the conclusion of Daniel\u2019s prayer, what assurance did Gabriel give\nhim?\n\n\u201cAnd he informed me, and talked with me, and said, _O Daniel, I am now\ncome forth to give thee skill and understanding_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n5. What previous instruction connected with the vision of Daniel 8 was\nthus being more fully carried out?\n\n\u201cAnd I heard a man\u2019s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and\nsaid, _Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision_.\u201d Dan. 8:16.\n\n6. Why was further instruction concerning this vision necessary?\n\n\u201cAnd _I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days_; afterward I rose up,\nand did the king\u2019s business; and _I was astonished at the vision, but none\nunderstood it_.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n7. To what did Gabriel now direct Daniel\u2019s attention?\n\n\u201cAt the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I\nam come to show thee: for thou art greatly beloved: therefore _understand\nthe matter_, and _consider the vision_.\u201d Dan. 9:23.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014There is abundant evidence that the instruction in the\n ninth chapter of Daniel supplements and interprets the vision of\n the eighth chapter. Note the following facts:\u2014\n\n (1) Daniel did not understand the vision concerning the treading\n down of his people and the sanctuary, and therefore searched the\n prophecies anew concerning the period of captivity.\n\n (2) He evidently made a connection between the period of seventy\n years mentioned by Jeremiah and the twenty-three hundred days of\n the vision, and he at once began to pray earnestly for the\n restoration of the city and the sanctuary.\n\n (3) The angel Gabriel, who appeared to him at the first, and\n interpreted all the vision with the exception of the twenty-three\n hundred days, now appears, and again directs his attention to the\n vision.\n\n (4) The events of the vision begin with the kingdom of the Medes\n and Persians, the era of the restoration of the Jews to their own\n land. In the absence of any instruction to the contrary, this\n would be the natural time in which to locate the beginning of the\n period of twenty-three hundred days; and this is the very time\n given for the beginning of the seventy weeks, which are clearly a\n part of the twenty-three hundred days, and thus determine the time\n of their commencement.\n\n (5) The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety years, extend\n from the restoration of literal Jerusalem and the literal temple\n to the preaching of the gospel to all the world. See Acts\n 15:14-17. This special preaching of the gospel was completed in\n one generation, and was followed by the destruction of Jerusalem.\n\n (6) The twenty-three hundred prophetic days, or twenty-three\n hundred literal years, begin at the same time as the four hundred\n and ninety years, or seventy weeks, or in B.C. 457, when the\n commandment to restore and build Jerusalem went forth; and extend\n from the restoration of literal Jerusalem and the typical temple\n service after the captivity in ancient Babylon, in the time of the\n Medes and Persians, to 1844 A.D., the time for the restoration of\n spiritual Jerusalem and of the knowledge of the mediation of\n Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, taken away by the little horn,\n after the captivity in modern Babylon. This work of restoration is\n to be accomplished in one generation by preaching the gospel to\n all the world (Rev. 14:6-12), and this will be followed by the\n destruction of the world, or fall of all nations, of which the\n destruction of Jerusalem was a type.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The 2300 Days\n\n\n The heavy line represents the full 2300 year-day period, the\n longest prophetic period in the Bible. Beginning in B.C. 457 when\n the decree was given to restore and build Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11-26;\n Dan. 9:25), seven weeks (49 years) are measured off to indicate\n the time occupied in this work of restoration. These, however, are\n a part of the sixty-nine weeks (483 years) that were to reach to\n Messiah, the Anointed One. Christ was anointed in 27 A.D., at His\n baptism. Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 10:38. In the midst of the seventieth\n week (31 A.D.), Christ was crucified, or \u201ccut off,\u201d which marked\n the time when the sacrifices and oblations of the earthly\n sanctuary were to cease. Dan. 9:26, 27. The remaining three and\n one-half years of this week reach to 34 A.D., or to the stoning of\n Stephen, and the great persecution of the church at Jerusalem\n which followed. Acts 7:59; 8:1. This marked the close of the\n seventy weeks, or 490 years, allotted to the Jewish people.\n\n But the seventy weeks are a part of the 2300 days; and as they\n (the seventy weeks) reach to 34 A.D., the remaining 1810 years of\n the 2300-day period must reach to 1844, when the work of judgment,\n or cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, was to begin. Rev. 14:6,\n 7. Then special light began to shine upon the whole sanctuary\n subject, and Christ\u2019s mediatorial or priestly work in it.\n\n Four great events, therefore, are located by this great prophetic\n period,\u2014the first advent, the crucifixion, the rejection of the\n Jewish people as a nation, and the beginning of the work of final\n judgment.\n\n\n8. What portion of the 2300 days (years) mentioned in the vision, was\nallotted to the Jews?\n\n\u201c_Seventy weeks_ are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city.\u201d\nVerse 24, first clause.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cAs both the 2300 years of chapter 8 and the \u2018seventy\n weeks\u2019 of chapter 9 start from the Persian period of Jewish\n history, in other words, as they both date from the _restoration\n era_ which followed the Babylonian captivity, their\n starting-points must be either identical or closely related\n chronologically.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Light for the Last Days__\u201d__ by H. Grattan\n Guinness, London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1893, page 183._\n\n \u201cThere is plainly a close correspondence between the two visions\n of Daniel 8 and Daniel 9. The seventy weeks are said to be _cut\n off_ for certain distinct objects; and this implies a longer\n period from which they are separated, either the course of time in\n general, or some period distinctly revealed. Now the previous date\n (the 2300 days) includes two events,\u2014the restoration of the\n sacrifice, and the desolation. The first of these is identical in\n character with the seventy weeks, which are a period of the\n restored polity of Jerusalem; and hence the most natural of the\n cutting off is that which refers it to the whole period of the\n former vision.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__First Elements of Sacred Prophecy__\u201d__ by T.\n R. Birks, London, 1843, pages 359, 360._\n\n\n9. What was to be accomplished at the close of the seventy weeks?\n\n\u201cTo finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make\nreconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness,\nand to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.\u201d Same\nverse, latter part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For \u201cthe Most Holy,\u201d the Douay version reads, \u201cthe Saint of\n saints.\u201d\n\n\n10. What portion of this period was to reach to Christ, the Messiah, or\nAnointed One?\n\n\u201cKnow therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the\ncommandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince\nshall be _seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks_.\u201d Verse 25, first\npart.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word Messiah means anointed, and Jesus was anointed with\n the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38) at His baptism in 27 A.D. Matt. 3:16.\n\n\n11. At the end of this time, what was to be done to Messiah?\n\n\u201cAnd after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be _cut off_.\u201d Verse 26,\nfirst part.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nRebuilding Of Jerusalem. \"And they builded, and finished it, according to\n the commandment of the God of Israel.\" Ezra 6:14.\n\n\n12. How was the destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary by the Romans\nthen foretold?\n\n\u201cAnd the people of the prince that shall come shall _destroy the city and\nthe sanctuary_; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the\nend of the war desolations are determined.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n13. What was Messiah to do during the seventieth week?\n\n\u201cAnd He shall _confirm the covenant_ with many for one week.\u201d Verse 27,\nfirst clause. See Matt. 26:26-28.\n\n14. What was He to take away in the midst of this week?\n\n\u201cAnd in the midst of the week He shall cause the _sacrifice and the\noblation to cease_.\u201d Same verse, next clause.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Ancient Babylon took away the typical service by the\n destruction of the temple at the capture of Jerusalem. This\n service was restored at the rebuilding of Jerusalem, but was\n perverted into mere formalism by the Jews, and was taken away by\n Christ at the first advent, when He blotted out the handwriting of\n ordinances, and \u201ctook it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.\u201d\n Col. 2:14. He then became \u201ca minister of the sanctuary, and of the\n true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.\u201d Heb. 8:2.\n Thus He established the service in the heavenly sanctuary. The\n little horn, the Papacy, as far as was within its power, took away\n from the people the mediation of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary,\n and substituted for it the Roman priesthood, with the Pope as\n Pontifex Maximus, or high priest. Power over this truth of the\n gospel and over the people of God was allowed to the Papacy\n because of transgression (Dan. 8:12, R. V.), just as the people of\n Jerusalem were given into the hand of the king of ancient Babylon\n for the same reason. 1 Chron. 9:1. Thus has the Papacy \u201ccast down\n the truth to the ground,\u201d and has trodden underfoot the sanctuary\n and the people of God.\n\n\n15. How are the judgments upon Jerusalem again foretold?\n\n\u201cAnd for the overspreading of abominations He shall make it desolate, even\nuntil the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the\ndesolate.\u201d Remainder of verse 27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Seventy weeks would be four hundred and ninety days; and as\n a day in prophecy represents a year (Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6), this\n period would be four hundred and ninety years. The commandment to\n restore and build Jerusalem was brought to its completion by\n Artaxerxes Longimanus in the seventh year of his reign (Ezra 6:14;\n 7:7, 8), which, as already noted, was B.C. 457. From this date the\n sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty-three years, would\n extend to the baptism of Christ in 27 A.D., and the whole period\n to 34 A.D., when the martyrdom of Stephen occurred, and the gospel\n began to be preached to the Gentiles. Before the end of that\n generation Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, 70 A.D. The\n twenty-three hundred years would extend from B.C. 457 to 1844\n A.D., when began the great second advent movement, which calls\n upon all to come out of modern Babylon, and to prepare for the\n next great event, the coming of Christ and the destruction of the\n world by fire.\n\n\n16. What question was asked in the vision of Daniel 8?\n\n\u201cThen I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said unto that\ncertain one which spake, _How long shall be the vision concerning the\ncontinual burnt offering, and the transgression that maketh desolate, to\ngive both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot_?\u201d Dan. 8:13.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Literal Jerusalem was given into the hands of ancient\n Babylon, and the typical service in the earthly sanctuary was thus\n taken away. Dan. 1:1, 2. This was prophetic of the experience of\n spiritual Jerusalem in modern Babylon, foretold in the prophecies\n of Daniel and John, and of the taking away of the mediation of\n Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Dan. 7:25; 8:13. These two\n visions expose the work of modern Babylon, the Papacy, and\n determine the limit of its permitted power over the people of God,\n and of its perversion of the gospel of Christ in substituting\n another mediatorial system for the work of Christ in the heavenly\n sanctuary.\n\n The general theme upon which the book of Daniel treats is Babylon,\n both ancient and modern. Chapters 1-6, inclusive, present certain\n historical facts leading up to the fall of ancient Babylon, and an\n attempt to destroy the prophet Daniel himself and the final\n attempt to destroy the people of God,\u2014a brief historical outline,\n which is in itself a prophecy of modern Babylon. Chapters 7-12,\n inclusive, contain prophecies relating especially to modern\n Babylon, which supplement the historical prophecy of the previous\n chapters, and which enable us to draw a very exact and striking\n parallel between ancient and modern Babylon. A brief outline of\n this parallel may be stated thus:\u2014\n\n (1) In the religion of ancient Babylon, image-worship found a\n prominent place. The same is true of modern Babylon.\n\n (2) Ancient Babylon affirmed that the gods (or God) dwelt not in\n the flesh. By the dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin\n Mary (that is, that she herself was born without the taint of\n original sin), modern Babylon teaches that God, in the person of\n His Son, did not take the same flesh with us; that is, sinful\n flesh.\n\n (3) Ancient Babylon persecuted those who refused to accept her\n dogmas and worship according to her laws. Modern Babylon has done\n the same.\n\n (4) The king of ancient Babylon set himself above God, and\n attempted to make his kingdom an everlasting kingdom. So does\n modern Babylon.\n\n (5) Ancient Babylon rejected the true gospel as taught to\n Nebuchadnezzar, and the fall of Babylon came in consequence.\n Modern Babylon has done the same in her rejection of the true\n gospel as brought to her in the Reformation, and her fall is\n inevitable and impending.\n\n (6) The fall of ancient Babylon came just at the time when it was\n giving expression to its contempt of all its enemies, and its\n confidence in its own permanence. This experience will be repeated\n in the history of modern Babylon.\n\n\n17. What prophetic period, therefore, extends to the deliverance of God\u2019s\npeople from the captivity in modern Babylon, and the restoration to them\nof the mediation of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto me, _Unto two thousand and three hundred days_; then\nshall the sanctuary be cleansed.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The earthly sanctuary was a type of the heavenly sanctuary\n (Heb. 9:23, 24; Lev. 16:29, 30, 33); the cleansing of the earthly\n sanctuary was typical of the cleansing in the heavenly sanctuary;\n and this cleansing of the sanctuary accomplished on the great day\n of atonement is the closing work of Christ in His mediation for\n sin. And the commencement of the cleansing of the heavenly\n sanctuary marks the beginning of a new era in the experience of\n the people of God on earth; namely, the deliverance from the power\n of modern Babylon, the restoration to them of the knowledge of the\n mediation of Christ for them in the heavenly sanctuary, and a\n cleansing from sin in preparation for the second advent of Christ.\n The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary involves the investigative\n judgment, which will be followed by the plagues, and Christ\u2019s\n coming. This period, therefore, determines the time of restoration\n and of judgment.\n\n\n18. What is said of those who live to see the deliverance from modern\nBabylon, and the restoration of the true gospel?\n\n\u201cBlessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and\nfive and thirty days.\u201d Dan. 12:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The 1335 days (years) of Dan. 12:12 are evidently a\n continuation of the 1290 days (years) of the previous verse, which\n commence with the taking away of the mediation of Christ, in the\n period 503-508 A.D. See under question 22 in reading on \u201cThe Vicar\n of Christ,\u201d page 229. The 1335 days, or years, would therefore\n extend to the period 1838-43, the time of the preaching of the\n judgment-hour, in preparation for the cleansing of the sanctuary,\n and the accompanying work at the end of the 2300 days, or years,\n of Dan. 8:14. At that time special blessings were to come upon\n those who were delivered from the errors and bondage of Rome, and\n had their minds directed anew to the mediation of Christ as the\n great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary.\n\n GENERAL NOTE ON THE PROPHECIES OF DANIEL.\u2014The second chapter of\n Daniel presents in brief outline the divine program of history\n leading up to the establishment of the everlasting kingdom of God.\n The seventh chapter of Daniel presents somewhat more in detail the\n history of those earthly kingdoms which were to precede the\n establishment of the kingdom of God, the objective point of the\n prophecy being the little horn and its effort to change the laws\n and ordinances of God, and to destroy the subjects of the heavenly\n kingdom. The period allotted to the supremacy of this power, the\n Papacy (the 1260 years), is also indicated. The prophecy of the\n eighth chapter of Daniel covers the period from the restoration\n era in the time of the Persian kings and the establishment of the\n people of God in their own land, to the restoration era just\n preceding the second advent of Christ and the setting up of His\n everlasting kingdom. In this chapter the leading theme is the\n effort of the Papacy to substitute its own mediatorial system for\n the mediatorial work of Christ, and the announcement of a\n prophetic period (the 2300 years), at the end of which the\n counterfeit system introduced by the Papacy was to be fully\n exposed. The remaining chapters of Daniel supplement the\n prophecies of the second, seventh, and eighth chapters, and show\n that at the end of the first portion of the 2300-year period (the\n 70 weeks, or 490 years) Messiah was to appear and be cut off,\n following which would come the destruction of Jerusalem. In the\n closing chapter two new periods are introduced (the 1290 years and\n the 1335 years), at the end of which, as with the 2300 years, was\n to come the movement preparatory to the setting up of God\u2019s\n everlasting kingdom in the earth, in harmony with the prophecies\n of the second and seventh chapters.\n\n\n\n\nThe Atonement In Type And Antitype\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Tabernacle In The Wilderness. \"Which was a figure for the time then\n present.\" Heb. 9:9.\n\n\n1. What did God, through Moses, command Israel to make?\n\n\u201cAnd let them make Me _a sanctuary_; that I may dwell among them.\u201d Ex.\n25:8.\n\n2. What was offered in this sanctuary?\n\n\u201cIn which were offered _both gifts and sacrifices_.\u201d Heb. 9:9.\n\n3. Besides the court, how many parts had this sanctuary?\n\n\u201cAnd the veil shall divide unto you between the _holy place_ and the _most\nholy_.\u201d Ex. 26:33.\n\n4. What was in the first apartment, or holy place?\n\n\u201cFor there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the\n_candlestick_, and the _table_, and the _showbread_; which is called the\nsanctuary.\u201d Heb. 9:2. \u201cAnd he put _the golden altar_ in the tent of the\ncongregation before the veil.\u201d Ex. 40:26. See also Ex. 30:1-6.\n\n5. What was contained in the second apartment?\n\n\u201cAnd after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of\nall; which had _the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant_ overlaid\nround about with gold, wherein was ... _the tables of the covenant_\u201d Heb.\n9:3, 4. See also Ex. 40:20, 21.\n\n6. By what name was the cover of the ark known?\n\n\u201cAnd thou shalt put _the mercy-seat_ above upon the ark; and in the ark\nthou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.\u201d Ex. 25:21.\n\n7. Where was God to meet with Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee _from above\nthe mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of\nthe testimony_.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n8. What was in the ark, under the mercy-seat?\n\n\u201cAnd He wrote on _the tables_, according to the first writing, _the ten\ncommandments_.... And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and\n_put the tables in the ark_ which I had made.\u201d Deut. 10:4, 5.\n\n9. When did the priest minister in the first apartment of the sanctuary?\n\n\u201cNow these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in\n_continually_ into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services.\u201d Heb.\n9:6, R. V.\n\n10. Who alone went into the second apartment, how often, and for what\npurpose?\n\n\u201cBut into the second went _the high priest alone once every year, not\nwithout blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the\npeople_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n11. What were sinners desiring pardon instructed to do?\n\n\u201cAnd if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth\nsomewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord ... then he shall\nbring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his\nsin which he hath sinned. And _he shall lay his hand upon the head of the\nsin-offering, and slay the sin-offering in the place of the burnt\noffering_.\u201d Lev. 4:27-29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014According to this, if a man sinned in Israel, he violated\n one of the ten commandments that were in the ark under the\n mercy-seat. These commandments are the foundation of God\u2019s\n government. To violate them is to commit sin, and so become\n subject to death. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23. But there was a\n mercy-seat reared above these holy and just commandments. In the\n dispensation of His mercy, God grants the sinner the privilege of\n confessing his sins, and bringing a substitute to meet the demands\n of the law, and thus of obtaining mercy.\n\n\n12. What was done with the blood of the offering?\n\n\u201cAnd the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put\nit upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and _shall pour out all\nthe blood thereof at the bottom of the altar_.\u201d Verse 30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014After a person discovered his sin by the law which demanded\n the death of the transgressor, he first brought his offering, then\n he confessed his sin while laying his hands on the head of the\n victim, thus, in figure, transferring his sin to the victim; the\n victim was next slain in the court, or outer part of the\n sanctuary, and its blood put on the horns of the altar and poured\n at the foot of the altar. In this way sins were pardoned, and, in\n the typical service, transferred to the sanctuary.\n\n\n13. After the accumulation of the sins of the year in this way, what\nservice took place on the tenth day of the seventh month of each year?\n\n\u201cAnd this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month,\non the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, ... for _on\nthat day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that\nye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord_.\u201d Lev. 16:29, 30.\n\n14. How was the sanctuary itself to be cleansed, and how were the sins of\nthe people to be finally disposed of?\n\n\u201cAnd he [the high priest] shall take of the congregation of the children\nof Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering.... And he shall take\nthe two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the\ntabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two\ngoats, one lot _for the Lord_, and the other lot _for the scapegoat_.\u201d\nVerses 5-8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel. See margin of verse\n 8. It is used as a proper name, and, according to the opinion of\n the most ancient Hebrews and Christians, refers to Satan, or the\n angel who revolted and persisted in rebellion and sin.\n\n\n15. What was done with the blood of the goat upon which the Lord\u2019s lot\nfell?\n\n\u201cThen shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people,\nand bring his blood within the veil, ... _and sprinkle it upon the\nmercy-seat_, and before the mercy-seat.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n16. Why was it necessary to make this atonement?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall make an atonement for the holy place, _because of the\nuncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions\nin all their sins_: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the\ncongregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their\nuncleanness.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Sins were conveyed into the sanctuary during the year by the\n blood of the personal sin-offerings offered daily at the door of\n the tabernacle. Here they remained until the day of atonement,\n when the high priest went into the most holy place with the blood\n of the goat on which the Lord\u2019s lot fell; and, bearing the\n accumulated sins of the year in before the mercy-seat, he there,\n in type, atoned for them, and so cleansed the sanctuary.\n\n\n17. After having made atonement for the people in the most holy place,\nwhat did the high priest next do?\n\n\u201cAnd when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the\ntabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live\ngoat: and Aaron shall _lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat,\nand confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all\ntheir transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the\ngoat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the\nwilderness_.\u201d Verses 20, 21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The offering of the Lord\u2019s goat cleansed the sanctuary. By\n this offering the sins of the people, transferred there during the\n year, were, in type, atoned for; but they were not by this\n offering finally disposed of, or destroyed. The scapegoat,\n symbolizing Satan, the great tempter and originator of sin, was\n brought to the sanctuary, and upon his head were placed all these\n sins which Satan had tempted God\u2019s people to commit.\n\n\n18. What final disposition was made of the sins of the people?\n\n\u201cAnd _the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not\ninhabited_: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Scapegoat. \"And Aaron shall ... confess over him all the iniquities of\n the children of Israel.\" Lev. 16:21.\n\n\n19. What was this earthly sanctuary and its round of service?\n\n\u201cWhich was _a figure_ for the time then present.\u201d Heb. 9:9.\n\n20. Of what sanctuary, or tabernacle, is Christ the minister?\n\n\u201cA minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, _which the Lord\npitched, and not man_.\u201d Heb. 8:2.\n\n21. Of what was the blood of all the sacrifices of the former dispensation\nonly a type?\n\n\u201cNeither by the blood of goats and calves, but _by His own blood_ He\nentered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption\nfor us.\u201d Heb. 9:12. See Eph. 5:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the altar of\n the earthly sanctuary, the penitent believer was to lay hold of\n the merits of Christ, the Saviour to come. In this way, and in\n this way only, was there any virtue connected with them.\n\n\n22. At the death of Christ, what miraculous occurrence signified that the\npriestly work and services of the earthly sanctuary were finished?\n\n\u201cJesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.\nAnd, behold, _the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the\nbottom_.\u201d Matt. 27:50, 51.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Type had met antitype; the shadow had reached the\n substance. Christ, the great sacrifice, had been slain, and was\n about to enter upon His final work as our great high priest in the\n sanctuary in heaven. The priestly work in the earthly sanctuary\n was typical of the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. In\n the earthly, the atonement was performed on the last day of the\n ceremonial year. All who did not then have their sins atoned for\n were \u201ccut off,\u201d and the camp was cleansed from sin. The atonement\n day was virtually a day of judgment for Israel, and the people\n whose sins had been atoned for were free from sin, and could enter\n upon the services of the new year clean in the sight of God. This\n work was kept up year after year. In the heavenly sanctuary, the\n sacrifice is offered but once; and but one atonement, or cleansing\n of the heavenly sanctuary, can be made, which must take place at\n the time assigned of God for it. And when the great atonement, or\n cleansing, of the heavenly sanctuary has been made, God\u2019s people\n will be forever free from sin, and the fate of all will be forever\n sealed. See Rev. 22:11. This, as in the type, will be a day of\n judgment.\n\n The round of service in the earthly sanctuary was God\u2019s service.\n It had to do with the sins of the people; not that the blood of\n the sacrifices offered there could in itself take away their sins,\n for it is expressly said that it could not. Heb. 10:4. It could,\n however, show their _faith_ in the efficacy of _Christ\u2019s blood_\n yet to be spilled, and to which the sanctuary work was intended\n constantly to direct their minds. The work there was a type, or\n shadow, of Christ\u2019s atoning work, and, as such, carries with it a\n significance that cannot be overestimated. Upon a correct\n understanding of the type depends a correct understanding of the\n antitype. The entire sanctuary service was an object-lesson of\n most important and vital gospel truth,\u2014that of man\u2019s salvation and\n the atonement of sin.\n\n\n23. What relation does the earthly sanctuary sustain to the heavenly?\n\n\u201cWho serve unto the _example_ and _shadow_ of heavenly things, as Moses\nwas admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See,\nsaith He, that thou make all things according to the _pattern_ showed to\nthee in the mount.\u201d Heb. 8:5.\n\n24. By what comparison is it shown that the heavenly sanctuary will be\ncleansed?\n\n\u201cIt was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens\nshould be purified with these; _but the heavenly things themselves with\nbetter sacrifices than these_.\u201d Heb. 9:23.\n\n25. When Christ has finished His priestly mediatorial work in the heavenly\nsanctuary, what decree will go forth?\n\n\u201cHe that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let\nhim be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:\nand he that is holy, let him be holy still.\u201d Rev. 22:11.\n\n26. What event is directly connected with the blotting out of sin and the\nfinal refreshing from God\u2019s presence?\n\n\u201cRepent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,\nwhen the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and\n_He shall send Jesus Christ_, which before was preached unto you: whom the\nheaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which\nGod hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world\nbegan.\u201d Acts 3:19-21.\n\n27. According to the view of the judgment presented to Daniel, what is to\nbe given to Christ while still before the Father?\n\n\u201cI saw ... and, behold, one like the Son of man came ... to the Ancient of\ndays, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him\n_dominion_, and _glory_, and _a kingdom_, that all people, nations, and\nlanguages, should serve Him.\u201d Dan. 7:13, 14.\n\n28. What will occur when the Lord descends from heaven?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the\nvoice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and _the dead in Christ\nshall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up\ntogether with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air_: and so\nshall we ever be with the Lord.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.\n\n29. What statement immediately following the announcement mentioned in\nRev. 22:11, indicates that a judgment work had been in progress before\nChrist comes?\n\n\u201cAnd, behold, I come quickly; and _My reward is with Me, to give every man\naccording as his work shall be_.\u201d Rev. 22:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The typical sanctuary service is fully met in the work of\n Christ. As the atonement day of the former dispensation was really\n a day of judgment, so the atonement work of Christ will include\n the investigation of the cases of His people prior to His coming\n the second time to receive them unto Himself.\n\n\n30. Is there a specified time for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto me, _Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then\nshall the sanctuary be cleansed_.\u201d Dan. 8:14.\n\n31. How may one know that this does not refer to the earthly sanctuary?\n\n\u201cHe said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for _at the time of the end\nshall be the vision_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The prophetic period of 2300 days (years) extends to 1844\n A.D., while the divinely appointed services of the earthly\n sanctuary ceased at the cross (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:50, 51), and\n the sanctuary itself was destroyed in 70 A.D., when Titus captured\n Jerusalem. For explanation of the period here mentioned, see the\n preceding reading.\n\n\n\n\nThe Judgment\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Investigative Judgment. \"The books were opened: ... and the dead were\n judged out of those things which were written in the books.\" Rev. 20:12.\n\n\n1. What assurance have we that there will be a judgment?\n\n\u201cGod ... hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world.\u201d Acts\n17:30, 31.\n\n2. Was the judgment still future in Paul\u2019s day?\n\n\u201cAs he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and _judgment to come_,\nFelix trembled.\u201d Acts 24:25.\n\n3. How many must meet the test of the judgment?\n\n\u201cI said in mine heart, God shall judge _the righteous and the wicked_.\u201d\nEccl. 3:17 \u201c_For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ_;\nthat every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that\nhe hath done, whether it be good or bad.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:10.\n\n4. What reason did Solomon give for urging all to fear God and keep His\ncommandments?\n\n\u201c_For God shall bring every work into judgment_, with every secret thing,\nwhether it be good, or whether it be evil.\u201d Eccl. 12:14.\n\n5. What view of the judgment scene was given Daniel?\n\n\u201cI beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed, R. V.], and the Ancient\nof days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head\nlike the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as\nburning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him:\nthousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten\nthousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were\nopened.\u201d Dan. 7:9, 10.\n\n6. Out of what will all be judged?\n\n\u201cAnd _the books were opened_: and another book was opened, which is the\nbook of life: and _the dead were judged out of those things which were\nwritten in the books_, according to their works.\u201d Rev. 20:12.\n\n7. For whom has a book of remembrance been written?\n\n\u201cThen they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord\nharkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him\n_for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name_.\u201d Mal.\n3:16. See Rev. 20:12.\n\n8. Who opens the judgment and presides over it?\n\n\u201cI beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and _the Ancient of\ndays did sit_.\u201d Dan. 7:9.\n\n9. Who minister to God, and assist in the judgment?\n\n\u201cThousand thousands [of angels] ministered unto Him, and ten thousand\ntimes ten thousand stood before Him.\u201d Verse 10. See Rev. 5:11.\n\n10. Who is brought before the Father at this time?\n\n\u201cI saw in the night-visions, and, behold, _one like the Son of man_ came\nwith the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they\nbrought Him near before Him.\u201d Dan. 7:13.\n\n11. What does Christ as the advocate of His people confess before the\nFather and His angels?\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I\nwill not blot out his name out of the book of life, but _I will confess\nhis name before My Father, and before His angels_.\u201d Rev. 3:5. See Matt.\n10:32, 33; Mark 8:38.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014During this judgment scene, both the righteous and the\n wicked dead are still in their graves. The record of each one\u2019s\n life, however, is in the books of heaven, and by that record their\n characters and deeds are well known. Christ is there to appear in\n behalf of those who have chosen Him as their advocate. 1 John 2:1.\n He presents His blood, as He appeals for their sins to be blotted\n from the books of record. As the place of judgment is in heaven,\n where God\u2019s throne is, and as Christ is present in person, it\n follows that the work of judgment is also in heaven. All are\n judged by the record of their lives, and thus answer for the deeds\n done in the body. This work will not only decide forever the cases\n of the dead, but will also close the probation of all who are\n living, after which Christ will come to take to Himself those who\n have been found loyal to Him.\n\n\n12. After the subjects of the kingdom have been determined by the\ninvestigative judgment, what is given to Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd there was given Him _dominion_, and _glory_, and _a kingdom_, that\nall people, nations, and languages, should serve Him.\u201d Dan. 7:14.\n\n13. When He comes the second time, what title will He bear?\n\n\u201cAnd He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, _King of\nkings_, and _Lord of lords_.\u201d Rev. 19:16.\n\n14. What will He then do for each one?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels;\nand _then He shall reward every man according to his works_.\u201d Matt. 16:27.\nSee also Rev. 22:12.\n\n15. Where will Christ then take His people?\n\n\u201c_In My Father\u2019s house are many mansions_: if it were not so, I would have\ntold you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place\nfor you, _I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am,\nthere ye may be also_.\u201d John 14:2, 3.\n\n16. How many of the dead will be raised?\n\n\u201cFor the hour is coming, in the which _all that are in the graves_ shall\nhear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the\nresurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection\nof damnation.\u201d John 5:28, 29. See also Acts 24:15.\n\n17. What time intervenes between the two resurrections?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus,\nand for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither\nhis image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their\nhands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. _But the\nrest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished._\u201d\nRev. 20:4, 5.\n\n18. What work did Daniel see finally assigned to the saints?\n\n\u201cI beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed\nagainst them; until the Ancient of days came, and _judgment was given to\nthe saints of the Most High_; and the time came that the saints possessed\nthe kingdom.\u201d Dan. 7:21, 22.\n\n19. How long will the saints engage in this work of judgment?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and _judgment was given unto\nthem: ...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years_.\u201d Rev.\n20:4.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Lot Fleeing From Sodom. \"Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into\n ashes.\" 2 Peter 2:6.\n\n\n20. Who will thus be judged by the saints?\n\n\u201cDo ye not know that _the saints shall judge the world_? and if the world\nshall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?\nKnow ye not that _we shall judge angels_? how much more things that\npertain to this life?\u201d 1 Cor. 6:2, 3.\n\n21. How will the decisions of the judgment be executed?\n\n\u201cAnd out of His [Christ\u2019s] mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He\nshould smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and\nHe treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.\u201d\nRev. 19:15.\n\n22. Why is the _execution_ of the judgment given to Christ?\n\n\u201cFor as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to\nhave life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment\nalso, _because He is the Son of man_.\u201d John 5:26, 27.\n\n23. How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the\neverlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to\nevery nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud\nvoice, _Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is\ncome_.\u201d Rev. 14:6, 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the\n Scriptures,\u2014the investigative judgment, preceding the second\n advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ\n and the saints during the one thousand years following the second\n advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at\n the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place\n in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are\n worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and\n who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye,\n at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take\n place before the second advent, as there will be no time for such\n a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the\n righteous dead. The executive judgment on the wicked occurs after\n their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand\n years. Rev. 20:4, 5; 1 Cor. 6:1-3. The investigative judgment is\n that which is announced to the world by the angel\u2019s message of\n Rev. 14:6, 7.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Thou Judge of quick and dead,\n Before whose bar severe,\n With holy joy or guilty dread,\n We all shall soon appear,\u2014\n Our cautioned souls prepare\n For that tremendous day,\n And fill us now with watchful care,\n And stir us up to pray.\n\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Wise Men Of The East. \"We have seen His star in the east.\" Matt. 2:2.\n\n\n\n\nThe Judgment-Hour Message\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The First Angel. \"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His\n judgment is come.\" Rev. 14:7.\n\n\n1. What prophetic view of the judgment was given Daniel?\n\n\u201cI beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and the Ancient of\ndays did sit: ... thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand\ntimes ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books\nwere opened.\u201d Dan. 7:9, 10.\n\n2. What assurance has God given of the judgment?\n\n\u201cBecause _He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world_\nin righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given\nassurance unto all men, _in that He hath raised Him from the dead_.\u201d Acts\n17:31.\n\n3. What message announces the judgment-hour come?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the\neverlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to\nevery nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud\nvoice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for _the hour of His judgment is\ncome_: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the\nfountains of waters.\u201d Rev. 14:6, 7.\n\n4. In view of the judgment-hour, what is proclaimed anew?\n\n\u201c_The everlasting gospel._\u201d Verse 6, first part.\n\n5. How extensively is this message to be proclaimed?\n\n\u201cTo _every nation_, and _kindred_, and _tongue_, and _people_.\u201d Verse 6,\nfirst part.\n\n6. What is the whole world called upon to do?\n\n\u201c_Fear God, and give glory to Him._\u201d Verse 7.\n\n7. What special reason is given for this?\n\n\u201cFor _the hour of His judgment is come_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n8. Whom are all called upon to worship?\n\n\u201c_Him that made heaven, and earth._\u201d Same verse.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There is only one gospel (Rom. 1:16, 17; Gal. 1:8), first\n announced in Eden (Gen. 3:15), preached to Abraham (Gal. 3:8) and\n to the children of Israel (Heb. 4:1, 2), and proclaimed anew in\n every generation. In its development, the gospel meets the needs\n of every crisis in the world\u2019s history. John the Baptist in his\n preaching announced the kingdom of heaven at hand (Matt. 3:1, 2),\n and prepared the way for the first advent. John 1:22, 23. Christ\n Himself in His preaching of the gospel announced the fulfilment of\n a definite-time prophecy (the sixty-nine weeks, or 483 years, of\n Dan. 9:25), and called the people to repentance, in view of the\n coming of the predicted Messiah. Mark 1:14, 15. So when the time\n of the judgment comes, and Christ\u2019s second advent is near, a\n world-wide announcement of these events is to be made in the\n preaching of the everlasting gospel adapted to meet the need of\n the hour.\n\n\n9. What prophetic period extends to the time of the cleansing of the\nsanctuary, or the investigative judgment?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto me, Unto _two thousand and three hundred days_; then\nshall the sanctuary be cleansed.\u201d Dan. 8:14.\n\n10. When did this long period expire?\n\nIn A.D. 1844. See reading on page 230.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Our Lord based His preaching of the gospel upon the\n fulfilment of the first part of the 2300 days, or years (Mark\n 1:14, 15), a prophecy which determined the time of the first\n advent. The whole period extends to the time of the judgment, just\n preceding the second advent, and at its expiration a special\n gospel message is sent to all the world proclaiming the\n judgment-hour at hand, and calling upon all to worship the\n Creator. The facts of history answer to this interpretation of the\n prophecy: for at this very time (1844) just such a message was\n being proclaimed in various parts of the world. This was the\n beginning of the great second advent message which is now being\n proclaimed throughout the world.\n\n\n11. How is the true God distinguished from all false gods?\n\n\u201cThus shall ye say unto them, _The gods that have not made the heavens and\nthe earth_, even they shall perish from the earth.... _He [the true God]\nhath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His\nwisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion._\u201d Jer.\n10:11, 12.\n\n12. For what reason is worship justly due to God?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.... _The sea\nis His, and He made it: and His hands formed __ the dry land_. O come, let\nus worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our _Maker_.\u201d Ps.\n95:3-6.\n\n13. Why do the inhabitants of heaven worship God?\n\n\u201cThe four and twenty elders fall down before Him, ... saying, Thou art\nworthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: _for Thou hast\ncreated all things_, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.\u201d Rev.\n4:10, 11.\n\n14. What memorial did God establish of His creative power?\n\n\u201cRemember _the Sabbath day_, to keep it holy.... _For in six days the Lord\nmade heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is_, and rested the\nseventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\u201d\nEx. 20:8-11.\n\n15. What place has the Sabbath in the work of salvation?\n\n\u201cMoreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be _a sign_ between Me and\nthem, that they might know that I am the Lord that _sanctify_ them.\u201d Eze.\n20:12.\n\n16. How many are concerned in the judgment?\n\n\u201cFor we must _all_ appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that _every\none_ may receive the things done in his body, _according to that he hath\ndone, whether it be good or bad_.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:10.\n\n17. What will be the standard in the judgment?\n\n\u201cFor whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he\nis guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do\nnot kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art\nbecome a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that\nshall be judged _by the law of liberty_.\u201d James 2:10-12.\n\n18. In view of the judgment, what exhortation is given?\n\n\u201cLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: _Fear God, and keep His\ncommandments_: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring\nevery work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or\nwhether it be evil.\u201d Eccl. 12:13, 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A comparison of Rev. 14:7 with Eccl. 12:13, 14, suggests\n that the way to give glory to God is to keep His commandments, and\n that in giving the judgment-hour message, the duty of keeping the\n commandments would be emphasized. This is plainly shown in the\n description given of the people who are gathered out of every\n nation, kindred, tongue, and people as the result of the preaching\n of this message, in connection with the other messages which\n immediately follow and accompany it. Of this people it is said,\n \u201cHere are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of\n Jesus.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n\n\n\nThe Fall Of Modern Babylon\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Second Angel. \"Babylon is fallen, is fallen.\" Rev. 14:8.\n\n\n1. What announcement immediately follows the judgment-hour message of Rev.\n14:6, 7?\n\n\u201cAnd there followed another angel, saying, _Babylon is fallen, is fallen_,\nthat great city.\u201d Rev. 14:8, first part.\n\n2. What reason is assigned for the fall of Babylon?\n\n\u201cBecause _she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her\nfornication_.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n3. How was the overthrow of ancient Babylon foretold?\n\n\u201cAnd Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees\u2019\nexcellency, shall be _as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah_.\u201d Isa.\n13:19.\n\n4. What call was made to come out of Babylon?\n\n\u201c_Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not\ncut off in her iniquity_; for this is the time of the Lord\u2019s vengeance; He\nwill render unto her a recompense.\u201d Jer. 51:6.\n\n5. What did ancient Babylon do to all the nations?\n\n\u201cBabylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord\u2019s hand, that _made all the\nearth drunken_: the nations have drunken of her _wine_; therefore the\nnations are _mad_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n6. What was the effect of this apostasy?\n\n\u201cBabylon is _suddenly fallen and destroyed_: howl for her; take balm for\nher pain, if so be she may be healed.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n7. Just before the fall of Babylon, what did her king do?\n\n\u201cBelshazzar the king _made a great feast_ to a thousand of his lords, and\n_drank wine_ before the thousand.\u201d Dan. 5:1.\n\n8. By what command did the king repudiate the religion taught in Babylon\nby Daniel and others who feared God?\n\n\u201cBelshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and\nsilver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple\nwhich was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his\nconcubines, might drink therein.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n9. What marked the climax of Babylon\u2019s apostasy?\n\n\u201cThen they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of\nthe house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes,\nhis wives, and his concubines, drank in them.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n10. While drinking the wine, what gods did they honor?\n\n\u201cThey drank wine, and _praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass,\nof iron, of wood, and of stone_.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n11. What immediately followed this complete apostasy?\n\n\u201cIn that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius\nthe Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.\u201d\nVerses 30, 31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The gospel of the kingdom was preached in Babylon (see\n reading on \u201cThe Gospel of the Kingdom,\u201d page 209), and\n Nebuchadnezzar was brought to acknowledge and to worship the true\n God. But after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon relapsed into\n idolatry again, and this apostasy was rendered hopeless when\n Belshazzar used the sacred vessels from the house of God,\n dedicated to the worship of God, in which to drink the wine of\n Babylon while worship was offered to the false gods. Then came the\n handwriting on the wall, and the fall of ancient Babylon.\n\n\n12. In the visions of John, what interpretation is given to the woman who\nsat upon many waters?\n\n\u201cAnd the woman which thou sawest _is that great city_, which reigneth over\nthe kings of the earth.\u201d Rev. 17:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The great city which reigned over the kings of the earth in\n John\u2019s time was Rome, and that city has given its name to the\n church which is represented by the woman, the Church of Rome, or\n the Papacy.\n\n\n13. In this same prophecy, how is the Church of Rome, the Papacy,\ndesignated as the antitype of ancient Babylon?\n\n\u201cAnd upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE\nMOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n14. What specific statement emphasizes this identification?\n\n\u201cWith whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the\ninhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her\nfornication.\u201d Verse 2. See verse 4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Church of Rome is called Babylon, and its religion is a\n revival of the religion of ancient Babylon. She claims a\n priesthood with exceptional powers and privileges, just as did\n ancient Babylon. Through the dogma of the immaculate conception of\n the Virgin Mary, she denies that God in Christ dwelt in the same\n flesh as fallen man has, just as ancient Babylon did. See Dan.\n 2:11. She claims universal spiritual jurisdiction, and demands\n submission under pains and penalties, just as ancient Babylon did.\n See Daniel 3. She repudiates the fundamental gospel truth of\n justification by faith, and boasts of works, just as ancient\n Babylon did. See Dan. 4:30. A careful comparison of the ritual of\n ancient and modern Babylon shows that the latter is copied from\n the former; and it is easy to trace the connection historically\n through the paganism of political Rome.\n\n On the overthrow of Babylon by the Persians, who nourished a\n traditional hatred for its idolatry, the Chaldean priesthood fled\n to Pergamos, in Asia Minor, and made it the headquarters of their\n religion.... The last pontiff king of Pergamos was Attalus III,\n who at his death bequeathed his dominions and authority to the\n Roman people, 133 B.C., and from that time the two lines of\n Pontifex Maximus were merged in the Roman one.\u2014_\u201c__The False\n Christ,__\u201d__ J. Garnier, London, George Allen, 1900, Vol. II,\n pages 94, 95._ Thus did the religion of ancient Babylon become the\n religion of modern Babylon.\n\n\n15. What did Jesus say of the sacramental wine?\n\n\u201cThis cup is the new covenant in My blood.\u201d Luke 22:20, R. V.\n\n16. What is the essential teaching of the new covenant?\n\n\u201cFor this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after\nthose days, saith the Lord; _I will put My laws into their mind, and write\nthem in their hearts_: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to\nMe a people.\u201d Heb. 8:10.\n\n17. When Christ thus ministers the law in the heart, what does it become?\n\n\u201cFor _the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus_ hath made me free\nfrom the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it\nwas weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of\nsinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the\nrighteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the\nflesh, but after the Spirit.\u201d Rom. 8:2-4.\n\n18. In what other statement is this same truth expressed?\n\n\u201cIt is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words\nthat I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.\u201d John 6:63.\n\n19. What kind of teaching have men substituted for the words which are\nspirit and life?\n\n\u201cHowbeit in vain do they worship Me, _teaching for doctrines the\ncommandments of men_.... And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the\ncommandment of God, that ye may keep your own _tradition_.\u201d Mark 7:7-9.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014There are two cups, the cup of the Lord and the cup of\n Babylon. The wine in the Lord\u2019s cup represents the living truth,\n \u201cas the truth is in Jesus;\u201d the wine in the cup of Babylon\n represents her false doctrines, her substitution of human\n tradition for the living word and law of God, and the illicit\n connection which she has made between the church and the secular\n power, depending upon political power to enforce her teachings,\n rather than upon the power of God. By this very thing, while\n maintaining a form of godliness, she denies the power thereof. 2\n Tim. 3:1-5.\n\n The following quotation states the position of that church in\n regard to tradition: \u201cThough these two divine streams [the Bible\n and tradition] are in themselves, on account of their divine\n origin, of equal sacredness, and are both full of revealed truths,\n still, of the two, tradition is to us more clear and\n safe.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Catholic Belief,__\u201d__ Rev. Joseph Faa Di Bruno, D. D.\n (Roman Catholic), page 45._\n\n The substitution of the law of the church for the law of God, in\n fulfilment of the prophecy in Dan. 7:25, testifies to the complete\n subordination of the Word of God to the authority of the church.\n The world-wide teaching of these doctrines in place of the pure\n gospel has led the world astray, and has made all the nations\n drink of the wine of her fornication. The Reformation of the\n sixteenth century was an effort to return to the pure truths of\n God\u2019s Word. In this the Reformers denied the supremacy of\n tradition over the Bible.\n\n\n20. What relation does the Church of Rome sustain to other apostate\nchurches?\n\n\u201cAnd upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,\n_THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS_ AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.\u201d Rev. 17:5.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In the creed of Pope Pius IV, an authoritative statement of\n Roman Catholic belief, is found this statement: \u201cI acknowledge the\n Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for _the mother and mistress of all\n churches_.\u201d\u2014_Article 10._ When the professed Protestant churches\n repudiate the fundamental principle of Protestantism by setting\n aside the authority of God\u2019s Word, and accepting tradition and\n human speculation in its place, they adopt the fundamental\n principle of modern Babylon, and may be regarded as the daughters\n of Babylon. Their fall is then included in the fall of Babylon,\n and calls for a proclamation of the fall of modern Babylon.\n\n Many representatives of modern Protestantism have, in one way or\n another, rejected many fundamental doctrines of the Bible, such\n as,\u2014\n\n The fall of man.\n The Bible doctrine of sin.\n The infallibility of the Scriptures.\n The sufficiency of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practise.\n The Deity of Christ, and His consequent headship over the church.\n The miraculous conception and the virgin birth of our Lord.\n The resurrection of Christ from the grave.\n The vicarious, expiatory, and propitiatory atonement of Christ.\n Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.\n Regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost.\n The efficacy of the all-prevailing name of Christ in prayer.\n The ministration and guardianship of holy angels.\n Miracles as the direct manifestation and interposition of God\u2019s\n power.\n\n Although many leaders of modern Protestantism known as higher\n critics have not formally adopted the creed of the Church of Rome,\n and have not become an organic part of that body, yet they belong\n to the same class in rejecting the authority of God\u2019s Word, and\n accepting in its place the product of their own reasonings. There\n is just as much apostasy in the one case as in the other, and both\n must therefore be included in Babylon, and both will go down in\n the fall of Babylon. The warning message applies with equal force\n to both classes.\n\n\n21. To what extent is the apostasy, or fall, of modern Babylon, the\nmother, and of her daughters, to be carried?\n\n\u201cAnd after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having\ngreat power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried\nmightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is\nfallen, and _is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every\nfoul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird_. For all\nnations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the\nkings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants\nof the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.\u201d Rev.\n18:1-3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In its largest sense, Babylon includes all false\n religions\u2014all apostasy. The gospel message announcing her final\n overthrow should be a cause of rejoicing to every lover of truth\n and righteousness.\n\n\n22. What final call to come out of Babylon is to go forth?\n\n\u201cAnd I heard another voice from heaven, saying, _Come out of her, My\npeople, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of\nher plagues_. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath\nremembered her iniquities.\u201d Verses 4, 5.\n\n23. How complete is to be the fall of modern Babylon?\n\n\u201cAnd _a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it\ninto the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be\nthrown down, and shall be found no more at all_.... And in her was found\nthe blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the\nearth.\u201d Verses 21-24.\n\n24. What song of triumph follows the overthrow of Babylon?\n\n\u201cAlleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and\nrejoice, and give honor to Him.\u201d Rev. 19:6, 7.\n\n\n\n\nThe Closing Gospel Message. A Warning Against False Worship\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Third Angel. \"If any man worship the beast and his image, ... the same\n shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.\" Rev. 14:9, 10.\n\n\n1. What indicates that the messages of the judgment-hour and the fall of\nBabylon are two parts of a threefold message?\n\n\u201cAnd _the third angel followed them_, saying with a loud voice.\u201d Rev.\n14:9, first clause.\n\n2. What apostasy from the worship of God is named in this message?\n\n\u201cIf any man _worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark_ in his\nforehead, or in his hand.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n3. What is to be the fate of those who, instead of worshiping God, engage\nin this false worship?\n\n\u201c_The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured\nout without mixture into the cup of His indignation_; and he shall be\ntormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and\nin the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up\nforever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the\nbeast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.\u201d Verses\n10, 11. See Isa. 33:13-17; 34:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 12:29.\n\n4. How are those described who heed this warning?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n5. What description is given of the beast against whose worship this\nclosing warning message is given?\n\n\u201cAnd I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the\nsea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and\nupon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like\nunto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as\nthe mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and\ngreat authority.\u201d Rev. 13:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In this composite beast from the sea are combined the\n symbols of the seventh chapter of Daniel, representing Greece,\n Medo-Persia, and Babylon. The blasphemous words spoken by it, its\n persecution of the saints, and the time allotted to it (verses\n 5-7) show that this beast, under one of its seven-headed\n manifestations, is identical with the little horn of the vision of\n the seventh chapter of Daniel, modern Babylon, the Papacy. See\n reading on \u201cThe Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,\u201d page 218. The\n false worship here mentioned, the worship of the beast, is the\n rendering of that homage to the Papacy which is due to God alone.\n The system of religion enforced by the Papacy is the paganism of\n Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, indicated by the composite\n character of the beast (verse 2), disguised under the forms and\n names of Christianity. The Pontifex Maximus of the ancient pagan\n religions was continued in the Pope, who is the head of the Roman\n priesthood, and who, in the exercise of his priestly functions,\n took away the mediation of Christ, and substituted a system of\n human mediation in its place, thus fulfilling the prophecy\n recorded in the eighth chapter of Daniel. See reading on \u201cThe\n Vicar of Christ,\u201d page 224.\n\n\n6. What challenge is made by those who worship the beast?\n\n\u201cAnd they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they\nworshiped the beast, saying, _Who is like unto the beast? who is able to\nmake war with him?_\u201d Verse 4.\n\n7. Whose sovereignty is thus challenged?\n\n\u201cForasmuch as _there is none like unto Thee, O Lord_; Thou art great, and\nThy name is great in might.\u201d Jer. 10:6. See also Ps. 71:19; 86:8; 89:6, 8.\n\n8. What specifications of \u201cthe man of sin\u201d are thus fully met?\n\n\u201cLet no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except\nthere come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son\nof perdition; _who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called\nGod, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,\nshowing himself that he is God_.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:3, 4. See pages 218-220.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nNoah Preaching. \"By faith Noah, being warned of God ... prepared an ark.\"\n Heb. 11:7.\n\n\n9. What did Babylon give to the nations to drink?\n\n\u201cShe made all nations drink of _the wine of the wrath of her\nfornication_.\u201d Rev. 14:8, last part. See pages 256, 257.\n\n10. What are those to drink who accept the teachings of Babylon, and thus\nrender homage to the beast?\n\n\u201cThe same shall drink of _the wine of the wrath of God_, which is poured\nout without mixture into the cup of His indignation.\u201d Verse 10, first\npart.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The cup of the Lord, which contains the new covenant in the\n blood of Christ, and the cup of the wine of the wrath of Babylon\n are both offered to the world. To drink of the former, that is, to\n accept the teaching of the true gospel, is to receive everlasting\n life; but to drink of the wine of Babylon, that is, to accept the\n false gospel taught by the Papacy, will result in drinking of the\n wine of the wrath of God from the cup of His indignation. The true\n gospel means everlasting life; the false gospel means everlasting\n death.\n\n\n11. Under what threatened penalty is the worship of the image of the beast\nenforced?\n\n\u201cAnd he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image\nof the beast should both speak, and _cause [decree] that as many as would\nnot worship the image of the beast should be killed_.\u201d Rev. 13:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For an explanation of the image of the beast, see reading on\n \u201cMaking an Image to the Beast,\u201d page 271.\n\n\n12. What universal boycott is to be employed, in an attempt to compel all\nto receive the mark of the beast?\n\n\u201cAnd he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,\nto receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and _that no\nman might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the\nbeast, or the number of his name_.\u201d Verses 16, 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Regarding the mark of the beast, see reading on \u201cThe Seal of\n God and the Mark of Apostasy,\u201d page 416.\n\n\n13. Who is the real power operating through the beast and his image, and\ndemanding worship?\n\n\u201cThe _dragon_ gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.\u201d\nVerse 2, last part.\n\n14. Who is this dragon?\n\n\u201cAnd the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the _Devil_,\nand _Satan_, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the\nearth, and his angels were cast out with him.\u201d Rev. 12:9.\n\n15. How did the devil seek to induce Jesus to worship him?\n\n\u201cAnd the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all\nthe kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto\nHim, _All this power will I give Thee_, and the glory of them: for that is\ndelivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. _If Thou therefore\nwilt worship me, all shall be Thine._\u201d Luke 4:5-7.\n\n16. How did Jesus show His loyalty to God?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus answered and said unto him, _Get thee behind Me, Satan: for it\nis written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou\nserve_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The threefold message of Rev. 14:6-12 is proclaimed in\n connection with the closing scenes of the great controversy\n between Christ and Satan. Lucifer has sought to put himself in the\n place of God (Isa. 14:12-14), and to secure to himself the worship\n which is due God alone. The final test comes over the commandments\n of God. Those who acknowledge the supremacy of the beast by\n yielding obedience to the law of God as changed and enforced by\n the Papacy, when the real issue has been clearly defined, will, in\n so doing, worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark.\n Such will take the side of Satan in his rebellion against the\n authority of God.\n\n\n17. How many will yield to the demand to worship the beast?\n\n\u201cAnd all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not\nwritten in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the\nworld.\u201d Rev. 13:8.\n\n18. In the judgment-hour message, whom are all called upon to fear,\nglorify, and worship?\n\n\u201cSaying with a loud voice, _Fear God, and give glory to Him_; for the hour\nof His judgment is come: and _worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and\nthe sea, and the fountains of waters_.\u201d Rev. 14:7.\n\n19. Who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb on the sea of glass?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and _them that had\ngotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark,\nand over the number of his name_, stand on the sea of glass, having the\nharps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the\nsong of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God\nAlmighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not\nfear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all\nnations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made\nmanifest.\u201d Rev. 15:2-4.\n\n\n\n\nSatan\u2019s Warfare Against The Church\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Death Of Christ. \"He [Satan] persecuted the woman [the church] that\n brought forth the man child.\" Rev. 12:13.\n\n\n1. Under what figure was the Christian church represented to the apostle\nJohn?\n\n\u201cAnd there appeared a great wonder [margin, sign] in heaven; _a woman_\nclothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a\ncrown of twelve stars.\u201d Rev. 12:1.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Frequently in the Scriptures a woman is used to represent\n the church. See Jer. 6:2; 2 Cor. 11:2. The sun represents the\n light of the gospel with which the church was clothed at the first\n advent (1 John 2:8); the moon under her feet, the waning light of\n the former dispensation; and the twelve stars, the twelve\n apostles.\n\n \u201cWoman in her innocence was attacked by \u2018that old serpent, called\n the Devil, and Satan.\u2019 ... At the end of that first crafty assault\n and speedy victory the dragon met with his rebuff, in words like\n these: \u2018The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head, and thou\n shalt bruise His heel.\u2019 ... In the Revelation the scene is changed\n from Eden to the heavens, and before you stand again the woman and\n the serpent, in the same position of antagonism as before, the\n serpent still the assailant, only this time more openly so.... The\n woman is no longer a simple, childlike personage, but _a wonder_;\n she walks not among the trees and flowers, but amid the orbs of\n heaven. She is clothed with the sun, the moon is under her feet,\n and upon her head is a coronet of twelve stars. In her you see the\n great cause of truth and righteousness embodied\u2014she is, in fact,\n the church of God in all ages, the woman whose Seed blesses all\n the nations of the earth.\u201d\u2014_C. H. Spurgeon, in The Tabernacle\n Pulpit, March 15, 1896._\n\n\n2. How is the church at the first advent described?\n\n\u201cAnd she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be\ndelivered.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The church is in labor and pain while she brings forth\n Christ and her children, in the midst of afflictions and\n persecutions. See Rom. 8:19, 22; 1 John 3:1, 2; 2 Tim. 3:12.\n\n\n3. How are the birth, work, and ascension of Christ briefly described?\n\n\u201cAnd she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod\nof iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.\u201d Verse\n5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Specifically this must refer to Christ (see Ps. 2:7-9); but\n through Him is also prefigured the experience of the people of\n God, who finally in the judgment are to share with Christ in\n ruling the nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 2:26, 27), and, like\n Him, when their work on earth is accomplished be \u201ccaught up,\u201d at\n His appearing, to God and to His throne. 1 Thess. 4:15-17.\n\n\n4. What other sign, or wonder, appeared in heaven?\n\n\u201cAnd there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold _a great red\ndragon_, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his\nheads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did\ncast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was\nready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as in was born.\u201d\nVerses 3, 4.\n\n5. Who is this dragon said to be?\n\n\u201cAnd the great dragon was cast out, _that old serpent_, called the\n_Devil_, and _Satan_, which deceiveth the whole world.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Primarily the dragon represents Satan, the great enemy and\n persecutor of the church in all ages. But Satan works through\n principalities and powers in his efforts to destroy the people of\n God. It was through a Roman king, King Herod, that he sought to\n destroy Christ as soon as He was born. Matt. 2:16. Rome must\n therefore be symbolized by the dragon. The seven heads of the\n dragon are interpreted by some to refer to the \u201cseven hills\u201d upon\n which the city of Rome is built; by others, to the seven forms of\n government through which Rome passed; and by still others, and\n more broadly, to the seven great monarchies which have oppressed\n the people of God; namely, Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia,\n Greece, pagan Rome, and papal Rome, in either of which Rome is\n represented and included. See page 269. The ten horns, as in the\n fourth beast of Daniel 7, evidently refer to the ten kingdoms into\n which Rome was finally divided, and thus again identify the dragon\n with the Roman power.\n\n\n6. How is the conflict between Christ and Satan described?\n\n\u201cAnd there was war in heaven; Michael and His angels fought against the\ndragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither\nwas their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast\nout, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the\nwhole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out\nwith him.\u201d Verses 7-9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This conflict, begun in heaven, continues on earth. Near the\n close of Christ\u2019s ministry, He said, \u201cI beheld Satan as lightning\n _fall from heaven_.\u201d Luke 10:18. \u201cNow is the judgment of this\n world: now shall the prince of this world be _cast out_.\u201d John\n 12:31. From the councils of the representatives of the various\n worlds to which Satan, as the prince of this world, was formerly\n admitted (Job 1:6, 7; 2:1, 2), he was cast out when he crucified\n Christ, the Son of God.\n\n\n7. What shout of triumph was heard in heaven following the victory gained\nby Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, _Now is come salvation, and\nstrength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ_: for\nthe accuser of our brethren is _cast down_, which accused them before our\nGod day and night.... Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in\nthem.\u201d Verses 10-12.\n\n8. Why was woe at this same time proclaimed to the world?\n\n\u201cWoe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! _for the devil is come\ndown unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a\nshort time_.\u201d Verse 12, last part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This not only shows that, since the crucifixion of Christ,\n Satan knows that his doom is sealed, and that he has but a limited\n time in which to work, but that his efforts are largely if not\n wholly now confined to this world, and concentrated upon its\n inhabitants. Better than many professed Christians, Satan knows\n that time is short.\n\n\n9. What did the dragon do when cast to the earth?\n\n\u201cAnd when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, _he persecuted\nthe woman_ which brought forth the man child.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The persecution of Christians began under pagan Rome, but\n was carried on far more extensively under papal Rome. Matt. 24:21,\n 22.\n\n\n10. What definite period of time was allotted to this great persecution of\nGod\u2019s people under papal Rome?\n\n\u201cAnd to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might\nfly into the wilderness, unto her place, where she is nourished for _a\ntime, and times, and half a time_, from the face of the serpent.\u201d Verse\n14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is the same period as that mentioned in Dan. 7:25, and,\n like the ten horns, identifies the dragon with the fourth beast of\n Daniel 7, and its later work with the work of the little horn of\n that same beast. In Rev. 13:5 this period is referred to as\n \u201cforty-two months,\u201d and in Rev. 12:6 as 1260 days, each\n representing 1260 literal years, the period allotted to the\n supremacy of papal Rome. Beginning in 538 A.D., it ended in 1798,\n when the Pope was taken prisoner by the French. See notes on page\n 223. The woman fleeing into the wilderness fittingly describes the\n condition of the church during those times of bitter persecution.\n\n\n11. What was Satan\u2019s design in thus persecuting the church?\n\n\u201cAnd the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman,\n_that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n12. How was the flood stayed, and Satan\u2019s design defeated?\n\n\u201c_And the earth helped the woman_, and the earth opened her mouth, and\nswallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The mountain fastnesses, quiet retreats, and secluded\n valleys of southwestern Europe for centuries shielded many who\n refused allegiance to the Papacy. Here, too, may be seen the\n results of the work of the Reformation of the sixteenth century,\n when many of the governments of Europe came to the help of the\n cause of reform, by staying the hand of persecution and protecting\n the lives of those who dared to take their stand for the right.\n The discovery of America, and the opening up of this country as an\n asylum for the oppressed of Europe at this time, may also be\n included in the \u201chelp\u201d here referred to.\n\n\n13. What did Christ say would be the result if the days of persecution\nwere not shortened?\n\n\u201cExcept those days should be shortened, _there should no flesh be saved_:\nbut for the elect\u2019s sake those days shall be shortened.\u201d Matt. 24: 22.\n\n14. Still bent on persecution, how does Satan manifest his enmity against\nthe remnant church?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon was wroth with the woman, and _went to make war with the\nremnant of her seed_, which keep the commandments of God, and have the\ntestimony of Jesus Christ.\u201d Rev. 12:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014To the very end, Satan will persecute and seek to destroy\n the people of God. Against the remnant, or last portion of the\n church, he is especially to make war. Their obedience to God\u2019s\n commandments, and their possession of the testimony of Jesus, or\n spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10), are especially offensive to him,\n and excite his intense ire.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Soldiers of Christ, arise,\n And put your armor on;\n Fight, for the battle will be ours;\n We fight to win a crown.\n\n We fight not against flesh,\n We wrestle not with blood;\n But principalities and powers,\n And for the truth of God.\n\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n\nA Great Persecuting Power (The Ten-Horned Beast of Revelation 13)\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Early Christian Martyrs. \"He shall ... wear out the saints of the Most\n High.\" Dan. 7:25.\n\n\n1. What is the first symbol of Revelation 13?\n\n\u201cAnd I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw _a beast rise up out of the\nsea, having seven heads and ten horns_, and upon his horns ten crowns and\nupon his heads the name of blasphemy.\u201d Rev. 13:1.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014As already learned from studying the book of Daniel, a\n beast in prophecy represents some great earthly power or kingdom;\n a head, a governing power; horns, a number of kingdoms; crowned\n heads or crowned horns, political rulership; waters, \u201cpeoples, and\n multitudes, and nations, and tongues.\u201d Rev. 17:15.\n\n \u201cThe beasts of Daniel and John are empires. The ten-horned beast\n is the Roman power.... The head is the governing power of the\n body. The heads of this beast represent successive\n governments.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Romanism and the Reformation,__\u201d__ by H. Grattan\n Guinness, pages 144, 145._\n\n\n2. How is this beast further described?\n\n\u201cAnd the beast which I saw was _like unto a leopard_, and his feet were as\n_the feet of a bear_, and his mouth as _the mouth of a lion_.\u201d Verse 2,\nfirst part.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014These are the characteristics of the first three symbols of\n Daniel 7,\u2014the _lion_, _bear_, and _leopard_ there representing the\n kingdoms of _Babylon_, _Medo-Persia_, and _Grecia_,\u2014and suggest\n this beast as representing or belonging to the kingdom symbolized\n by the _fourth beast_ of Daniel 7, or _Rome_. Both have ten horns.\n Like the dragon of Revelation 12, it also has seven heads; but as\n the dragon symbolized Rome in its entirety, particularly in its\n pagan phase, this, like the \u201clittle horn\u201d coming up among the ten\n horns of the fourth beast of Daniel 7, represents Rome in its\n later or papal form. Both it and the little horn have \u201ca mouth\u201d\n speaking great things; both make war upon the saints; both\n continue for the same length of time.\n\n Allowing a very broad meaning to the symbol, the Douay or Catholic\n Bible, in a note on Rev. 13:1, explains the seven heads of this\n beast as follows: \u201cThe seven heads are seven kings, that is, seven\n principal kingdoms or empires, which have exercised, or shall\n exercise, tyrannical power over the people of God: of these, five\n were then fallen, viz., the Egyptian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian,\n and Grecian monarchies; one was present, viz., the empire of Rome;\n and the seventh and chiefest was to come, viz., the great\n Antichrist and his empire.\u201d That the seventh head represents\n Antichrist there can be little doubt. See page 265.\n\n\n3. What did the dragon give this beast?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon gave him his _power_, and his _seat_, and _great\nauthority_.\u201d Verse 2, latter part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is an undisputed fact of history that under the later\n Roman emperors, beginning with Constantine, the religion of the\n Roman government was changed from pagan to papal; that when\n Constantine removed the seat of his empire from Rome to\n Constantinople in 330 A.D., the city of Rome was given up to the\n bishop of Rome, who, from Constantine and succeeding emperors,\n received rich gifts and great authority; that after the fall of\n Rome, in 476 A.D., the bishop of Rome became the ruling power in\n Western Rome, and by decree of Justinian, March 15, 533, was\n declared \u201chead of all the holy churches,\u201d and in a letter of the\n same year he was designated as \u201ccorrector of heretics.\u201d See note\n on page 223. Thus Rome pagan became Rome papal; the seat of pagan\n Rome became the seat of papal Rome; church and state were united;\n and the persecuting power of the dragon was conferred upon the\n professed head of the church of Christ, or papal Rome. As Dr. H.\n Grattan Guinness, in his \u201cRomanism and the Reformation,\u201d page 152,\n says, \u201cThe power of the C\u00e6sars lived again in the universal\n dominion of the popes.\u201d\n\n\n4. How are the character, work, period of supremacy, and great power of\nthe beast described?\n\n\u201cAnd there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and\nblasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two\nmonths. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His\nname, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given\nunto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was\ngiven him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.\u201d Verses 5-7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All these specifications have been fully and accurately met\n in the Papacy, and identify this beast as representing the same\n power as that represented by the little horn phase of the fourth\n beast of Daniel 7, and the little horn of Daniel 8, in its chief\n and essential features and work. See Dan. 7:25; 8:11, 12, 24, 25,\n and readings on pages 218, 224. For an explanation of the time\n period mentioned, see pages 223, 229.\n\n\n5. What was to be inflicted upon one of the heads of this beast?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw _one of his heads as it were wounded to death_; and his deadly\nwound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This wound was inflicted upon the papal head of this beast\n when the French, in 1798, entered Rome, and took the Pope\n prisoner, and for a time, it seemed, abolished the Papacy. But in\n 1800 another Pope was placed upon the papal throne, and the deadly\n wound began to be healed. Temporal dominion was taken away from\n the Papacy in 1870, but nevertheless its power and influence among\n the nations have been increasing since then. \u201cIn that year,\u201d says\n Mr. Guinness in his work \u201cRomanism and the Reformation,\u201d page 156,\n \u201cthe Papacy assumed the highest exaltation to which it could\n aspire, that of infallibility.\u201d To such a position of influence\n over the nations is the Papacy finally to attain that just before\n her complete overthrow and destruction she will say, \u201cI sit a\n queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.\u201d Rev. 18:7. See\n Isa. 47:7-15; Rev. 17:18.\n\n\n6. What is said concerning the captivity and downfall of the Papacy?\n\n\u201cHe that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth\nwith the sword must be killed with the sword.\u201d Verse 10. See Ps. 18:25,\n26; 109:17; Jer. 50:29; Rev. 16:4-6.\n\n7. What questions asked by its worshipers indicate the great station to\nwhich this beast-power was to attain?\n\n\u201cAnd they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they\nworshiped the beast, saying, _Who is like unto the beast? who is able to\nmake war with him?_\u201d Rev. 13:4.\n\n8. How universal is the worship of this power to become?\n\n\u201cAnd all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not\nwritten in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the\nworld.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n9. What did John say was to be the end of this beast?\n\n\u201cAnd the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought\nmiracles before him.... _These both were cast alive into a lake of fire\nburning with brimstone._\u201d Rev. 19:20. See Isa. 47:7-15; 2 Thess. 2:3-8;\nRev. 17:16, 17; 18:4-8.\n\n10. In what similar language is the fate of the fourth beast of Daniel 7\ndescribed?\n\n\u201cI beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn\nspake: I beheld even till the beast was _slain_, and his body _destroyed_,\nand _given to the burning flame_.\u201d Dan. 7:11.\n\n\n\nMaking An Image To The Beast. The Prophecy Of Revelation 13\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers. The vanguard of Protestantism, who\n established \"a Church without a pope, and a State without a king.\"\n\n\n1. When was the papal head of the first beast of Revelation 13 wounded?\n\nIn 1793-98, by the French Revolution, and the temporary overthrow of the\nPapacy in the latter year.\n\n2. What did the prophet see coming up at this time?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld _another beast coming up out of the earth_; and he had two\nhorns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.\u201d Rev. 13:11.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Mr. Wesley, in his notes on Revelation 13, written in 1754,\n says of the two-horned beast: \u201cHe is not yet come, though he\n cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-two\n months of the first beast.\u201d\n\n The previous beast came up out of the \u201csea,\u201d which indicates its\n rise among the peoples and nations of the world then in existence\n (Rev 17: 15); while this one comes up out of the \u201cearth.\u201d This\n would indicate that the latter beast would arise where there had\n not before been \u201cpeoples, and multitudes, and nations, and\n tongues.\u201d In 1798, when the papal power received its deadly wound,\n the government of the United States, located in the western\n continent, was the only great and independent nation then coming\n into prominence in territory not previously occupied by peoples,\n multitudes, and nations. Only nine years preceding this (1789),\n the United States adopted its national Constitution.\n\n It is within the territory of the United States, therefore, that\n we may look, according to the prophecy, for an ecclesiastical\n movement to arise, and exercise a dominating control, not only in\n the civil government of this country, but also in the other\n nations of the whole world as well.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nSigning The Declaration Of Independence. \"Proclaim liberty throughout all\n the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.\" Lev. 25:10.\n\n\n3. What is the character of this new power?\n\n\u201cHe had _two horns like a lamb_.\u201d Rev. 13:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Pilgrim Fathers were the vanguard of a great multitude\n of Protestants, who, when persecuted and outlawed in the lands of\n their birth, sought refuge in the New World, where they developed\n rapidly under the protection of a government founded on the great\n Christian principles of civil and religious freedom. The two horns\n may well symbolize these two fundamental principles.\n\n\n4. Notwithstanding the lamblike appearance of this power, what is it\nultimately to do?\n\n\u201cAnd he _spake as a dragon_.\u201d Rev. 13:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The voice of the dragon is the voice of intolerance and\n persecution. This indicates that the ecclesiastical development\n dealt with in this prophecy, obtaining a foothold for its initial\n power and influence in the government of the United States, will\n repudiate the mild and lamblike principles of civil and religious\n liberty, and become like the beast before it, a world-wide\n persecuting power. This is why in Rev. 19:20 it is called \u201cthe\n false prophet.\u201d Born of the Reformation, it will repudiate\n Reformation principles.\n\n\n5. How much power will this beast exercise?\n\n\u201cAnd _he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him_, and\ncauseth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast,\nwhose deadly wound was healed.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201cfirst beast before him\u201d (papal Rome) exercised the\n power of persecuting and putting to death all who differed from it\n in religious matters. The only way the _earth_ can be made to\n worship is by causing work to cease on it through voluntary or\n enforced rest, or sabbath-keeping. \u201cFor as long as she [the land]\n lay desolate she _kept sabbath_.\u201d 2 Chron. 36:21. Enforced Sunday\n observance is evidently implied here.\n\n\n6. What means will be employed to lead the people back into this false\nworship?\n\n\u201cAnd deceiveth them that dwell on the earth _by the means of those\nmiracles which he had power to do_ in the sight of the beast.\u201d Verse 14,\nfirst part.\n\n7. What will this power propose that the people shall do?\n\n\u201cSaying to them that dwell on the earth, _that they should make an image\nto the beast, which had the wound by a sword; and did live_.\u201d Verse 14,\nlatter part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The beast \u201cwhich had the wound by a sword, and did live,\u201d is\n the Papacy. That was a church dominating the civil power. In other\n words, it was a union of church and state, and enforced its\n religious dogmas by the civil power, under pain of confiscation of\n goods, imprisonment, and death. An image to this beast would be\n another ecclesiastical organization clothed with civil\n power\u2014another union of church and state\u2014to enforce religious\n dogmas by law.\n\n\n8. Is there any evidence that such an image will be made?\n\nLarge and influential organizations, such as the National Reform\nAssociation, the International Reform Bureau, the Lord\u2019s Day Alliance of\nthe United States, and the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in\nAmerica, have been formed, by professed Protestants, and for years have\nbeen persistently working to that end. Many Roman Catholic societies\nrecently formed in the United States, such as the Knights of Columbus and\nthe American Federation of Catholic Societies, are looking to a like\nend\u2014that of making America Catholic.\n\n9. What, according to its constitution, is the avowed object of the\nNational Reform Association?\n\n\u201cTo secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as\nshall ... indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the\nChristian laws, institutions, and usages of the government on an\nundeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land.\u201d\u2014_Article II of\nConstitution._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Upon the question of making this a \u201cChristian nation,\u201d\n Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in\n an address delivered in Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church,\n Washington, D. C., March 13, 1910, made the following\n observation:\u2014\n\n \u201cSuppose this were to be declared a Christian nation by a\n Constitutional interpretation to that effect. What would that\n mean? Which of the two contending definitions of Christianity\n would the word Christian indicate?\u2014The Protestant idea, of course,\n for under our system majorities rule, and the majority of\n Americans are Protestants. Very well. But suppose that by the\n addition of certain contiguous territory with twelve or more\n millions of Roman Catholics, the annexation of a few more islands\n with half as many more, and the same rate of immigration as now,\n the majority some years hence should be Roman Catholics,\u2014who\n doubts for a moment that the reigning Pope would assume control of\n legislation and government? He would say, with all confidence and\n consistency, \u2018This is a Christian nation. It was so claimed from\n the beginning and so declared many years ago. A majority defined\n then what Christianity was, the majority will define now what\n Christianity now is and is to be.\u2019 That \u2018majority\u2019 would be the\n Pope.\u201d\u2014\u201c_The Church and the Government_,\u201d page 7.\n\n The National Reformers in their attempts to justify the legal\n establishment of Christianity as the national religion, have\n erroneously declared that the statement of Justice Brewer of the\n Supreme Court of the United States in 1892, \u201cThis is a Christian\n nation,\u201d is a decision of the court, whereas it was only a\n statement in the argument leading up to the decision of the court.\n\n In a sermon at the centenary of the establishment of the Roman\n Catholic hierarchy in the United States, in 1889, Archbishop\n Ireland said: \u201cOur work is to make America Catholic.... Our cry\n shall be, \u2018God wills it,\u2019 and our hearts shall leap with crusader\n enthusiasm.\u201d\n\n The theory of the National Reformers is thus expressed: \u201cEvery\n government by equitable laws, is a government of God; a republic\n thus governed is of Him, and is as truly and really a _theocracy_\n as the commonwealth of Israel.\u201d\u2014\u201c_Cincinnati National Reform\n Convention_,\u201d page 28.\n\n\n10. How does this association regard the Catholic Church on this point?\n\n\u201cWe cordially, gladly, recognize the fact that in South American\nrepublics, in France and other European countries the Roman Catholics are\nthe recognized advocates of national Christianity, and stand opposed to\nall the proposals of secularism.... _Whenever they are willing to\ncooperate in resisting the progress of political atheism, we will gladly\njoin hands with them_ in a world\u2019s conference for the promotion of\nnational Christianity, which ought to be held at no distant day. Many\ncountries could be represented only by Roman Catholics.\u201d\u2014_Christian\nStatesman, Dec. 11, 1884, official organ of the National Reform\nAssociation._\n\n11. What has the Pope commanded all Catholics to do?\n\n\u201cFirst and foremost, it is the duty of all Catholics worthy of the name\nand wishful to be known as most loving children of the church ... to\nendeavor to bring back all civil society to the pattern and form of\nChristianity which we have described.\u201d\u2014_Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII,\n__\u201c__Immortale Dei__\u201d__ Nov. 1, 1885, __\u201c__The Great Encyclical Letters of\nLeo XIII,__\u201d__ page 132._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The prophecy says that this power will make an image to the\n Papacy. In the days of Constantine and his successors, the church\n made use of the civil power to carry out her aims: through this\n means the Papacy was developed. In our own day the same theory is\n advocated, and prominent men in the nation, in both church and\n state, are doing all they can to bring about the same result,\n which, when their work is completed, cannot fail to fulfil the\n specifications of the prophecy. The climax will be an image of the\n Papacy.\n\n\n12. What is the object of the International Reform Bureau?\n\n\u201cThe Reform Bureau is the first \u2018Christian lobby\u2019 established at our\nnational capital to speak to government in behalf of all\ndenominations.\u201d\u2014\u201c_History of the International Reform Bureau_,\u201d by its\nfounder and superintendent, Rev. W. F. Crafts, page 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The securing of compulsory Sunday legislation is one of the\n chief objects of this and other like organizations. See pages 61\n and 65 of the above-named work.\n\n\n13. What are the objects of the Lord\u2019s Day Alliance of the United States?\n\n\u201c(1) To preserve the Lord\u2019s day [Sunday] for America; (2) to secure an\nactive Alliance in every State not yet organized; (3) to induce the\ngeneral government as far as possible to set the example of Sabbath\nobservance; (4) to press the rest-day feature of the fourth commandment,\nuntil every toiler in the land has guaranteed unto him fifty-two full rest\ndays a year.\u201d\u2014_From leaflet published by the Alliance._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By all of which is meant the securing, as far as possible,\n of compulsory State and national Sunday legislation,\u2014the very\n means by which the church gained control of the state and by which\n church and state were united in the fourth and fifth centuries of\n the Christian era.\n\n\n14. What is the purpose of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ\nin America?\n\n\u201cThat the great Christian bodies of our country should stand together\u201d in\ndealing with \u201cquestions like those of marriage and divorce, Sabbath\ndesecration, social evils.\u201d etc.\u2014\u201c_Report of Federal Council_\u201d (1908),\npages 5, 6.\n\n15. How does it propose that the matter of \u201cSabbath desecration\u201d shall be\ndealt with?\n\n\u201cThat all encroachments upon the claims and the sanctities of the Lord\u2019s\nday should be _stoutly resisted_ through the press, the Lord\u2019s day\nassociations and alliances, _and by such legislation as may be secured to\nprotect and preserve this bulwark of our American Christianity_.\u201d\u2014_Id._,\npage 103.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Thus it will be seen that the securing of laws for the\n enforcement of Sunday observance is a prominent feature in all\n these organizations in their efforts to \u201cChristianize\u201d the nation.\n In doing this many fail to see that they are repudiating the\n principles of Christianity, of Protestantism, and of the United\n States government, and playing directly into the hand of that\n power which originated the Sunday sabbath, and gained control of\n the civil power through Sunday legislation\u2014the Papacy.\n\n\n16. What action of the American Federation of Catholic Societies indicates\nthat Catholics will gladly \u201cjoin hands\u201d with Protestants in enforcing\nSunday observance by law?\n\n\u201cOur societies in the various parts of the United States have been urging\nthe abolition of Sunday labor, and have indorsed and assisted the movement\nof closing the post-office on Sunday.\u201d\u2014_Tenth Annual Convention of\nAmerican Federation of Catholic Societies, Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 20-24,\n1911._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014With the active cooperation of the Lord\u2019s Day Alliance of\n the United States, a Protestant organization, a proviso was\n attached to the post-office appropriation bill, 1912, requiring\n that \u201chereafter post-offices of the first and second classes shall\n not be opened on Sundays for the purpose of delivering mail to the\n general public.\u201d\n\n The following resolution was adopted by the Boston Archdiocesan\n Federation of Catholic Societies:\u2014\n\n \u201cWe are unalterably opposed to any relaxation of the Sunday laws.\n Sunday is a day of rest to be devoted to the praise and service of\n God. We hold the safest public policy at present is to adhere to\n the rigid observance of the laws now safeguarding the sanctity of\n the Lord\u2019s day.\u201d\u2014_Boston Pilot, official organ of Cardinal\n O\u2019Connell, March 16, 1912._\n\n\n17. What complaint is made against Sunday trains and Sunday newspapers?\n\n\u201cThey get a great many passengers, and so break up a great many\ncongregations.\u201d \u201cThe laboring classes are apt to rise late on Sunday\nmorning, read the Sunday papers, and _allow the hour of worship to go by\nunheeded_.\u201d\u2014_Elgin_ (_Ill._) _Sunday-law Convention, November, 1887_.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In the fourth century, Sunday games and Sunday theaters, it\n was complained, \u201chindered\u201d the \u201cdevotion\u201d of the \u201cfaithful,\u201d\n because many of the members attended them in preference to the\n church services. The church, therefore, demanded that the state\n should interfere, and enforce Sunday observance by law. \u201cIn this\n way,\u201d says Neander, \u201cthe church received help from the state for\n the furtherance of her ends.\u201d In this way church and state were\n united, and the Papacy was placed in power. The same course\n pursued now will produce the same results.\n\n It is proper and right for the church to teach Sabbath observance,\n and to decry Sabbath desecration; but it should not attempt to\n secure Sabbath observance through compulsory legislation; nor\n should it seek to fasten upon the people by any means the\n observance of a day which God has never enjoined, and for which,\n as is admitted on all hands, there is no Scriptural command. See\n admissions on pages 441, 442, 455, 456, 560.\n\n\n18. What does the prophet say the two-horned-beast power will attempt to\nenforce upon all the people?\n\n\u201cAnd he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,\nto receive _a mark_ in their right hand, or in their foreheads.\u201d Rev.\n13:16.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014This mark is the mark of the beast, or the false sabbath.\n See Rev. 14:9, 10, and reading on page 446. God\u2019s seal, or mark,\n is set in the forehead (Rev. 7:3; 14:1), the seat of the mind, the\n Lord accepting only the worship of conviction and conscience. The\n mark of the beast, however, is said to be received in the hand or\n forehead. Some are deceived and give assent to the false teaching\n with their minds, receiving the mark in the forehead; others,\n coerced or indifferent, give formal, outward consent, and so\n receive the mark in the hand.\n\n Let the reader note this twofold aspect of the Sunday sabbath, as\n expressed by one of the most ardent and active Sunday-law\n advocates in the United States: \u201cWe, the Sabbath Union, W. C. T.\n U., all the churches, and the Y. M. C. A., are laboring with all\n our might to carry the _religious_ sabbath with our right arm, and\n the _civil_ sabbath with our left. Hundreds of thousands will\n receive it as a religious institution, and all the rest will\n receive it as a civil institution, and thus we will sweep in the\n whole nation.\u201d\u2014_Rev. W. F. Crafts, in Sunday Union Convention,\n Wichita, Kans., Sept. 20, 1889._\n\n\n19. What means will be employed to compel all to receive this mark?\n\n\u201cAnd _that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark_, or the\nname of the beast, or the number of his name.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, all who refuse to receive this mark will be\n boycotted, or denied the rights and privileges of business and\n trade, or the ordinary means of gaining a livelihood. Already this\n spirit has begun to manifest itself in the movement to enforce\n Sunday observance. In a sermon preached in Burlington, Kans.,\n Sunday, Jan. 31, 1904, Rev. Bascom Robins said:\u2014\n\n \u201cIn the Christian decalogue the first day was made the Sabbath by\n divine appointment. But there is a class of people who will not\n keep the Christian sabbath unless they are forced to do so. But\n that can be easily done. We have twenty million of men, besides\n women and children, in this country, who want this country to keep\n the Christian sabbath. If we would say we will not sell anything\n to them, we will not buy anything from them, we will not work for\n them, or hire them to work for us, the thing could be wiped out,\n and all the world would keep the Christian sabbath.\u201d\n\n\n20. By what authority was Sunday sabbath-keeping instituted?\n\nBy the authority of the Catholic Church. See page 439.\n\n21. Why were the ancient Sunday laws demanded?\n\n\u201cThat the day might be devoted with less interruption to the purposes of\ndevotion.\u201d \u201cThat the devotion of the faithful might be free from all\ndisturbance.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s __\u201c__Church History,__\u201d__ Vol. II, pages 297,\n301._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In short, it was to secure the enforced observance of the\n day, and through this means church attendance, and control over\n the people in religious things.\n\n\n22. Why are they demanded now?\n\n\u201cGive us good Sunday laws, well enforced by men in local authority, and\nour churches will be full of worshipers, and our young men and women will\nbe attracted to the divine service. A mighty combination of the churches\nof the United States could win from Congress, the State legislatures, and\nmunicipal councils, all legislation essential to this splendid\nconsummation.\u201d\u2014_Rev. S. V. Leech, D. D., in Homiletic Review, November,\n1892._\n\n23. Who is responsible for the present State Sunday laws of the United\nStates?\n\n\u201cDuring nearly all our American history _the churches_ have influenced the\nStates to make and improve Sabbath laws.\u201d\u2014_Rev. W. F. Crafts, in Christian\nStatesman, July 3, 1890._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThese Sunday laws are a survival of the complete union of\n church and state which existed at the founding of the\n colony.\u201d\u2014_Boston Post, April 14, 1907._\n\n \u201cSuch laws [as the Maryland Sunday law of 1723] were the outgrowth\n of the system of religious intolerance that prevailed in many of\n the colonies.\u201d\u2014_Decision of Court of Appeals of the District of\n Columbia, Jan. 21, 1908._\n\n The first Sunday law in America, that of Virginia, in 1610,\n required church attendance, and prescribed the death penalty for\n the third offense. See \u201cAmerican State Papers,\u201d edition 1911, page\n 33.\n\n\n24. Why is a national Sunday law demanded?\n\n\u201cThe national law is needed to make the State laws complete and\neffective.\u201d\u2014_Christian Statesman, April 11, 1889._\n\n25. Since the Sunday sabbath originated with the Roman power (the beast),\nto whom will men yield homage when, knowing the facts, they choose to\nobserve Sunday, instead of the Bible Sabbath, in deference to compulsory\nSunday laws?\n\n\u201cKnow ye not, that _to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his\nservants ye are to whom ye obey_?\u201d Rom. 6:16.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage\n they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the\n [Catholic] church.\u201d\u2014\u201c_Plain Talk About the Protestantism of\n Today_,\u201d page 213.\n\n The conscientious observance of Sunday as the Sabbath on the part\n of those who hitherto have supposed it to be the Sabbath, has,\n without doubt, been accepted of God as Sabbath-keeping. It is only\n when light comes that sin is imputed. John 9:41; 15:22; Acts\n 17:30. See page 700.\n\n\n26. What does Christ say about our duty to the state?\n\n\u201cRender therefore unto _C\u00e6sar_ the things which are _C\u00e6sar\u2019s_; and unto\n_God_ the things that are _God\u2019s_.\u201d Matt. 22:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath belongs to God. Its observance, therefore,\n should be rendered only to Him.\n\n\n27. What special miracle is finally to be performed to deceive men, and\nfasten them in deception?\n\n\u201cAnd he doeth great wonders, so that _he maketh fire come down from heaven\non the earth in the sight of men_.\u201d Rev. 13:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the time of Elijah, in the controversy over Baal-worship,\n this was the test as to who was the true God,\u2014the God that\n answered by fire. 1 Kings 18:24. Now, as a counterfeit test, fire\n will be made to come down from heaven to confirm men in an\n idolatrous and false worship.\n\n\n28. To what length will this effort to enforce the worship of the image of\nthe beast be carried?\n\n\u201cAnd he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image\nof the beast should both speak, and cause [decree] that as many as would\nnot worship the image of the beast _should be killed_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n29. What deliverance will God finally bring to His people in this\ncontroversy?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and _them that had\ngotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark,\nand over the number of his name_, stand on the sea of glass, having the\nharps of God.\u201d Rev. 15:2.\n\n30. What song will they sing?\n\n\u201cAnd they sing _the song of Moses_ the servant of God, and _the song of\nthe Lamb_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n31. What was the song of Moses?\n\nA song of deliverance from oppression. See Exodus 15.\n\n\n\nThe Seven Churches\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n John On Patmos. \"What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the\n seven churches.\" Rev. 1:11.\n\n\n1. What title is given the last book of the Bible?\n\n\u201cThe Revelation of Jesus Christ.\u201d Rev. 1:1.\n\n2. To whom do those things which are revealed belong?\n\n\u201cThe secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but _those things which\nare revealed belong unto us and to our children forever_.\u201d Deut. 29:29.\n\n3. For what purpose was the Revelation given?\n\n\u201cThe Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him _to show unto His\nservants things which must shortly come to pass_.\u201d Rev. 1:1.\n\n4. What great event, according to this book, is imminent?\n\n\u201c_Behold, He cometh with clouds_; and every eye shall see Him and they\nalso which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because\nof Him.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This book not only opens and closes with the subject of\n Christ\u2019s second coming, but its eight lines of prophecy all reach\n down to this as the great culminating event to the church and the\n world.\n\n\n5. What encouragement is given to study this book?\n\n\u201c_Blessed is he that readeth_, and they that _hear_ the words of this\nprophecy, and _keep_ those things which are written therein: for the time\nis at hand.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n6. To whom was the book dedicated?\n\n\u201cJohn _to the seven churches which are in Asia_.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n7. What were the names of these seven churches?\n\n\u201cWhat thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches\nwhich are in Asia; unto _Ephesus_, and unto _Smyrna_, and unto _Pergamos_,\nand unto _Thyatira_, and unto _Sardis_, and unto _Philadelphia_, and unto\n_Laodicea_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These seven churches, and the messages addressed to them,\n apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching from the\n first to the second advent of Christ. \u201cUnder this emblematical\n representation of the seven churches of Asia,\u201d says Vitringa, in\n the \u201cComprehensive Commentary,\u201d \u201cthe Holy Spirit has delineated\n seven different states of the Christian church, which would appear\n in succession, extending to the coming of our Lord and the\n consummation of all things.\u201d Their good qualities and their\n defects are pointed out, with admonitions, exhortations, and\n warnings suitable for each, all of which are also applicable to\n individual Christian experience.\n\n\n8. By what title is the first state of the church distinguished?\n\n\u201cUnto the angel of the church of _Ephesus_ write.\u201d Rev. 2:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The meaning of Ephesus is _desirable_, and fitly describes\n the character and condition of the church in its first state, when\n its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and\n enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy\n Spirit. This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime\n of the apostles. See dates in the accompanying diagram, showing\n the beginning and close of the seven periods.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Seven Churches.\n\n\n9. After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the\nLord bring against them?\n\n\u201cNevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because _thou hast left thy\nfirst love_. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and _repent,\nand do the first works_.\u201d Verses 4, 5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201cfirst love\u201d is the love of the truth, and the desire of\n making it known to others. The \u201cfirst works\u201d are the fruit of this\n love.\n\n\n10. What name is given to the second state of the church?\n\n\u201cUnto the angel of the church in _Smyrna_ write.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The meaning of Smyrna is _myrrh_, or _sweet-smelling savor_,\n and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of God\n suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome.\n\n\n11. How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this\ntime referred to?\n\n\u201cFear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, _the devil\nshall cast some of you into prison_, that ye may be tried; and _ye shall\nhave tribulation ten days_: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give\nthee a crown of life.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The most severe of what is commonly known as \u201cthe ten\n persecutions\u201d under pagan Rome, began under the emperor\n Diocletian, and continued from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D., a period of\n ten prophetic days.\n\n\n12. What name is given to the third state of the church?\n\n\u201cTo the angel of the church in _Pergamos_ write.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The meaning of Pergamos is _height_, or _elevation_, and\n fitly represents that period of the Christian church, beginning\n with the reign of the emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., when the\n power which had put the Christians to death espoused the cause of\n the church, and by rewards, edicts, and promised promotions to\n office in the government, sought to induce the people to become\n Christians, thus bringing a flood of worldliness and corruption\n into the church. Many of the heathen rites and ceremonies\n previously introduced into the Christian religion, including the\n heathen festival, _Sunday_ (sun\u2019s day), were then established by\n law, resulting in the first day of the week taking the place of\n the Sabbath of the Bible.\n\n\n13. How was the faithfulness of this church commended?\n\n\u201cI know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan\u2019s seat is:\nand _thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith_, even in\nthose days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among\nyou, where Satan dwelleth.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014_Antipas_ comes from two Latin words, _anti_, opposed to,\n and _papas_, father, or pope, and denotes a class of people who\n were opposed to papal rule. Regarding _Pergamos_, see note on page\n 256.\n\n\n14. What title was given to the fourth state of the church?\n\n\u201cUnto the angel of the church in _Thyatira_ write.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Thyatira means _song of labor_, or _sacrifice of\n contrition_, and points out the condition of God\u2019s people during\n the long, dark period of 1260 years, beginning with the\n establishment of papal supremacy in 538 A.D., and closing with the\n downfall of that power in 1798. See notes on page 223. During that\n time, millions of the saints of God were put to death in the most\n cruel manner that wicked men and demons could invent. Christ\n referred to this time in His wonderful prophecy recorded in\n Matthew 24, in these words: \u201cFor then shall be great tribulation,\n such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no,\n nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened there\n should no flesh be saved: but for the elect\u2019s sake those days\n shall be shortened.\u201d The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut\n short through the influence of the Reformation.\n\n\n15. What promise did God leave for these persecuted ones?\n\n\u201cBut that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that\novercometh, and keepeth My words unto the end, _to him will I give power\nover the nations_: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the\nvessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of\nMy Father.\u201d Verses 25-27.\n\n16. By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed?\n\n\u201cUnto the angel of the church in _Sardis_ write.\u201d Rev. 3:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Sardis means _song of joy_, or _that which remains_. A cause\n for _joy_ at that time was the fact that the great tribulation of\n the people of God was at an end. It was only as a result of the\n Reformation that any of God\u2019s people were left _remaining_. See\n Matt. 24:21, 22, and note under question 14. The Sardis church\n continued from the close of the papal power, 1798 A.D., until the\n beginning of the great advent movement in 1833, which was marked\n by the falling of the stars on November 13 of that year, as\n foretold by Christ in Matt. 24:29.\n\n\n17. What endearing title is given the sixth church?\n\n\u201cTo the angel of the church in _Philadelphia_ write.\u201d Rev. 3:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Philadelphia means _brotherly love_, and applies to the\n church under the judgment-hour message. See page 251.\n\n\n18. What words to this church show the second advent near?\n\n\u201c_Behold, I come quickly_: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man\ntake thy crown.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n19. What is Christ\u2019s message to the last church?\n\n\u201cUnto the angel of the church of the _Laodiceans_ write; ... I know thy\nworks, that thou art neither cold nor hot.... Because thou sayest, I am\nrich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; ... I counsel thee\nto buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white\nraiment, that thou mayest be clothed.... As many as I love, I rebuke and\nchasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.\u201d Verses 14-19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Laodicea signifies _the judging of the people_, or,\n according to Cruden, a _just people_. This church exists in the\n time of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning\n messages preceding Christ\u2019s second coming. See Rev. 14:6-16, and\n readings on cages 251-263. This is a time of great profession,\n with but little vital godliness and true piety.\n\n\n20. What encouragement is given to heed this message?\n\n\u201cBehold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and\nopen the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with\nMe.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The pointed, searching messages to the seven churches\n contain most important lessons of admonition, encouragement, and\n warning for all Christians in all ages. The seven promises to the\n overcomer found in this line of prophecy (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28;\n 3:5, 12, 21), with the eighth or universal promise recorded in\n Rev. 21:7, form a galaxy of promises as precious, as comforting,\n and as inspiring as any recorded in the Scriptures. See pages 558,\n 762.\n\n\n\nThe Seven Seals\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Lisbon Earthquake. \"When He had opened the sixth seal, ... there was a\n great earthquake.\" Rev. 6:12.\n\n\n1. What did John the revelator see in the right hand of Him who sat on the\nthrone?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne _a book_\nwritten within, and on the back side _sealed with seven seals_.\u201d Rev. 5:1.\n\n2. What did the Lamb do with this book?\n\n\u201cAnd He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat on\nthe throne.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n3. Why was Christ declared worthy to open these seals?\n\n\u201cThou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: _for\nThou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood_ out of every\nkindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n4. What was shown upon the opening of the first seal?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, ... _a white horse_: and\nHe that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went\nforth conquering, and to conquer.\u201d Rev. 6:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The number _seven_ in the Scriptures denotes completion or\n perfection. The seven seals embrace the whole of a class of events\n in which is narrated the history of the church from the beginning\n of the Christian era to the second coming of Christ. The white\n horse, with his rider going forth to conquer, fitly represents the\n early Christian church in its purity, going into all the world\n with the gospel message of salvation.\n\n\n5. What appeared upon the opening of the second seal?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had opened the second seal, ... there went out _another horse\nthat was red_: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace\nfrom the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given\nunto him a great sword.\u201d Verses 3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As whiteness in the first horse denoted the purity of the\n gospel which its rider propagated, so the color of the second\n horse would show that corruption had begun to creep in when this\n symbol applies. It is true that such a state of things did succeed\n the apostolic church. Speaking of the second century, Wharey, in\n his \u201cChurch History,\u201d page 39, says: \u201cChristianity began already\n to wear the garb of heathenism. The seeds of most of those errors\n that afterwards so entirely overran the church, marred its beauty,\n and tarnished its glory, were already beginning to take root.\u201d\n Worldliness came in. The church sought alliance with the secular\n power, and trouble and commotion were the result. This symbol\n extends from the close of the first century to the time of\n Constantine, when a complete union of church and state was\n effected.\n\n\n6. What was the color of the symbol under the third seal?\n\n\u201cWhen He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and\nsee. And I beheld, and lo _a black horse_; and he that sat on him had a\npair of balances in his hand.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201cblack\u201d horse fitly represents the spiritual darkness\n that characterized the church from the time of Constantine till\n the establishment of papal supremacy in 538 A.D. Of the condition\n of things in the fourth century, Wharey (page 54) says:\n \u201cChristianity had now become popular, and a large proportion,\n perhaps a large majority, of those who embraced it, only assumed\n the name, received the rite of baptism, and conformed to some of\n the external ceremonies of the church, while at heart and in moral\n character they were as much heathen as they were before. Error and\n corruption now came in upon the church like a flood.\u201d\n\n\n7. What were the color and character of the fourth symbol?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had opened the fourth seal, ... behold _a pale horse_: and\nhis name that sat on him was _Death_, and _Hell_ [Greek, _Hades_, the\n_grave_] _followed with him_. And power was given unto them over the\nfourth part of the earth, _to kill with sword_, and with _hunger_, and\nwith _death_, and with the _beasts of the earth_.\u201d Verses 7, 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is an unnatural color for a horse. The original denotes\n the _pale_ or _yellowish_ color seen in blighted plants. The\n symbol evidently refers to the work of persecution and death\n carried on by the Roman Church against the people of God from the\n time of the beginning of papal supremacy in 538 A.D. to the time\n when the Reformers commenced their work of exposing the true\n character of the Papacy, and a check was placed upon this work of\n death.\n\n\n8. On opening the fifth seal, what was seen under the altar?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar _the souls\nof them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which\nthey held_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When the Reformers exposed the work of the Papacy, it was\n then called to mind how many martyrs had been slain for their\n faith.\n\n\n9. What were these martyrs represented as doing?\n\n\u201cAnd _they cried with a loud voice_, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and\ntrue, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the\nearth?\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The cruel treatment which they had received cried for\n vengeance, just as Abel\u2019s blood cried to God from the ground. Gen.\n 4:10. They were not in heaven, but under the altar on which they\n had been slain. On this point Dr. Adam Clarke says: \u201cThe altar is\n upon earth, not in heaven.\u201d See note under next question.\n\n\n10. What was given these martyrs?\n\n\u201cAnd _white robes were given unto every one of them_; and it was said unto\nthem, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow\nservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,\nshould be fulfilled [have fulfilled their course, R. V.].\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These had been slain during the hundreds of years covered by\n the preceding seal. Their persecutors, most of them, at least, had\n died. And if they had at death passed to their punishment, as is\n by some supposed, why should the martyred ones still importune for\n their punishment? In this, as in other parts of the Bible, the\n figure of personification is used, in which inanimate objects are\n represented as alive and speaking, and things that are not as\n though they were. See Judges 9:8-15; Heb. 2:11; Rom. 4:17. These\n martyrs had gone down as heretics under the darkness and\n superstition of the preceding seal, covered with ignominy and\n shame. Now, in the light of the Reformation, their true character\n appears, and they are seen to have been righteous, and hence are\n given \u201cwhite robes.\u201d \u201cThe fine linen [white robes] is the\n righteousness of saints.\u201d Rev. 19:8. Righteousness is ascribed to\n them; and when they have rested a little longer where they\n are,\u2014under the altar,\u2014till all others who are to fall for their\n faith have followed them, then together they will be raised to\n life and immortality.\n\n\n11. What was first seen on the opening of the sixth seal?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was _a\ngreat earthquake_.\u201d Verse 12, first part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This doubtless refers to the great earthquake of Nov. 1,\n 1755, commonly known as the Lisbon earthquake, the effects of\n which were felt over an area of 4,000,000 square miles. Lisbon,\n Portugal, a city containing 150,000 inhabitants, was almost\n entirely destroyed. The shock of the earthquake, says Mr. Sears,\n in his \u201cWonders of the World,\u201d page 200, \u201cwas instantly followed\n by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the large\n public buildings, and one fourth of the houses. In about two hours\n afterward, fires broke out in different quarters, and raged with\n such violence for the space of nearly three days that the city was\n completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holy day, when\n the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom\n escaped.... The terror of the people was beyond description.\n Nobody wept: it was beyond tears. They ran hither and thither,\n delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their faces and\n breasts, crying, \u2018_Misericordia! the world\u2019s at an end!_\u2019 Mothers\n forgot their children, and ran about loaded with crucifixed\n images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for protection;\n but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did the poor\n creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and people were\n buried in one common ruin.... Ninety thousand persons are supposed\n to have been lost on that fatal day.\u201d\n\n\n12. What was to follow the great earthquake?\n\n\u201cAnd _the sun became black_ as sackcloth of hair, and _the moon became as\nblood_.\u201d Same verse, latter part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This refers to the dark day and night of May 19, 1780, when\n the darkness and gloom were such as to give the general impression\n that the day of judgment was at hand. See readings on pages 311,\n 319.\n\n\n13. What other event is mentioned under this seal?\n\n\u201cAnd _the stars of heaven fell unto the earth_, even as a fig-tree casteth\nher untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014This was fulfilled in the wonderful meteoric shower of Nov.\n 13, 1833. Describing the scene in the vicinity of Niagara Falls,\n one writer says: \u201cNo spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was\n ever before beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in\n fiery torrents over the dark and roaring cataract.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Our First\n Century,__\u201d__ page 330; also The American Cyclopedia, edition\n 1881, article __\u201c__Meteor.__\u201d_ See readings just referred to.\n\n A contributor, writing for the _Journal of Commerce_ of Nov. 14,\n 1833, in regard to the falling stars of Nov. 13, 1833, said: \u201cWere\n I to hunt through nature for a simile, I could not find one so apt\n to illustrate the appearance of the heavens as that which St. John\n uses in the prophecy. The falling stars did not come as if from\n several trees shaken, but as from _one_; those which appeared in\n the east, fell toward the east; those which appeared in the west,\n fell toward the west; and those which appeared in the south, fell\n toward the south. And they fell not as the _ripe_ fruit falls,\u2014far\n from it,\u2014but they flew, they were _cast_, like the unripe fruit\n which at first refuses to leave the branch; and when, under a\n violent pressure, it does break its hold, it flies swiftly,\n _straight_ off, descending; and in the multitude falling, some\n cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less\n force; but each one falls on its own side of the tree.\u201d See page\n 321.\n\n\n14. What is the next event mentioned in the prophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd _the heaven departed as a scroll_ when it is rolled together; and\nevery mountain and island were moved out of their places.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This event is still future, and will take place in\n connection with Christ\u2019s second coming. We are now standing\n between the two events,\u2014the last of the signs in the heavens, and\n the parting of the heavens and removal of earthly things out of\n their places. The great signs here mentioned which mark the\n approach of Christ\u2019s second coming and the dissolution of all\n earthly things, are all in the past, and the world awaits the\n sound of the last trump as the closing scene in earth\u2019s drama.\n\n\n15. How will this great event affect the world?\n\n\u201cAnd the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the\nchief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman,\nhid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to\nthe mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that\nsitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day\nof His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?\u201d Verses 15-17.\n\n16. After the sealing work brought to view in Revelation 7, which takes\nplace under the sixth seal, how is the seventh seal introduced?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had opened the seventh seal, _there was silence in heaven_\nabout the space of half an hour.\u201d Rev. 8:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The sixth seal introduced the events connected with the\n second coming of Christ. The seventh seal most naturally,\n therefore, would refer to that event, or to some accompanying\n result of it. When Christ comes, all the holy angels will\n accompany Him (Matt. 25:31); and it follows that silence will\n necessarily, therefore, reign in heaven during their absence. A\n half-hour of prophetic time would be about seven days. The seven\n seals, therefore, bring us down to the second coming of Christ.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,\n When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,\n That Jesus will come in the fulness of glory\n To receive from the world His own.\n\n It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,\n It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight\n Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,\n When Jesus receives His own.\n\n O joy! O delight! should we go without dying,\n No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying,\n Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,\n When Jesus receives His own.\n\n H. L. TURNER.\n\n\n\nThe Seven Trumpets\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Symbols Of War. \"The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the\n time of the dead, that they should be judged.\" Rev. 11:18.\n\n\n1. Following the seven seals, under what symbols was the next series of\nthrilling events shown the apostle John?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given\n_seven trumpets_.\u201d Rev. 8:2.\n\n2. With what do these trumpets deal?\n\nWith the wars, commotions, and political upheavals which result in the\nbreaking up and downfall of the Roman Empire,\u2014the first four with the\ndownfall of Western Rome, the fifth and sixth with the downfall of Eastern\nRome, and the seventh with the final downfall of Rome in its broadest\nsense, or all the kingdoms of the world. See Revelation 8 and 9 and\n11:14-19. A trumpet is a symbol of war. Jer. 4:19, 20; Joel 2:1-11.\n\n3. Under what figures is the first trumpet described?\n\n\u201cThe first angel sounded, and there followed _hail_ and _fire_ mingled\nwith _blood_, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of\ntrees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.\u201d Rev. 8:7.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cTwice, at least, before the Roman Empire became divided\n permanently into the two parts, the Eastern and the Western, there\n was a tripartite division of the empire. The first occurred 311\n A.D., when it was divided between Constantine, Licinius, and\n Maximin; the other, 337 A.D., on the death of Constantine, when it\n was divided between his three sons, Constantine, Constans, and\n Constantius.\u201d\u2014_Albert Barnes, on Rev. 12:4._ To Constantius was\n given Constantinople and the East; to Constans, Italy, Illyricum,\n and northern Africa; and to Constantine II, Britain, Gaul, and\n Spain.\n\n This trumpet describes the first great invasion upon Western or\n ancient Rome, by the Goths, under Alaric, from 395 A.D. to 410\n A.D. In 408 he descended upon Italy, the middle \u201cthird part,\u201d\n pillaging and burning cities, and slaughtering their inhabitants.\n Says Gibbon, in his \u201cDecline and Fall of the Roman Empire,\u201d\n chapter 33, closing sentence, \u201cThe union of the Roman Empire was\n dissolved; its genius was humbled in the dust; and armies of\n unknown barbarians, issuing from the frozen regions of the North,\n had established their victorious reign over the fairest provinces\n of Europe and Africa.\u201d\n\n\n4. What striking figure is used to describe the destruction wrought under\nthe second trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the second angel sounded, and as it were _a great mountain burning\nwith fire was cast into the sea_: and the third part of the sea became\nblood; and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had\nlife, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.\u201d Verses 8, 9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This describes the invasions and conquests of the Vandals\n under the terrible Genseric\u2014first of Africa and later of\n Italy\u2014from 428 to 476 A.D. His conquests were largely by sea. In a\n single night, near Carthage, he destroyed, by fire and sword, more\n than half of the Roman fleet, consisting of 1,113 ships and over\n 100,000 men. See Gibbon\u2019s \u201cDecline and Fall of the Roman Empire,\u201d\n chapter 36.\n\n\n5. What was to take place under the third trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the third angel sounded, and _there fell a great star from heaven,\nburning as it were a lamp_, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers,\nand upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called\n_Wormwood_: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; _and many\nmen died of the waters_, because they were made bitter.\u201d Verses 10, 11.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The harassing invasions and conquests of Attila, the Hun,\n are foretold here. His conquests were characterized by fire;\n sword, and pillage along the Rhine, in Gaul, and northern Italy.\n He claimed descent from Nimrod, styled himself the \u201cScourge of\n God\u201d and the \u201cDread of the World,\u201d and boasted that grass would\n never grow again where his horse had trod. His greatest battle was\n at Chalons, in Gaul, 451 A.D., where of his 700,000 men from\n 100,000 to 300,000 are said to have been left dead on the field.\n See Gibbon\u2019s Rome, chapter 35, and \u201cFifteen Decisive Battles of\n the World,\u201d by Sir Edward Creasy, chapter 6.\n\n Says Gibbon (chapter 34), \u201cIn the reign of Attila, the Huns again\n became the terror of the world;\u201d and he proceeds to describe \u201cthe\n character and actions of that formidable barbarian, who,\u201d he says,\n \u201calternately insulted and invaded the East and the West, and urged\n the rapid downfall of the Roman Empire.\u201d\n\n\n6. What was to occur under the fourth trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the fourth angel sounded, and _the third part of the sun was smitten,\nand the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars_; so as\nthe third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third\npart of it, and the night likewise.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This trumpet brings us to the fall of Western Rome, in 476\n A.D., when the Herulian barbarians, under the leadership of\n Odoacer, took possession of the city and scepter of Rome; and the\n great empire which had hitherto been the empress of the world was\n reduced to a poor dukedom, tributary to the exarch of Ravenna. Its\n luminaries, or civil rulers, were smitten, and ceased to shine.\n \u201cItaly now became in effect a province of the empire of the East.\n The Roman Empire in the West had come to an end, after an\n existence from the founding of Rome of 1,229 years.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s\n __\u201c__General History,__\u201d__ page 348._\n\n\n7. What was to be the character of the last three trumpets?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,\nsaying with a loud voice, _Woe, woe, woe_, to the inhabiters of the earth\nby reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which\nare yet to sound!\u201d Verse 13.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Seven Trumpets.\n\n\n8. After the fall of Western Rome, what power in the East arose to harass\nand overrun the Roman world, East and West?\n\nMohammedanism, commonly known as the Turkish or Ottoman power, which arose\nin Arabia, with Mohammed, in 622 A.D.\n\n9. How is the fifth trumpet, or first woe, introduced?\n\n\u201cAnd the fifth angel sounded, and I saw _a star fall from heaven unto the\nearth_: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened\nthe bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke\nof a great furnace; _and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of\nthe smoke of the pit_. And there came out of the smoke _locusts_ upon the\nearth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have\npower.\u201d Rev. 9:1-3.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Attila is symbolized by the star of the third trumpet (Rev.\n 8:10, 11); Mohammed, by the star of this trumpet. The bottomless\n pit doubtless refers to the wastes of the Arabian desert, from\n which came forth the Mohammedans, or Saracens of Arabia, like\n swarms of locusts. The darkening caused by the smoke from this pit\n fitly represents the spread of Mohammedanism and its doctrines\n over Asia, Africa, and portions of Europe. Their power as\n scorpions is strikingly seen in their vigorous and speedy attacks\n upon, and overthrow of, their enemies.\n\n \u201cOver a large part of Spain, over north Africa, Egypt, Syria,\n Babylonia, Persia, north India, and portions of Central Asia were\n spread\u2014to the more or less perfect exclusion of native customs,\n speech, and worship\u2014the manners, the language, and the religion of\n the Arabian conquerors.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s __\u201c__General History,__\u201d__ page\n 401._\n\n\n10. What command was given these locusts?\n\n\u201cAnd it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the\nearth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which\nhave not the seal of God in their foreheads.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014When the Arabian tribes were gathered for the conquest of\n Syria, 633 A.D., the caliph Abu-Bekr, the successor of Mohammed,\n instructed the chiefs of his army not to allow their victory to be\n \u201cstained with the blood of women and children;\u201d to \u201cdestroy no\n palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn;\u201d to \u201ccut down no\n fruit-trees, nor do any mischief to cattle;\u201d and to spare those\n religious persons \u201cwho live retired in monasteries, and propose to\n themselves to serve God in that way;\u201d but, he said, \u201cyou will find\n another sort of people that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who\n have shaven crowns: be sure you cleave their skulls and give them\n no quarter till they either turn Mohammedan or pay tribute.\u201d In\n this, Mohammedanism, itself a false religion, is revealed as a\n scourge to apostate Christianity.\n\n \u201cIn a short time they [the Mohammedan Saracens] had taken from the\n Aryans all the principal old Semitic lands,\u2014Palestine, Syria,\n Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Babylonia. To these was soon added\n Egypt.\u201d\u2014_Encyclopedia Britannica, article __\u201c__Mohammedanism.__\u201d_\n\n\n11. What were these locusts said to have over them?\n\n\u201cAnd they had _a king_ over them, which is the angel of the bottomless\npit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue\nhath his name Apollyon [margin, a destroyer].\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014For hundreds of years the Mohammedans and invading Tartar\n tribes, like the locusts (Prov. 30:27), had no general government\n or king over them, but were divided into bands, or factions, under\n separate leaders. But in the twelfth century Temuljin, king of the\n Mongols, or Moguls, who is described as \u201cthe most terrible scourge\n that ever afflicted the human race,\u201d built up an empire \u201cat the\n cost,\u201d it is estimated, says Myers in his \u201cGeneral History,\u201d page\n 461, of \u201cfifty thousand cities and towns and five million lives.\u201d\n This was followed by the more permanent Tartar empire founded by\n Othman a century later, commonly known as the Ottoman Empire, and\n ruled by the sultan.\n\n From the first, the great characteristic of the Turkish government\n has been that of a \u201cdestroyer.\u201d Speaking of a war by the Turks\n upon the Byzantine Empire in 1050, Gibbon (chapter 57) says: \u201cThe\n myriads of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred\n miles from Tauris to Erzeroum, and the blood of one hundred and\n thirty thousand Christians was a grateful sacrifice to the Arabian\n prophet.\u201d\n\n In 1058 the Turks wrested the Holy Land from the Saracens,\n desecrated the holy places, and treated the pilgrims to Jerusalem\n with cruelty. This brought on the nine unsuccessful crusades of\n the next two centuries for the recovery of the Holy Land.\n\n\n12. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their\ntails: and their power was to hurt men _five months_.\u201d Verse 10. See also\nverse 5.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cIt was on the twenty-seventh of July, in the year 1299,\u201d\n says Gibbon, \u201cthat Othman first invaded the territory of\n Nicomedia,\u201d in Asia Minor, \u201cand the singular accuracy of the\n date,\u201d he adds, \u201cseems to disclose some foresight of the rapid and\n destructive growth of the monster.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Decline and Fall of the\n Roman Empire,__\u201d__ chap. 64, par. 14_ This, then, we take to be\n the beginning of the period referred to.\n\n A Bible month consists of thirty days; five months would be 150\n days. Allowing a day for a year, 150 years from July 27, 1299,\n would reach to July 27, 1449. During this period the Turks were\n engaged in almost constant warfare with the Greek Empire, and yet\n without conquering it.\n\n\n13. With what statement does the fifth trumpet close?\n\n\u201cOne woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.\u201d Verse\n12.\n\n14. What command is given under the sixth trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of\nthe golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had\nthe trumpet, _Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river\nEuphrates_.\u201d Verses 13, 14.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014These four angels are understood to refer to the four\n leading Turkish sultanies\u2014Aleppo, Iconium, Damascus, and Bagdad\u2014of\n which the Ottoman Empire was composed, situated in the country\n watered by the river Euphrates.\n\n As a striking parallel it may be noted that under the sixth plague\n (Rev. 16:12-16), the four angels of Rev. 7:1-3 will loose the\n winds of war, the waters of the river Euphrates (the Turkish\n Empire) will be dried up, and the armies of the nations will\n assemble for the battle of Armageddon.\n\n\n15. What warlike scene is given under this trumpet?\n\n\u201cThe number of the armies of the horsemen was _twice ten thousand times\nten thousand_: ... and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions;\nand _out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone_.\u201d Verses\n16, 17, R. V.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cIn the year 1453, Mohammed II, the Great, sultan of the\n Ottomans, laid siege to the capital [Constantinople], with an army\n of over 200,000 men. After a short investment, the place was taken\n by storm. The cross, which since the time of Constantine the Great\n had surmounted the dome of St. Sophia, was replaced by the\n crescent, which remains to this day.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s __\u201c__General\n History,__\u201d__ edition 1902, pages 462, 463._\n\n Thus Constantinople, the eastern seat of the Roman Empire since\n the days of Constantine, was captured by the Turks.\n\n Reference also seems to be made here to the use of firearms, which\n began to be employed by the Turks toward the close of the\n thirteenth century, and which, discharged from horseback, would\n give the appearance of fire and smoke issuing from the horses\u2019\n mouths. In the battle of Armageddon, to which allusion may here be\n made, an army of \u201ctwice ten thousand times ten thousand,\u201d or two\n hundred million, will doubtless be assembled.\n\n\n16. What was the result of this warfare by means of \u201cfire and smoke and\nbrimstone\u201d?\n\n\u201cBy these three was the third part of men killed.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This shows the deadly effect of this new means of warfare.\n \u201cConstantinople was subdued, her empire subverted, and her\n religion trampled in the dust by the Moslem\n conquerors.\u201d\u2014_Elliott\u2019s __\u201c__Hor\u00e6 Apocalyptic\u00e6,__\u201d__ Vol. I, page\n 484._\n\n\n17. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an _hour_, and a\n_day_, and a _month_; and a _year_, for to slay the third part of men.\u201d\nVerse 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014An hour in prophetic time is equal to fifteen days; a day\n stands for a year, a month for thirty years, a year for 360 years.\n Added together, these amount to 391 years and fifteen days, the\n time allotted for the Ottoman supremacy. Commencing July 27, 1449,\n the date of the close of the fifth trumpet, this period would end\n Aug. 11, 1840. In exact fulfilment of the words of inspiration,\n this date marks the fall of the Ottoman Empire as an independent\n power. His empire wasted beyond hope of recovery in a war with\n Mohammed Ali, pasha of Egypt, the sultan of Turkey submitted to\n the dictates of the then four great powers of Europe, and his\n minister, Rifat Bey, on that very day, Aug. 11, 1840, reached\n Alexandria, bearing, not the sultan\u2019s ultimatum, but that of the\n powers, to place in the hands of the rebellious pasha. Since then\n Turkey has existed only by the help or sufferance of the great\n powers of Europe, and has commonly been referred to as \u201cthe Sick\n Man of the East.\u201d\n\n\n18. With what announcement does the sixth trumpet close?\n\n\u201cThe second woe is past; and, behold, _the third woe cometh quickly_.\u201d\nRev. 11:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The definite period under the sixth trumpet brings us to\n 1840, when Turkey lost her independence. Her final downfall, we\n understand, will come at the opening of the seventh trumpet.\n\n\n19. What is to be finished when the seventh trumpet is about to sound?\n\n\u201cBut in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to\nsound, then is finished _the mystery of God_, according to the good\ntidings which He declared to His servants the prophets.\u201d Rev. 10:7, R. V.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The mystery of God is the gospel. Eph. 3:3-6; Gal. 1:11, 12,\n When this trumpet is about to sound, therefore, the gospel will\n close, and the end will come. The \u201ctime of trouble,\u201d of Dan. 12:1,\n and the seven last plagues and the battle of Armageddon, spoken of\n in Revelation 16, will take place when this trumpet begins to\n sound.\n\n\n20. What event marks the sounding of the seventh trumpet?\n\n\u201cAnd the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,\nsaying, _The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,\nand of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever._ And the four and\ntwenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces,\nand worshiped God, saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which\nart, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great\npower, and hast reigned.\u201d Rev. 11:15-17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The seventh trumpet, therefore, brings us to the setting up\n of God\u2019s everlasting kingdom.\n\n\n21. What is the condition of the nations, and what other events are due or\nimpending at this time?\n\n\u201cAnd _the nations were angry_, and _Thy wrath is come_, and _the time of\nthe dead, that they should be judged_, and that Thou shouldest _give\nreward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints_, and them that\nfear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest _destroy them which destroy\nthe earth_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The closing scenes of this world\u2019s history and the judgment\n are clearly brought to view here. Ever since the loss of\n independence by the Ottoman Empire in 1840, the nations have been\n preparing for war as never before, in view of international\n complications and a world war which all fear is inevitable upon\n the dissolution of Turkey and the final disposition of its\n territory. Towering above all others, the Eastern question has\n been the one of paramount concern to them.\n\n The investigative judgment began in heaven in 1844, at the close\n of the prophetic period of 2300 days. See readings on pages\n 230-253. When this is finished, the time of reward will have\n arrived, the end will have come, and the saints will themselves\n sit in judgment. See Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 6:1-3.\n\n\n22. What scene in heaven was presented to the prophet as the seventh\ntrumpet was about to sound?\n\n\u201cAnd _the temple of God was opened in heaven_, and there was seen in His\ntemple _the ark of His testament_: and there were lightnings, and voices,\nand thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.\u201d Rev. 11:19.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014This forcibly calls attention to the closing work of Christ\n in the second apartment, or most holy place, of the sanctuary in\n heaven, which began in 1844. See readings referred to in preceding\n note. The reference to the ark of God\u2019s testament is a forcible\n reminder also of that which is to be the standard in the\n judgment,\u2014the law of God, or ten commandments. See Eccl. 12:13,\n 14; Rom. 2:12, 13; James 2:8-12.\n\n From its closing words\u2014the reference to \u201cgreat hail\u201d\u2014the seventh\n trumpet evidently embraces the seven last plagues (see Rev. 16:17,\n 18); and from its opening words\u2014\u201cthe kingdoms of this world are\n become the kingdoms of our Lord\u201d\u2014it marks the setting up of God\u2019s\n everlasting kingdom.\n\n\n\nThe Eastern Question\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Bosporus. \"He shall come to his end, and none shall help him.\" Dan.\n 11:45.\n\n\n1. What, briefly stated, is the Eastern question?\n\nThe driving out of Turkey from Europe, and the final extinction of the\nTurkish Empire, with the world-embracing events that follow. It has been\notherwise described as \u201cthe driving of the Turk into Asia, and a scramble\nfor his territory.\u201d\n\n2. What scriptures are devoted to the Turkish power?\n\nDan. 11:40-45; Revelation 9; and Rev. 16:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the eleventh chapter of Daniel, Turkey is dealt with\n under the title of the \u201cking of the north;\u201d in Revelation 9, under\n the sounding of the fifth and sixth \u201ctrumpets;\u201d and in Revelation\n 16, under the symbol of the drying up of the water of the chief\n river of the Turkish Asiatic possessions, \u201cthe great river\n Euphrates.\u201d The actual drying up of the river Euphrates was the\n signal for the overthrow of ancient Babylon.\n\n\n3. When did Turkey take Constantinople, and thus the northern division of\nancient Greece and Rome?\n\nIn A.D. 1453, under Mohammed II. See pages 293, 294.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014After the death of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire\n was divided by his four leading generals, Cassander, Lysimachus,\n Seleucus, and Ptolemy, into four parts,\u2014east, west, north, and\n south,\u2014the first three of which were shortly afterward absorbed\n into one kingdom, the kingdom of the north, Egypt remaining the\n king, or kingdom, of the south. In the breaking up of the Roman\n Empire, the Turks gained possession of the Holy Land in A.D. 1058,\n and finally of Constantinople, and considerable portions of\n eastern Europe,\u2014the kingdom of the north,\u2014in 1453, to which, with\n varying fortunes and shrinking geographical boundaries, it has\n held ever since.\n\n\n4. How has Turkey been regarded by European nations?\n\n\u201cThe Turks have ever remained quite insensible to the influences of\nEuropean civilization, and their government has been a perfect blight and\ncurse to the countries subject to their rule. They have always been looked\nupon _as intruders_ in Europe, and their presence there has led to several\nof the most sanguinary wars of modern times. Gradually they have been\npushed out from their European possessions, and the time is probably not\nvery far distant when they will be driven back across the\nBosporus.\u201d\u2014_Myers\u2019s __\u201c__General History,__\u201d__ edition 1902, page 468._\n\n5. When did the independence of Turkey cease?\n\nIn 1840, at the close of a two years\u2019 war between Turkey and Egypt, when\nthe fate of Turkey was placed in the hands of four great powers of\nEurope,\u2014England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. See page 294, under\nquestion 19.\n\n6. What is one of the last predictions of the prophecy of Daniel\nconcerning the king of the north?\n\n\u201cBut tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:\ntherefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to\nmake away many.\u201d Dan. 11:44.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Upon this, Dr. Adam Clarke, writing in 1825, said: \u201cIf the\n Turkish power be understood, as in the preceding verses, it may\n mean that the Persians on the _east_ and the Russians on the\n _north_ will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman\n government.\u201d Such indeed was the case, and these conditions\n brought on the Crimean war of 1853-56, between Russia and Turkey.\n In this war England and France came to the help of Turkey, and\n prevented Russia from grasping Constantinople, her coveted prize,\n and thus gaining access to the Dardanelles and the Mediterranean\n and so possessing herself of the gateway of commerce between\n Europe Asia. Without an outlet to the sea, Russia cannot be a\n strong naval power. In his celebrated will, Peter the Great of\n Russia (1672-1725) admonished his countrymen thus: \u201cTake every\n possible means of gaining Constantinople and the Indies, for,\u201d\n said he, \u201che who rules there will be the true sovereign of the\n world; excite war continually in Turkey and Persia; ... get\n control of the sea by degrees; ... advance to the Indies, which\n are the great depot of the world. Once there, we can do without\n the gold of England.\u201d The authenticity of this will has been\n questioned, but it outlines a policy which Russia has quite\n faithfully pursued.\n\n\n7. What since 1840 has saved Turkey from complete overthrow?\n\nThe help and interference of various European powers.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cIt is not too much to say that England has twice saved\n Turkey from complete subjection since 1853. It is\n largely\u2014mainly\u2014due to our action that she now exists at all as an\n independent power. On both these occasions we dragged the powers\n of Europe along with us in maintaining the Ottoman\n government.\u201d\u2014_Duke of Argyle (1895), in __\u201c__The Turkish-Armenian\n Question,__\u201d__ page 17._\n\n\n8. Why have these powers thus helped Turkey?\n\nNot from love for Turkey, but for fear of the international complications\nthat its downfall might entail.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In his Mansion House speech, Nov. 9, 1895, Lord Salisbury,\n responding to a wide-spread demand for the overthrow of the\n Turkish power, said: \u201cTurkey is in that remarkable condition that\n it has now stood for half a century, mainly because the great\n powers of the world have resolved that _for the peace of\n Christendom it is necessary that the Ottoman Empire should stand_.\n They came to that conclusion nearly half a century ago. I do not\n think they have altered it now. _The danger_, if the Ottoman\n Empire fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten\n the territories of which that empire consists; _it would be the\n danger that the fire there lit should spread to other nations, and\n should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in Europe\n in a dangerous and calamitous contest_. That was a danger that was\n present to the minds of our fathers when they resolved to make the\n integrity and independence of the Ottoman Empire a matter of\n European treaty, _and that is a danger_ WHICH HAS NOT PASSED\n AWAY.\u201d\n\n \u201cThe Balkan, or Near Eastern, question has been one of the most\n complicated political problems of the world\u2019s history for half a\n century. ... For four centuries and a half, or ever since the\n conquering Turk crossed the Bosporus and took Constantinople, the\n grim contest has been on to dislodge him by war and\n diplomacy.\u201d\u2014_American Review of Reviews, November, 1912._\n\n Nearly a century ago, Napoleon, while a prisoner on St. Helena,\n explained that when emperor of France, he would not consent for\n Alexander, the czar of Russia, to have Constantinople, \u201cforeseeing\n that the equilibrium of Europe would be destroyed.\u201d\n\n\n9. What is the divine prediction regarding the future and final downfall\nof the king of the north?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas _in the\nglorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help\nhim_.\u201d Dan. 11:45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It would seem natural that the Ottoman government should\n make its last stand at Jerusalem. Around the city of the Holy\n Sepulcher and the tombs of the \u201csaints\u201d has been waged for long\n years a war between the followers of Islam and the believers in\n the Christian religion. In this place, many Bible students\n believe, Turkey will come to her end in fulfilment of this\n scripture.\n\n\n10. Under which of the seven last plagues is the water of the Euphrates\n(Turkey) to be dried up, and for what purpose?\n\n\u201cAnd _the sixth angel_ poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates;\nand the water thereof was _dried up, that the way of the kings of the East\nmight be prepared_.\u201d Rev. 16:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For years the drying-up process of the Turkish Empire has\n been in progress, as may be seen from the following:\u2014\n\n (1) In 1783 Turkey was compelled to surrender to Russia the\n territory of the Crimea, including all the countries east of the\n Caspian Sea.\n\n (2) In 1828 Greece secured her independence.\n\n (3) In 1830 Algeria was ceded to France.\n\n (4) In 1867 Turkey was forced to recognize the independence of\n Egypt.\n\n (5) In the same year Turkey lost possession of Servia and Bosnia.\n\n (6) In 1878 the Treaty of Berlin granted autonomous government to\n Bulgaria, and independence to Roumelia, Roumania, and Montenegro.\n\n (7) In 1912 Tripoli was taken over by Italy.\n\n (8) In 1912 and 1913 the Balkan States and Greece dispossessed\n Turkey of nearly all of her remaining territory in Europe.\n\n\n11. Under this plague, what incites the nations to war?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw _three unclean spirits_ like frogs come out of the mouth of the\ndragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the\nfalse prophet. For they are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles,\nwhich go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, _to\ngather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty_.\u201d Verses 13,\n14.\n\n12. At this time, what event is near at hand?\n\n\u201c_Behold, I come as a thief._ Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his\ngarments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n13. To what place will the nations be gathered for battle?\n\n\u201cAnd he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue\n_Armageddon_.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Armageddon consists of a great triangular plain in northern\n Palestine, twelve by fifteen by eighteen miles, extending\n southeast from Mt. Carmel, otherwise known as the plain of\n Esdraelon, or valley of Jezreel. It has been the scene of many\n great battles, such as that of Gideon\u2019s overthrow of the\n Midianites (Judges 6, 7), when \u201cthe Lord set every man\u2019s sword\n against his fellow;\u201d of Saul\u2019s defeat by the Philistines (1 Sam.\n 29: 1; 1 Chronicles 10); and of Josiah\u2019s defeat by Pharaoh Necho\n (2 Kings 23:29, 30; 2 Chron. 35:20-24): and, as this scripture\n indicates, it is the place where, under the influence of evil\n spirits just preceding Christ\u2019s second coming, the great armies of\n the world will be gathered for their final struggle and utter\n destruction under the seventh plague.\n\n\n14. When the king of the north comes to his end, what, according to the\nprophecy, is to take place?\n\n\u201cAnd _at that time shall Michael stand up_, the great Prince which\nstandeth for the children of thy people: and _there shall be a time of\ntrouble, such as never was since there was a nation_ even to that same\ntime: and _at that time thy people shall be delivered_, every one that\nshall be found written in the book.\u201d Dan. 12:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The expression \u201cstand up\u201d occurs eight times in this line of\n prophecy (Daniel 11 and 12), and in each case means _to reign_.\n See Dan. 11:2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 20, 21; 12:1. Michael is Christ, as\n will be seen by comparing Jude 9, 1 Thess. 4:16, and John 5:25.\n When the Turkish Empire is brought to an end, therefore, the time\n will have come for Christ to receive His kingdom (Luke 19:11-15),\n and begin His reign. This great change will be ushered in by the\n downfall, not only of Turkey, but of all nations (Rev. 11:15); by\n the time of trouble here spoken of; by the seven last plagues\n described in Revelation 16; and by the deliverance of all God\u2019s\n people,\u2014those whose names are found written in the book of life\n (Rev. 3:5; 20:12),\u2014which shows that probation and the\n investigative judgment will then be past.\n\n\n15. What will take place at this time?\n\n\u201cAnd many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to\neverlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014At the resurrection of Christ there was a special\n resurrection, when many of the saints were raised from the dead,\n were seen of many, and were taken to heaven with Christ at His\n ascension. Matt. 27:52, 53; Eph. 4:8. So, just prior to Christ\u2019s\n second coming and the general resurrection of the righteous, many\n of the sleeping saints, and some colossal sinners (those that\n \u201cpierced Him,\u201d Rev. 1:7), it seems, will be raised to witness His\n coming, and hear God\u2019s covenant of peace with His people.\n\n This line of prophecy, therefore, brings us down to the\n resurrection of the righteous, which takes place at the second\n advent.\n\n\n16. What false message will go forth before destruction comes upon those\nunprepared for Christ\u2019s coming and kingdom?\n\n\u201cFor yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a\nthief in the night. _For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then\nsudden destruction cometh upon them_, ... and they shall not escape.\u201d 1\nThess. 5:2, 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The so-called Christian nations will not go to Palestine\n merely to expel the Turks from the land. As in the crusades of the\n twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the idea will be to rescue the\n Holy Land from the Mohammedans, and make Jerusalem the center of a\n glorious kingdom, with Christ as king. The Papacy itself, it is\n thought by some, will at this time remove its seat to Jerusalem,\n and issue a great peace proclamation, directing the nations to\n beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into\n pruning-hooks, and calling upon all to come up to the mountain of\n the Lord, as described in Isa. 2:2-5 and Micah 4:1-5. Infatuated\n by the doctrine of a temporal millennium, many nations will join\n in the call, and say, \u201cFor out of Zion shall go forth the law, and\n the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.\u201d Isa. 2:3. But this will be\n but the signal for the battle of Armageddon and the \u201csudden\n destruction\u201d that is to overtake the world and bring to an end the\n present order of things. See Rev. 19:17-21; Eze. 38:14-23;\n 39:17-22. Toward this consummation passing events all indicate we\n are rapidly hastening.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Watchman on the walls of Zion,\n What, O tell us, of the night?\n Is the day-star now arising?\n Will the morn soon greet our sight?\n O\u2019er your vision shine there now some rays of light?\n\n Tell, O tell us, are the landmarks\n On our voyage all passed by?\n Are we nearing now the haven?\n Can we e\u2019en the land descry?\n Do we truly see the heavenly kingdom nigh?\n\n\n\nThe Seven Last Plagues\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Marshaling Of The Nations. \"And he gathered them together into a place\n called ... Armageddon.\" Rev. 16:16.\n\n\n1. What is God\u2019s final warning against false worship?\n\n\u201cIf any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his\nforehead, or in his hand, _the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath\nof God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His\nindignation_; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the\npresence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.\u201d Rev. 14:9,\n10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014During probationary time God\u2019s wrath is always tempered, or\n mingled, with mercy. Thus the prophet Habakkuk prays, \u201cIn wrath\n remember mercy.\u201d Hab. 3:2. God\u2019s wrath unmixed with mercy is\n visited only when mercy has done its final work and evil has gone\n to the limit, so that there is \u201cno remedy.\u201d See Gen. 6:3; 15:16;\n 19:12, 13; 2 Chron. 36:16; Matt. 23:37, 38; Luke 19:42-44; 2 Peter\n 2:6; Jude 7.\n\n\n2. In what is the wrath of God filled up?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels\nhaving _the seven last plagues_; for _in them is filled up the wrath of\nGod_.\u201d Rev. 15:1.\n\n3. How does Joel describe the day of the Lord?\n\n\u201cAlas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a\ndestruction from the Almighty shall it come.\u201d \u201cFor the day of the Lord is\ngreat and very terrible; and who can abide it?\u201d Joel 1:15; 2:11.\n\n4. What has Daniel said of this time?\n\n\u201cAnd there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a\nnation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be\ndelivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.\u201d Dan. 12:1.\nSee Eze. 7:15-19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The seven last plagues will be the most terrible scourges\n ever visited upon man. As Ahab accused Elijah of being the cause\n of Israel\u2019s calamities (1 Kings 18:17, 18), so, in the time of\n trouble, the wicked and those who have departed from God will be\n enraged at the righteous, will accuse them as being the cause of\n the plagues, and will seek to destroy them as did Haman the Jews.\n See Esther 3:8-14. But God will miraculously deliver His people at\n this time as He did then.\n\n\n5. What will be the first plague, and upon whom will it fall?\n\n\u201cAnd the first went, and poured out his vial upon _the earth_; and _there\nfell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the\nbeast, and upon them which worshiped his image_.\u201d Rev. 16:2.\n\n6. What will constitute the second plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the second angel poured out his vial upon _the sea_; and _it became\nas the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea_.\u201d Verse\n3.\n\n7. What will be the third plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the third angel poured out his vial upon _the rivers and fountains of\nwaters_; and _they became blood_.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The second plague affects the sea. The third plague comes\n closer to the habitations of men, and affects the land. The water\n supplies are contaminated.\n\n\n8. Why, under these plagues, does the Lord give men blood to drink?\n\n\u201c_For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets_, and Thou hast\ngiven them blood to drink; for they are worthy.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In this is shown God\u2019s abhorrence of oppression and\n persecution. The plagues are God\u2019s rebukes against colossal forms\n of sin.\n\n\n9. What will be the fourth plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the fourth angel poured out his vial upon _the sun_; and _power was\ngiven unto him to scorch men with fire_.\u201d Verse 8. See Joel 1:16-20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Sun-worship is the most ancient and wide-spread of all forms\n of idolatry. In this plague God manifests His displeasure at this\n form of idolatry. That which men have worshiped as a god, becomes\n a plague and tormentor. Thus it was in the plagues of Egypt. Those\n things which the Egyptians had worshiped became scourges to them\n instead of benefactors and blessings. See \u201cThe Philosophy of the\n Plan of Salvation,\u201d by \u201cAn American Citizen,\u201d chapter 3.\n\n\n10. Will even this terrible judgment lead men to repent?\n\n\u201cAnd men were scorched with great heat, and _blasphemed the name of God_,\nwhich hath power over these plagues: and _they repented not to give Him\nglory_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n11. What will be the fifth plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the fifth angel poured out his vial upon _the seat of the beast_; and\n_his kingdom was full of darkness_; and they gnawed their tongues for\npain.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This plague strikes at the very seat of the great apostasy\n of the latter days, the Papacy. It will doubtless be similar in\n effect to the like plague in Egypt, which was a darkness that\n could \u201cbe felt.\u201d Ex. 10:21-23. By this plague that iniquitous,\n haughty, and apostate spiritual despotism which has set itself up\n as possessing all truth, and as being the light of the world, is\n enshrouded in midnight darkness.\n\n\n12. What takes place under the sixth plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river _Euphrates_;\nand _the water thereof was dried up_, that the way of the kings of the\nEast might be prepared.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, we understand, refers to the drying up of the Turkish\n Empire by the great world powers preparatory to the battle of\n Armageddon. See preceding reading.\n\n\n13. What gathers the nations to the battle of Armageddon?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw _three unclean spirits_ like frogs come out of the mouth of the\ndragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the\nfalse prophet. For they are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles,\nwhich go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to\ngather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.... And he\ngathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue\nArmageddon.\u201d Verses 13-16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This scripture shows that it is the spirit of Satan which\n incites men to war, and explains why the great nations of the\n world are now making such preparations for war. The dragon\n represents paganism; the beast, the Papacy; and the false prophet,\n apostate Protestantism,\u2014the three great religious apostasies since\n the flood. The plain Esdraelon, in southwestern Galilee, is the\n Armageddon here referred to. See note on page 99.\n\n\n14. At this time what event is imminent?\n\n\u201c_Behold, I come as a thief._ Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his\ngarments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n15. What takes place under the seventh plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the seventh angel poured out his vial into _the air_.... And there\nwere _voices_, and _thunders_, and _lightnings_; and _there was a great\nearthquake_, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an\nearthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts,\n_and the cities of the nations fell_.\u201d Verses 17-19.\n\n16. What accompanies the earthquake?\n\n\u201cAnd there fell upon men _a great hail out of heaven_, every stone about\nthe weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of\nthe hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.\u201d Verse 21. See Job\n38:22, 23; Ps. 7:11-13.\n\n17. What will the Lord be to His people at this time?\n\n\u201cThe Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem;\nand the heavens and the earth shall shake: _but the Lord will be the hope\nof His people, and the strength of the children of Israel_.\u201d Joel 3:16.\nSee Jer. 25:30, 31; Haggai 2:21; Heb.12:26; Ps. 91:5-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014To prepare His people and the world for these terrible\n judgments, the Lord, as in the days of Noah, sends a warning\n message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. See Rev.\n 14:6-10.\n\n\n18. Just before the pouring out of the plagues, what call does God send to\nHis people still in Babylon?\n\n\u201cAnd I heard another voice from heaven, saying, _Come out of her, My\npeople, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of\nher plagues_. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath\nremembered her iniquities.\u201d Rev. 18:4, 5. See Gen. 19:12-17; Jer. 51:6;\nand page 254.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As before the flood, many of God\u2019s people will doubtless be\n laid away to rest shortly before the time of trouble. See Isa.\n 57:1; Rev. 14:13. Referring to the time before the flood, an\n ancient book says: \u201cAnd all men who walked in the ways of the\n Lord, died in those days, before the Lord brought the evil upon\n man which He had declared, for this was from the Lord, that they\n should not see the evil which the Lord spoke of concerning the\n sons of men.\u201d\u2014_Book of Jasher 4:20._ See also chapter 5:21 of the\n same book.\n\n\n19. How suddenly will the plagues come upon modern Babylon?\n\n\u201cTherefore shall her plagues come _in one day_, death, and mourning, and\nfamine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord\nGod who judgeth her.... For in _one hour_ is thy judgment come.\u201d Rev.\n18:8-10.\n\n20. What famine will come at this time upon those who have rejected God\u2019s\nmessages of mercy?\n\n\u201cBehold, the days come, saith the Lord, that _I will send a famine in the\nland; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the\nwords of the Lord_: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the\nnorth even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the\nLord, and shall not find it.\u201d Amos 8:11, 12. See Luke 13:25; Prov.\n1:24-26; Heb. 12:15-17.\n\n21. What announcement is made under the seventh plague?\n\n\u201cAnd there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the\nthrone, saying, _It is done_.\u201d Rev. 16:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God made man to bless him. Gen. 1:28. When His blessings are\n abused, He withholds them, to teach men their source and their\n proper use. Haggai 1:7-11. Judgments are sent that men may \u201clearn\n righteousness.\u201d Isa. 25:9; 1 Kings 17:1. That men do not repent\n under the plagues is no evidence that God has ceased to be\n merciful and forgiving. They simply demonstrate that all have\n determined their destiny, and that even the severest judgments of\n God will not move the ungodly and impenitent to repentance.\n\n\n22. Just preceding Christ\u2019s second coming, what solemn decree will go\nforth showing that the cases of all have been decided?\n\n\u201cHe that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let\nhim be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:\nand he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly;\nand My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall\nbe.\u201d Rev. 22:11, 12.\n\n23. What psalms seem to have been written especially for the comfort and\nencouragement of God\u2019s people during the time of the seven last plagues?\n\nPsalms 91 and 46. See also Isa. 33:13-17.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The great decisive day is at hand!\n The day when Christ will come,\n To call His children home\n And to seal the sinner\u2019s doom,\n Is at hand.\n\n Where will the sinner hide in that day?\n It will be in vain to call,\n \u201cYe mountains on us fall,\u201d\n For His hand will find out all\n In that day.\n\n\n\nThe Mystery Of God Finished\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Watchman, What Of The Night? \"The kingdoms of this world are become the\n kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ.\" Rev. 11:15.\n\n\n1. Following his description of the sixth trumpet, what did John see?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw _another mighty angel come down from heaven_, clothed with a\ncloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the\nsun.\u201d Rev. 10:1.\n\n2. What did he have in his hand?\n\n\u201cAnd he had in his hand _a little book open_.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The book of Daniel, which was to be \u201csealed,\u201d or closed,\n till the time of the end, is doubtless referred to here. See Dan.\n 12:4, 9.\n\n\n3. What solemn announcement did this angel make?\n\n\u201cAnd the angel which I saw ... lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by\nHim that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that\ntherein are, ... _that there should be time no longer_.\u201d Rev. 10:5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Not literal nor probationary time, but prophetic time. The\n 2300-day period, which ended in 1844, must be alluded to here. See\n page 230. No prophetic period in the Bible reaches beyond this.\n\n\n4. What did the angel say was to be finished when the seventh trumpet was\nabout to sound?\n\n\u201cBut in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to\nsound, _the mystery of God_ should be finished, as He hath declared to His\nservants the prophets.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The mystery of God is the gospel. Eph. 3:1-6; Gal. 1:11, 12.\n The gospel, then, is to be finished as the seventh trumpet is\n about to sound.\n\n\n5. What was John told to do with the little book?\n\n\u201cGo and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel ...\nand _eat it up_.\u201d Verses 8, 9.\n\n6. What was to be the result of the eating of this book?\n\n\u201cIt shall _make thy belly bitter_, but it shall be _in thy mouth sweet as\nhoney_.\u201d Verse 9, last part.\n\n7. What does the apostle say of his experience in this matter?\n\n\u201cAnd I took the little book out of the angel\u2019s hand, and ate it up; and it\nwas in my mouth _sweet as honey_: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly\nwas _bitter_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In this is most strikingly foretold the experience of those\n who proclaimed the advent and judgment-hour message of 1843-44.\n Joyous in the hope that Christ was coming then, like the early\n disciples regarding His first advent (Luke 24:21; Acts 1:6, 7),\n they were bitterly disappointed, and found that there was still a\n work on earth for them to do, as did the early disciples following\n the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.\n\n\n8. What words of the angel to John show that both literal and probationary\ntime were to continue yet for a time, and that God had a still further\nmessage for the world?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto me, _Thou must prophesy again_ before many peoples, and\nnations, and tongues, and kings.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The message of Revelation 10 is the same as that of Rev.\n 14:6, 7; and the later messages of Rev. 14:8-12 answer to the\n instruction, \u201cThou must _prophesy again_,\u201d of Rev. 10:11. But all\n are last-day messages, and indicate that the end of all things is\n near at hand.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How long, O Lord our Saviour,\n Wilt Thou remain away?\n Our hearts are growing weary\n Of Thy so long delay.\n O when shall come the moment\n When, brighter far than morn,\n The sunshine of Thy glory\n Shall on Thy people dawn?\n\n How long, O gracious Master,\n Wilt Thou Thy household leave?\n So long hast Thou now tarried,\n Few Thy return believe.\n Immersed in sloth and folly,\n Thy servants, Lord, we see;\n And few of us stand ready\n With joy to welcome Thee.\n\n O, wake Thy slumbering people;\n Send forth the solemn cry;\n Let all the saints repeat it,\u2014\n \u201cThe Saviour draweth nigh!\u201d\n May all our lamps be burning,\n Our loins well girded be,\n Each longing heart preparing\n With joy Thy face to see.\n\n\n\nGreat Lines of Prophecy\n\n\n*The Great Image of Daniel 2.* This prophecy, written over twenty-five\nhundred years ago, is one of the greatest, briefest, and most\ncomprehensive prophecies in the Bible. Under the symbol of a great\nmetallic image, the rise and fall of nations is outlined till the end of\ntime and the setting up of God\u2019s everlasting kingdom. See reading on page\n204.\n\n*The Four Beasts of Daniel 7.* This line of prophecy covers the same\nground as that of Daniel 2, but with additional features introduced,\nespecially that concerning the development and work of the \u201clittle horn\u201d\npower of the fourth beast, under which God\u2019s people were to be oppressed\nuntil delivered and placed in possession of the kingdom \u201cforever and\never.\u201d See reading on page 213.\n\n*The 2300 Days of Daniel 8.* This prophecy, after tracing the course of\nempire down through Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, introduces the longest\nprophetic period in the Bible, reaching from the beginning of the movement\nto restore and build Jerusalem before Christ\u2019s first advent, to a similar\nwork to be performed by God\u2019s people in the last days preparatory to\nChrist\u2019s second advent. See reading on page 230.\n\n*The Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9.* This prophecy fixes the date of the\nbeginning of the 2300 days, of which the seventy weeks are a part;\ndefinitely marks the time of Christ\u2019s first advent; and briefly refers to\nthe \u201cconsummation\u201d and the overthrow of the last of earthly kingdoms. See\npages 232-236.\n\n*The Standing Up of Michael\u2014Daniel 11 and 12.* A literal prophecy tracing\nthe rise and fall of kings and kingdoms from the early rulers of Persia in\nthe sixth century B.C., to the overthrow of Turkey, the \u201cking of the\nnorth,\u201d and the \u201cstanding up,\u201d or reign, of Michael, the Great Prince,\nwhich is Christ. See page 296.\n\n*The Prophecies of the Revelation.* These are supplemental to the\nprophecies of Daniel. Under the Seven Churches, the Seven Seals, the Seven\nTrumpets, the Great Red Dragon, the Leopard Beast, and the Two-Horned\nBeast, the history and experience of the church and of earthly kingdoms\nare traced during the Christian era, to the end of the age. See pages\n301-310.\n\n*Christ\u2019s Great Prophecy.* Christ\u2019s claim to being a prophet, and the\ngreatest of all prophets, is fully established by His prophecy recorded in\nMatthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. In this He depicts minutely the\ndestruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation of the Dark Ages, and the\nsigns that were to herald His second coming. See pages 311-325.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART VII. COMING EVENTS AND SIGNS OF THE TIMES\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Siege Of Jerusalem, A.D. 70. \"When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with\n armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.\" Luke 21:20.\n\n\n\n\nOur Lord\u2019s Great Prophecy\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist Foretelling The Destruction Of Jerusalem. \"When shall these things\n be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the\n world?\" Matt. 24:3.\n\n\n1. How did Christ feel concerning Jerusalem, as He was about to make His\nfinal visit to the city before His crucifixion?\n\n\u201cAnd when He was come near, He beheld the city, and _wept over it_,\nsaying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the\nthings which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.\u201d\nLuke 19:41, 42.\n\n2. In what words did He foretell its destruction?\n\n\u201cFor the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench\nabout thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and\nshall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and\nthey shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest\nnot the time of thy visitation.\u201d Verses 43, 44.\n\n3. What pitiful appeal did He make to the impenitent city?\n\n\u201cO Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them\nwhich are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children\ntogether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye\nwould not!\u201d Matt. 23:37.\n\n4. As He was about to leave the temple, what did He say?\n\n\u201cBehold, your house is left unto you _desolate_.\u201d Verse 38.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That which was to fill up their cup of iniquity was their\n final rejection and crucifixion of Christ, and their condemnation\n and persecution of His apostles and people after His resurrection.\n See Matt. 23:29-35; John 19:15; Acts 4-8.\n\n\n5. Hearing these words, what questions did the disciples ask?\n\n\u201cTell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy\ncoming, and of the end of the world?\u201d Matt. 24:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ\u2019s answers to these questions are worthy of the most\n careful study. The destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of\n the Jewish nation attending it are a type of the final destruction\n of all the cities of the world, and the overthrow of all nations.\n To some extent, therefore, the descriptions of the two great\n events seem to be blended. When Christ referred to the destruction\n of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the\n final conflagration when the Lord shall rise out of His place \u201cto\n punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,\u201d and when\n the earth \u201cshall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her\n slain.\u201d Isa. 26:21. Thus the entire discourse was given not for\n the early disciples only, but for those who were to live during\n the closing scenes of the world\u2019s history. During the discourse\n Christ did, however, give definite signs, both of the destruction\n of Jerusalem and of His second coming.\n\n\n6. In His reply, how did Christ indicate that neither the end of the world\nnor of the Jewish nation was immediately at hand?\n\n\u201cJesus answered and said unto them, _Take heed that no man deceive you_.\nFor many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive\nmany. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not\ntroubled: _for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not\nyet_.\u201d Verses 4-6.\n\n7. What did He say of the wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes\nwhich were to precede these events?\n\n\u201cAll these are _the beginning of sorrows_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These were to precede and culminate in the great calamity\n and overthrow, first, of Jerusalem, and finally of the whole\n world; for, as already noted, the prophecy has a double\n application, first, to Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, and\n secondly, to the whole world; the destruction of Jerusalem for its\n rejection of Christ at His first advent being a type of the\n destruction of the world at the end for its rejection of Christ in\n refusing to heed the closing warning message sent by God to\n prepare the world for Christ\u2019s second advent.\n\n\n8. In what language did Christ briefly describe the experiences of His\npeople previous to these calamities?\n\n\u201cThen shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and\nye shall be hated of all nations for My name\u2019s sake. And then shall many\nbe offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And\nmany false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because\niniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.\u201d Verses 9-12.\n\n9. Who did He say would be saved?\n\n\u201cBut _he that shall endure unto the end_, the same shall be saved.\u201d Verse\n13.\n\n10. When did Christ say the end would come?\n\n\u201cAnd _this gospel of the kingdom_ shall be _preached in all the world_ for\na _witness_ unto _all nations_; and _then shall the end come_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In 60 A.D. Paul carried the gospel to Rome, which was then\n the capital of the world. In A.D. 64 he wrote of the saints of\n \u201cC\u00e6sar\u2019s household\u201d (Phil. 4:22); and the same year he says that\n the gospel had been \u201cpreached to every creature which is under\n heaven.\u201d Col. 1:23. Very soon after this (October, 66 A.D.) the\n Romans began their attacks against Jerusalem; and three and\n one-half years later the overthrow of the city and of the Jewish\n nation followed in the notable five months\u2019 siege under Titus, in\n the spring and summer of 70 A.D.\n\n Thus it was respecting the end of the Jewish nation; and thus it\n will be in the end of the world as a whole. When the gospel, or\n good news, of Christ\u2019s coming kingdom has been preached in all the\n world for a witness unto all nations, the end of the world\u2014of all\n nations\u2014will come. As the end of the Jewish nation came with\n overwhelming destruction, so will come the end of the world.\n Armageddon, the battle of the nations, will be fought, and the\n world will be swept with the besom of destruction under the seven\n last plagues. See readings on pages 296, 301.\n\n\n11. What sign did Christ mention by which His disciples might know when\nthe destruction of Jerusalem was near?\n\n\u201cAnd _when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies_, then know that\nthe desolation thereof is nigh.\u201d Luke 21:20.\n\n12. When this sign appeared, what were the disciples to do?\n\n\u201cWhen ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by\nDaniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him\nunderstand:) then let them which be in Judea _flee into the mountains_.\u201d\nMatt. 24:15, 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In October, 66 A.D., when Cestius came against the city, but\n for some unaccountable reason suddenly withdrew his army from it,\n the Christians discerned in this the sign foretold by Christ, and\n fled. After the departure of Cestius, Josephus, in his \u201cWars of\n the Jews,\u201d chapter 20, says that \u201cmany of the most eminent of the\n Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it is going to\n sink.\u201d It is a remarkable fact that in the terrible siege which\n occurred under Titus three and one-half years later, not a single\n Christian is known to have lost his life, while 1,100,000 Jews are\n said to have perished in it. Here is a most striking lesson on the\n value and importance of studying and believing the prophecies, and\n giving heed to the signs of the times. Those who believed what\n Christ had said, and watched for the sign which He had foretold,\n were saved, while the unbelieving perished. So it will be in the\n end of the world. The watchful and believing will be delivered,\n while the careless and unbelieving will be snared and taken. See\n Matt. 24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.\n\n\n13. When the sign appeared, how suddenly were they to flee?\n\n\u201cLet him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of\nhis house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his\nclothes.\u201d Verses 17, 18.\n\n14. Besides telling His disciples when to flee, how did Christ further\nshow His solicitude and tender care for them?\n\n\u201cBut pray ye that your flight be not in _the winter_, neither on _the\nSabbath day_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The winter would be an unfavorable time in which to flee,\n entailing discomfort and hardship; and an attempt to flee on the\n Sabbath day would doubtless have been met with difficulty, so\n false and pharisaical were the notions of the Jews respecting the\n true character and object of the Sabbath. See Matt. 12:1-14; Luke\n 13:14-17; Mark 1:32; 2:23-28; John 5:10-18.\n\n The prayers of Christ\u2019s followers were heard. Events were so\n over-*ruled that neither Jews nor Romans hindered the flight of\n the Christians. Upon the retreat of Cestius, the Jews pursued\n after his army, and the Christians thus had an opportunity to\n leave the city. The country also had been cleared of enemies who\n might have endeavored to intercept them. At the time of this\n siege, the Jews were assembled at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of\n Tabernacles, and thus the Christians of Judea were able to escape\n unmolested, and in the autumn, a most favorable time for flight.\n\n\n15. What trying experience did Christ then foretell?\n\n\u201cFor _then shall be great tribulation_, such as was not since the\nbeginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In paragraph 4 of his preface to his \u201cWars of the Jews,\u201d\n Josephus, referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, says: \u201cThe\n misfortunes of all men, from the beginning of the world, if they\n be compared to these of the Jews, are not so considerable.\u201d In\n this terrible calamity, the prophecy of Moses recorded in Deut.\n 28:47-53, was literally fulfilled. He said, \u201cThou shalt eat the\n fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy\n daughters, ... in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith\n thine enemies shall distress thee.\u201d For an account of the\n fulfilment of this, see Josephus\u2019s \u201cWars of the Jews,\u201d book 6,\n chap. 3, par. 4.\n\n Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of the\n early Christians under the pagan emperors during the first three\n centuries of the Christian era, that begun under Diocletian in 303\n A.D., and continuing for ten years (Rev. 2:10), being the most\n bitter and extensive persecution of God\u2019s people the world had yet\n witnessed. Following this came the still greater and more terrible\n persecution of the saints during the long centuries of papal\n supremacy, foretold in Dan. 7:25 and Rev. 12:6. All these\n tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome.\n\n\n16. For whose sake did Christ say the period of papal persecution would be\nshortened?\n\n\u201cAnd except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be\nsaved: but _for the elect\u2019s sake those days shall be shortened_.\u201d Verse\n22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Through the influence of the Reformation of the sixteenth\n century, and the movements which grew out of it, the power of the\n Papacy to enforce its decrees against those it pronounced heretics\n was gradually lessened, until persecution ceased almost wholly\n about the middle of the eighteenth century\u2014the beginning of an\n epoch of freedom.\n\n\n17. Against what deceptions did Christ then warn us?\n\n\u201cThen if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe\nit not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall\nshow great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they\nshall deceive the very elect.\u201d Verses 23, 24.\n\n18. Answering the question as to what would be the sign of His coming and\nthe end of the world, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201c_There shall be signs_ in the _sun_, and in the _moon_, and in the\n_stars_; and upon the earth _distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea\nand the waves roaring; men\u2019s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking\nafter those things which are coming on the earth_: for the powers of\nheaven shall be shaken.\u201d Luke 21:25, 26.\n\n19. When were the first of these signs to appear, and what were they to\nbe?\n\n\u201c_Immediately after the tribulation of those days_ shall _the sun be\ndarkened_, and _the moon shall not give her light_, and _the stars shall\nfall from heaven_.\u201d Matt. 24:29.\n\n20. How is this expressed by Mark?\n\n\u201cBut _in those days, after that tribulation_, the sun shall be darkened,\nand the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall,\nand the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.\u201d Mark 13:24, 25.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As already noted, papal persecution almost wholly ceased\n about the middle of the eighteenth century. Then, true to Christ\u2019s\n words, the signs of His coming at once began to appear.\n\n\n21. When was there a wonderful darkening of the sun?\n\nOn May 19, 1780.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014May 19, 1780, is known in history as \u201cthe dark day.\u201d On this\n day over a large portion of the New World, upon which at this time\n the eyes of all the world were centered, there occurred, at\n midday, a remarkable darkness. \u201cCandles were lighted in many\n houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls retired\n to roost.\u201d In harmony with the impression God evidently designed\n should be made by the sign, many thought the day of judgment was\n at hand. See next reading.\n\n\n22. When did the moon refuse to give her light?\n\nThe night following the darkening of the sun, May 19, 1780.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Although the moon had fulled only the night before, the\n darkness of this night was so intense that for a time no luminous\n body whatever appeared in the heavens, and a sheet of white paper\n could not be seen when held within a few inches of the eyes. See\n next reading.\n\n\n23. What sign was to follow the darkening of the sun and the moon?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Dark Day Of May 19, 1780. \"Immediately after the tribulation of those\n days shall the sun be darkened.\" Matt. 24:29.\n\n\n\u201cAnd _the stars shall fall from heaven_.\u201d Matt. 24:29.\n\n24. When did the stars fall, as here predicted?\n\nNov. 13, 1833.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014On the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, there occurred the most\n wonderful exhibition of shooting stars the world has ever seen.\n Those who witnessed it, says Professor Olmsted, the celebrated\n astronomer of Yale College, \u201cprobably saw the greatest display of\n celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the\n world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of\n history.\u201d The extent of this shower, he says, \u201cwas such as to\n cover no inconsiderable part of the earth\u2019s surface.\u201d And, like\n the darkening of the sun and moon, it was considered by many who\n saw it as \u201cthe harbinger of the coming of the Son of man.\u201d\n\n\n25. What were to be the signs on earth of Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cAnd upon the earth _distress of nations_, with perplexity; _the sea and\nthe waves roaring; men\u2019s hearts failing them for fear_, and for looking\nafter those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven\nshall be shaken.\u201d Luke 21:25, 26.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is an exact picture of the condition of things in the\n world today. Through greed of gain, lawlessness, licentiousness,\n increasing violence, trouble between capital and labor,\n international complications, and preparations for war, the nations\n are perplexed, and men\u2019s hearts tremble with fear as they look\n into the future. The elements are also disturbed, as seen in great\n earthquakes and storms on land and sea.\n\n\n26. What did Christ say was to be the next great event following these\nsigns?\n\n\u201cAnd then shall they see _the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and\ngreat glory_.\u201d Verse 27. See Matt. 24:30.\n\n27. When these things should _begin_ to come to pass, what did Christ tell\nHis people to do?\n\n\u201cAnd when these things begin to come to pass, then _look up, and lift up\nyour heads_; for your redemption draweth nigh.\u201d Luke 21:28.\n\n28. When the trees put forth their leaves, what do we know?\n\n\u201cNow learn a parable of the fig-tree; When his branch is yet tender, and\nputteth forth leaves, _ye know that summer is nigh_.\u201d Matt. 24:32.\n\n29. What may be known with equal certainty when these signs have been\nseen?\n\n\u201cSo likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, _know that it is\nnear, even at the doors_.\u201d Verse 33. \u201cSo likewise ye, when ye see these\nthings come to pass, _know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand_.\u201d\nLuke 21:31.\n\n30. What did Christ say of the certainty of this prophecy?\n\n\u201cVerily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these\nthings be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall\nnot pass away.\u201d Matt. 24:34, 35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Every one at all acquainted with history knows that what\n Christ foretold concerning the destruction of Jerusalem came true\n to the very letter. So likewise may we be assured that what He has\n said concerning the end of the world will as certainly and as\n literally be fulfilled.\n\n\n31. Who alone knows the exact day of Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cBut of that day and hour _knoweth no man_, no, not the angels of heaven,\nbut _My Father only_.\u201d Verse 36.\n\n32. What did Christ say would be the moral condition of the world just\npreceding His advent?\n\n\u201cBut as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man\nbe. For as in the days that were before the flood they were _eating_ and\n_drinking_, _marrying_ and _giving in marriage_, until the day that Noe\nentered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all\naway; _so shall also the coming of the Son of man be_.\u201d Verses 37-39.\n\n33. In view of the fact that we do not know the exact time of Christ\u2019s\ncoming, what important admonition has He given us?\n\n\u201cTherefore _be ye also ready_: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son\nof man cometh.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n34. What will be the experience of those who say in their hearts that the\nLord is not soon coming?\n\n\u201cBut and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his\ncoming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink\nwith the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he\nlooketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut\nhim asunder [cut him off, margin], and appoint him his portion with the\nhypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.\u201d Verses 48-51.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n In the sun, and moon, and stars,\n Signs and wonders have appeared;\n Earth has groaned with bloody wars,\n And the hearts of men have feared.\n\n But, though from His awful face\n Heaven shall fade and earth shall fly,\n Fear not ye, His chosen race,\n Your redemption draweth nigh.\n\n REGINALD HEBER.\n\n\n\n\nSigns Of The Times\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Falling Stars At Niagara. \"And the stars shall fall from heaven.\" Matt.\n 24:29.\n\n\n1. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and Sadducees?\n\n\u201cO ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but _can ye not\ndiscern the signs of the times_?\u201d Matt. 16:3.\n\n2. What sign had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah by which Christ, at\nHis _first_ advent, might be known as the Messiah?\n\n\u201cTherefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, _a virgin shall\nconceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel_.\u201d Isa. 7:14.\nFor fulfilment, see Matt. 1:22, 23.\n\n3. Where had the prophet said Christ should be born?\n\n\u201cBut thou, _Bethlehem_ Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands\nof Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler\nin Israel.\u201d Micah 5:2. For fulfilment, see Matt. 2:1.\n\n4. What prophet had foretold Christ\u2019s ride into Jerusalem?\n\n\u201cRejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:\nbehold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation;\n_lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass_.\u201d\nZech. 9:9. For fulfilment, see Matt. 21:4, 5.\n\n5. What question did the disciples ask Christ concerning His _second_\ncoming?\n\n\u201cAnd as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him\nprivately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and _what shall be\nthe sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?_\u201d Matt. 24:3.\n\n6. How, according to Luke, did Christ answer this question?\n\n\u201cAnd _there shall be signs_ in the _sun_, and in the _moon_, and in the\n_stars_; and upon the earth _distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea\nand the waves roaring; men\u2019s hearts failing them for fear_, and for\nlooking after those things which are coming on the earth.\u201d Luke 21:25, 26.\n\n7. What, according to Matthew\u2019s account, did Christ say were to be the\nsigns in the sun, moon, and stars?\n\n\u201cImmediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be\n_darkened_, and the moon shall _not give her light_, and the stars shall\n_fall from heaven_.\u201d Matt. 24:29.\n\n8. In what language had some of the Old Testament prophets already\nforetold these signs?\n\n\u201cAnd _I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth_, blood, and\nfire, and pillars of smoke. _The sun shall be turned into darkness, and\nthe moon into blood_, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord\ncome.\u201d Joel 2:30, 31. \u201cThe _sun_ and the _moon_ shall be _darkened_, and\nthe _stars_ shall _withdraw their shining_.\u201d Joel 3:15. \u201cFor _the stars of\nheaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun\nshall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her\nlight to shine_.\u201d Isa. 13:10. \u201cI will cause the sun to _go down at noon_,\nand I will _darken the earth in a clear day_.\u201d Amos 8:9.\n\n9. When were the sun and moon darkened?\n\nMay 19, 1780.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe nineteenth of May, 1780, was a remarkably dark day.\n Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, and\n disappeared. The fowls retired to roost. It was the general\n opinion that the day of judgment was at hand. The legislature of\n Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to\n transact business, adjourned.\u201d\u2014_President Dwight, in\n __\u201c__Historical Collections.__\u201d_\n\n \u201cIn some places persons could not see to read common print in the\n open air for several hours together. Birds sang their evening\n song, disappeared, and became silent; fowls went to roost; cattle\n sought the barn-yard; and candles were lighted in the houses. The\n obscuration began about ten o\u2019clock in the morning, and continued\n until the middle of the next night, but with differences of degree\n and duration in different places.... The true causes of this\n remarkable phenomenon are not known.\u201d\u2014_Webster\u2019s Unabridged\n Dictionary, edition 1883, page 1604, in article __\u201c__The Dark\n Day.__\u201d_\n\n Herschel, the great astronomer, says: \u201cThe dark day in Northern\n America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which will\n always be read with interest, but which philosophy is at a loss to\n explain.\u201d The darkness was not caused by any eclipse of the sun by\n the moon, for the moon had fulled only the night before, and\n consequently was on the opposite side of the earth from the sun.\n\n \u201cThe darkness of the following evening was probably as deep and\n dense as ever had been observed since the Almighty first gave\n birth to light; it wanted only palpability to render it as\n extraordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt in the\n days of Moses. If every luminous body in the universe had been\n shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, it\n was thought the darkness could not have been more complete. A\n sheet of white paper, held within a few inches of the eyes, was\n equally invisible with the blackest velvet.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Our First\n Century,__\u201d__ by R. M. Devins, page 94._\n\n The darkness of the night was as supernatural as that of the\n previous day, from the fact, as stated by Dr. Adams, that \u201cthe\n moon had fulled the day before.\u201d\n\n\n10. When was there a remarkable display of falling stars?\n\nNov. 13, 1833.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The celebrated astronomer and meteorologist, Professor\n Olmsted, of Yale College, says: \u201cThose who were so fortunate as to\n witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov.\n 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks\n that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least\n within the annals covered by the pages of history.... The extent\n of the shower of 1833 was such as to cover no inconsiderable part\n of the earth\u2019s surface, from the middle of the Atlantic on the\n east to the Pacific on the west; and from the northern coast of\n South America to undefined regions among the British possessions\n on the north the exhibition was visible, and everywhere presented\n nearly the same appearance.\u201d\n\n \u201cAt Niagara the exhibition was especially brilliant, and probably\n no spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before beheld\n by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery torrents over\n the dark and roaring cataract.\u201d\u2014_The American Encyclopedia,\n edition 1881, article __\u201c__Meteor.__\u201d_\n\n Upon reading a statement that modern fireworks excel this greatest\n exhibition of shooting stars, Mr. Clarkson, father of the former\n editors of the paper from which the following quotation is made,\n and himself agricultural editor of it, said: \u201cThe writer of that\n sentence did not witness the glorious meteoric shower of November,\n 1833, when the display was so much superior to any artistic\n display of fireworks that neither language nor any element in\n nature can furnish comparisons. The comparison of the sheet-iron\n thunder of the theaters to the electric display of Providence when\n the heavens are all on fire, and the earth trembles, would be\n tolerable. But the awful grandeur of the display on the night of\n the thirteenth of November, 1833, which made the stoutest heart\n stand in awe, and the most defiant infidel quake with fear, is\n never to be compared with the most brilliant fireworks. Those who\n witnessed the meteoric shower named saw the greatest display that\n man ever will see until the day that Peter speaks of when the\n heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall\n melt with fervent heat. The agricultural editor of the _Register_\n was out alone with a team and load of lumber all night on that\n never-to-be-forgotten night. And he cannot now consent to hear of\n human fireworks being superior to that most grand and sublime\n spectacle ever before or since beheld by man. Patent fireworks are\n no nearer this wonderful phenomenon than a lightning-bug is equal\n to the sun.\u201d\u2014_Iowa State Register, July 12, 1889._\n\n Frederick A. Douglas, in his book \u201cMy Bondage and My Freedom,\u201d\n page 186, says: \u201cI witnessed this gorgeous spectacle, and was\n struck with awe. The air seemed filled with bright descending\n messengers from the sky. It was about daybreak when I saw this\n sublime scene. It was not without the suggestion at that moment\n that it might be _the harbinger of the coming of the Son of man_;\n and in my state of mind I was prepared to hail Him as my friend\n and deliverer. I had read that the stars shall fall from heaven,\n and they were now falling.\u201d\n\n A single star appeared to the wise men, and directed them to the\n Saviour, at His first advent. Myriads of stars have announced the\n nearness of His second advent.\n\n It will be seen that these signs produced the very impression that\n God evidently intended that they should,\u2014that the day of judgment,\n Christ\u2019s coming, and the end of the world are near at hand.\n\n\n11. Have we reached the time when there is \u201cdistress of nations, with\nperplexity\u201d?\n\nEvery intelligent person knows that the world is in a state of unrest at\nthe present time, and that men are troubled and perplexed at the outlook\nof present conditions throughout the civilized world.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThose who study the map of Europe at the present moment,\n and the condition of things in Europe, must feel that there is\n hanging over us a war-cloud greater than any that has hung over\n Europe before. It means when it bursts, and burst it will as\n surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, ... a war of extinction, of\n devastation, between great nations whose populations are armed and\n trained to fight.\u201d\u2014_Lord Wolseley._\n\n \u201cIt is impossible for any one to contemplate the present naval and\n military arrangements without the gravest forebodings.... In fact,\n we never now have any real peace; we live practically in a state\n of war.\u201d\u2014_Sir John Lubbock._\n\n \u201cThe danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall, would not merely be the\n danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire\n consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit should\n spread to the other nations, and should involve all that is most\n powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous\n contest.\u201d\u2014_Lord Salisbury, in Mansion House Speech, London, Nov.\n 9, 1895._\n\n \u201cThere can be no division of either of those countries [Turkey or\n Persia] without setting all the nations of Europe at the throats\n of each other.\u201d\u2014_Washington Post, April 24, 1909._\n\n \u201cThis is the most unsettled condition of the world since the\n crucifixion of Christ. The stability of government is no longer a\n fact. Change is in the atmosphere.... Statesmen are at their wits\u2019\n end. Philosophers speculate in vain.\u201d\u2014_The Late Bishop Newman._\n\n\n12. Are men\u2019s hearts now \u201cfailing them for fear, and for looking after\nthose things which are coming on the earth\u201d?\n\nEvery one familiar with present-day conditions knows that this is the\ncase.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cWe are marching toward the unknown. Who knows what\n tomorrow has in store for us?\u201d\u2014_Signor Crispi, ex-Prime Minister\n of Italy._\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Falling Stars, Nov. 13, 1833. \"Ye can discern the face of the sky; but\n can ye not discern the signs of the times?\" Matt. 16:3.\n\n\n \u201cIn regard to the future I am filled with disquietude when I think\n how easy it is to fan these international jealousies, and how\n difficult it seems to allay them.\u201d\u2014_Lord Balfour, of England._\n\n \u201cIn this world of ours we seem to be borne down by commercial and\n spiritual controversy.... We grope in the daytime with fear and\n trembling for the future. Poor, distracted man is tossed over the\n night to a more distraught tomorrow.\u201d\u2014_John Wanamaker,\n ex-Postmaster-General of the United States._\n\n \u201cThe bonds of society are relaxed; traditional principles are\n losing their sacredness, and perils hitherto unknown are menacing\n the life of the social organism.\u201d\u2014_Archbishop Ireland._\n\n These, with forebodings of coming droughts, famines, fires,\n storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, and pestilences, are filling\n men\u2019s hearts with fear.\n\n\n13. What may be said of \u201cthe sea and the waves roaring\u201d?\n\nGreat tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and tornadoes on land,\nhave become fearfully frequent of late years, making men apprehensive of\nstill greater calamities to come.\n\n14. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to characterize the\ntime of the end?\n\n\u201cBut thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the\ntime of the end: _many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be\nincreased_.\u201d Dan. 12:4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The time of the end began in 1798. See Dan. 7:25; 11:35;\n 12:4, 9, and the reading \u201cThe Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,\u201d\n page 218, under questions 5-8. Since 1798 there has been a most\n wonderful increase of all kinds of knowledge, both scientific and\n religious. Men have been \u201crunning to and fro\u201d through both the\n world and the Word of God. The prophecies of Daniel are now\n themselves understood. Since 1798 five great Bible and tract\n societies have been organized; namely, the London Religious Tract\n Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible\n Society, the American Tract Society, and the International Tract\n Society, besides many smaller societies of the same kind. From\n these have gone forth to the world hundreds of millions of copies\n of the Bible, and countless pages of tracts and pamphlets,\n disseminating knowledge upon the truths of salvation. Besides\n these, millions of copies of religious papers are being circulated\n annually in the various countries of the world. Missions have been\n established in all parts of the world. All this has been\n accomplished since 1798.\n\n Concerning the increase of knowledge in the material, scientific,\n and intellectual worlds, see the next reading.\n\n\n15. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in the last\ndays?\n\n\u201cThis know also, that in _the last days perilous times shall come_. For\nmen shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,\nblasphemers, ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a\nform of godliness, but denying the power thereof.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:1-5.\n\n16. How did the apostle Peter say the message of the Lord\u2019s coming would\nbe treated by some?\n\n\u201cKnowing this first, that there shall come in the last days _scoffers_,\nwalking after their own lusts, and _saying, Where is the promise of His\ncoming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they\nwere from the beginning of the creation_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:3, 4.\n\n17. What will God\u2019s faithful servants be doing at this time?\n\n\u201cWho then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler\nover his household, to _give them meat in due season_?\u201d Matt. 24:45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201cmeat in due season\u201d here spoken of evidently refers to\n the proclamation of the message based upon the signs which\n indicate the near approach of the Lord. The preaching of this\n message is what causes scoffers mockingly to ask, \u201cWhere is the\n _promise of His coming_?\u201d\n\n\n18. What are all admonished to do when these signs have appeared?\n\n\u201cTherefore _be ye also ready_: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son\nof man cometh.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n19. How will Christ\u2019s coming overtake those evil servants who say in their\nhearts, \u201cMy Lord delayeth His coming\u201d?\n\n\u201cThe lord of that servant shall come in a day _when he looketh not for\nhim, and in an hour that he is not aware of_, and shall _cut him asunder,\nand appoint him his portion with the hypocrites_: there shall be weeping\nand gnashing of teeth.\u201d Verses 50, 51.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n We know not the hour of the Master\u2019s appearing,\n Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing\n When He shall return,\u2014\u2019tis a promise most cheering,\u2014\n But we know not the hour.\n\n There\u2019s light for the wise who are seeking salvation,\n There\u2019s truth in the Book of the Lord\u2019s revelation,\n Each prophecy points to the great consummation,\u2014\n But we know not the hour.\n\n We\u2019ll watch and we\u2019ll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning,\n We\u2019ll work and we\u2019ll wait till the Master\u2019s returning,\n We\u2019ll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning,\u2014\n But we know not the hour.\n\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\nIncrease Of Knowledge\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Modern Inventions. \"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be\n increased.\" Dan. 12:4.\n\n\n1. According to the words of the angel to Daniel, when might the world\nlook for an increase of knowledge?\n\n\u201cBut thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, _even to the\ntime of the end_: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be\nincreased.\u201d Dan. 12:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The prophecies of Daniel were not to be shut up till the\n _end_, for then there would be no time either to develop knowledge\n or to use the knowledge thus acquired, but until \u201cthe _time of the\n end_,\u201d which refers to a short period just preceding the end.\n During this time there was to be a wonderful increase of\n knowledge. Especially were the prophecies of the book of Daniel to\n be unsealed, studied, and understood at this time.\n\n\n2. Until what time were the saints to be persecuted under the Roman power?\n\n\u201cAnd some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge,\nand to make them white, _even to the time of the end: because it is yet\nfor a time appointed_.\u201d Dan. 11:35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The time of the end, as shown by this text, was even then,\n in the days of Daniel, an appointed time, in the mind of God. This\n is not strange, when we learn that in the Scriptures both the\n judgment and the end itself are said to be appointed times. Acts\n 17:31; Dan. 8:19. The close of the period allotted for this\n persecution (1798) was to mark the beginning of \u201cthe time of the\n end.\u201d See page 223.\n\n\n3. According to the prophecy, how long was the power represented by the\nlittle horn, or papal Rome, to persecute the saints?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out\nthe saints of the Most High, ... and they shall be given into his hand\n_until a time and times and the dividing of time_.\u201d Dan. 7:25.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014As shown in the reading on \u201cThe Kingdom and Work of\n Antichrist,\u201d page 218, this expression, \u201ca time and times and the\n dividing of time,\u201d represents 1260 years, which extend from the\n period 533-538 A.D., the time of the decree of Emperor Justinian\n recognizing the Pope as head of all the churches and the\n successful campaign against Arianism, to the period 1793-98, when,\n as a result of the French Revolution, the papal power received its\n deadly wound and the Pope was carried into captivity. This, then,\n locates the beginning of \u201cthe time of the end\u201d in 1798. Up to that\n point the book of Daniel, as a whole, was to be closed up; in\n other words, not understood by the people. But when the power that\n had placed this embargo on the Word of God, and had tried to shut\n it away from the people, was broken, then light of all kinds,\n Biblical, scientific, inventive, and industrial, began to shine\n and penetrate in every direction.\n\n It is a singular and striking fact that immediately following the\n overthrow of the papal power in 1798, Bible societies, tract\n societies, and Sunday-schools sprang up in large numbers. The\n London Religious Tract Society was organized in 1799, the British\n and Foreign Bible Society in 1804, the American Bible Society in\n 1816, and the American Tract Society in 1825. The Bible has now\n been translated into about four hundred and fifty languages and\n dialects, and sent to every part of the globe. Before that time\n access to the Bible was confined to comparatively few. Now the\n humblest person may possess it, and is as free to read and study\n it as is the most exalted in the land. A little more than one\n hundred years ago there was not a Sunday-school in the world, the\n first one being organized by Robert Raikes, at Gloucester,\n England, in 1784. Now there are more than 285,000 such schools,\n with over 28,000,000 officers, teachers, and pupils.\n\n\n4. What may be said of the developments in the line of scientific\ninventions since 1798?\n\nThese have been remarkable, phenomenal, and without parallel in the\nhistory of the world. The people of a century and a quarter ago knew\nnothing of steamships, steam and electric railways, telegraphs,\ntelephones, photographs, phonographs, sewing-machines, anesthetics,\nsubmarine cables, linotypes, monotypes, motion pictures, X-rays,\naeroplanes, or wireless telegraphy. Were they to be raised from the dead,\nthey would be as much astonished at all these things as would the people\nof four thousand years ago.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cOf a verity, this is the age of invention.\u201d\u2014_Scientific\n American._\n\n \u201cThe great facts of the nineteenth century stand out so\n conspicuously above the achievements of any preceding century that\n it would be affectation of humility not to recognize and speak of\n them.\u201d\u2014_Union Hand-*book, 1870._\n\n \u201cThe most striking characteristic of our times is the rapid\n strides which the world is making in science, general\n intelligence, and inventions.\u201d\u2014_Chicago Republican, March 14,\n 1872._\n\n \u201cNever was there such activity of invention within the history of\n mankind as at the present day.\u201d\u2014_Phrenological Journal, April,\n 1871._\n\n \u201cMore has been done, richer and more prolific discoveries have\n been made, grander achievements have been realized, in the course\n of the fifty years of our lifetime than in all the previous\n lifetime of the race.\u201d\u2014_London Spectator._\n\n Some of the principal inventions and discoveries of modern times\n are the following:\u2014\n\n The balloon in 1798.\n Gas for lighting purposes in 1798.\n Cast-iron plow in 1800.\n Steel pen in 1803.\n Steamboat in 1807.\n Steam printing-press in 1811.\n Revolver in 1818.\n Railroad-cars in 1825.\n Lucifer-match in 1829.\n Reaper and mower in 1833.\n Electric telegraph in 1837.\n Electrotyping in 1837.\n Photography in 1839.\n Sewing-machine in 1846.\n Anesthesia by ether in 1846.\n Anesthesia by chloroform in 1847.\n Submarine cable in 1851.\n Gatling gun in 1861.\n Monitor war-ship in 1862.\n Typewriter in 1868.\n Automatic air-brake in 1872.\n Telephone in 1876.\n Phonograph in 1877.\n Electric railway in 1879.\n Modern seismograph in 1880.\n Linotype in 1885.\n Steam-turbine in 1888.\n Roentgen or X-ray in 1895.\n Wireless telegraphy in 1895.\n Motion pictures in 1895.\n Monotype in 1896.\n Radium in 1902.\n Aeroplane, first successful flying, Dec. 17, 1903.\n\n\nIt will be noticed that none of these inventions antedate 1798. Go back a\nlittle over a century and we find the world about where it was in the days\nof the patriarchs. For thousands of years there seemed to be scarcely any\nadvancement or improvement in knowledge. But suddenly with the opening of\nthe nineteenth century, the world awoke from its long sleep, and a new era\ndawned,\u2014the time of the end, when knowledge was to be increased.\n\n5. What did the Saviour say should precede the end?\n\n\u201cAnd _this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a\nwitness unto all nations_; and then shall the end come.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Luther, the Wesleys, and others could not, in their day,\n proclaim the Lord\u2019s coming to be at hand, as the signs heralding\n this event had not taken place. But now, the sun and moon have\n been darkened, and the stars have fallen, as predicted by the\n Saviour knowledge has most wonderfully increased, as stated by the\n angel to Daniel; and the gospel has gone to nearly every kindred,\n tribe, and people in the world. Therefore we may know that the end\n is near.\n\n\n6. When we see all these things, what are we to know?\n\n\u201cWhen ye shall see all these things, _know that it is near, even at the\ndoors_.\u201d Verse 33.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring;\n Jesus is coming again!\n Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing;\n Jesus is coming again!\n\n Echo it, hilltops, proclaim it, ye plains;\n Jesus is coming again!\n Coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain;\n Jesus is coming again!\n JESSIE E. STROUT.\n\n\n\n\nConflict Between Capital And Labor\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Race For Supremacy. \"Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of\n thee.\" Luke 12:20.\n\n\n1. What is one reason why the last days were to be perilous?\n\n\u201cMen shall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:2.\n\n2. When, according to prophecy, were men to amass great wealth?\n\n\u201cGo to now, _ye rich men_, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come\nupon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.\nYour gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness\nagainst you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. _Ye have heaped\ntreasure together for the last days._\u201d James 5:1-3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We have reached the age of vast accumulations of wealth,\n when there seems to be a mad rush for making money quickly, and\n the millionaire and the multimillionaire are much in evidence.\n Speaking on this subject, Rev. H. W. Bowman, in his work \u201cWar\n Between Capital and Labor,\u201d says: \u201cSuch colossal fortunes, such\n hoarding of treasures, such combinations of wealth, with such\n rapid increase in poverty, were never witnessed before. Our age\n alone fits the prophetic mold.\u201d\n\n\n3. Why did Christ, in the parable, reprove the man who hid his talent?\n\n\u201cThou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed\nnot, and gather where I have not strawed: _thou oughtest therefore to have\nput my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have\nreceived mine own with usury_.\u201d Matt. 25:26, 27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cServility to wealth,\u201d says J. S. Mill, \u201cis a social curse.\u201d\n Vespasian spoke truly when he said, \u201cRiches are well, if gotten\n well and well spent;\u201d and Peter Cooper likewise uttered a great\n truth when he said, \u201cA man of wealth is but a steward for the good\n of mankind.\u201d James A. Patten, the retired Chicago millionaire\n wheat broker, announcing his intention to give away his fortune to\n charity, said: \u201cI believe a man should give away a good share of\n his wealth while he is living. He can\u2019t take a dollar out of the\n world with him, although I know some men who seem to believe they\n can. Personally, I mean to get rid of the most of my fortune. I\n hope to help many charitable institutions before I die. I doubt\n the advisability of leaving any great sum of money to one\u2019s\n children. Many lives have been ruined by large bequests. The\n offspring of a rich man are better off if they are required to\n hustle for themselves.\u201d\u2014_Washington Times, Nov. 5, 1910._\n\n\n4. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?\n\n\u201cJesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, _go and sell that thou\nhast, and give to the poor_, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and\ncome and follow Me.\u201d Matt. 19:21.\n\n5. What, in the parable, did God say to the rich man who thought to build\nlarger barns in which to store his goods?\n\n\u201cBut God said unto him, _Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required\nof thee_: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?\u201d\nLuke 12:20.\n\n6. How does James say the rich have lived?\n\n\u201c_Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton_; ye have\nnourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.\u201d James 5:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This indicates that they have lived in luxury and for\n pleasure, quite heedless of the needs of the poor and of the great\n world about them. They have lived simply to have a good time\n themselves, with no thought of their responsibility to God or to\n their fellow men.\n\n\n7. Who gives men the power to get wealth?\n\n\u201cBut thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for _it is He that giveth thee\npower to get wealth_.\u201d Deut. 8:18.\n\n8. How does James say the rich have treated the just?\n\n\u201c_Ye have condemned and killed the just_; and he doth not resist you.\u201d\nJames 5:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There is nothing more rapacious and heartless than greed, or\n covetousness. To obtain its ends, it disregards the rights, the\n welfare, and even the lives of those affected by its merciless\n schemes and intrigues. The righteous, or just, however, do not\n make forcible resistance to this unjust treatment.\n\n\n9. How have the rich defrauded the laborers?\n\n\u201cBehold, _the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which\nis of you kept back by fraud_, crieth: and the cries of them which have\nreaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n10. Seeking a fair remuneration, what do many laborers do?\n\nForm labor-unions, engage in strikes, boycotts, etc.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014While these means may hold matters in check for a time, and\n afford temporary relief, they cannot eradicate the evil, and bring\n about a final solution. The evil is deep-seated; it lies in the\n heart; and nothing but conversion\u2014a change of the heart and of the\n affections\u2014can eradicate it. It is the sin of selfishness, or\n covetousness,\u2014a failure to love one\u2019s neighbor as oneself. The\n conflict between capital and labor is an inevitable and an\n irrepressible conflict as long as sin and selfishness are in the\n world. And near the end it becomes the most acute and intense,\n because then sin comes to the full.\n\n\n11. Do the Scriptures indicate that there will be violence manifested in\nthis conflict?\n\n\u201cWoe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him\nthat ladeth himself with thick clay! _Shall they not rise up suddenly that\nshall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for\nbooties unto them?_\u201d Hab. 2:6, 7.\n\n12. Would God have His people unite in these combinations?\n\n\u201c_Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A\nconfederacy_; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.\u201d Isa. 8:12.\n\n13. Whom should we fear and dread?\n\n\u201cSanctify _the Lord of hosts Himself_; and let Him be your fear, and let\nHim be your dread.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n14. What are God\u2019s people told to do at this time?\n\n\u201c_Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord._ Behold,\nthe husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long\npatience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. _Be ye also\npatient_; stablish your hearts: _for the coming of the Lord draweth\nnigh_.\u201d James 5:7, 8.\n\n15. What commands obeyed would bring about a peaceful solution to this\nwide-spread and growing conflict?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d Matt. 22:39. \u201cLook not every\nman on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.\u201d Phil.\n2:4. \u201cWhatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to\nthem.\u201d Matt. 7:12.\n\n\n\n\nChrist\u2019s Second Coming\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ Answering His Disciples\u2019 Questions. \"When ye shall see all these\n things, know that it is near, even at the doors.\" Matt. 24:33.\n\n\n1. What promise did Christ make concerning His coming?\n\n\u201cLet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In\nMy Father\u2019s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told\nyou. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for\nyou, _I will come again_, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am,\nthere ye may be also.\u201d John 14:1-3.\n\n2. Following the signs of His coming, what did Christ say would take\nplace?\n\n\u201cAnd then shall they see _the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and\ngreat glory_.\u201d Luke 21:27.\n\n3. Will the world be prepared to meet Him?\n\n\u201cAnd then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and _then\nshall all the tribes of the earth mourn_, and they shall see the Son of\nman coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.\u201d Matt.\n24:30. \u201cBehold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and\nthey also which pierced Him: and _all kindreds of the earth shall wail\nbecause of Him_.\u201d Rev. 1:7.\n\n4. Why will many not be prepared for this event?\n\n\u201cBut and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, _My lord delayeth\nhis coming_; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and\ndrink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when\nhe looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall\ncut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there\nshall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.\u201d Matt. 24:48-51.\n\n5. What will the world be doing when Christ comes?\n\n\u201cBut as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man\nbe. For as in the days that were before the flood _they were eating and\ndrinking, marrying and giving in marriage_, until the day that Noe entered\ninto the ark, and knew not till the flood came, and took them all away; so\nshall also the coming of the Son of man be.\u201d Verses 37-39. \u201cLikewise also\nas it was in the days of Lot; _they did eat, they drank, they bought, they\nsold, they planted, they builded_; but the same day that Lot went out of\nSodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.\nEven thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.\u201d Luke\n17:28-30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The idea is, not that it is wrong in itself to eat, drink,\n marry, buy, sell, plant, or build, but that men\u2019s minds will be so\n taken up with these things that they will give little or no\n thought to the future life, and make no plans or preparation to\n meet Jesus when He comes.\n\n\n6. Who is it that blinds men to the gospel of Christ?\n\n\u201cIn whom _the god of this world_ hath blinded the minds of them which\nbelieve not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the\nimage of God, should shine unto them.\u201d 2 Cor. 4:4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cTo my mind this precious doctrine\u2014for such I must call\n it\u2014of the return of the Lord to this earth is taught in the New\n Testament as clearly as any other doctrine in it; yet I was in the\n church fifteen or sixteen years before I ever heard a sermon on\n it. There is hardly any church that does not make a great deal of\n baptism; but in all of Paul\u2019s epistles I believe baptism is spoken\n of only thirteen times, while it speaks about the return of our\n Lord fifty times; and yet the church has had very little to say\n about it. Now I can see a reason for this. The devil does not want\n us to see this truth; for nothing would wake up the church so\n much. The moment a man takes hold of the truth that Jesus Christ\n is coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this\n world loses its hold on him. Gas stocks, and water stocks, and\n stocks in banks and railroads are of very much less consequence to\n him then. His heart is free, and he looks for the blessed\n appearing of his Lord, who, at His coming, will take him into His\n blessed kingdom.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Second Coming of Christ,__\u201d__ by D. L.\n Moody, pages 6, 7._\n\n \u201c \u2018This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, _shall\n so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven_,\u2019 is\n the parting promise of Jesus to His disciples, communicated\n through the two men in white apparel, as a cloud received Hun out\n of their sight. When after more than fifty years in glory He\n breaks the silence and speaks once more in the Revelation which He\n gave to His servant John, the post-ascension gospel which He sends\n opens with, \u2018_Behold, He cometh with clouds_,\u2019 and closes with,\n \u2018_Surely I come quickly_.\u2019 Considering the solemn emphasis thus\n laid upon this doctrine, and considering the great prominence\n given to it throughout the teaching of our Lord and of His\n apostles, how was it that for the first five years of my pastoral\n life it had absolutely no place in my preaching? Undoubtedly, the\n reason lay in the lack of early instruction. Of all the sermons\n heard from childhood on, I do not remember listening to a single\n one upon this subject.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__How Christ Came to Church,__\u201d__ by A.\n J. Gordon, D. D., pages 44, 45._\n\n\n7. At His ascension, what assurance was given of Christ\u2019s return?\n\n\u201cAnd while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,\ntwo men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of\nGalilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? _this same Jesus, which is\ntaken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have\nseen Him go into heaven_.\u201d Acts 1:10, 11.\n\n8. How ancient is this doctrine of Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cAnd Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,\n_Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints_, to execute\njudgment upon all.\u201d Jude 14, 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Seeking to cast reflection upon modern believers in the\n advent doctrine, a man in Hungary not long ago remarked to a\n colporteur of this faith that he had heard that the first\n Adventist preacher is still living. \u201cYes,\u201d replied the colporteur,\n \u201cthe first Adventist preacher is still living, yet the Adventist\n faith is thousands of years old. The Bible says that Enoch also,\n the seventh from Adam, preached the coming of Christ in glory and\n power, and Enoch is still living. He was translated to heaven\n without seeing death, and will never die.\u201d\n\n\n9. What was Job\u2019s confidence concerning Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cFor I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter\nday upon the earth: ... whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall\nbehold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.\u201d Job\n19:25-27.\n\n10. How does David speak of Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cOur God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour\nbefore Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.\u201d Ps. 50:3.\n\u201cFor He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world\nwith righteousness, and the people with His truth.\u201d Ps. 96:13.\n\n11. How does Paul give expression to this hope?\n\n\u201cFor our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the\nSaviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d Phil. 3:20. \u201cLooking for that blessed\nhope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus\nChrist.\u201d Titus 2:13.\n\n12. What is Peter\u2019s testimony regarding it?\n\n\u201cFor we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known\nunto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were\neye-witnesses of His majesty.\u201d 2 Peter 1:16.\n\n13. When are the saints to be like Jesus?\n\n\u201cBeloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we\nshall be: but we know that, _when He shall appear, we shall be like Him_;\nfor we shall see Him as He is.\u201d 1 John 3:2.\n\n14. What scriptures show that Christ\u2019s coming will be a time of reward?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels;\nand _then He shall reward every man according to his works_.\u201d Matt. 16:27.\n\u201cAnd, behold, I come quickly; _and My reward is with Me_, to give every\nman according as his work shall be.\u201d Rev. 22:12.\n\n15. To whom is salvation promised at Christ\u2019s appearing?\n\n\u201cSo Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and _unto them that\nlook for Him_ shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.\u201d\nHeb. 9:28.\n\n16. What influence has this hope upon the life?\n\n\u201cWe know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall\nsee Him as He is. And _every man that hath this hope in him purifieth\nhimself, even as He is pure_.\u201d 1 John 3:2, 3.\n\n17. To whom does Paul say a crown of righteousness is promised?\n\n\u201cFor I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at\nhand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept\nthe faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,\nwhich the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to\nme only, but _unto all them also that love His appearing_.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:6-8.\n\n18. What will the waiting ones say when Jesus comes?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for\nHim, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we\nwill be glad and rejoice in His salvation.\u201d Isa. 25:9.\n\n19. Has the exact time of Christ\u2019s coming been revealed?\n\n\u201cBut of that day and hour _knoweth no man_, no, not the angels of heaven,\nbut my Father only.\u201d Matt. 24:36.\n\n20. In view of this fact, what does Christ tell us to do?\n\n\u201c_Watch therefore_: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.\u201d Verse\n42.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cIn the Scriptures, the constant note, the continually\n recurring exhortation, is to be prepared for the Lord\u2019s\n coming.\u201d\u2014_Dean Alford._ \u201cThe proper attitude of a Christian is to\n be always looking for his Lord\u2019s return.\u201d\u2014_D. L. Moody._ See \u201cHow\n Christ Came to Church,\u201d by A. J. Gordon, pages 49, 50.\n\n\n21. What warning has Christ given that we might not be taken by surprise\nby this great event?\n\n\u201cAnd take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged\nwith surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day\ncome upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that\ndwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always,\nthat ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come\nto pass, and to stand before the Son of man.\u201d Luke 21:34-36.\n\n22. What Christian grace are we exhorted to exercise in our expectant\nlonging for this event?\n\n\u201cBe _patient_ therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold,\nthe husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long\npatience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also\n_patient_; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.\u201d\nJames 5:7, 8.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I am waiting for the coming\n Of earth\u2019s long-expected Lord;\n For the signs are now fulfilling\n That He gave us in His Word.\n I am watching, I am waiting,\n For that promised happy day;\n Yet I do not cease my working;\n I must work as well as pray.\n W. S. CRUZAN.\n\n\n\n\nManner Of Christ\u2019s Coming\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Coming In Glory. \"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see\n Him.\" Rev. 1:7.\n\n\n1. Is Christ coming again?\n\n\u201cI will come _again_.\u201d John 14:3.\n\n2. How does Paul speak of this coming?\n\n\u201cUnto them that look for Him shall He appear _the second time_ without sin\nunto salvation.\u201d Heb. 9:28.\n\n3. Did the early disciples think that death would be the second coming of\nChrist?\n\n\u201cPeter seeing him [John] saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?\nJesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry _till I come_, what is that\nto thee? follow thou Me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren,\nthat that disciple _should not die_: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall\nnot die; but, If I will that he tarry _till I come_, what is that to\nthee?\u201d John 21:21-23.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014From this it is evident that the early disciples regarded\n death and the coming of Christ as two separate events.\n\n \u201c \u2018Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not\n the Son of man cometh.\u2019 Some people say that means death; but the\n Word of God does not say it means death. Death is our enemy, but\n our Lord hath the keys of death; He has conquered death, hell, and\n the grave.... Christ is the Prince of Life; there is no death\n where He is; death flees at His coming; dead bodies sprang to life\n when He touched them or spoke to them. His coming is not death. He\n is the resurrection and the life. When He sets up His kingdom,\n there is to be no death, but life forevermore.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Second\n Coming of Christ,__\u201d__ by D. L. Moody, pages 10, 11._\n\n\n4. At His ascension, how did the angels say Christ would come again?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Ascension. \"This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye\n have seen Him go into heaven.\" Acts 1:11.\n\n\n\u201cAnd when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up;\nand _a cloud received Him out of their sight_. And while they looked\nsteadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in\nwhite apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up\ninto heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,\n_shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven_.\u201d Acts\n1:9-11.\n\n5. How did Christ Himself say He would come?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come _in the glory of His Father with His\nangels_.\u201d Matt. 16:27. \u201cThen shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and\nthey shall see the Son of man coming _in the clouds of heaven with power\nand great glory_.\u201d Matt. 24: 30. \u201cFor whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and\nof My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when _He shall come\nin His own glory, and in His Father\u2019s, and of the holy angels_.\u201d Luke\n9:26.\n\n6. How many will see Him when He comes?\n\n\u201cBehold, He cometh with clouds; and _every eye shall see Him_, and they\nalso which pierced Him.\u201d Rev. 1:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ\u2019s second coming will be as real as was His first, and\n as visible as His ascension, and far more glorious. To\n spiritualize our Lord\u2019s return is to pervert the obvious meaning\n of His promise, \u201cI will come again,\u201d and nullify the whole plan of\n redemption; for the reward of the faithful of all ages is to be\n given at this most glorious of all events.\n\n\n7. What wonderful demonstration will accompany the Lord\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cThe Lord Himself shall descend from heaven _with a shout, with the voice\nof the Archangel, and with the trump of God_: and the dead in Christ shall\nrise first.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16.\n\n8. What warning has Christ given concerning false views of the manner of\nHis coming?\n\n\u201cThen if any man shall say unto you, _Lo, here is Christ, or there;\nbelieve it not_. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,\nand shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were\npossible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you\nbefore. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the\n_desert_; go not forth: behold, He is in the _secret chambers_; believe it\nnot.\u201d Matt. 24:23-26.\n\n9. How visible is His coming to be?\n\n\u201cFor as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the\nwest; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n\n\n\nObject Of Christ\u2019s Coming\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Transfiguration. \"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me.\"\n Rev. 22:12.\n\n\n1. For what purpose did Christ say He would come again?\n\n\u201cI go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,\n_I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye\nmay be also_.\u201d John 14:2, 3.\n\n2. What part will the angels have in this event?\n\n\u201cAnd He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and _they\nshall gather together His elect_ from the four winds, from one end of\nheaven to the other.\u201d Matt. 24:31.\n\n3. What takes place at the sounding of the trumpet?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the\nvoice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and _the dead in Christ\nshall rise first_.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16.\n\n4. What will be done with the righteous living?\n\n\u201cThen we which are alive and remain shall be _caught up together with them\nin the clouds_, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with\nthe Lord.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n5. What change will then take place in both the living and the sleeping\nsaints?\n\n\u201cWe shall not all sleep, but _we shall all be changed_, in a moment, in\nthe twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,\nand the dead shall be raised _incorruptible_, and we shall be changed. For\nthis corruptible must put on _incorruption_, and this mortal must put on\n_immortality_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:51-53.\n\n6. When are the saints to be like Jesus?\n\n\u201cBut we know that, _when He shall appear, we shall be like Him_; for we\nshall see Him as He is.\u201d 1 John 3:2.\n\n7. How many will receive a reward when Christ comes?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels;\nand _then He shall reward every man according to his works_.\u201d Matt. 16:27.\n\n8. What does He say He will bring with Him when He comes?\n\n\u201cBehold, I come quickly; and _My reward is with Me_, to give every man\naccording as his works shall be.\u201d Rev. 22:12.\n\n9. What promise is made to those who look for Him?\n\n\u201cSo Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that\nlook for Him _shall He appear the second time without sin unto\nsalvation_.\u201d Heb. 9:28.\n\n10. When did Christ say the good would be recompensed?\n\n\u201cFor thou shalt be recompensed _at the resurrection of the just_.\u201d Luke\n14:14.\n\n11. Have the worthies of old gone to their reward?\n\n\u201cAnd these all, having obtained a good report through faith, _received not\nthe promise_: God having provided some better thing for us, _that they\nwithout us should not be made perfect_.\u201d Heb. 11:39, 40.\n\n12. When did Paul expect to receive his crown?\n\n\u201cHenceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the\nLord, the righteous judge, shall give me _at that day_: and not to me\nonly, but unto all them also that love His appearing.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:8.\n\n13. Will this be a time of judgment?\n\n\u201cAnd Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,\nBehold, _the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute\njudgment upon all_.\u201d Jude 14, 15.\n\n14. How did David express himself on this point?\n\n\u201c_For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth_: He shall judge the\nworld with righteousness, and the people with His truth.\u201d Ps. 96:13.\n\n15. When did Paul say Christ would judge the living and the dead?\n\n\u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, _who shall\njudge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom_.\u201d 2 Tim.\n4:1.\n\n16. What great separation will then take place?\n\n\u201cWhen the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with\nHim, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall\nbe gathered all nations: and _He shall separate them one from another, as\na shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats_.\u201d Matt. 25:31, 32.\n\n17. What will He say to those on His right hand?\n\n\u201cThen shall the King say unto them on His right hand, _Come, ye blessed of\nMy Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the\nworld_.\u201d Verse 34.\n\n18. What will He say to those on the left?\n\n\u201cThen shall He say also unto them on the left hand, _Depart from Me, ye\ncursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels_.\u201d\nVerse 41.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n At the sounding of the trumpet, when the saints are gathered home,\n We shall greet each other by the crystal sea;\n When the Lord Himself from heaven to His glory bids them come,\n What a gathering of the faithful that will be!\n\n When the angel of the Lord proclaims that time shall be no more,\n We shall gather, and the saved and ransomed see;\n Then to meet again together, on the bright, celestial shore,\n What a gathering of the faithful that will be!\n\n At the great and final judgment, when the hidden comes to light,\n When the Lord in all His glory we shall see;\n At the bidding of our Saviour, \u201cCome, ye blessed, to My right,\u201d\n What a gathering of the faithful that will be!\n\n When the golden harps are sounding, and the angel bands proclaim\n In triumphant strains the glorious jubilee;\n Then to meet and join to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb,\n What a gathering of the faithful that will be!\n\n J. H. KURZENKNABE.\n\n\n\n\nThe Resurrection Of The Just\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Resurrection Of Christ. \"I am He that liveth, and was dead; ... and\n have the keys of hell and of death.\" Rev. 1:18.\n\n\n1. Concerning what should we not be ignorant?\n\n\u201cBut I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, _concerning them which\nare asleep_, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.\u201d 1\nThess. 4:13.\n\n2. What is set forth as the basis for hope and comfort?\n\n\u201cFor if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, _even so them also\nwhich sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n3. When will this resurrection of the saints take place?\n\n\u201cFor this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive\nand remain unto _the coming of the Lord_ shall not prevent [precede] them\nwhich are asleep. _For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven_ with a\nshout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: _and\nthe dead in Christ shall rise first_.\u201d Verses 15, 16.\n\n4. What will then take place?\n\n\u201cThen we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them\nin the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with\nthe Lord.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n5. With what are we to comfort one another?\n\n\u201cWherefore comfort one another _with these words_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The hope of a resurrection from the dead to a life immortal\n is the great hope set forth in the gospel.\n\n\n6. Concerning what did Christ tell us not to marvel?\n\n\u201cMarvel not at this: for _the hour is coming, in the which all that are in\nthe graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth_; they that have\ndone good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil,\nunto the resurrection of damnation.\u201d John 5:28, 29.\n\n7. What is said of those embraced in the first resurrection?\n\n\u201cBlessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such\nthe second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of\nChrist, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.\u201d Rev. 20:6.\n\n8. Upon what one fact does Paul base the Christian hope?\n\n\u201cNow if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among\nyou that there is no resurrection of the dead? But _if there be no\nresurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not\nrisen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain_. Yea, and\nwe are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that\n_He raised up Christ_: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise\nnot. For _if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ\nbe not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins_. Then they\nalso which are fallen asleep in Christ are _perished_. If in this life\nonly we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.\u201d 1 Cor.\n15:12-19.\n\n9. What positive declaration does the apostle then make?\n\n\u201c_But now is Christ risen from the dead_, and become the first-fruits of\nthem that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the\nresurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall\nall be made alive.\u201d Verses 20-22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The resurrection of Christ is in many respects the most\n significant fact in history. It is the great and impregnable\n foundation and hope of the Christian church. Every fundamental\n truth of Christianity is involved in the resurrection of Christ.\n If this could be overthrown, every essential doctrine of\n Christianity would be invalidated. The resurrection of Christ is\n the pledge of our resurrection and future life.\n\n\n10. What does Christ proclaim Himself to be?\n\n\u201c_I am the resurrection and the life_: he that believeth in Me, though he\nwere dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me\nshall never die.\u201d John 11:25, 26. \u201c_I am He that liveth, and was dead_;\nand, behold, _I am alive forevermore_, Amen; _and have the keys of hell\nand of death_.\u201d Rev. 1:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ changed death into a _sleep_. Absolute death knows no\n waking; but through Christ all who have fallen under the power of\n death will be raised, some to a life unending, some to everlasting\n death.\n\n\n11. What question does Job ask and answer?\n\n\u201c_If a man die, shall he live again?_ all the days of my appointed time\nwill I wait, till my change come. _Thou shalt call, and I will answer\nThee_: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands.\u201d Job 14:14, 15.\n\n12. Why did Job wish that his words were written in a book, graven with an\niron pen and lead in the rock forever?\n\n\u201c_For I know that My Redeemer liveth_, and that He shall stand at the\nlatter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this\nbody, yet _in my flesh shall I see God_.\u201d Job 19:25, 26.\n\n13. How does Paul say the saints will be raised?\n\n\u201cBehold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be\nchanged, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for\nthe trumpet shall sound, and _the dead shall be raised incorruptible_.\u201d 1\nCor. 15:51, 52.\n\n14. What great change will then take place in their bodies?\n\n\u201cSo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is _sown in corruption_; it\nis _raised in incorruption_: it is _sown in dishonor; it is raised in\nglory_: it is _sown in weakness_; it is _raised in power_: it is _sown a\nnatural body_; it is _raised a spiritual body_.\u201d Verses 42-44.\n\n15. What saying will then be brought to pass?\n\n\u201cO death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?\u201d Verse 55.\n\n16. When did David say he would be satisfied?\n\n\u201cAs for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied,\n_when I awake, with Thy likeness_.\u201d Ps. 17:15.\n\n17. What comforting promise has God made concerning the sleeping saints?\n\n\u201cI will _ransom them from the power of the grave_; I will _redeem them\nfrom death_: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy\ndestruction.\u201d Hosea 13:14.\n\n18. What else has He promised to do?\n\n\u201cAnd God _shall wipe away all tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be\nno more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more\npain: for the former things are passed away.\u201d Rev. 21:4. See pages\n759-785.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Deluge. \"And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.\"\n Matt. 24:39.\n\n\n\n\nThe World\u2019s Conversion\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n After The Flood. \"Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,\n deceiving, and being deceived.\" 2 Tim. 3:13.\n\n\n1. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second\ncoming?\n\n\u201c_As it was in the days of Noe_, so shall it be also in the days of the\nSon of man.\u201d Luke 17:26. See also verses 27-30.\n\n2. How was it in the days of Noah?\n\n\u201cAnd God saw that _the wickedness of man was great in the earth_, and that\n_every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil\ncontinually_.... And _the earth was filled with violence_.\u201d Gen. 6:5-11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In a sermon delivered at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 2 1912, Bishop\n A. W. Wilson (Methodist) said: \u201cOld Rome in her worst days never\n harbored such conditions of vice as are prevalent in our highest\n social circles. Never at any period of the world\u2019s history has the\n moral stratum been so thin or so low.\u201d\n\n\n3. How did Paul characterize the last days?\n\n\u201cThis know also, that in the last days _perilous times shall come_.\u201d 2\nTim. 3:1.\n\n4. What did he say would make those times perilous?\n\n\u201cFor men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,\nblasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural\naffection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers\nof those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures\nmore than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power\nthereof.\u201d Verses 2-5.\n\n5. Are things to grow better or worse before the Lord comes?\n\n\u201c_But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse_, deceiving, and\nbeing deceived.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cEven to the end of time there will still be occasion for\n the same complaint; the world will grow no better, no, not when it\n is drawing toward its period. Bad it is, and bad it will be, and\n _worst of all_ just before Christ\u2019s coming.\u201d\u2014_Matthew Henry, on\n Luke 18:8._\n\n\n6. According to the parable of the wheat and the tares, how long are the\ngood and bad to remain together?\n\n\u201cThe field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom;\nbut the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed\nthem is the devil.\u201d \u201c_Let both grow together until the harvest_: and in\nthe time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first\nthe tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them.\u201d Matt. 13:38, 39, 30.\n\n7. When does the harvest come?\n\n\u201cThe harvest is _the end of the world_.\u201d Verse 39.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Thus it is plain that the wicked (the tares) live with the\n righteous (the wheat) till the end of the world. There is, then,\n no time before Christ\u2019s coming for a sinless state, in which all\n men will be converted and turn to God.\n\n Harper\u2019s \u201cBook of Facts,\u201d edition 1906, article \u201cReligion,\u201d\n classifies the population of the globe religiously as follows:\u2014\n\n Non-Christian Christian\n Buddhists 400,000,000 Roman 175,000,000\n Catholics\n Brahmans 250,000,000 Protestants 110,000,000\n Mohammedans 180,000,000 Greek Church 90,000,000\n Fetish-worshipers 150,000,000 Various 25,000,000\n Jews 8,000,000\n Various 62,000,000\n 1,050,000,000 400,000,000\n\n From this it will be seen that only about one fourth of the\n world\u2019s population are even nominal Christians.\n\n\n8. For what purpose did Christ say the gospel was to be preached in all\nthe world?\n\n\u201cAnd this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world _for a\nwitness unto all nations_; and then shall the end come.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014He did not say that all would _receive_ the gospel, but\n that the gospel was to be _preached_ in all the world _for a\n witness_ unto all nations, and that _then_ the end would come.\n\n Commenting on Rev. 20:2, Dr. Adam Clarke says: \u201cProbably no such\n time shall ever appear, in which evil shall be wholly banished\n from the earth, till after the day of judgment, when, the earth\n having been burned up, a new heaven and a new earth shall be\n produced out of the ruins of the old, by the mighty power of God;\n righteousness alone shall dwell in them.\u201d\u2014_Clarke\u2019s Commentary,\n edition 1860._\n\n\n9. When is the \u201cman of sin,\u201d or \u201cmystery of iniquity,\u201d called also \u201cthat\nWicked,\u201d to come to an end?\n\n\u201cAnd then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with\nthe spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His\ncoming.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:8.\n\n10. How long was the little horn of Dan. 7:25 to make war with the saints?\n\n\u201cI beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed\nagainst them; _until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to\nthe saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed\nthe kingdom_.\u201d Dan. 7:21, 22.\n\n11. How will the day of the Lord come upon the world?\n\n\u201cFor yourselves know perfectly that _the day of the Lord so cometh as a\nthief in the night_. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then\nsudden destruction cometh upon them, ... and they shall not escape. But\nye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a\nthief.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:2-4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There will be but two classes in the world then: those in\n darkness, who are looking for a time of peace and safety, and\n those not in darkness, who are looking for the day of the Lord,\u2014a\n day of waste and destruction,\u2014the coming of Christ and the end of\n the world. See Jer. 7:1-19; Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:1-11; Zephaniah 1.\n\n\n12. What will some who are in darkness say when they hear about the Lord\u2019s\ncoming?\n\n\u201cKnowing this first, that _there shall come in the last days scoffers_,\nwalking after their own lusts, and saying, _Where is the promise of His\ncoming?_ for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they\nwere from the beginning of the creation.\u201d 2 Peter 3:3, 4.\n\n13. What will be popularly taught in the last days?\n\n\u201cBut in the last days ... _many nations shall come, and say_, Come, and\nlet us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of\nJacob; ... and He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations\nafar off; _and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their\nspears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against\nnation, neither shall they learn war any more_.\u201d Micah 4:1-3. See also\nIsa. 2:2-5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Notice, this is not what the _Lord_ says, but what the Lord\n says _many nations_ shall say in the last days. And this is the\n very message now heard in every land,\u2014a great world\u2019s peace\n movement; a call for all nations to disarm, to go to war no more,\n and to profess religion.\n\n\n14. What message indicates the true condition of things?\n\n\u201cProclaim ye this among the Gentiles; _Prepare war, wake up the mighty\nmen, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your\nplowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak\nsay, I am strong_.\u201d Joel 3:9, 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014On this question of preparing for war, note the following:\u2014\n\n Armies of the World\n\n Regular National Army\n Standing Army Including\n (1909) Reserves\n Austria-Hungary 409,000 5,840,000\n Belgium 45,000 125,000\n British Empire 250,000 1,050,000\n China 60,000 1,000,000\n Denmark 14,000 68,000\n France 630,000 4,350,000\n Germany 617,000 3,000,000\n Greece 28,000 178,000\n Italy 264,000 3,200,000\n Japan 225,000 600,000\n Netherlands 40,000 500,000\n Norway 30,000 95,000\n Persia 24,500 105,000\n Portugal 30,000 175,000\n Russia 1,100,000 5,200,000\n Servia 35,000 353,000\n Spain 100,000 1,000,000\n Sweden 62,000 500,000\n Switzerland 140,000 275,000\n Turkey 350,000 1,500,000\n United States 89,128 208,054\n Total 4,542,628 29,322,054\n\n Naval Expenditures of the Great Powers for Ten Years\u20141902-11.\n\n Expenditure New\n Construction\n Great Britain $1,761,500,000 $589,875,000\n Germany 737,695,000 351,010,000\n France 660,695,000 236,430,000\n Russia 556,730,000 164,280,000\n Italy 301,145,000 82,750,000\n Austria 154,070,000 74,165,000\n United States 1,150,680,000 367,050,000\n Japan 288,505,000 76,155,000\n Total $5,611,320,000 $1,941,715,000\n\n Thus in only ten years these eight great powers spent over seven\n and one-half billion dollars on their navies.\n\n \u201cThe immense armies maintained by European countries have come to\n be a terrific drain upon their respective nations.\u201d\u2014_Nelson\u2019s\n Encyclopedia, article __\u201c__Army.__\u201d_\n\n\n15. While making these war preparations, what are men saying?\n\n\u201cThey have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly,\n_saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace_.\u201d Jer. 6:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Every one conversant with existing conditions in the world\n today knows this is true. While the message of peace is being\n proclaimed, the nations are arming as never before; wars are in\n progress almost continually; international complications are\n constantly arising; and a world war is feared as imminent, and\n constantly looming in sight. The world today is a vast armed camp.\n\n\n16. But does not the Bible say that the heathen are to be given to the\nLord for an inheritance?\n\n\u201cAsk of Me, and _I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance_, and\nthe uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.\u201d Ps. 2:8.\n\n17. What will the Lord do with them?\n\n\u201cThou shalt _break them with a rod of iron_; Thou shalt _dash them in\npieces_ like a potter\u2019s vessel.\u201d Verse 9. \u201cAnd out of His mouth goeth a\nsharp sword, that with it He should _smite the nations_: and He shall\n_rule them with a rod of iron_: and _He treadeth the wine-press of the\nfierceness and wrath of Almighty God_.\u201d Rev. 19:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014How suddenly surprised those who have been preaching peace\n and safety will be when the end comes is indicated in the text\n already quoted: \u201cFor yourselves know perfectly that the day of the\n Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say,\n Peace and safety; then _sudden destruction cometh upon them_.\u201d 1\n Thess. 5:2, 3. All heedless of the signs of the times, and\n indifferent to the future, the world will come up to the day of\n the Lord unprepared. As a thief in the night, coming with\n stealthy, muffled tread, this day will take all unawares who are\n not looking, watching, and waiting for their Lord\u2019s return.\n Instead of looking for the world\u2019s conversion, we should be\n looking for Christ\u2019s coming.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The coming King is at the door,\n Who once the cross for sinners bore,\n But now the righteous ones alone\n He comes to gather home.\n\n The signs that show His coming near\n Are fast fulfilling year by year,\n And soon we\u2019ll hail the glorious dawn\n Of heaven\u2019s eternal morn.\n\n Look not on earth for strife to cease,\n Look not below for joy and peace,\n Until the Saviour comes again\n To banish death and sin.\n\n Then in the glorious earth made new\n We\u2019ll dwell the countless ages through;\n This mortal shall immortal be,\n And time, eternity.\n\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Gathering Of Israel\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Wailing Place Of The Jews. \"The Lord shall set His hand again the second\n time to recover the remnant of His people.\" Isa. 11:11.\n\n\n1. Because of disobedience, what experience came to Israel?\n\n\u201cI will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.\u201d Jer.\n34:17. See Jer. 25:8-11.\n\n2. What prophecy spoke of their return from captivity?\n\n\u201cFor I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts\nof peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.... And ye shall\nseek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And\nI will be found of you, saith the Lord: and _I will turn away your\ncaptivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the\nplaces whither I have driven you_, saith the Lord; and I will bring you\nagain into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.\u201d Jer.\n29:11-14. See also Jer. 23:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The first dispersion of the Jews occurred B.C. 606-588,\n under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. In B.C. 457, under\n Artaxerxes, the Persian king, large numbers of Jews returned to\n Palestine, their home land.\n\n\n3. How had Moses spoken of another and greater dispersion?\n\n\u201cThe Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the\nearth, ... and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and\nfenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, ... and the Lord shall\nscatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the\nother.\u201d Deut. 28:49-64.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This calamity and dispersion occurred in 70 A.D., under\n Titus, the Roman general. Says the Popular and Critical Bible\n Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article \u201cJerusalem,\u201d page 932: \u201cJerusalem\n seems to have been raised to this greatness as if to enhance the\n misery of its overthrow. So soon as the Jews had set the seal to\n their formal rejection of Christ, by putting Him to death, and\n invoking the responsibility of His blood upon the heads of\n themselves and of their children (Matt. 27:25), the city\u2019s doom\n went forth. Titus, a young, brave, and competent Roman general,\n with an army of sixty thousand trained, victorious warriors,\n appeared before the city in April, 70 A.D., and the most\n disastrous siege of all history began.\u201d See pages 313, 314.\n\n\n4. Under what striking symbol was all this foretold?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord, Go and get _a potter\u2019s earthen bottle_, and ...\nbreak the bottle ... and ... say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts;\n_Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a\npotter\u2019s vessel, that cannot be made whole again_.\u201d Jer. 19:1-11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cNo city on the globe has suffered more from war and sieges\n than Jerusalem.... Storming legions, battering-rams, and catapults\n have razed it again and again. And yet, the general outline of the\n city has always been preserved. Zion and Mt. Moriah remain in full\n view from Olivet, and there, on those hills, stretching away\n toward the west, city after city has come and gone in the passing\n ages.\u201d\u2014_Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. II, article\n __\u201c__Jerusalem__\u201d__ pages 928, 929._\n\n\n5. How long was Jerusalem to be trodden down of the Gentiles?\n\n\u201cAnd they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away\ncaptive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the\nGentiles, _until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled_.\u201d Luke 21:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Jerusalem stands for the people, the truth, and the true\n worship of God. It is first mentioned in the Bible as Salem (Gen.\n 14:18); is spoken of figuratively as a mother bringing forth the\n children of God (Gal. 4:26, 27); and is a type of the holy city,\n New Jerusalem, which is to be the metropolis of the new earth. In\n Rev. 11:2 it is used as a type of God\u2019s people during the long\n period of 1260 years of papal persecution, who are there referred\n to as \u201cthe holy city,\u201d which the Gentiles \u201ctread underfoot forty\n and two months.\u201d\n\n\n6. What will terminate the \u201ctimes\u201d allotted to the Gentiles?\n\n\u201cAnd this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a\nwitness unto all nations; and _then shall the end come_.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n7. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles?\n\n\u201cSimeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, _to\ntake out of them a people for His name_.\u201d Acts 15:14.\n\n8. What false idea of this gathering were some to hold?\n\n\u201cAnd many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the\nmountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will\nteach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go\nforth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.\u201d Micah 4:2.\n\n9. For what will the heathen be assembled in Palestine?\n\n\u201cLet the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat....\nMultitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision [margin, concision, or\nthreshing; i.e., war]: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of\ndecision.\u201d Joel 3:12-14.\n\n10. Under whose influence are the nations to be assembled?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the\ndragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the\nfalse prophet. For they are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles,\nwhich go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to\ngather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.\u201d Rev. 16:13,\n14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Infatuated by the doctrine of the world\u2019s conversion and a\n temporal millennium of peace, prosperity, and good will among men,\n the deluded nations will aim to make Jerusalem the center of a\n glorious kingdom, at which place they will doubtless expect Christ\n will come and take up His reign as their king. This was the\n favorite idea of the crusaders in the dark ages. But the crusaders\n were mistaken in their conception, and sorely disappointed. So\n also will the modern crusaders be mistaken and disappointed; for\n one object of Christ\u2019s second coming will be to \u201csmite the\n nations\u201d and to destroy these armies assembled. Rev. 19:15.\n\n\n11. Unto whom are God\u2019s people to be gathered?\n\n\u201cThe scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his\nfeet, until _Shiloh_ come; and _unto Him shall the gathering of the people\nbe_.\u201d Gen. 49:10.\n\n12. How did Christ speak of the gathering of the Gentiles?\n\n\u201cOther sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,\nand they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one\nshepherd.\u201d John 10:16.\n\n13. What great gathering yet awaits God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall come to pass in that day, that _the Lord shall set His hand\nagain the second time to recover the remnant of His people_.... And He\nshall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall _assemble the outcasts\nof Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four\ncorners of the earth_.\u201d Isa. 11:11, 12. \u201cAnd He shall send His angels with\na great sound of a trumpet, and _they shall gather together His elect from\nthe four winds, from one end of heaven to the other_.\u201d Matt. 24:31.\n\n\n\n\nThe Millennium\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Binding Of Satan. \"And he laid hold on ... Satan, and bound him a\n thousand years.\" Rev. 20:2.\n\n\n1. What text definitely brings the millennium to view?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and _judgment was given unto\nthem_: ... and _they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years_.\u201d\nRev. 20:4.\n\n2. Whom does Paul say the saints are to judge?\n\n\u201cDare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the\nunjust, and not before the saints? _Do ye not know that the saints shall\njudge the world?... Know ye not that we shall judge angels?_\u201d 1 Cor.\n6:1-3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From these scriptures it is plain that the saints of all\n ages are to be engaged with Christ in a work of \u201cjudgment\u201d during\n the millennium, or one thousand years.\n\n\n3. What prophecy had Paul upon which to base his statement?\n\n\u201cI beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed\nagainst them; until the Ancient of days came, and _judgment was given to\nthe saints of the Most High_.\u201d Dan. 7:21, 22.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Millennium.\n\n\n The millennium is the closing period of God\u2019s great week of time\u2014a\n great sabbath of rest to the earth and to the people of God.\n\n It follows the close of the gospel age, and precedes the setting\n up of the everlasting kingdom of God on earth.\n\n It comprehends what in the Scriptures is frequently spoken of as\n \u201cthe day of the Lord.\u201d\n\n It is bounded at each end by a resurrection.\n\n Its beginning is marked by the pouring out of the seven last\n plagues, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the\n righteous dead, the binding of Satan, and the translation of the\n saints to heaven; and its close, by the descent of the New\n Jerusalem, with Christ and the saints, from heaven, the\n resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, and the\n final destruction of the wicked.\n\n During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and\n his angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in\n judgment on the wicked, preparatory to their final punishment.\n\n The wicked dead are then raised; Satan is loosed for a little\n season, and he and the host of the wicked encompass the camp of\n the saints and the holy city, when fire comes down from God out of\n heaven and devours them. The earth is cleansed by the same fire\n that destroys the wicked, and, renewed, becomes the eternal abode\n of the saints.\n\n The millennium is one of \u201cthe ages to come.\u201d Its close will mark\n the beginning of the new earth state.\n\n\n4. How many resurrections are there to be?\n\n\u201cMarvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in\nthe graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done\ngood, unto _the resurrection of life_; and they that have done evil, unto\n_the resurrection of damnation_.\u201d John 5:28, 29.\n\n5. What class only have part in the first resurrection?\n\n\u201c_Blessed and holy_ is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on\nsuch the second death hath no power.\u201d Rev. 20:6.\n\n6. What will Christ do with the saints when He comes?\n\n\u201cI will come again, and _receive you unto Myself_; that where I am, there\nye may be also.\u201d John 14:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In other words, Christ will take them to heaven, there to\n live and reign with Him during the one thousand years.\n\n\n7. Where did John, in vision, see the saints?\n\n\u201cAfter this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could\nnumber, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, _stood\nbefore the throne, and before the Lamb_, clothed with white robes, and\npalms in their hands.\u201d Rev. 7:9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This scripture shows plainly that the righteous are all\n taken to heaven immediately after the first resurrection. This\n accords with the words of Christ in John 14:1-3, where He says, \u201cI\n go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for\n you, I will come again, and _receive you unto Myself; that where I\n am, there ye may be also_.\u201d Peter desired to accompany Christ to\n those mansions; but Jesus answered, \u201cThou canst not follow Me now;\n _but thou shall follow Me afterwards_.\u201d John 13:36. This makes it\n clear that when Christ returns to earth to receive His people, He\n takes them to the Father\u2019s house in heaven.\n\n\n8. What becomes of the living wicked when Christ comes?\n\n\u201c_As it was in the days of Noe_, so shall it be also in the days of the\nSon of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given\nin marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and _the flood\ncame, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot_;\n... the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone\nfrom heaven, and _destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day\nwhen the Son of man is revealed_.\u201d Luke 17:26-30.\n\n9. What does the apostle Paul say concerning this?\n\n\u201cWhen they shall say, Peace and safety; _then sudden destruction cometh\nupon them_, ... and they shall not escape.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When Christ comes, the righteous will be delivered and taken\n to heaven, and all the living wicked will be suddenly destroyed,\n as they were at the time of the flood. For further proof see 2\n Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 6:14-17; 19:11-21; Jer. 25:30-33. There will be\n no general resurrection of the wicked until the end of the one\n thousand years. This will leave the earth desolate and without\n human inhabitant during this period.\n\n\n10. What description does the prophet Jeremiah give of the earth during\nthis time?\n\n\u201cI beheld the earth, and, lo, it was _without form, and void_; and the\nheavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they\ntrembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, _there was\nno man_, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo,\nthe _fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were\nbroken down_ at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger.\u201d Jer.\n4:23-26.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014At the coming of Christ the earth is reduced to a chaotic\n state\u2014to a mass of ruins. The heavens depart as a scroll when it\n is rolled together; mountains are moved out of their places; and\n the earth is left a dark, dreary, desolate waste. See Isa. 24:1-3;\n Rev. 6:14-17.\n\n\n11. How does Isaiah speak of the wicked at this time?\n\n\u201cIt shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of\nthe high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.\nAnd they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit,\nand _shall be shut up in prison_, and after many days shall they be\nvisited.\u201d Isa. 24:21, 22.\n\n12. How long is Satan to be imprisoned on this earth?\n\n\u201cI saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless\npit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that\nold serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and _bound him a thousand\nyears_, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a\nseal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the\nthousand years should be fulfilled.\u201d Rev. 20:1-3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word rendered \u201cbottomless pit\u201d in this text is _abusos_,\n the Greek term employed by the Septuagint in Gen. 1:2, as the\n equivalent of the Hebrew word rendered \u201cdeep\u201d in our English\n versions. A more literal translation would be \u201cabyss.\u201d It is a\n term applied to the earth in its desolate, waste, chaotic, dark,\n uninhabited condition. In this condition it will remain during the\n one thousand years. It will be the dreary prison-house of Satan\n during this period. Here, in the midst of the moldering bones of\n wicked dead, slain at Christ\u2019s second coming, the broken-down\n cities, and the wreck and ruin of all the pomp and power of this\n world, Satan will have opportunity to reflect upon the results of\n his rebellion against God. But the prophecy of Isaiah says, \u201cAfter\n many days shall they be visited.\u201d\n\n\n13. The righteous dead are raised at Christ\u2019s second coming. When will the\nrest of the dead, the wicked, be raised?\n\n\u201cThe rest of the dead lived not again _until the thousand years were\nfinished_.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014From this we see that the beginning and the close of the\n millennium, or one thousand years, are marked by the two\n resurrections. The word millennium is from two Latin words,\n _mille_, meaning a thousand, and _annus_, year\u2014a thousand years.\n It covers the time during which Satan is to be bound and wicked\n men and angels are to be judged. This period is bounded by\n distinct events. Its beginning is marked by the close of\n probation, the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the second\n coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the righteous dead. It\n closes with the resurrection of the wicked, and their final\n destruction in the lake of fire. See diagram on page 356.\n\n\n14. What change is made in Satan\u2019s condition at the close of the one\nthousand years?\n\n\u201cAfter that _he must be loosed a little season_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014At the close of the one thousand years, Christ, accompanied\n by the saints, comes to the earth again, to execute judgment upon\n the wicked, and to prepare the earth, by a re-creation, for the\n eternal abode of the righteous. At this time, in answer to the\n summons of Christ, the wicked dead of all ages awake to life. This\n is the second resurrection, the resurrection unto damnation. The\n wicked come forth with the same rebellious spirit which possessed\n them in this life. Then Satan is loosed from his long period of\n captivity and inactivity.\n\n\n15. As soon as the wicked are raised, what does Satan at once proceed to\ndo?\n\n\u201cWhen the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his\nprison, and shall go out to _deceive the nations_ which are in the four\nquarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, _to gather them together to battle_:\nthe number of whom is as the sand of the sea.\u201d Verses 7, 8.\n\n16. Against whom do the wicked go to make war, and what is the outcome?\n\n\u201cThey went up on the breadth of the earth, and _compassed the camp of the\nsaints about, and the beloved city_; and _fire came down from God out of\nheaven, and devoured them_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014This is the last act in the great controversy between\n Christ and Satan. The whole human race meet here for the first and\n last time. The eternal separation of the righteous from the wicked\n here takes place. At this time the judgment of God is executed\n upon the wicked in the lake of fire. This is the second death.\n This ends the great rebellion against God and His government. Now\n is heard the voice of God as He sits upon His throne, speaking to\n the saints, and saying, \u201cBehold, I make all things new;\u201d and out\n of the burning ruins of the old earth there springs forth before\n the admiring gaze of the millions of the redeemed, \u201ca new heaven\n and a new earth,\u201d in which they shall find an everlasting\n inheritance and dwelling-place.\n\n The millennium is a great sabbath of rest, both for the earth and\n for God\u2019s people. For six thousand years the earth and its\n inhabitants have been groaning under the curse of sin. The\n millennium, the seventh thousand, will be a sabbath of rest and\n release; for, says the prophet concerning the land, \u201cas long as\n she lay desolate she kept _sabbath_.\u201d 2 Chron. 36:21. \u201cThere\n remaineth therefore a _rest_ [margin, _keeping of a sabbath_] to\n the people of God.\u201d Heb. 4:9. This precedes the new earth state.\n\n\n\n\nLength Of The Day Of The Lord\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Last Great Earthquake. \"For the great day of His wrath is come.\" Rev.\n 6:17.\n\n\n1. What is the character of the \u201cday of the Lord\u201d?\n\n\u201cThe great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even\nthe voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.\n_That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress._\u201d Zeph. 1:14,\n15.\n\n2. Under which of the seven seals does this day begin?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld _when He had opened the sixth seal_, and, lo, there was a\ngreat earthquake, ... for _the great day of His wrath is come_; and who\nshall be able to stand?\u201d Rev. 6:12-17.\n\n3. What signs were to appear under this seal?\n\n\u201cThe sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;\nand the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth\nher untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.\u201d Verses 12, 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For dates and fulfilment of these signs, see readings on\n pages 311, 319. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 (page 286) should\n not be confounded with that to take place under the seventh\n plague. Rev. 16:18.\n\n\n4. Under which seal will the Lord come?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had _opened the seventh seal_, there was silence in heaven\nabout the space of half an hour.\u201d Rev. 8:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This silence in heaven is the result of Christ and the\n angels leaving heaven to come to this earth. See page 288.\n\n\n5. With what is the day of wrath to open?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels\nhaving _the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of\nGod_.\u201d Rev. 15:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These plagues immediately precede Christ\u2019s coming. See Rev.\n 16:12-15, and reading on page 301.\n\n\n6. What great event will take place at Christ\u2019s coming?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven: ... and _the dead in\nChrist shall rise first_.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16.\n\n7. How long after this will the wicked dead be raised?\n\n\u201cBut _the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were\nfinished_.\u201d Rev. 20:5.\n\n8. As they gather around the holy city, what will take place?\n\n\u201cAnd fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n9. What is this destruction called?\n\n\u201cBut the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and\nwhoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have\ntheir part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is\n_the second death_.\u201d Rev. 21:8.\n\n10. Unto what are the present heavens and earth reserved?\n\n\u201cBut the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept\nin store, reserved _unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of\nungodly men_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When the fire from heaven destroys the wicked, the earth\n itself will also be burned and purified.\n\n\n11. Does the day of the Lord include this burning day?\n\n\u201cBut _the day of the Lord_ will come as a thief in the night; in the which\nthe heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and _the elements shall\nmelt with fervent heat, the earth also_ and the works that are therein\nshall be burned up.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The day of the Lord, therefore, begins with the seven last\n plagues and the coming of Christ, and continues for one thousand\n years, or till the wicked are destroyed, and the earth is renewed\n and given to the saints.\n\n\n\n\nElijah The Prophet\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Mt. Carmel. \"How long halt ye between two opinions?\" 1 Kings 18:21.\n\n\n1. What promise, through the prophet Malachi, does the Lord make\nconcerning Elijah?\n\n\u201cBehold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great\nand dreadful day of the Lord.\u201d Mal. 4:5.\n\n2. What will this prophet do when he comes?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall _turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the\nheart of the children to their fathers_, lest I come and smite the earth\nwith a curse.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n3. Whom did Christ indicate as fulfilling this prophecy?\n\n\u201cAnd His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias\nmust first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall\nfirst come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That _Elias is\ncome already_, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever\nthey listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the\ndisciples understood that He spake unto them of _John the Baptist_.\u201d Matt.\n17:10-13.\n\n4. When John the Baptist was asked if he were Elijah, what did he say?\n\n\u201cAnd he said, _I am not_.\u201d John 1:21.\n\n5. Who did he say he was?\n\n\u201cHe said, _I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness_. Make straight\nthe way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nTranslation Of Elijah. \"Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, ... and\n Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.\" 2 Kings 2:11.\n\n\n6. In what sense does the angel Gabriel explain John the Baptist to be the\nElijah of Mal. 4:5?\n\n\u201cMany of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And\nhe shall go before Him [Christ] _in the spirit and power of Elias_, to\nturn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the\nwisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.\u201d Luke\n1:16, 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014John went forth \u201c_in the spirit and power of Elias_,\u201d and,\n in preparing a people for Christ\u2019s first advent, did a work\n similar to that done by Elijah the prophet in Israel centuries\n before. See 1 Kings 17 and 18. In this sense, and in this sense\n only, he was the Elijah of Mal. 4:5.\n\n\n7. Near the close of the three and one-half years\u2019 drought in Israel,\nbrought about as a judgment through the intercessions of Elijah (James\n5:17) in consequence of Israel\u2019s apostasy, what accusation did King Ahab\nbring against Elijah?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, _Art\nthou he that troubleth Israel?_\u201d 1 Kings 18:17.\n\n8. What answer did Elijah make?\n\n\u201cAnd he answered, _I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father\u2019s\nhouse, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou\nhast followed Baalim_.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Israel had departed from God, forsaken His commandments, and\n gone off into idolatry. Jezebel, Ahab\u2019s wicked and idolatrous\n wife, had \u201ccut off the prophets of the Lord\u201d (verse 4), was\n supporting hundreds of the prophets of Baal, and was seeking\n Elijah to slay him. Elijah called for a famine on the land, and\n said to Ahab, \u201cAs the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I\n stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according\n to my word.\u201d 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah\u2019s message was a call to\n repentance and obedience to God\u2019s commandments.\n\n\n9. What plain proposition did he submit to all Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd Elijah came unto all the people, and said, _How long halt ye between\ntwo opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow\nhim_.\u201d 1 Kings 18:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The result of the test by fire which followed on Mt. Carmel,\n can be read in the remainder of this wonderful chapter. There was\n a great turning to God, the people saying, \u201cThe Lord, He is the\n God; the Lord, He is the God.\u201d Verse 39.\n\n\n10. What was the burden of the message of John the Baptist?\n\n\u201c_Repent ye_: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\u201d \u201cBring forth\ntherefore _fruits_ meet for repentance.\u201d Matt. 3:2, 8.\n\n11. What was the result of this message?\n\n\u201cThen went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round\nabout Jordan, and _were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their\nsins_.\u201d Verses 5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There was a genuine work of repentance and reform. John was\n not satisfied with a mere profession of religion. He told the\n Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, to \u201cbring forth\n fruits\u201d answerable to an \u201camendment of life.\u201d He wished to see\n religion in the life, the heart, the home. Thus he prepared a\n people for Christ\u2019s first advent.\n\n\n12. But when, according to the prophecy, was Elijah to be sent?\n\n\u201cBefore the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.\u201d Mal. 4:5.\n\n13. How is this great and dreadful day described in this same prophecy?\n\n\u201cFor, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the\nproud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that\ncometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave\nthem neither root nor branch.\u201d Verse 1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This day is yet future. It cannot be, therefore, that the\n work done by John the Baptist at Christ\u2019s first advent is all that\n was contemplated in the prophecy concerning the sending of Elijah\n the prophet. It must be that there is to be another and greater\n fulfilment of it, to precede Christ\u2019s _second advent_, and to\n prepare, or \u201cmake ready,\u201d a people for that great event.\n\n\n14. What is the burden of the threefold message of Rev. 14:6-10?\n\n\u201cFear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:\nand worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the\nfountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,\nbecause she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her\nfornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive\nhis mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine\nof the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of\nHis indignation.\u201d Rev. 14:6-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Like the messages of Elijah and John, this is a call to\n repentance and reform,\u2014a call to forsake false, idolatrous\n worship, and to turn to God, and worship Him, and Him alone. The\n first part of this threefold message points out the true God, the\n Creator, in language very similar to that found in the fourth, or\n Sabbath, commandment. This is the message now due the world, and\n that is now being proclaimed to the world. See readings on pages\n 251-263. Those who are proclaiming these messages constitute the\n Elijah for this time, as John and his colaborers did at the time\n of Christ\u2019s first advent.\n\n\n15. How are the people described who are developed by the threefold\nmessage here referred to?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These will be the ones who will be ready to meet Jesus when\n He comes. They have heeded the Elijah-call to repentance and\n reform. They have become concerned, not only for their own\n individual salvation, but for the salvation of their friends and\n relatives. By this message the hearts of the fathers are turned to\n the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.\n Each becomes burdened for the conversion and salvation of the\n other. There can be little religion in the heart of one who cares\n not for the eternal interests of his loved ones. When this message\n has done its work, God will smite the earth with a curse; the\n seven last plagues will fall, and usher in the great day of the\n Lord described in the preceding reading.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Light is beaming, day is coming!\n Let us sound aloud the cry;\n We behold the day-star rising\n Pure and bright in yonder sky!\n Saints, be joyful;\n Your redemption draweth nigh.\n\n We have found the chart and compass,\n And are sure the land is near;\n Onward, onward, we are hasting.\n Soon the haven will appear;\n Let your voices\n Sound aloud your holy cheer.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART VIII. THE LAW OF GOD\n\n\n\n\nThe Law of God\n\n\nI\n\nThou shalt have no other gods before Me.\n\nII\n\nThou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of\nanything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that\nis in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,\nnor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the\niniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth\ngeneration of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them\nthat love Me, and keep My commandments.\n\nIII\n\nThou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord\nwill not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.\n\nIV\n\nRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and\ndo all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:\nin it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy\nman servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that\nis within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the\nsea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the\nLord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\n\nV\n\nHonor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land\nwhich the Lord thy God giveth thee.\n\nVI\n\nThou shalt not kill.\n\nVII\n\nThou shalt not commit adultery.\n\nVIII\n\nThou shalt not steal.\n\nIX\n\nThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.\n\nX\n\nThou shalt not covet thy neighbor\u2019s house, thou shalt not covet thy\nneighbor\u2019s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox,\nnor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor\u2019s.\n\n\n\n\nThe Law Of God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Mt. Sinai. \"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.\" Ps.\n 19:7.\n\n\n1. When God brought His people out of Egypt, how did He republish His law?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the\nvoice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And _He\ndeclared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even\nten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone_.\u201d Deut.\n4:12, 13. See also Neh. 9:13, 14.\n\n2. Where are the ten commandments recorded?\n\nIn Ex. 20:2-17.\n\n3. How comprehensive are these commandments?\n\n\u201cFear God, and keep His commandments: for _this is the whole duty of\nman_.\u201d Eccl. 12:13.\n\n4. What inspired tribute is paid to the law of God?\n\n\u201c_The law of the Lord is perfect_, converting the soul: the testimony of\nthe Lord is _sure_, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are\n_right_, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is _pure_,\nenlightening the eyes.\u201d Ps. 19:7, 8.\n\n5. What blessing does the psalmist say attends the keeping of God\u2019s\ncommandments?\n\n\u201cMoreover by them is Thy servant warned: and _in keeping of them there is\ngreat reward_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n6. What did Christ state as a condition of entering into life?\n\n\u201cIf thou wilt enter into life, _keep the commandments_.\u201d Matt. 19:17.\n\n7. Can man of himself, unaided by Christ, keep the law?\n\n\u201cI am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him,\nthe same bringeth forth much fruit: for _without Me ye can do nothing_.\u201d\nJohn 15:5. See also Rom. 7:14-19.\n\n8. What provision has been made so that we may keep God\u2019s law?\n\n\u201cFor what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God\nsending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,\ncondemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be\nfulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.\u201d Rom.\n8:3, 4.\n\n9. What is the nature of God\u2019s law?\n\n\u201cFor we know that _the law is spiritual_: but I am carnal, sold under\nsin.\u201d Rom. 7:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In His comments on the sixth and seventh commandments,\n recorded in Matt. 5:21-28, Christ demonstrated the spiritual\n nature of the law, showing that it relates not merely to outward\n actions, but that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the\n heart. See also Heb. 4:12. The tenth commandment forbids lust, or\n all unlawful desire. Rom. 7:7. Obedience to this law, therefore,\n requires not merely an outward compliance, but genuine heart\n service. This can be rendered only by a regenerated soul.\n\n\n10. How is the law further described?\n\n\u201cWherefore the law is _holy_, and the commandment _holy_, and _just_, and\n_good_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n11. What is revealed in God\u2019s law?.\n\n\u201cAnd knowest _His_ [_God\u2019s_] _will_, and approvest the things that are\nmore excellent, being instructed out of the law.\u201d Rom. 2:18.\n\n12. When Christ came to this earth, what was His attitude toward God\u2019s\nwill, or law?\n\n\u201cThen said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me,\n_I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart_.\u201d\nPs. 40:7, 8. See Heb. 10:5, 7.\n\n13. Who did He say would enter the kingdom of heaven?\n\n\u201cNot every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the\nkingdom of heaven; but _he that doeth the will of My Father which is in\nheaven_.\u201d Matt. 7:21.\n\n14. What did He say of those who should break one of God\u2019s commandments,\nor should teach men to do so?\n\n\u201cWhosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and\nshall teach men so, _he shall be called the least in the kingdom of\nheaven_.\u201d Matt. 5:19, first part.\n\n15. Who did He say would be called great in the kingdom?\n\n\u201cBut _whosoever shall do and teach them_, the same shall be called great\nin the kingdom.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n16. How did Christ estimate the righteousness of the scribes and\nPharisees?\n\n\u201cFor I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the\nrighteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, _ye shall in no case enter\ninto the kingdom of heaven_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n17. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees?\n\n\u201cBut He answered and said unto them, _Why do ye also transgress the\ncommandment of God by your tradition?_\u201d Matt. 15:3.\n\n18. How had they done this?\n\n\u201cFor God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say,\nWhosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, ... and\nhonor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made\nthe commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.\u201d Verses 4-6.\n\n19. In consequence of this, what value did Christ place upon their\nworship?\n\n\u201cBut _in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments\nof men.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n20. What is sin declared to be?\n\n\u201cWhosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the\ntransgression of the law_.\u201d 1 John 3:4.\n\n21. By what is the knowledge of sin?\n\n\u201cFor _by the law is the knowledge of sin_.\u201d Rom. 3:20. See Rom. 7:7.\n\n22. How many of the commandments is it necessary to break in order to\nbecome a transgressor of the law?\n\n\u201cFor _whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he\nis guilty of all_. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do\nnot kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, and yet if thou kill, thou art\nbecome a transgressor of the law.\u201d James 2:10, 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This shows that the ten commandments are a complete whole,\n and together constitute but one law. Like a chain of ten links,\n all are inseparably connected together. If one link is broken, the\n chain is broken.\n\n\n23. How may we be freed from the guilt of our sins, or our transgressions\nof God\u2019s law?\n\n\u201c_If we confess our sins_, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,\nand to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d 1 John 1:9.\n\n24. Why are we admonished to fear God and keep His commandments?\n\n\u201cFear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.\n_For God shall bring every work into judgment_, with every secret thing,\nwhether it be good, or whether it be evil.\u201d Eccl. 12:13, 14.\n\n25. What will be the standard in the judgment?\n\n\u201cSo speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be _judged by the law of\nliberty_.\u201d James 2:12.\n\n26. What is said of those who love God\u2019s law?\n\n\u201c_Great peace have they which love Thy law_: and nothing shall offend\nthem.\u201d Ps. 119:165.\n\n27. What would obedience to God\u2019s commandments have insured to ancient\nIsrael?\n\n\u201cO that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! _then had thy peace been\nas a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea_.\u201d Isa. 48:18.\n\n28. What is another blessing attending the keeping of God\u2019s commandments?\n\n\u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a _good understanding\nhave all they that do His commandments_.\u201d Ps. 111:10.\n\n29. In what does the man delight whom the psalmist describes as blessed?\n\n\u201cBlessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor\nstandeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.\nBut _his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he\nmeditate day and night_.\u201d Ps. 1:1, 2. See Rom. 7:22.\n\n30. Why is the carnal mind enmity against God?\n\n\u201cBecause the carnal mind is enmity against God: _for it is not subject to\nthe law of God, neither indeed can be_.\u201d Rom. 8:7.\n\n31. How do those with renewed hearts and minds regard the commandments of\nGod?\n\n\u201cFor this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and _His\ncommandments are not grievous_.\u201d 1 John 5:3.\n\n32. What is the essential principle of the law of God?\n\n\u201cLove worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore _love_ is the fulfilling\nof the law.\u201d Rom. 13:10.\n\n33. In what two great commandments is the law of God briefly summarized?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy\nsoul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And\nthe second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On\nthese two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.\u201d Matt. 22:37-40.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cDoes any man say to me, \u2018You see, then, instead of the ten\n commandments, we have received the two commandments, and these are\n much easier\u2019? I answer that this reading of the law is not in the\n least easier. Such a remark implies a want of thought and\n experience. Those two precepts comprehend the ten at their fullest\n extent, and cannot be regarded as the erasure of a jot or tittle\n of them. Whatever difficulties surround the commands are equally\n found in the two, which are their sum and substance. If you love\n God with all your heart, you must keep the first table; and if you\n love your neighbor as yourself, you must keep the second\n table.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__\u201d__ by C. H.\n Spurgeon, page 6._\n\n\n34. What is said of one who professes to know the Lord, but does not keep\nHis commandments?\n\n\u201cHe that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is _a liar_,\nand _the truth is not in him_.\u201d 1 John 2:4.\n\n35. What promise is made to the willing and obedient?\n\n\u201cIf ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_.\u201d Isa.\n1:19.\n\n36. How does God regard those who walk in His law?\n\n\u201c_Blessed_ are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.\u201d\nPs. 119:1.\n\n\n\n\nPerpetuity Of The Law\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ Expounding The Law. \"Think not that I am come to destroy the law,\n or the prophets.\" Matt. 5:17.\n\n\n1. How many lawgivers are there?\n\n\u201cThere is _one lawgiver_, who is able to save and to destroy.\u201d James 4:12.\n\n2. What is said of the stability of God\u2019s character?\n\n\u201cFor I am the Lord, _I change not_.\u201d Mal. 3:6.\n\n3. How enduring are His commandments?\n\n\u201cThe works of His hands are verity and judgment; _all His commandments are\nsure. They stand fast forever and ever_, and are done in truth and\nuprightness.\u201d Ps. 111:7, 8.\n\n4. Did Christ come to abolish or to destroy the law?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil_.\u201d Matt. 5:17.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014_The law_; broadly, the writings of Moses; specifically,\n the ten commandments, or moral law, from which the writings of\n Moses primarily derived their name. _The prophets_; that is, the\n writings of the prophets. Neither of these Christ came to destroy,\n but rather to fulfil, or meet their design.\n\n \u201cThe laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial,\n and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of\n things, which cannot, therefore, be changed,\u2014such as the duty of\n loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can\n never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow men. Of\n this kind are the ten commandments; and these our Saviour neither\n abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are\n appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the\n religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed\n when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be\n untouched.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 5:18._\n\n \u201cJesus did not come to change the law, but He came to explain it,\n and that very fact shows that it remains; for there is no need to\n explain that which is abrogated.... By thus explaining the law He\n confirmed it; He could not have meant to abolish it, or He would\n not have needed to expound it.... That the Master did not come to\n alter the law is clear, because after having embodied it in His\n life, He willingly gave Himself up to bear its penalty, though He\n had never broken it, bearing the penalty for us, even as it is\n written, \u2018Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being\n made a curse for us.\u2019 ... If the law had demanded more of us than\n it ought to have done, would the Lord Jesus have rendered to it\n the penalty which resulted from its too severe demands? I am sure\n He would not. But because the law asked only what it ought to ask,\n namely, perfect obedience, and exacted of the transgressor only\n what it ought to exact, namely, death as the penalty for\n sin,\u2014death under divine wrath,\u2014therefore the Saviour went to the\n tree, and there bore our sins, and purged them once for\n all.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Perpetuity of the Law of God,__\u201d__ by C. H.\n Spurgeon, pages 4-7._\n\n \u201cThe moral law contained in the ten commandments, and enforced by\n the prophets, He did not take away. It was not the design of His\n coming to revoke any part of this.... Every part of this law must\n remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages, as not depending\n either on time or place, or any other circumstance liable to\n change, but on the nature of God, and the nature of man, and their\n unchangeable relation to each other.\u201d\u2014_John Wesley, in his\n __\u201c__Sermons,__\u201d__ Vol. I, No. 25, pages 221, 222._\n\n\n5. When used with reference to prophecy, what does the word _fulfil_ mean?\n\nTo fill up; to accomplish; to bring to pass; as, \u201cthat it might be\n_fulfilled_ which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.\u201d Matt. 4:14.\n\n6. What does it mean when used with reference to law?\n\nTo perform, to keep, or to act in accordance with; as, \u201cBear ye one\nanother\u2019s burdens, and so _fulfil_ the law of Christ.\u201d Gal. 6:2. See also\nMatt. 3:15; James 2:8, 9.\n\n7. How did Christ treat His Father\u2019s commandments?\n\n\u201cI have _kept_ My Father\u2019s commandments, and abide in His love.\u201d John\n15:10.\n\n8. If one professes to abide in Christ, how ought he to walk?\n\n\u201cHe that saith he abideth in Him _ought himself also so to walk, even as\nHe walked_.\u201d 1 John 2:6.\n\n9. What is sin?\n\n\u201cWhosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the\ntransgression of the law_.\u201d 1 John 3:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This text does not say that sin _was_ the transgression of\n the law, but that it _is_ this, thus demonstrating that the law is\n still in force in the gospel dispensation. \u201cWhosoever\u201d likewise\n shows the universality of its binding claims. Whoever of any\n nation, race, or people commits sin, transgresses the law.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Great Sacrifice. \"Do we then make void the law through faith? God\n forbid: yea, we establish the law.\" Rom. 3:31.\n\n\n10. In what condition are all men?\n\n\u201cFor _all have sinned_, and come short of the glory of God.\u201d Rom. 3:23.\n\n11. How many are included in the \u201call\u201d who have sinned?\n\n\u201cWhat then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before\nproved _both Jews and Gentiles_, that _they are all under sin_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n12. By what are all men proved guilty?\n\n\u201cNow we know that _what things soever the law saith_, it saith to them who\nare under the law: _that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may\nbecome guilty before God_.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it\n to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no\n respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. Measured\n by the law, _all the world_ are guilty before God.\n\n\n13. Does faith in God make void the law?\n\n\u201cDo we then make void the law through faith? _God forbid: yea, we\nestablish the law_.\u201d Verse 31.\n\n14. What, more than all else, proves the perpetuity and immutability of\nthe law of God?\n\n\u201cFor _God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son_, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16. \u201cChrist died for our sins.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Could the law have been abolished, and sin been disposed of\n in this way, Christ need not have come and died for our sins. The\n gift of Christ, therefore, more than all else, proves the\n immutability of the law of God. Christ must come and die, and\n satisfy the claims of the law, or the world must perish. The law\n could not give way. Says Spurgeon in his sermon on \u201cThe Perpetuity\n of the Law of God,\u201d \u201cOur Lord Jesus Christ gave a greater\n vindication of the law by dying because it had been broken than\n all the lost can ever give by their miseries.\u201d The fact that the\n law is to be the standard in the judgment is another proof of its\n enduring nature. See Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:8-12.\n\n\n15. What relation does a justified person sustain to the law?\n\n\u201cFor not the hearers of the law are just before God, but _the doers of the\nlaw shall be justified_.\u201d Rom. 2:13.\n\n16. Who has the promise of being blessed in his doing?\n\n\u201cBut he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so\ncontinueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, but _a doer that worketh_,\nthis man shall be blessed in his doing.\u201d James 1:25, R. V.\n\n17. By what may we know that we have passed from death unto life?\n\n\u201cWe know that we have passed from death unto life, _because we love the\nbrethren_.\u201d 1 John 3:14.\n\n18. And how may we know that we love the brethren?\n\n\u201cBy this we know that we love the children of God, _when we love God, and\nkeep His commandments_.\u201d 1 John 5:2.\n\n19. What is the love of God?\n\n\u201cFor this is the love of God, _that we keep His commandments_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n20. How are those described who will be prepared for the coming of Christ?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O that the Lord would guide my ways\n To keep His statutes still!\n O that my God would grant me grace\n To know and do His will!\n\n O send Thy Spirit down to write\n Thy law upon my heart,\n Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,\n Nor act the liar\u2019s part.\n\n From vanity turn off my eyes,\n Let no corrupt design\n Nor covetous desire arise\n Within this soul of mine.\n\n Order my footsteps by Thy word,\n And make my heart sincere;\n Let sin have no dominion, Lord,\n But keep my conscience clear.\n\n Make me to walk in Thy commands,\n \u2019Tis a delightful road;\n Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands\n Offend against my God.\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nWhy The Law Was Given At Sinai\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Moses With The Tables Of The Law. \"By the law is the knowledge of sin.\"\n Rom. 3:20.\n\n\n1. How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?\n\n\u201cThou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from\nheaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and\ncommandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst\nthem precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses Thy servant.\u201d Neh.\n9:13, 14.\n\n2. What is declared to be the chief advantage possessed by the Jews?\n\n\u201cWhat advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of\ncircumcision? Much every way: _chiefly, because that unto them were\ncommitted the oracles of God_.\u201d Rom. 3:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the\n benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the\n guardians and keepers of His law, but He intended that it should\n be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The\n precepts of the decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they\n were given for the instruction and government of all. \u201cTen\n precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty\n of man to God and to his fellow men;\u201d and all are based upon the\n great fundamental principle of love. \u201cThou shalt love the Lord thy\n God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy\n strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d\n Luke 10:27. In the ten commandments these principles are carried\n out in detail, and are made applicable to the condition and\n circumstances of man.\n\n\n3. Before the giving of the law at Sinai, what did Moses say when Jethro\nasked him concerning his judging the people?\n\n\u201cWhen they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and\nanother, and _I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws_.\u201d Ex.\n18:16.\n\n4. What explanation did Moses give the rulers of Israel concerning the\nwithholding of the manna on the seventh day in the wilderness of Sin,\nbefore they reached Sinai?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, _Tomorrow\nis the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord_.... Six days ye shall\ngather it; but on the seventh day, _which is the Sabbath_, in it there\nshall be none.\u201d Ex. 16:23-26.\n\n5. When some went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the\nLord say to Moses?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments\nand My laws_?\u201d Verse 28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God\n existed before the law was given at Sinai.\n\n\n6. What question does Paul ask concerning the law?\n\n\u201cWherefore then serveth the law?\u201d Gal. 3:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, of what use or service was the law announced at\n Sinai? What special purpose had God in view in giving it then?\n\n\n7. What answer is given to this question?\n\n\u201c_It was added, because of transgressions_, till the seed should come to\nwhom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a\nmediator.\u201d Same verse.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Greek word here translated \u201cadded\u201d is the same one that\n is translated \u201cspoken\u201d in Heb. 12:19.\n\n \u201cThe meaning is that _the law was given to show the true nature of\n transgressions_, or _to show what sin is_. It was not to reveal a\n way of justification, but it was _to disclose the true nature of\n sin_; to deter men from committing it; to declare its penalty; _to\n convince men of it_, and thus to be ancillary to, and preparatory\n to, the work of redemption through the Redeemer. This is the true\n account of the law of God as given to apostate man, and this use\n of the law still exists.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Gal. 3:19._\n\n\n8. How is this same truth again expressed?\n\n\u201cWherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.\nWas then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. _But sin, that\nit might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin\nby the commandment might become exceeding sinful._\u201d Rom. 7:12, 13.\n\n9. For what purpose did the law enter?\n\n\u201cMoreover the law entered, _that the offense might abound_.\u201d Rom. 5:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By the giving of the law at Sinai, then, God designed, not\n to increase or multiply sin, but that men might, through a new\n revelation of Him and of His character and will, as expressed in a\n _plainly spoken_ and _plainly written_ law, the better see _the\n awful sinfulness of sin_, and thus _their utter helplessness_ and\n _undone condition_. While in Egypt, surrounded as they were with\n idolatry and sin, and as the result of their long bondage and hard\n servitude, Israel even, the special people of God, had largely\n forgotten God and lost sight of His requirements. Until one\n realizes that he is a sinner, he cannot see his need of a Saviour\n from sin. Hence the entering, or republication, of the law to the\n world through Israel at Sinai.\n\n\n10. By what is the knowledge of sin?\n\n\u201c_By the law_ is the knowledge of sin.\u201d Rom. 3:20. See also Rom. 7:7.\n\n11. Under what condition is the written law good?\n\n\u201cBut we know that the law is good, _if a man use it lawfully_.\u201d 1 Tim.\n1:8.\n\n12. And what is indicated as the lawful use of the law?\n\n\u201cKnowing this, that _the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the\nlawless and disobedient_, for the _ungodly_ and for _sinners_, for\n_unholy_ and _profane_, for _murderers_ of fathers and _murderers_ of\nmothers, for _manslayers_, for _whoremongers_, for them that _defile\nthemselves with mankind_, for _menstealers_, for _liars_, for _perjured\npersons_, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound\ndoctrine.\u201d Verses 9, 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In other words, the lawful use of the written law is to show\n what sin is, and to convince sinners that they are sinners, and\n that they need a Saviour. God\u2019s design, then, in giving the law at\n Sinai was to shut men up under sin, and thus lead them to Christ.\n\n\n13. Who does Christ say need a physician?\n\n\u201cThey that be whole need not a physician, but _they that are sick_.\u201d Matt.\n9:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Speaking of how to deal with those \u201cwho are not stricken of\n their sins,\u201d and \u201chave no deep conviction of guilt,\u201d D. L. Moody,\n in his \u201cSermons, Addresses, and Prayers,\u201d says: \u201cJust bring the\n law of God to bear on these, and show them themselves in their\n true light.... Don\u2019t try to heal the wound before the hurt is\n felt. Don\u2019t attempt to give the consolation of the gospel until\n your converts see that they have sinned\u2014see it and feel it.\u201d\n\n\n14. Whom does Christ say He came to call to repentance?\n\n\u201cFor I am not come to call the righteous, but _sinners_ to repentance.\u201d\nVerse 13.\n\n15. What is the strength of sin?\n\n\u201cThe sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is _the law_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n15:56.\n\n16. What are the wages of sin?\n\n\u201cFor _the wages of sin is death_; but the gift of God is eternal life\nthrough Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n17. Could a law which condemns men give them life?\n\n\u201cIs the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for _if there\nhad been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness\nshould have been by the law_.\u201d Gal. 3:21.\n\n18. What, therefore, was the purpose, or special design, of the giving of\nthe law at Sinai?\n\n\u201cWherefore _the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ_, that we\nmight be justified by faith.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cWhat is the law of God for? for us to keep in order to be\n saved by it?\u2014Not at all. It is sent in order to show us that we\n cannot be saved by works, and to shut us up to be saved by grace.\n But if you make out that the law is altered so that a man can keep\n it, you have left him his old legal hope, and he is sure to cling\n to it. You need a perfect law that shuts man right up to\n hopelessness apart from Jesus, puts him into an iron cage, and\n locks him up, and offers him no escape but by faith in Jesus; then\n he begins to cry, \u2018Lord, save me by grace, for I perceive that I\n cannot be saved by my own works.\u2019 This is how Paul describes it to\n the Galatians: \u2018The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that\n the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that\n believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut\n up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore\n the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we\n might be justified by faith.\u2019 I say you have deprived the gospel\n of its ablest auxiliary when you set aside the law. You have taken\n away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ. They\n will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy\n law. Therefore the law serves a most necessary and blessed\n purpose, and it must not be removed from its place.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The\n Perpetuity of the Law of God,__\u201d__ by C. H. Spurgeon, pages 10,\n 11._\n\n \u201cAnd let it be observed that the law did not answer this end\n merely among the Jews, in the days of the apostles: it is just as\n necessary to the Gentiles, to the present hour. Nor do we find\n that true repentance takes place where the moral law is not\n preached and enforced. Those who preach only the gospel to\n sinners, at best only heal the hurt of the daughter of My people\n slightly.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Adam Clarke, on Rom. 7:13 (edition 1860)._\n\n Commenting on Gal. 3:23, Mr. Spurgeon, in his \u201cSermon Notes,\u201d\n CCXII, says: \u201cHere we have a condensed history of the world before\n the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus....\n The history of each saved soul is a miniature likeness of the\n story of the ages.\u201d That is, in his experience, each individual\n that is saved is first in darkness; he then comes to Sinai and\n learns that he is a sinner; this leads him to Calvary for the\n pardon of his sins, and so to full and final salvation.\n\n\n\n\nPenalty For Transgression\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Destruction Of Korah, Dathan, And Abiram. \"The wages of sin is death.\"\n Rom. 6:23.\n\n\n1. What is the wages of sin?\n\n\u201cFor the wages of sin is _death_.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n2. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they\ntransgressed, and partook of the forbidden fruit?\n\n\u201cBut of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of\nit: for in the day that thou eatest thereof _thou shalt surely die_.\u201d Gen.\n2:17.\n\n3. Who does God say shall die?\n\n\u201c_The soul that sinneth_, it shall die.\u201d Eze. 18:4.\n\n4. How did death enter the world?\n\n\u201cWherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and _death by sin_;\nand so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.\u201d Rom. 5:12.\n\n5. Why did God destroy the antediluvian world?\n\n\u201cAnd _God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth_.... And\nthe Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the\nearth.\u201d Gen. 6:5-7.\n\n6. While God is merciful, does this clear the guilty?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and\ntransgression, and _by no means clearing the guilty_.\u201d Num. 14:18. See\nalso Ex. 34:5-7.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Tower Of Babel. \"The Lord did there confound the language of all the\n earth.\" Gen. 11:9.\n\n\n7. What is the result of wilful sin?\n\n\u201cFor _if we sin wilfully_ after that we have received the knowledge of the\ntruth, _there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins_, but a certain fearful\nlooking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the\nadversaries.\u201d Heb. 10:26, 27.\n\n8. Under the theocracy, how were the rebellious or wilful transgressors\ntreated?\n\n\u201cHe that despised Moses\u2019 law _died without mercy_ under two or three\nwitnesses.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n9. What awaits those who despise the means of grace?\n\n\u201c_Of how much sorer punishment_, suppose ye, _shall he be thought worthy,\nwho hath trodden underfoot the Son of God_, and hath counted the blood of\nthe covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done\ndespite unto the Spirit of grace?\u201d Verse 29.\n\n10. Is it the duty of gospel ministers to execute vengeance?\n\n\u201cNow then _we are ambassadors for Christ_, as though God did beseech you\nby us.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:20. See 2 Tim. 2:24-26.\n\n11. To whom does vengeance belong?\n\n\u201c_Vengeance is Mine; I will repay_, saith the Lord.\u201d Rom. 12:19.\n\n12. To whom has execution of judgment been committed?\n\n\u201cFor as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to\nhave life in Himself; and _hath given Him authority to execute judgment\nalso_.\u201d John 5:26, 27. See Jude 14, 15.\n\n13. Because evil is not punished immediately, what presumptuous course do\nmany pursue?\n\n\u201cBecause sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,\n_therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil_.\u201d\nEccl. 8:11.\n\n14. What message has God commissioned His ministers to bear to men?\n\n\u201cSay ye to the righteous, that _it shall be well with him_: for they shall\neat of the fruit of their doings. _Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill\nwith him_: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.\u201d Isa. 3:10, 11.\n\n\n\n\nThe Law Of God In The Patriarchal Age\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Obedience Of Abraham. \"Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept ... My\n commandments.\" Gen. 26:5.\n\n\n1. Can there be sin where there is no law?\n\n\u201cBecause the law worketh wrath: _for where no law is, there is no\ntransgression_.\u201d \u201c_Sin is not imputed when there is no law._\u201d Rom. 4:15;\n5:13.\n\n2. Through what is the knowledge of sin obtained?\n\n\u201cFor _by the law_ is the knowledge of sin.\u201d \u201cI had not known sin, but _by\nthe law_.\u201d Rom. 3:20; 7:7.\n\n3. What statement shows that sin was in the world before the law was given\non Mt. Sinai?\n\n\u201c_For until the law sin was in the world_: but sin is not imputed when\nthere is no law.\u201d Rom. 5:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fact that sin was imputed before the law was given at\n Sinai is conclusive proof that the law existed before that event.\n\n\n4. When did sin and death enter the world?\n\n\u201cWherefore, as _by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world_, and death\nby sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.\u201d Verse\n12.\n\n5. With what words did God admonish Cain?\n\n\u201cIf thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not\nwell, _sin lieth at the door_.\u201d Gen. 4:7.\n\n6. What shows that God imputed sin to Cain?\n\n\u201cAnd He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother\u2019s blood crieth\nunto Me from the ground. And _now art thou cursed from the earth_, which\nhath opened her mouth to receive thy brother\u2019s blood from thy hand.\u201d\nVerses 10, 11.\n\n7. What was the difference between Cain\u2019s and Abel\u2019s characters?\n\n\u201cNot as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And\nwherefore slew he him? _Because his own works were evil, and his brother\u2019s\nrighteous._\u201d 1 John 3:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There must, therefore, have been a standard at that time by\n which the characters of men were weighed. That standard must have\n defined the difference between right and wrong, and pointed out\n man\u2019s duty. But this is the province of the law of God. Hence the\n law of God must have existed at that time.\n\n\n8. In what condition was the world before the flood?\n\n\u201cThe earth also was _corrupt before God_, and the earth was _filled with\nviolence_.\u201d Gen. 6:11.\n\n9. What did God purpose to do with the people of that day?\n\n\u201cAnd God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the\nearth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, _I will destroy\nthem with the earth_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n10. What is Noah called?\n\n\u201cAnd spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, _a\npreacher of righteousness_.\u201d 2 Peter 2:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Noah must have warned the antediluvians against sin, and\n preached repentance and that obedience of faith which brings the\n life into harmony with the law of God.\n\n\n11. Why did the Lord destroy Sodom?\n\n\u201cThe men of Sodom were _wicked_ and _sinners_ before the Lord\n_exceedingly_.\u201d Gen. 13:13.\n\n12. What was the character of their deeds?\n\n\u201cAnd delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:\n(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed\nhis righteous soul from day to day with their _unlawful deeds_).\u201d 2 Peter\n2:7, 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Their deeds would not have been _unlawful_ had there been no\n law then in existence. _Unlawful_ means \u201ccontrary to law.\u201d\n\n\n13. What did Joseph, in Egypt, say when tempted to sin?\n\n\u201cHow then can I do this great wickedness, and _sin against God_?\u201d Gen.\n39:9.\n\n14. What did God say to Abraham concerning the Amorites?\n\n\u201cIn the fourth generation they [Israel] shall come hither again: for _the\niniquity of the Amorites is not yet full_.\u201d Gen. 15:16.\n\n15. Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty?\n\n\u201cAnd he [Ahab] did very abominably in _following idols, according to all\nthings as did the Amorites_, whom the Lord cast out before the children of\nIsrael.\u201d 1 Kings 21:26.\n\n16. Why did the Lord abhor the Canaanites?\n\n\u201cYe shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all My judgments, and do\nthem: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not\nout. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out\nbefore you: _for they committed all these things_, and therefore I\nabhorred them.\u201d Lev. 20:22, 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The statement that \u201cthey committed all these things\u201d refers\n to what had been previously forbidden to the Israelites. Among\n these things was idolatrous worship (Lev. 20:1-5), showing that\n the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were amenable to the law of\n God, and were abhorred of God for violating it.\n\n\n17. Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham?\n\n\u201cBecause Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My\nstatutes, and My laws.\u201d Gen. 26:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Then God\u2019s commandments and laws existed in the time of\n Abraham.\n\n\n18. Before giving the law at Sinai, what did God say because some of the\npeople went out to gather manna on the seventh day?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments\nand My laws?_\u201d Ex. 16:28.\n\n19. Had the Lord spoken regarding the Sabbath previous to this time?\n\n\u201cThis is that which the Lord _hath said_, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy\nSabbath.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n20. Before coming to Sinai, what had Moses taught Israel?\n\n\u201cWhen they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and\nanother, and _I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws_.\u201d Ex.\n18:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All this shows that the law of God existed from the\n beginning, and was known and taught in the world before it was\n proclaimed at Sinai.\n\n\n\n\nThe Law Of God In The New Testament\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Paul Preaching To The Thessalonians. \"This is the love of God, that we\n keep His commandments.\" 1 John 5:3.\n\n\n1. By what means did the Jews know God\u2019s will?\n\n\u201cBehold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy\nboast of God, and knowest His will, ... _being instructed out of the\nlaw_.\u201d Rom. 2:17, 18.\n\n2. What did they have in the law?\n\n\u201cWhich hast _the form of knowledge and of the truth_ in the law.\u201d Verse\n20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The written law presents the _form_ of knowledge and of the\n truth. Grace and truth, or grace and the reality or realization of\n that which the written law demands, came by Jesus Christ. He was\n the law in life and action.\n\n\n3. What did Jesus say of His attitude toward the law?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil_.\u201d Matt. 5:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By the expression \u201cthe law\u201d here is meant the five books of\n Moses; and by \u201cthe prophets,\u201d the writings of the prophets. Christ\n did not come to set aside or to destroy either of these, but to\n fulfil both. The ceremonialism of types and shadows contained in\n the books written by Moses He fulfilled by meeting them as their\n great Antitype. The moral law, the great basic fabric underlying\n all of Moses\u2019 writings, Christ fulfilled by a life of perfect\n obedience to all its requirements. The prophets He fulfilled in\n His advent as the Messiah, Prophet, Teacher, and Saviour foretold\n by them.\n\n\n4. What did He teach concerning the stability of the law?\n\n\u201cFor verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one\ntittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.\u201d Verse\n18.\n\n5. In what instruction did He emphasize the importance of keeping the law?\n\n\u201cWhosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and\nshall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:\nbut whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in\nthe kingdom of heaven.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n6. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do in order to enter into\nlife?\n\n\u201cIf thou wilt enter into life, _keep the commandments_.\u201d Matt. 19:17.\n\n7. When asked which commandments, what did Jesus say?\n\n\u201cJesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou\nshalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and\nthy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d Verses 18, 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014While not quoting all of the ten commandments, Jesus quoted\n sufficient of them to show that He referred to the moral law. In\n quoting the second great commandment He called attention to the\n great principle underlying the second table of the law,\u2014love to\n one\u2019s neighbor,\u2014which the rich young man, in his covetousness, was\n not keeping.\n\n\n8. Does faith render the law void?\n\n\u201cDo we then make void the law through faith? _God forbid: yea, we\nestablish the law._\u201d Rom. 3:31.\n\n9. How is the law fulfilled?\n\n\u201cOwe no man anything, but to love one another: for _he that loveth another\nhath fulfilled the law_. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou\nshalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,\nThou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment [touching our\nduty to our fellow men], it is briefly comprehended in this saying,\nnamely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to\nhis neighbor: therefore _love is the fulfilling of the law_.\u201d Rom.\n13:8-10.\n\n10. What is of more importance than any outward ceremony?\n\n\u201cCircumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but _the keeping\nof the commandments of God_.\u201d 1 Cor. 7:19.\n\n11. What kind of mind is not subject to the law of God?\n\n\u201cBecause _the carnal mind_ is enmity against God: for it is not subject to\nthe law of God, neither indeed can be.\u201d Rom. 8:7.\n\n12. What proves that the law is an undivided whole?\n\n\u201c_For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he\nis guilty of all._ For He that said [margin, _that law which said_], Do\nnot commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no\nadultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So\nspeak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.\u201d\nJames 2:10-12.\n\n13. How is sin defined?\n\n\u201cWhosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the\ntransgression of the law_.\u201d 1 John 3:4.\n\n14. How may we know that we love the children of God?\n\n\u201cBy this we know that we love the children of God, _when we love God, and\nkeep His commandments_.\u201d 1 John 5:2.\n\n15. What is the love of God declared to be?\n\n\u201cFor _this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments_: and His\ncommandments are not grievous.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n16. How is the church of the last days described?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the\nremnant of her seed, _which keep the commandments of God, and have the\ntestimony of Jesus Christ_.\u201d \u201cHere is the patience of the saints: _here\nare they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus_.\u201d Rev.\n12:17; 14:12.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How blest the children of the Lord,\n Who, walking in His sight,\n Make all the precepts of His Word\n Their study and delight!\n\n What precious wealth shall be their dower,\n Which cannot know decay;\n Which moth and rust shall ne\u2019er devour,\n Or spoiler take away.\n\n HARRIET AUBER.\n\n\n\n\nLove the Fulfilling of the Law\n\n\n\u201cIf the love of God is shed abroad in your heart,\u201d says Mr. Moody, \u201cyou\nwill be able to fulfil the law.\u201d Paul reduces the commandments to one:\n\u201cThou shalt love,\u201d and says that \u201clove is the fulfilling of the law.\u201d This\ntruth may be demonstrated thus:\u2014\n\n\n 1. Love to God will admit no other god.\n 2. Love will not debase the object it adores.\n 3. Love to God will never dishonor His name.\n 4. Love to God will reverence His day.\n 5. Love to parents will honor them.\n 6. Hate, not love, is a murderer.\n 7. Lust, not love, commits adultery.\n 8. Love will give, but never steal.\n 9. Love will not slander nor lie.\n 10. Love\u2019s eye is not covetous.\n\n\nPrinciples Underlying the Ten Commandments\n\n1. Faith and loyalty. Heb. 11:6; Matt. 4:8-10.\n\n2. Worship. Jer. 10:10-12; Ps. 115:3-8; Rev. 14:6, 7.\n\n3. Reverence. Ps. 111:9; 89:7; Heb. 12:28; 2 Tim. 2:19.\n\n4. Holiness, or sanctification, and consecration. 1 Peter 1:15, 16; Heb.\n12:14; Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12; 1 Cor. 1:30; Prov. 3:6.\n\n5. Obedience, or respect for authority. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 2 Kings\n2:23, 24.\n\n6. Love. Lev. 19:17; 1 John 3:15; Matt. 5:21-26, 43-48.\n\n7. Purity. Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:3, 4; Col. 3:5, 6; 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11.\n\n8. Honesty. Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12.\n\n9. Truthfulness. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:19; Rev. 21:27;\n22:15.\n\n10. Contentment and unselfishness. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:6-11; Heb.\n13:5.\n\n\n\n\nThe Moral And Ceremonial Laws\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Law Written And Engraven In Stones. The Law Of Commandments Contained\n In Ordinances.\n\n\n1. What title of distinction is given the law of God?\n\n\u201cIf ye fulfil _the royal law_ according to the scripture, Thou shalt love\nthy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye\ncommit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.\u201d James 2:8, 9.\n\n2. By what law is the knowledge of sin?\n\n\u201cI had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the\nlaw had said, Thou shalt not covet.\u201d Rom. 7:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The law which says, \u201cThou shalt not covet,\u201d is the ten\n commandments.\n\n\n3. By what are all men to be finally judged?\n\n\u201cLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and _keep His\ncommandments_: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring\nevery work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or\nwhether it be evil.\u201d Eccl. 12:13, 14. \u201cSo speak ye, and so do, as they\nthat shall be judged by _the law of liberty_.\u201d James 2:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The law which is here called \u201cthe law of liberty,\u201d is the\n law which says, \u201cDo not commit adultery\u201d and \u201cDo not kill,\u201d for\n these commandments had just been quoted in the verse immediately\n preceding. In verse 8, this same law is styled \u201cthe royal law;\u201d\n that is, the kingly law. This is the law by which men are to be\n judged.\n\n\n4. What system was established on account of man\u2019s transgression of the\nlaw of God?\n\nThe sacrificial system, with its rites and ceremonies pointing to Christ.\n\n5. Why did the patriarch Job offer burnt offerings?\n\n\u201cAnd his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and\nsent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And\nit was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent\nand sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and _offered burnt\nofferings_ according to the number of them all: for Job said, _It may be\nthat my sons have sinned_, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job\ncontinually.\u201d Job 1:4, 5.\n\n6. How early was this sacrificial system known?\n\n\u201cBy faith _Abel_ offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by\nwhich he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his\ngifts.\u201d Heb. 11:4. See Gen. 4:3-5; 8:20.\n\n7. By whom was the ten commandment law proclaimed?\n\n\u201cAnd _the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire_: ye heard the\nvoice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And _He\ndeclared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even\nten commandments_; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.\u201d Deut.\n4:12, 13.\n\n8. How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord called unto Moses, ... saying, _Speak unto the children of\nIsrael, and say unto them_, If any man of you bring _an offering_,\u201d etc.\nLev. 1:1, 2. \u201c_This is the law of the burnt offering, of the\nmeat-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and\nof the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace-offering_; which\nthe Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that He commanded the\nchildren of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the\nwilderness of Sinai.\u201d Lev. 7:37, 38.\n\n9. Were the ten commandments a distinct and complete law by themselves?\n\n\u201c_These words the Lord spake_ unto all your assembly in the mount out of\nthe midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a\ngreat voice: _and He added no more_. And He wrote them in two tables of\nstone, and delivered them unto me.\u201d Deut. 5:22. \u201cAnd the Lord said unto\nMoses, Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee\n_tables of stone_, and _a law_, and _commandments_ which I have written.\u201d\nEx. 24:12.\n\n10. Was the ceremonial law a complete law in itself?\n\n\u201c_The law_ of commandments _contained in ordinances_.\u201d Eph. 2:15.\n\n11. On what did God write the ten commandments?\n\n\u201cAnd He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform,\neven ten commandments; and _He wrote them upon two tables of stone_.\u201d\nDeut. 4:13.\n\n12. In what were the laws or commandments respecting sacrifices and burnt\nofferings written?\n\n\u201cAnd they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to\nthe divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it\nis written in _the book of Moses_.\u201d 2 Chron. 35:12.\n\n13. Where were the ten commandments placed?\n\n\u201cAnd he took and put the testimony _into the ark_, ... and put the\nmercy-seat above upon the ark.\u201d Ex. 40:20.\n\n14. Where did Moses command the Levites to put the book of the law which\nhe had written?\n\n\u201cMoses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the\nLord, saying, Take this book of the law, and _put it in the side of the\nark_ of the covenant of the Lord your God.\u201d Deut. 31:25, 26.\n\n15. What is the nature of the moral law?\n\n\u201cThe law of the Lord is _perfect_, converting the soul.\u201d Ps. 19:7. \u201cFor we\nknow that the law is _spiritual_.\u201d Rom. 7:14.\n\n16. Could the offerings commanded by the ceremonial law satisfy or make\nperfect the conscience of the believer?\n\n\u201cWhich was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both\ngifts and sacrifices, _that could not make him that did the service\nperfect, as pertaining to the conscience_.\u201d Heb. 9:9.\n\n17. Until what time did the ceremonial law impose the service performed in\nthe worldly sanctuary?\n\n\u201cWhich stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal\nordinances, _imposed on them until the time of reformation_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n18. When was this time of reformation?\n\n\u201cBut _Christ being come_ an high priest of good things to come, by a\ngreater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say,\nnot of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His\nown blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal\nredemption for us.\u201d Verses 11, 12.\n\n19. How did Christ\u2019s death affect the ceremonial law?\n\n\u201c_Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances_ that was against us, which\nwas contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.\u201d\nCol. 2:14. \u201cHaving _abolished_ in His flesh the enmity, even _the law of\ncommandments contained in ordinances_.\u201d Eph. 2:15.\n\n20. Why was the ceremonial law taken away?\n\n\u201cFor there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its\nweakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a\nbringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto\nGod.\u201d Heb. 7:18, 19, R. V.\n\n21. What miraculous event occurred at the death of Christ, signifying that\nthe sacrificial system was forever at an end?\n\n\u201cJesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.\nAnd, behold, _the veil of the temple was rent in twain_ from the top to\nthe bottom.\u201d Matt. 27:50, 51.\n\n22. In what words had the prophet Daniel foretold this?\n\n\u201cAnd He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and _in the\nmidst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to\ncease_.\u201d Dan. 9:27.\n\n23. How enduring is the moral law?\n\n\u201cConcerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that _Thou hast founded\nthem forever_.\u201d Ps. 119:152.\n\nThe Two Laws Contrasted\n\nThe Moral Law The Ceremonial Law\nIs called the \u201croyal law.\u201d James Is called \u201cthe law ... contained\n2:8. in ordinances.\u201d Eph. 2:15.\nWas spoken by God. Deut. 4:12, 13. Was spoken by Moses. Lev. 1:1-3.\nWas written by God on tables of Was \u201cthe handwriting of\nstone. Ex. 24:12. ordinances.\u201d Col. 2:14.\nWas written \u201cwith the finger of Was written by Moses in a book. 2\nGod.\u201d Ex. 31:18. Chron. 35:12.\nWas placed in the ark. Ex. 40:20; Was placed in the side of the ark.\n1 Kings 8:9; Heb. 9:4. Deut. 31:24-26.\nIs \u201cperfect.\u201d Ps. 19:7. \u201cMade nothing perfect.\u201d Heb. 7:19.\nIs to \u201cstand fast forever and Was nailed to the cross. Col.\never.\u201d Ps. 111:7, 8. 2:14.\nWas not destroyed by Christ. Matt. Was abolished by Christ. Eph.\n5:17. 2:15.\nWas to be magnified by Christ. Was taken out of the way by\nIsa. 42:21. Christ. Col. 2:14.\nGives knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20; Was instituted in consequence of\n7:7. sin. Leviticus 3-7.\n\n\n\n\nThe Two Covenants\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Abraham Sending Away Hagar. \"Cast out the bondwoman and her son.\" Gal.\n 4:30.\n\n\n1. What two covenants are contrasted in the Bible?\n\n\u201cIn that He saith, A _new_ covenant, He hath made the first _old_. Now\nthat which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.\u201d Heb. 8:13.\n\n2. By what other terms are these covenants designated?\n\n\u201cFor if that _first_ covenant had been faultless, then should no place\nhave been sought for the _second_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n3. In connection with what historical event was the old covenant made?\n\n\u201cNot according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day\n_when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt_;\nbecause they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith\nthe Lord.\u201d Verse 9. See Ex. 19:3-8.\n\n4. When God was about to proclaim His law to Israel, of what did He tell\nMoses to remind them?\n\n\u201cTell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,\nand how I bare you on eagles\u2019 wings, and brought you unto Myself.\u201d Ex.\n19:3, 4.\n\n5. What proposition did He submit to them?\n\n\u201cNow therefore, _if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant,\nthen ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people_: for all\nthe earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an\nholy nation.\u201d Verses 5, 6.\n\n6. What response did the people make to this proposition?\n\n\u201cAnd all the people answered together, and said, _All that the Lord hath\nspoken we will do_. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the\nLord.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n7. In this covenant with Israel, what obligation was imposed upon the\npeople?\n\n\u201cNow therefore, if ye will _obey My voice_ indeed, and _keep My\ncovenant_.\u201d Verse 5, first part.\n\n8. What was the Lord\u2019s covenant which they were to keep as their part of\nthis covenant?\n\n\u201cAnd He declared unto you _His covenant_, which He commanded you to\nperform, even _ten commandments_; and He wrote them upon two tables of\nstone.\u201d Deut. 4:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The ten commandments were the \u201ccovenant\u201d to which the Lord\n referred, when, in proposing to make a covenant with Israel, He\n said, \u201cIf ye will obey _My voice_ indeed, and keep _My covenant_,\u201d\n etc. Ex. 19:5. The ten commandments were termed God\u2019s covenant\n before the covenant was made with Israel: hence they cannot be the\n old covenant itself. They were not an agreement made, but\n something which God commanded them to perform, and promised\n blessings upon condition they were kept. Thus the ten\n commandments\u2014God\u2019s covenant\u2014became the _basis_ of the covenant\n here made with Israel. The old covenant was made _concerning_ the\n ten commandments; or, as stated in Ex. 24:8, \u201cconcerning all these\n words.\u201d A covenant means a solemn pledge or promise based on\n conditions.\n\n\n9. After the law had been proclaimed from Sinai, what did the people again\nsay?\n\n\u201cAnd all the people answered with one voice, and said, _All the words\nwhich the Lord hath said will we do_.\u201d Ex. 24:3.\n\n10. That there might be no misunderstanding, what did Moses do?\n\n\u201cAnd Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, ... and he took the book of\nthe covenant, and read in the audience of the people.\u201d Verses 4-7.\n\n11. What did the people once again promise to do?\n\n\u201cAnd they said, _All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be\nobedient_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n12. How was this covenant then confirmed and dedicated?\n\n\u201cAnd he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt\nofferings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord. And Moses\ntook half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he\nsprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in\nthe audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said\nwill we do, and be obedient. And _Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it\non the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord\nhath made with you concerning all these words_.\u201d Verses 5-8.\n\n13. How does Paul describe this dedication of the covenant?\n\n\u201cFor when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to\nthe law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet\nwool, and hyssop, and _sprinkled both the book, and all the people_,\nsaying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto\nyou.\u201d Heb. 9:19, 20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We here have the complete account of the making of the first\n or old covenant. God promised to make them His peculiar people on\n condition that they would keep His commandments. Three times they\n promised to obey. The agreement was then ratified, or sealed, with\n blood.\n\n\n14. Within less than forty days after the making of this covenant, while\nMoses tarried in the mount, what did the people say to Aaron?\n\n\u201c_Up, make us gods, which shall go before us_; for as for this Moses, the\nman that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become\nof him.\u201d Ex. 32:1.\n\n15. When Moses came down from Sinai, what did he see?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw\n_the calf_, and _the dancing_: and Moses\u2019 anger waxed hot, and he cast the\ntables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The great object and secret of the old covenant is revealed\n here. The people did not realize the weakness and sinfulness of\n their own hearts, or their need of divine grace and help to keep\n the law; and so, in their ignorance, they readily pledged\n obedience to it. But almost immediately they began to commit\n idolatry, and thus to break the law of God, or the very conditions\n laid down as their part of the covenant. In themselves the\n conditions were good; but in their own strength the people were\n unable to fulfil them. The great object of the old covenant\n therefore was to teach the people their weakness, and their\n inability to keep the law without the help of God. Like the law\n itself, over which the old covenant was made, this covenant was\n designed to shut them up to the provisions of the new or\n everlasting covenant, and lead them to Christ. Gal. 3:23, 24. And\n the lesson which Israel as a nation had to learn in this, each\n individual now must learn before he can be saved. There is no\n salvation for any one while trusting in self. Unaided, no one can\n keep the law. Only in Christ is there either remission of sins or\n power to keep from sinning. The breaking of the tables of the law\n signified that the terms of the covenant had been broken; the\n renewing of the tables (Ex. 34:1, 28), God\u2019s patience and\n long-suffering with His people.\n\n\n16. Wherein does the new covenant differ from and excel the old?\n\n\u201cBut now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He\nis the mediator of _a better covenant_, which was established upon _better\npromises_.\u201d Heb. 8:6.\n\n17. What are the \u201cbetter promises\u201d upon which the new covenant was\nestablished?\n\n\u201cThis shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;\nAfter those days, saith the Lord, _I will put My law in their inward\nparts, and write it in their hearts; ... I will forgive their iniquity,\nand I will remember their sin no more_.\u201d Jer. 31:33, 34. See Heb. 8:8-12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These are simply the blessings of the gospel through Christ.\n They are promised upon condition of repentance, confession, faith,\n and acceptance of Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant, which\n means salvation and obedience. In the old covenant there was no\n provision for pardon and power to obey. It is true there was\n pardon _during the time of the old covenant_, but not by _virtue_\n of it. Pardon then, as now, was through the provisions of the new\n covenant, the terms of which are older than the old covenant.\n\n\n18. In what statement was Christ promised as a Saviour and Deliverer of\nthe race as soon as sin entered?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between\nthee and the woman, and between thy seed and _her seed_; it shall bruise\nthy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.\u201d Gen. 3:14, 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The covenant of grace, with its provisions of pardon and\n peace, dates from the foundation of the world.\n\n\n19. To whom was this covenant-promise later renewed?\n\n\u201cAnd God said unto _Abraham_, ... Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son\nindeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My\ncovenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with _his seed_ after\nhim.\u201d \u201cI will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, ... and in\n_thy seed_ shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.\u201d Gen. 17:15-19;\n26:4.\n\n20. Who was the seed here referred to?\n\n\u201cNow to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to\nseeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, _which is Christ_.\u201d\nGal. 3:16.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nMoses Breaking The Tables Of The Law. \"Moses said unto the people, Ye have\n sinned a great sin.\" Ex. 32:30.\n\n\n21. What shows that the new or second covenant and the Abrahamic covenant\nare virtually the same?\n\n\u201cAnd if ye be Christ\u2019s, then are ye Abraham\u2019s seed, and heirs according to\nthe promise.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014No one should allow himself to be confused by the terms\n _first covenant_ and _second covenant_. While the covenant made at\n Sinai is called the first covenant, it is by no means the first\n covenant that God ever made with man. Long before this He made a\n covenant with Abraham; He also made a covenant with Noah, and with\n Adam. Neither must it be supposed that the first or old covenant\n existed for a time as the _only_ covenant with mankind, and that\n this must serve its purpose and pass away before any one could\n share in the promised blessings of the second or new covenant. Had\n this been the case, then during that time there would have been no\n pardon for any one. What is called the new or second covenant\n virtually existed before the covenant made at Sinai; for the\n covenant with Abraham was confirmed in Christ (Gal. 3:17), and it\n is only through Christ that there is any value to the new or\n second covenant. There is no blessing that can be gained by virtue\n of the new covenant that was not promised to Abraham. And we, with\n whom the new covenant is made, can share the inheritance which it\n promises only by being children of Abraham, and sharing in his\n blessing. Gal. 3:7, 9. And since no one can have anything except\n as a child of Abraham, it follows that there is nothing in what is\n called the new or second covenant that was not in the covenant\n made with Abraham. The second covenant existed in every essential\n feature, except its ratification, long before the first, even from\n the days of Adam. It is called second because its ratification\n occurred after the covenant made and ratified at Sinai.\n\n\n22. What is necessary where there is a covenant?\n\n\u201cFor where a covenant is, there must also of necessity be _the death of\nthat which establishes it_. For a covenant is made firm over the dead\nvictims; whereas it is of no force while that which establisheth it\nliveth.\u201d Heb. 9:16, 17, Boothroyd\u2019s translation.\n\n23. With whose blood was the new covenant dedicated?\n\n\u201cAnd [He took] the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is\nthe new covenant in _My blood_, even that which is poured out for you.\u201d\nLuke 22:20, R. V.\n\n24. What power is there in the blood of this covenant?\n\n\u201cNow the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,\nthat great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting\ncovenant, _make you perfect in every good work_ to do His will.\u201d Heb.\n13:20, 21.\n\n25. Through which covenant only is there remission of sins?\n\n\u201cHow much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit\noffered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from\ndead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator\nof a _new covenant_, that a death having taken place for the redemption of\nthe transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been\ncalled may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.\u201d Heb. 9:14, 15,\nR. V.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant,\n died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the\n first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness _by virtue_ of\n the first covenant.\n\n\n26. Under the old covenant, what did the people promise?\n\nTo keep the law of God in their own strength.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Under this covenant the people promised to keep all the\n commandments of God in order to be His peculiar people, and this\n without help from any one. This was virtually a promise to make\n themselves righteous. But Christ says, \u201cWithout Me ye can do\n nothing.\u201d John 15:5. And the prophet Isaiah says, \u201cAll our\n righteousnesses are as filthy rags.\u201d Isa. 64:6. The only perfect\n righteousness is God\u2019s righteousness, and this can be obtained\n only through faith in Christ. Rom. 3:20-26. The only righteousness\n that will insure an entrance into the kingdom of God is \u201cthe\n righteousness which is of God by faith.\u201d Phil. 3:9. Of those who\n inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says, \u201cTheir righteousness is\n of Me\u201d (Isa. 54:17); and the prophet Jeremiah says of Christ,\n \u201cThis is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our\n Righteousness.\u201d Jer. 23:6.\n\n\n27. Under the new covenant, what does God promise to do?\n\n\u201cI will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.\u201d\nJer. 31:33.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The new covenant is an arrangement for bringing man again\n into harmony with the divine will, and placing him where he can\n keep God\u2019s law. Its \u201cbetter promises\u201d bring forgiveness of sins,\n grace to renew the heart, and power to obey the law of God. The\n dissolution of the old covenant and the making of the new in no\n wise abrogated the law of God.\n\n\n28. Where was the law of God written under the old covenant?\n\n\u201cAnd I made an ark of shittim-wood, and hewed _two tables of stone.... And\nHe wrote on the tables ... the ten commandments_, which the Lord spake\nunto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the\nassembly: and the Lord gave them unto me.\u201d Deut. 10:3, 4.\n\n29. Where is the law of God written under the new covenant?\n\n\u201cBut this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;\nAfter those days, saith the Lord, _I will put My law in their inward\nparts, and write it in their hearts_.\u201d Jer. 31:33.\n\n30. What reason is given for making the new covenant?\n\n\u201cFor if that first covenant had been _faultless_, then should no place\nhave been sought for the second. For _finding fault with them_, he saith,\nBehold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.\u201d\nHeb. 8:7, 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The chief fault in connection with the old covenant lay with\n _the people_. They were not able, in themselves, to fulfil their\n part of it, and it provided them no help for so doing. There was\n no Christ in it. It was of _works_ and not of _grace_. It was\n valuable only as a means of impressing upon them their sinfulness\n and their need of divine aid.\n\n\n31. What unites all believers under the new covenant?\n\n\u201cWherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who\nare called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the\nflesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being\naliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants\nof promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: _but now in\nChrist Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of\nChrist_.\u201d Eph. 2:11-13.\n\nSimilarities Between The Two Covenants\n\n1. Both are called covenants.\n2. Both were ratified with blood.\n3. Both were made concerning the law of God.\n4. Both were made with the people of God.\n5. Both were established upon promises.\n\nDissimilarities Between The Two Covenants\n\nOld Covenant New Covenant\nCalled the old covenant. Called the new covenant.\nCalled the first covenant. Called the second covenant.\nA temporary compact. An everlasting covenant.\nDedicated with the blood of Ratified with the blood of\nanimals. Christ.\nWas faulty. Is a better covenant.\nWas established upon the Is established upon the\npromises of the people. promises of God.\nHad no mediator. Has a mediator.\nHad no provision for the Provides for the forgiveness\nforgiveness of sins. of sins.\nUnder this, the law was Under this, the law is written\nwritten on tables of stone. in the heart.\nWas of works. Is of grace.\nConditions: Obey and live; Conditions: Repent and be\ndisobey and die. forgiven; believe and be\n saved.\n_If._ If _ye_. If ye _will_. _I._ I _will_. I will _do_.\nIf ye will _do_.\nIf ye will do _all_. I will do _all_.\nIf ye will do all, _then_\u2014ye I will do all, _and_\u2014will be\nshall be My people, _and_ I your God, _and_ ye shall be My\nwill be your God. people.\n\n\n\n\nWhat Was Abolished By Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Veil Rent In Twain. \"Having abolished in His flesh ... the law ...\n contained in ordinances.\" Eph. 2:15.\n\n\n1. How did Christ\u2019s death on the cross affect the whole sacrificial\nsystem?\n\n\u201cAfter threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.... And He shall\nconfirm the covenant with many for one week: and _in the midst of the week\nHe shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease_.\u201d Dan. 9:26, 27.\n\n2. What did Christ nail to His cross?\n\n\u201cBlotting out _the handwriting of ordinances_ that was against us, which\nwas contrary to us, and took it out of the way, _nailing it to His\ncross_.\u201d Col. 2:14.\n\n3. What did He thus abolish?\n\n\u201cHaving abolished in His flesh the enmity, even _the law of commandments\ncontained in ordinances_; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so\nmaking peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the\ncross, having slain the enmity thereby.\u201d Eph. 2:15, 16.\n\n4. To what did the ordinances pertain that were thus abolished?\n\n\u201cLet no man therefore judge you in _meat_, or in _drink_, or in respect of\nan _holy day_, or of the _new moon_, or of the _sabbath days: which are a\nshadow of things to come_; but the body is of Christ.\u201d Col. 2:16, 17.\n\n5. From what statement do we learn that these ordinances related to the\nsacrificial system?\n\n\u201cFor the law _having a shadow of good things to come_, and not the very\nimage of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered\nyear by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.\u201d Heb. 10:1.\n\n6. What occurred at the time of the crucifixion which indicated that the\ntypical system had been taken away by Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd, behold, _the veil of the temple was rent in twain_ from the top to\nthe bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.\u201d Matt. 27:51.\n\n7. In what language is this clearly stated?\n\n\u201cThen said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. _He taketh away the\nfirst, that He may establish the second._\u201d Heb. 10:9.\n\n8. What is the first which He took away?\n\n\u201cAbove when He said, _Sacrifice_ and _offering_ and _burnt offerings_ and\n_offering for sin_ thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;\nwhich are offered by the law.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cHe taketh away the first.\u201d The connection plainly\n indicates that what Christ took away was ceremonialism as\n expressed in the typical service of sacrifices and offerings, and\n that what He established, by giving Himself to do the will of God,\n was the experience of doing the will of God on the part of the\n believer. Thus He made possible the answer to the petition which\n He taught His disciples, \u201cThy will be done in earth, as it is in\n heaven.\u201d Instead of abolishing the moral law, Christ made such\n provision that every believer in Him may become a doer of that\n law.\n\n \u201cThe word _first_ here refers to sacrifices and offerings. He\n takes _them_ away; that is, He shows that they are of no value in\n removing sin. He states their inefficacy, and declares His purpose\n to abolish them. \u2018_That He may establish the second_\u2019\u2014to wit, the\n doing of the will of God.... If they had been efficacious, there\n would have been no need of His coming to make an atonement.\u201d\u2014_Dr.\n Albert Barnes, on Heb. 10:9._\n\n\n9. In what statement to the woman at Jacob\u2019s well did Jesus intimate that\nthe ceremonial system of worship would be abolished?\n\n\u201cJesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall\nneither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.\u201d John\n4:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The worship of the Jews centered in the typical system, or\n ritual service, of the temple, \u201cat Jerusalem,\u201d while the\n Samaritans had instituted a rival service \u201cin this mountain,\u201d Mt.\n Gerizim. In His statement to the woman of Samaria, Jesus therefore\n indicated that the time was at hand when the whole typical system\n would be done away.\n\n\n10. What test case arose in the time of the apostles over this question?\n\n\u201cAnd certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said,\n_Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved_.\u201d\nActs 15:1.\n\n11. What requirement was made by these teachers from Judea concerning the\nceremonial law?\n\n\u201cForasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have\ntroubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, _Ye must be\ncircumcised, and keep the law_: to whom we gave no such commandment.\u201d\nVerse 24.\n\n12. After conferring over this matter, what decision was reached by the\napostles?\n\n\u201cFor it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no\ngreater burden than these necessary things; _that ye abstain from meats\noffered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from\nfornication_: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye\nwell.\u201d Verses 28, 29.\n\n13. What charge was made against Stephen concerning his attitude toward\nthe ceremonial law?\n\n\u201cAnd set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak\nblasphemous words against _this holy place_, and _the law_: for we have\nheard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and\nshall _change the customs which Moses delivered us_.\u201d Acts 6:13, 14.\n\n14. What similar charge was brought against the apostle Paul?\n\n\u201cThis fellow persuadeth men to worship God _contrary to the law_.\u201d Acts\n18:13.\n\n15. What statement did Paul make concerning his faith and manner of\nworship?\n\n\u201cBut this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call\n_heresy_, so worship I the God of my fathers, _believing all things which\nare written in the law and in the prophets_.\u201d Acts 24:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The charge against Stephen and Paul was not based upon any\n violation of the moral law, but upon their teaching concerning the\n ceremonial law; and Paul\u2019s admission that he was guilty of what\n they called heresy meant simply that he differed from them as to\n the obligation to observe any longer the precepts of the law which\n was imposed upon them \u201cuntil the time of reformation.\u201d The simple\n fact that such charges were preferred against these able exponents\n and teachers of the gospel shows that in their view the ceremonial\n law had been abolished by the death of Christ, and that, like the\n giving of the moral law at Sinai it was designed to lead men to\n Christ.\n\n\n16. What is one of the offices of the moral law?\n\n\u201cWherefore the law was _our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we\nmight be justified by faith_.\u201d Gal. 3:24.\n\n17. How is this same teaching expressed in another place?\n\n\u201cFor _Christ is the end of the law for righteousness_ to every one that\nbelieveth.\u201d Rom. 10:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Murdock\u2019s translation of the Syriac New Testament renders\n this passage: \u201cFor Messiah is the _aim_ of the law, for\n righteousness, unto every one that believeth in Him.\u201d\n\n\n18. In what statement is there a similar use of the word end?\n\n\u201cReceiving _the end of your faith_, even the salvation of your souls.\u201d 1\nPeter 1:9. See also 1 Tim. 1:5; James 5:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the ceremonial law there was \u201ca shadow of good things to\n come,\u201d a type of the mediatorial work of Christ, our great High\n Priest. The moral law makes known sin, places the sinner under\n condemnation, and forces him to Christ for pardon and cleansing.\n The ceremonial law was abolished by the work of Christ, but the\n moral law was established by both His life and death.\n\n\n19. What testimony did Christ bear concerning His relation to the law and\nthe prophets?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil.\u201d Matt. 5:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cChrist kept the law. If He had ever broken it, He would\n have had to die for Himself; but because He was a Lamb without\n spot or blemish, His atoning death is efficacious for you and me.\n He had no sin of His own to atone for, and so God accepted His\n sacrifice. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every\n one that believeth. We are righteous in God\u2019s sight because the\n righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ is unto all\n and upon all them that believe.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Weighed and Wanting,__\u201d__ by\n D. L. Moody, pages 123, 124._ See also notes on pages 374, 375,\n 382, and 389.\n\n\n\n\nThe Law And The Gospel\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Sinai And The Cross. \"The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto\n Christ.\" Gal. 3:24.\n\n\n1. What is one of the uses of the law?\n\n\u201cTherefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in\nHis sight: for _by the law is the knowledge of sin_.\u201d Rom. 3:20.\n\n2. In thus making known sin, and the consequent need of a Saviour, what\npart does the law act?\n\n\u201cWherefore the _law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ_, that we\nmight be justified by faith.\u201d Gal. 3:24.\n\n3. What is the gospel declared to be?\n\n\u201cFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is _the power of God\nunto salvation to every one that believeth_; to the Jew first, and also to\nthe Greek.\u201d Rom. 1:16.\n\n4. What is the significance of the name bestowed by the angel upon the\nSaviour before His birth?\n\n\u201cAnd she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name _Jesus_:\nfor _He shall save His people from their sins_.\u201d Matt. 1:21.\n\n5. In whom is this power to save from sin revealed?\n\n\u201cBut we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-*block, and\nunto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and\nGreeks, _Christ the power of God_, and the wisdom of God.\u201d 1 Cor. 1:23,\n24.\n\n6. What was foretold concerning Christ\u2019s attitude toward the law of God?\n\n\u201cThen said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me,\n_I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart_.\u201d\nPs. 40:7, 8.\n\n7. What is the first promise of the new covenant?\n\n\u201cFor this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after\nthose days, saith the Lord; _I will put My laws into their mind, and write\nthem in their hearts_.\u201d Heb. 8:10.\n\n8. What is Christ\u2019s relation to this new covenant?\n\n\u201cBut now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He\nis the _mediator_ of a better covenant, which was established upon better\npromises.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n9. How is this same work for man otherwise described?\n\n\u201cFor every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices:\nwherefore _it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also to offer_.\nFor if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing that there are\npriests that offer gifts according to the law.\u201d Verses 3, 4.\n\n10. What is necessary on the part of the individual in order to receive\nthe benefit of Christ\u2019s work?\n\n\u201cWith the heart man _believeth_ unto righteousness; and with the mouth\n_confession_ is made unto salvation.\u201d Rom. 10:10.\n\n11. For what did the apostle Paul trust Christ?\n\n\u201cYea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the\nknowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of\nall things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be\nfound in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but\nthat which is through the faith of Christ, _the righteousness which is of\nGod by faith_.\u201d Phil. 3:8, 9.\n\n12. What relation does the law sustain to this righteousness?\n\n\u201cBut now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, _being\nwitnessed by the law_ and the prophets.\u201d Rom. 3:21.\n\n13. Does the faith which brings righteousness abolish the law?\n\n\u201cDo we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, _we\nestablish the law_.\u201d Verse 31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The law reveals the perfection of character required, and so\n gives a knowledge of sin; but it is powerless to confer the\n character demanded. In the gospel, the law, first written in the\n heart of Christ, becomes \u201cthe law of the Spirit of life in Christ\n Jesus,\u201d and is thus transferred to the heart of the believer, in\n whose heart Christ dwells by faith. Thus the new covenant promise\n is fulfilled that the law shall be written in the heart. This is\n the genuine experience of righteousness by faith,\u2014a righteousness\n which is witnessed by the law, and revealed in the life in harmony\n with the law. The gospel is thus seen to be the provision for\n restoring the law to its place in the heart and life of the one\n who believes on Christ, and accepts His mediatorial work. Such\n faith, instead of making void the law, establishes it in the heart\n of the believer. The gospel is not against the law, therefore, but\n upholds, maintains, and presents the law to us in Christ.\n\n\n14. What did Christ take away?\n\n\u201cThe next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb\nof God, which taketh away _the sin of the world_.\u201d John 1:29.\n\n15. What has Christ abolished?\n\n\u201cBut is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,\nwho hath _abolished death_, and hath brought life and immortality to light\nthrough the gospel.\u201d 2 Tim. 1:10.\n\n16. What change is brought about through the gospel?\n\n\u201cBut we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,\nare _changed into the same image_ from glory to glory, even as by the\nSpirit of the Lord.\u201d 2 Cor. 3:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is sometimes claimed that Christ changed, abolished, or\n took away the law, and put the gospel in its place; but this shows\n a misapprehension of the real work of Christ. The individual\n believer is changed by beholding the glory revealed in the gospel\n (2 Cor. 4:4; John 1:14); death has been abolished through the\n death of Christ; and sin has been taken away by the great\n Sin-bearer; but the law of God still remains unchanged as the very\n foundation of His throne. See note on page 98.\n\n\n17. What spiritual interpretation did Christ give to the sixth\ncommandment?\n\n\u201cYe have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;\nand whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say\nunto you, That _whosoever is angry with his brother_ without a cause shall\nbe in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother,\n_Raca_, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, _Thou\nfool_, shall be in danger of hell-fire.\u201d Matt. 5:21, 22.\n\n18. How did He interpret the seventh commandment?\n\n\u201cYe have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit\nadultery: but I say unto you, That _whosoever looketh on a woman to lust\nafter her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart_.\u201d Verses\n27, 28.\n\n19. Of what prophecy was this teaching a fulfilment?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is well pleased for His righteousness\u2019 sake; _He will magnify\nthe law, and make it honorable_.\u201d Isa. 42:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ not only gave a spiritual interpretation to the law,\n and Himself observed it according to that interpretation, but He\n showed the holiness and the immutable nature of the law by dying\n on the cross to pay the penalty of its transgression. In this way,\n above all, He magnified the law, and showed its far-reaching,\n immutable, and imperishable nature.\n\n\n20. In what promise was the gospel preached to Abraham?\n\n\u201cAnd the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through\nfaith, preached before _the gospel_ unto Abraham, saying, _In thee shall\nall nations be blessed_.\u201d Gal. 3:8.\n\n21. On what basis was Abraham accounted righteous?\n\n\u201cFor what saith the scripture? _Abraham believed God, and it was counted\nunto him for righteousness._\u201d Rom. 4:3.\n\n22. What scripture cuts off all hope of justification by works?\n\n\u201cTherefore _by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in\nHis sight_: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.\u201d Rom. 3:20.\n\n23. In what way are all believers in Jesus justified?\n\n\u201cBeing _justified freely by His grace_ through the redemption that is in\nChrist Jesus.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n24. After this work of grace has been accomplished, is the believer\nexpected to go on in sin?\n\n\u201cWhat shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?\nGod forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?\u201d\nRom. 6:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Even in the days of Abraham the same gospel of righteousness\n by faith was preached as now, while the law made known sin, and\n witnessed to the righteousness obtained through faith, just as it\n has done since the cross. From this it is evident that the\n relation between the law and the gospel has always been the same.\n\n\n25. What was Christ\u2019s personal attitude toward the law?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil_.\u201d Matt. 5:17. \u201cIf ye keep My commandments,\nye shall abide in My love; even as _I have kept My Father\u2019s commandments_,\nand abide in His love.\u201d John 15:10.\n\n26. What scripture shows that God\u2019s remnant people will have a right\nconception of the proper relation between the law and the gospel?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: _here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus_.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART IX. THE SABBATH\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n In The Corn-Field On The Sabbath Day. \"The Sabbath was made for man, and\n not man for the Sabbath.\" Mark 2:27.\n\n\n\n\nInstitution Of The Sabbath\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Garden Of Eden. \"God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.\" Gen.\n 2:3.\n\n\n1. When and by whom was the Sabbath made?\n\n\u201cThus the heavens and the earth, were finished, and all the host of them.\nAnd _on the seventh day God ended His work_ which He had made; _and He\nrested on the seventh day_ from all His work which He had made.\u201d Gen. 2:1,\n2.\n\n2. After resting on the seventh day, what did God do?\n\n\u201cAnd God _blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it_: because that in it\nHe had rested from all His work which God created and made.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n3. By what three distinct acts, then, was the Sabbath made?\n\nGod _rested_ on it; He _blessed_ it; He _sanctified_ it.\n\n\n _Sanctify_: \u201cTo make sacred or holy; to set apart to a holy or\n religious use.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n4. Did Christ have anything to do with creation and the making of the\nSabbath?\n\n\u201cAll things were made _by Him_; and _without Him was not anything made\nthat was made_.\u201d John 1:3. See also Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ, being the active agent in creation, must have rested\n on the seventh day with the Father. It is therefore His rest day\n as well as the Father\u2019s.\n\n\n5. For whom does Christ say the Sabbath was made?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, _The Sabbath was made for man_, and not man for\nthe Sabbath.\u201d Mark 2:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It was not made for the Jews alone. The Jews derive their\n name from Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom they\n are descended. The Sabbath was made more than two thousand years\n before there was a Jew. When Paul says, \u201cNeither was the man\n created for the woman; but the woman for the man\u201d (1 Cor. 11:9),\n we understand him to mean that marriage was ordained of God for\n all men. So likewise with the Sabbath. It was made for the race.\n\n\n6. What does the Sabbath commandment require?\n\n\u201c_Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy._ Six days shalt thou labor,\nand do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy\nGod: _in it thou shalt not do any work_, thou, nor thy son, nor thy\ndaughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy\nstranger that is within thy gates.\u201d Ex. 20:8-10.\n\n7. What reason is given in the commandment for keeping the Sabbath day\nholy?\n\n\u201c_For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and rested the seventh day_: wherefore the Lord blessed the\nSabbath day, and hallowed it.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath is the memorial of creation, and the sign of\n God\u2019s creative power. Through the keeping of it God designed that\n man should forever remember Him as the true and living God, the\n Creator of all things.\n\n\n8. Did God bless and sanctify the seventh day while He was resting upon\nit, or when His rest on that day was past?\n\n\u201cAnd God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: _because that in it\nHe __HAD__ rested from all His work_ which God created and made.\u201d Gen.\n2:3.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014God blessed and sanctified the seventh day then future,\n answering to the day on which He had just rested. The acts of\n blessing and sanctifying involve the idea of a future use of those\n things which are blessed and sanctified. Past time cannot be used.\n It is gone forever. The blessing and sanctification of the day,\n therefore, must have related to the future\u2014to all the future\n seventh days.\n\n In Joel 1:14 we read: \u201cSanctify [i.e., appoint] ye a fast, call a\n solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the\n land into the house of the Lord.\u201d Wherever used in the Bible, the\n word sanctify means to appoint, to proclaim, or to set apart, as\n in the margin of Joshua 20:7; 2 Kings 10:20, 21; Zeph. 1:7. So\n when the Sabbath was sanctified, as the last act by which it was\n made for man, an appointment, or proclamation, of the Sabbath was\n given. See Ex. 19:23.\n\n \u201cIf we had no other passage than this of Gen. 2:3, there would be\n no difficulty in deducing from it a precept for the universal\n observance of a Sabbath, or seventh day, to be devoted to God as\n holy time, by all of that race for whom the earth and its nature\n were specially prepared. The first men must have known it. The\n words _He hallowed it_ can have no meaning otherwise. They would\n be a blank unless in reference to some who were required to keep\n it holy.\u201d\u2014_Lange\u2019s Commentary, Vol. I, page 197._\n\n\n9. How did God prove Israel in the wilderness?\n\n\u201cThen said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, _I will rain bread from heaven for\nyou_; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day,\n_that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no_.\u201d Ex.\n16:4.\n\n10. On which day was a double portion of manna gathered?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, that _on the sixth day they gathered twice as much\nbread_, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came\nand told Moses.\u201d Verse 22.\n\n11. What reply did Moses make to the rulers?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto them, _This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow\nis the rest of the holy Sabbath_ unto the Lord.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This was a full month and more before they came to Sinai.\n\n\n12. _When_ had God _said_ this?\n\nIn the beginning, when He sanctified the Sabbath. Gen. 2:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In the wilderness of Sin, before Israel came to Sinai, Moses\n said to Jethro, his father-in-law, \u201cI do make them know the\n _statutes_ of God, and His _laws_\u201d (Ex. 18:16), which shows that\n these statutes and laws existed before they were proclaimed on\n Sinai.\n\n\n13. What did some of the people do on the seventh day?\n\n\u201cIt came to pass, that _there went out some of the people on the seventh\nday for to gather_, and they found none.\u201d Ex. 16:27.\n\n14. How did God reprove their disobedience?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments\nand My laws?_\u201d Verse 28.\n\n15. Why was double manna given on the sixth day?\n\n\u201cSee, _for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore He giveth\nyou on the sixth day the bread of two days_; abide ye every man in his\nplace, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n16. How, then, did the Lord prove the people (verse 4) whether they would\nkeep His law, or not?\n\nOver the keeping of the Sabbath.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Thus we see that the Sabbath commandment was a part of God\u2019s\n law before this law was spoken from Sinai; for this incident\n occurred in the wilderness of Sin, before the children of Israel\n came to Sinai, where the law was given. Both the Sabbath and the\n law existed from creation.\n\n\n\n\nGod\u2019s Memorial\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist The Word. \"He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered.\" Ps.\n 111:4.\n\n\n1. What is to endure throughout all generations?\n\n\u201cThy name, O Lord, endureth forever; and _Thy memorial, O Lord; throughout\nall generations_.\u201d Ps. 135:13.\n\n\n _Memorial_: \u201cAnything intended to preserve the memory of a person\n or event; something which serves to keep some person or thing in\n remembrance, as a monument or a practise.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n2. What illustration of this is given in the Bible?\n\n\u201cAnd _these stones shall be for a memorial_ unto the children of Israel\nforever.\u201d Joshua 4:7.\n\n3. What were these stones to commemorate?\n\n\u201cAnd he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children\nshall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?\nthen _ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this\nJordan on dry land_.\u201d Verses 21, 22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These stones were to be a standing memorial, or reminder, of\n Israel\u2019s coming dry-shod over the Jordan.\n\n\n4. What was another memorial instituted to commemorate another signal\nprovidence in behalf of the Israelites?\n\n\u201cAnd _this day shall be unto you for a memorial_; and ye shall keep it a\nfeast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by\nan ordinance forever.\u201d Ex. 12:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, the Passover, was a _periodical_ memorial, to be\n observed on the fourteenth day of the first month of each year,\n the day on which the Israelites were delivered from Egyptian\n bondage, and its celebration was to be, with the seven days\u2019 feast\n of unleavened bread following and connected with it, in\n commemoration of that event. See Ex. 13:3-9.\n\n\n5. Does God design that His great work of creating the heavens and the\nearth shall be remembered?\n\n\u201cThe works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have\npleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and His\nrighteousness endureth forever. _He hath made His wonderful works to be\nremembered._\u201d Ps. 111:2-4.\n\n6. What has He commanded men to observe in memory of this great work?\n\n\u201c_Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy_; ... for in six days the Lord\nmade heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the\nseventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\u201d\nEx. 20:8-11.\n\n7. Of what was this memorial to be a sign?\n\n\u201cAnd hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be _a sign_ between Me and you,\n_that ye may know that I am the Lord your God_.\u201d Eze. 20:20.\n\n8. How long was the Sabbath to be a sign of the true God?\n\n\u201c_It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever_: for in six\ndays the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and\nwas refreshed.\u201d Ex. 31:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is manifest that if the object of the Sabbath was to keep\n God as the Creator in mind, and it had been faithfully kept from\n the first, there would not now be a heathen or an idolater on the\n face of the earth.\n\n\n9. What besides creation were Israel to remember when they kept the\nSabbath?\n\n\u201c_And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the\nLord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a\nstretched-out arm_: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the\nSabbath day.\u201d Deut. 5:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There is a deep significance to this scripture not apparent\n to those unacquainted with the facts. In Egypt, through oppression\n and idolatrous surroundings, the keeping of the Sabbath had become\n not only almost obsolete, but well-nigh impossible. See reading on\n \u201cReasons for Sabbath-Keeping,\u201d under questions 9 and 10, page 423.\n Their deliverance from bondage was in order that they might keep\n God\u2019s law (Ps. 105:43-45), and particularly the Sabbath, the great\n seal, sign, and memorial-institution of the law. The recollection\n of their bondage and oppressed condition in Egypt was to be an\n additional incentive for keeping the Sabbath in the land of\n freedom. The Sabbath, therefore, besides being a memorial of\n creation, was to be to them a memorial of their deliverance from\n bondage, and of the great power of God as manifested in this\n deliverance. And as Egypt stands as a symbol of the condition of\n every one in the world under the slavery of sin, so the Sabbath is\n to be kept by every saved soul as a memorial of the deliverance\n from this slavery by the mighty power of God through Christ.\n\n\n10. Of what else does God say He gave the Sabbath to His people to be a\nsign, or reminder?\n\n\u201cMoreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be _a sign_ between Me and\nthem, _that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them_.\u201d Eze.\n20:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Sanctification is a work of redemption,\u2014of making holy\n sinful or unholy beings. Like the work of creation itself, this\n requires creative power. See Ps. 51:10; John 3:3, 6; Eph. 2:10.\n And as the Sabbath is the appropriate sign or memorial of the\n creative power of God wherever displayed, whether in creation,\n deliverance from human bondage, or deliverance from the slavery of\n sin, it is to be kept as a sign of the work of sanctification.\n This will be one great reason for the saints\u2019 keeping it\n throughout eternity. It will remind them not only of their own\n creation and the creation of the universe, but also of their\n redemption.\n\n\n11. Through whom do we have sanctification?\n\n\u201cBut of Him are ye in _Christ Jesus_, who of God is made unto us wisdom,\nand righteousness, and _sanctification_, and redemption.\u201d 1 Cor. 1:30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Then, as the Sabbath is a sign or memorial of\n sanctification, and as Christ is the one through whom the work of\n sanctification is accomplished, the Sabbath is a sign or memorial\n of what Christ is to the believer. Through the Sabbath, therefore,\n God designed that the believer and Christ should be very closely\n linked together.\n\n\n12. What statement of the redeemed shows that they will remember God\u2019s\ncreative power?\n\n\u201cThou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: _for Thou\nhast created all things_, and for Thy pleasure they are and were\n_created_.\u201d Rev. 4:11.\n\n13. How often will they congregate to worship the Lord?\n\n\u201cFor as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain\nbefore Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it\nshall come to pass, that _from one new moon to another_, and _from one\nSabbath to another_, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the\nLord.\u201d Isa. 66:22, 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath, which is the memorial of God\u2019s creative power,\n will never cease to exist. When this sinful state of things shall\n give way to the sinless new earth, the fact upon which the Sabbath\n institution is based will still remain; and those who shall be\n permitted to live in the new earth will still commemorate the\n creative power of God, while singing the song of Moses and the\n Lamb. Rev. 15:3. See Rev. 22:1, 2.\n\n\n\n\nReasons For Sabbath-Keeping\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Mt. Sinai--Where The Law Was Given. \"That ye may know that I am the Lord\n your God.\" Eze. 20:20.\n\n\n1. What is the one great feature by which the true God is distinguished\nfrom all false gods?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting\nking.... _The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth_, even\nthey shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. _He hath\nmade the earth by his power_, He hath established the world by His wisdom,\nand hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion.\u201d Jer. 10:10-12.\n\n2. When Paul wished to preach the true God to the idolatrous Athenians,\nhow did he describe Him?\n\n\u201cWhom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. _God that\nmade the world and all things therein._\u201d Acts 17:23, 24.\n\n3. What did the apostles say to the idolaters at Lystra?\n\n\u201cWe ... preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto _the\nliving God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that\nare therein_.\u201d Acts 14:15. See also Rev. 10:6; 14:6, 7.\n\n4. What reason is given in the fourth commandment for keeping the Sabbath\nday holy?\n\n\u201cFor in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and rested the seventh day.\u201d Ex. 20:11.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Sabbath is the great memorial of creation and of God\u2019s\n creative power, a constant reminder of the true and living God.\n God\u2019s design in making the Sabbath, and in commanding that it be\n kept holy, was that man might never forget Him, the Creator of all\n things.\n\n \u201cThe original Sabbath being a perpetual memorial of God, the\n Creator calling man to imitate God in the observance of the same,\n man could not keep the original Sabbath and forget God.\u201d\u2014_Prof. E.\n W. Thomas, M. A., in Herald of Gospel Liberty, June 19, 1890._\n\n When we remember that two thirds of the world\u2019s inhabitants today\n are idolaters, and that since the fall, idolatry, with its train\n of associated and resultant evils, has ever been a prevailing sin,\n and then think that the observance of the Sabbath, as God ordained\n it, would have prevented all this, we can better appreciate the\n value of the Sabbath institution, and the importance of\n Sabbath-keeping.\n\n\n5. What does God say the Sabbath will be to those who hallow it, or keep\nit holy?\n\n\u201cAnd hallow My Sabbaths; and _they shall be a sign between Me and you,\nthat ye may know that I am the Lord your God_.\u201d Eze. 20:20.\n\n6. How important is it that we know God?\n\n\u201cAnd _this is life eternal_, that they might know Thee the only true God,\nand Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.\u201d John 17:3.\n\n7. Is there any danger of God\u2019s chosen people forgetting Him?\n\n\u201c_Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God_, in not keeping His\ncommandments, and His judgments, and His statutes.\u201d Deut. 8:11.\n\n8. What other reason is given for keeping the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cVerily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: _for it is a sign between Me and you_\nthroughout your generations; _that ye may know that I am the Lord that\ndoth __SANCTIFY__ you_.\u201d Ex. 31:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014To sanctify is to make holy, or to set apart for a holy use.\n The sanctification, or making holy, of sinful beings can be\n wrought only by the creative power of God through Christ by the\n Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor. 1:30 we are told that Christ is made unto\n us \u201csanctification;\u201d and in Eph. 2:10 it is said that \u201cwe are His\n workmanship, _created_ in Christ Jesus unto good works.\u201d The\n Sabbath, therefore, is a sign of sanctification, and thus of what\n Christ is to the believer, because it is a reminder of the\n creative power of God as manifested in the work of regeneration.\n It is the sign of the power of God, therefore, in both creation\n and redemption. To the believer, it is the evidence, or sign, that\n he knows the true God, who, through Christ, created all things,\n and who, through Christ, redeems the sinner and makes him whole.\n\n\n9. What special reason did the Israelites have for keeping the Sabbath?\n\n\u201c_And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the\nLord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a\nstretched-out arm_: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the\nSabbath day.\u201d Deut. 5:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In their bondage the Israelites had to some extent lost the\n knowledge of God, and departed from His precepts. The Sabbath came\n to be greatly disregarded by them; and in consequence of the\n oppression of the Pharaohs, especially the Pharaoh of the exodus,\n as witnessed by the rigorous exactions made upon them by this\n latter king through their taskmasters, its observance was made\n apparently impossible. See Ex. 5:1-19. The special point, both of\n reform and of conflict, just preceding their deliverance from\n bondage, was over the matter of Sabbath observance. Moses and\n Aaron had shown them that obedience to God was the first condition\n of deliverance. Their efforts to restore the observance of the\n Sabbath among the Israelites had come to the notice of Pharaoh;\n hence his accusation against them, \u201cWherefore do ye, Moses and\n Aaron, _let_ [hinder] the people from their works? get you unto\n your burdens.... Behold, the people of the land are many, and ye\n make them _rest_ [Heb., _Shabbath_] from their burdens.\u201d Ex. 5:4,\n 5. Deliverance from this oppression was indeed, therefore, an\n additional and special reason for their keeping the Sabbath. But\n Egypt and Egyptian bondage simply represent sin and the bondage of\n sin. See Rev. 11:8; Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:15; Zech. 10:10. Every\n one, therefore, who has been delivered from sin has the same\n reason for keeping the Sabbath as had the Israelites who were\n released from Egyptian bondage.\n\n\n10. What does the psalmist say was the reason why God brought His people\nout of Egypt, and placed them in Canaan?\n\n\u201cAnd He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness:\nand gave them the lands of the heathen: ... _that they might observe His\nstatutes, and keep His laws_.\u201d Ps. 105:43-45.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was a reason for the\n keeping not only of the fourth commandment, but of every precept\n of God\u2019s law. This is indicated by the preface or preamble to the\n law as given on Sinai: \u201cI am the Lord thy God, which have brought\n thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou\n shalt have no other gods before Me,\u201d etc. Ex. 20:2, 3. See also\n Lev. 19:35-37; Deut. 10:19; 15:12-15; 24:17, 18. Likewise, every\n one who, through Christ, has been delivered from the bondage of\n sin, God calls to obedience, not only in the matter of\n Sabbath-keeping, but to every precept of His holy law. \u201cBlessed is\n the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on\n it; that _keepeth the Sabbath_ from polluting it, and keepeth his\n hand from doing _any_ evil.\u201d Isa. 56:2.\n\n\n11. What is the meaning of the word sabbath?\n\nRest.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Previous to the fall, God designed that man\u2019s time should be\n occupied with pleasant, invigorating, but not wearisome labor.\n Gen. 2:15. Laborious, wearisome toil came in consequence of sin.\n Gen. 3:17-19. While under the fall the Sabbath, therefore, may\n bring physical rest to both man and the beasts of burden (Ex.\n 23:12) in a way not originally intended, physical rest was not its\n original and primary design or purpose. Cessation from the\n ordinary labors and occupations of the week was ordained, not\n because these are wrong or sinful in themselves, but that man\n might have an appointed time and a frequently recurring period for\n the contemplation of the Creator and His works. Under the gospel,\n the Sabbath is a sign of spiritual rest and freedom from sin. So\n we read, \u201cFor he that is entered into His rest, he also hath\n ceased from his own works, as God did from His.\u201d Heb. 4:10.\n\n\n12. Who gives this rest from sin?\n\n\u201cCome unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and _I will give you\nrest_. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in\nheart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.\u201d Matt. 11:28, 29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath, then, is the sign of the soul-rest which Christ\n gives to the weary and ladened with sin.\n\n\n13. Was the Sabbath intended as a day for public worship?\n\n\u201cSix days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest,\n_an holy convocation_.\u201d Lev. 23:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A convocation is an assembly of people.\n\n\n14. Does the New Testament teach the same duty?\n\n\u201cLet us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: _not\nforsaking the assembling of ourselves together_, as the manner of some is;\nbut exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day\napproaching.\u201d Heb. 10:24, 25.\n\n15. What does Malachi say of those that fear the Lord?\n\n\u201cThen they that feared the Lord _spake often one to another_: and the Lord\nharkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him\nfor them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they\nshall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My\njewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth\nhim.\u201d Mal. 3:16, 17.\n\n16. Will the Sabbath be observed as a day of worship in the new earth?\n\n\u201cFor as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain\nbefore Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it\nshall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and _from one\nSabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the\nLord_.\u201d Isa. 66:22, 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless\n till it find its rest in Thee.\u201d\u2014_St. Augustine._\n\n\n\n\nManner Of Observing The Sabbath\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Sabbath Morning. \"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.\" Ex. 20:8.\n\n\n1. What is first commanded in the Sabbath commandment?\n\n\u201c_Remember_ the Sabbath _day_.\u201d Ex. 20:8.\n\n2. Which day is the Sabbath?\n\n\u201c_The seventh day_ is the Sabbath.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n3. For what purpose are we to remember the Sabbath day?\n\n\u201cRemember the Sabbath day, _to keep it holy_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All through the week the keeping holy of the Sabbath day is\n to be remembered, or borne in mind. No business contracts or\n arrangements are to be made, no manner of living indulged in,\n which will prevent or interfere with the proper or holy observance\n of the day when it comes. The keeping of this commandment,\n therefore, is in the interests of, and with a view to, holy living\n _all the time_. The _commandment itself_ enjoins a duty, and is to\n be kept, all through the week; the _Sabbath_ is to be kept when it\n comes. The Sabbath commandment, therefore, like every other\n precept of the decalogue, but contrary to the conception of many,\n is to be kept _all the time_, and not simply one day in the week.\n In this matter we should distinguish between the _Sabbath_ and the\n Sabbath _commandment_.\n\n\n4. Who made the Sabbath day holy?\n\n\u201cWherefore the _Lord_ blessed the Sabbath day, and _hallowed it_.\u201d Verse\n11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God _made_ the Sabbath day holy; we are to _keep_ it holy.\n\n\n5. What is it that makes a thing holy?\n\nGod\u2019s _presence_ in it. See Ex. 3:5; 29:43-46; Joshua 5:13-15.\n\n6. Then in order to keep the Sabbath day holy, what must be recognized?\n\nGod\u2019s _presence_ in the day; His _blessing_ upon it; and His\n_sanctification_ of it.\n\n7. When, according to the Bible, does the Sabbath begin?\n\n\u201cAnd the _evening_ and the morning were the first day.\u201d \u201cAnd the _evening_\nand the morning were the second day,\u201d etc. See Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23,\n31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The evening begins \u201cat the going down of the sun.\u201d See Deut.\n 16:6; Mark 1:32; Deut. 23:11; 1 Kings 22:35,36; 2 Chron. 18:34.\n\n\n8. Does the Bible recognize this as the proper time for beginning and\nending the Sabbath?\n\n\u201c_From even unto even_, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.\u201d Lev. 23:32.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One great advantage of keeping the Sabbath according to the\n Bible method of reckoning the day, that is, from sunset to sunset,\n over keeping it according to the Roman reckoning, or from midnight\n to midnight, is that by the former one is awake to welcome and to\n bid adieu to the day when it comes and goes, while by the latter\n he is asleep when the day begins and ends. God\u2019s ways are always\n best. The setting of the sun is a great natural sign for marking\n the division of time into days.\n\n\n9. What kind of labor is to be done through the week?\n\n\u201cSix days shalt thou labor, and do all _thy work_.\u201d Ex. 20:9.\n\n10. Is any of this kind of work to be done on the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cIn it thou shalt not do _any work_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If the Sabbath is to be kept \u201choly,\u201d mere physical rest one\n day in seven cannot be the great object of the Sabbath\n institution.\n\n\n11. How does the Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, indicate what is true\nSabbath-keeping?\n\n\u201cIf thou _turn away thy foot from the Sabbath_, from doing _thy pleasure_\non My holy day; and _call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord,\nhonorable_; and shalt _honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding\nthine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words_: then shalt thou\n_delight thyself in the Lord_; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high\nplaces of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father:\nfor the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.\u201d Isa. 58:13, 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cWhether the Sabbath becomes a delight or a burden depends\n upon the spirit with which a man meets it. Indeed, the spirit of\n the man settles the question as to the benefits to come from any\n duty he may perform. One man cannot understand why his neighbor\n should prefer the park or the ball ground to the church, simply\n because his spirit is different. He has cultivated the higher\n nature until he loves spiritual things above all others, and to\n him the Sabbath is indeed a delight. It comes to his weary soul as\n a reminder of God, and brings him nearer to heaven in heart and\n mind than does any other day.\u201d\u2014_Sabbath Recorder, Dec. 12, 1910._\n\n\n12. What is the character of God, and how only can He be truly worshiped?\n\n\u201c_God is a Spirit_: and they that worship Him must worship Him _in spirit\nand in truth_.\u201d John 4:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is one reason why the attempt to produce\n Sabbath-keeping by human Sabbath laws is altogether out of place.\n Such laws can never produce true Sabbath-keeping, for that is\n _spiritual_, and must be of the _mind_ and from the _heart_, and\n not _perfunctory_, _mechanical_, nor of _force_.\n\n\n13. What is one thing for which God has given the Sabbath to be a sign?\n\nThat He _sanctifies_ His people, or makes them _holy_. See Ex. 31:13; Eze.\n20:12; and page 420.\n\n14. What does the \u201cpsalm for the Sabbath day\u201d suggest as proper acts and\nthemes for thought and meditation on the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cIt is a good thing to _give thanks unto the Lord_, and to _sing praises\nunto Thy name, O Most High_: to show forth _Thy loving-kindness_ in the\nmorning, and _Thy faithfulness_ every night, _upon an instrument of ten\nstrings_, and upon the _psaltery_; upon the _harp_ with a solemn sound.\nFor Thou, Lord, hast made me glad _through Thy work_: I will triumph in\n_the works of Thy hands_. O Lord, _how great are Thy works_! and _Thy\nthoughts are very deep_.\u201d Ps. 92:1-5.\n\n15. What do the works of God declare?\n\n\u201cThe heavens declare _the glory of God_; and the firmament showeth _His\nhandiwork_. Day unto day uttereth _speech_, and night unto night _showeth\nknowledge_. There is no speech nor language, where _their voice_ is not\nheard.\u201d Ps. 19:1-3. See margin.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God designed that the Sabbath should direct the minds of men\n to His created works, and through these to Him, the Creator.\n Nature itself speaks to our senses, telling us that there is a\n God, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the universe. The Sabbath,\n ever pointing to God through nature, was designed to keep the\n Creator constantly in mind. The proper keeping of it, therefore,\n must naturally tend to prevent idolatry, atheism, agnosticism,\n infidelity, irreligion, and irreverence; and, being promotive of\n the knowledge and fear of God, must of necessity be a deterrent to\n sin. In this may its value and importance be seen.\n\n\n16. Was the Sabbath designed to be a day for public worship?\n\n\u201cSix days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest,\n_an holy convocation_.\u201d Lev. 23:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word convocation means \u201ca calling together,\u201d and is\n always used in the Bible with reference to meetings of a religious\n character.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nGathering The Manna. \"On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread.\"\n \"But on the seventh day ... there shall be none.\" Ex. 16:22, 26.\n\n\n17. What example did Christ set in Sabbath observance?\n\n\u201cAnd as His custom was, _He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,\nand stood up for to read_.\u201d Luke 4:16.\n\n18. What else did Jesus do on the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd it was the Sabbath day when Jesus _made the clay, and opened his\neyes_.\u201d John 9:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A large share of Christ\u2019s ministry consisted of miracles and\n acts of mercy performed for the relief of suffering humanity; and\n not a few of these were done on the Sabbath. On this day, as on\n other days, He \u201cwent about doing good.\u201d See next reading.\n\n\n19. With what words did He justify acts of mercy on the Sabbath day?\n\n\u201cWherefore it is _lawful_ to do well on the Sabbath days.\u201d Matt. 12:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Not a little of Christ\u2019s earthly ministry was devoted to\n up-lifting the Sabbath, and showing the beneficent character of\n the Sabbath institution. It was not meant to be a day of sorrow,\n austerity, or gloom. Disinterested works of love and mercy toward\n man or beast are always in place on the Sabbath. _Lawful_ means\n \u201caccording to law.\u201d\n\n\n20. What day is especially indicated as the day to prepare for the\nSabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd that day [the sixth day] was _the preparation_, and the Sabbath drew\non.\u201d Luke 23:54. See also Ex. 16:22, 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In order to keep the Sabbath day holy, it must be remembered\n all through the week; and on the sixth day, or the day just before\n the Sabbath, special preparation should be made _to be ready_ to\n welcome and observe the day when it comes.\n\n\n21. How did the Israelites in the wilderness on the sixth day prepare for\nthe Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, that _on the sixth day they gathered twice as much\nbread_, two omers for one man.\u201d Ex. 16:22.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Sabbath should not be a day of either ordinary labor,\n idleness, or amusement, but one of rest, reflection, holy joy,\n worship, and helpfulness. It should be the happiest, the\n brightest, and the best of all the week. Such it should be made\n for young and old. Very early the children can be taught the\n stories of creation and redemption, and taken out amid the\n handiworks of God and taught to see Him and to commune with Him\n through nature. Preparation for the Sabbath, therefore, is an\n essential to its proper observance. God\u2019s blessing is upon the\n first moments of the Sabbath as well as upon the last; and, as far\n as possible, everything should be got in readiness so that the\n entire day may be devoted to God and humanity in the manner\n indicated.\n\n In making the Sabbath, God rested upon, blessed, and sanctified\n the day. Ex. 20:11. Whoever, then, keeps the Sabbath aright, may\n expect that there will be brought into his life God\u2019s _rest_,\n _blessing_, and _sanctification_.\n\n\n\n\nChrist And The Sabbath\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Healing On The Sabbath Day. \"Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the\n Sabbath days.\" Matt. 12:12.\n\n\n1. Of what did Christ say the Son of man is Lord?\n\n\u201cThe Son of man is Lord even _of the Sabbath day_.\u201d Matt. 12:8. See also\nMark 2:28.\n\n2. Who made the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAll things were made _by Him_ [_Christ, the Word_]; and without Him was\nnot anything made that was made.\u201d John 1:3.\n\n3. Did Christ, while on earth, keep the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAs His custom was, _He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and\nstood up for to read_.\u201d Luke 4:16.\n\n4. Although Lord, Maker, and an observer of the Sabbath, how was He\nwatched and spied upon by the scribes and Pharisees on this day?\n\n\u201cAnd the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, _whether He would heal on the\nSabbath day_; that they might find an accusation against Him.\u201d Luke 6:7.\n\n5. With what question did Christ meet their false ideas and reasonings\nregarding Sabbath-keeping?\n\n\u201cThen said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; _Is it lawful on the\nSabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?_\u201d\nVerse 9.\n\n6. How did they manifest their displeasure at His healing the man with the\nwithered hand on the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd they were _filled with madness_; and _communed one with another what\nthey might do to Jesus_.\u201d Verse 11. \u201cAnd the Pharisees went forth, and\nstraightway _took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might\ndestroy Him_.\u201d Mark 3:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014They were angry because, notwithstanding the fact that by\n the miracle performed Christ had given evidence that He was from\n God, He had shown no respect for _their views of Sabbath-keeping_,\n but, on the contrary, had shown these to be _wrong_. Wounded\n pride, obstinacy, and malice, therefore, combined to fill them\n with _madness_; and they went out immediately and held council\n with the Herodians,\u2014their political enemies with whom they\n disagreed in the matter of paying tribute to a foreign power,\u2014for\n the purpose of accomplishing His death.\n\n\n7. Because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day, and told him to take up\nhis bed and walk, what did the Jews do?\n\n\u201cTherefore did the Jews _persecute Jesus_, and _sought to slay Him_,\nbecause He had done these things on the Sabbath day.\u201d John 5:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is a fact worthy of note that over the question of proper\n Sabbath observance the Jews not only _persecuted_ Jesus, but\n _first took counsel to kill Him_. Not the least of the malice\n which finally culminated in His crucifixion, was engendered over\n this very question of Sabbath observance. Christ did not keep the\n Sabbath according to their ideas of Sabbath-keeping, and so they\n sought to kill Him. And they are not alone. Many today are\n cherishing this same spirit. Because some do not agree with their\n ideas regarding the Sabbath, or Sabbath observance, they seek to\n persecute and oppress them,\u2014seek laws, and alliances with\n political powers, to compel respect for their views.\n\n\n8. How did Jesus answer them?\n\n\u201cBut Jesus answered them, _My Father worketh hitherto, and I work_.\u201d Verse\n17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The ordinary operations of nature, as manifested in God\u2019s\n almighty, upholding, beneficent, and healing power, go on on the\n Sabbath the same as on other days; and to cooperate with God and\n nature in the work of healing, relieving, and restoring on the\n Sabbath, cannot, therefore, be out of harmony with God\u2019s will, nor\n a violation of His Sabbath law.\n\n\n9. What effect did this answer have upon the Jews?\n\n\u201cTherefore the Jews _sought the more to kill Him_, because He not only had\nbroken the Sabbath [i.e., in their estimation], but said also that God was\nHis Father, making Himself equal with God.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n10. Because the disciples plucked a few ears of corn on the Sabbath day to\nsatisfy hunger, what accusation did the Pharisee make against them to\nChrist?\n\n\u201cAnd the Pharisees said unto Him, _Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day\nthat which is not lawful?_\u201d Mark 2:24.\n\n11. What was Christ\u2019s reply?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had\nneed, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him? how he went\ninto the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat\nthe showbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave\nalso to them which were with him? And He said unto them, _The Sabbath was\nmade for man, and not man for the Sabbath_.\u201d Verses 25-27.\n\n12. Because of Christ\u2019s healing a woman of an infirmity on the Sabbath,\nwhat did the ruler of a certain synagogue say?\n\n\u201cAnd the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that\nJesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, _There are\nsix days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed,\nand not on the Sabbath day_.\u201d Luke 13:14.\n\n13. How did Christ answer him?\n\n\u201cThe Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one\nof you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him\naway to watering? and ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham,\nwhom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond\non the Sabbath day?\u201d Verses 15, 16.\n\n14. What effect did Christ\u2019s answers have upon the people?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had said these things, _all His adversaries were ashamed: and\nall the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by\nHim_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n15. By what method of reasoning did Christ justify acts of mercy on the\nSabbath day?\n\n\u201cWhich of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not\nstraightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? And they could not answer Him\nagain to these things.\u201d Luke 14:5, 6. \u201cWhat man shall there be among you,\nthat shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day,\nwill he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better\nthan a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.\u201d\nMatt. 12:11, 12.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Healing Impotent Man On The Sabbath. \"Therefore did the Jews persecute\n Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the\n Sabbath day.\" John 5:16.\n\n\n16. Into what perplexity did Christ\u2019s working of miracles on the Sabbath\nthrow the Pharisees?\n\n\u201cTherefore said some of the Pharisees, _This man is not of God, because He\nkeepeth not the Sabbath day_. Others said, _How can a man that is a sinner\ndo such miracles?_ And _there was a division among them_.\u201d John 9:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The working of these wonderful, beneficent, and gracious\n miracles on the Sabbath was an evidence that Christ was from God,\n and that His views of Sabbath-keeping were right. By these\n miracles God was setting the seal of His approval to Christ\u2019s\n views and teachings respecting the Sabbath, and to His manner of\n observing it, and thus condemning the narrow and false views of\n the Pharisees. Hence the division.\n\n\n17. According to Isaiah, what was Christ to do with the law?\n\n\u201cHe will _magnify_ the law, and _make it honorable_.\u201d Isa. 42:21.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In nothing, perhaps, was this more strikingly fulfilled\n than in the matter of Sabbath observance. By their traditions,\n numerous regulations, and senseless restrictions the Jews had made\n the Sabbath a burden, and anything but a delight. Christ removed\n all these, and by His life and teachings put the Sabbath back in\n its proper place and setting, as a day of worship and beneficence,\n a day for doing acts of charity and mercy, as well as engaging in\n contemplation of God and in acts of devotion. Thus He magnified it\n and made it honorable. One of the most prominent features of\n Christ\u2019s whole ministry was this great work of _Sabbath reform_.\n Christ did not _abolish_ the Sabbath, nor _change_ the Sabbath;\n but He did rescue it from the rubbish of tradition, the false\n ideas, and the superstitions with which it had been buried, and by\n which it had been degraded and turned aside from the channel of\n blessing and practical service to man designed by its Maker. The\n Pharisees had placed the institution _above_ man, and _against_\n man. Christ reversed the order, and said, \u201cThe Sabbath was made\n _for man_, and not man _for the Sabbath_.\u201d He showed that it was\n to minister to the happiness, the comfort, and the well-being of\n both man and beast.\n\n Because of the false ideas which the Jews held concerning the\n Sabbath and its observance, and the conflict which Christ had with\n them in consequence, many of the professed followers of Christ a\n little later were led into the error of rejecting the Sabbath\n itself as Jewish, and, without any divine command or Scripture\n warrant, to substitute another day in its place.\n\n\n18. Knowing that the unbelieving Jews would still cling to their false\nideas respecting the Sabbath, and that flight from Jerusalem and Judea on\nthat day would be attended with difficulty, for what, in view of the\ncoming destruction and desolation of the city and people, did Christ tell\nHis disciples to pray?\n\n\u201cBut pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, _neither on the\nSabbath day_.\u201d Matt. 24:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Christ\u2019s experience with the Jews, the chosen and professed\n people of God at that time, respecting the Sabbath is but a type\n of what, according to prophecy, is to occur in the last days.\n Already it is beginning to find its parallel in the movement to\n enforce Sunday observance by law. See readings on pages 271, 484,\n 488.\n\n\n\n\nThe Sabbath In The New Testament\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Paul On The Way To Assos. \"And they ... rested the Sabbath day according\n to the commandment.\" Luke 23:56.\n\n\n1. According to the New Testament, what day immediately precedes the first\nday of the week?\n\n\u201cIn the end of _the Sabbath_, as it began to dawn toward the first day of\nthe week.\u201d Matt. 28:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014According to the New Testament, therefore, the Sabbath had\n passed when the first day of the week began.\n\n\n2. After the crucifixion, what day was kept by the women who followed\nJesus?\n\n\u201cAnd they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and _rested the\nSabbath day according to the commandment_.\u201d Luke 23:56.\n\n3. What day is the Sabbath, \u201caccording to the commandment\u201d?\n\n\u201cBut _the seventh day is the Sabbath_ of the Lord thy God.\u201d Ex. 20:10.\n\n4. What was Christ\u2019s custom respecting the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom\nwas, _He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to\nread_.\u201d Luke 4:16.\n\n5. In what instruction to His disciples did Christ recognize the existence\nof the Sabbath long after His ascension?\n\n\u201cBut pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, _neither on the\nSabbath day_.\u201d Matt. 24:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The destruction of Jerusalem under Titus occurred in the\n spring and summer of 70 A.D. The flight of the Christians took\n place three and one-half years earlier, or late in October, 66\n A.D., following the arrival and sudden withdrawal of Cestius and\n his army. See pages 313, 314.\n\n\n6. On what day did the Jews meet for worship?\n\n\u201cMoses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in\nthe synagogues every _Sabbath day_.\u201d Acts 15:21.\n\n7. On what day did Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch?\n\n\u201cThey came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on _the\nSabbath day_.\u201d Acts 13:14.\n\n8. When did the Gentiles request that Paul should repeat the sermon he had\npreached at Antioch on the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought\nthat these words might be preached to them _the next Sabbath_.\u201d Verse 42.\n\n9. On what day did Paul and his companions preach to the devout women at\nPhilippi?\n\n\u201cAnd _on the Sabbath_ we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer\nwas wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which\nresorted thither.\u201d Acts 16:13.\n\n10. What was Paul\u2019s manner respecting the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cThey came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul,\n_as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned\nwith them out of the Scriptures_.\u201d Acts 17:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It was Paul\u2019s manner, as it was Christ\u2019s custom (Luke 4:16),\n to attend religious services on the Sabbath.\n\n\n11. How did the apostle spend the working days of the week when at\nCorinth?\n\n\u201cAfter these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and\nfound a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy,\nwith his wife Priscilla; ... and because he was of the same craft, he\nabode with them, and _wrought_: for by their occupation they were\n_tent-makers_.\u201d Acts 18:1-3. See Eze. 46:1.\n\n12. What did he do on the Sabbath days?\n\n\u201cAnd _he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath_, and persuaded the Jews\nand the Greeks.\u201d Acts 18:4.\n\n13. How long did he continue this work there?\n\n\u201cAnd he continued there _a year and six months_, teaching the word of God\namong them.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Here, then, were seventy-eight Sabbaths on which Paul\n preached in one city. The record further says that he worked at\n his trade, and we may justly infer that Paul worked at tent-making\n just as many Sundays as he preached Sabbaths. If to these\n seventy-eight Sabbaths we add the three he spent at Thessalonica,\n the one at Philippi, and the two at Antioch, we have a record of\n eighty-four Sabbaths on which the apostle held religious services,\n while, so far as the record shows, he held only one meeting on the\n first day of the week, and that a night meeting, immediately\n following the Sabbath. See Acts 20. Evidently Sunday was not the\n Sabbath in Paul\u2019s day.\n\n\n14. On what day was John in the Spirit?\n\n\u201cI was in the Spirit _on the Lord\u2019s day_.\u201d Rev. 1:10.\n\n15. Who is Lord of the Sabbath?\n\n\u201c_The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath._\u201d Mark 2:28.\n\n16. What, through the prophet Isaiah, does the Lord call the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cIf thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on\n_My holy day_.\u201d Isa. 58:13.\n\n17. Why does the Lord call the Sabbath His day?\n\n\u201cFor in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and _rested the seventh day_: wherefore the Lord _blessed_ the\nSabbath day, and _hallowed_ it.\u201d Ex. 20:11.\n\n18. Through whom did God create the world?\n\n\u201cGod ... hath in these last days spoken unto us by _His Son, ... by whom\nalso He made the worlds_.\u201d Heb. 1:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014From beginning to end, the Bible recognizes but one weekly\n Sabbath,\u2014the day upon which God rested in the beginning; which was\n made known to Israel at Sinai (Neh. 9:13, 14); was observed by\n Christ and His apostles; and is to be kept by the redeemed in the\n world to come. Isa. 66:22, 23.\n\n The terms Sabbath, Sabbaths, and Sabbath days occur sixty times in\n the New Testament, and in every case but one refer to the seventh\n day. In Col. 2:16, 17, reference is made to the annual sabbaths\n connected with the three annual feasts observed by Israel before\n the first advent of Christ.\n\n The first day of the week is mentioned but eight times in the New\n Testament, six of which are found in the four Gospels, and refer\n to the day on which Christ arose from the dead. See Matt. 28:1;\n Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19. The other two (Acts 20:7;\n 1 Cor. 16:2) refer to the only religious meeting held on the first\n day of the week after the ascension, in apostolic times, recorded\n in the New Testament, and to a systematic accounting and laying by\n in store at home on that day for the poor saints in Judea and\n Jerusalem.\n\n It is evident, therefore, that the Sabbath of the New Testament is\n the same as the Sabbath of the Old Testament, and that there is\n nothing in the New Testament setting aside the seventh-day\n Sabbath, and putting the first day of the week in its place.\n\n\n\n\nThe Law of God\n\n\nAs Given By Jehovah As Changed By Man\nI I\nThou shalt have no other gods I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt\nbefore me. not have strange gods before Me.\nII\nThou shalt not make unto thee any\ngraven image, or any likeness of\nanything that is in heaven above,\nor that is in the earth beneath,\nor that is in the water under the\nearth: thou shalt not bow down\nthyself to them, nor serve them:\nfor I the Lord thy God am a\njealous God, visiting the iniquity\nof the fathers upon the children\nunto the third and fourth\ngeneration of them that hate Me;\nand showing mercy unto thousands\nof them that love Me, and keep My\ncommandments.\nIII II\nThou shalt not take the name of Thou shalt not take the name of\nthe Lord thy God in vain; for the the Lord thy God in vain.\nLord will not hold him guiltless\nthat taketh His name in vain.\nIV III\nRemember the Sabbath day, to keep Remember that thou keep holy the\nit holy. Six days shalt thou Sabbath day.\nlabor, and do all thy work: but\nthe seventh day is the Sabbath of\nthe Lord thy God: in it thou shalt\nnot do any work, thou, nor thy\nson, nor thy daughter, thy man\nservant, nor thy maid servant, nor\nthy cattle, nor thy stranger that\nis within thy gates: for in six\ndays the Lord made heaven and\nearth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and rested the seventh\nday: wherefore the Lord blessed\nthe Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\nV IV\nHonor thy father and thy mother: Honor thy father and thy mother.\nthat thy days may be long upon the\nland which the Lord thy God giveth\nthee.\nVI V\nThou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.\nVII VI\nThou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not commit adultery.\nVIII VII\nThou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not steal.\nIX VIII\nThou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not bear false witness\nagainst thy neighbor. against thy neighbor.\nX IX\nThou shalt not covet thy Thou shalt not covet thy\nneighbor\u2019s house, thou shalt not neighbor\u2019s wife.\ncovet thy neighbor\u2019s wife, nor his\nman servant, nor his maid servant,\nnor his ox, nor his ass, nor\nanything that is thy neighbor\u2019s.\n X\n Thou shalt not covet thy\n neighbor\u2019s goods.\nEx. 20:3-17. Butler\u2019s Catechism, page 28.\n\n\n\n\nThe Change Of The Sabbath\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Changing The Law. \"He shall think to change the times and the law.\" Dan.\n 7:25, R. V.\n\n\n1. Of what is the Sabbath commandment a part?\n\nThe law of God. See Ex. 20:8-11.\n\n2. What, according to prophecy, was to be Christ\u2019s attitude toward the\nlaw?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is well pleased for His righteousness\u2019 sake; _He will magnify\nthe law, and make it honorable_.\u201d Isa. 42:21.\n\n3. In His first recorded discourse, what did Christ say of the law?\n\n\u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not\ncome to destroy, but to fulfil.\u201d Matt. 5:17.\n\n4. How enduring did He say the law is?\n\n\u201cFor verily I say unto you. Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one\ntittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.\u201d Verse\n18.\n\n5. What did He say of those who should break one of the least of God\u2019s\ncommandments, and teach men so to do?\n\n\u201cWhosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and\nshall teach men so, _he shall be called the least in the kingdom of\nheaven_.\u201d Verse 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this it is evident that the entire code of ten\n commandments is binding in the Christian dispensation, and that\n Christ had no thought of changing any of them. One of these\n commands the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath. But the\n practise of most Christians is different; they keep the first day\n of the week instead, many of them believing that Christ changed\n the Sabbath. But, from His own words, we see that He came for no\n such purpose. The responsibility for this change must therefore be\n looked for elsewhere.\n\n\n6. What did God, through the prophet Daniel, say the power represented by\nthe \u201clittle horn\u201d would think to do?\n\n\u201cAnd he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the\nsaints of the Most High: and _he shall think to change the times and the\nlaw_.\u201d Dan. 7:25, R. V.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For a full explanation of this symbol, see readings on \u201cThe\n Kingdom and Work of Antichrist\u201d and \u201cThe Vicar of Christ,\u201d pages\n 218, 224.\n\n\n7. What did the apostle Paul say the \u201cman of sin\u201d would do?\n\n\u201cFor that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and\nthat man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; _who opposeth and\nexalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped_.\u201d 2\nThess. 2:3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There is only one way by which any power could exalt itself\n above God, and that is by assuming to change the law of God, and\n to require obedience to its own law instead of God\u2019s law.\n\n\n8. What power has claimed authority to change the law of God?\n\nThe Papacy.\n\n9. What part of the law of God especially has the Papacy thought to\nchange?\n\nThe fourth commandment.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThey [the Catholics] allege the Sabbath changed into\n Sunday, the Lord\u2019s day, contrary to the decalogue, as it appears;\n neither is there any example more boasted of than the changing of\n the Sabbath day. Great, say they, is the power and authority of\n the church, since it dispensed with one of the ten\n commandments.\u201d\u2014_Augsburg Confession, Art. XXVIII._\n\n \u201cIt [the Roman Catholic Church] has _reversed_ the fourth\n commandment, doing away with the Sabbath of God\u2019s Word, and\n instituting Sunday as a holy day.\u201d\u2014_N. Summerbell, in __\u201c__History\n of the Christians,__\u201d__ page 418._\n\n\n10. Why did God command Israel to hallow the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you,\n_that ye may know that I am the Lord your God_.\u201d Eze. 20:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As the Sabbath was given that man might keep God in mind as\n Creator, it can be readily seen that a power endeavoring to exalt\n itself above God would first try to cover up or remove that which\n calls man\u2019s special attention to his Creator. This could be done\n in no other way so effectually as by setting aside God\u2019s\n memorial\u2014the seventh-day Sabbath. To this work of the Papacy\n Daniel had reference when he said, \u201cAnd he shall ... think to\n change _times_ and _laws_.\u201d Dan. 7:25.\n\n\n11. Does the Papacy acknowledge that it has changed the Sabbath?\n\nIt does.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201c_Question._\u2014How prove you that the church hath power to\n command feasts and holy days?\n\n \u201c_Answer._\u2014By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday,\n which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict\n themselves by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other\n feast days commanded by the same church.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Abridgment of\n Christian Doctrine,__\u201d__ by Rev. Henry Tuberville, D. D., of Douay\n College, France (1649), page 58._\n\n \u201c_Ques._\u2014Have you any other way of proving that the church has\n power to institute festivals of precept?\n\n \u201c_Ans._\u2014Had she not such power, she could not have done that in\n which all modern religionists agree with her,\u2014she could not have\n substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week,\n for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for\n which there is no Scriptural authority.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__A Doctrinal\n Catechism,__\u201d__ by Rev. Stephen Keenan, page 174._\n\n \u201cThe Catholic Church of its own infallible authority created\n Sunday a holy day to take the place of the Sabbath of the old\n law.\u201d\u2014_Kansas City Catholic, Feb. 9, 1893._\n\n \u201cThe Catholic Church, ... by virtue of her divine mission, changed\n the day from Saturday to Sunday.\u201d\u2014_Catholic Mirror, official organ\n of Cardinal Gibbons, Sept. 23, 1893._\n\n \u201c_Ques._\u2014Which is the Sabbath day?\n\n \u201c_Ans._\u2014Saturday is the Sabbath day.\n\n \u201c_Ques._\u2014Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?\n\n \u201c_Ans._\u2014We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic\n Church, in the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 336), transferred the\n solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Convert\u2019s Catechism of\n Catholic Doctrine,__\u201d__ by Rev. Peter Geiermann, C. SS. R., page\n 50, third edition, 1913, a work which received the __\u201c__apostolic\n blessing__\u201d__ of Pope Pius X, Jan. 25, 1910._\n\n What was done at the Council of Laodicea was but one of the steps\n by which the change of the Sabbath was effected. See under\n questions 17-21. The date usually given for this council is 364\n A.D.\n\n\n12. Do Catholic authorities acknowledge that there is no command in the\nBible for the sanctification of Sunday?\n\nThey do.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cYou may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you\n will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of\n Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of\n Saturday, a day which we never sanctify.\u201d\u2014_Cardinal Gibbons, in\n __\u201c__The Faith of Our Fathers,__\u201d__ edition 1892, page 111._\n\n \u201cSunday is a Catholic institution, and its claims to observance\n can be defended only on Catholic principles.... From beginning to\n end of Scripture there is not a single passage that warrants the\n transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the week to\n the first.\u201d\u2014_Catholic Press (Sydney, Australia), Aug. 25, 1900._\n\n\n13. Do Protestant writers acknowledge the same?\n\nThey do.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cIs there no express commandment for observing the first day\n of the week as Sabbath, instead of the seventh day?\u2014None whatever.\n Neither Christ, nor His apostles, nor the first Christians\n celebrated the first day of the week instead of the seventh as the\n Sabbath.\u201d\u2014_New York Weekly Tribune, May 24, 1900._\n\n \u201cThe Scriptures nowhere call the first day of the week the\n Sabbath.... There is no Scriptural authority for so doing, nor of\n course any Scriptural obligation.\u201d\u2014_The Watchman (Baptist)._\n\n \u201cThe observance of the first instead of the seventh day rests on\n the testimony of the church, and the church _alone_.\u201d\u2014_Hobart\n Church News (Episcopalian), July 2, 1894._\n\n For additional testimonies, see reading on page 454.\n\n\n14. How did this change in observance of days come about, suddenly or\ngradually?\n\nGradually.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe Christian church made no formal, but a gradual and\n almost unconscious transference of the one day to the\n other.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Voice From Sinai,__\u201d__ by Archdeacon F. W. Farrar,\n page 167._\n\n This of itself is evidence that there was no divine command for\n the change of the Sabbath.\n\n\n15. For how long a time was the seventh-day Sabbath observed in the\nChristian church?\n\nFor many centuries. In fact, its observance has never wholly ceased in the\nChristian church.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Mr. Morer, a learned clergyman of the Church of England,\n says: \u201cThe primitive Christians had a great veneration for the\n Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not\n to be doubted that they derived this practise from the apostles\n themselves.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Dialogues on the Lord\u2019s Day,__\u201d__ page 189._\n\n Prof. E. Brerwood, of Gresham College, London (Episcopal), says:\n \u201cThe Sabbath was religiously observed in the Eastern church three\n hundred years and more after our Saviour\u2019s passion.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Learned\n Treatise of the Sabbath,__\u201d__ page 77._\n\n Lyman Coleman, a careful and candid historian, says: \u201cDown even to\n the fifth century the observance of the Jewish Sabbath was\n continued in the Christian church, but with a rigor and solemnity\n gradually diminishing until it was wholly\n discontinued.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Ancient Christianity Exemplified,__\u201d__ chap.\n 26, sec. 2._\n\n The historian Socrates, who wrote about the middle of the fifth\n century, says: \u201cAlmost all the churches throughout the world\n celebrate the sacred mysteries on the Sabbath of every week, yet\n the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some\n ancient tradition, refuse to do this.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Ecclesiastical\n History,__\u201d__ book 5, chap. 22._\n\n Sozomen, another historian of the same period, writes: \u201cThe people\n of Constantinople, and of several other cities, assemble together\n on the Sabbath as well as on the next day; which custom is never\n observed at Rome.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Ecclesiastical History,__\u201d__ book 7, chap.\n 19._\n\n All this would have been inconceivable and impossible had there\n been a divine command given for the change of the Sabbath. The\n last two quotations also show that Rome led in the apostasy and in\n the change of the Sabbath.\n\n\n16. What striking testimony is borne by Neander, the noted church\nhistorian, regarding the origin of the Sunday sabbath?\n\n\u201cOpposition to Judaism introduced the particular festival of Sunday very\nearly, indeed, into the place of the Sabbath.... The festival of Sunday,\nlike all other festivals, was always only a human ordinance, and it was\nfar from the intentions of the apostles to establish a divine command in\nthis respect, far from them, and from the early apostolic church, to\ntransfer the laws of the Sabbath to Sunday. Perhaps at the end of the\nsecond century a false application of this kind had begun to take place;\nfor men appear by that time to have considered laboring on Sunday as a\nsin.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s __\u201c__Church History__\u201d__ Rose\u2019s translation, page 186._\n\n17. Who first enjoined Sunday-keeping by law?\n\nConstantine the Great.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe earliest recognition of the observance of Sunday as a\n legal duty is a constitution of Constantine in 321 A.D., enacting\n that all courts of justice, inhabitants of towns, and workshops\n were to be at rest on Sunday (_venerabili die Solis_), with an\n exception in favor of those engaged in agricultural\n labor.\u201d\u2014_Encyclopedia Britannica, ninth edition, article\n __\u201c__Sunday.__\u201d_\n\n \u201cConstantine the Great made a law for the whole empire (321 A.D.)\n that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest in all cities and\n towns; but he allowed the country people to follow their\n work.\u201d\u2014_Encyclopedia Americana, article __\u201c__Sabbath.__\u201d_\n\n \u201cUnquestionably the first law, either ecclesiastical or civil, by\n which the Sabbatical observance of that day is known to have been\n ordained, is the edict of Constantine, 321 A.D.\u201d\u2014_Chambers\u2019s\n Encyclopedia, article __\u201c__Sabbath.__\u201d_\n\n\n18. What did Constantine\u2019s law require?\n\n\u201cLet all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest\non the venerable day of the sun; but let those who are situated in the\ncountry, freely and at full liberty, attend to the business of\nagriculture; because it often happens that no other day is so fit for\nsowing corn and planting vines; lest the critical moment being let slip,\nmen should lose the commodities granted by heaven.\u201d\u2014_Edict of March 7, 321\n__A.D.__, Corpus Juris Civilis Cod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This edict, issued by Constantine, under whom the Christian\n church and the Roman state were first united, in a manner supplied\n the lack of a divine command for Sunday observance, and may be\n considered the original Sunday law, and the model after which all\n Sunday laws since then have been patterned. It was one of the\n important steps in bringing about and establishing the change of\n the Sabbath.\n\n\n19. What testimony does Eusebius (270-338), a noted bishop of the church,\na flatterer of Constantine, and the reputed father of ecclesiastical\nhistory, bear upon this subject?\n\n\u201cAll things whatsoever that it was duty to do on the Sabbath, these _we_\nhave transferred to the Lord\u2019s day.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Commentary on the Psalms,__\u201d__\nCox\u2019s __\u201c__Sabbath Literature__\u201d__ Vol. I, page 361._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The change of the Sabbath was the result of the combined\n efforts of church and state, and it was centuries before it was\n fully accomplished.\n\n\n20. When and by what church council was the observance of the seventh day\nforbidden, and Sunday observance enjoined?\n\n\u201cThe seventh-day Sabbath was ... solemnized by Christ, the apostles, and\nprimitive Christians, till _the Laodicean Council_ did, in a manner, quite\nabolish the observation of it. ... The Council of Laodicea [A.D. 364] ...\nfirst settled the observation of the Lord\u2019s day.\u201d\u2014_Prynne\u2019s\n__\u201c__Dissertation on the Lord\u2019s Day Sabbath,__\u201d__ page 163._\n\n21. What did this council, in its twenty-ninth canon, decree concerning\nthe Sabbath and Christians who continued to observe it?\n\n\u201cChristians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday [Sabbath], but shall\nwork on that day.... If, however, they are found Judaizing, _they shall be\nshut out from Christ_.\u201d\u2014_Hefele\u2019s __\u201c__History of the Councils of the\nChurch,__\u201d__ Vol. II, page 316._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Some of the further steps taken by church and state\n authorities in bringing about this change may be noted as\n follows:\u2014\n\n \u201cIn 386, under Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, it was\n decreed that all litigation and business should cease [on\n Sunday]....\n\n \u201cAmong the doctrines laid down in a letter of Pope Innocent I,\n written in the last year of his papacy (416), is that Saturday\n should be observed as a fast-day....\n\n \u201cIn 425, under Theodosius the Younger, abstinence from theatricals\n and the circus [on Sunday] was enjoined....\n\n \u201cIn 538, at a council at Orleans, ... it was ordained that\n everything previously permitted on Sunday should still be lawful;\n but that work at the plow, or in the vineyard, and cutting,\n reaping, threshing, tilling, and hedging should be abstained from,\n that people might more conveniently attend church....\n\n \u201cAbout 590 Pope Gregory, in a letter to the Roman people,\n denounced as the prophets of Antichrist those who maintained that\n work ought not to be done on the seventh day.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Law of\n Sunday__\u201d__ by James T. Ringgold, pages 265-267._\n\n The last paragraph of the foregoing quotation indicates that even\n as late as 590 A.D. there were those in the church who observed\n and who taught the observance of the Bible Sabbath, the seventh\n day.\n\n\n22. What determines whose servants we are?\n\n\u201cKnow ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, _his\nservants ye are to whom ye obey_?\u201d Rom. 6:16.\n\n23. When tempted to bow down and worship Satan, what reply did Christ\nmake?\n\n\u201c_Get thee hence, Satan_: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord\nthy God, and _Him only shalt thou serve_.\u201d Matt. 4:10, 11.\n\n24. What do Catholics say of the observance of Sunday by Protestants?\n\n\u201cIt was the Catholic Church which, by the authority of Jesus Christ, has\ntransferred this rest to the Sunday in remembrance of the resurrection of\nour Lord. Thus _the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage\nthey pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic]\nchurch_.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today,__\u201d__ by Mgr.\nSegur, page 213._\n\n25. What kind of worship does the Saviour call that which is not according\nto God\u2019s commandments?\n\n\u201cBut _in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines _the\ncommandments of men_.\u201d Matt. 15:9.\n\n26. When Israel had apostatized, and were almost universally worshiping\nBaal, what appeal did Elijah make to them?\n\n\u201cHow long halt ye between two opinions? _if the Lord be God, follow Him:\nbut if Baal, then follow him._\u201d 1 Kings 18:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In times of ignorance God winks at that which otherwise\n would be sin; but when light comes He commands men everywhere to\n repent. Acts 17:30. The period during which the saints, times, and\n the law of God were to be in the hands of the Papacy has expired\n (Dan. 7:25); the true light on the Sabbath question is now\n shining; and God is sending a message to the world, calling upon\n men to fear and worship Him, and to return to the observance of\n His holy rest day, the seventh-day Sabbath. Rev. 14:6-12; Isa.\n 56:1; 58:1, 12-14. See pages 259, 446, 463, 547.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Who is on the Lord\u2019s side\n Always true?\n There\u2019s a right and wrong side,\n Where stand you?\n\n Thousands on the wrong side\n Choose to stand,\n Still \u2019tis not the strong side,\n True and grand.\n\n Come and join the Lord\u2019s side:\n Ask you why?\u2014\n \u2019Tis the only safe side\n By and by.\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Seal Of God And The Mark Of Apostasy\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Angel With The Seal. \"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My\n disciples.\" Isa. 8:16.\n\n\n1. What does the Bible present as the object of a sign, or seal?\n\n\u201cNow, O king, _establish_ the decree, and _sign the writing, that it be\nnot changed_.\u201d Dan. 6:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, affix the signature of royalty, that it may have\n the proper authority, and thus be of force. Anciently it was\n customary for kings to use a ring, containing their name,\n initials, or monogram, for this purpose. Jezebel, the wife of\n Ahab, \u201cwrote letters in Ahab\u2019s _name_, and sealed them with his\n _seal_.\u201d 1 Kings 21:8. Of the decree issued under Ahasuerus for\n the slaying of all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire, it is\n said that \u201cin the _name_ of King Ahasuerus was it written, and\n sealed with the king\u2019s _ring_.\u201d Esther 3:12.\n\n\n2. What are the three essentials to an official seal?\n\nTo be complete, an official seal must show three things: (1) The name of\nthe lawgiver; (2) his official position, title, or authority, and so his\nright to rule; and (3) his kingdom, or the extent of his dominion and\njurisdiction. Thus: \u201cWoodrow Wilson, President of the United States,\u201d\n\u201cGeorge IV, King of Great Britain,\u201d \u201cNicholas II, Czar of Russia.\u201d\n\n3. With what is God\u2019s seal connected?\n\n\u201cBind up the testimony, _seal_ THE LAW _among My disciples_.\u201d Isa. 8:16.\n\n4. Does the first commandment show who the author of the law is?\n\n\u201cThou shalt have no other gods before _Me_.\u201d Ex. 20:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Who the \u201cme\u201d here spoken of is, the commandment itself does\n not state. Such a prohibition might come from any source. Any\n heathen could claim it as a command from his god, and, so far as\n the commandment itself goes, no one could disprove his claim.\n\n\n5. Does the second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth\ncommandment indicate the author of the decalogue?\n\nNo; none of them.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The second commandment forbids the making of and bowing down\n to images, but does not in itself reveal who the true God is. The\n third commandment says, \u201cThou shalt not take the name of the Lord\n thy God in vain,\u201d but it likewise fails to reveal the true God and\n giver of the law. A worshiper of the sun might say he kept this\n commandment so far as it itself reveals what god is meant. So of\n the other commandments here referred to. In the last five\n commandments the name of God is not even mentioned.\n\n\n6. Which commandment alone of the decalogue reveals the true God and\nAuthor of the law?\n\n\u201cRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and\ndo all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:\nin it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy\nman servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that\nis within thy gates: for in six days _the Lord made heaven and earth, the\nsea, and all that in them is_, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the\nLord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.\u201d Verses 8-11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fourth commandment alone reveals the _name_,\n _authority_, and _dominion_ of the Author of this law. In six\n days, (1) the _Lord_ (name); (2) _made_ (office, Creator); (3)\n _heaven and earth_ (dominion). This commandment alone, therefore,\n contains \u201cthe _seal_ of the living God.\u201d By what is revealed in\n this commandment is shown what God is referred to in the other\n commandments. By the great truth revealed here all other gods are\n shown to be false gods. The Sabbath commandment, therefore,\n contains the seal of God; and the Sabbath itself, the observance\n of which is enjoined by the commandment, is inseparably connected\n with this seal; it is to be kept in memory of the fact that God is\n the Creator of all things; and it is itself called a \u201csign\u201d of the\n knowledge of this great truth. Ex. 31:17; Eze. 20:20.\n\n\n7. What reason does God give for the Sabbath being an everlasting sign\nbetween Him and His people?\n\n\u201cIt is _a sign_ between Me and the children of Israel forever: _for in six\ndays the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and\nwas refreshed_.\u201d Ex. 31:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath is the sign, or mark, or seal, of the true God,\n the Creator.\n\n\n8. Of what does God say the keeping or hallowing of the Sabbath is a sign?\n\n\u201cAnd hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be _a sign_ between Me and you,\n_that ye may know that I am the Lord your God_.\u201d Eze. 20:20.\n\n9. Of what besides a knowledge of God as Creator, is the Sabbath a sign?\n\n\u201cVerily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is _a sign_ between Me and you\nthroughout your generations; _that ye may know that I am the Lord that\ndoth_ SANCTIFY _you_.\u201d Ex. 31:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath is the great sign of God\u2019s creative power\n wherever and however manifested, whether in creation or\n redemption; for redemption is creation\u2014_re_-creation. It requires\n the same power to _redeem_ that it does to _create_. \u201c_Create_ in\n me a clean heart.\u201d Ps. 51:10. \u201cFor we are His workmanship,\n _created_ in Christ Jesus unto good works.\u201d Eph. 2:10. At each\n recurrence of the Sabbath, God designs that it shall call Him to\n mind as the One who created us, and whose grace and sanctifying\n power are working in us to fit us for His eternal kingdom.\n\n\n10. What scripture shows that a special sealing work is to take place just\nbefore the letting loose of the winds of destruction upon the earth?\n\n\u201cAnd after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of\nthe earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not\nblow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another\nangel ascending from the east, _having the seal of the living God_: and he\ncried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt\nthe earth and the sea, saying, _Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor\nthe trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their\nforeheads_. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there\nwere sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of\nthe children of Israel.\u201d Rev. 7:1-4. See Eze. 9:1-6.\n\n11. Where did the apostle see this same company a little later, and what\ndid they have in their foreheads?\n\n\u201cAnd I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood _on the mount Sion_, and with Him an\nhundred forty and four thousand, _having His Father\u2019s name written in\ntheir foreheads_.\u201d Rev. 14:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The _seal of God_ and the Father\u2019s _name_ must refer to the\n same thing. The seal is the sign or stamp of perfection, and God\u2019s\n name stands for His character, which is perfection. And the\n Sabbath of God, kept as God ordained it to be kept, holy, and in\n holiness, is _a sign_ of this same thing\u2014perfection of character.\n When this seal is finally placed upon God\u2019s people, it will be an\n evidence that His grace and His sanctifying power have done their\n work, and fitted them for heaven. In the world to come, all will\n keep the Sabbath, and will therefore have this seal or mark of\n sanctification, holiness, and perfection of character. Isa. 66:22,\n 23.\n\n\n12. What is said of the character of these sealed ones?\n\n\u201cAnd in their mouth was found no guile: for _they are without fault before\nthe throne of God_.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n13. How is the remnant church described?\n\n\u201cHere is the _patience_ of the saints: here are they that _keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n14. Against what three things does the third angel of Revelation 14 warn\nmen?\n\n\u201cAnd the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man\n_worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or\nin his hand_, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.\u201d\nVerses 9, 10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The beast represents the Papacy; the image to the beast\n represents another ecclesiastical body dominating civil power. See\n readings on pages 268, 271. And over against the seal of God\n stands the mark of the beast, the mark of apostasy. Against this\n false and idolatrous worship and the reception of this mark, God\n sends this solemn warning.\n\n\n15. What power mentioned in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation is to\nenforce this mark?\n\n\u201cAnd _he_ [the two-horned beast] causeth all, both small and great, rich\nand poor, free and bond, to receive _a mark_ in their right hand, or in\ntheir foreheads.\u201d Rev. 13:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The two-horned beast is understood to represent the United\n States of America. See reading on page 271. As this nation\n repudiates her principles of civil and religious liberty, and\n becomes a persecuting power, other nations will follow her example\n in oppressing those who refuse to yield their allegiance to God.\n\n\n16. What does the Papacy set forth as the mark, or sign, of its power and\nauthority?\n\n\u201c_Question._\u2014How prove you that the church hath power to command feasts\nand holy days?\n\n\u201c_Answer.\u2014By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday_, which\nProtestants allow of.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Abridgment of Christian Doctrine,__\u201d__ by Rev.\nHenry Tuberville, D. D., page 58._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014In a letter written in November, 1895, Mr. H. F. Thomas,\n chancellor to Cardinal Gibbons, replying to an inquiry as to\n whether the Catholic Church claims to have changed the Sabbath,\n said: \u201cOf course the Catholic Church claims that the change was\n her act, ... and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority\n in religious things.\u201d For other statements concerning this, see\n pages 441, 444, 464.\n\n The true Sabbath being a sign of loyalty to the true God, it is\n but natural that the false sabbath should be regarded as a sign of\n allegiance to apostasy. And such we find to be the case.\n\n\n17. What do papal authorities say of the observance of Sunday by\nProtestants?\n\n\u201cThe observance of _Sunday_ by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in\nspite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] church.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Plain\nTalk About the Protestantism of Today,__\u201d__ by Monsignor Segur, page 213._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The statement here made is true, and a full realization of\n the fact will lead those who honestly, but ignorantly, have\n heretofore been observing Sunday as the Sabbath, to refuse longer\n to pay homage to apostasy, and return to the observance of that\n which is the sign of loyalty to heaven,\u2014the only weekly day of\n rest which God, in His Word, has commanded men to keep holy, the\n seventh day.\n\n\n18. What will be the dragon\u2019s attitude toward the remnant people who keep\nthe commandments of God?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon _was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the\nremnant of her seed_, which keep the commandments of God, and have the\ntestimony of Jesus Christ.\u201d Rev. 12:17.\n\n19. How strongly will this false worship and the enforcement of this mark\nbe urged?\n\n\u201cThat the image of the beast should both speak, and cause [decree] that as\nmany as would not worship the image of the beast _should be killed_. And\nhe causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to\nreceive _a mark_ in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and _that no\nman might buy or sell, save he that had the mark_.\u201d Rev. 13:15-17. See\nnote under question 19, on page 227.\n\n20. Over what do the people of God finally gain the victory?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had\ngotten the victory _over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark,\nand over the number of his name_, stand on the sea of glass, having the\nharps of God.\u201d Rev. 15:2.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The God that made the earth,\n And all the worlds on high,\n Who gave all creatures birth,\n In earth, and sea, and sky,\n After six days in work employed,\n Upon the seventh a rest enjoyed.\n\n The Sabbath day was blessed,\n Hallowed, and sanctified;\n It was Jehovah\u2019s rest,\n And so it must abide;\n \u2019Twas set apart before the fall,\n \u2019Twas made for man, \u2019twas made for all.\n R. F. COTTRELL.\n\n\n\n\nThe Lord\u2019s Day\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n John\u2019s Vision On Patmos. \"I was in the Spirit on the Lord\u2019s day.\" Rev.\n 1:10.\n\n\n1. From what time was Christ, the Word, associated with God, the Father?\n\n\u201c_In the beginning_ was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word\nwas God. The same was in the beginning with God.\u201d John 1:1, 2.\n\n2. By whom were all things created?\n\n\u201cWhich from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, _who created\nall things by Jesus Christ_.\u201d Eph. 3:9.\n\n3. By whom were the worlds made?\n\n\u201cGod, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto\nthe fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by\n_His Son, ... by whom also He made the worlds_.\u201d Heb. 1:1, 2.\n\n4. How does Paul again express this same truth?\n\n\u201cFor _by Him were all things created_, that are in heaven, and that are in\nearth, visible and invisible, ... _all things were created by Him_, and\nfor Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.\u201d Col.\n1:16, 17.\n\n5. Was there anything made without Christ?\n\n\u201cAll things were made by Him; and _without Him was not anything made that\nwas made_.\u201d John 1:3.\n\n6. Was the Sabbath \u201cmade\u201d?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, _The Sabbath was __MADE__ for man_.\u201d Mark 2:27.\n\n7. Then by whom was the Sabbath made?\n\nBy Christ.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This conclusion is inevitable. If all things were made by\n Christ, and without Him was not anything made that was made, and\n the Sabbath was one of the things that was made, then it follows\n that the Sabbath must have been made by Christ. This being so, the\n Sabbath must be the Lord\u2019s day.\n\n\n8. What did God do in the beginning on the seventh day?\n\n\u201cAnd on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and _He\nrested on the seventh day_ from all His work which He had made.\u201d Gen. 2:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If all things were made by Jesus Christ, then He, with the\n Father, rested on the first seventh day from all His labor in the\n work of creation.\n\n\n9. After resting on the seventh day, what did God do?\n\n\u201cAnd God _blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it\nHe had rested_ from all His work which God created and made.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014And inasmuch as this blessing and this sanctification of the\n day were a part of the _making_ of the Sabbath, as well as the\n _resting_ upon the day, these also must have been done by Christ;\n for the Sabbath was _made_ by Him.\n\n\n10. How much honor is due to Christ?\n\n\u201cThat all men should honor the Son, _even as they honor the Father_.\u201d John\n5:23. \u201cI and My Father are _one_.\u201d John 10:30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In keeping the Sabbath, then, we honor Christ equally with\n the Father.\n\n\n11. Did Christ keep the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, _as His\ncustom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up\nfor to read_.\u201d Luke 4:16. \u201c_I have kept My Father\u2019s commandments._\u201d John\n15:10.\n\n12. Did Christ\u2019s followers keep the Sabbath after His death?\n\n\u201cAnd they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; _and rested the\nSabbath day according to the commandment_.\u201d Luke 23:56.\n\n13. Did they observe it after His resurrection?\n\n\u201cAnd Paul, _as his manner was_, went in unto them, _and three Sabbath days\nreasoned with them out of the Scriptures_.\u201d Acts 17:2. See also Acts\n13:14, 42, 44; 16:13; 18:1-4, 11.\n\n14. On what day does John say he was in the Spirit?\n\n\u201cI was in the Spirit on _the Lord\u2019s day_.\u201d Rev. 1:10.\n\n15. What day does the commandment say is the Lord\u2019s?\n\n\u201c_The seventh day_ is the Sabbath of the Lord.\u201d Ex. 20:10.\n\n16. By whose Spirit did the prophets write?\n\n\u201c_The Spirit of Christ_ which was in them.\u201d 1 Peter 1:11.\n\n17. What does the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God through this Spirit of\nChrist, call the seventh-day Sabbath?\n\n\u201cMy holy day.\u201d Isa. 58:13.\n\n18. Does Christ anywhere in the Scriptures ever claim any other day of the\nweek than the seventh as His?\n\nHe does not.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We do not need to speculate as to what day is the Lord\u2019s, if\n we will but take the Word of God for our guide, for loyalty to\n which John was banished to the isle of Patmos. See Rev. 1:9.\n\n\n19. If John, therefore, referred to a day of the week, on what day must he\nhave been in the Spirit?\n\nThe seventh day.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014No other day of the week in all the Bible is claimed by God\n as His day. During the second, third, and fourth centuries of the\n Christian era, when apostasy came in like a flood, men, without\n any warrant or command of Scripture, thinking to do honor to\n Christ and despite to the Jews who crucified Christ, began to\n neglect the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and to honor the\n day of the week on which Christ rose from the dead, the first day,\n as \u201cthe Lord\u2019s day,\u201d until finally the Sabbath was almost wholly\n lost sight of, and the Sunday quite generally took its place. But\n there was no more warrant for this change in the divine and\n unchangeable law of God than there was for other errors and\n changes which crept into the professed Christian church during\n this same time, such as abstaining from meat on Friday in honor of\n the crucifixion; Mariolatry, or the worship of the Virgin Mary;\n the mass; purgatory; indulgences; prayers for the dead;\n saint-worship; and the human vicarship of Christ. There was no\n more divine authority for one than for the others. All came in\n through apostasy. The Bible knows but one true and living God, one\n Lawgiver, one Mediator between God and man, one Lord and Saviour\n Jesus Christ, one body, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one\n baptism, and _one Sabbath_. See Jer. 10:10-12; Rev. 14:6, 7; 1\n Tim. 2:5; Eph. 4:4-6; Ex. 20:8-11.\n\n\n\n\nWalking As He Walked\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jesus In The Synagogue On The Sabbath. \"Leaving us an example, that ye\n should follow His steps.\" 1 Peter 2:21.\n\n\n1. The way of the Christian life was set for us by Jesus Himself.\n\n\u201cHe that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to _walk, even as\nHe walked_.\u201d 1 John 2:6. \u201cLeaving us an example, that ye should _follow\nHis steps_.\u201d 1 Peter 2:21.\n\n2. The footprints that Jesus set for us to follow, lead unvaryingly along\nthe way of God\u2019s commandments.\n\n\u201c_I have kept My Father\u2019s commandments_, and abide in His love.\u201d John\n15:10. \u201cFor this is the love of God, _that we keep His commandments_.\u201d 1\nJohn 5:3.\n\n3. The pathway is the same today as when Jesus walked in Judea.\n\n\u201cJesus Christ _the same yesterday, and today, and forever_.\u201d Heb. 13:8.\n\n4. When it is shown that Jesus kept the seventh day holy as our example,\nmany ask, \u201cWhy have not scholar and churchmen found out that there is no\nBible authority for first-day sacredness?\u201d\n\nThe answer is, They have found it so, and have freely declared the fact.\n\n\n\nTestimony Of Eminent Men\n\n\n5. The extracts that follow are from noted clergymen, scholars, and\neminent writers, all of whom doubtless kept the Sunday as a matter of\nchurch custom. But they nevertheless bear witness that there is no Bible\ncommand for it.\n\nChurch Of England Writers\n\n\n Archdeacon Farrar: \u201cThe Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of\n the week.\u201d \u201cThe Christian church made no formal, but a gradual and\n almost unconscious transference of the one day to the\n other.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Voice From Sinai,__\u201d__ pages 163, 167._\n\n Canon Eyton (of Westminster): \u201cThere is no word, no hint, in the\n New Testament about abstaining from work on Sunday.\u201d \u201cThe\n observance of Ash Wednesday or Lent stands exactly on the same\n footing as the observance of Sunday.\u201d \u201cConstantine\u2019s decree was\n the first public step in establishing the first day of the week as\n a day on which there should be secular rest as well as religious\n worship.... Into the rest of Sunday no divine law enters.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The\n Ten Commandments,__\u201d__ Trubners & Co._\n\n Canon Knox-Little, replying to those who quote the example of\n Christ against the High-church ritualism, says:\u2014\n\n \u201cIt is certain that our Lord when on earth _did_ observe Saturday,\n and did _not_ observe Sunday.\u201d \u201cIf they are consistent, as I have\n said, they must keep Saturday, not Sunday, as the day of\n rest.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Sacerdotalism,__\u201d__ Longman Company._\n\n Sir William Domville: \u201cCenturies of the Christian era passed away\n before the Sunday was observed by the Christian church as a\n Sabbath.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Examination of Six Texts,__\u201d__ chap. 8, page 291._\n\n\nWriters Of Other Churches\n\n\n Bishop Grimelund, of Norway (Lutheran): \u201cThe Christians in the\n ancient church very soon distinguished the first day of the week,\n Sunday; however, not as a sabbath, but as an assembly day of the\n church, to study the Word of God together.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Geschichte des\n Sonntags,__\u201d__ page 60._\n\n Dr. R. W. Dale (British Congregationalist): \u201cIt is quite clear\n that however rigidly or devotedly we may spend Sunday, we are not\n keeping the Sabbath.... The Sabbath was founded on a specific,\n divine command. We can plead no such command for the observance of\n Sunday.... There is not a single line in the New Testament to\n suggest that we incur any penalty by violating the supposed\n sanctity of Sunday.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Ten Commandments,__\u201d__ Hodder and\n Stoughton, pages 106, 107._\n\n Dr. Lyman Abbott (American Congregationalist): \u201cThe current notion\n that Christ and His apostles authoritatively substituted the first\n day for the seventh, is absolutely without any authority in the\n New Testament.\u201d\u2014_Christian Union, June 26, 1890._\n\n Dr. Edward T. Hiscock (Baptist): \u201cThere was and is a commandment\n to \u2018keep holy the Sabbath day,\u2019 but that Sabbath was not Sunday.\n It will, however, be readily said, and with some show of triumph,\n that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day\n of the week.... Where can the record of such a transaction be\n found? Not in the New Testament\u2014absolutely not.\u201d\u2014_The New York\n Examiner, Nov. 16, 1893._\n\n Dr. D. H. Lucas (Disciple): \u201cThere is no direct Scriptural\n authority for designating the first day the Lord\u2019s\n day.\u201d\u2014_Christian Oracle, Jan. 23, 1890._\n\n Cardinal Gibbons (Roman Catholic): \u201cYou may read the Bible from\n Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line\n authorizing the sanctification of Sunday.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Faith of Our\n Fathers,__\u201d__ edition 1892, page 111._\n\n Prize Essay of American Sunday-school Union: \u201cUp to the time of\n Christ\u2019s death, no change had been made in the day.... So far as\n the record shows, they [the apostles] did not give any explicit\n command enjoining the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath, and\n its observance on the first day of the week.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Lord\u2019s Day,__\u201d__\n pages 185, 186._\n\n\nEncyclopedias And Church Manuals\n\n\n \u201cDictionary of Christian Antiquities:\u201d \u201cThe notion of a formal\n substitution by apostolic authority of the Lord\u2019s day [meaning\n Sunday] for the Jewish Sabbath, and the transference to it,\n perhaps in a spiritualized form, of the Sabbatical obligation\n established by the promulgation of the fourth commandment, has no\n basis whatever, either in the Holy Scriptures or in Christian\n antiquity.\u201d\u2014_Article __\u201c__Sabbath,__\u201d__ Smith and Cheetham._\n\n \u201cCyclopedia of Biblical Theology:\u201d \u201cIt must be confessed that\n there is no law in the New Testament concerning the first\n day.\u201d\u2014_Article __\u201c__Sabbath,__\u201d__ McClintock and Strong._\n\n Methodist Episcopal \u201cTheological Compend,\u201d by Amos Binney: \u201cIt is\n true, there is no positive command for infant baptism.... Nor is\n there any for keeping holy the first day of the week.\u201d\u2014_Pages 180,\n 181._\n\n Protestant Episcopal \u201cManual of Christian Doctrine:\u201d \u201cIs there any\n command in the New Testament to change the day of weekly rest from\n Saturday?\u2014None.\u201d\u2014_Page 127._\n\n Protestant Episcopal \u201cExplanation of Catechism:\u201d \u201cThe day is now\n changed from the seventh to the first day; ... but as we meet with\n _no Scriptural direction for the change_, we may conclude it was\n done by the authority of the church.\u201d\n\n\n6. What influence do the Bible and history show working in the church\nimmediately after apostolic days?\n\n\u201cAlso of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to\ndraw away disciples after them.\u201d Acts 20:30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cIn the interval between the days of the apostles and the\n conversion of Constantine, the Christian commonwealth changed its\n aspect.... Rites and ceremonies of which neither Paul nor Peter\n ever heard, crept silently into use, and then claimed the rank of\n divine institutions.\u201d\u2014_Dr. W. D. Killen\u2019s (Presbyterian) __\u201c__The\n Ancient Church,__\u201d__ Preface._\n\n\n7. What did Christ say of worship based upon the commandments of men?\n\n\u201c_In vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments of\nmen.\u201d Matt. 15:9.\n\n8. What did He say should be done with every plant not planted by God?\n\n\u201cEvery plant, which My Heavenly Father hath not planted, _shall be rooted\nup_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n\n\nThe Sabbath In History\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Israel In Captivity. \"To fulfil the word of the Lord, ... until the land\n had enjoyed her sabbaths.\" 2 Chron. 36:21.\n\n\n1. When and by what acts was the Sabbath made?\n\n\u201cAnd on _the seventh day_ God ended His work which He had made; and He\n_rested_ on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God\n_blessed_ the seventh day, and _sanctified_ it: because that in it He had\nrested from all His work which God created and made.\u201d Gen. 2:2, 3.\n\n2. What division of time is marked off by the Sabbath?\n\nThe week.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cOne of the most striking collateral confirmations of the\n Mosaic history of the creation is the general adoption of the\n division of time into _weeks_, which extends from the Christian\n states of Europe to the remote shores of Hindustan, and has\n equally prevailed among the Hebrews, the Egyptians, Chinese,\n Greeks, Romans, and northern barbarians,\u2014nations some of whom had\n little or no intercourse with others, and were not even known by\n name to the Hebrews.\u201d\u2014_Horne\u2019s __\u201c__Introduction to the Critical\n Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures,__\u201d__ Vol. I, page 69,\n edition 1841._\n\n \u201cSeven has been the ancient and honored number among the nations\n of the earth. They have measured their time by weeks from the\n beginning. The original of this was the Sabbath of God, as Moses\n has given the reasons for it in his writings.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Brief\n Dissertation on the First Three Chapters of Genesis,__\u201d__ by Dr.\n Lyman Coleman, page 26._\n\n Gen. 7:4, 10; 8:10, 12, show that the week was known at the time\n of the flood.\n\n\n3. How widely recognized is the seventh-day Sabbath in the different\nlanguages of the world today?\n\nIt is very generally so recognized.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Some years ago the late Dr. William Mead Jones, of London,\n published a \u201cChart of the Week,\u201d showing the style of the weekly\n cycle and the designations of the different days of the week in\n one hundred and sixty different languages. This chart shows very\n vividly that the seven-day period, or week, was known from the\n most ancient times, and that in no fewer than one hundred and\n eight of these languages the seventh day is designated as the\n Sabbath, or holy day. The following is from this chart:\u2014\n\n English The seventh day The Sabbath\n Hebrew Shabbath Sabbath\n Greek Sabbaton Sabbath\n Latin Sabbatum Sabbath\n Arabic Assabt The Sabbath\n Persian Shambin Sabbath\n Armenian Shapat Sabbath\n Turkish Yomessabt Day the Sabbath\n Abyssinian Sanbat Sabbath\n Russian Subbota Sabbath\n Polish Sobota Sabbath\n Hindustani Shamba Sabbath\n Malay Ari-Sabtu Day Sabbath\n Afghan Shamba Sabbath\n German Samstag Sabbath\n Prussian Sabatico Sabbath\n French Samedi Sabbath day\n Italian Sabbato Sabbath\n Spanish Sabado Sabbath\n Portuguese Sabbado Sabbath\n\n\n4. What reason did God assign at Sinai for having blessed and set apart\nthe seventh day as a day of holy rest?\n\n\u201cFor in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and rested the seventh day.\u201d Ex. 20:11.\n\n5. What promise did God make to Israel, through Jeremiah, if they would\nkeep the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall come to pass, if ye diligently harken unto Me, saith the\nLord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath\nday, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein; _then shall there\nenter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the\nthrone of David_, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their\nprinces, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and _this\ncity shall remain forever_.\u201d Jer. 17:24, 25.\n\n6. What did He say would happen if they did not hallow the Sabbath day?\n\n\u201cBut _if ye will not harken unto Me to hallow the Sabbath day_, and not to\nbear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath\nday; _then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour\nthe palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched_.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n7. What befell the city of Jerusalem when it was captured by\nNebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in 588 B.C.?\n\n\u201cAnd all the vessels of the house of God ... he brought to Babylon. And\n_they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and\nburnt all the palaces thereof with fire_.\u201d 2 Chron. 36:18, 19.\n\n8. Why was this done?\n\n\u201cTo fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land\nhad enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept\nsabbath.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Israel\u2019s Babylonish captivity, under Nebuchadnezzar and his\n sons, was seventy years long because that for 420 years, or for\n six times seventy years,\u2014from the days of Solomon to\n Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s time,\u2014they had largely neglected to keep the\n Sabbath. See Eze. 22:8, 26; Jer. 25:8-11; 17:24, 27; 2 Chron.\n 36:15-21. The seventy years\u2019 desolation made up for the 420 years\n of Sabbath desecration. So during the millennium, or the one\n thousand years after Christ\u2019s second advent, the whole earth will\n lie desolate, or keep sabbath, for one thousand years, because\n that for six thousand years the world\u2019s inhabitants have\n disregarded the Sabbath. See this period and condition pointed out\n in Rev. 20:1-4; Isa. 24:1-6; Jer. 4:23-27. The periods of rest and\n desolation of the land are divinely appointed sabbatical\n compensations for man\u2019s irreligion, as manifested in Sabbath\n desecration. They are impressive lessons on the importance of\n keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, and the results of breaking and\n disregarding it.\n\n\n9. After Israel\u2019s restoration from the Babylonian captivity, what did\nNehemiah say was the reason for their punishment?\n\n\u201cThen I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil\nthing is this that ye do, and _profane the Sabbath day? Did not your\nfathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon\nthis city?_ yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel _by profaning the\nSabbath_.\u201d Neh. 13:17, 18.\n\n10. How does he speak of God\u2019s giving the Sabbath to Israel?\n\n\u201cThou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from\nheaven, and _gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and\ncommandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath_.\u201d Neh. 9:13,\n14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Let it be noted that this text does not say that God _made_\n the Sabbath then, but simply that He made it _known_ to Israel\n then. They had largely forgotten it while in Egypt. See pages 419,\n 423.\n\n\n11. How did Christ, while on earth, regard the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, _as His\ncustom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day_, and stood up\nfor to read.\u201d Luke 4:16.\n\n12. By what did Christ recognize the Sabbath law?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, ... It is _lawful_ to do well on the Sabbath\ndays.\u201d Matt. 12:11, 12.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014William Prynne says: \u201cIt is certain that Christ Himself,\n His apostles, and the primitive Christians for some good space of\n time, did constantly observe the seventh-day\n Sabbath.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Dissertation on the Lord\u2019s Day Sabbath,__\u201d__ page\n 33._\n\n Morer, a learned clergyman of the Church of England, says: \u201cThe\n primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath, and\n spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be doubted\n that they derived this practise from the apostles themselves, as\n appears by several scriptures to that purpose.\u201d\u2014_Morer\u2019s\n __\u201c__Dialogues on the Lord\u2019s Day,__\u201d__ page 189._\n\n The historian Neander says: \u201cOpposition to Judaism introduced the\n particular festival of Sunday very early, indeed, into the place\n of the Sabbath.... The festival of Sunday, like all other\n festivals, was always only a human ordinance, and it was far from\n the intentions of the apostles to establish a divine command in\n this respect,\u2014far from them, and from the early apostolic church,\n to transfer the laws of the Sabbath to Sunday. Perhaps at the end\n of the second century a false application of this kind had begun\n to take place; for men appear by that time to have considered\n laboring on Sunday as a sin.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s __\u201c__Church History,__\u201d__\n Rose\u2019s translation, page 186._\n\n Dr. Lyman Abbott says: \u201cThe current notion that Christ and His\n apostles authoritatively substituted the first day of the week for\n the seventh, is absolutely without any authority in the New\n Testament.\u201d\u2014_Christian Union, June 26, 1890._\n\n Archdeacon Farrar says: \u201cThe Christian church made no formal, but\n a gradual and almost unconscious transference of the one day to\n the other.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__The Voice From Sinai,__\u201d__ page 167._\n\n\n13. What was the first effort of the Roman Church in behalf of the\nrecognition of Sunday?\n\nIn 196 A.D., Victor, bishop of Rome, attempted to impose on all the\nchurches the Roman custom of having the Passover, or Easter, as it is\ncommonly called, celebrated every year on Sunday. See Bower\u2019s \u201cHistory of\nthe Popes,\u201d Vol. I, pages 18, 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, Dr. Bower, in his \u201cHistory of the Popes,\u201d Vol. I, page\n 18, styles \u201cthe first essay of papal usurpation.\u201d\n\n\n14. What was one of the principal reasons for convoking the Council of\nNice?\n\n\u201c_The question relating to the observance of Easter_, which was agitated\nin the time of Anicetus and Polycarp, and afterward in that of Victor, was\nstill undecided. It was one of the principal reasons for convoking the\nCouncil of Nice, being the most important subject to be considered after\nthe Arian controversy.\u201d\u2014_Boyle\u2019s __\u201c__Historical View of the Council of\nNice,__\u201d__ page 23, edition 1836._\n\n15. How was the matter finally decided?\n\n\u201cEaster day was fixed on the Sunday immediately following the full moon\nwhich was nearest after the vernal equinox.\u201d\u2014_Id., page 24._\n\n16. In urging the observance of this decree on the churches, what reason\ndid Constantine assign for it?\n\n\u201cLet us have nothing in common with the most hostile rabble of the\nJews.\u201d\u2014_Id., page 52._\n\n17. What had Constantine already done, in 321 A.D., to help forward Sunday\nto a place of prominence?\n\nHe issued an edict requiring \u201cthe judges and town people, and the\noccupation of all trades\u201d to rest on \u201cthe venerable day of the sun.\u201d See\nEncyclopedia Britannica, article \u201cSunday;\u201d and this work, page 443.\n\n18. Who did Eusebius, bishop of C\u00e6sarea, and one of Constantine\u2019s most\nardent supporters, say had transferred the obligations of the Sabbath to\nSunday?\n\n\u201cAll things whatsoever that it was duty to do on the Sabbath, _these\n__WE__ have transferred to the Lord\u2019s day_.\u201d\u2014_Eusebius\u2019s __\u201c__Commentary\non the Psalms,__\u201d__ quoted in Cox\u2019s __\u201c__Sabbath Literature,__\u201d__ Vol. I,\npage 361._\n\n19. What did Sylvester, bishop of Rome, 314 A.D. to 337 A.D., do for the\nSunday institution by his \u201capostolic authority\u201d?\n\nHe officially changed the title of the first day, calling it the LORD\u2019S\nDAY. See \u201cHistoria Ecclesiastica,\u201d by M. Ludovicum Lucium, cent. 4, cap.\n10, pages 739, 740, edition Basilea, 1624.\n\n20. What did the Council of Laodicea decree in 364 A.D.?\n\nCanon 29. \u201cChristians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday [Sabbath],\nbut shall work on that day; but the Lord\u2019s day they shall especially\nhonor.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__A History of the Councils of the Church,__\u201d__ Charles Joseph\nHefele, Vol. II, page 316._\n\n21. How late did Christians keep the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cDown even to the fifth century, the observance of the Jewish Sabbath was\ncontinued in the Christian church.\u201d\u2014_Lyman Coleman\u2019s __\u201c__Ancient\nChristianity Exemplified,__\u201d__ chap. 26, sec. 2._\n\n22. How generally does the historian Socrates, who wrote about the middle\nof the fifth century, say the Sabbath was observed by the Christian\nchurches of his time?\n\n\u201cAlthough almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred\nmysteries on the Sabbath of every week, yet the Christians of Alexandria\nand at Rome, on account of some ancient tradition, refuse to do\nthis.\u201d\u2014_Socrates\u2019s __\u201c__Ecclesiastical History,__\u201d__ book 5, chap. 22._\n\n23. What day was observed in the dark ages by some of the Waldenses?\n\n\u201cThey kept the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism according to\nthe primitive church, instructed their children in the articles of the\nChristian faith and the commandments of God.\u201d\u2014_Jones\u2019s __\u201c__Church\nHistory,__\u201d__ Vol. II, chap. 5, sec. 4._\n\n24. Who among the early Reformers raised this question of Sabbath\nobservance?\n\n\u201cCarlstadt held to the divine authority of the Sabbath from the Old\nTestament.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Life of Luther,__\u201d__ by Dr. Barnes Sears, page 402._\n\n25. What did Luther say of Carlstadt\u2019s Sabbath views?\n\n\u201cIndeed, if Carlstadt were to write further about the Sabbath, Sunday\nwould have to give way, and the Sabbath\u2014that is to say, Saturday\u2014must be\nkept holy.\u201d\u2014_Luther, Against the Celestial Prophets, quoted in __\u201c__Life\nof Martin Luther in Pictures,__\u201d__ page 147._\n\n26. What claim is now made by the Roman Church concerning the change of\nthe Sabbath to Sunday?\n\n\u201c_Question._\u2014Have you any other way of proving that the church has power\nto institute festivals of precept?\n\n\u201c_Answer._\u2014Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which\nall modern religionists agree with her,\u2014she could not have substituted the\nobservance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of\nSaturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural\nauthority.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Doctrinal Catechism,__\u201d__ by Rev. Stephen Keenan, page\n174._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Through want of sufficient light and investigation, and\n because of the efforts of some who opposed the Sabbath during the\n Reformation, Sunday was brought from Catholicism into the\n Protestant church, and is now cherished as an institution of the\n Lord. It is clear, however, that it is none of His planting, but\n rather the work and result of apostasy. But a message is now going\n forth to revive the truth on this point, and calling for a genuine\n reformation upon it. See pages 251-263, and next reading.\n\n\n\n\nSabbath Reform\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The House Of Prayer. \"If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from\n doing thy pleasure on My holy day.\" Isa. 58:13.\n\n\n1. What kind of worship does Christ say results from doctrines based on\nthe commandments of men?\n\n\u201c_But in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments\nof men.\u201d Matt. 15:9.\n\n2. What commandment did Christ say the Pharisees had made void by their\nteaching?\n\n\u201cFor _God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother_.... But ye say,\nWhosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by\nwhatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or\nhis mother, he shall be free.\u201d Verses 4-6.\n\n3. What was the result of their course?\n\n\u201cThus have ye _made the commandment of God of none effect_ by your\ntradition.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By a gift or dedication of property to the temple service,\n they taught that a man might be freed from the duties enjoined by\n the fifth commandment.\n\n\n4. What question did the disciples soon afterward ask Christ?\n\n\u201c_Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were offended_, after they heard this\nsaying?\u201d Verse 12.\n\n5. What answer did the Saviour make?\n\n\u201cBut He answered and said, _Every plant, which My Heavenly Father hath not\nplanted, shall be rooted up_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014What is true of the fifth commandment is true of every other\n commandment. If through tradition men set aside any other of God\u2019s\n commandments, the words of Christ to the Pharisees are equally\n applicable to them. They are guilty of making void the commandment\n of God, and of instituting vain worship.\n\n\n6. When, and by whom, was the Sabbath \u201cplanted\u201d?\n\n\u201cFor in six days _the Lord_ made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that\nin them is, and _rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the\nSabbath day, and hallowed it_.\u201d Ex. 20:11.\n\n7. Who claims to have planted the Sunday institution?\n\n\u201c_Question._\u2014Has _the [Catholic] church_ power to make any alterations in\nthe commandments of God?\n\n\u201c_Answer._\u2014... Instead of the seventh day, and other festivals appointed\nby the old law, the church has prescribed the Sundays and holy days to be\nset apart for God\u2019s worship; and these we are now obliged to keep in\nconsequence of God\u2019s commandment, instead of the ancient\nSabbath.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Catholic Christian Instructed,__\u201d__ by the Rt. Rev. Dr.\nChalloner, page 211._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cWe Catholics, then, have precisely the same authority for\n keeping Sunday holy, instead of Saturday, as we have for every\n other article of our creed; namely, the authority of \u2018_the church_\n of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth\u2019 (1 Tim.\n 3:15); whereas, you who are Protestants have really no authority\n for it whatever; for _there is no authority for it in the Bible_,\n and you will not allow that there _can be_ authority for it\n anywhere else. Both you and we do, in fact, follow _tradition_ in\n this matter; but _we_ follow it, believing it to be a part of\n God\u2019s word, and the church to be its divinely appointed guardian\n and interpreter; _you_ follow it, denouncing it all the time as a\n fallible and treacherous guide, which often \u2018makes the commandment\n of God of none effect.\u2019 \u201d\u2014_\u201c__Clifton Tracts,__\u201d__ Vol. IV,\n article __\u201c__A Question for All Bible Christians,__\u201d__ page 15._\n\n For further quotations on this, see pages 441, 444, 455, 456.\n\n\n8. When is final salvation to be brought to God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cWho are kept by the power of God through faith _unto salvation ready to\nbe revealed in the last time_.\u201d 1 Peter 1:5.\n\n9. When God\u2019s salvation is _near to come_, upon whom does He pronounce a\nblessing?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation\nis near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. _Blessed is the man\nthat doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth\nthe Sabbath from polluting it_, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.\u201d\nIsa. 56:1, 2.\n\n10. Is this promised blessing confined to any one class?\n\n\u201c_Also the sons of the_ STRANGER that join themselves to the Lord, to\nserve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, _every\none that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it_, and taketh hold of My\ncovenant; _even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them\njoyful in My house of prayer_.\u201d Verses 6, 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is evident from these scriptures that in the last day,\n when men are waiting for the Saviour to appear, there will be a\n call for those who really love the Lord to separate themselves\n from the world, to observe the Lord\u2019s true Sabbath, and to depart\n from all evil.\n\n\n11. What does God tell His ministers to do at this time?\n\n\u201c_Cry aloud, spare not_, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and _show My\npeople their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins_.\u201d Isa.\n58:1.\n\n12. What message of Sabbath reform does He send?\n\n\u201cIf thou _turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on\nMy holy day_; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord,\nhonorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding\nthine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight\nthyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of\nthe earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the\nmouth of the Lord hath spoken it.\u201d Verses 13, 14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Sabbath of Jehovah is not now, by the majority even of\n professed Christians, called holy and honorable. By many it is\n stigmatized as \u201cJewish.\u201d The Lord foresaw how this would be in\n this age, and inspired the prophet to write as he did. \u201c_If thou\n turn away thy foot from the Sabbath._\u201d This is a strong\n expression, indicating that many would be trampling upon God\u2019s\n day, and doing their own pleasure upon it, instead of seeking God,\n and honoring Him by keeping the Sabbath holy.\n\n\n13. What will those be called who engage in this reformation?\n\n\u201cAnd thou shalt be called, _The repairer of the breach, The restorer of\npaths to dwell in_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n14. What does another prophet say professed teachers among God\u2019s people\nhave done?\n\n\u201cHer priests have _violated My law_, and have _profaned Mine holy things_:\nthey have _put no difference between the holy and profane_; neither have\nthey shown difference between the unclean and the clean, _and have hid\ntheir eyes from My Sabbaths_, and I am profaned among them.\u201d Eze. 22:26.\n\n15. What have they done to maintain their theories?\n\n\u201cAnd her prophets have _daubed them with untempered mortar_, seeing\nvanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, _Thus saith the Lord God,\nwhen the Lord hath not spoken_.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Untempered mortar is that which is improperly worked, and\n will not therefore hold together or stand the test. Thus it is\n with the reasons advanced for keeping Sunday instead of the Bible\n Sabbath, the seventh day. They are not only unsound and untenable\n in themselves, but are utterly inconsistent, contradictory, and\n destructive one of the other, among themselves. They are like the\n witnesses employed by the Jewish leaders to condemn Christ. Of\n these the record says: \u201cThe chief priests and all the council\n sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found\n none. For many bare _false witness_ against Him, but _their\n witness agreed not together_.\u201d Mark 14:55, 56. The lack of\n _agreement_ among them was evidence in itself of the _falsity_ of\n their testimony. In nothing, perhaps, is a lack of agreement\n better illustrated than in the reasons assigned for\n Sunday-keeping. Note the following:\u2014\n\n One says the Sabbath has been _changed_ from the seventh to the\n first day of the week.\n\n Another says that the Sabbath commandment requires only one day of\n rest after six of labor, and hence _there has been no change_.\n\n Some reason that all ought to keep Sunday, because although, as\n they affirm, God did not appoint a _particular_ day, yet\n _agreement_ is necessary; and to have any or every day a sabbath\n would be equal to no sabbath at all.\n\n Others, to avoid the claims of God\u2019s law, assert that the Sabbath\n precept is one of those ordinances which was _against us, contrary\n to us, blotted out, and nailed to the cross_. Still, they admit\n that a day of rest and convocation is necessary, and therefore the\n day of Christ\u2019s resurrection, they say, has been chosen.\n\n Another class say they believe it is impossible to know which is\n the _seventh day_, although they have no difficulty in\n ascertaining which is the _first_.\n\n Some are so bold even as to declare that _Sunday is the original\n seventh day_.\n\n Others, with equal certainty, say that those who keep the seventh\n day are endeavoring to be _justified by the law_, and are _fallen\n from grace_.\n\n Another class, with more liberal views, say they believe that\n every one should be fully persuaded in his own mind, whether he\n keep this day, or that, or none at all.\n\n Still again, as if having found the great desideratum or missing\n link in the argument, men credited with even more than ordinary\n intelligence, will sometimes declare that it is _impossible to\n keep the seventh day on a round and rolling earth_; and yet,\n strange to say, they find no difficulty in keeping _Sunday\n anywhere_, and believe that this day should be observed _the world\n over_!\n\n Lastly, and more terrible and presumptuous than all the rest,\n some, like Herod of old in slaying all the children of Bethlehem\n in order to make sure of killing Christ, have gone so far as to\n teach that _all ten commandments have been abolished_, in order to\n avoid the duty enjoined in the _fourth_. But as in the case of\n Herod, God\u2019s Anointed escaped the murderous blow of this wicked\n king, so in the judgment such will have to meet God over His\n broken law, and will find that the Sabbath precept stands there\n unchanged with the rest.\n\n Said Christ, \u201cWhosoever therefore shall break one of these least\n commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least\n in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them,\n the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.\u201d Matt.\n 5:19.\n\n\n16. What does the Lord say will become of this wall thus daubed with\nuntempered mortar?\n\n\u201cSay unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that _it shall fall_:\nthere shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, _O great hailstones, shall\nfall; and a stormy wind shall rend it_.\u201d Eze. 13:11.\n\n17. When are these hailstones to fall?\n\n\u201cHast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen _the\ntreasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble,\nagainst the day of battle and war_?\u201d Job 38:22, 23.\n\n18. Under which of the seven last plagues will this hail fall?\n\n\u201cAnd _the seventh angel_ poured out his vial into the air; ... and the\ncities of the nations fell: ... and every island fled away, and the\nmountains were not found. And there fell upon men _a great hail_ out of\nheaven, every stone about the weight of a talent.\u201d Rev. 16:17-21.\n\n19. In order to prepare His people for that terrible time, what does God\nexpect His ministers to do?\n\n\u201cYe have not _gone up into the gaps_, neither _made up the hedge_ for the\nhouse of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.\u201d Eze. 13:5.\n\n20. Instead of trying to close up this breach made in God\u2019s law [the loss\nof the Sabbath], and so make up the hedge, what have they done?\n\n\u201cThey have seen vanity and lying divination, _saying, The Lord saith: and\nthe Lord hath not sent them_: and they have made others to hope that they\nwould confirm the word.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n21. During these closing scenes, what message is God sending to the world\nto turn men from false worship to the worship of the true and living God?\n\n\u201cFear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:\nand worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the\nfountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,\nbecause she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her\nfornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive\nhis mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine\nof the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of\nHis indignation.\u201d Rev. 14:7-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is the last gospel message to be sent to the world\n before the Lord comes. Under it will be developed two classes of\n people, one having the mark of the beast (the Papacy), and the\n other keeping the commandments of God, and having His seal, the\n Sabbath of the fourth commandment. See readings on pages 259, 446.\n\n\n22. What, besides attending and taking part in religious services (Luke\n4:16), did Christ do on the Sabbath day?\n\n\u201cWho _went about doing good_.\u201d Acts 10:38. See Matt. 8:14-17; 12:1-15;\nMark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11; 13:11-17; 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; 9:1-41.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When we come to study the life of Christ, we find that He\n did not make the Sabbath a day of idleness, nor even a day\n confined wholly to public and private worship, but one of active\n service in blessing others. On this day especially He went about\n doing good, ministering to the sick, and bringing relief to those\n long bound by Satan. Luke 13:15, 16; John 5:5, 6. And as He is our\n pattern in all things, we, too, like Him, should seek to make the\n Sabbath a day for helping and blessing others. To loose the bands\n of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, deal bread to the hungry,\n clothe the naked, and let the oppressed go free, is the fast which\n God has chosen, and the Sabbath-keeping most acceptable to Him.\n Isa. 58:1-12. In this kind of work and ministry there is room for\n a world-wide Sabbath reform.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Brother! up to the breach\n For God\u2019s freedom and truth;\n Let us act as we teach,\n With the wisdom of age, and the vigor of youth.\n Heed not their cannon-balls;\n Ask not who stands or falls;\n Grasp the sword of the Lord,\n And\u2014Forward!\n\n\n\n\n\nPART X. CHRISTIAN LIBERTY\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ And The Tribute-Money. \"Render to Caesar the things that are\n Caesar\u2019s, and to God the things that are God\u2019s.\" Mark 12:17.\n\n\n\n\nThe Author Of Liberty\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Peter Delivered From Prison. \"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought\n thee ... out of the house of bondage.\" Ex. 20:2.\n\n\n1. How is the bondage of Israel in Egypt described?\n\n\u201cAnd the children of Israel _sighed_ by reason of the bondage, and they\n_cried_, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.\u201d Ex.\n2:23. Compare with James 5:1-4.\n\n2. Who heard their groaning?\n\n\u201c_God_ heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham,\nwith Isaac, and with Jacob.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n3. What did God say to Moses?\n\n\u201cNow therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me:\nand I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.\nCome now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest\nbring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.\u201d Ex. 3:9, 10.\n\n4. In giving Israel His law, how did God describe Himself?\n\n\u201cI am the Lord thy God, which have _brought thee out of_ the land of\nEgypt, out of _the house of bondage_.\u201d Ex. 20:2.\n\n5. What provision did God make against slavery and oppression in Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee,\nand serve thee six years; then _in the seventh year thou shall let him go\nfree_ from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, _thou shall\nnot let him go away empty_: thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy\nflock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy wine-press: of that wherewith\nthe Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And _thou\nshalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt_, and the\nLord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing today.\u201d\nDeut. 15:12-15. \u201c_Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him_: for\nye were strangers in the land of Egypt.\u201d Ex. 22:21. See 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.\n\n6. What was one reason assigned why Israel should keep the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cAnd _remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt_, and that\nthe Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a\nstretched-out arm: _therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the\nSabbath day_.\u201d Deut. 5:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This would suggest the idea that in their servitude and\n oppression in Egypt they had had difficulty regarding the\n observance of the Sabbath, which is a fact. From the accusation\n brought against Moses and Aaron by Pharaoh, as recorded in Ex.\n 5:5,\u2014\u201cYe make them _rest_ [Heb., _Shabbath_] from their\n burdens,\u201d\u2014it is plain that the Sabbath had been denied them, that\n they had been required to work on the Sabbath, and that Moses and\n Aaron were teaching them to keep it. Where individual rights and\n religious liberty are recognized, Sabbath observance is neither\n denied nor required by civil law.\n\n\n7. What proclamation was to be made throughout the land of Israel every\nfifty years?\n\n\u201cAnd ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and _proclaim liberty throughout\nall the land unto all the inhabitants thereof_: it shall be a jubilee unto\nyou; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall\nreturn every man unto his family.\u201d Lev. 25:10.\n\n8. Because Israel failed to do this, became oppressive, and disregarded\nand misused the Sabbath, what did God do?\n\n\u201cTherefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not harkened unto Me, in\nproclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his\nneighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the\n_sword_, to the _pestilence_, and to the _famine_; and _I will make you to\nbe removed into all the kingdoms of the earth_.\u201d Jer. 34:17. See also Jer.\n17:24-27; 2 Chron. 36:19-21.\n\n9. What fault did God find with the way in which Israel came to celebrate\nher fasts and seasons of worship?\n\n\u201cBehold; in the day of your fast ye _find pleasure_, and _exact __ all\nyour labors_. Behold, ye fast for _strife_ and _debate_, and to _smite\nwith the fist of wickedness_.\u201d Isa. 58:3, 4.\n\n10. What does God set forth as the acceptable fast to Him?\n\n\u201cIs not this the fast that I have chosen? to _loose the bands of\nwickedness_, to _undo the heavy burdens_, and to _let the oppressed go\nfree_, and that ye _break every yoke_? Is it not to _deal thy bread to the\nhungry_, and that thou _bring the poor that are cast out to thy house_?\nwhen thou seest the naked, that thou _cover him_; and that thou hide not\nthyself from thine own flesh?\u201d Verses 6, 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All this shows that God loves liberty, and hates bondage and\n oppression.\n\n\n11. What was Christ\u2019s mission to this world?\n\n\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach\nthe gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me _to heal_ the broken-hearted, _to\npreach deliverance_ to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind,\n_to set at liberty_ them that are bruised.\u201d Luke 4:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Gospels show that a large part of Christ\u2019s time even on\n the Sabbath was devoted to relieving the oppressed and distressed.\n\n\n12. In what condition are those who commit sin?\n\n\u201cWhosoever committeth sin is _the servant of sin_.\u201d John 8:34.\n\n13. Why was Christ\u2019s name to be called Jesus?\n\n\u201cAnd thou shalt call His name Jesus: _for He shall save His people from\ntheir sins_.\u201d Matt. 1:21.\n\n14. What lies at the root of all sin?\n\n\u201cWhen _lust_ hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.\u201d James 1:15. \u201cI had\nnot known _lust_, except the law had said, Thou shalt not _covet_.\u201d Rom.\n7:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Lust, covetousness, and unlawful desire are only different\n names for _selfishness_. Selfishness lies at the root of all sin;\n and selfishness is simply the love of self to the disregard of the\n equal rights of others.\n\n\n15. By what scripture is the equality of rights clearly shown?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor _as thyself_.\u201d Lev. 19:18.\n\n16. What rule of conduct has Christ laid down in harmony with this\ncommand?\n\n\u201cWhatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.\u201d\nMatt. 7:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Selfishness, then, must be uprooted from men\u2019s hearts before\n they will recognize the equal rights of their fellow men.\n\n\n17. Who alone can cleanse men\u2019s hearts from selfishness?\n\n\u201cNeither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name\nunder heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.\u201d Acts 4:12. See\nalso 1 John 1:9.\n\n18. Who alone, then, can give men real freedom?\n\n\u201cIf _the Son_ therefore shall make you free, ye shall be _free indeed_.\u201d\nJohn 8:36.\n\n19. What was Christ\u2019s attitude toward unbelievers?\n\n\u201cIf any man hear My words, and believe not, _I judge him not_: for I came\nnot to _judge_ the world, but to _save_ the world.\u201d John 12:47.\n\n20. What spirit did Christ say should control His disciples?\n\n\u201cBut Jesus called them to Him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they\nwhich are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise _lordship_ over\nthem; and their great ones exercise _authority_ upon them. But _so shall\nit not be among you_: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your\n_minister_: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be _servant\nof all_. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to\nminister, and to give His life a ransom for many.\u201d Mark 10:42-45.\n\n21. What is present where the Spirit of the Lord is?\n\n\u201cNow the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there\nis _liberty_.\u201d 2 Cor. 3:17.\n\n22. What kind of worship only is acceptable to God?\n\n\u201cBut the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship\nthe Father _in spirit and in truth_: for the Father seeketh such to\nworship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him\nin spirit and in truth.\u201d John 4:23, 24.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Freedom and reason make brave men;\n Take these away, what are they then?\u2014\n Mere groveling brutes, and just as well\n The beasts may think of heaven or hell.\n\n Know, then, that every soul is free\n To choose his life, and what he\u2019ll be;\n For this eternal truth is given:\n That God will force no man to heaven.\n\n He\u2019ll call, persuade, direct him right,\n Bless him with wisdom, love, and light,\n In nameless ways be good and kind,\n But never force the human mind.\n\n\n\n\nThe Powers That Be\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nWorship Interfered With By The State. Christians surprised by troops while\n worshiping in a cavern.\n\n\n1. Who should be subject to civil government?\n\n\u201cLet _every soul_ be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power\nbut of God.\u201d Rom. 13:1.\n\n2. By whom are the powers that be ordained?\n\n\u201cThe powers that be are ordained of _God_.\u201d Same verse.\n\n3. What does one resist, who resists civil authority?\n\n\u201cWhosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth _the ordinance of\nGod_: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.\u201d Verse\n2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThat is, they who rise up against _government itself_, who\n seek anarchy and confusion, who oppose the regular execution of\n the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be\n such as violate the rights of conscience or oppose the law of\n God.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Rom. 13:2._\n\n\n4. What do the Scriptures indicate as the proper sphere and legitimate\nwork of civil authority?\n\n\u201cFor rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the _evil_.... If thou\ndo that which is _evil_, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:\nfor he is the minister of God, _a revenger to execute wrath upon him that\ndoeth evil_.\u201d Verses 3, 4.\n\n5. For whom is law made?\n\n\u201cKnowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but _for the\nlawless and disobedient_.\u201d 1 Tim. 1:9.\n\n6. How are Christians admonished to respect civil authority?\n\n\u201cPut them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey\nmagistrates, to be ready to every good work.\u201d Titus 3:1. \u201cSubmit\nyourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord\u2019s sake: whether it be to\nthe king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him\nfor the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do\nwell.... Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.\u201d 1\nPeter 2: 13-17. \u201cFor this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God\u2019s\nministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to\nall their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom;\nfear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.\u201d Rom. 13:6, 7.\n\n7. In what words does Christ show that there is another realm outside of\nC\u00e6sar\u2019s, or civil government?\n\n\u201cRender therefore unto C\u00e6sar the things which are C\u00e6sar\u2019s; _and unto God\nthe things that are God\u2019s_.\u201d Matt. 22:21.\n\n8. To whom alone did He say worship is to be rendered?\n\n\u201cThou shalt worship _the Lord thy God_, and _Him only shalt thou serve_.\u201d\nMatt. 4:10.\n\n9. What decree did King Nebuchadnezzar once make respecting worship?\n\n\u201cTo you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what\ntime ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,\ndulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye _fall down and worship the golden\nimage_ that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And whoso falleth not\ndown and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a\nburning fiery furnace.\u201d Dan. 3:4-6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This decree was in direct conflict with the second\n commandment of God\u2019s law, which forbids making, bowing down to,\n and serving images. It was religious, idolatrous, and persecuting\n in character.\n\n\n10. What answer did the three Hebrew captives, Shadrach, Meshach, and\nAbed-nego, return when asked by the king why they had not fallen down and\nworshiped the golden image, as he had commanded?\n\n\u201cShadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O\nNebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be\nso, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery\nfurnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be\nit known unto thee, O king, that _we will not serve thy gods, nor worship\nthe golden image which thou hast set up_.\u201d Verses 16-18.\n\n11. What did Nebuchadnezzar then do?\n\n\u201cThen was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was\nchanged against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: ... and he commanded the\nmost mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and\nAbed-nego, and to _cast them into the burning fiery furnace_.\u201d Verses 19,\n20.\n\n12. After their miraculous deliverance, what did Nebuchadnezzar say?\n\n\u201cThen Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach,\nMeshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His\nservants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king\u2019s word, and\nyielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god,\nexcept their own God.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By preserving these men in the fire, and thus changing the\n king\u2019s word, God was demonstrating before all the world, through\n this greatest of then-existing earthly kingdoms, that with the\n question of religion civil governments can of right have nothing\n whatsoever to do; that religion is a realm outside the legitimate\n sphere of civil authority; and that every individual should be\n left free to worship, or not to worship, according to the dictates\n of his own conscience. The lesson to be learned from this is that,\n although ordained of God, civil governments are not ordained to\n direct or oppress men in religious matters.\n\n\n13. How only did the envious princes and rulers under King Darius conclude\nthat they could effect the downfall of Daniel?\n\n\u201cThen said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,\nexcept we find it against him _concerning the law of his God_.\u201d Dan. 6:5.\n\n14. To this end, what decree did they prevail upon the king to make and\nsign?\n\n\u201cThat whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days,\n_save of thee, O king_, he shall be cast into the den of lions.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Unlike the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, this decree forbade the\n worship of the true God, and was therefore in direct conflict with\n the first commandment, which forbids the worship of any other than\n the true God. Like it, however, it was religious and persecuting\n in character.\n\n\n15. How did Daniel regard this decree?\n\n\u201cNow when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house;\nand his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, _he kneeled\nupon his knees three times a day, __ and prayed, and gave thanks before\nhis God, as he did aforetime_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nDaniel Praying In Babylon. \"When Daniel knew that the writing was signed,\n... he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, ... as he did\n aforetime.\" Dan. 6:10.\n\n\n16. What was finally done with Daniel?\n\n\u201cThen the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and _cast him into the\nden of lions_.\u201d Verse 16.\n\n17. What did Darius say to Daniel the next morning when he came to the\nlions\u2019 den?\n\n\u201cThe king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God,\nis thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the\nlions?\u201d Verse 20.\n\n18. What was Daniel\u2019s reply?\n\n\u201cThen said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent\nHis angel, and hath shut the lions\u2019 mouths, that they have not hurt me:\nforasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O\nking, have I done no hurt.\u201d Verses 21, 22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Here again was demonstrated by a most remarkable miracle,\n wrought in the face of the greatest nation then in existence, that\n with the directing, prescribing, proscribing, or interfering with\n religion or its free exercise, civil governments can of right have\n nothing whatever to do; that religion is an individual matter, and\n should be left to the dictates of each one\u2019s own conscience.\n\n\n19. Before leaving His disciples, what command did Christ give them?\n\n\u201cGo ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.\u201d Mark\n16:15.\n\n20. What counter-command did the Jewish Sanhedrin soon afterward give\nthem?\n\n\u201cAnd they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in\nthe name of Jesus.\u201d Acts 4:18.\n\n21. What reply did Peter and John make?\n\n\u201cBut Peter and John answered and said unto them, _Whether it be right in\nthe sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye_. For we\ncannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.\u201d Verses 19, 20.\n\n22. For continuing to preach Jesus, what did the Jewish rulers do to the\napostles?\n\n\u201cThen the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is\nthe sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, and _laid\ntheir hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison_.\u201d Acts\n5:17, 18.\n\n23. What did an angel of God then do?\n\n\u201cBut the angel of the Lord by night _opened the prison doors, and brought\nthem forth_, and said, _Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people\nall the words of this life_.\u201d Verses 19, 20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Here once again is demonstrated the fact that men have no\n right to interfere with the free exercise of religion, and that\n when the laws of men conflict with the law and Word of God, we are\n to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be. God Himself\n has set the seal of His approval to such a course. John Bunyan was\n imprisoned for twelve years for daring to preach the gospel\n contrary to law.\n\n\n24. Upon the apostles being called before the council again, what question\ndid the high priest ask them?\n\n\u201c_Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?_\nand, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to\nbring this man\u2019s blood upon us.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n25. What reply did the apostles make?\n\n\u201cThen Peter and the other apostles answered and said, _We ought to obey\nGod rather than men_.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cObedience is to be rendered to all human governments, in\n subordination to the will of God. These governments are a\n recognized necessity, in the nature of the case, and their\n existence is manifestly in accordance with the divine will. Hence\n the presumption is always in favor of the authority of civil law,\n and any refusal to obey must be based on the moral proof that\n obedience will be sin.... It is still true that obedience to human\n law often involves sin against God and man. There are cases so\n clear that no one can question the duty to refuse obedience. In\n all times and in all lands such cases have arisen.\u201d \u201cIt is too\n obvious to need discussion, that the law of God, the great\n principle of benevolence, is supreme, and that \u2019we ought to obey\n God rather than men\u2019 in any case of conflict between human law and\n the divine.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Moral Philosophy,__\u201d__ by James H. Fairchild,\n pages 178-181._\n\n\n26. Who is higher than the \u201chigher powers\u201d?\n\n\u201cIf thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of\njudgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for _He that\nis higher than the highest_ regardeth; and _there be higher than they_.\u201d\nEccl. 5:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In attempting to defend the right of civil government to\n enforce religious observances by law, some still ask, \u201cShall we\n not obey the powers that be?\u201d We answer, \u201cYes, when they are in\n harmony with the higher powers that be. God made His law for all\n the universe. He created man; He gives the bounteous provisions of\n nature, and holds our breath and life in His hand. He is to be\n recognized, His law honored, before all the great men and the\n highest earthly powers.\u201d\n\n\n27. Because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman in accordance with the\ncommand of King Ahasuerus (Esther 3:1-6), what decree did Haman succeed in\nhaving the king issue and send to every province throughout the Persian\nEmpire?\n\n\u201cAnd the letters were sent by posts into all the king\u2019s provinces, _to\ndestroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old,\nlittle children and women, in one day_, even upon the thirteenth day of\nthe twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them\nfor a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every\nprovince was published unto all people, that they should be ready against\nthat day.\u201d Esther 3:13, 14.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014By an overruling of Providence the carrying out of this\n terrible decree was averted, and Haman was hanged on the very\n gallows which he had erected for the execution of Mordecai. See\n Esther 7:9, 10.\n\n God has placed the sword (civil authority) in the hands of C\u00e6sar\n (civil government) for the punishment of evil-doers; but when the\n sword is raised to slay the _innocent_, as in the case of the\n children of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16); or to _enforce idolatrous\n worship_, as in the case of the three Hebrews (Daniel 3); or to\n _prohibit the worship of the true God_, as in the case of Daniel\n (Daniel 6); or to slay _all of God\u2019s people_, as in the time of\n Esther; or to _enforce the observance of a false sabbath_, as in\n the case of all Sunday laws, it is an _abuse_ of civil authority,\n and not a proper or justifiable use of it; and God honors those\n who, under such circumstances, in the face of persecution,\n oppression, and death, remain loyal and true to Him.\n\n \u201cGovernment is never the gainer in the execution of a law that is\n manifestly unjust.... Conscientious men are not the enemies, but\n the friends, of any government but a tyranny. They are its\n strength, and not its weakness. Daniel, in Babylon, praying\n contrary to the law, was the true friend and supporter of the\n government; while those who, in their pretended zeal for the law\n and the constitution, would strike down the good man, were its\n real enemies. It is only when government transcends its sphere\n that it comes in conflict with the consciences of men.\n\n \u201cBut it is objected that the example is corrupting,\u2014that a bad man\n will violate a good law, because the good man refuses to obey a\n wicked law. The cases are just as unlike as right and wrong, and\n any attempt to justify the one by the other is gross dishonesty.\n Unquestionably, the principle can be abused by the wicked, and so\n can any truth whatever; but the principle of unquestioning\n obedience to human law is false, and needs no perversion to make\n it mischievous....\n\n \u201cIt should always be remembered that the great end of government\n is human well-being, that law and authority are nothing in\n themselves, and that all their sacredness arises from the uses\n which they serve. The machinery of government is valuable only for\n the work it does; in itself, it has no value.... The most grievous\n of all imperfections in government is the failure to secure the\n just and good result.... Injustice and oppression are not made\n tolerable by being in strict accordance with the law. Nothing is\n surer, in the end, than the reaction of such wrong to break down\n the most perfectly constituted government.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Moral\n Philosophy,__\u201d__ by James H. Fairchild, pages 184-186._\n\n God is above all earthly rulers, and His law above all human laws.\n He made us, and we therefore owe allegiance to Him before any\n earthly power, potentate, or tribunal. And this is saying nothing\n in disparagement of civil authority exercised in its rightful\n domain\u2014civil things.\n\n\n\n\nIndividual Accountability\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nEsther At The Banquet. \"We are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to\n be slain, and to perish.\" Esther 7:4.\n\n\n1. What is religion?\n\n\u201cThe recognition of God as an object of worship, love, and\nobedience.\u201d\u2014_Webster._ Other definitions equally good are: \u201cThe duty which\nwe owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it.\u201d \u201cMan\u2019s personal\nrelation of faith and obedience to God.\u201d\n\n2. In religious things, whom alone did Christ say we should recognize as\nFather?\n\n\u201cAnd call no man your father upon the earth: _for one is your Father,\nwhich is in heaven_.\u201d Matt. 23:9.\n\n3. When tempted to fall down and worship Satan, what Scripture command did\nChrist cite in justification of His refusal to do this?\n\n\u201cThen saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written,\n_Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve_.\u201d\nMatt. 4:10. See Deut. 6:13; 10:20.\n\n4. To whom alone, then, is each one accountable in religious things?\n\n\u201cSo then every one of us shall give account of himself _to God_.\u201d Rom.\n14:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014With this agree the words of Washington: \u201cEvery man who\n conducts himself as a good citizen, is accountable alone to God\n for his religious faith, and should be protected in worshiping God\n according to the dictates of his own conscience.\u201d\u2014_Reply to\n Virginia Baptists, in 1789._\n\n\n5. What do those do, therefore, who make men accountable to them in\nreligious affairs?\n\nThey put themselves in the place of God. See 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.\n\n6. Why, in religious matters, did Christ say men should not be called\nmasters?\n\n\u201cNeither be ye called masters: _for one is your Master, even Christ_.\u201d\nMatt. 23:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Every one, therefore, who acts as master in Christ\u2019s church,\n or lords it over God\u2019s heritage (1 Peter 5:3), puts himself in the\n place of Christ.\n\n\n7. To whom, then, as servants, are we responsible in matters of faith and\nworship?\n\n\u201cWho art thou that judgest another man\u2019s servant? _to his own master he\nstandeth or falleth_.\u201d Rom. 14:4.\n\n8. Whose servants are we not to be?\n\n\u201cYe are bought with a price; _be not ye the servants of men_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n7:23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cSatan\u2019s methods ever tend to one end,\u2014to make men the\n slaves of men,\u201d and thus separate them from God, destroy faith in\n God, and so expose men to temptation and sin. Christ\u2019s work is to\n set men free, to renew faith, and to lead to willing and loyal\n obedience to God. Says Luther: \u201cIt is contrary to the will of God\n that man should be subject to man in that which pertains to\n eternal life. Subjection in _spirituals_ is a real worship, and\n should be rendered only to the Creator.\u201d\u2014_D\u2019Aubigne\u2019s __\u201c__History\n of the Reformation,__\u201d__ edited by M. Laird Simons, book 7, chap.\n 11._\n\n\n9. Where must all finally appear to render up their account?\n\n\u201cFor we must all appear _before the judgment-seat of Christ_; that every\none may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath\ndone, whether it be good or bad.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Inasmuch, then, as religion is an individual matter, and\n each individual must give account of himself to God, it follows\n that there should be no human constraint nor compulsion in\n religious affairs.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Dare to be a Daniel,\n Dare to stand alone;\n Dare to have a purpose firm,\n Dare to make it known.\n\n P. P. BLISS.\n\n\n\n\nUnion Of Church And State\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nPaul And Silas In Prison. \"These men, being Jews, ... teach customs, which\n are not lawful for us ... to observe, being Romans.\" Acts 16:20, 21.\n\n\n1. What was already at work in the church in Paul\u2019s day?\n\n\u201cFor _the mystery of iniquity_ doth already work.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:7.\n\n2. What class of men did he say would arise in the church?\n\n\u201cFor I know this, that after my departing shall _grievous wolves_ enter in\namong you, not sparing the flock. _Also of your own selves shall men\narise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them._\u201d Acts\n20:29, 30.\n\n3. Through what experience was the church to pass, and what was to develop\nin the church, before Christ\u2019s second coming?\n\n\u201cLet no man deceive you by any means: for _that day shall not come, except\nthere come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed_, the son\nof perdition.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:3.\n\n4. In what was shown the first tangible evidence of this \u201cfalling away\u201d\nfrom the truth of God?\n\nThe adoption of heathen rites and customs in the church.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe bishops augmented the number of religious rites in the\n Christian worship, by way of accommodation to the infirmities and\n prejudices, both of Jews and heathen, in order to facilitate their\n conversion to Christianity.... For this purpose, they gave the\n name of _mysteries_ to the institutions of the gospel, and\n decorated particularly the holy sacrament with that solemn title.\n They used in that sacred institution, as also in that of baptism,\n several of the terms employed in the heathen mysteries, and\n proceeded so far, at length, as even to adopt some of the rites\n and of the ceremonies of which those renowned mysteries\n consisted.\u201d\u2014_Mosheim\u2019s __\u201c__Ecclesiastical History__\u201d__\n (Maclaine\u2019s translation), cent. 2, part 2, chap. 4, pars. 2-5._\n\n\n5. How early was this tendency manifested?\n\n\u201cThis imitation began in the eastern provinces; but, after the time of\nAdrian [emperor 117-138 A.D.], who first introduced the mysteries among\nthe Latins, it was followed by the Christians who dwelt in the western\nparts of the empire.\u201d\u2014_Id._, par. 5.\n\n6. What has been one great characteristic of the Papacy?\n\nA union of church and state, or the religious power dominating the civil\npower to further its ends.\n\n7. When was the union of church and state formed from which the Papacy\ngrew?\n\nDuring the reign of Constantine, 313-337 A.D.\n\n8. What was the character and the work of many of the bishops at that\ntime?\n\n\u201c_Worldly-minded bishops_, instead of caring for the salvation of their\nflocks, were often but too much inclined to travel about, and _entangle\nthemselves in worldly concerns_.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s __\u201c__History of the Christian\nReligion and Church__\u201d_ (Torrey\u2019s translation), Vol. II, page 16.\n\n9. What did the bishops determine to do?\n\n\u201cThis theocratical theory was already the prevailing one in the time of\nConstantine; and ... the bishops voluntarily made themselves dependent on\nhim by their disputes, _and by their determination to make use of the\npower of the state for the furtherance of their aims_.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 132.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201ctheocratical theory\u201d was that of a government\n administered by God through the church, particularly through the\n church bishops.\n\n\n10. What was the date of Constantine\u2019s famous Sunday law?\n\nA.D. 321.\n\n11. When and by whom was the Council of Nice convened?\n\nBy the emperor Constantine, 325 A.D.\n\n12. Under what authority were its decrees published?\n\n\u201cThe decrees ... were published under the _imperial authority_, and thus\nobtained a political importance.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 133.\n\n13. What was one principal object in calling this council?\n\n\u201cThe question relating to _the observance of Easter_, which was agitated\nin the time of Anicetus and Polycarp, and afterward in that of Victor, was\nstill undecided. It was one of the principal reasons for convoking the\nCouncil of Nice, being the most important subject to be considered after\nthe Arian controversy.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt appears that the churches of Syria and Mesopotamia continued to follow\nthe custom of the Jews, and celebrated Easter on _the fourteenth day of\nthe moon_, whether falling on Sunday or not. All the other churches\nobserved that solemnity _on Sunday only_, namely; those of Rome, Italy,\nAfrica, Lydia, Egypt, Spain, Gaul, and Britain; and all Greece, Asia, and\nPontus.\u201d\u2014_Boyle\u2019s __\u201c__Historical View of the Council of Nice,__\u201d_ page\n23, edition 1836.\n\n14. How was the matter finally decided?\n\n\u201c_Easter day was fixed on the Sunday_ immediately following the full moon\nwhich was nearest after the vernal equinox.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 24.\n\n15. What was decreed by the Council of Laodicea, A.D. 364?\n\nThat Christians should keep the Sunday, and that if they persisted in\nresting on the Sabbath, \u201cthey shall be shut out from Christ.\u201d See Hefele\u2019s\n\u201cHistory of the Councils of the Church,\u201d Vol. II, page 316.\n\n16. What imperial law was issued in A.D. 386?\n\n\u201cBy a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by Constantine\nwere more vigorously enforced; and, in general, civil transactions of\nevery kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s __\u201c__Church\nHistory,__\u201d_ Vol. II, page 300.\n\n17. What petition was made to the emperor by a church convention of\nbishops in A.D. 401?\n\n\u201cThat the public shows might be transferred from the Christian Sunday and\nfrom the feast-days to some other days of the week.\u201d\u2014_Ib._\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The desired law was secured in 425 A.D. See pages 444, 489.\n\n\n18. What was the object of the church bishops in securing these Sunday\nlaws?\n\n\u201cThat the day might be devoted with less interruption to the purposes of\ndevotion.\u201d \u201cThat the devotion of the faithful might be free from all\ndisturbance.\u201d\u2014_Id._, pages 297, 301.\n\n19. How was the \u201cdevotion\u201d of the \u201cfaithful\u201d disturbed?\n\n\u201cChurch teachers ... were, in truth, often forced to complain that _in\nsuch competitions the theater was vastly more frequented than the\nchurch_.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 300.\n\n20. What does Neander say of the securing of these laws?\n\n\u201cIn this way the church received help from the state for the furtherance\nof her ends.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 301.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In this way, more perhaps than in any other, church and\n state were united. In this way the church gained control of the\n civil power, which she later used as a means of carrying on most\n bitter and extensive persecutions. In this way she denied Christ\n and the power of godliness.\n\n\n21. When the church had received help from the state to this extent, what\nmore did she demand?\n\nThat the civil power should be exerted to compel men to serve God as the\nchurch should dictate.\n\n22. What did Augustine, the father of this theocratical or\nchurch-and-state theory, teach concerning it?\n\n\u201cWho doubts but what it is better to be led to God by instruction than by\nfear of punishment or affliction? But because the former, who will be\nguided only by instruction, are better, the others are still not to be\nneglected.... Many, like bad servants, must often be reclaimed to their\nMaster by the rod of temporal suffering, ere they can attain to this\nhighest stage of religious development.\u201d\u2014_Id._, pages 214, 215.\n\n23. What is Neander\u2019s conclusion regarding this theory?\n\n\u201cIt was by Augustine, then, that a theory was proposed and founded, which,\ntempered though it was, in its practical application, by his own pious,\nphilanthropic spirit, nevertheless contained the germ of that whole system\nof spiritual despotism, of intolerance and persecution, which ended in the\ntribunals of the Inquisition.\u201d \u201cHe did not give precedence to the\nquestion, What is _right_? over the question, What is _expedient_? But a\ntheory which overlooks these distinctions leaves room for any despotism\nwhich would make holy ends a pretext for the use of unholy means.\u201d\u2014_Id._,\npages 217, 249, 250.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It was thus that the union of church and state was formed,\n out of which was developed \u201cthe beast,\u201d or Papacy, of the\n Apocalypse, which made \u201cwar with the saints\u201d and overcame them. A\n like course cannot fail to produce like results today. Dr. Philip\n Schaff, in his work on \u201cChurch and State,\u201d page 11, well says:\n \u201cSecular power has proved a satanic gift to the church, and\n ecclesiastical power has proved an engine of tyranny in the hands\n of the state.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nSabbath Legislation\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ Reproving The Pharisees. \"For the Son of man is Lord even of the\n Sabbath day.\" Matt. 12:8.\n\n\n1. Who made the Sabbath?\n\n\u201cIn six days _the Lord_ made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in\nthem is, and _rested the seventh day_; wherefore _the Lord blessed the\nSabbath day, and hallowed it_.\u201d Ex. 20:11.\n\n2. To whom does the Sabbath belong?\n\n\u201cThe seventh day is the Sabbath of _the Lord thy God_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n3. To whom, then, should its observance be rendered?\n\n\u201cRender to C\u00e6sar the things that are C\u00e6sar\u2019s, and _to God the things that\nare God\u2019s_.\u201d Mark 12:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When men make Sabbath laws, therefore, they require Sabbath\n observance to be rendered to the _government_, or, presumably, by\n indirection, to God _through the government_, which amounts to the\n same thing.\n\n\n4. In religious things, to whom alone are we accountable?\n\n\u201cSo then every one of us shall give account of himself _to God_.\u201d Rom.\n14:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014But when men make compulsory Sabbath laws, they make men\n accountable to the _government_ for Sabbath observance.\n\n\n5. How does God command us to keep the Sabbath day?\n\n\u201cRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it _holy_.\u201d Ex. 20:8.\n\n6. What does He indicate as one of its purposes?\n\n\u201cSix days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest,\n_an holy convocation_; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of\nthe Lord in all your dwellings.\u201d Lev. 23:3.\n\n7. Seeing, then, that the Sabbath is _holy_, is to be _kept holy_, and is\na day for _holy convocations_, what must be its character?\n\nIt must be _religious_.\n\n8. What, then, must be the nature of all Sabbath legislation?\n\nIt is _religious legislation_.\n\n9. When the state enacts religious laws, what is effected?\n\nA union of church and state.\n\n10. What has always been the result of religious legislation, or a union\nof church and state?\n\nReligious intolerance and persecution.\n\n11. What was Constantine\u2019s Sunday law of March 7, 321?\n\n\u201cLet all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest\non the venerable day of the sun; but let those who are situated in the\ncountry, freely and at full liberty, attend to the business of\nagriculture; because it often happens that no other day is so fit for\nsowing corn and planting vines; lest the critical moment being let slip,\nmen should lose the commodities granted by heaven.\u201d\u2014_Corpus Juris Civilis\nCod., lib. 3, tit. 12, 3._\n\n12. What further imperial legislation in behalf of Sunday observance was\nissued in 386?\n\n\u201cBy a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by the emperor\nConstantine were more rigorously enforced, and, in general, civil\ntransactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden.\u201d\u2014_Neander\u2019s\n__\u201c__Church History,__\u201d_ Vol. II, page 300, edition 1852.\n\n13. At the instance of church bishops, what still further law was secured\nunder Theodosius the Younger, in 425?\n\n\u201cIn the year 425, the exhibition of spectacles on Sunday and on the\nprincipal feast-days of the Christians was forbidden, in order that the\ndevotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance.\u201d\u2014_Id._, pages\n300, 301.\n\n14. What does the historian say of this legislation?\n\n\u201c_In this way the church received help from the state for the furtherance\nof her ends_.... But had it not been for that confusion of spiritual and\nsecular interests, had it not been for the vast number of mere _outward\nconversions_ thus brought about, she would have needed no such\nhelp.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 301.\n\n15. What did Charlemagne\u2019s Sunday law of 800 require?\n\n\u201cWe decree ... that servile works should not be done on the Lord\u2019s day,\n... that is, that neither should men do field work, either in cultivating\nthe vineyards or by plowing in the fields, by cutting or drying hay, or by\nplacing a fence, or by making clearings in the woods or felling trees or\nworking on stones or constructing houses or working in the garden; neither\nshould they come together to decide public matters nor be engaged in the\nhunt.... Women may not do any textile work nor cut out clothes nor sew nor\nmake garments.... But let them come together from all sides to church to\nthe solemnities of the mass, and let them praise God for all things which\nhe does for us on that day.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Historical Chronicles of Germany,__\u201d_\nSec. 2, Vol. I, 22 General admonition, 789, M. Martio 23, page 61, par.\n81.\n\n16. How does the Sunday law of Charles II, of 1676, read?\n\n\u201cFor the better observation and keeping holy the Lord\u2019s day, commonly\ncalled Sunday: be it enacted ... that all the laws enacted and in force\nconcerning the observation of the day, and repairing to the church\nthereon, be carefully put in execution; and that all and every person and\npersons whatsoever shall on every Lord\u2019s day apply themselves to the\nobservation of the same, by exercising themselves thereon in the duties of\npiety and true religion, publicly and privately.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Revised Statutes of\nEngland From 1235-1685 __A.D.__\u201d__ (London, 1870), pages 779, 780; cited\nin __\u201c__A Critical History of Sunday Legislation,__\u201d_ by A. H. Lewis, D.\nD., pages 108, 109.\n\n17. What did the first Sunday law enacted in America, that of Virginia, in\n1610, require?\n\n\u201c_Every man and woman shall repair in the morning to the divine service\nand sermons preached upon the Sabbath day, and in the afternoon to divine\nservice, and catechizing_, upon pain for the first fault to _lose their\nprovision and the allowance for the whole week following_; for the second,\nto _lose the said allowance and also be whipped_; and for the third to\n_suffer death_.\u201d\u2014_Articles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and\nMartial, for the Colony in Virginia: first established by Sir Thomas\nGates, Knight, Lieutenant-General, the 24th of May, 1610._\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014These are the original Sunday laws, after which all the\n Sunday laws of Europe and America have been modeled. Church\n attendance is not generally required by the Sunday laws of the\n present day, nor was it required, in terms, by the earliest Sunday\n laws; but that is and ever has been the chief object of all Sunday\n legislation from Constantine\u2019s time on, and it is as much out of\n place today as it ever was.\n\n\n\n\nWho Persecute And Why\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Stoning Of Stephen. \"Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you\n will think that he doeth God service.\" John 16:2.\n\n\n1. Because Jesus had not kept the Sabbath according to their ideas, what\ndid the Jews do?\n\n\u201c_Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him_, because\nHe had done these things on the Sabbath day.\u201d John 5:16.\n\n2. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?\n\n\u201cIs not this the fast that I have chosen? _to loose the bands of\nwickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free,\nand that ye break every yoke?_\u201d Isa. 58:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is what Jesus did. He, the Author and Lord of the\n Sabbath, in addition to attending and taking part in religious\n services (Luke 4:16), went about doing good, healing the sick,\n relieving the oppressed, and restoring the impotent, lame, and\n blind, on the Sabbath day. But this, while in perfect accord with\n the law of God, the great law of love, was contrary to the\n traditions and perverted ideas of the Jews respecting the Sabbath.\n Hence they persecuted Him, and sought to slay Him.\n\n\n3. Why did Cain kill Abel?\n\n\u201cFor this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we\nshould love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew\nhis brother. And wherefore slew he him? _Because his own works were evil,\nand his brother\u2019s righteous._\u201d 1 John 3:11, 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The following comment upon this passage by M. de Chesnais, a\n Catholic priest of New Zealand, is well put: \u201cIf you would read\n the Word of God, you would find that from the beginning all good\n people were persecuted because they were good. Abel was slain by\n his brother because he was good, and Cain could not endure the\n sight of him.\u201d\u2014_Kaikoura (New Zealand) Star, April 10, 1884._\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Fiery Furnace. \"Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the\n burning fiery furnace.\" Dan. 3:17.\n\n\n4. Commenting upon the treatment of Isaac, the son of Sarah, by Ishmael,\nthe son of the bondwoman, what principle does the apostle Paul lay down?\n\n\u201cBut as then, _he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was\nborn after the Spirit_, even so it is now.\u201d Gal. 4:29.\n\n5. What other instances of persecution mentioned in the Bible, demonstrate\nthe correctness of this principle?\n\n_a._ Esau, who sold his birthright, persecuted Jacob, who vowed his\nloyalty to God. Gen. 25:29-34; 27:41; 32:6.\n\n_b._ The wayward and envious sons of Jacob persecuted Joseph, who feared\nGod. Genesis 37; Acts 7:9.\n\n_c._ The idolatrous Egyptians persecuted the Hebrews, who worshiped the\ntrue God. Exodus 1 and 5.\n\n_d._ The Hebrew who did his neighbor wrong thrust Moses, as mediator,\naside. Ex. 2:13, 14; Acts 7:26, 27.\n\n_e._ Saul, who disobeyed God, persecuted David, who feared God. 1 Samuel\n15, 19, 24.\n\n_f._ Israel, in their apostasy, persecuted Elijah and Jeremiah, who were\nprophets of God. 1 Kings 19:9, 10; Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6.\n\n_g._ Nebuchadnezzar, while an idolater, persecuted the three Hebrew\ncaptives for refusing to worship idols. Daniel 3.\n\n_h._ The envious and idolatrous princes under Darius, persecuted Daniel\nfor daring to pray to the God of heaven. Daniel 6.\n\n_i._ The murderers of Christ persecuted the apostles for preaching Christ.\nActs 4 and 5.\n\n_j._ Paul, before his conversion, persecuted the church of God. Acts 8:1;\n9:1, 2; 22:4, 5, 20; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:12, 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The history of all the religious persecutions since Bible\n times is but a repetition of this same story,\u2014the wicked persecute\n the righteous. And thus it will continue to be until the conflict\n between good and evil is ended.\n\n\n6. Who does Paul say shall suffer persecution?\n\n\u201cYea, and _all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer\npersecution_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:12.\n\n7. What is essential to extensive religious persecution?\n\nEcclesiastical control of the civil power, or a union of church and state.\n\n8. Since persecution is invariably wrong, and the persecutor is generally\nin the wrong on religious subjects, what must be true of persecuting\ngovernments?\n\nThey likewise must be in the wrong.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThere are many who do not seem to be sensible that all\n violence in religion is irreligious, and that, whoever is wrong,\n the persecutor cannot be right.\u201d\u2014_Thomas Clarke._\n\n \u201cHave not almost all the governments in the world always been in\n the wrong on religious subjects?\u201d\u2014_Macaulay._\n\n \u201cDo not the Scriptures clearly show that they who persecute are\n generally in the wrong, and they who suffer persecution in the\n right,\u2014that the majority has always been on the side of falsehood,\n and the minority only on the side of truth?\u201d\u2014_Luther._\n\n \u201cReligion was intended to bring peace on earth and good will\n towards men, and whatever tends to hatred and persecution, however\n correct in the letter, must be utterly wrong in the\n spirit.\u201d\u2014_Henry Varnum._\n\n God never forces the will or the conscience; but, in order to\n bring men under sin, Satan resorts to force. To accomplish his\n purpose, he works through religious and secular rulers,\n influencing them to enact and enforce human laws in defiance of\n the law of God.\n\n\n9. Under what terrible deception did Christ say men would persecute His\nfollowers?\n\n\u201cThese things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They\nshall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that _whosoever\nkilleth you will think that he doeth God service_.\u201d John 16:1, 2.\n\n10. Who is the original murderer?\n\n\u201cYe are of your father _the devil_, and the lusts of your father ye will\ndo. _He was a murderer from the beginning_, and abode not in the truth,\nbecause there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of\nhis own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.\u201d John 8:44.\n\n11. When James and John wished to call down fire from heaven to consume\nthe Samaritans who did not receive Christ, what did Christ say to them?\n\n\u201cHe turned, and rebuked them, and said, _Ye know not what manner of spirit\nye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men\u2019s lives, but to\nsave them_.\u201d Luke 9:55, 56.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Some of the reasons given in justification of persecution\n may be noted in the following quotations:\u2014\n\n \u201cThe state cannot afford to permit religious liberty. We hear a\n great deal about religious tolerance, but we are only tolerant in\n so far as we are not interested. A person may be tolerant toward a\n religion if he is not religious.... Intolerance means fervor and\n zeal. The best the state can do is to establish a limited\n religious liberty; but beyond a certain degree of tolerance the\n state cannot afford to admit the doctrine.\u201d\u2014_Monsignor Russell\n (Catholic), quoted in Washington Post, May 5, 1910._\n\n \u201cThe church has persecuted. Only a tyro in church history will\n deny that.... We have always defended the persecution of the\n Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. When she thinks it good to\n use physical force, she will use it.... But will the Catholic\n Church give bond that she will not persecute at all? Will she\n guarantee absolute freedom and equality of all churches and all\n faiths? The Catholic Church gives no bonds for her good\n behavior.\u201d\u2014_Editorial in Western Watchman (Catholic), of St.\n Louis, Mo., Dec. 24, 1908._\n\n \u201cThe Inquisition was a very merciful tribunal; I repeat it, almost\n a compassionate tribunal.... A man was only allowed to be racked\n once, which no one can deny was a most wonderful leniency in those\n times.\u201d\u2014_Catholic Mirror, official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Aug.\n 29, 1896._\n\n \u201cWe confess that the Roman Catholic Church is intolerant; that is\n to say, that it uses all the means in its power for the\n extirpation of error and sin; but this intolerance is the logical\n and necessary consequence of her infallibility. _She alone has the\n right to be intolerant, because she alone has the truth._ The\n church tolerates heretics where she is obliged to do so, but she\n hates them mortally, and employs all her force to secure their\n annihilation.\u201d\u2014_Shepherd of the Valley (St. Louis, Mo.), 1876._\n\n This erroneous position has been well refuted by Lord Macaulay in\n the following words: \u201cThe doctrine which, from the very first\n origin of religious dissensions, has been held by all bigots of\n all sects, when condensed into few words and stripped of\n rhetorical disguise, is simply this: I am in the right, and you\n are in the wrong. When you are the stronger, you ought to tolerate\n me; for it is your duty to tolerate truth. But when I am the\n stronger, I shall persecute you; for it is my duty to persecute\n error.\u201d\u2014_Essay on __\u201c__Sir James Mackintosh.__\u201d_\n\n Benjamin Franklin well said: \u201cWhen religion is good it will take\n care of itself; when it is not able to take care of itself, and\n God does not see fit to take care of it, so that it has to appeal\n to the civil power for support, it is evidence to my mind that its\n cause is a bad one.\u201d\u2014_Letter to Dr. Price._\n\n John Wesley gave the following Christian advice: \u201cCondemn no man\n for not thinking as you think. Let every one enjoy the full and\n free liberty of thinking for himself. Let every man use his own\n judgment, since every man must give an account of himself to God.\n Abhor every approach, in any kind or degree, to the spirit of\n persecution. If you cannot reason nor persuade a man into the\n truth, never attempt to force a man into it. If love will not\n compel him to come, leave him to God, the Judge of all.\u201d\n\n\n12. What does Christ say of those who are persecuted for righteousness\u2019\nsake?\n\n\u201cBlessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness\u2019 sake: for theirs\nis the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and\npersecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for\nMy sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in\nheaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.\u201d Matt.\n5:10-12. See Rev. 2:10; 6:9-11.\n\n\n \u201cIn the furnace God may prove thee,\n Thence to bring thee forth more bright;\n But He can never cease to love thee;\n Thou art precious in His sight:\n God is with thee,\u2014\n God, thine everlasting light.\u201d\n\n\n13. What divine precepts received and obeyed would do way with all\noppression and persecution?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d Matt. 22:39. \u201cAll things\nwhatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.\u201d\nMatt. 7:12.\n\n14. What does love not do?\n\n\u201c_Love worketh no ill to his neighbor_: therefore love is the fulfilling\nof the law.\u201d Rom. 13:10.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The Bigot\u2019s Creed\n\n Believe as I believe\u2014no more, no less;\n That I am right, and no one else, confess;\n Feel as I feel, think only as I think;\n Eat what I eat, and drink but what I drink;\n Look as I look, do always as I do;\n And, only then, I\u2019ll fellowship with you.\n\n That I am right, and always right, I know,\n Because my own convictions tell me so;\n And to be right is simply this: to be\n Entirely and in all respects like me.\n To deviate a jot, or to begin\n To question, doubt, or hesitate, is sin.\n\n Let sink the drowning man, if he\u2019ll not swim\n Upon the plank that I throw out to him;\n Let starve the famishing, if he\u2019ll not eat\n My kind and quantity of bread and meat;\n Let freeze the naked, too, if he\u2019ll not be\n Supplied with garments such as made for me.\n\n \u2019Twere better that the sick should die than live,\n Unless they take the medicine I give;\n \u2019Twere better sinners perish than refuse\n To be conformed to my peculiar views;\n \u2019Twere better that the world stood still than move\n In any way that I do not approve.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XI. LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. \"This grave, purchased for eternity,\n must never be opened.\"\u2014German Princess. See page 515.\n\n\n\n\nOrigin, History, And Destiny Of Satan\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Temptation. \"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the\n morning!\" Isa. 14:12.\n\n\n1. Have any others than the human family sinned?\n\n\u201cGod spared not _the angels that sinned_, but cast them down to hell, and\ndelivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.\u201d 2\nPeter 2:4.\n\n2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?\n\n\u201cDepart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for _the\ndevil_ and his angels.\u201d Matt. 25:41.\n\n3. By what other names is he known?\n\n\u201cAnd the great _dragon_ was cast out, that old _serpent_, called the\nDevil, and _Satan_, which deceiveth the whole world.\u201d Rev. 12:9. See also\nIsa. 14:12, where he is called \u201cLucifer.\u201d\n\n4. What was Satan\u2019s condition when created?\n\n\u201c_Thou wast perfect_ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till\niniquity was found in thee.\u201d Eze. 28:15.\n\n5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord God; _Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and\nperfect in beauty_. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every\nprecious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of\nthy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art\nthe anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon\nthe holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the\nstones of fire.\u201d Verses 12-14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted\n angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the\n reference to his \u201ctabrets\u201d and \u201cpipes\u201d it seems probable that he\n was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the\n earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex.\n 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.\n\n\n6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his\nfall?\n\n\u201cFor thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will\nexalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of\nthe congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the\nheights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.\u201d Isa. 14:13, 14.\n\n7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?\n\n\u201c_Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty_, thou hast corrupted\nthy wisdom by reason of thy _brightness_.\u201d Eze. 28:17.\n\n8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?\n\n\u201c_Pride_ goeth before destruction, and _an haughty spirit_ before a fall.\u201d\nProv. 16:18.\n\n9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan\u2019s fall?\n\n\u201cHow art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art\nthou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!\u201d Isa. 14:12.\n\n10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?\n\n\u201cBy the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee\nwith violence, _and thou hast sinned_: therefore I will cast thee as\nprofane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering\ncherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.\u201d Eze. 28:16.\n\n11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his\nangels banished, to be kept till the judgment?\n\n\u201cFor if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _cast them down to\nhell, and delivered them into chains of darkness_, to be reserved unto\njudgment.\u201d 2 Peter 2:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world,\n and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair\n in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was\n brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to\n hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused \u201cthe light of\n the glorious gospel of Christ\u201d to shine, to call men \u201cout of\n darkness into His marvelous light.\u201d That Satan and the angels who\n fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent,\n there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn\n rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of\n mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of\n heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of\n darkness.\n\n\n12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and\nSatan described by the revelator?\n\n\u201cAnd there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the\ndragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither\nwas their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast\nout, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the\nwhole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out\nwith him.\u201d Rev. 12:7-9.\n\n13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan\u2019s fall?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, _I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven_.\u201d\nLuke 10:18.\n\n14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?\n\n\u201cNow there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves\nbefore the Lord, _and Satan came also among them_.\u201d Job 1:6. See also\nchapter 2:1.\n\n15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan\u2019s reply?\n\n\u201cThen Satan answered the Lord, and said, _From going to and fro in the\nearth, and from walking up and down in it_.\u201d Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man\u2019s dominion over\n the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his\n kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms\n of this world to Christ. As the \u201cgod\u201d and ruler of this world,\n Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ,\n appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as\n the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of\n Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of\n this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it\n since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which\n Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said, \u201cNow is\n the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be\n _cast out_.\u201d John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still\n future.\n\n\n16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?\n\n\u201cHe that committeth sin is of the devil; for _the devil sinneth from the\nbeginning_.\u201d 1 John 3:8.\n\n17. Was he ever in the truth?\n\n\u201cYe are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.\nHe was a murderer from the beginning, and _abode not in the truth_,\nbecause there is no truth in him.\u201d John 8:44.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The expression \u201c_abode_ not in the truth\u201d implies that Satan\n was once _in_ the truth, but that he did not _remain_ there.\n\n\n18. What is the only \u201cbeginning\u201d of which we have record?\n\n\u201cIn the beginning God _created the heaven and the earth_.\u201d Gen. 1:1.\n\n19. What besides a _murderer_ did Christ say Satan is?\n\n\u201cWhen he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _he is a liar, and\nthe father of it_.\u201d John 8:44.\n\n20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they\ntransgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?\n\n\u201cThou shalt _surely die_.\u201d Gen. 2:17.\n\n21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?\n\n\u201cAnd the serpent said unto the woman, _Ye shall __NOT__ surely die_.\u201d Gen.\n3:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, as far as the record shows, was _the first lie_,\u2014a\n direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and\n believe it, Satan led our first parents to _commit sin_; and, as\n \u201cthe wages of sin is _death_,\u201d by it, also, he caused their\n _death_, and so became, in reality, _the first murderer_. A lie,\n therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most\n hateful things to God, the \u201cGod of _truth_.\u201d See Prov. 6:16-19.\n \u201cThe lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue\n is but for a moment.\u201d Prov. 12:19. \u201cAll liars shall have their\n part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.\u201d Rev.\n 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.\n\n\n22. What has been the result of sin\u2019s entrance into the world?\n\n\u201cBy one man sin entered into the world, and _death by sin_.\u201d Rom. 5:12.\n\u201cBy one man\u2019s disobedience _many were made sinners_.\u201d Verse 19. \u201c_The\nwhole world lieth in wickedness._\u201d 1 John 5:19. \u201cIn Adam _all die_.\u201d 1\nCor. 15:22.\n\n23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?\n\n\u201cAnd immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was\nthere in the wilderness forty days, _tempted of Satan_.\u201d Mark 1:12, 13.\nSee also Matt. 4:1-11.\n\n24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?\n\n\u201cFor we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling\nof our infirmities; but was _in all points tempted like as we are_, yet\nwithout sin.\u201d Heb. 4:15.\n\n25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, _he\npersecuted the woman_ [_the church_].\u201d Rev. 12:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Many millions of the people of God have been put to death\n since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal\n persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See\n Buck\u2019s Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on\n the subject of persecution, and the readings on pages 218, 264,\n 268, 491.\n\n\n26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?\n\n\u201cAnd the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the\nremnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the\ntestimony of Jesus Christ.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?\n\n\u201cAnd deceiveth them that dwell on the earth _by the means of those\nmiracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast_.\u201d Rev. 13:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations\n and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception.\n See readings on pages 530, 533.\n\n\n28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of\nArmageddon?\n\n\u201cThey are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles, which go forth unto\nthe kings of the earth and of the whole world, _to gather them to the\nbattle of that great day of God Almighty_.\u201d Rev. 16:14.\n\n29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?\n\n\u201c_Because they received not the love of the truth_, that they might be\nsaved. _And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they\nshould believe a lie_: that they all might be damned who believed not the\ntruth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:10-12. See 1 Kings\n22:20-23.\n\n30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the\nbottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the\ndragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and _bound him a\nthousand years_.\u201d Rev. 20:1, 2.\n\n31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?\n\n\u201cAnd when the thousand years are expired, _Satan shall be loosed out of\nhis prison_, and shall _go out to deceive the nations_ which are in the\nfour quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, _to gather them together to\nbattle_: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.\u201d Verses 7, 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Satan\u2019s evil career began in rebellion against God in\n heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.\n\n\n32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take\nplace?\n\n\u201cAnd they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of\nthe saints about, and the beloved city: and _fire came down from God out\nof heaven, and devoured them_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n33. What is to be Satan\u2019s final doom?\n\n\u201c_I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth_ in the sight of all them that\nbehold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished\nat thee: thou shalt be a terror, and _never shalt thou be any more_.\u201d Eze.\n28:18, 19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to\n come to an end, and be no more. Then God will have a clean\n universe.\n\n\n34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?\n\n\u201cForasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also\nHimself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might\ndestroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.\u201d Heb. 2:14.\n\n35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan\u2019s hatred\nagainst God and all that is good?\n\n\u201c_Be sober, be vigilant_; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring\nlion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom _resist steadfast in\nthe faith_.\u201d 1 Peter 5:8, 9. \u201c_Resist the devil_, and he will flee from\nyou.\u201d James 4:7.\n\n36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan\u2019s temptations?\n\nThe Word of God. \u201c_It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written._\u201d\nMatt. 4:4-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Word of God is the \u201csword of the Spirit.\u201d Eph. 6:17. If\n Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But\n no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then,\n that we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this\n book, and reading on \u201cImportance of Sound Doctrine,\u201d page 127.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Gracious Father, guard Thy children\n From the foe\u2019s destructive power;\n Save, O save them, Lord, from falling\n In this dark and trying hour!\n Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,\n All our graces must be tried;\n But Thy Word illumes our pathway,\n And in God we still confide.\n\n\n\n\nWhat Is Man?\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nSea Of Galilee. \"And the Lord ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of\n life; and man became a living soul.\" Gen. 2:7.\n\n\n1. In what condition was man created?\n\n\u201cThou madest him _a little lower than the angels_.\u201d Ps. 8:5.\n\n2. What will be the final condition of the righteous?\n\n\u201c_Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels_; and\nare the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.\u201d Luke\n20:35, 36.\n\n3. What are angels called?\n\n\u201cAnd of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels _spirits_, and His\nministers a flame of fire.\u201d Heb. 1:7.\n\n4. What is the difference between the two Adams?\n\n\u201cThe first man Adam was made _a living soul_; the last Adam was made _a\nquickening spirit_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:45.\n\n5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual?\n\n\u201cHowbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural;\nand afterward that which is spiritual.\u201d Verse 46.\n\n6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies?\n\n\u201cIt is sown a natural body; _it is raised a spiritual body_. There is a\nnatural body, and there is a spiritual body.\u201d Verse 44.\n\n7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer?\n\n\u201cThat which thou sowest is not quickened, except it _die_.\u201d Verse 36.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of\n the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he\n until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made\n immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he will\n be \u201c_equal unto the angels_.\u201d\n\n\n8. How is man\u2019s nature defined?\n\n\u201cShall _mortal man_ be more just than God?\u201d Job 4:17.\n\n\n _Mortal_: \u201cSubject to death.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n9. What is God\u2019s nature?\n\n\u201cNow unto the King _eternal, immortal, invisible_, the only wise God, be\nhonor and glory forever and ever. Amen.\u201d 1 Tim. 1:17.\n\n\n _Immortal_: \u201cExempt from liability to die.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God formed man _of the dust of the ground_.\u201d Gen. 2:7, first\npart.\n\n11. What act made him a living soul?\n\n\u201cAnd [God] _breathed into his nostrils the breath of life_; and man became\na living soul.\u201d Same verse, last part.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The living soul was not put _into_ the man; but the breath\n of _life_ which was put into man, made _him_\u2014the man, made of the\n earth\u2014a _living_ soul, or creature.\n\n The original for \u201cliving soul\u201d in this text is _nephesh chaiyah_.\n On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated \u201cliving\n creature,\u201d Dr. Adam Clarke says: \u201cA general term to express all\n creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied\n gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid\n potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share\n the vegetable and animal life.\u201d\n\n\n12. Are other creatures besides man called \u201cliving souls\u201d?\n\n\u201cAnd the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as\nthe blood of a dead man: and _every living soul died in the sea_.\u201d Rev.\n16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.\n\n13. Do others besides man have the \u201cbreath of life\u201d?\n\n\u201cAnd all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of _fowl_, and of\n_cattle_, and of _beast_, and of _every creeping thing_ that creepeth upon\nthe earth, and every man: _all in whose nostrils was the breath of life_.\u201d\nGen. 7:21, 22.\n\n14. Is their breath the same as man\u2019s?\n\n\u201cAs the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, _they have all one breath_; so\nthat a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.\u201d Eccl.\n3:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present\n life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is\n dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as\n beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts.\n But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may,\n if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great\n preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.\n\n\n15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man\u2019s nostrils?\n\n\u201cAll the while my breath is in me, and _the spirit of God is in my\nnostrils_.\u201d Job 27:3.\n\n16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?\n\n\u201cThen shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and _the spirit shall\nreturn unto God who gave it_.\u201d Eccl. 12:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is\n only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of\n life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it\n eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom.\n 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man\n was made a \u201cliving soul\u201d in the beginning, goes back _as it was_,\n to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living,\n conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan,\n and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this\n sense \u201call live unto Him\u201d (Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised\n from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.\n\n\n17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?\n\n\u201c_He that hath the Son hath life_; and _he that hath not the Son of God\nhath not life_.\u201d 1 John 5:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he\n yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life\n eternal. That can be received only through Christ.\n\n\n18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree\nof life?\n\n\u201cAnd now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life,\nand eat, and _live forever_.\u201d Gen. 3:22.\n\n19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?\n\n\u201cSo He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden\ncherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of\nthe tree of life.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?\n\n\u201cWe all ... were by nature _the children of wrath_, even as others.\u201d Eph.\n2:3.\n\n21. If the wrath of God _abides_ on a person, of what does it deprive him?\n\n\u201cHe that believeth not the Son _shall not see life_; but the wrath of God\nabideth on him.\u201d John 3:36.\n\n22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?\n\n\u201cMuch more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from\nwrath _through Him_.\u201d Rom. 5:9.\n\n23. With whom is the Christian\u2019s future life hid?\n\n\u201cFor ye are dead [to sin], and your life is _hid with Christ in God_.\u201d\nCol. 3:3.\n\n24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?\n\n\u201c_When Christ, who is our life, shall appear_, then shall ye also appear\nwith Him in glory.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word _immortal_ occurs but once in the English Bible (1\n Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.\n\n\n25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?\n\n\u201cWho is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of\nlords; _who only hath immortality_.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:15, 16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God is the only Being who possesses original life or\n immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See\n John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.\n\n\n26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?\n\n\u201cBut is now made manifest by the appearing of _our Saviour Jesus Christ,\nwho hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light\nthrough the gospel_.\u201d 2 Tim. 1:10.\n\n27. To whom is eternal life promised?\n\n\u201cTo them who by patient continuance in well-doing _seek for glory and\nhonor and immortality_, eternal life.\u201d Rom. 2:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One does not need to seek for a thing which he already\n possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof\n in itself that we do not now possess it.\n\n\n28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?\n\n\u201cBehold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but _we shall all\nbe changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump_:\nfor the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,\nand we shall be changed.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.\n\n29. What is then to be swallowed up?\n\n\u201cSo when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal\nshall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying\nthat is written, _Death is swallowed up in victory_.\u201d Verse 54. See verse\n57.\n\n\n\n\nLife Only In Christ\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Moses Smiting The Rock. \"They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed\n them.\" 1 Cor. 10:4.\n\n\n1. What is the wages of sin?\n\n\u201cThe wages of sin is _death_.\u201d Rom. 6:23.\n\n2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?\n\n\u201c_Neither is there salvation in any other_: for there is none other name\nunder heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.\u201d Acts 4:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from\n death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?\n\n\n3. Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world?\n\n\u201cThat whosoever believeth in Him should not _perish_, but have\n_everlasting life_.\u201d John 3:16.\n\n4. What does Christ declare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cI am the way, the truth, and _the life_.\u201d John 14:6.\n\n5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?\n\n\u201cMy sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and _I give\nunto them eternal life_; and they shall never perish, neither shall any\nman pluck them out of My hand.\u201d John 10:27, 28.\n\n6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?\n\n\u201cExcept ye _eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood_, ye have\nno life in you.\u201d John 6:53.\n\n7. In whom is the life eternal?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, _and this\nlife is in His Son_.\u201d 1 John 5:11.\n\n8. Who only have this life?\n\n\u201c_He that hath the Son hath life_; and he that hath not the Son of God\nhath not life.\u201d Verse 12. \u201c_He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him\nthat sent Me, hath everlasting life_, and shall not come into\ncondemnation; but is passed from death unto life.\u201d John 5:24.\n\n9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?\n\n\u201cWhen Christ, who is _our life_, shall appear, then shall ye also appear\nwith Him in glory.\u201d Col. 3:4.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n There is a fountain filled with blood,\n Drawn from Immanuel\u2019s veins;\n And sinners plunged beneath that flood\n Lose all their guilty stains.\n\n The dying thief rejoiced to see\n That fountain in his day;\n And there may I, though vile as he,\n Wash all my sins away.\n\n Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood\n Shall never lose its power,\n Till all the ransomed church of God\n Are saved, to sin no more.\n\n E\u2019er since by faith I saw the stream\n Thy flowing wounds supply,\n Redeeming love has been my theme,\n And shall be till I die.\n\n Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,\n Unworthy though I be,\n For me a blood-bought, free reward\u2014\n Eternal life for me.\n\n There in a nobler, sweeter song,\n I\u2019ll sing Thy power to save,\n When this poor lisping, stam\u2019ring tongue\n Is ransomed from the grave.\n\n WILLIAM COWPER.\n\n\n\n\nThe Intermediate State\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Burial Of Sarah. \"If I wait, the grave is mine house.\" Job 17:13.\n\n\n1. By what figure does the Bible represent death?\n\n\u201cBut I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which\nare _asleep_, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.\u201d 1\nThess. 4:13. See also 1 Cor. 15:18, 20; John 11:11-14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time\n goes by unmeasured; and the mental functions which are active\n during consciousness are suspended for the time being.\n\n\n2. Where do the dead sleep?\n\n\u201cAnd many of them that _sleep in the dust of the earth_ shall awake.\u201d Dan.\n12:2. See also Eccl. 3:20; 9:10.\n\n3. How long will they sleep there?\n\n\u201cSo man lieth down, and riseth not: _till the heavens be no more_, they\nshall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.\u201d Job 14:12.\n\n4. For what did Job say he would wait after death?\n\n\u201cIf a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will\nI wait, _till my change come_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n5. Where did he say he would wait?\n\n\u201c_If I wait, the grave is mine house_: I have made my bed in the\ndarkness.\u201d Job 17:13.\n\n6. While in this condition, how much does one know about those he has left\nbehind?\n\n\u201cHis sons come to honor, and _he knoweth it not_; and they are brought\nlow, but _he perceiveth it not of them_.\u201d Job 14:21.\n\n7. What becomes of man\u2019s thoughts at death?\n\n\u201cHis breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; _in that very day his\nthoughts perish_.\u201d Ps. 146:4.\n\n8. Do the dead know _anything_?\n\n\u201cFor the living know that they shall die: _but the dead know not\nanything_, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is\nforgotten.\u201d Eccl. 9:5.\n\n9. Do they take any part in earthly things?\n\n\u201cAlso their _love_, and their _hatred_, and their _envy_, is now\n_perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that\nis done under the sun_.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know\n of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not\n know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes\n of mind,\u2014love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his\n thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do\n with the things of this world. But if, as taught and held by some,\n man\u2019s powers of thought continue after death, he _lives_; and if\n he lives, he must be _somewhere_. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or\n in hell? If he goes to either place at death, what then is the\n need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second\n coming of Christ? If the judgment does not take place at death,\n but men go to their reward at death, then their _rewards_ precede\n their _awards_, and there would arise the possibility that some\n have at death gone to the wrong place, and must needs be sent to\n the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages,\n perhaps.\n\n\n10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising God?\n\n\u201c_The dead praise not the Lord_, neither any that go down into silence.\u201d\nPs. 115:17.\n\n11. How much does one know of God when dead?\n\n\u201cFor in death _there is no remembrance of Thee_.\u201d Ps. 6:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the\n Bible everywhere represents the dead as _asleep_. If they were in\n heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was\n Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, \u201cOur\n friend Lazarus _sleepeth_\u201d? John 11:11. If so, calling him to life\n was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly\n belonged to him. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded\n in Luke 16, was given to teach, not consciousness in death, but\n that in the judgment riches will avail nothing unless rightly and\n beneficently used, and that poverty will not keep one out of\n heaven.\n\n\n12. But are not the righteous dead in heaven?\n\n\u201cFor _David is not ascended into the heavens_.\u201d Acts 2:34.\n\n13. What must take place before the dead can praise God?\n\n\u201cThy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise.\n_Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust_: for thy dew is as the dew of\nherbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.\u201d Isa. 26:19.\n\n14. When did David say he would be satisfied?\n\n\u201cAs for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied,\n_when I awake, with Thy likeness_.\u201d Ps. 17:15.\n\n15. Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would be the\ncondition of those fallen asleep in Christ?\n\n\u201cFor if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not\nraised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. _Then they also which\nare fallen asleep in Christ are perished._\u201d 1 Cor. 15:16-18.\n\n16. When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?\n\n\u201cFor _the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven_ with a shout, with the\nvoice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: _and the dead in Christ\nshall rise first_.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014If, as stated in Eccl. 9:5, the dead know not anything,\n then they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. \u201cSix thousand\n years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye\n to the living.\u201d To them, consciousness, our only means of\n measuring time, is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake\n that absolutely no time has elapsed. And herein lies a most\n comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead,\n that in death there is no consciousness of the passing of time. To\n those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether long or short,\n whether one year, one thousand years, or six thousand years, will\n be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by\n the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at His glorious\n appearing and the resurrection of the just.\n\n It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have\n been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who\n persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in\n torments, but, with all the rest of the dead, are quietly sleeping\n in their graves. Job 3:17.\n\n Again, it would mar the felicity of one\u2019s enjoyment in heaven\n could he look upon earth and see his friends and relatives\n suffering from persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing\n for the dead. God\u2019s way is best,\u2014that all sentient life,\n animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at\n death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their\n future life and eternal reward. See Heb. 11:39, 40.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Sleep on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;\n Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour\u2019s breast.\n We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best\u2014\n Good night.\n\n\n\n\nThe Two Resurrections\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ\u2019s Second Coming. Descent Of The Holy City.\n\n\n1. What comes to all men as the result of the fall?\n\n\u201cIn Adam _all die_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:22. See also Rom. 5:12.\n\n2. Where do all go at death?\n\n\u201cAll go unto _one place_; all are of _the dust_, and _all turn to dust\nagain_.\u201d Eccl. 3:20.\n\n3. In what condition is man while in the grave?\n\n\u201cWhatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for _there is no\nwork, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou\ngoest_.\u201d Eccl. 9:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or\n body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or\n even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts\n perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading.\n\n\n4. What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this\ncondition?\n\n\u201c_I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from\ndeath_: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy\ndestruction.\u201d Hosea 13:14.\n\n5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?\n\n\u201cFor since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the\ndead. For as in Adam all die, _even so in Christ shall all be made\nalive_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.\n\n6. What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured\ntheir release from the grave?\n\n\u201cFor if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not\nraised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then _they also which\nare fallen asleep in Christ are perished_.\u201d Verses 16-18.\n\n7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, _that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish_, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n8. What did the Sadducees in Christ\u2019s time deny?\n\n\u201cThen came to Him certain of the Sadducees, _which deny that there is any\nresurrection_.\u201d Luke 20:27.\n\n9. How did Christ, from the Old Testament Scriptures, prove the\nresurrection?\n\n\u201cNow that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he\ncalleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of\nJacob. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live\nunto Him.\u201d Verses 37, 38.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, in view of the resurrection\u2014of the fact that there\n is to be a resurrection\u2014all live unto God. In His purpose, all are\n alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one \u201cwho\n quickeneth the dead, and _calleth those things which be not as\n though they were_.\u201d Rom. 4:17.\n\n\n10. Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection and the final\nsalvation of the righteous taught?\n\n\u201c_That which thou sowest_ is not quickened, except it die.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:36.\n\u201cVerily, verily, I say unto you, _Except a corn of wheat fall into the\nground and die_, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much\nfruit.\u201d John 12:24.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are\n taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will\n spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the\n earth made new.\n\n _The Open Grave._\u2014The truth of the resurrection has been forcibly\n illustrated by the following incident: In the city of Hanover,\n Germany, is a grave known as \u201cThe open grave.\u201d It is that of a\n woman, an infidel German princess, who died over one hundred years\n ago, and who, on her death-bed, gave orders that her grave should\n be covered with a great marble slab, weighing perhaps a ton,\n surmounting solid blocks of stone firmly bound together with\n clasps of iron, with this inscription placed on the lowermost\n stone of the tomb: \u201cThis grave purchased for eternity, must never\n be opened.\u201d But no human device can thwart the plans of God, or\n hinder the workings of life from Him. It happened, providentially\n no doubt, that a birch-tree seed was buried with the princess.\n Soon it began to sprout. Its tiny shoot, soft and pliable at\n first, found its way up through the ponderous stones of the\n massive masonry. Slowly and imperceptibly, but with irresistible\n power, it grew, until at last it burst the bands of iron asunder,\n and opened this never-to-be-opened grave, leaving not a single\n stone in its original position. See illustration on page 498. What\n a rebuke to infidelity! and what a mute but striking promise that,\n erelong, in God\u2019s own time, all graves shall be opened, and the\n sleeping ones awake from their dusty beds!\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Raising Of Lazarus. \"I am the Resurrection, and the Life.\" John 11:25.\n\n\n11. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to\nlife?\n\n\u201cMarvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are _in\nthe graves_ shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.\u201d John 5:28, 29.\n\n12. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?\n\n\u201cThere shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the _just_ and\n_unjust_.\u201d Acts 24:15.\n\n13. By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?\n\n\u201cAll that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth;\nthey that have done good, unto _the resurrection of life_; and they that\nhave done evil, unto _the resurrection of damnation_.\u201d John 5:28, 29.\n\n14. When will the resurrection of the just occur?\n\n\u201cFor _the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout_, with the\nvoice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: _and the dead in Christ\nshall rise first_.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:16. See also 1 Cor. 15:23.\n\n15. When are the righteous to be recompensed?\n\n\u201cFor thou shalt be recompensed _at the resurrection of the just_.\u201d Luke\n14:14.\n\n16. In what condition did David expect to rise?\n\n\u201cAs for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied,\n_when I awake, with Thy likeness_.\u201d Ps. 17:15.\n\n17. What great contrast will be seen between the present body and the one\nto be put on in the resurrection?\n\n\u201cSo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in _corruption_; it\nis raised in _incorruption_: it is sown in _dishonor_; it is raised in\n_glory_: it is sown in _weakness_; it is raised in _power_: it is sown a\n_natural body_; it is raised a _spiritual body_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:42-44.\n\n18. After whose body will these resurrected ones be fashioned?\n\n\u201cWe look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile\nbody, that it may be fashioned _like unto His glorious body_.\u201d Phil. 3:20,\n21.\n\n19. What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave?\n\n\u201cThy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.\n_Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust_: for thy dew is as the dew of\nherbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.\u201d Isa. 26:19.\n\n20. In what words will their triumph over death and the grave be\nexpressed?\n\n\u201cO death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?\u201d 1 Cor.\n15:55.\n\n21. How long will they live?\n\n\u201c_Neither can they die any more_: for they are equal unto the angels; and\nare the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.\u201d Luke\n20:36.\n\n22. How long do the other class wait after the first resurrection before\nthey are raised?\n\n\u201cAnd they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.\n_But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were\nfinished._\u201d Rev. 20:4, 5.\n\n23. What is to be their fate?\n\n\u201cAnd fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n24. Who are to share this fate?\n\n\u201cBut the _fearful_, and _unbelieving_, and the _abominable_, and\n_murderers_, and _whoremongers_, and _sorcerers_, and _idolaters_, and\n_all liars_, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and\nbrimstone: which is the second death.\u201d Rev. 21:8.\n\n25. What is the last enemy to be destroyed?\n\n\u201cThe last enemy that shall be destroyed is _death_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:26. See\nRev. 20:13, 14.\n\n26. How will the righteous ever afterward appear?\n\n\u201cThen shall the righteous _shine forth as the sun_ in the kingdom of their\nFather. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.\u201d Matt. 13:43.\n\n\n\n\nFate Of The Transgressor\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Giving Of The Law. \"Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.\"\n James 1:15.\n\n\n1. What question does Peter ask regarding the wicked?\n\n\u201cFor the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if\nit first begin at us, _what shall the end be of them that obey not the\ngospel of God_?\u201d 1 Peter 4:17.\n\n2. What does the Bible say is the wages of sin?\n\n\u201cFor the wages of sin is _death_.\u201d Rom. 6:23. \u201cThe soul that sinneth, it\nshall _die_.\u201d Eze. 18:4.\n\n\n _Die_: \u201cTo pass from physical life; to suffer a total and\n irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead;\n to expire; perish.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n3. What will be the character of this death?\n\n\u201cWho shall be punished with _everlasting destruction_ from the presence of\nthe Lord, and from the glory of His power.\u201d 2 Thess. 1:9.\n\n\n _Destroy_: \u201cTo unbuild; to break up the structure and organic\n existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught;\n to put an end to; to annihilate.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n4. How complete will be the destruction of the wicked?\n\n\u201cFear Him which is able to _destroy both soul and body in hell_.\u201d Matt.\n10:28.\n\n5. What does Christ say will befall those who do not repent?\n\n\u201cExcept ye repent, _ye shall all likewise perish_.\u201d Luke 13:3.\n\n\n _Perish_: \u201cTo be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be\n lost; to waste away; to die.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n6. How does the apostle Peter say they shall perish?\n\n\u201cBut these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak\nevil of the things that they understand not; and _shall utterly perish in\ntheir own corruption_.\u201d 2 Peter 2:12.\n\n7. To what are the wicked in their punishment compared?\n\n\u201cBut the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be _as the\nfat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away_.\u201d\nPs. 37:20.\n\n\n _Consume_: \u201cTo destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste,\n or fire.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n8. How does John the Baptist describe the destruction of the wicked?\n\n\u201cHe that cometh after me is mightier than I, ... whose fan is in His hand,\nand He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the\ngarner; but _He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire_.\u201d Matt.\n3:11, 12.\n\n9. For whom does Christ say the fire which will finally destroy the wicked\nwas originally prepared?\n\n\u201cThen shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye\ncursed, into everlasting fire, _prepared for the devil and his angels_.\u201d\nMatt. 25:41.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This fire is called \u201ceverlasting\u201d because of the character\n of the _work_ it does; just as it is called \u201cunquenchable\u201d because\n it cannot be _put_ out, and not because it will not _go_ out when\n it has done its work.\n\n\n10. What will be the result of this punishment?\n\n\u201cAs the whirlwind passeth, _so is the wicked no more_: but the righteous\nis an everlasting foundation.\u201d Prov. 10:25.\n\n11. Will any part of the wicked be left?\n\n\u201cFor, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the\nproud, yea, and _all_ that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that\ncometh shall _burn them up_, saith the Lord of hosts, that _it shall leave\nthem neither root nor branch_.\u201d Mal. 4:1.\n\n12. What will then be their condition?\n\n\u201cFor as ye have drunk upon My holy mountain, so shall all the heathen\ndrink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and\n_they shall be as though they had not been_.\u201d Obadiah 16.\n\n13. Where will the _place_ of the wicked then be?\n\n\u201cFor yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, _thou shalt\ndiligently consider his place, and it shall not be_.\u201d Ps. 37:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment\n without any place for them, even, in which to exist.\n\n\n14. Where are both the righteous and the wicked to be recompensed?\n\n\u201cBehold, the righteous shall be recompensed _in the earth_: much more the\nwicked and the sinner.\u201d Prov. 11:31.\n\n15. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death, or wait till\nthe day of judgment?\n\n\u201cThe Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and _to\nreserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished_.\u201d 2 Peter 2:9.\n\n16. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved?\n\n\u201cBut the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept\nin store, _reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of\nungodly men_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await the\n fires of the last day.\n\n\n17. What will be the result of the fires of the last day?\n\n\u201cLooking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein _the\nheavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with\nfervent heat_.\u201d \u201c_The earth also, and the works that are therein shall be\nburned up._\u201d Verses 12, 10.\n\n18. By what means does Christ say His kingdom is to be cleansed from sin\nand sinners?\n\n\u201cThe Son of man shall send forth His angels, and _they shall gather out of\nHis kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall\ncast them into a furnace of fire_.\u201d Matt. 13:41, 42.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Satan and the wicked now have this world as their \u201cplace.\u201d\n In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and\n sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the\n Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7:18, 22, 27.\n\n\n19. When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive their final\npunishment?\n\n\u201cBut the rest of the dead lived not again _until the thousand years were\nfinished_.\u201d Rev. 20:5.\n\n20. Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?\n\n\u201cAnd they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of\nthe saints about, and the beloved city: _and fire came down from God out\nof heaven, and devoured them_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is called God\u2019s \u201cstrange act\u201d and His \u201cstrange\n work,\u201d\u2014the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means God\n will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad\n results. Death itself will then be at an end\u2014cast into the lake of\n fire. Rev. 20:14.\n\n\n21. To what will this fire reduce the wicked?\n\n\u201cAnd ye shall tread down the wicked; for _they shall be ashes under the\nsoles of your feet in the day that I shall do this_, saith the Lord of\nhosts.\u201d Mal. 4:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The wicked are to be utterly destroyed\u2014consumed away into\n smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied themselves with\n sin, they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal\n existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. By their\n choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this reason they\n are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their destruction will\n consequently be no real loss. They will themselves have lost their\n opportunity to obtain eternal life; but by the way in which they\n used their probationary time they proved themselves unworthy of\n it. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy\n on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to\n perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and misery. Terrible,\n therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in consequence of\n it, be nothing of value lost,\u2014nothing lost worth saving. The\n experiment of sin will be over, and God\u2019s original plan of\n peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be\n carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.\n\n\n22. What is this final destruction of the wicked called?\n\n\u201cThis is _the second death_.\u201d Rev. 20:14.\n\n23. After the burning day, what will appear?\n\n\u201cNevertheless we, according to His promise, look for _new heavens and a\nnew earth_, wherein dwelleth righteousness.\u201d 2 Peter 3:13.\n\n24. Where will the righteous then be found?\n\n\u201cThen shall the righteous shine forth as the sun _in the kingdom of their\nFather_.\u201d Matt. 13:43.\n\n25. What promise of the Saviour will then be fulfilled?\n\n\u201cBlessed are the meek: for _they shall inherit the earth_.\u201d Matt. 5:5. See\nalso Ps. 37:11, 29; Isa. 65:17-25; Dan. 7:18.\n\n26. What universal song of praise will then be sung?\n\n\u201cAnd every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the\nearth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I\nsaying, _Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that\nsitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever_.\u201d Rev. 5:13.\n\n\n\n\nThe Ministration Of Good Angels\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nMoses On The Nile. \"He shall give His angels charge over thee.\" Ps. 91:11.\n\n\n1. Of what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?\n\n\u201cFor this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,\nof whom _the whole family in heaven and earth_ is named.\u201d Eph. 3:14, 15.\n\n2. By what name are the members of this family called?\n\n\u201cNow there was a day when _the sons of God_ came to present themselves\nbefore the Lord.\u201d Job 1:6. \u201cBehold, what manner of love the Father hath\nbestowed upon us, that we should be called _the sons of God_.\u201d 1 John 3:1.\n\n3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to\nus?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld, and I heard the voice of many _angels_ round about the\nthrone.\u201d Rev. 5:11.\n\n4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?\n\n\u201cSo He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden\n_cherubim_.\u201d Gen. 3:24.\n\n\n _Cherub_: \u201cA creature of a sacred and celestial\n nature.\u201d\u2014_Gesenius._\n\n\n5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?\n\n\u201cWhereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the\ncorner-stone thereof; when _the morning stars_ sang together, and all _the\nsons of God_ shouted for joy?\u201d Job 38:6, 7.\n\n6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?\n\n\u201cAnd I beheld, and I heard the voice of _many angels_ round about the\nthrone; ... and the number of them was _ten thousand times ten thousand,\nand thousands of thousands_.\u201d Rev. 5:11.\n\n7. What does Paul say of their number?\n\n\u201cBut ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the\nheavenly Jerusalem, and to _an innumerable company of angels_.\u201d Heb.\n12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.\n\n8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?\n\n\u201cThou hast made him _a little lower than the angels_.\u201d Ps. 8:5.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014There are different orders of angels: \u201cCherubim\u201d (Gen.\n 3:24); \u201cSeraphim\u201d (Isa. 6:2, 6); \u201cArchangel\u201d (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude\n 9).\n\n Some of their names are: \u201cMichael\u201d (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9);\n \u201cGabriel\u201d (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); \u201cUriel\u201d (2 Esdras\n [Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); \u201cAriel\u201d (doubtless\n of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).\n\n _Michael_ means, \u201cWho is _like_ God,\u201d and hence is a fit title for\n Christ. _Gabriel_ signifies, \u201cThe _strength_ of God,\u201d an\n appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ\n (Dan. 10:21). _Uriel_ means, \u201cThe _light_ of God;\u201d _Ariel_, \u201cThe\n _lion_ of God.\u201d\n\n\n9. Is Christ ever called an angel?\n\n\u201cBehold, I send _an Angel_ before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to\nbring thee into the place which I have prepared.\u201d Ex. 23:20. See verse 23;\nActs 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. \u201c_The Angel of His presence_ saved\nthem.\u201d Isa. 63:9. \u201cMichael _the Archangel_.\u201d Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1\nThess. 4:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Angel means _messenger_. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called \u201cthe\n _messenger_ of the covenant.\u201d\n\n\n10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?\n\n\u201cBless the Lord, ye His angels, _that excel in strength, that do His\ncommandments_, harkening unto the voice of His word.\u201d Ps. 103:20.\n\n11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?\n\n\u201cHis body also was like the _beryl_, and his face as the appearance of\n_lightning_, and his eyes as _lamps of fire_, and his arms and his feet\nlike in color to _polished brass_, and the voice of his words _like the\nvoice of a multitude_.\u201d Dan. 10:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Similar descriptions are given of God, the \u201cAncient of\n days,\u201d in Dan 7:9; and of Christ, \u201cthe Son of man,\u201d in Rev.\n 1:13-15\n\n\n12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from\nthe sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?\n\n\u201cHis countenance was _like lightning_, and his raiment _white as snow_.\u201d\nMatt. 28:3.\n\n13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings?\n\n\u201cAnd he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had\ndressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and\n_they did eat_.\u201d \u201cAnd he [Lot] made them a feast, and did bake unleavened\nbread, and _they did eat_.\u201d Gen. 18:8; 19:3.\n\n14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain strangers?\n\n\u201cBe not forgetful to entertain strangers: _for thereby some have\nentertained angels unawares_.\u201d Heb. 13:2.\n\n15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?\n\n\u201cAnd he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of\nit reached to heaven: _and behold the angels of God ascending and\ndescending on it_.\u201d Gen. 28:12.\n\n16. To whose authority are the angels subject?\n\n\u201cJesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;\n_angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him_.\u201d 1 Peter\n3:21, 22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called \u201ccaptain of the Lord\u2019s\n host.\u201d\n\n\n17. In what work are angels engaged?\n\n\u201cAre they not all _ministering spirits_, sent forth to minister for them\nwho shall be heirs of salvation?\u201d Heb. 1:14.\n\n18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an accompanying\nangel?\n\n\u201cTake heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto\nyou, That in heaven _their angels_ do always behold the face of My Father\nwhich is in heaven.\u201d Matt. 18:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Another has said: \u201cChristians who live in the light of God\u2019s\n countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these\n holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes.\u201d\n\n\n19. How is their watch-care over God\u2019s people expressed?\n\n\u201cThe angel of the Lord _encampeth round about them that fear Him, and\ndelivereth them_.\u201d Ps. 34:7.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Daniel In The Lions\u2019 Den. \"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about\n them that fear Him, and delivereth them.\" Ps. 34:7.\n\n\n20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while in the fiery\nfurnace?\n\n\u201cI see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no\nhurt; and the form of the fourth is _like the Son of God_.... Then\nNebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach,\nand Abed-nego, who hath _sent His angel, and delivered His servants_ that\ntrusted in Him.\u201d Dan. 3:25-28.\n\n21. When cast into the lions\u2019 den, how did Daniel say he had been saved\nfrom death?\n\n\u201c_My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions\u2019 mouths_, that they\nhave not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.\u201d Dan.\n6:22.\n\n22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what\ndid he pray, to encourage his frightened servant?\n\n\u201cAnd he answered, _Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they\nthat be with them_. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, _open\nhis eyes, that he may see_. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man;\n_and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of\nfire round about Elisha_.\u201d 2 Kings 6:16, 17.\n\n23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?\n\n\u201cThe chariots of God are twenty thousand, even _thousands of angels_.\u201d Ps.\n68:17.\n\n24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?\n\n\u201c_The angel of the Lord_ by night _opened the prison doors_, and brought\nthem forth.\u201d Acts 5:19.\n\n25. How was Peter delivered later?\n\n\u201c_The angel of the Lord came upon him_, and a light shined in the prison:\nand he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up\nquickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.... And he saith unto him,\nCast thy garment about thee, and follow me.... They came unto the iron\ngate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord:\nand they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the\nangel departed from him.\u201d Acts 12:7-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cWhat we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic\n ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their\n volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No\n place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition\n cell so hidden and fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that\n they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child of God is\n there.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,__\u201d__ by\n E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75._\n\n\n26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days\u2019 journey, how was he\nstrengthened for it?\n\n\u201c_And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him,\nand said, Arise and eat_; because the journey is too great for thee. And\nhe arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat\nforty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.\u201d 1 Kings 19:7, 8.\n\n27. After His forty days\u2019 fast and temptation in the wilderness, how was\nChrist strengthened?\n\n\u201cThen the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, _angels came and ministered unto\nHim_.\u201d Matt. 4:11.\n\n28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of\nGethsemane?\n\n\u201cAnd _there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him_.\u201d\nLuke 22:43.\n\n29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?\n\n\u201cWhich things _the angels desire to look into_.\u201d 1 Peter 1:12.\n\n30. Are they interested in the conversion of men?\n\n\u201cLikewise, I say unto you, _there is joy in the presence of the angels of\nGod over one sinner that repenteth_.\u201d Luke 15:10.\n\n31. Before whom are we said to speak?\n\n\u201cBetter is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow\nand not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; _neither say\nthou before the angel_, that it was an error: wherefore should God be\nangry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?\u201d Eccl. 5:5, 6.\n\n32. For what must men give account in the judgment?\n\n\u201cBut I say unto you, That _every idle word_ that men shall speak, they\nshall give account thereof in the day of judgment.\u201d Matt. 12:36. See also\nEccl. 12:13, 14.\n\n33. Out of what will they be judged?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were\nopened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the\ndead were judged _out of those things which were written in the books_,\naccording to their works.\u201d Rev. 20:12.\n\n34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord harkened, and heard it, and _a book of remembrance was\nwritten before Him_ for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon\nHis name.\u201d Mal. 3:16. See also Isa. 65:6; Jer. 2:22.\n\n35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?\n\n\u201cA fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: _thousand thousands\nministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before\nHim_: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.\u201d Dan. 7:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives\n are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the\n record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will\n of necessity be present, to minister before God.\n\n\n36. What does Christ promise overcomers?\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I\nwill not blot out his name out of the book of life, but _I will confess\nhis name before My Father, and before His angels_.\u201d Rev. 3:5.\n\n37. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last\nplagues?\n\n\u201cThere shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy\ndwelling. For _He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in\nall thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy\nfoot against a stone_.\u201d Ps. 91:10-12.\n\n38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father _with His\nangels_.\u201d \u201cAnd _they shall gather together His elect_ from the four winds,\nfrom one end of heaven to the other.\u201d Matt. 16:27; 24:31.\n\n39. Where will all the saints then go?\n\n\u201cThen we which are alive and remain _shall be caught up together with them\nin the clouds_, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with\nthe Lord.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We shall then have the privilege of seeing and conversing\n not only with the good and blest of all ages, but with the angels\n who have ministered to us during our earthly pilgrimage.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O, may Thine angels, while I sleep,\n Around my bed their vigils keep;\n Their love angelical instil,\n Stop every avenue of ill!\n May they celestial joys rehearse,\n And thought to thought with me converse.\n\n BISHOP KENT.\n\n\n\n\nThe Dark Ministries Of Bad Angels\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Satan\u2019s Entrance To Eden. \"The prince of this world cometh, and hath\n nothing in Me.\" John 14:30.\n\n\n1. Against whom do we wrestle?\n\n\u201cFor we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but _against principalities,\nagainst powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against\nspiritual wickedness_ [margin, _wicked spirits_] in high places [margin,\nheavenly places].\u201d Eph. 6:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe facts of history concur with the statements of\n revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the\n human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized\n and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in\n the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill\n and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always\n evil.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation__\u201d__ by E.\n A. Stockman, page 2._\n\n\n2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?\n\n\u201cFor if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _cast them down to\nhell_ [Greek, _tartarus_, a place of darkness], and delivered them into\n_chains of darkness_, to be reserved unto judgment.\u201d 2 Peter 2:4.\n\n3. What is Satan himself called?\n\n\u201cThe _god of this world_.\u201d 2 Cor. 4:4. \u201cThe _prince of this world_.\u201d John\n14:30. \u201cThe _prince of the power of the air_.\u201d Eph. 2:2.\n\n4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?\n\n\u201cAnd He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is\n_Legion_: for we are _many_.\u201d Mark 5:9.\n\n5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?\n\n\u201cAnd He was there in the wilderness forty days, _tempted of Satan_.\u201d Mark\n1:13. \u201cBe sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a\nroaring lion, walketh about, _seeking whom he may devour_.\u201d 1 Peter 5:8.\nSee Rev. 12:9, 12; 16:14.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cIn undiminished possession of their intelligence and\n strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through\n every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair.... Whom\n they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire\n evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instil ill will; beget malice,\n envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all\n the forms of crime.\u201d \u201cSupremely do they revel in the criminal\n domain. They foster falsehood, incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget\n quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces,\n plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and\n edit the _Police News_.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Footprints of Angels in Fields of\n Revelation,__\u201d__ pages 9, 10, 22._\n\n\n6. What are we admonished not to do?\n\n\u201cBe ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:\n_neither give place to the devil_.\u201d Eph. 4:26, 27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who\n parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in\n intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any\n other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the\n devil an opportunity to work through them\u2014give him an advantage\n over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his\n angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip\n in the bud every prompting to sin.\n\n\n7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off\nguard or bent on going astray?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may\ngo up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?... _And there came forth a spirit, and\nstood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him._ And the Lord said\nunto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and _I will be a lying\nspirit in the mouth of all his prophets_. And He said, Thou shalt persuade\nhim, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.\u201d 1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2\nThess. 2:10, 11.\n\n8. With what were many possessed in Christ\u2019s time?\n\n\u201cAnd they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers\ndiseases and torments, and those which were _possessed with devils_.\u201d\nMatt. 4:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their\n abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control.\n Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until\n this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan \u201cat\n his will.\u201d His self-control and power to resist temptation are\n gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26.\n\n\n9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?\n\n\u201cAnd as he was yet a coming, _the devil threw him down, and tare him_.\u201d\nLuke 9:42.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and\n plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.\n\n\n10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an\nincrease in demoniacal manifestations?\n\n\u201cWoe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! _for the devil is come\ndown unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a\nshort time_.\u201d Rev. 12:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and\n his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as\n lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise\n pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far\n better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that\n the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to\n work is short.\n\n\n11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?\n\n\u201cNow the Spirit speaketh expressly, that _in the latter times some shall\ndepart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of\ndevils_.\u201d 1 Tim. 4:1.\n\n12. What class of God\u2019s servants have evil angels, through wicked men,\nseemed to make special objects of attack?\n\n\u201cWhich of _the prophets_ have not your fathers persecuted?\u201d Acts 7:52.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cOf all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in\n the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked\n angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to\n the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter\n extinction of the \u2018powers of darkness,\u2019 the \u2018spirits of\n disobedience.\u2019 \u201d\u2014_\u201c__Footprints of Angels in Fields of\n Revelation,__\u201d__ page 14._\n\n Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means\n divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of\n God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end\n in Armageddon.\n\n \u201cFamiliar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen\n hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions\n and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody\n conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of\n peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter\n the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn\n our world into an arena of strife and crime.\u201d\u2014_Id._, page 22.\n\n\n13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?\n\n\u201cThen shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye\ncursed, into everlasting fire, _prepared for the devil and his angels_.\u201d\nMatt. 25:41. \u201cAnd the day that cometh shall _burn them up_, saith the Lord\nof hosts, that it shall leave them neither _root_ nor _branch_.\u201d Mal. 4:1.\nSee Rev. 20:9.\n\n\n\n\nSpiritualism\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Saul And The Witch Of Endor. \"They are the spirits of devils, working\n miracles.\" Rev. 16:14.\n\n\n1. What is Spiritualism defined to be?\n\n\u201cA belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of\nphysical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in\ntrances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium;\nspiritism.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n _Spiritism_: \u201cThe theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by\n spirits of the dead.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and\n possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to\n communicate with those in the material form.\u201d\u2014_N. F. Ravlin,\n Spiritualistic lecturer, of California._\n\n\n2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?\n\n\u201cRegard not them that have _familiar spirits_, neither seek after\n_wizards_, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.\u201d Lev. 19:31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all\n essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the\n past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are\n operating.\u201d\u2014_F. F. Morse, in __\u201c__Practical Occultism,__\u201d_ page\n 85.\n\n\n3. How does God regard sorcerers?\n\n\u201cAnd I will come near to you to judgment; and _I will be a swift witness\nagainst the sorcerers_.\u201d Mal. 3:5\n\n4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?\n\n\u201cTherefore harken not ye to ... your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers,\n... for _they prophesy a lie unto you_, to remove you far from your land.\u201d\nJer. 27:9,10.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning\n against dabbling in Spiritualism: \u201cI have known several families\n that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and\n mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult\n powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women\n to be filled with evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi.\n People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit\n world.\u201d\u2014_Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911._\n\n \u201cI am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modern\n Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father\n of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably\n diabolical.\u201d\u2014_Dr. C. Williams, of London, England._\n\n\n5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give\nIsrael concerning these things?\n\n\u201cWhen thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou\nshalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall\nnot be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass\nthrough the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an\nenchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,\nor a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an\nabomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy\nGod doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the\nLord thy God.\u201d Deut. 18:9-13.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who\n profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits\n of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself\n upon the enemy\u2019s ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in\n Eden, when he denied that _death_ would be the result of _sin_, in\n the very face of death itself, he, working upon man\u2019s natural\n dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being\n separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to\n believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die.\n Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood\n of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely\n with _death_. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should\n be a warning to all to let them alone\u2014to have nothing whatever to\n do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However\n promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and\n destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God,\n into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by\n denying death, and apparently \u201cmake good\u201d Satan\u2019s lie in Eden,\n through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels\n representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.\n\n In a sermon on \u201cSpiritualism an Imposture,\u201d Rev. T. De Witt\n Talmage said: \u201cSpiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak\n and morbid with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the\n world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion\n and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved\n one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that\n moment, when we are all worn out by watching,\u2014all worn out, body,\n mind, and soul,\u2014and says: \u2018Now I will open that door; you shall\n hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet\n now.\u2019 ... O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of\n people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life\u2019s\n bereavements and sorrows!... If Spiritualism had its way, it would\n turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean\n and adulterous system.\u201d\n\n\n6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and\nthose who had familiar spirits?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not suffer a witch to live.\u201d Ex. 22:18. \u201cA man also or woman\nthat hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to\ndeath.\u201d Lev. 20:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this\n character is in God\u2019s sight.\n\n\n7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those\nwho are guilty of such things?\n\n\u201cIdolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,\nseditions, heresies.... I have also told you in time past, that they which\ndo such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.\u201d Gal. 5:20-23.\n\n8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?\n\n\u201cAnd when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar\nspirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: _should not a people\nseek unto their God?_ for the _living_ to the _dead_?\u201d Isa. 8:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says:\n \u201cShould not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto\n the dead concerning the living?\u201d But this is exactly what\n Spiritualism teaches men to do,\u2014to seek unto the _dead_ concerning\n the _living_.\n\n\n9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?\n\n\u201cBeloved, believe not every spirit, but _try the spirits whether they are\nof God_.\u201d 1 John 4:1.\n\n10. By what are we to try them?\n\n\u201c_To the law and to the testimony_: if they speak not according to this\nword, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d Isa. 8:20.\n\n11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders\nperformed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?\n\n\u201cIf there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth\nthee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof\nhe spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast\nnot known, and let us serve them; _thou shalt not harken unto the words of\nthat prophet; or that dreamer of dreams_: for the Lord your God proveth\nyou, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and\nwith all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him,\nand keep His commandments, and obey His voice.\u201d Deut. 13:1-4.\n\n12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?\n\n\u201cThou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to\nhonor, and _he knoweth it not_; and they are brought low, but _he\nperceiveth it not of them_.\u201d Job 14:20, 21.\n\n13. Do the dead know _anything_?\n\n\u201cFor the living know that they shall die: but _the dead know not\nanything_.\u201d Eccl. 9:5. \u201cHis breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;\n_in that very day his thoughts perish_.\u201d Ps. 146:4.\n\n14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to\nearth to communicate with the living?\n\n\u201cAlso their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished;\n_neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done\nunder the sun_.\u201d Eccl. 9:6.\n\n15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of\nour dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?\n\n\u201cFor they are _the spirits of devils, working miracles_.\u201d Rev. 16:14.\n\n16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?\n\n\u201cNow the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall\ndepart from the faith, _giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of\ndevils_.\u201d 1 Tim. 4:1.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The following items illustrate a condition widely\n prevalent:\u2014\n\n \u201c \u2018A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,\u2019 said J.\n L. Hall, of New York, \u2018never begins the preparation of a difficult\n case without getting \u201cadvice from the other side,\u201d as he describes\n the search.... Another distinguished man of New York City once\n asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he\n talked as freely as with a human companion,\u2019 \u201d\u2014_Washington Herald,\n May 8, 1911._\n\n A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was\n voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following:\n \u201cWhat are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had\n their joy in the healing art, doing now?\u2014Busy at their old\n business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on\n earth.\u201d\u2014_Christian Herald, July 8, 1882._\n\n Writing concerning \u201cCommunion With the Departed,\u201d General Booth,\n of the Salvation Army, said: \u201cThrough all my history, my personal\n intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not\n been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream\n dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a\n spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without\n both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories\n of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the\n past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I\n have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season.\n Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more\n frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued\n partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation\n of the multitudes\u2014and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!\u201d\u2014_War\n Cry, Nov. 27, 1897._\n\n \u201cDr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly\n declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said\n that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her\n to come with him. He further says: I encourage my friend to pray\n to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She\n will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels.\u201d\u2014_The\n Living Church, Nov. 14, 1899._\n\n \u201cThe emperor Nicholas ... has fallen under the influence of a\n Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an\n extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in\n relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic\n guide.\u201d\u2014_Melbourne Age, Nov. 15, 1902._\n\n In a statement given put Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of\n Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson,\n one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York\n City, said: \u201cMrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to\n earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs.\n Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may\n come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely\n come.... The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is\n still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as\n herself\u2014as Mary Baker Eddy.\u201d\n\n \u201cA message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the\n founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the\n noted English journalist, shortly after the former\u2019s death, says,\n \u2018There is no death; all is life; all is freedom,\u2019 \u201d\u2014_Signs of the\n Times, Feb. 28, 1911._\n\n And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the \u201cTitanic,\u201d April\n 15, 1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received\n numerous messages purporting to have come from him.\n\n\n17. How does Satan deceive the people?\n\n\u201cAnd no marvel; for Satan himself is _transformed into an angel of\nlight_.\u201d 2 Cor. 11:14.\n\n18. What role do his agents assume?\n\n\u201cTherefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be _transformed as\nthe ministers of righteousness_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ,\nand work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?\n\n\u201cThen if any man shall say unto you, _Lo, here is Christ_, or there;\nbelieve it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,\n_and shall show great signs and wonders_; insomuch that, if it were\npossible, they shall deceive the very elect.\u201d Matt. 24:23, 24.\n\n20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to\nfasten men in deception?\n\n\u201cAnd he doeth great wonders, so that _he maketh fire come down from heaven\non the earth in the sight of men_, and deceiveth them that dwell on the\nearth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight\nof the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make\nan image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.\u201d Rev.\n13:13, 14.\n\n21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and\ndeceptive wonders just before Christ\u2019s second coming?\n\n\u201cWhose coming is _after the working of Satan with all power and signs and\nlying wonders_, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them\nthat perish.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. See also Rev. 12:12.\n\n22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false\nChrists that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love\nfor the truth, and patiently waited for Christ\u2019s return?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall be said in that day, _Lo, __THIS__ is our God; we have\nwaited for Him, and He will save us: __THIS__ is the Lord; we have waited\nfor Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation_.\u201d Isa. 25: 9.\n\n23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?\n\n\u201c_Be sober, be vigilant_; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring\nlion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,\u201d 1 Peter 5: 8.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Wicked spirits gather round thee,\n Legions of those foes to God\u2014\n Principalities most mighty\u2014\n Walk unseen the earth abroad;\n They are gathering to the battle,\n Strengthened for the last deep strife;\n Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.\n Struggle manfully for life.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XII. CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND EXPERIENCE\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jacob Going Down Into Egypt. \"God Almighty appeared unto me ... and\n blessed me.\" Gen 48:3.\n\n\n\n\nGrowth In Grace\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nGideon Choosing His Army. \"Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return\n and depart.\" Judges 7:3.\n\n\n1. How does the apostle Peter close his second epistle?\n\n\u201cBut _grow in grace_, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus\nChrist.\u201d 2 Peter 3:18.\n\n2. How may grace and peace be multiplied in believers?\n\n\u201cGrace and peace be multiplied unto you _through the knowledge of God, and\nof Jesus our Lord_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:2.\n\n3. What is implied in a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd _this is life eternal_, that they might know Thee the only true God,\nand Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.\u201d John 17:3.\n\n4. By what may we be partakers of the divine nature?\n\n\u201cWhereby are given unto us _exceeding great and precious promises_: that\nby these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the\ncorruption that is in the world through lust.\u201d 2 Peter 1:4.\n\n5. What graces are we to add in our character building?\n\n\u201cAdd to your faith _virtue_ [courage]; and to virtue _knowledge_; and to\nknowledge _temperance_ [self-control]; and to temperance _patience_; and\nto patience _godliness_; and to godliness _brotherly kindness_; and to\nbrotherly kindness _charity_.\u201d Verses 5-7.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014_Faith_ is the first round in the Christian ladder, the\n first step Godward. \u201cHe that cometh to God must _believe_.\u201d Heb.\n 11:6.\n\n But an inoperative faith is useless. \u201cFaith without _works_ is\n dead.\u201d James 2:20. To be of value, there must be coupled with\n faith that _virtue_, or _courage of conviction_, which impels to\n _action_.\n\n To courage there needs to be added _knowledge_; otherwise, like\n the stumbling Jews, one may have a zeal, \u201cbut _not according to\n knowledge_.\u201d Rom. 10:2. Fanaticism is the result of such courage,\n or zeal. Knowledge, therefore, is an essential to healthy\n Christian growth.\n\n To knowledge there needs to be added _temperance_, or\n _self-control_\u2014_self-government_. See Acts 24:25, American\n Standard Version, and margin of Revised Version. To know to do\n good, and not do it, is as useless as is faith without works. See\n James 4:17. Instead of _temperance_, the Twentieth Century New\n Testament invariably says _self-control_.\n\n _Patience_ naturally follows _temperance_. It is well-nigh\n impossible for an intemperate person to be _patient_.\n\n Having gained control of oneself, and become patient, one is in a\n condition to manifest _godliness_, or _God-likeness_.\n\n Having become godly, _kindness toward the brethren_, or _brotherly\n kindness_, naturally follows.\n\n _Charity_, or love for _all_, even our _enemies_, is the crowning\n grace, the highest step, the eighth round, in the Christian\n ladder.\n\n The arrangement in this enumeration of graces is by no means\n accidental or haphazard, but logical and sequential, each\n following the other in natural, necessary order. The finger of\n Inspiration is seen here.\n\n\n6. What is said of charity in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cCharity _suffereth long, and is kind; ... thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not\nin iniquity_, but _rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth\nall things, hopeth all things, endureth all things_.\u201d 1 Cor. 13:4-7. \u201cAnd\nabove all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for _charity shall\ncover the multitude of sins_.\u201d 1 Peter 4:8. \u201cLove covereth all sins.\u201d\nProv. 10:12.\n\n7. What is charity called?\n\n\u201cAnd above all these things put on charity, which is _the bond of\nperfectness_.\u201d Col. 3:14.\n\n8. What is the result of cultivating these eight graces?\n\n\u201cFor if these things be in you, and abound, _they make you that ye shall\nneither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus\nChrist_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:8.\n\n9. What is the condition of one who lacks these graces?\n\n\u201cBut he that lacketh these things _is blind, and cannot see afar off, and\nhath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n10. What is promised those who add grace to grace?\n\n\u201cIf ye do these things, _ye shall never fall_.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n\n\n\nThe Christian Armor\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Midianites Put To Flight. \"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.\" 2\n Cor. 10:4.\n\n\n1. What power was to make war upon the remnant church prior to the second\nadvent?\n\n\u201cAnd _the dragon_ [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war\nwith the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have\nthe testimony of Jesus Christ.\u201d Rev. 12:17.\n\n2. What reward is promised to the overcomer?\n\n\u201cTo him that overcometh will I give _to eat of the tree of life_, which is\nin the midst of the paradise of God.\u201d Rev. 2:7. See also Rev. 2:11, 17,\n26-28; 3:5, 12, 21. \u201cHe that overcometh shall inherit _all things_.\u201d Rev.\n21:7.\n\n3. Through whom are we able to conquer?\n\n\u201cNay, in all these things we are more than conquerors _through Him that\nloved us_.\u201d Rom. 8:37.\n\n4. Who was the invisible leader of the armies of Israel?\n\n\u201cBehold, there stood a man over against him with His sword drawn in His\nhand: and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art thou for us, or for\nour adversaries? And He said, Nay; but as _captain of the host of the\nLord_ am I now come.\u201d Joshua 5:13, 14. See also 1 Cor. 10:1-4.\n\n5. What is the character of the Christian\u2019s weapons of warfare?\n\n\u201cFor the weapons of our warfare are _not carnal, but mighty through God to\nthe pulling down of strongholds_.\u201d 2 Cor. 10:4.\n\n6. What are these weapons able to conquer?\n\n\u201cCasting down _imaginations_, and _every high thing that exalteth itself\nagainst the knowledge of God_, and bringing into captivity _every thought_\nto the obedience of Christ.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n7. What are we to put on?\n\n\u201c_Put on the whole armor of God_, that ye may be able to stand against the\nwiles of the devil.\u201d Eph. 6:11.\n\n8. With what kind of forces do we have to contend?\n\n\u201cFor we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against _principalities_,\nagainst _powers_, against _the rulers of the darkness of this world_,\nagainst _spiritual wickedness in high places_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The margin says, \u201cwicked spirits\u201d in \u201cheavenly\u201d places.\n\n\n9. What are the first essentials of the needed armor?\n\n\u201cStand therefore, having your _loins girt about with truth_, and having on\n_the breastplate of righteousness_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n10. What is the truth with which one\u2019s loins should be girded?\n\n\u201cSanctify them through Thy truth: _Thy word is truth_.\u201d \u201cI am the way, the\ntruth.\u201d John 17:17; 14:6.\n\n11. What is meant by having the loins girded?\n\n\u201cWherefore gird up _the loins of your mind_.\u201d 1 Peter 1:13.\n\n12. What is the righteousness of which the breastplate is composed?\n\n\u201cMy tongue shall speak of Thy word: for _all Thy commandments are\nrighteousness_.\u201d Ps. 119:172. \u201cAnd this is His name whereby He shall be\ncalled, _The Lord Our Righteousness_.\u201d Jer. 23:6. See Rom. 13:14; 1 Thess.\n5:8.\n\n13. With what are the feet to be shod?\n\n\u201cAnd your feet shod with _the preparation of the gospel of peace_.\u201d Eph.\n6:15. See also Eph. 2:14; James 3:18.\n\n14. What piece of armor is next mentioned as necessary?\n\n\u201cAbove all, taking _the shield of faith_, wherewith ye shall be able to\nquench all the fiery darts of the wicked.\u201d Eph. 6:16. See 1 John 5:4; Heb.\n11:6.\n\n15. What armor is to be put on as a protection to the head?\n\n\u201cAnd take _the helmet of salvation_.\u201d Eph. 6:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In 1 Thess. 5:8 the helmet is called \u201cthe _hope_ of\n salvation.\u201d The helmet was worn to protect the head. So the hope\n of salvation will preserve the courage, and thus aid in protecting\n the spiritual life of the Christian pilgrim when beset by the\n enemy of righteousness.\n\n\n16. With what sword is the Christian soldier to be armed?\n\n\u201c_The sword of the Spirit_, which is _the word of God_.\u201d Eph. 6:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By this Christ defeated the enemy. See Matt. 4:1-11; Luke\n 4:1-13. But no one can _use this sword_ who does not _know_ it.\n Hence, the importance of studying and knowing the Bible.\n\n\n17. In what words are the courage, faithfulness, and loyalty of the\nremnant church expressed?\n\n\u201cAnd they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their\ntestimony; and _they loved not their lives unto the death_.\u201d Rev. 12:11.\n\n18. Will Christ\u2019s loyal soldiers be victorious under Him?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had\n_gotten the victory_ over the beast, and over his image, and over his\nmark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having\nthe harps of God.\u201d Rev. 15:2.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Soldiers of Christ, arise,\n And put your armor on;\n Fight, for the battle will be ours;\n We fight to win a crown.\n\n We fight not against flesh,\n We wrestle not with blood;\n But principalities and powers,\n And for the truth of God.\n\n With wicked spirits, too,\n That in high places stand,\n Perverting oft the Word of God,\n And say \u2019tis by command.\n\n Put all the armor on,\n Like valiant soldiers stand;\n Let all your loins be girt with truth,\n Waiting our Lord\u2019s command.\n\n While Jesus is our friend,\n And His rich grace supplies,\n We\u2019ll march like valiant soldiers on:\n We\u2019re sure to win the prize.\n\n The battle\u2019s almost o\u2019er;\n The race is nearly run;\n Then with our glorious, conquering King\n We\u2019ll sit down on His throne.\n\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Paul At Ephesus. \"Many ... which used curious arts brought their books,\n ... and burned them.\" Acts 19:19.\n\n\n\n\nWalking In The Light\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Abraham\u2019s Journey To Canaan. \"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go\n out, ... obeyed.\" Heb. 11:8.\n\n\n1. How important is it that we walk in the light when it comes to us?\n\n\u201cWalk while ye have the light, _lest darkness come upon you_: for he that\nwalketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.\u201d John 12:35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is important to settle a plain question of duty at once,\n and not delay obedience under the excuse of waiting for more\n light. To do as did Balaam\u2014ask God again concerning that which He\n has plainly and expressly spoken\u2014is dangerous. Nor should we, like\n the unbelieving Jews, seek a sign from heaven to convince us that\n we ought to obey the written Word. Has God spoken? Is it His word?\n Then obey. Do not insult Heaven with the question whether it is\n right to obey. If one gets an answer to such prayers, it will more\n than likely be a permission to have one\u2019s own chosen way of\n continuing in disobedience, the end of which is death. See 1 Kings\n 22:1-36; Eze. 14:1-5.\n\n\n2. Upon what condition are we promised cleansing from sin?\n\n\u201c_But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light_, we have fellowship\none with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from\nall sin.\u201d 1 John 1:7.\n\n3. How long may the just expect increased light to shine upon their\npathway?\n\n\u201cBut the path of the just is as the shining light, _that shineth more and\nmore unto the perfect day_.\u201d Prov. 4:18.\n\n4. For whom is light sown?\n\n\u201c_Light is sown for the righteous_, and gladness for the upright in\nheart.\u201d Ps. 97:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The more earnestly one desires to know the will of God,\n while living up to all the light he has, the more light and truth\n from God will shine upon his pathway. The fact that one has the\n evidence of his acceptance with God, is no proof that he has all\n the light there is for him. If light is sown for the righteous,\n such are the very ones who may expect advanced light to come to\n them, and to see new duties presented to them from a study of the\n Word of God.\n\n\n5. Who was told by an angel of God that his ways pleased the Lord?\n\n\u201cHe saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of\nGod coming in to him, and saying unto him, _Cornelius_. And when he looked\non him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him,\nThy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.\u201d Acts\n10:3, 4.\n\n6. Because Cornelius\u2019s ways pleased the Lord, was this evidence that he\nhad nothing more to learn or do?\n\n\u201cAnd now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is\nPeter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside:\n_he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do_.\u201d Verses 5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The reason why the Lord favored Cornelius with a visit from\n one of His angels, was not because Cornelius knew the way of\n salvation perfectly, but because the Lord saw in him a sincere\n desire for more light, and a willing mind to comply with every\n known requirement. That spirit was pleasing to God, and He\n therefore opened the way for Cornelius to learn the whole truth\n from Peter, that he might be saved. God never changes. He does the\n same now with sincere, devoted persons. All may now receive\n advanced light, if, like Cornelius, they seek it, and are willing\n to walk in it when it comes to them. If it is neglected, they are\n guilty before God, and will be left to the buffetings of the\n enemy.\n\n\n7. What will become of the light which one has if he fails to walk in it?\n\n\u201cThe light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy\nwhole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body\nalso is full of darkness. _Take heed therefore that the light which is in\nthee be not darkness._\u201d Luke 11:34, 35.\n\n8. Why did Christ say that the sin of those who rejected Him remained?\n\n\u201cJesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye\nsay, _We see_; therefore your sin remaineth.\u201d John 9:41. See also John\n15:22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014With advanced light comes increased responsibility. Duty is\n always in proportion to one\u2019s light and privileges. Present truth\n always brings with it present duty. See reading on \u201cPresent\n Truth,\u201d page 131.\n\n\n9. Why are those condemned that do not come to the light?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and _men\nloved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil_.\u201d John\n3:19.\n\n10. If one is really seeking for truth, what will he do?\n\n\u201cBut he that doeth truth _cometh to the light_, that his deeds may be made\nmanifest, that they are wrought in God.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n11. What will those who reject light and truth, finally be led to believe?\n\n\u201cAnd for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, _that they should\nbelieve a lie_: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth,\nbut had pleasure in unrighteousness.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:11, 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The opposite of light is darkness; the opposite of truth is\n a lie. For those who reject light and truth, only darkness and\n error remain. God is sometimes in the Scriptures represented as\n sending that which he permits to come. See Ps. 81:12; 1 Kings\n 22:20-23; Rom. 1:21-28.\n\n\n12. Who is the light of the world?\n\n\u201c_I am the light of the world_: he that followeth Me shall not walk in\ndarkness, but shall have the light of life.\u201d John 8:12.\n\n13. How are we to walk in Christ?\n\n\u201c_As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord_, so walk ye in\nHim.\u201d Col. 2:6.\n\n14. What has God given to guide our feet aright in the path of truth and\nduty?\n\n\u201c_Thy word is a lamp_ unto my feet, and _a light_ unto my path.\u201d Ps.\n119:105. See Prov. 6:23.\n\n15. What does the entrance of God\u2019s word give?\n\n\u201cThe entrance of Thy word _giveth light_; it giveth understanding unto the\nsimple.\u201d Ps. 119:130.\n\n16. Who does Christ say will be blessed through the prophecies of the book\nof Revelation?\n\n\u201cBlessed is _he that readeth_, and _they that hear_ the words of this\nprophecy, _and keep those things which are written therein_.\u201d Rev. 1:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We are in the last days, in the generation that is to hear\n the final warning message contained in this book. See Rev.\n 14:6-10; 18:1-5. Those who accept this message are described as\n keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. See Rev.\n 12:17; 14:12; 22:14; and readings on pages 251-263. Now especially\n this book should be studied.\n\n\n17. May those who have once been led of God, be rejected by Him on account\nof unbelief?\n\n\u201cI will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how\nthat the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt,\n_afterward destroyed them that believed not_.\u201d Jude 5.\n\n18. Upon what condition only may we be made partakers of Christ?\n\n\u201cFor we are made partakers of Christ, _if we hold the beginning of our\nconfidence steadfast unto the end_.\u201d Heb. 3:14. See Matt. 10: 22; 24:12,\n13; Heb. 10:35-39.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Walk in the light! so shalt thou know\n That fellowship of love\n His Spirit only can bestow\n Who reigns in light above.\n\n Walk in the light! and thou shalt own\n Thy darkness passed away;\n Because that light on thee hath shone\n In which is perfect day.\n\n Walk in the light! and e\u2019en the tomb\n No fearful shade shall wear;\n Glory shall chase away its gloom,\n For Christ hath conquered there.\n\n Walk in the light! and thine shall be\n A path, though thorny, bright;\n For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,\n And God Himself is light.\n\n BERNARD BARTON.\n\n\n\n\nSaving Faith\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jesus Walking On The Sea. \"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the\n word of God.\" Rom. 10:17.\n\n\n1. What is faith?\n\n\u201cFaith is the _substance_ [margin, _ground_, or _confidence_] of things\nhoped for, the _evidence_ of things not seen.\u201d Heb. 11:1.\n\n2. How important is faith?\n\n\u201c_Without faith it is impossible to please Him_: for he that cometh to God\nmust believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently\nseek Him.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n3. How only can we truly know God?\n\n\u201cNeither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, _and he to whomsoever\nthe Son will reveal Him_.\u201d Matt. 11:27.\n\n4. In whom must we believe in order to be saved?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave _His only begotten Son_, that\nwhosoever believeth in _Him_ should not perish but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n5. What challenge does the apostle James make as to the evidence that one\nhas genuine faith?\n\n\u201cShow me thy faith _without_ thy works, and I will show thee my faith _by_\nmy works.\u201d James 2:18.\n\n6. How did Abraham show that he had perfect faith in God?\n\n\u201cWas not Abraham our father justified by works, _when he had offered Isaac\nhis son upon the altar_? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and\n_by works was faith made perfect_?\u201d Verses 21, 22.\n\n7. By what practical example does the apostle illustrate the difference\nbetween genuine, living faith, and a dead faith?\n\n\u201cIf a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of\nyou say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;\nnotwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the\nbody; what doth it profit?\u201d Verses 15, 16.\n\n8. How necessary are works in maintaining living faith?\n\n\u201cBut wilt thou know, O vain man, that _faith without works is dead_?...\nFor _as the body without the spirit_ [margin, _breath_] _is dead, so faith\nwithout works is dead also_.\u201d Verses 20-26.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The apostle was not here arguing for justification or\n salvation by faith _and_ works, but for a living faith\u2014a faith\n _that_ works.\n\n \u201cThere are two errors against which the children of\n God\u2014particularly those who have just come to trust in His\n grace\u2014especially need to guard. The first ... is that of looking\n to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring\n themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy\n by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an\n impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with\n selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through\n faith, that can make us holy. The opposite and no less dangerous\n error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law\n of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace\n of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption....\n Obedience\u2014the service and allegiance of love\u2014is the true sign of\n discipleship.... Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is\n faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of\n Christ, which enables us to render obedience. We do not earn\n salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God,\n to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith....\n That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from\n the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but\n presumption.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Steps to Christ,__\u201d__ pages 64-66._\n\n Says Luther: \u201cIf Christ alone takes away sin, we cannot do so by\n all our works. But good works follow redemption as surely as fruit\n appears upon a living tree.\u201d\u2014_D\u2019Aubigne\u2019s __\u201c__History of the\n Reformation,__\u201d_ book 2, chap. 6.\n\n\n9. What does the hope of salvation lead one to do?\n\n\u201cAnd every man that hath this hope in Him _purifieth himself_, even as He\nis pure.\u201d 1 John 3:3.\n\n10. Upon what condition are we made partakers of Christ?\n\n\u201cFor we are made partakers of Christ, _if we hold the beginning of our\nconfidence steadfast unto the end_.\u201d Heb. 3:14.\n\n11. Upon what conditions has God promised us cleansing and the forgiveness\nof our sins?\n\n\u201cBut _if we walk in the light_, as He is in the light, we have fellowship\none with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from\nall sin.... _If we confess our sins_, He is faithful and just to forgive\nus our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d 1 John 1:7-9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Intelligent faith as to what God will do for us touching any\n matter must be gained by what God\u2019s Word says concerning that\n point. No one can consistently hope for that which God has not\n promised. To expect that God will do that which He has never\n promised to do is only presumption. Faith is distinct from\n presumption. To have abiding confidence in the promise of God is\n faith; but presumption may rest entirely on feeling or desire.\n Feeling cannot therefore be relied on in the matter of faith.\n Faith is a pure belief, a confiding trust, in the promises of God,\n irrespective of feeling. This perfect trust enables one to\n surmount difficulties under the most trying circumstances, even\n when the feelings are depressed or well-nigh crushed.\n\n\n12. Upon what, then, is genuine, saving faith based?\n\n\u201cFaith cometh by hearing, and hearing by _the word of God_.\u201d Rom. 10:17.\n\n13. What was the cause of Peter\u2019s sinking after he had started to meet the\nSaviour on the stormy sea?\n\n\u201cAnd immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said\nunto him, _O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?_\u201d Matt.\n14:31.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The boisterous sea caused Peter to doubt the strength of\n Christ\u2019s word, \u201cCome.\u201d\n\n\n14. With what is it our privilege to be filled?\n\n\u201cNow the God of hope _fill you with all joy and peace in believing_, that\nye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.\u201d Rom. 15:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Faith may be strengthened by daily exercise. It is not some\n great thing, done once for all, that gives an individual faith;\n but an every-day, simple, childlike trust in God, and an implicit\n obedience to His Word. Some make faith a more difficult matter\n than God would have them, because they try to embrace too much at\n one time. They take on the burdens of tomorrow or next week, when\n the Lord supplies strength only for _today_. When tomorrow comes,\n grapple with its duties, but not until it does come. We should\n remember the precious promise, \u201cAs thy days, so shall thy strength\n be.\u201d Deut. 33:25.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Away, my unbelieving fear!\n Fear shall in me no more have place:\n My Saviour doth not yet appear,\n He hides the brightness of His face;\n But shall I therefore let Him go,\n And basely to the tempter yield?\u2014\n No, in the strength of Jesus, no;\n I never will give up my shield.\n\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n\n\nTrials And Their Object\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Job Hearing Of His Losses. \"Tribulation worketh patience; and patience,\n experience; and experience, hope.\" Rom. 5:3, 4.\n\n\n1. What does the apostle Peter say concerning the trials through which\nevery believer must pass?\n\n\u201cBeloved, _think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try\nyou_, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice,\ninasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ\u2019s sufferings; that, when His glory\nshall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.\u201d 1 Peter 4:12,\n13.\n\n2. How important is the trial of our faith?\n\n\u201cThat the trial of your faith, _being much more precious than of gold that\nperisheth_, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and\nhonor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.\u201d 1 Peter 1:7.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cWhen David was fleeing through the wilderness, pursued by\n his own son, he was being prepared to become the sweet singer of\n Israel. The pit and the dungeon were the best schools at which\n Joseph ever graduated. The hurricane that upset the tent and\n killed Job\u2019s children prepared the man of Uz to write the\n magnificent poem that has astonished the ages. There is no way to\n get the wheat out of the straw but to thresh it out. There is no\n way to purify the gold but to burn it.\u201d\u2014_Talmage\u2019s __\u201c__One\n Thousand Gems,__\u201d__ page 83._\n\n Nothing \u201chappens\u201d to the Christian. Everything that enters his\n life is sent or permitted to come by an all-wise and all-loving\n Heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character,\n and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity for service.\n The rocks and rough places on the mountainside are the things we\n climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become\n stepping-stones to higher ground.\n\n\n3. What reason did Paul give for glorying in tribulations?\n\n\u201cWe glory in tribulations also: _knowing that tribulation worketh\npatience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh\nnot ashamed_; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the\nHoly Ghost which is given unto us.\u201d Rom. 5:3-5.\n\n4. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to befall the people of\nGod down through the ages?\n\n\u201cAnd they that understand among the people shall instruct many: _yet they\nshall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many\ndays_.\u201d Dan. 11:33.\n\n5. Why was this to be?\n\n\u201cAnd some of them of understanding shall fall, _to try them, and to purge,\nand to make them white_, even to the time of the end.\u201d Verse 35.\n\n6. Looking forward to the conflicts through which His followers must pass,\nwhat cheering message did Christ send them through the revelator?\n\n\u201c_Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer_: behold, the devil\nshall cast some of you into prison, _that ye may be tried; ... be thou\nfaithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.... He that\novercometh shall not be hurt of the second death._\u201d Rev. 2:10, 11. See\nnotes on pages 282, 314.\n\n7. What description does Paul give of the sufferings endured by some of\nGod\u2019s people in former ages?\n\n\u201cOthers were _tortured_, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain\na better resurrection: and others had trial of _cruel mockings_ and\n_scourgings_, yea, moreover of _bonds_ and _imprisonment_: they were\n_stoned_, they were _sawn asunder_, were _tempted_, were _slain with the\nsword_: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,\nafflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) _they wandered\nin deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth_.\u201d Heb.\n11:35-38.\n\n8. How many does Paul say will suffer persecution?\n\n\u201cYea, and _all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer\npersecution_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:12.\n\n9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet\nwill He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. _For He\ndoth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men._\u201d Lam. 3:31-33.\n\n10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?\n\n\u201cFor they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own\npleasure; but He _for our profit, that we might be partakers of His\nholiness_.\u201d Heb. 12:10.\n\n11. Referring to Peter\u2019s coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had\nprayed?\n\n\u201cSatan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have\nprayed for thee, _that thy faith fail not_.\u201d Luke 22:31, 32.\n\n12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and\ntemptations of this life?\n\n\u201cBlessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, _he\nshall receive the crown of life_, which the Lord hath promised to them\nthat love Him.\u201d James 1:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Says a Christian writer: \u201cOur sorrows do not spring out of\n the ground. God \u2018doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the\n children of men.\u2019 When He permits trials and afflictions, it is\n \u2018for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.\u2019 If\n received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear\n will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of\n earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many\n there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them\n to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God\u2019s workmen, to\n remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their\n hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and\n polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to\n the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to\n fill its place in the heavenly temple.\u201d\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n There\u2019s never a night but is followed by day,\n And the darkest to dawn must give place:\n There\u2019s never a sorrow that crosses our way\n But is sent with a message of grace.\n It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king,\n It comes in our pleasures and pain;\n It comes from the Father of mercies, to bring\n To His fold His own stray ones again.\n O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?\n Does the load seem too weighty for one?\n There\u2019s a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share,\n \u2019Tis thy Father\u2019s own well-beloved Son.\n Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord,\n And thy troubles will quickly depart;\n Make every sweet promise in His precious Word\n An entrance to His loving heart.\n\n REV. JOHN WILLIAMS.\n\n\n\n\nOvercoming\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. \"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the\n victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.\" 1 Cor. 15:57.\n\n\n1. What overcomes the world?\n\n\u201cFor _whatsoever is born of God_ overcometh the world.\u201d 1 John 5:4, first\npart.\n\n2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?\n\n\u201cThese things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In\nthe world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; _I have\novercome the world_.\u201d John 16:33.\n\n3. Who is it that overcomes?\n\n\u201cWho is he that overcometh the world, but _he that believeth that Jesus is\nthe Son of God_?\u201d 1 John 5:5.\n\n4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the victory that overcometh the world, even _our faith_.\u201d\nVerse 4. last part.\n\n5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?\n\n\u201cBut thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory _through our Lord Jesus\nChrist_.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:57. \u201cNay, in all these things we are more than\nconquerors _through Him that loved us_.\u201d Rom. 8:37.\n\n6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?\n\nBy the Word of God. See Matt. 4:1-11.\n\n7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?\n\n\u201cAnd they overcame him _by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their\ntestimony_; and they loved not their lives unto the death.\u201d Rev. 12:11.\n\n8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?\n\n\u201cBe not overcome of evil, but _overcome evil with good_.\u201d Rom. 12:21.\n\n9. Why was Jacob\u2019s name changed to Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: _for as\na prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed_.\u201d Gen.\n32:28.\n\n\n\nExceeding Great And Precious Promises\n\n\n\u201cTo him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is\nin the midst of the paradise of God.\u201d Rev. 2:7.\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\u201cTo him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give\npower over the nations.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I\nwill not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his\nname before My Father, and before His angels.\u201d Rev. 3:5.\n\n\u201cHim that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.\u201d Verse\n12.\n\n\u201cTo him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as\nI also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n\u201cHe that overcometh shall inherit _all things_; and I will be his God, and\nhe shall be My son.\u201d Rev. 21:7.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. \"And he said, I will not let Thee go,\n except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there.\" Gen. 32:26-28.\n\n\n\n\nThe Ministry Of Sorrow\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Gethsemane. \"He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of\n men.\" Lam. 3:33.\n\n\n1. Why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of\nfeasting?\n\n\u201cIt is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of\nfeasting: _for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to\nhis heart_.\u201d Eccl. 7:2.\n\n2. What did David ask God to teach him?\n\n\u201cLord, _make me to know mine end_, and the measure of my days, what it is,\n_that I may know how frail I am_.\u201d Ps. 39:4. See also Ps. 90:12.\n\n3. Why is sorrow better than laughter?\n\n\u201cSorrow is better than laughter: _for by the sadness of the countenance\nthe heart is made better_.\u201d Eccl. 7:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cMany of the loveliest songs of peace and trust and hope\n which God\u2019s children sing in this world they have been taught in\n the hushed and darkened chambers of sorrow.... Afflictions,\n sanctified, soften the asperities of life. They tame the wildness\n of nature. They temper human ambitions. They burn out the dross of\n selfishness and worldliness. They humble pride. They quell fierce\n passions. They reveal to men their own hearts, their own weakness,\n faults, blemishes, and perils. They teach patience and submission.\n They discipline unruly spirits. They deepen and enrich our\n experience.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion,__\u201d__ by J. R. Miller, D. D.,\n pages 92, 93._\n\n\n4. Are the righteous freed from afflictions in this world?\n\n\u201c_Many are the afflictions of the righteous_: but the Lord delivereth him\nout of them all.\u201d Ps. 34:19.\n\n5. Does God delight to afflict any?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet\nwill He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. _For He\ndoth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men._\u201d Lam. 3:31-33.\n\n6. Does He afflict to leave the one chastened in despair?\n\n\u201cBehold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou\nthe chastening of the Almighty: _for He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He\nwoundeth, and His hands make whole_.\u201d Job 5:17, 18.\n\n7. In what language is the same truth again expressed?\n\n\u201cCome, and let us return unto the Lord: for _He hath torn, and He will\nheal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up_.\u201d Hosea 6:1. See also\nIsa. 61:1-3.\n\n8. Whom does the Lord chasten?\n\n\u201cFor _whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth_, and scourgeth every son whom He\nreceiveth.\u201d Heb. 12:6.\n\n9. Is this, for the time being, a source of pleasure?\n\n\u201cNow _no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous_:\nnevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness\nunto them which are exercised thereby.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cMany of the sweetest joys of Christian hearts are songs\n which have been learned in the bitterness of trial.\u201d \u201cMany a cold,\n icy nature is made warm and tender by the grief that crushes\n it.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion,__\u201d_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 91,\n 93.\n\n\n10. What, aside from sin, causes more sorrow than all else?\n\nDeath, or the loss of loved ones.\n\n11. Does death bring to Christians unassuaged sorrow?\n\n\u201cI would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are\nasleep, _that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope_.\u201d 1 Thess.\n4:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The loss of loved ones God often uses as a means of\n conversion, and of severing the ties which bind to earth.\n Persecution; sickness; the loss of sight, hearing, or limb; the\n loss of property; or other calamities, may likewise be\n instrumental in drawing us nearer to God. See Ps. 119:71; Isa.\n 26:9.\n\n\n12. What do our transient afflictions do for us?\n\n\u201cFor our light affliction, which is but for a moment, _worketh for us a\nfar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory_.\u201d 2 Cor. 4:17. See Rom.\n8:28.\n\n\n\n\nComfort In Affliction\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nDavid Mourning For Absalom. \"When thou passest through the waters, I will\n be with thee.\" Isa. 43:2.\n\n\n1. Are God\u2019s people free from affliction?\n\n\u201c_Many are the afflictions of the righteous_: but the Lord delivereth him\nout of them all.\u201d Ps. 34:19.\n\n2. How does God regard the afflicted?\n\n\u201cHe _heareth the cry_ of the afflicted.\u201d Job 34:28.\n\n3. What has He promised to be to those in trouble?\n\n\u201cGod is our refuge and strength, _a very present help in trouble_.\u201d Ps.\n46:1.\n\n4. With what feelings does the Lord look upon His children?\n\n\u201c_Like as a father pitieth his children_, so the Lord pitieth them that\nfear Him.\u201d Ps. 103:13.\n\n5. What does He know and remember?\n\n\u201cFor He knoweth _our frame_; He remembereth _that we are dust_.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n6. What has the Lord promised to be to the oppressed?\n\n\u201cThe Lord also will be _a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of\ntrouble_.\u201d Ps. 9:9.\n\n7. What has God promised His children when passing through trials and\nafflictions?\n\n\u201cWhen thou passest through the waters, _I will be with thee_; and through\nthe rivers, _they shall not overflow thee_: when thou walkest through the\nfire, _thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon\nthee_.\u201d Isa. 43:2.\n\n8. What did David say with reference to his being afflicted?\n\n\u201c_It is good for me that I have been afflicted_; that I might learn Thy\nstatutes.\u201d Ps. 119:71.\n\n9. When afflicted, for what did he pray?\n\n\u201cLook upon my affliction and my pain; and _forgive all my sins_.\u201d Ps.\n25:18.\n\n10. Before he was afflicted, what did he do?\n\n\u201c_Before I was afflicted I went astray_: but now have I kept Thy word.\u201d\nPs. 119:67.\n\n11. What did Christ learn through suffering?\n\n\u201cThough He were a Son, yet _learned He obedience by the things which He\nsuffered_.\u201d Heb. 5:8.\n\n12. In perfecting character, what must come to all?\n\n\u201cAnd ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto\nchildren, My son, despise not thou _the chastening of the Lord_; nor faint\nwhen thou art rebuked of Him: _for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and\nscourgeth every son whom He receiveth_.\u201d Heb. 12:5, 6.\n\n13. Is this chastening a pleasant experience?\n\n\u201cNow _no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous_:\nnevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness\nunto them which are exercised thereby.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n14. What courage and strength, therefore, should come to us even in the\nhour of affliction?\n\n\u201cWherefore _lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees_.\u201d\nVerse 12. See also Job 4:3, 4; Isa. 35:3.\n\n15. What did Job say in the midst of his afflictions?\n\n\u201cThough He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.\u201d Job 13:15.\n\n16. What is God called in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cThe God of all comfort.\u201d 2 Cor. 1:3.\n\n17. Whom does God comfort?\n\n\u201cGod, that comforteth _those that are cast down_.\u201d 2 Cor. 7:6.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist The Consoler. \"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden,\n and I will give you rest.\" Matt. 11:28.\n\n\n18. What promise is made to those that mourn?\n\n\u201cBlessed are they that mourn: for _they shall be comforted_.\u201d Matt. 5:4.\n\n19. Why does God comfort us in tribulation?\n\n\u201cWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, _that we may be able to comfort\nthem which are in any trouble, by the comfort where-*with we ourselves are\ncomforted of God_.\u201d 2 Cor. 1:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One who has passed through trouble and affliction himself,\n and received comfort from God, is better able to minister comfort\n to others.\n\n\n20. How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?\n\n\u201cWeep with them that weep.\u201d Rom. 12:15. \u201cTo him that is afflicted _pity\nshould be showed from his friend_.\u201d Job 6:14.\n\n21. Does Jesus sympathize with us in our afflictions?\n\n\u201cFor we have not an high priest which cannot be _touched with the feeling\nof our infirmities_; but was in all points tempted like as we are.\u201d Heb.\n4:15.\n\n22. How did He manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends\nweeping over the death of Lazarus?\n\n\u201cWhen Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which\ncame with her, _He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled_, and said,\nWhere have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. _Jesus\nwept._\u201d John 11:33-35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking\n down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches which\n death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart\n was touched with human woe, and He wept with those that wept.\n\n\n23. Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has every one who loves God?\n\n\u201cAnd we know that _all things work together for good to them that love\nGod_.\u201d Rom. 8:28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If one loves God, he may rest assured that out of every\n trial and affliction good will come.\n\n\n24. In bereavement, like whom should we not sorrow?\n\n\u201cAs others which have no hope.\u201d 1 Thess. 4:13.\n\n25. When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to\ncomfort one another?\n\n\u201cFor if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which\nsleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall\ndescend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and\nwith the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we\nwhich are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the\nclouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the\nLord. _Wherefore comfort one another with these words._\u201d Verses 14-18.\n\n26. What promise has God made to bereaved mothers?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from\ntears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and _they shall\ncome again from the land of the enemy_.\u201d Jer. 31:16.\n\n27. What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this\nworld?\n\n\u201c_In the world ye shall have tribulation_: but be of good cheer; I have\novercome the world.\u201d \u201c_Ye shall weep and lament_, but the world shall\nrejoice: and _ye shall be sorrowful_, but your sorrow shall be turned into\njoy.\u201d John 16:33, 20.\n\n28. In what respect is the reaping of God\u2019s people to differ from their\nsowing?\n\n\u201c_They that sow in tears shall reap in joy._ He that goeth forth and\n_weepeth_, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with\n_rejoicing_, bringing his sheaves with him.\u201d Ps. 126:5, 6.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Sometime when all life\u2019s lessons have been learned,\n And sun and moon forevermore have set,\n The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,\n The things o\u2019er which we grieved with lashes wet,\n Will flash before us, out of life\u2019s dark night,\n As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,\n And we shall see how all God\u2019s ways were right,\n And how what seemed reproof was love most true.\n\n MAY RILEY SMITH.\n\n Be of good cheer! I know sometime\n Life\u2019s song will run in perfect rhyme.\n Somewhere, I know, all things will be\n Attuned to perfect harmony.\n Sometime, somewhere, each sad refrain\n Shall be its own surcease of pain.\n The compensation love will send\n Will be in bringing friend to friend;\n And all the heartaches that we bore,\n In God\u2019s good time will be no more.\n\n ROBERT LEE WALDEN.\n\n\n\n\nTrusting In Jesus\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Peter\u2019s Deliverance. \"In Him shall the Gentiles trust.\" Rom. 15:12.\n\n\n1. What did the prophet Isaiah predict of Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an\nensign of the people; _to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall\nbe glorious_.\u201d Isa. 11:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Paul renders this, \u201cIn Him shall the Gentiles _trust_.\u201d Rom.\n 15:12.\n\n\n2. Why does God wish us to trust in Jesus?\n\n\u201cThat we should be _to the praise of His glory_, who first trusted in\nChrist.\u201d Eph. 1:12.\n\n3. What did the Ephesians do upon hearing the gospel?\n\n\u201c_In whom ye also trusted_, after that ye heard the word of truth, the\ngospel of your salvation.\u201d Verse 13, first part.\n\n4. What experience followed this trust in Jesus?\n\n\u201cIn whom also after that ye believed, _ye were sealed with that Holy\nSpirit of promise_.\u201d Verse 13, last part.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014To trust in Jesus is to believe in Him, to have abiding and\n unbounded confidence in Him. When such trust exists, we are sealed\n by the Holy Spirit of promise.\n\n\n5. What is the gospel to every one that believes?\n\n\u201cI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for _it is the power of God\nunto salvation to everyone that believeth_.\u201d Rom. 1:16.\n\n6. How does God regard one who abandons his faith?\n\n\u201cNow the just shall live by faith: but _if any man draw back My soul shall\nhave no pleasure in him_.\u201d Heb. 10:38.\n\n7. Is there danger of believers losing their hold on Christ?\n\n\u201cAnd because iniquity shall abound, _the love of many shall wax cold_.\u201d\nMatt. 24:12.\n\n8. By what does one gain the victory over the world?\n\n\u201cThis is the victory that overcometh the world, _even our faith_.\u201d 1 John\n5:4.\n\n9. What encouragement does Jesus give us to meet cheerfully the troubles\nand trials of life?\n\n\u201cThese things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In\nthe world ye shall have tribulation: but _be of good cheer; I have\novercome the world_.\u201d John 16:33.\n\n10. What has this firm trust in Jesus led many to do?\n\n\u201cAnd they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their\ntestimony; and _they loved not their lives unto the death_.\u201d Rev. 12:11.\n\u201cAnd others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of\nbonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were\ntempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and\ngoatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was\nnot worthy).\u201d Heb. 11:36-38.\n\n11. What did it lead Moses to do?\n\n\u201cBy faith Moses, when he was come to years, _refused to be called the son\nof Pharaoh\u2019s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the\npeople of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season_; esteeming\nthe reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he\nhad respect unto the recompense of the reward.\u201d Verses 24-26.\n\n12. What is promised those who trust in Jesus?\n\n\u201cThere is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father,\nor mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel\u2019s,\nbut _he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and\nbrethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands_, with\npersecutions; and _in the world to come eternal life_.\u201d Mark 10:29, 30.\n\n13. What is Jesus able to do?\n\n\u201cNow unto Him that is _able to keep you from falling, and to present you\nfaultless before the presence of His glory_.\u201d Jude 24.\n\n\n\n\nPatience\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJob And His Friends. \"Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen\n the end of the Lord.\" James 5:11.\n\n\n1. What has the Bible to say concerning patience?\n\n\u201cThe _patient in spirit_ is better than the _proud in spirit_.\u201d Eccl. 7:8.\n\u201cBe patient _toward all men_.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:14. \u201cIn your patience _possess\nye your souls_.\u201d Luke 21:19.\n\n2. What contrast is drawn between the patient and the hasty in spirit?\n\n\u201cHe that is slow to wrath is of _great understanding_: but he that is\nhasty of spirit _exalteth folly_.\u201d Prov. 14:29.\n\n3. Who are cited as examples of patience?\n\n\u201cTake, my brethren, _the prophets_ ... for an example of suffering\naffliction, and of _patience_.... Ye have heard of the patience of _Job_.\u201d\nJames 5:10, 11.\n\n4. What is said of those who endure?\n\n\u201cBehold, _we count them happy which endure_.\u201d Verse 11. \u201c_Blessed_ is the\nman that endureth temptation.\u201d James 1:12. \u201cHe that endureth to the end\n_shall be saved_.\u201d Matt. 10:22.\n\n5. What does the trying of faith work?\n\n\u201cKnowing this, that the trying of your faith _worketh patience_.\u201d James\n1:3. \u201cNot only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that\ntribulation _worketh patience_.\u201d Rom. 5:3.\n\n6. What grace is to be added to temperance, or self-control?\n\n\u201cAnd to temperance _patience_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Patience naturally follows temperance. Hence the importance\n of right living,\u2014of gaining control over the appetites and\n passions.\n\n\n7. Why are we exhorted to patience?\n\n\u201cBut let patience have her perfect work, _that ye may be perfect and\nentire, wanting nothing_.\u201d James 1:4.\n\n8. What important test of perfection of character is given?\n\n\u201c_If any man offend not in word_, the same is a perfect man, and able also\nto bridle the whole body.\u201d James 3:2.\n\n9. How are we exhorted to run the Christian race?\n\n\u201cLet us _run with patience_ the race that is set before us, looking unto\nJesus the author and finisher of our faith.\u201d Heb. 12:1, 2.\n\n10. For what glorious event are we bidden patiently to wait?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into _the\npatient waiting for Christ_.\u201d 2 Thess. 3:5. \u201cBe _patient_ therefore,\nbrethren, _unto the coming of the Lord_.... Be ye also _patient_; stablish\nyour hearts: for _the coming of the Lord draweth nigh_.\u201d James 5:7, 8.\n\n11. What will be one characteristic of the remnant church?\n\n\u201cHere is the _patience_ of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n12. What should be the language of every heart?\n\n\u201c_I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait_, and in His word do I hope.\u201d Ps.\n130:5.\n\n13. When Christ comes, what will His people say?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; _we have waited\nfor Him_, and He will save us: this is the Lord; _we have waited for Him_,\nwe will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.\u201d Isa. 25:9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The home where changes never come,\n Nor pain nor sorrow, toil nor care;\n Yes! \u2019tis a bright and blessed home;\n Who would not fain be resting there?\n\n Yet when bowed down beneath the load\n By heaven allowed, thine earthly lot,\n Thou yearn\u2019st to reach that blest abode,\n Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not.\n\n W. H. BELLAMY.\n\n\n\n\nContentment\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Sea Of Tiberias. \"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to\n be content.\" Phil. 4:11.\n\n\n1. What does the apostle say is great gain?\n\n\u201cBut _godliness with contentment_ is great gain. For we brought nothing\ninto this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:6,\n7.\n\n2. With what are we exhorted to be content?\n\n\u201cLet your conversation be without covetousness; and _be content with such\nthings as ye have_: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake\nthee.\u201d Heb. 13:5. \u201cAnd _having food and raiment_ let us be therewith\ncontent.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:8.\n\n3. Concerning what does Christ tell us not to be anxious?\n\n\u201cBe not therefore anxious, saying, _What shall we eat?_ or, _What shall we\ndrink?_ or, _Wherewithal shall we be clothed?_ For after all these things\ndo the Gentiles seek; for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need\nof all these things.\u201d Matt. 6:31, 32, R. V.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cLive not in _careful suspense_.\u201d Luke 12:29, margin.\n\n\n4. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?\n\n\u201cBut they that will be rich _fall into temptation and a snare, and into\nmany foolish and hurtful lusts_, which drown men in destruction and\nperdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some\ncoveted after, they have _erred from the faith, and pierced themselves\nthrough with many sorrows_.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:9, 10.\n\n5. By what illustrations did Christ teach contentment?\n\n\u201c_Consider the ravens_: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have\nstorehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better\nthan the fowls?... _Consider the lilies_ how they grow: they toil not,\nthey spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was\nnot arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is\ntoday in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will\nHe clothe you, O ye of little faith?\u201d Luke 12:24-28.\n\n6. What lesson in contentment did Paul say he had learned?\n\n\u201cI have learned, _in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content_.\u201d\nPhil. 4:11.\n\n7. What ancient promise should lead to contentment?\n\n\u201cWhile the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and\nsummer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.\u201d Gen. 8:22.\n\n8. Upon whom should we cast all our care?\n\n\u201cCasting all your care upon _Him_ [God]; for He careth for you.\u201d 1 Peter\n5:7.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cContentment produces, in some measure, all those effects\n which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the\n philosopher\u2019s stone. If it does not bring riches, it does the same\n thing by banishing the desire for them. If it cannot remove the\n disquietudes arising from a man\u2019s mind, body, or fortune, it makes\n him easy under them.\u201d\u2014_Addison._\n\n A contented mind sees something good in everything,\u2014fair weather\n in every wind, blessings in every storm.\n\n \u201cIf we cannot get what we like, we should try to like what we\n get.\u201d\n\n \u201cThere is no malady more severe than habitual\n discontent.\u201d\u2014_Fleming._\n\n \u201cIf you cannot frame your circumstances in accordance with your\n wishes, frame your will in harmony with your\n circumstances.\u201d\u2014_Epictetus._\n\n \u201cA contented mind is a continual feast.\u201d\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n God holds the future in His hand.\n O heart of mine, be still!\n His love will plan the best for thee.\n The best, or light or dark it be:\n Then rest ye in His will.\n\n God holds the future in His hand,\n Why should I shrink or fear?\n Through every dark and cloudy day\u2014\n Yea, all along my pilgrim way\u2014\n His love will bless and cheer.\n\n God holds the future in His hand.\n And I can trust His love.\n The past declares His faithfulness;\n His eye will guide, His heart will bless\n Till I am safe above.\n\n\n\n\nCheerfulness\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Daughters Of Israel. \"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.\" Prov.\n 17:22.\n\n\n1. Before leaving His disciples, what did Jesus say to them?\n\n\u201cThese things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In\nthe world ye shall have tribulation: but _be of good cheer_; I have\novercome the world.\u201d John 16:33.\n\n2. What were some of the cheering words He said to them?\n\n\u201cLet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In\nMy Father\u2019s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told\nyou. _I go to prepare a place for you._ And if I go and prepare a place\nfor you, _I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am,\nthere ye may be also_.\u201d John 14:1-3.\n\n3. In what spirit should we serve the Lord?\n\n\u201cServe the Lord with _gladness_: come before His presence with _singing_.\u201d\nPs. 100:2.\n\n4. What is sown for the upright in heart?\n\n\u201cLight is sown for the righteous, and _gladness_ for the upright in\nheart.\u201d Ps. 97:11.\n\n5. What effect has a merry heart?\n\n\u201cA merry heart _doeth good like a medicine_: but a broken spirit drieth\nthe bones.\u201d Prov. 17:22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this we may learn the influence which the mind has over\n the body. Cheerfulness is conducive to life and health; sorrow,\n care, anxiety, and worry tend to disease and death.\n\n\n6. What effect do helpful, cheerful words have upon the heart?\n\n\u201cHeaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but _a good word maketh it\nglad_.\u201d Prov. 12:25.\n\n7. By what temporal blessings does God fill men\u2019s hearts with gladness?\n\n\u201cNevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good,\nand _gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons_, filling our hearts\nwith _food_ and _gladness_.\u201d Acts 14:17.\n\n8. Why and for what may every child of God rejoice?\n\n\u201cI will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;\nfor _He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me\nwith the robe of righteousness_.\u201d Isa. 61:10.\n\n9. Against what are Christians warned?\n\n\u201c_Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured_, and were destroyed of\nthe destroyer.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:10.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThere are those who take to gloom as a bat to darkness or\n as a vulture to carrion. They would rather nurse a misery than\n cherish a joy. They always find the dark side of everything, if\n there is a dark side to be found. They appear to be conscientious\n grumblers, as if it were their duty to extract some essence of\n misery from every circumstance.... On the other hand, there are\n rare spirits who always take cheerful views of life. They look at\n the bright side. They find some joy and beauty everywhere.... In\n the most faulty picture they see some bit of beauty which charms\n them. In the most disagreeable person they discover some kindly\n trait or some bud of promise. In the most disheartening\n circumstances they find something for which to be thankful, some\n gleam of cheer breaking through the thick gloom.... When a ray of\n sunlight streamed through a crack in the shutter and made a bright\n patch on the floor in the darkened room, the little dog rose from\n his dark corner and went and lay down in the one sunny spot; and\n these people live in the same philosophical way. If there is one\n beam of cheer or hope anywhere in their lot, they will find it....\n We have no right to project the gloom of our discontent over any\n other life. Our ministry is to be ever toward joy. There is\n nothing so depressing in its effects upon others as morbidness....\n Discontent helps nothing.... One never feels better for\n complaining.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion,__\u201d_ by J. R. Miller, D. D.,\n pages 236-241.\n\n \u201cHow many people,\u201d says Jeremy Taylor, \u201care busy in the world\n gathering together a handful of thorns to sit upon.\u201d\n\n \u201cAs a little girl was eating, the sun dashed upon her spoon, and\n she cried, \u2018O mama, I have swallowed a spoonful of sunshine!\u2019\n Would God that we all might indulge in the same\n beverage!\u201d\u2014_Talmage\u2019s __\u201c__One Thousand Gems,__\u201d_ page 56.\n\n\n10. Even when persecuted, what are we told to do, and why?\n\n\u201cBlessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you\nfrom their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as\nevil, for the Son of man\u2019s sake. _Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for\njoy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven._\u201d Luke 6:22, 23.\n\n11. When beaten by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ, what did the\napostles do?\n\n\u201cAnd they departed from the presence of the council, _rejoicing that they\nwere counted worthy to suffer shame for His name_.\u201d Acts 5:41.\n\n12. After receiving \u201cmany stripes,\u201d with their feet made fast in the\nstocks, what did Paul and Silas do while in prison?\n\n\u201cAnd at midnight Paul and Silas _prayed, and sang praises unto God_: and\nthe prisoners heard them.\u201d Acts 16:25.\n\n13. What assurance is given that the child of God may bravely endure every\ntrial and hardship of life?\n\n\u201cAnd we know that _all things work together for good to them that love\nGod_, to them who are the called according to His purpose.\u201d Rom. 8:28.\n\n14. How constant should our rejoicing be?\n\n\u201cRejoice in the Lord _alway_: and again I say, _Rejoice_.\u201d Phil. 4:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cGood cheer is the hall-mark of a brave and healthy soul. To\n give way to gloomy thoughts, otherwise the \u2018blues,\u2019 is a sign of\n weakness. This isn\u2019t asserting that no one but weaklings is\n attacked by the blues; but it is one thing to be attacked and\n another to rout the disturber. And that is what the brave soul\n does. There may be a very real and tangible reason why the heart\n faints and halts, for life is serious, and the world full of\n unexpected trials; but to sit and brood over a trouble only makes\n it look larger and larger until it finally obscures the horizon\n line, and darkness descends upon the soul. Wherefore, the thing to\n do is to cast aside all thoughts of worry for a moment,\u2014just say\n to yourself, It is only for a moment,\u2014and when you return to it\n again you will be surprised to find it has lessened in size and\n importance.\u201d\u2014_The New World._\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n When things don\u2019t go to suit you,\n And the world seems upside down,\n Don\u2019t waste your time in fretting,\n But drive away that frown;\n Since life is oft perplexing,\n \u2019Tis much the wisest plan\n To bear all trials bravely,\n And smile whene\u2019er you can.\n\n\n\n\nChristian Courtesy\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Moses Defending The Maidens. \"But Moses stood up and helped them, and\n watered their flock.\" Ex. 2:17.\n\n\n1. What should be our conduct one toward another?\n\n\u201cLove as brethren, be pitiful, _be courteous_.\u201d 1 Peter 3:8.\n\n2. How many should we honor?\n\n\u201cHonor _all men_. Love the brotherhood.\u201d 1 Peter 2:17.\n\n3. Whom should we salute?\n\n\u201cIf ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even\nthe publicans so?\u201d Matt. 5:47.\n\n4. What respect should be shown the aged?\n\n\u201cThou shalt _rise up_ before the hoary head, and _honor_ the face of the\nold man.\u201d Lev. 19:32. See 2 Kings 2:23, 24.\n\n5. Whom especially should children honor?\n\n\u201cHonor thy _father_ and thy _mother_.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n6. How should faithful gospel ministers be regarded?\n\n\u201cLet the elders that rule well be counted worthy of _double honor_.\u201d 1\nTim. 5:17.\n\n7. What is the basis of true Christian courtesy?\n\n\u201cCharity [love] ... is kind; . . . charity vaunteth not itself, is not\npuffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own.\u201d 1 Cor.\n13:4, 5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Genuine Christian courtesy is the outgrowth of love, and\n manifests itself in thoughtful consideration for others.\n\n\n\n\nConfessing Faults And Forgiving One Another\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Joseph Forgiving His Brethren. \"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our\n debtors.\" Matt. 6:12.\n\n\n1. What has God promised to do when we confess our sins?\n\n\u201cIf we confess our sins, _He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins_,\nand to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d 1 John 1:9.\n\n2. How has it been made possible for sins to be forgiven?\n\n\u201cIf any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the\nrighteous: and _He is the propitiation for our sins_.\u201d 1 John 2:1, 2.\n\n3. To whom should sins be confessed, and why?\n\n\u201c_Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned_, and done this evil in Thy\nsight.\u201d Ps. 51:4. See Gen. 39:9.\n\n4. What instruction is given concerning confession of faults?\n\n\u201c_Confess your faults one to another_, and pray one for another, that ye\nmay be healed.\u201d James 5:16.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The Bible makes a distinction between a sin and a fault. We\n sin against God; for sin is the transgression of His law. 1 John\n 3:4.\n\n We trespass one against another. These offenses, while involving\n sin, are called faults, and should be corrected by confession and\n forgiveness. The only remedy for either pointed out in the Word of\n God is heartfelt confession. One writer aptly says: \u201cConfess your\n sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one\n another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you\n are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty freely to\n forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because\n the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in\n injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer.\u201d\n\n To confess one\u2019s faults is not an easy thing to do; in fact, it is\n one of the hardest lessons to learn, for it requires the grace of\n humility as well as that of sorrow and true repentance. It has\n been said that the four hardest words to pronounce in the English\n language are, \u201cI made a mistake.\u201d Frederick the Great wrote to the\n Prussian senate, \u201cI have just lost a battle, and it is my own\n fault.\u201d Concerning this Goldsmith says, \u201cHis confession shows more\n greatness than his victories.\u201d\n\n The confession should not only be complete, but it should be as\n broad and as public as was the offense. Private offenses should be\n confessed in private.\n\n\n5. When we do wrong, what is the natural thing for us to do?\n\nExcuse it, seek to hide it, or blame some one else for it. See Gen. 3:12,\n13; 4:9.\n\n6. After David\u2019s great sin had been pointed out to him, what did he say?\n\n\u201cI have sinned.\u201d 2 Sam. 12:13. \u201cI acknowledge my transgressions.\u201d Ps.\n51:3.\n\n7. When David in contrition of heart confessed his sin, what was God\u2019s\nword to him by Nathan, the prophet?\n\n\u201cAnd David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan\nsaid unto David, _The Lord also hath put away thy sin_; thou shalt not\ndie.\u201d 2 Sam. 12:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This scripture is especially encouraging. God hates sin. He\n wants us likewise to hate it and shun it, because it invariably\n gets us into trouble, causes sorrow of heart, and in the end\n brings death. But when involved in it, as was David, as soon as it\n is acknowledged and sincerely confessed, _that very moment it is\n forgiven_. David said, \u201cI have _sinned_.\u201d The immediate answer was\n returned, \u201cThe Lord also _hath put away thy sin_.\u201d\n\n\n8. Is it ever right to tell a brother of his faults?\n\n\u201cIf thy brother shall trespass against thee, _go and tell him his fault\nbetween thee and him alone_: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy\nbrother.\u201d Matt. 18:15. \u201cThou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart:\n_thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon\nhim_.\u201d Lev. 19:17.\n\n9. In what spirit should this kind of work be done?\n\n\u201cBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,\nrestore such an one _in the spirit of meekness_; considering thyself, lest\nthou also be tempted.\u201d Gal. 6:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is much easier to tell _some one else_ of a brother\u2019s\n faults than it is to tell _him_ of them _himself_; but this is not\n the Christian way to proceed. The first efforts should be made\n with the offender _in person_, and _alone_. But it is easier even\n to tell _a brother_ of _his_ faults than it is to confess to him\n _our own_. This, again, let it be noted, is the one very difficult\n lesson to learn, the one Christian duty difficult to perform. Only\n humility and the grace of God will enable one to do it.\n\n\n10. When we pray, what does Christ tell us to do, and why?\n\n\u201cAnd when ye stand praying, _forgive_, if ye have aught against any: _that\nyour Father_ also which is in heaven _may forgive you your trespasses_.\u201d\nMark 11:25.\n\n11. If we do not forgive others, what will God not do?\n\n\u201cBut if ye do not forgive, _neither will your Father which is in heaven\nforgive your trespasses_.\u201d Verse 26. See, for illustration, Christ\u2019s\nparable recorded in Matt. 18:23-35.\n\n12. What words of Joseph to his brethren show that he forgave them for\nselling him into Egypt?\n\n\u201cNow therefore _be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me\nhither_: for God did send me before you to preserve life.... _So now it\nwas not you that sent me hither, but God._\u201d Gen. 45:5-8.\n\n13. What was Christ\u2019s reply to Peter\u2019s question as to the number of times\nwe should forgive one another?\n\n\u201cThen came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin\nagainst me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, _I\nsay not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven_.\u201d\nMatt. 18:21, 22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, an unlimited number. We must pardon offenses\n against us though ever so often done; we must forgive to the end.\n\n\n14. What spirit did Jesus manifest toward those who nailed Him to the\ncross?\n\n\u201cThen said Jesus, _Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do_.\u201d\nLuke 23:34.\n\n15. How did Stephen manifest the same spirit toward those who stoned him?\n\n\u201cAnd they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, ... and he kneeled down, and\ncried with a loud voice, _Lord, lay not this sin to their charge_.\u201d Acts\n7:59, 60. See 1 Peter 4:8.\n\n\n\n\nThe Duty Of Encouragement\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Father Forgiving His Son. \"His father ... had compassion, and ... fell\n on his neck, and kissed him.\" Luke 15:20.\n\n\n1. When the ten spies brought back an evil report from the land of Canaan,\nwhat did Caleb say?\n\n\u201cAnd Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, _Let us go up at\nonce, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it_.\u201d Num. 13:30.\n\n2. What did the ten spies say?\n\n\u201cBut the men that went up with him said, _We be not able to go up against\nthe people; for they are stronger than we_.\u201d Verse 31.\n\n3. What effect did this evil report have upon the people?\n\n\u201cAnd all the congregation lifted up their voice, and _cried_; and the\npeople _wept_ that night. And all the children of Israel _murmured_\nagainst Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto\nthem, _Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we\nhad died in this wilderness!_... And they said one to another, _Let us\nmake a captain, and let us return into Egypt_.\u201d Num. 14:1-4.\n\n4. With what words did Moses seek to encourage Joshua?\n\n\u201cAnd Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all\nIsrael, _Be strong and of a good courage_.... The Lord, He it is that doth\ngo before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither\nforsake thee: _fear not, neither be dismayed_.\u201d Deut. 31:7, 8.\n\n5. In his final charge to Joshua, what did Moses, speaking for God, say to\nhim?\n\n\u201cAnd he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, _Be strong and of a\ngood courage_: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land\nwhich I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n6. After Moses\u2019 death, how did the Lord encourage Joshua?\n\n\u201cThe Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses\u2019 minister, saying, ...\nThere shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy\nlife: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee,\nnor forsake thee. _Be strong and of a good courage._\u201d Joshua 1:1-6.\n\n7. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Jerusalem, what did\nKing Hezekiah say to Israel?\n\n\u201c_Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed_ for the king of\nAssyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more\nwith us than with him: with him is an army of flesh; but with us is the\nLord our God to help us, and to fight our battles.\u201d 2 Chron. 32:7, 8.\n\n8. What effect did these words have upon the people?\n\n\u201cAnd _the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah_ king of\nJudah.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n9. How did Josiah seek to promote the worship of God?\n\n\u201cAnd he set the priests in their charges, and _encouraged them to the\nservice of the house of the Lord_.\u201d 2 Chron. 35:2.\n\n10. By what message, through the prophet Haggai, did God seek to encourage\nthe people to rebuild the temple?\n\n\u201c_Be strong, O Zerubbabel_, saith the Lord; and _be strong, O Joshua_, son\nof Josedech, the high priest; and _be strong, all ye people of the land_,\nsaith the Lord, _and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts_.\u201d\nHaggai 2:4.\n\n11. What encouraging message has Christ left us?\n\n\u201c_Be of good cheer_; I have overcome the world.\u201d John 16:33.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014A dispirited man, like a discouraged horse, is powerless to\n perform his task.\n\n \u201cWhat men need most in this world\u2019s struggle and strife is not\n usually direct help, but cheer.... Many men have fainted and\n succumbed in the great struggles whom one word of cheer would have\n made strong to overcome. We should never, then, lose an\n opportunity to say an inspiring word. We know not how much it is\n needed, nor how great and far-reaching its consequences may\n be.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion,__\u201d__ by J. R. Miller, D. D., page\n 170._\n\n\n\n\nUnity Of Believers\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Bethlehem. \"That they may be one, even as We are one.\" John 17:22.\n\n\n1. What relation do the Father and the Son sustain to each other?\n\n\u201cI and My Father _are one_.\u201d John 10:30.\n\n2. In what does this oneness consist?\n\n\u201cI seek not Mine own will, but _the will of the Father_ which hath sent\nMe.\u201d John 5:30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Their oneness, therefore, consists in their having the same\n mind, will, and purpose.\n\n\n3. What did Christ pray the Father in behalf of His disciples?\n\n\u201c_That they may be one_, even as We are one.\u201d John 17:22. See also verses\n11 and 23.\n\n4. Why did Christ desire this oneness, or unity, to exist among His\nfollowers?\n\n\u201cThat they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that\nthey also may be one in Us: _that the world may believe that Thou hast\nsent Me_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n5. By what did Christ say all men should know His disciples?\n\n\u201cBy this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, _if ye have love one\nto another_.\u201d John 13:35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cGod has united believers in church capacity in order that\n one may strengthen another in good and righteous endeavor. The\n church on earth would indeed be a symbol of the church in heaven\n if its members were of one mind and of one faith. It is those who\n are not moved by the Holy Spirit that mar God\u2019s plan, and cause\n division, and strengthen the forces of darkness. Those who are\n sanctified by the blood of Christ will not counterwork God\u2019s work,\n nor perpetuate division in the church. When there is disunion\n among believers, the world concludes that they cannot be the\n people of God because they are working against one another. When\n believers are one with Christ, they will be united among\n themselves.\u201d\n\n\n6. How did Paul show his concern in this matter?\n\n\u201cNow I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, _that\nye all speak the same thing_, and _that there be no divisions among you_;\nbut _that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same\njudgment_.\u201d 1 Cor. 1:10.\n\n7. What was a prominent cause of division in the early church?\n\n\u201cFor I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in\namong you, not sparing the flock. Also _of your own selves shall men\narise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them_.\u201d Acts\n20:29, 30.\n\n8. What was already at work in the church in Paul\u2019s day?\n\n\u201cFor _the mystery of iniquity doth already work_: only he who now letteth\n[hindereth] will let, until he be taken out of the way.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:7.\n\n9. Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take place?\n\n\u201cLet no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except\nthere come _a falling away_ first, and _that man of sin be revealed, the\nson of perdition_; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is\ncalled God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple\nof God, showing himself that he is God.\u201d Verses 3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The huge system of error now fostered in the papal church is\n the result of the falling away here referred to. Says Wylie in his\n \u201cHistory of Protestantism,\u201d Vol. III, page 25: \u201cRome manifestly\n was the schismatic; she it was that abandoned what was once the\n common faith of Christendom, leaving by that step to all who\n remained on the old ground the indisputably valid title of the\n true church.\u201d\n\n\n10. Together, what do believers in Christ form?\n\n\u201cNow _ye are the body of Christ_, and members in particular.\u201d 1 Cor.\n12:27.\n\n11. Being members of Christ\u2019s body, of what else do we become members?\n\n\u201cSo we, being many, are one body in Christ, and _every one members one of\nanother_.\u201d Rom. 12:5.\n\n12. As members of one another, what is the duty of each?\n\n\u201cThat there should be no schism in the body; but that _the members should\nhave the same care one for another_.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:25.\n\n13. What should they endeavor to keep?\n\n\u201cI therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of\nthe vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness,\nwith long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; _endeavoring to keep\nthe unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace_.\u201d Eph. 4:1-3.\n\n14. What unity of faith is finally to exist among God\u2019s watchmen?\n\n\u201cThy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they\nsing: for _they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again\nZion_.\u201d Isa. 52:8.\n\n15. What solemn message, just before the Lord\u2019s coming, will unite God\u2019s\npeople in bonds of faith and love?\n\n\u201cFear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:\nand worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the\nfountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,\nbecause she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her\nfornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive\nhis mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine\nof the wrath of God.\u201d Rev. 14:7-10. See Rev. 18:1-5.\n\n16. How are those who receive this message described?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n17. When the Lord comes, what will be the united cry of God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for\nHim, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we\nwill be glad and rejoice in His salvation.\u201d Isa. 25:9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How blest the sacred tie that binds\n In sweet communion kindred minds!\n How swift the heavenly course they run\n Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes, are one.\n\n\n\n\nMeekness And Humility\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJesus Scourged. \"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not\n His mouth.\" Isa. 53:7.\n\n\n1. What promise is made to the meek?\n\n\u201cBlessed are the meek: for _they shall inherit the earth_.\u201d Matt. 5:5.\n\n\n _Meek_: \u201cMild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated;\n forbearing; submissive; humble.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n2. What did Christ say of His own character?\n\n\u201cTake My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for _I am meek and lowly of\nheart_: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.\u201d Matt. 11:29.\n\n3. What is said of the character of Moses?\n\n\u201cNow _the man Moses was very meek_, above all the men which were upon the\nface of the earth.\u201d Num. 12:3.\n\n4. Whom has God promised to guide in judgment?\n\n\u201c_The meek_ will He guide in judgment: and _the meek_ will He teach His\nway.\u201d Ps. 25:9.\n\n5. Of what is meekness a fruit?\n\n\u201cBut _the fruit of the Spirit is_ love, joy, peace, long-suffering,\ngentleness, goodness, faith, _meekness_, temperance: against such there is\nno law.\u201d Gal. 5:22, 23.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist In The Garden. \"Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.\" Luke\n 22:42.\n\n\n6. What does Christ say of those who exalt themselves?\n\n\u201cFor whosoever exalteth himself _shall be abased_; and he that humbleth\nhimself shall be exalted.\u201d Luke 14:11.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The spirit of self-exaltation is of Satan. See Isa.\n 14:12-14; Eze. 28:17. Christ humbled Himself, made Himself of no\n reputation, and became obedient even to the death on the cross.\n See Phil. 2:5-8.\n\n\n7. By what means did Jesus illustrate true humility?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus called _a little child_ unto Him, and set him in the midst of\nthem, and said, ... _Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this\nlittle child; the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven._\u201d Matt.\n18:2-4.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Humility is \u201cfreedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of\n mind; a modest estimate of one\u2019s own worth.\u201d It implies a sense of\n one\u2019s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness, and\n consists in rating our _claims_ low, in being willing to _waive\n our rights_, and to _take a lower place than might be our due_. It\n does not require that we under-rate ourselves or our life-work.\n The humility of Christ was perfect, yet He had a true sense of the\n importance of His life and mission.\n\n \u201cHumility is like a tree, whose root, when it sets deepest in the\n earth, rises higher, and spreads fairer, and stands surer, and\n lasts longer, and every step of its descent is like a rib of\n iron.\u201d\u2014_Bishop Taylor._\n\n\n8. How will humility lead us to esteem others?\n\n\u201cLet nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind\n_let each esteem other better than themselves_.\u201d Phil. 2:3.\n\n9. With whom does God dwell?\n\n\u201cI dwell in the high and holy place, _with him also that is of a contrite\nand humble spirit_, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the\nheart of the contrite ones.\u201d Isa. 57:15.\n\n10. When asked a reason for our hope, in what spirit should we answer?\n\n\u201cBut sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an\nanswer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you\n_with meekness and fear_.\u201d 1 Peter 3:15.\n\n11. Who should labor for one overtaken in a fault, and in what spirit?\n\n\u201cBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, _ye which are spiritual_,\nrestore such an one _in the spirit of meekness_; considering thyself, lest\nthou also be tempted.\u201d Gal. 6:1.\n\n12. With what should Christian women adorn themselves?\n\n\u201cWhose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair,\nand of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the\nhidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even _the\nornament of a meek and quiet spirit_, which is in the sight of God of\ngreat price.\u201d 1 Peter 3:3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The instruction given here, _in principle_ applies with\n equal force to men professing godliness. It is the needless\n display of apparel and outward adornment that is here condemned.\n God desires the ornaments _within_, displayed in the heart and\n life, rather than those _without_, simply to be seen of men.\n Needless outward adornment, therefore, may generally be taken as\n an indication that the inward adornment, so precious in the sight\n of God, is lacking. Neatness in dress is not here discouraged.\n\n\n13. Why are we exhorted to humble ourselves?\n\n\u201cHumble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, _that He may\nexalt you in due time_.\u201d 1 Peter 5:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe higher a man is in grace, the lower he will be in his\n own esteem.\u201d\u2014_Spurgeon._\n\n\n14. With what has the Lord promised to beautify the meek?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: _He will beautify the meek\nwith salvation_.\u201d Ps. 149:4.\n\n15. What are the meek exhorted to seek?\n\n\u201cSeek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His\njudgment; seek righteousness, _seek meekness_: it may be ye shall be hid\nin the day of the Lord\u2019s anger.\u201d Zeph. 2:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fact that the meek are exhorted to seek meekness, is\n evidence that the meek themselves should cherish and cultivate\n meekness, and that sanctification, or the development of a perfect\n character, is a progressive work.\n\n\n16. What inheritance is promised the meek?\n\n\u201cFor yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt\ndiligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But _the meek shall\ninherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of\npeace_.\u201d Ps. 37:10, 11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I count this thing to be grandly true:\n That a noble deed is a step toward God,\n Lifting the soul from the common clod\n To a purer air and a broader view.\n\n We rise by the things that are under our feet;\n By what we have mastered of good and gain;\n By the pride deposed and the passion slain,\n And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.\n J. G. HOLLAND.\n\n\n\n\nSobriety\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh\u2019s Dream. \"Young men likewise exhort to be\n sober-minded.\" Titus 2:6.\n\n\n1. To what extent did Solomon test the pleasures of this world?\n\n\u201c_Whatsoever mine eyes desired_ I kept not from them, I withheld not my\nheart from _any joy_.\u201d \u201cI said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee\nwith _mirth_, therefore enjoy _pleasure_.\u201d Eccl. 2:10, 1.\n\n2. How much true enjoyment did such a course afford?\n\n\u201cBehold, _all was vanity and vexation of spirit_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n3. Of what does Solomon bid the young, in the buoyancy of youth, to be\nmindful?\n\n\u201cRejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the\ndays of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight\nof thine eyes; _but know thou, that for all these things God will bring\nthee into judgment_.\u201d Eccl. 11:9.\n\n4. How does the grace of God teach us that we should live?\n\n\u201cFor the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,\nteaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should _live\nsoberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world_.\u201d Titus 2:11, 12.\n\n5. What classes of individuals are admonished to be sober?\n\n\u201cThat the _aged men_ be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in\ncharity, in patience. The _aged women_ likewise, that they be in behavior\nas becometh holiness, ... that they may teach the _young women_ to be\nsober.... _Young men_ likewise exhort to be sober-minded.\u201d Verses 2-6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014These four classes include all. All should be sober.\n\n\n6. What similar advice is given in the epistle to the Romans?\n\n\u201cLet us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not\nin chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.\u201d Rom. 13:13.\n\n7. What testimony does the apostle Peter bear on this point?\n\n\u201cWherefore gird up the loins of your mind, _be sober_, and hope to the end\nfor the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus\nChrist.\u201d 1 Peter 1:13.\n\n8. Why are foolish talking and jesting to be avoided?\n\n\u201cNeither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, _which are not\nconvenient_.\u201d Eph. 5:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014To indulge in such things is not becoming a Christian. Life,\n with all its responsibilities and great issues at stake, is too\n serious a matter to be spent in such vanities.\n\n\n9. What is the thought of foolishness declared to be?\n\n\u201cThe thought of foolishness is _sin_.\u201d Prov. 24:9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Levity, foolishness, light and loose talking, throw us off\n our guard, and open the way to temptation and sin. To avoid sin,\n we must be sober and constantly on guard.\n\n\n10. Why are sobriety and vigilance especially necessary?\n\n\u201cBe sober, be vigilant; _because your adversary the devil, as a roaring\nlion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour_.\u201d 1 Peter 5:8.\n\n11. What other consideration should lead us to sobriety and watchfulness?\n\n\u201cBut _the end of all things is at hand_: be ye therefore sober, and watch\nunto prayer.\u201d 1 Peter 4:7.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How vain are all things here below!\n How false, and yet how fair!\n Each pleasure hath its poison, too,\n And every sweet a snare.\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nWisdom\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nWisdom Of Solomon. \"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.\" Ps.\n 111:10.\n\n\n1. Why are we told to get wisdom?\n\n\u201c_Wisdom is the principal thing_; therefore get wisdom.\u201d Prov. 4:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Wisdom implies the ability to judge soundly and deal\n sagaciously. It is knowledge, with the capacity to make due use of\n it. One may have abundance of _knowledge_, and at the same time\n possess little _wisdom_.\n\n\n2. Of how much value is wisdom?\n\n\u201cShe is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire\nare not to be compared unto her.\u201d Prov. 3:15.\n\n3. What blessings follow the acquisition of wisdom?\n\n\u201cExalt her, and she shall _promote thee_: she shall _bring thee to honor_,\nwhen thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head _an ornament of\ngrace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee_.\u201d Prov. 4:8, 9.\n\n4. Who gives wisdom?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord giveth wisdom.\u201d Prov. 2:6.\n\n5. How may it be obtained?\n\n\u201cIf any of you lack wisdom, _let him ask of God_, that giveth to all men\nliberally, and upbraideth not; _and it shall be given him_.\u201d James 1:5.\n\n6. When Solomon became king, what did he ask the Lord to give him?\n\n\u201cGive me now _wisdom and knowledge_.\u201d 2 Chron. 1:10.\n\n7. How did the Lord regard this request?\n\n\u201cAnd _the speech pleased the Lord_, that Solomon had asked this thing.\u201d 1\nKings 3:10.\n\n8. How was Solomon\u2019s prayer answered?\n\n\u201cAnd God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not\nasked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor\nhast asked the life of thine enemies; ... _behold, I have done according\nto thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart....\nAnd I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches,\nand honor._\u201d Verses 11-13.\n\n9. Are great men always wise?\n\n\u201c_Great men are not always wise_: neither do the aged understand\njudgment.\u201d Job 32:9.\n\n10. What is the beginning of wisdom?\n\n\u201c_The fear of the Lord_ is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding\nhave all they that do His commandments.\u201d Ps. 111:10.\n\n11. By what means was the psalmist made wiser than his enemies?\n\n\u201cThou _through Thy commandments_ hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for\nthey are ever with me.\u201d Ps. 119:98.\n\n12. Why did his understanding excel that of his teachers?\n\n\u201cI have more understanding than all my teachers: _for Thy testimonies are\nmy meditation_.\u201d Verse 99.\n\n13. What effect does wisdom have upon the countenance?\n\n\u201cA man\u2019s wisdom maketh his face to _shine_.\u201d Eccl. 8:1.\n\n14. In what did Christ say the children of this world excel the children\nof light?\n\n\u201cFor the children of this world are in their generation _wiser_ than the\nchildren of light.\u201d Luke 16:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, they show more prudence, more cunning, and more\n intelligence about their business than do Christians concerning\n the things of God\u2019s kingdom. \u201cThey show more skill, study more\n plans, contrive more ways, to provide for themselves than the\n children of light do to promote the interests of religion.\u201d\u2014_Dr.\n Albert Barnes._\n\n\n15. In what did the apostle say he would have us wise, and in what simple?\n\n\u201cI would have you _wise unto that which is good_, and _simple concerning\nevil_.\u201d Rom. 16:19.\n\n16. How many kinds of wisdom are there?\n\n\u201cHowbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not _the wisdom\nof this world_.... But we speak _the wisdom of God_ in a mystery, even\n_the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory_.\u201d\n1 Cor. 2:6, 7.\n\n17. How is worldly wisdom regarded by God?\n\n\u201cFor the wisdom of this world is _foolishness_ with God.\u201d 1 Cor. 3:19.\n\n18. What is the character of that wisdom which comes from God?\n\n\u201cBut the wisdom that is from above is first _pure_, then _peaceable_,\n_gentle_, and _easy to be entreated_, _full of mercy and good fruits_,\n_without partiality_, _and without hypocrisy_.\u201d James 3:17.\n\n19. What wisdom are the Scriptures able to give?\n\n\u201cAnd that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able\nto make thee _wise unto salvation_ through faith which is in Christ\nJesus.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:15.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Broad is the road that leads to death,\n And thousands walk together there;\n But wisdom shows a narrow path,\n With here and there a traveler.\n\n Deny thyself, and take thy cross,\n Is thy Redeemer\u2019s great command;\n Nature must count her gold but dross,\n If she would gain that heavenly land.\n\n The fearful soul that tries and faints,\n And walks the ways of God no more,\n Is but esteemed almost a saint,\n And makes his own destruction sure.\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nDiligence\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Reading God\u2019s Word. \"Give diligence to make your calling and election\n sure.\" 2 Peter 1:10.\n\n\n1. What general command has God given concerning labor?\n\n\u201cSix days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.\u201d Ex. 20:9.\n\n2. Instead of living upon the earnings of others, what instruction is\ngiven?\n\n\u201cLet him that stole steal no more: but rather _let him labor, working with\nhis hands_ the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that\nneedeth.\u201d Eph. 4:28.\n\n3. What general rule does Paul lay down upon this subject?\n\n\u201cFor even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that _if any would\nnot work, neither should he eat_.\u201d 2 Thess. 3:10.\n\n4. In what language does he condemn idleness?\n\n\u201cFor we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, _working\nnot at all_, but are busybodies. Now them that are such _we command and\nexhort_ by our Lord Jesus Christ, _that with quietness they work, and eat\ntheir own bread_.\u201d Verses 11, 12.\n\n5. What example did the apostle himself set in this matter?\n\n\u201cNeither did we eat any man\u2019s bread for naught; but _wrought with labor\nand travail night and day_, that we might not be chargeable to any of\nyou.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n6. What labor was appointed man in consequence of the fall?\n\n\u201c_In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread_, till thou return unto\nthe ground.\u201d Gen. 3:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A life of laborious and perpetual toil, in a world cursed\n with weeds, thorns, and thistles, was appointed to man in\n consequence of the entrance of sin. This was a part of the curse.\n And yet even this was appointed in love, and, under existing\n circumstances, is a blessing in disguise. It was a discipline\n rendered necessary because of sin, to place a check upon the\n indulgence of appetite and passion, to develop habits of industry\n and self-control, and to teach lessons on overcoming evil. Were\n not man called to labor thus, his sins and miseries would be\n multiplied manyfold.\n\n\n7. What are some of the results of industry?\n\n\u201cHe that tilleth his land _shall have plenty of bread_.\u201d Prov. 28:19. \u201cThe\nhand of the diligent _maketh rich_.\u201d Prov. 10:4. \u201cThe soul of the diligent\nshall be _made fat_.\u201d Prov. 13:4.\n\n8. What results from slackness and indolence in business?\n\n\u201cHe _becometh poor_ that dealeth with a slack hand.\u201d Prov. 10:4. \u201cThe soul\nof the sluggard desireth, and _hath nothing_.\u201d Prov. 13:4.\n\n9. What does Solomon say concerning diligence in business?\n\n\u201cWhatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.\u201d Eccl. 9:10. \u201cBe\nthou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy\nherds.\u201d Prov. 27:23. \u201cHe that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he\nthat sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.\u201d Prov. 10:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way\n to market. It depends chiefly on two words\u2014_industry_ and\n _frugality_; that is, waste neither _time_ nor _money_, but make\n the best of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do,\n and with them everything.\u201d\u2014_Benjamin Franklin._\n\n\n10. What does Solomon say of the industrious woman?\n\n\u201c_She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread\nof idleness._ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband\nalso, and he praiseth her.\u201d Prov. 31:27, 28.\n\n11. What has Paul said of the professed Christian who does not provide for\nhis own family?\n\n\u201cBut if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own\nhouse, _he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel_.\u201d 1 Tim.\n5:8.\n\n12. What picture has Solomon given of the slothful man?\n\n\u201cI went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void\nof understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles\nhad covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.\u201d\nProv. 24:30, 31.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cAn indolent man draweth his breath, but does not\n live.\u201d\u2014_Cicero._\n\n \u201cThe parent who does not teach his child a trade, teaches him to\n be a thief.\u201d\u2014_Brahmanic Proverb._\n\n \u201cWhen tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are\n the founders of human civilization.\u201d\u2014_Daniel Webster._\n\n \u201cIf a man be indolent, the best discipline to which he can be\n subjected is to suffer the evils of penury.\u201d\u2014_Wayland._\n\n \u201cNothing can be done with a man who will not work. We have in our\n scheme of government no room for the man who does not wish to pay\n his way through life by what he does.... Capacity for work is\n absolutely necessary, and no man can be said to live in the true\n sense of the word if he does not work.\u201d\u2014_Theodore Roosevelt._\n\n \u201cLuck is waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes\n and strong will, will turn up something. Luck whines. Labor\n whistles. Luck relies on chances. Labor, on character. Luck slips\n down to indigence. Labor strides upward to independence. Luck lies\n in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy.\n Labor turns out at six o\u2019 clock, and with busy pen or ringing\n hammer lays the foundation of a competence.\u201d\u2014_Cobden._\n\n\n13. In spiritual matters, what is also necessary?\n\n\u201cAnd beside this, _giving all diligence_, add to your faith virtue; and to\nvirtue knowledge.... Give _diligence_ to make your calling and election\nsure.\u201d 2 Peter 1:5-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In temporal matters the difference between a prosperous man\n and a sluggard lies principally in the improvement of\n opportunities. One grasps these, while the other is too indolent\n to do so. In the gaining of eternal life this same principle\n applies. God has placed salvation within the reach of all. None\n need be lost. Christ died for all, but all will not be saved, for\n some do not care enough for eternal life diligently to lay hold of\n it.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Neat be your farm; \u2019tis long confessed\n The neatest farmer is the best;\n Each bog and marsh industrious drain,\n Nor let vile balks deform the plain,\n Nor bushes on your headland grow,\n Nor briers a sloven culture show.\n Neat be your barns, your houses sweet;\n Your paths be clean, your dooryards neat;\n No moss the sheltering roof enshroud,\n No wooden panes the windows cloud;\n No sink drains should above ground flow,\n Nor weeds with rankling poison grow;\n But flowers expand, and fruit-trees bloom,\n And fragrant shrubs exhale perfume.\n Neatly enclose your garden round;\n Smooth, enrich, and clear the ground;\n For if to taste and profit you incline,\n Beauty and use you always should combine.\n\n\n\n\nPerfection Of Character\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nPaul Shipwrecked. \"In all these things we are more than conqueror through\n Him that loved us.\" Rom. 8:37.\n\n\n1. Why are we exhorted to patience?\n\n\u201cBut let patience have her perfect work, _that ye may be perfect and\nentire, wanting_ [_lacking_] _nothing_.\u201d James 1:4.\n\n2. How perfect does Christ tell us to be?\n\n\u201cBe ye therefore perfect, _even as your Father which is in heaven is\nperfect_.\u201d Matt. 5:48.\n\n3. In whom are we complete?\n\n\u201cAnd ye are complete _in Him_.\u201d Col. 2:10.\n\n4. After accepting Christ, what are we to do?\n\n\u201cTherefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, _let us go on\nunto perfection_.\u201d Heb. 6:1.\n\n5. In what is the Christian to grow?\n\n\u201cBut grow in _grace_, and in _the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus\nChrist_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:18.\n\n6. How may one grow in grace?\n\n\u201cGiving all diligence, _add to your faith virtue_; ... _knowledge_; ...\n_temperance_; ... _patience_; ... _godliness_; ... _brotherly kindness_;\n... _charity_.\u201d 2 Peter 1:5-8.\n\n7. Why does Christ desire this growth in His followers?\n\n\u201cThat He might present it to Himself _a glorious church_, not having\n_spot_, or _wrinkle_, or _any such thing_; but that it should be _holy_\nand _without blemish_.\u201d Eph. 5:27.\n\n8. What will cause the Christian to grow?\n\n\u201cAs new-born babes, desire _the sincere milk of the word_, that ye may\ngrow thereby.\u201d 1 Peter 2:2.\n\n9. In order to grow by the word of God, what must one do?\n\n\u201cThy words were found, and I did eat them.\u201d Jer. 15:16. \u201cThy word have I\n_hid in mine heart_.\u201d Ps. 119:11. See Col. 3:16.\n\n10. What does God\u2019s word then become to the believer?\n\n\u201cThy word was unto me _the joy and rejoicing of mine heart_.\u201d Jer. 15:16,\nlast part.\n\n11. Why are the Scriptures given?\n\n\u201cAll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for\ndoctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:\n_that the man of God may be perfect_, throughly furnished unto all good\nworks.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.\n\n12. How may the lack of wisdom be supplied?\n\n\u201cIf any of you lack wisdom, _let him ask of God_, that giveth to all men\nliberally, and upbraideth not; _and it shall be given him_.\u201d James 1:5.\n\n13. In how many things may we ask help from God?\n\n\u201cBe careful for nothing; but _in everything_ by prayer and supplication\nwith thanksgiving _let your requests be made known unto God_.\u201d Phil. 4:6.\n\n14. What is an evidence of perfection?\n\n\u201c_If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man_, and able also\nto bridle the whole body.\u201d James 3:2.\n\n15. What is the bond of perfection?\n\n\u201cAnd above all these things put on _charity_, which is the bond of\nperfectness.\u201d Col. 3:14. See Phil. 3:13, 14; Heb. 12:14.\n\n16. How perfect would God have us become?\n\n\u201cAnd the very God of peace _sanctify you wholly_; and I pray God _your\nwhole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless_ unto the coming of\nour Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:23.\n\n\n\n\nSowing And Reaping\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jacob\u2019s Dream. \"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.\" Gal.\n 6:7.\n\n\n1. What does Paul say regarding sowing and reaping?\n\n\u201cBe not deceived; God is not mocked: for _whatsoever a man soweth, that\nshall he also reap_.\u201d Gal. 6:7.\n\n2. How is the same truth expressed by Christ?\n\n\u201cJudge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be\ncondemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given\nunto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running\nover, shall men give into your bosom. _For with the same measure that ye\nmete withal it shall be measured to you again._\u201d Luke 6:37, 38.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014A man\u2019s deeds, good or evil, usually return to bless or\n curse him. A farmer who sold butter to a village storekeeper and\n took sugar in exchange, complained that he was getting short\n weight. \u201cLook here,\u201d said he to the merchant, \u201cit seems to me\n you\u2019re giving me short weight sugar.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d replied the\n storekeeper, \u201cthat cannot be, for in measuring out that sugar of\n yours I always use a pound of your butter as a weight.\u201d\n\n \u201cGood and evil come back.... God made the universe on the plan of\n the circle. Isa. 40:22.... We ourselves start the circle of good\n or bad actions, and it will surely come around again to us unless\n by divine intervention it be hindered. Those bad or good actions\n may make the circuit of many years; but come back to us they will\n as certainly as that God sits on the circle of the earth.... What\n a stupendous thought that the good and the evil we start come back\n to us! Do you know that the judgment-day will be only the point at\n which the circle joins, the good and the bad we have done coming\n back to us, unless divine intervention hinders,\u2014coming back to us,\n welcome of delight or curse of condemnation?\u201d\u2014_T. DeWitt Talmage._\n\n\n3. On what condition does Christ say God will forgive us?\n\n\u201cFor _if ye forgive men their trespasses_, your Heavenly Father will also\nforgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your\nFather forgive your trespasses.\u201d Matt. 6: 14, 15. See also Matt. 18:23-35.\n\n4. According to what principle does God deal with men?\n\n\u201cWith the _merciful_ Thou wilt show Thyself _merciful_; with an _upright_\nman Thou wilt show Thyself _upright_; with the _pure_ Thou wilt show\nThyself _pure_; and with the _froward_ Thou wilt show Thyself _froward_.\u201d\nPs. 18:25, 26.\n\n5. How is the same truth again taught touching the wicked?\n\n\u201cAs he loved _cursing_, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in\n_blessing_, so let it be far from him.\u201d Ps. 109:17.\n\n6. According to what was judgment called upon Babylon?\n\n\u201cRecompense her according to her works; according to all that she hath\ndone, do unto her.\u201d Jer. 50:29.\n\n7. Why did Christ tell Peter to put up his sword?\n\n\u201cPut up again thy sword into his place: _for all they that take the sword\nshall perish with the sword_.\u201d Matt. 26:52.\n\n8. Why was the Papacy to go into captivity?\n\n\u201c_He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity_: he that killeth\nwith the sword must be killed with the sword.\u201d Rev. 13:10. See Lev. 25:10;\nJer. 34:17.\n\n9. What is to be the punishment of spiritual Babylon?\n\n\u201c_Reward her even as she rewarded you_, and double unto her double\naccording to her works.\u201d Rev. 18:6.\n\n10. What does the psalmist say will come to the persecutor?\n\n\u201c_His mischief shall return upon his own head_, and his violent dealing\nshall come down upon his own pate.\u201d Ps. 7:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In his letter addressed to the Jews, dated Nov. 16, 1905,\n President Roosevelt said: \u201cI feel very strongly that if any people\n are oppressed anywhere, the wrong inevitably reacts in the end on\n those who oppress them; for it is an immutable law in the\n spiritual world that no one can wrong others and yet in the end\n himself escape unhurt.\u201d\n\n\n11. What befell Haman, who sought to slay all the Jews?\n\n\u201cSo they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.\u201d\nEsther 7:10. See Ps. 9:15.\n\n12. If one would have friends, what must he do?\n\n\u201cA man that hath friends _must show himself friendly_.\u201d Prov. 18:24.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XIII. PRAYER AND PUBLIC WORSHIP\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Groves Were God\u2019s First Temples. \"It is a good thing to give thanks\nunto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High.\" Ps. 92:1.\n\n\n\n\nImportance Of Prayer\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Ezra In Prayer. \"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.\" Luke 18:1.\n\n\n1. By what title does the psalmist address God?\n\n\u201c_O Thou that hearest prayer_, unto Thee shall all flesh come.\u201d Ps. 65:2.\n\n2. Of whom does the Bible teach that God is a rewarder?\n\n\u201cA rewarder _of them that diligently seek Him_.\u201d Heb. 11:6.\n\n3. How willing is God to hear and answer prayer?\n\n\u201cIf ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,\n_how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to\nthem that ask Him_?\u201d Matt. 7:11.\n\n4. What above all else shows God\u2019s willingness to do this?\n\n\u201cHe that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how\nshall He not with Him also freely give us all things?\u201d Rom. 8:32.\n\n5. Upon what conditions are we promised needed blessings?\n\n\u201c_Ask_, and it shall be given you; _seek_, and ye shall find; _knock_, and\nit shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he\nthat seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.\u201d Matt.\n7:7, 8.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cPrayer is not the overcoming of God\u2019s _reluctance_; it is\n the taking hold of God\u2019s _willingness_.\u201d \u201cPrayer is the opening of\n the heart to God as to a friend.\u201d Prayer does not change God; but\n it does change _us_ and our _relation_ to God. It places us in the\n channel of blessings, and in that frame of mind in which God can\n consistently and safely grant our requests.\n\n \u201cHow shall we pray so as to be heard and to receive help? For one\n thing, there must be a real desire in our hearts. Forms of words\n do not make prayer: we must want something, and must realize our\n dependence upon God for it.\u201d\u2014_J. R. Miller, D. D._\n\n\n6. From whom do all good and perfect gifts come?\n\n\u201cEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down\nfrom _the Father of lights_, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow\nof turning.\u201d James 1:17.\n\n7. If one lacks wisdom, what is he told to do?\n\n\u201cIf any of you lack wisdom, _let him ask of God_, that giveth to all men\nliberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.\u201d Verse 5.\n\n8. How must one ask in order to receive?\n\n\u201cBut let him _ask in faith, nothing wavering_. For he that wavereth is\nlike a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that\nman think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.\u201d Verses 6, 7. See\nMark 11:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cPrayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven\u2019s\n storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of\n Omnipotence.\u201d\n\n\n9. Under what condition does the Lord not hear prayer?\n\n\u201c_If I regard iniquity in my heart_, the Lord will not hear me.\u201d Ps.\n66:18. See Isa. 59:1, 2; James 4:3.\n\n10. Whose prayers does Solomon say are an abomination?\n\n\u201c_He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law_, even his prayer\nshall be abomination.\u201d Prov. 28:9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Contention and discord quench the spirit of prayer. 1 Peter\n 3:1-7. Many grieve the Spirit and drive Christ from their homes by\n giving way to impatience and passion. Angels of God flee from\n homes where there are unkind words, contention, and strife.\n\n\n11. What did Christ say concerning secret prayer?\n\n\u201cBut thou, when thou prayest, _enter into thy closet_, and when thou hast\nshut thy door, _pray to thy Father which is in secret_; and thy Father\nwhich seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.\u201d Matt. 6:6.\n\n12. To what place did Jesus retire for secret devotion?\n\n\u201cAnd when He had sent the multitudes away, _He went up into a mountain\napart to pray_: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.\u201d Matt.\n14:23.\n\n13. For whom did Christ teach us to pray?\n\n\u201cBut I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good\nto them that hate you, and _pray for them which despitefully use you, and\npersecute you_.\u201d Matt. 5:44.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We cannot hate those for whom we pray.\n\n\n14. When praying, what must we do in order to be forgiven?\n\n\u201cAnd when ye stand praying, _forgive, if ye have ought against any_: that\nyour Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.\u201d Mark\n11:25.\n\n15. With what should our prayers be mingled?\n\n\u201cBe careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication\n_with thanksgiving_ let your requests be made known unto God.\u201d Phil. 4:6.\n\n16. How often should we pray?\n\n\u201c_Praying always_ with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.\u201d Eph.\n6:18. \u201c_Pray without ceasing._\u201d 1 Thess. 5:17. \u201c_Every day will I bless\nThee_; and I will praise Thy name forever and ever.\u201d Ps. 145:2.\n\n17. How often did David say he would pray?\n\n\u201c_Evening_, and _morning_, and at _noon_, will I pray, and cry aloud: and\nHe shall hear my voice.\u201d Ps. 55:17. See Dan. 6:10.\n\n18. What is said of Cornelius and his family?\n\n\u201cA devout man, and one that _feared God with all his house_, which gave\nmuch alms to the people, _and prayed to God alway_.\u201d Acts 10:2.\n\n19. In whose name did Christ teach us to pray?\n\n\u201cAnd whatsoever ye shall ask in _My name_, that will I do.\u201d John 14:13.\n\n20. Why did the unjust judge answer the widow\u2019s prayer?\n\n\u201cThough I fear not God, nor regard man; yet _because this widow troubleth\nme_, I will avenge her, _lest by her continual coming she weary me_.\u201d Luke\n18:4, 5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The lesson of the parable is that \u201cmen ought always to pray,\n and not to faint.\u201d Verse 1. If this woman, by her persistence in\n asking, obtained her request from such a man, surely God, who is\n just, will answer the earnest, persistent prayers of His people,\n though the answer may be long delayed.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jesus Teaching The Woman Of Samaria. \"God is a Spirit: and they that\n worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.\" John 4:24.\n\n\n\n\nMeditation And Prayer\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Secret Prayer. \"My meditation of Him shall be sweet.\" Ps. 104:34.\n\n\n1. What was one of Paul\u2019s injunctions to Timothy?\n\n\u201c_Meditate upon these things_; give thyself wholly to them.\u201d 1 Tim. 4:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It\n assimilates, appropriates, and makes personal and practical that\n which has been seen, heard, or read.\n\n\n2. When did David say he would praise God with joyful lips?\n\n\u201c_When I remember Thee_ upon my bed, _and meditate on Thee_ in the\nnight-watches.\u201d Ps. 63:6.\n\n3. How will such meditation be to one who loves God?\n\n\u201cMy meditation of Him shall be _sweet_.\u201d Ps. 104:34.\n\n4. In what does the psalmist say the man who is blessed delights and\nmeditates?\n\n\u201cHis delight is in _the law of the Lord_; and in _His law_ doth he\nmeditate day and night.\u201d Ps. 1:2.\n\n5. With what adversary do we constantly have to contend?\n\n\u201cBe sober, be vigilant: because _your adversary the devil_, as a roaring\nlion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.\u201d 1 Peter 5:8.\n\n6. When is a man tempted?\n\n\u201cBut every man is tempted, when _he is drawn away of his own lust, and\nenticed_.\u201d James 1:14.\n\n7. That we may not be overcome, what are we told to do?\n\n\u201c_Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation_: the spirit indeed is\nwilling, but the flesh is weak.\u201d Matt. 26:41.\n\n8. How constantly should we pray?\n\n\u201cPray _without ceasing_.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:17. \u201cContinuing _instant_ in prayer.\u201d\nRom. 12:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This does not mean that we should be constantly bowed before\n God in prayer, but that we should not _neglect_ prayer, and that\n we should _ever be in a prayerful frame of mind_, even when\n walking by the way or engaged in the duties of life,\u2014ever ready to\n send up our petitions to heaven for help in time of need.\n\n\n9. That we might be prepared for His coming, what admonition did Christ\ngive?\n\n\u201c_Take ye heed, watch and pray_: for ye know not when the time is.... And\nwhat I say unto you I say unto all, _Watch_.\u201d Mark 13:33-37. See also Luke\n21:36.\n\n10. Why are watchfulness and prayer especially imperative in the last\ndays?\n\n\u201cWoe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come\ndown unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a\nshort time.\u201d Rev. 12:12.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Lord, what a change within us one short hour\n Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make!\n What heavy burdens from our bosoms take!\n What parched grounds refresh, as with a shower!\n We kneel, and all around us seems to lower!\n We rise, and all, the distant and the near,\n Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear.\n We kneel, how weak! we rise, how full of power!\n Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong,\n Or others, that we are not always strong,\n That we are ever overborne with care,\n That we should ever weak or heartless be,\n Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,\n And joy and strength and courage are with Thee?\n ARCHBISHOP TRENCH.\n\n\n\n\nWatching Unto Prayer\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Rock Of Ages. \"Simply to Thy cross I cling.\"\u2014_Toplady._\n\n\n1. Unto what are we exhorted to watch?\n\n\u201cBut the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and _watch\nunto prayer_.\u201d 1 Peter 4:7.\n\n2. What is one of the petitions of the Lord\u2019s prayer?\n\n\u201cLead us not into _temptation_.\u201d Matt. 6:13.\n\n3. By what means can we escape temptation?\n\n\u201c_Watch and pray_, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is\nwilling, but the flesh is weak.\u201d Matt. 26:41.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We should couple with our prayers a spirit of watchfulness,\n thus cooperating with God in answering them. This is watching unto\n prayer.\n\n\n4. How is this duty again expressed?\n\n\u201cContinue in prayer, and _watch in the same_ with thanksgiving.\u201d Col. 4:2.\n\n5. How faithful should we be in this matter?\n\n\u201cPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and\n_watching thereunto with all perseverance_ and supplication for all\nsaints.\u201d Eph. 6:18.\n\n6. When did Israel prevail in battle?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, _when Moses held up his hand, that Israel __\nprevailed_: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.\u201d Ex. 17:11.\n\n7. When the householder ceased watching, what happened?\n\n\u201cBut know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch\nthe thief would come, he would have _watched_, and would not have suffered\nhis house to be _broken up_.\u201d Matt. 24:43.\n\n8. What experience comes to those who wait upon the Lord?\n\n\u201cBut _they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength_; they shall\nmount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they\nshall walk, and not faint.\u201d Isa. 40:31.\n\n9. For what did Habakkuk say he would watch?\n\n\u201cI will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and _will watch to\nsee what He will say unto me_.\u201d Hab. 2:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Some are very anxious that God should hear them when they\n pray, but are quite indifferent as to what He says in reply.\n\n\n10. How may we escape the evils coming on the world?\n\n\u201c_Watch ye, therefore, and pray always_, that ye may be accounted worthy\nto escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before\nthe Son of man.\u201d Luke 21:36.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Vigilance, as well as prayer, is necessary if we would\n escape the evils, delusions, and calamities of the last days.\n\n\n11. What will be the result of not watching?\n\n\u201cBut and if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his\ncoming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat\nand drink, and to be drunken, _the lord of that servant will come in a day\nwhen he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will\ncut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the\nunbelievers_.\u201d Luke 12:45, 46.\n\n12. What will Christ\u2019s servants be doing when He comes?\n\n\u201cLet your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye\nyourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return\nfrom the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him\nimmediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh\nshall find _watching_.\u201d Verses 35-37.\n\n13. How general is the command to watch?\n\n\u201cAnd what I say unto _you_ I say unto _all_, WATCH.\u201d Mark 13:37.\n\n\n\n\nAnswers To Prayer\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jacob Wrestling In Prayer. \"If we ask anything according to His will, He\n heareth us.\" 1 John 5:14.\n\n\n1. How does God anticipate the needs of His children?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall come to pass, that _before they call, I will answer_; and\nwhile they are yet speaking, I will hear.\u201d Isa. 65:24.\n\n2. Is there any limit to God\u2019s ability to help?\n\n\u201cNow unto Him that is _able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we\nask or think_.\u201d Eph. 3:20.\n\n3. How fully has God promised to supply our needs?\n\n\u201c_My God shall supply all your need_ according to His riches in glory by\nChrist Jesus.\u201d Phil. 4:19.\n\n4. Do we always know what to pray for?\n\n\u201cLikewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: _for we know not what\nwe should pray for as we ought_.\u201d Rom. 8:26.\n\n5. Does God always see fit to grant our petitions?\n\n\u201cFor this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.\nAnd He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is\nmade perfect in weakness.\u201d 2 Cor. 12:8, 9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Paul\u2019s affliction, it seems, was impaired sight. Acts 9:8,\n 9, 18; 22:11-13. The retaining of this imperfection would be a\n constant reminder to him of his conversion, and hence a blessing\n in disguise.\n\n\n6. If an answer does not come at once, what should we do?\n\n\u201cRest in the Lord, and _wait patiently for Him_.\u201d Ps. 37:7.\n\n7. Why was the parable of the importunate widow given?\n\n\u201cAnd He spake a parable unto them to this end, _that men ought always to\npray, and not to faint_.\u201d Luke 18:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The importunate widow got her request because of her\n persistency. God wants us to _seek_ Him, and to seek Him\n _earnestly_, when we pray. He is a rewarder of them that\n _diligently_ seek Him. Heb. 11:6.\n\n\n8. How did Elijah pray before obtaining his request?\n\n\u201cElias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and _he prayed\nearnestly_ that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the\nspace of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven\ngave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.\u201d James 5:17, 18. See\nRev. 11:3-6.\n\n9. Upon what condition does Christ say we shall receive?\n\n\u201cTherefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,\n_believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them_.\u201d Mark 11:24.\n\n10. Without this faith, will God answer prayer?\n\n\u201c_But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering._ For he that wavereth is\nlike a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For _let not that\nman think that he shall receive anything of the Lord_.\u201d James 1:6, 7.\n\n11. What petitions may we confidently expect God to hear?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, _if we ask anything\naccording to His will_, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us,\nwhatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of\nHim.\u201d 1 John 5:14, 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God\u2019s will is expressed in His law, His promises, and His\n Word. Ps. 40:8; Rom. 2:17,18; 1 Peter 1:4.\n\n\n12. When Daniel and his fellows were about to be slain because the wise\nmen of Babylon could not reveal to Nebuchadnezzar his dream, how did God\nanswer their united prayers?\n\n\u201c_Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night-vision._ Then Daniel\nblessed the God of heaven.\u201d Dan. 2:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In 1839 the sultan of Turkey decreed that not a\n representative of the Christian religion should remain in the\n empire. Learning of this, Dr. William Goodell, an American\n missionary to Turkey, came home to his friend and colleague, Dr.\n Cyrus Hamlin, the first president of Robert College,\n Constantinople, with the sad news: \u201cIt is all over with us; we\n have to leave. The American consul and the British ambassador say\n it is no use to meet with antagonism this violent and vindictive\n monarch.\u201d To this Dr. Hamlin replied: \u201cThe Sultan of the universe\n can, in answer to prayer, change the decree of the sultan of\n Turkey.\u201d They gave themselves to prayer. The next day the sultan\n died, and the decree was never executed. See Dan. 4:17, 24, 25.\n\n\n13. When Peter was imprisoned and about to be executed by Herod, what did\nthe church do?\n\n\u201cPeter therefore was kept in prison: but _prayer was made without ceasing\nof the church unto God for him_.\u201d Acts 12:5.\n\n14. How were their prayers answered?\n\n\u201cBehold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, ... and he saith unto him,\nCast thy garment about thee, and follow me.... And they went out, and\npassed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.\u201d\nVerses 7-10.\n\n15. Because Solomon asked for wisdom rather than for long life and riches,\nwhat besides wisdom did God give him?\n\n\u201cBecause thou hast asked this thing, ... behold, I have done according to\nthy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.... And\nI have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, _both riches, and\nhonor_.\u201d 1 Kings 3:11-13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The following are some things we are taught in the\n Scriptures to pray for:\u2014\n\n (1) For daily bread. Matt. 6:11. (2) For the forgiveness of sin. 2\n Chron. 7:14; Ps. 32:5, 6; 1 John 1:9; 5:16. (3) For the Holy\n Spirit. Luke 11:13; Zech. 10:1; John 14:16. (4) For deliverance in\n the hour of temptation and danger. Matt. 6:13; John 17:11, 15;\n Prov. 3:26; Psalm 91; Matt. 24:20. (5) For wisdom and\n understanding. James 1:5; 1 Kings 3:9; Dan. 2:17-19. (6) For\n peaceable and quiet lives. 1 Tim. 2:1, 2. (7) For the healing of\n the sick. James 5:14, 15; 2 Kings 20:1-11. (8) For the prosperity\n of the ministers of God and the gospel. Eph. 6:18, 19; Col. 4:3; 2\n Thess. 3:1. (9) For those who suffer for the truth\u2019s sake. Heb.\n 13:3; Acts 12:5. (10) For kings, rulers, and all in authority. 1\n Tim. 2:1, 2; Ezra 6:10. (11) For temporal prosperity. 2 Cor. 9:10;\n James 5:17, 18. (12) For our enemies. Matt. 5:44. (13) For all\n saints. Eph. 6:18. (14) For all men. 1 Tim. 2:1. (15) For the Lord\n to vindicate His cause. 1 Kings 18:30-39. (16) For the coming of\n Christ and of God\u2019s kingdom. Matt. 6:10; Rev. 22:20.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraw;\n Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,\n Gives exercise to faith and love,\n Brings every blessing from above.\n\n Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;\n Prayer makes the Christian\u2019s armor bright;\n And Satan trembles when he sees\n The weakest saint upon his knees.\n\n WILLIAM COWPER.\n\n\n\n\nPublic Worship\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Solomon\u2019s Temple. \"Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all\n people.\" Isa. 56:7.\n\n\n1. How only can God be truly worshiped?\n\n\u201cGod is a Spirit: and _they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit\nand in truth_.\u201d John 4:24.\n\n2. How are we instructed to worship the Lord?\n\n\u201cGive unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; _worship the Lord in the\nbeauty of holiness_.\u201d Ps. 29:2.\n\n3. What attitude is indicative of reverence in worship?\n\n\u201cO come, let us worship and _bow down_: let us _kneel_ before the Lord our\nMaker.\u201d Ps. 95:6.\n\n4. Is singing a part of divine worship?\n\n\u201cEnter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.\u201d\n\u201cCome before His presence with _singing_.\u201d Ps. 100:4, 2.\n\n5. Does the Bible approve of the use of musical instruments in the worship\nof God?\n\n\u201cPraise Him with the sound of the _trumpet_: praise Him with the\n_psaltery_ and _harp_. Praise Him with the _timbrel_ and _dance_ [margin,\n_pipe_]: praise Him with _stringed instruments_ and _organs_. Praise Him\nupon the _loud cymbals_: praise Him upon the _high-sounding cymbals_.\u201d Ps.\n150:3-5. See also Ps. 92:1-3.\n\n6. What is promised to those who wait upon the Lord?\n\n\u201cThey that wait upon the Lord shall _renew their strength_; they shall\n_mount up with wings as eagles_; they shall _run, and not be weary_; and\nthey shall _walk, and not faint_.\u201d Isa. 40:31.\n\n7. Is Christ\u2019s presence limited to large congregations?\n\n\u201cWhere _two or three_ are gathered together in My name, there am I in the\nmidst of them.\u201d Matt. 18:20.\n\n8. What were David\u2019s feelings concerning public worship?\n\n\u201cI was _glad_ when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the\nLord.\u201d \u201cMy soul _longeth_, yea, even _fainteth_ for the courts of the\nLord: my heart and my flesh _crieth out_ for the living God.\u201d \u201c_For a day\nin Thy courts is better than a thousand._ I had rather be a _doorkeeper_\nin the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.\u201d Ps.\n122:1; 84:2, 10.\n\n9. What admonition has Paul given concerning assembling for public\nworship?\n\n\u201c_Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of\nsome is_; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the\nday approaching.\u201d Heb. 10:25.\n\n10. Does God take account of the meetings of His people?\n\n\u201cThen they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: _and the Lord\nharkened, and heard it_, and a book of remembrance was written before Him\nfor them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they\nshall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My\njewels [margin, special treasure]; and I will spare them, as a man spareth\nhis own son that serveth him.\u201d Mal. 3:16, 17.\n\n11. Is there a blessing in habitual church attendance?\n\n\u201cBlessed are they that _dwell_ in Thy house: they will be still [ever and\nconstantly] praising Thee.\u201d \u201cOne thing have I desired of the Lord, that I\nwill seek after; that I may _dwell_ in the house of the Lord all the days\nof my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His\ntemple.\u201d Ps. 84:4; 27:4.\n\n12. What caution is given regarding behavior in God\u2019s house?\n\n\u201cKeep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to\nhear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they\ndo evil.\u201d Eccl. 5:1. See 1 Tim. 3:15.\n\n13. What day has God specially designed for public worship?\n\n\u201c_The seventh day_ is a Sabbath of rest, _an holy convocation_.\u201d Lev.\n23:3.\n\n14. How has God commanded us to keep this day?\n\n\u201cRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it _holy_.... In it thou shalt not do\nany work.\u201d Ex. 20:8-10. See Isa. 58:13, 14.\n\n15. Are offerings an appropriate part of divine worship?\n\n\u201cGive unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: _bring an offering_, and\ncome into His courts.\u201d \u201cVow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that\nbe round about Him _bring presents unto Him_ that ought to be feared.\u201d Ps.\n96:8; 76:11.\n\n16. Will there be public worship in the new creation?\n\n\u201cAs the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain\nbefore Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. _And\nit shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one\nSabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me_, saith the\nLord.\u201d Isa. 66:22, 23.\n\n\n\nRules On Going To Church\n\n\n 1. Go early to church. Not only be punctual, but be in your place\n before the hour announced for the service to begin.\n\n 2. Go in a reverent spirit. On the way remember whither you go.\n Avoid lightness of manner and conversation on worldly topics.\n\n 3. Before you enter and as you enter the church breathe a silent\n prayer of invocation for the influence of the Holy Spirit.\n\n 4. As you take your place, bow your head reverently in prayer for\n yourself and for all others who enter the sanctuary.\n\n 5. Resolve that you will foster no thought, fix your eyes on no\n object, utter no word, that will tend to divert your mind from the\n holy purpose for which you have come into this place.\n\n 6. As the minister enters the pulpit, offer an earnest silent\n prayer in his behalf.\n\n 7. In all the service take an active part, as hearer, as\n worshiper.\n\n 8. At the close of the service, after a moment of prayerful\n silence, greet with cheerfulness and good will all whom you happen\n to meet, remembering that Christian fellowship is a part of\n Christian worship.\u2014_Bishop Vincent._\n\n NOTE.\u2014An excellent suggestion is contained in the notice posted at\n the doorway of many churches: \u201cWhosoever thou art that entereth\n this church, remember it is the house of God. Be reverent, be\n silent, be thoughtful. And leave it not without a prayer to God,\n for thyself, for him who ministers, and for those who worship\n here.\u201d\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Before Jehovah\u2019s awful throne,\n Ye nations, bow with sacred joy;\n Know that the Lord is God alone;\n He can create, and He destroy.\n\n His sovereign power, without our aid,\n Made us of clay, and formed us men;\n And when like wandering sheep we strayed,\n He brought us to His fold again.\n\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nReverence For The House Of God\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n A Jewish Synagogue. \"Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My\n sanctuary.\" Lev. 19:30.\n\n\n1. Why did God instruct His people to build a sanctuary?\n\n\u201cAnd let them make Me a sanctuary; _that I may dwell among them_.\u201d Ex.\n25:8.\n\n2. How did He tell them to regard this dwelling-place of God?\n\n\u201cYe shall keep My Sabbaths, and _reverence My sanctuary_: I am the Lord.\u201d\nLev. 19:30.\n\n3. What does the Lord say of things dedicated to His service?\n\n\u201cEvery devoted thing is _most holy_ unto the Lord.\u201d Lev. 27:28.\n\n4. When God met Moses at the burning bush, why did He tell him to take off\nhis shoes?\n\n\u201cAnd He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet,\n_for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground_.\u201d Ex. 3:5. See also\nJoshua 5:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The presence of God made the place holy. Wherever God meets\n with His people, that place is holy.\n\n\n5. When the tabernacle was reared anciently, what occurred?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJesus Cleansing The Temple. \"Take these things hence; make not My Father\u2019s\n house an house of merchandise.\" John 2:16.\n\n\n\u201cThen a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and _the glory of the\nLord filled the tabernacle_.\u201d Ex. 40:34. See 2 Chron. 5:13, 14.\n\n6. Why should all show respect for the house of worship?\n\n\u201c_The Lord is in His holy temple_: let all the earth keep silence before\nHim.\u201d Hab. 2:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014A failure to recognize this fact leads many to treat the\n house of worship without due respect. Nothing seems more\n appropriate to divine worship than that a sense of awe and silence\n should pervade the place of worship, and that only the sound of\n prayer, praise, and thanksgiving to God should be heard within its\n walls. Both upon entering and just before leaving the house of God\n it is highly appropriate and a most excellent practise for each\n worshiper to bow the head for a few moments in silent prayer.\n\n\n7. How did Christ manifest His regard for the sanctity of God\u2019s house?\n\n\u201cAnd they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to\ncast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables\nof the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would\nnot suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And He\ntaught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of\nall nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.\u201d\nMark 11:15-17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This cleansing occurred at the close of Christ\u2019s public\n ministry. There was a similar cleansing also at the beginning of\n His ministry. See John 2:13-17.\n\n\n8. What punishment did God bring upon Nadab and Abihu for offering strange\nor common fire in the tabernacle service?\n\n\u201cAnd Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer,\nand put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire\nbefore the Lord, which He commanded them not. _And there went out fire\nfrom the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord._\u201d Lev.\n10:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This, like the two cleansings of the temple by Christ at the\n beginning and close of His ministry (John 2:13-17; Matt.\n 21:12-16), shows that God is particular in regard to the worship\n and conduct of the worshipers in His house. No performance or\n exercise should be permitted in any church or building especially\n dedicated to God\u2019s service which is not in keeping with its sacred\n character, or conducive to reverence for God and for holy things.\n It should not be made a place for feasting, visiting, or worldly\n entertainment and amusement.\n\n\n9. For what purpose are we exhorted to have grace?\n\n\u201cWherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have\ngrace, _whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly\nfear_: for our God is a consuming fire.\u201d Heb. 12:28, 29.\n\n10. In what spirit did David say he would worship?\n\n\u201cBut as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy:\nand _in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple_.\u201d Ps. 5:7.\n\n11. What instruction has Solomon given respecting our conduct in the house\nof God?\n\n\u201cKeep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to\nhear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they\ndo evil.\u201d Eccl. 5:1.\n\n12. How extensively has God said He would be honored?\n\n\u201cFor from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My\nname shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall\nbe offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great\namong the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.\u201d Mal. 1:11.\n\n13. For how many did God design that His house should be a house of\nprayer?\n\n\u201cEven them [the sons of the stranger] will I bring to My holy mountain,\nand make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and\ntheir sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house shall\nbe called _an house of prayer for all people_.\u201d Isa. 56:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fifty-sixth chapter of Isaiah contains a prophecy\n relating to New Testament times. It is plain, therefore, that\n Christ enunciated a general principle, applicable to all houses\n dedicated to God\u2019s service, when, quoting this prophecy, He said\n that God\u2019s house should be a house of prayer for all nations. See\n margin of Mark 11:17.\n\n\n14. Who is present in all assemblies met in Christ\u2019s name?\n\n\u201cFor where two or three are gathered together in My name, _there am I in\nthe midst of them_.\u201d Matt. 18:20.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n With reverence let the saints appear,\n And bow before the Lord;\n His high commands with reverence hear,\n And tremble at His word.\n\n O Jesus, Lord of earth and heaven,\n Our life and joy, to Thee\n Be honor, thanks, and blessing given\n Through all eternity.\n\n ISAAC WATTS.\n\n\n\n\nChristian Communion\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Lord\u2019s Supper. \"This do in remembrance of Me.\" 1 Cor. 11:24.\n\n\n1. What was connected with the worship of God before the first advent?\n\n\u201cThen verily the first covenant had also _ordinances of divine service_,\nand a worldly sanctuary.\u201d Heb. 9:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Paul says that these ordinances consisted \u201cin meats and\n drinks, and divers washings,\u201d imposed \u201cuntil the time of\n reformation,\u201d and that they were \u201ca shadow of good things to\n come.\u201d Heb. 9:10; 10:1.\n\n\n2. To whom did the sacrificial offerings point forward?\n\n\u201cAnd walk in love, as _Christ_ also hath loved us, and _hath given Himself\nfor us an offering and a sacrifice to God_ for a sweet-smelling savor.\u201d\nEph. 5:2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Through the provisions of the sacrificial law, the repentant\n sinner showed his faith in the coming Redeemer, who was to shed\n His blood for the sins of mankind. These sacrificial offerings\n were ordinances which pointed forward to the work of Christ, which\n they typified. Since the crucifixion, the ordinances of the\n Christian church point backward, and are designed to show faith in\n the work of Christ already accomplished.\n\n\n3. What does the Lord desire us to keep in mind?\n\n\u201cBy which also ye are saved, if ye _keep in memory_ what I preached unto\nyou, ... _how that Christ died for our sins_ according to the Scriptures;\nand that He was _buried_, and that He _rose again_ the third day according\nto the Scriptures.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:2-4.\n\n4. What ordinance commemorates Christ\u2019s burial and resurrection?\n\n\u201cBuried with Him in _baptism_, wherein also ye are risen with Him through\nthe faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.\u201d\nCol. 2:12.\n\n5. For what purpose was the Lord\u2019s Supper instituted?\n\n\u201c_The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread_: and\nwhen He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: _this is My\nbody_, which is broken for you: _this do in remembrance of Me_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n11:23, 24.\n\n6. What is signified by the wine?\n\n\u201cIn like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is _the new\ncovenant in My blood_: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of\nMe.\u201d Verse 25, R. V.\n\n7. What do both the bread and the wine commemorate?\n\n\u201cFor as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show _the\nLord\u2019s death_ till He come.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n8. What caution is given concerning engaging in this ordinance unworthily?\n\n\u201cWhosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord,\nunworthily, shall be _guilty of the body and blood of the Lord_.... He\nthat eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to\nhimself, _not discerning the Lord\u2019s body_.\u201d Verses 27-29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The last expression shows what is meant by eating and\n drinking unworthily. It is not the one who has a deep sense of his\n sinfulness and of his unworthiness of God\u2019s mercy and grace, but\n he who does not discern that Christ died for his sins\u2014who is not\n penitent\u2014that eats and drinks unworthily.\n\n\n9. What preparation should be made for this service?\n\n\u201cLet a man _examine himself_, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink\nof that cup.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n10. What is essential to Christian fellowship and cleansing from sin?\n\n\u201c_If we walk in the light, as He is in the light_, we have fellowship one\nwith another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all\nsin.\u201d 1 John 1:7.\n\n11. What still higher fellowship does the Christian enjoy?\n\n\u201cAnd truly our fellowship is _with the Father, and with His Son Jesus\nChrist_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n\n\nPraise And Thanksgiving\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Joy And Gladness. \"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name\n together.\" Ps. 34:3.\n\n\n1. When did the psalmist say he would bless the Lord?\n\n\u201cI will bless the Lord _at all times_: His praise shall _continually be in\nmy mouth_.\u201d \u201c_Every day_ will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name\n_forever and ever_.\u201d Ps. 34:1; 145:2.\n\n2. What do those do who offer praise?\n\n\u201cWhoso offereth praise _glorifieth Me_.\u201d Ps. 50:23.\n\n3. Where does David say he will praise God?\n\n\u201cMy praise shall be of Thee _in the great congregation_: I will pay my\nvows before them that fear Him.\u201d Ps. 22:25.\n\n4. What does he exhort all to do?\n\n\u201cO magnify the Lord with me, and _let us exalt His name together_.\u201d Ps.\n34:3.\n\n5. What personal experience does he say he will declare in the hearing of\nall who fear God?\n\n\u201cCome and hear, all ye that fear God, and _I will declare what He hath\ndone for my soul_.\u201d Ps. 66:16.\n\n6. What effect do such testimonies have upon the humble?\n\n\u201cMy soul shall make her boast in the Lord: _the humble shall hear thereof,\nand be glad_.\u201d Ps. 34:2.\n\n7. Into what condition did those lapse anciently who failed to glorify God\nand to be thankful?\n\n\u201cBecause that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither\nwere thankful; but _became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish\nheart was darkened_.\u201d Rom. 1:21.\n\n8. What element should enter into all our worship?\n\n\u201cBe careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication\n_with thanksgiving_ let your requests be made known unto God.\u201d Phil. 4:6.\nSee Col. 4:2.\n\n9. In how many things should we give thanks?\n\n\u201c_In everything give thanks_: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus\nconcerning you.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:18.\n\n10. How often, and for how much, should we render thanks?\n\n\u201cGiving thanks _always for all things_ unto God and the Father in the name\nof our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d Eph. 5:20.\n\n11. With what exhortation does the psalmist close his songs of praise?\n\n\u201cPraise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the\nfirmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him\naccording to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the\ntrumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the\ntimbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise\nHim upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let\neverything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.\u201d Psalm\n150.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,\n Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;\n With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,\n Kneel and adore Him, the Lord is His name.\n\n Low at His feet lay thy burden of carefulness,\n High on His heart He will bear it for thee,\n Comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,\n Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.\n\n Fear not to enter His courts in the slenderness\n Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:\n Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,\n These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.\n\n These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,\n He will accept for the Name that is dear;\n Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,\n Trust for our trembling, and hope for our fear.\n\n\n\n\nThe Value Of Song\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n David And His Harp. \"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His\n presence with singing.\" Ps. 100:2.\n\n\n1. How early in the world\u2019s history do we read of singing?\n\n\u201cWhere wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... _when the\nmorning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy_?\u201d\nJob 38:4-7.\n\n2. What did Israel do when delivered from Egypt?\n\n\u201cThen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, ...\nThe Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: ... and I\nwill exalt Him.\u201d Ex. 15:1, 2.\n\n3. How did the angels manifest their joy at Christ\u2019s birth?\n\n\u201cAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host\npraising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,\ngood will toward men.\u201d Luke 2:13, 14.\n\n4. How are we told to come before the Lord?\n\n\u201cServe the Lord with gladness: _come before His presence with singing_.\u201d\nPs. 100:2. See 2 Chron. 29:30.\n\n5. How does David say such service is regarded by God?\n\n\u201cI will praise the name of God with _a song_, and will magnify Him with\n_thanksgiving_. _This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or\nbullock that hath horns and hoofs._\u201d Ps. 69:30, 31.\n\n6. What instruction did Paul give concerning singing?\n\n\u201cLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and\nadmonishing one another in _psalms_ and _hymns_ and _spiritual songs,\nsinging with grace in your hearts to the Lord_.\u201d Col. 3:16. See also Eph.\n5:19; James 5:13; Ps. 149:5, 6.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014Music, like poetry and flowers, is elevating and refining\n in its nature, and should therefore have its place in the worship\n of God, and in the life and experience of God\u2019s people. It is\n adapted to every mood and feeling of the human soul, and many\n times has reached hearts when other means have failed. Next to\n prayer, music seems best adapted to worship.\n\n \u201cThe history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestion as to\n the uses and benefits of music and song. Music is often perverted\n to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most\n alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it is a\n precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and\n noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul. As the children of\n Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by\n the music of sacred song, so God bids His children today gladden\n their pilgrim life. There are few means more effective for fixing\n His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song\n has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated\n natures; power to quicken thought and to awaken sympathy, to\n promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom and foreboding\n that destroy courage and weaken effort.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Education,__\u201d__ pages\n 167, 168._\n\n \u201cO that we might sing evening and morning, and let song touch song\n all the way through! O that we could put songs under our burden! O\n that we could extract the sense of sorrow by song! Then sad things\n would not poison so much. Sing in the house; teach your children\n to sing. When troubles come, go at them with song. When griefs\n arise, sing them down. Lift the voice of praise against cares.\n Praise God by singing; that will lift you above trials of every\n sort. Attempt it. They sing in heaven, and among God\u2019s people on\n earth song is the appropriate language of Christian\n feeling.\u201d\u2014_Henry Ward Beecher._\n\n\n7. What instrument did John see the saints have?\n\n\u201cI saw ... them, ... _having the harps of God_.\u201d Rev. 15:2.\n\n8. And what song are they to sing?\n\n\u201cAnd they sing _the song of Moses_ the servant of God, _and the song of\nthe Lamb_, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty;\njust and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.\u201d Verse 3. See Ps. 87:7.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Out of my heart I sing a song,\n O world so great and grand!\n But hearts are weak, and hands reach out\n For the touch of a kindly hand.\n\n O song that I sing, I pray you bring\n To some sad soul thy balm;\n Fall soft, I pray, like the breath of May,\n Or the touch of a loving hand.\n\n I sing for hearts that ache and break,\n I sing for hearts that are true;\n O world so vast, O world so wide,\n I sing my song for you!\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XIV. CHRISTIAN SERVICE\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Good Samaritan. \"When he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went\n to him, and bound up his wounds.\" Luke 10:33, 34.\n\n\n\n\nThe Gift Of Giving\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nAbraham Offering Up Isaac. \"God so loved the world, that He gave His only\n begotten Son.\" John 3:16.\n\n\n1. What example of giving has God given to the world?\n\n\u201cGod so loved the world, that _He gave His only begotten Son_, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n2. By what were Abraham\u2019s faith and devotion tested?\n\n\u201cBy faith Abraham, when he was tried, _offered up Isaac_; and he that had\nreceived the promises _offered up his only begotten son_.\u201d Heb. 11:17.\n\n3. What did Christ do to redeem us?\n\n\u201cWho _gave Himself_ for our sins.\u201d Gal. 1:4. See also Titus 2:14; 1 Tim.\n2:6.\n\n4. Why did He lay aside His riches and become poor?\n\n\u201cFor ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich,\nyet _for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be\nrich_.\u201d 2 Cor. 8:9.\n\n5. After Abraham was blessed, what was he to be?\n\n\u201cI will bless thee, ... _and thou shalt be a blessing_.\u201d Gen. 12:2.\n\n6. As Christ sent out His disciples to preach, to heal the sick, and to\nraise the dead, what did He say to them?\n\n\u201cFreely ye have received, _freely give_.\u201d Matt. 10:8.\n\n7. Why does God comfort us in our troubles?\n\n\u201cWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, _that we may be able to comfort\nthem which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are\ncomforted of God_.\u201d 2 Cor. 1:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All who accept the gospel take upon themselves the\n obligation to pass its blessings on to others. In this way the\n work of salvation is extended. Every soul reclaimed from sin, God\n expects to join in the same work for others which lifted him up,\n and placed his feet upon the Rock. The good things of God are not\n to be selfishly kept to ourselves. We receive to give. Says\n Whittier, \u201cThe soul is lost that\u2019s saved alone.\u201d And as love\n prompted God\u2019s great gift, so His love in our hearts will prompt\n us to give, to minister, and to engage in loving service for the\n welfare and the happiness of others.\n\n\n8. What did Christ say of the blessedness of giving?\n\n\u201cI have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support\nthe weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, _It is\nmore blessed to give than to receive_.\u201d Acts 20:35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The government of God is founded on the principle of\n benevolence, or the desire to bless others. Our richest blessings\n come as the result of the good things we have passed on to our\n fellow men.\n\n \u201cThe quality of mercy is not strained,\n It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven\n Upon the place beneath; it is twice blessed\u2014\n It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.\u201d\n\n\n9. For what was Christ anointed by the Holy Spirit?\n\n\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me\n_to preach good tidings unto the meek_; He hath sent Me to bind up the\nbroken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of\nthe prison to them that are bound.\u201d Isa. 61:1. See Luke 4:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Holy Spirit is given to fit God\u2019s children for service.\n\n\n10. After being thus anointed, what did Jesus do?\n\n\u201cWho went about _doing good_.\u201d Acts 10:38.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Have you had a kindness shown?\n Pass it on;\n \u2019Twas not given for you alone.\n Pass it on;\n Let it travel down the years,\n Let it wipe another\u2019s tears,\n Till in heaven the gift appears\u2014\n Pass it on.\n\n\n\n\nPreaching The Gospel\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Gospel Commission. \"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to\n every creature.\" Mark 16:15.\n\n\n1. Before leaving His disciples, what great commission did Christ give\nthem?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, _Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel\nto every creature_.\u201d Mark 16:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word gospel means good news, or glad tidings.\n\n\n2. What is the gospel of Christ?\n\n\u201cI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for _it is the power of God\nunto salvation to every one that believeth_.\u201d Rom. 1:16.\n\n3. How extensively and for how long did Christ say the gospel should be\npreached?\n\n\u201cAnd this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached _in all the world_ for a\nwitness unto all nations; and _then shall the end come_.\u201d Matt. 24:14.\n\n4. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles?\n\n\u201cSimeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, _to\ntake out of them a people for His name_.\u201d Acts 15:14.\n\n5. How are those who preach the gospel described?\n\n\u201cHow beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good\ntidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that\npublisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.\u201d Isa. 52:7.\n\n6. What was the object of Christ\u2019s ministry?\n\n\u201cI the Lord have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand,\nand will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a\nlight of the Gentiles; _to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners\nfrom the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house_.\u201d\nIsa. 42:6, 7.\n\n7. For what purpose did Christ select the apostle Paul, and send him to\nthe Gentiles?\n\n\u201cAnd He said, ... I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, _to make\nthee a minister and a witness ... to open their eyes, and to turn them\nfrom darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God_, that they\nmay receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are\nsanctified by faith that is in Me.\u201d Acts 26:15-18.\n\n8. What is the Christian minister commanded to preach?\n\n\u201cPreach _the word_.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:2.\n\n9. Of what did Christ say the Scriptures testify?\n\n\u201cThey are they which testify of _Me_.\u201d John 5:39.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Every one, therefore, who preaches the word aright, will\n preach Christ. Paul, who faithfully preached God\u2019s word, said he\n was determined not to know (i.e., to make known) anything \u201csave\n Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.\u201d 1 Cor. 2:2. Jonathan Edwards was\n once asked by a young minister what he thought of a sermon he had\n just preached. \u201cIt was a very poor sermon, indeed,\u201d said Mr.\n Edwards. \u201cWhy?\u201d asked the young minister. \u201cBecause,\u201d said Mr.\n Edwards, \u201cthere was no _Christ_ in it.\u201d All the great truths of\n the Scriptures center in Christ. Rightly understood, all lead to\n Him. Christ, therefore, should be presented in every discourse as\n the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan\n of salvation.\n\n\n10. How does God expect His ministers to preach the word?\n\n\u201cHe that hath My word, let him speak My word _faithfully_.\u201d Jer. 23:28.\n\n11. How did Christ present the truth to the people?\n\n\u201cAnd with many such parables spake He the word unto them, _as they were\nable to hear it_.\u201d Mark 4:33.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Ministers should learn to adapt their labors to those for\n whom they labor\u2014to meet the people where they are.\n\n\n12. What rule for teaching doctrine is laid down in the Bible?\n\n\u201cFor precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line,\nline upon line; here a little, and there a little.\u201d Isa. 28:10.\n\n13. How should the servant of God labor?\n\n\u201cAnd the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,\napt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose\nthemselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the\nacknowledging of the truth.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:24, 25.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014While the claims of the law of God are presented to the\n sinner, ministers should never forget that love\u2014the love of God\u2014is\n the only power that can soften the heart and lead to repentance\n and obedience, and that to _save_ men is their great work.\n\n\n14. As a preparation for their work, what did Christ do to the apostles?\n\n\u201cThen _opened He their understanding_, that they might understand the\nScriptures.\u201d Luke 24:45.\n\n15. For what did He tell them to tarry in Jerusalem?\n\n\u201cBut tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, _until ye be endued with power\nfrom on high_.\u201d Verse 49.\n\n16. How did the apostles preach the gospel?\n\n\u201cWith the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.\u201d 1 Peter 1:12.\n\n17. What was the result of this preaching?\n\n\u201c_Many_ of them which heard the word _believed_.\u201d \u201cAnd the word of God\n_increased_; and _the number of the disciples multiplied_ in Jerusalem\n_greatly_; and a great company of the _priests_ were obedient to the\nfaith.\u201d Acts 4:4; 6:7.\n\n18. What promise is made to the faithful gospel minister?\n\n\u201cHe that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, _shall doubtless\ncome again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him_.\u201d Ps. 126:6.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n To every clime, where lost by sin,\n The grace of Christ a soul may win,\n From here Thy messengers go forth\n From east to west, from south to north.\n\n Perchance, in heaven one day to me\n Some blessed soul may come and say,\n All hail, beloved! But for thee\n My soul to death had been a prey.\n Ah, then what sweetness in the thought\n One soul to glory to have brought!\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Good Shepherd. \"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the\n oversight thereof.\" 1 Peter 5:2.\n\n\n\n\nThe Shepherd And His Work\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Feeding The Five Thousand. \"Give ye them to eat.\" Matt. 14:16.\n\n\n1. Who did Christ say is the good shepherd?\n\n\u201cI am the good shepherd.\u201d John 10:11.\n\n2. What is Christ elsewhere called?\n\n\u201cThe Shepherd and _Bishop of your souls_.\u201d \u201cThe _chief Shepherd_.\u201d 1 Peter\n2:25; 5:4.\n\n3. What does the expression \u201cthe _chief_ Shepherd\u201d imply?\n\nThat there are _under_-shepherds.\n\n4. How does the good shepherd manifest his love and care for the sheep?\n\n\u201cThe good shepherd _giveth his life for the sheep_.\u201d John 10:11.\n\n5. What does the hireling, or false shepherd, do, and why?\n\n\u201cThe hireling _fleeth, because he is an hireling_, and _careth not for the\nsheep_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n6. What example will the true shepherd set before his flock?\n\n\u201cIn all things showing thyself _a pattern of good works_.\u201d Titus 2:7.\n\n7. What is the special work of the gospel shepherd?\n\n\u201cTake heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which\nthe Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, _to feed the church of God_, which\nHe hath purchased with His own blood.\u201d Acts 20:28. \u201c_Feed the flock of\nGod_ which is among you, _taking the oversight thereof_.\u201d 1 Peter 5:2. See\nalso John 21:15-17.\n\n8. With what kind of food will the true shepherd feed the flock?\n\n\u201cI charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall\njudge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: _Preach the\nword_.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. \u201cO son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the\nhouse of Israel; therefore _thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn\nthem from Me_.\u201d Eze. 33:7. See Eze. 3:17-21.\n\n9. Was there to come a time when people would not listen to plain Bible\ntruth?\n\n\u201c_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine_; but\nafter their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having\nitching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the _truth_, and\nshall be _turned unto fables_.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.\n\n10. Instead of the straight testimony, what kind of preaching will such\ndemand?\n\n\u201cProphesy not unto us right things, _speak unto us smooth things, prophesy\ndeceits_.\u201d Isa. 30:10.\n\n11. What test is given by which we may distinguish between true and false\nshepherds?\n\n\u201c_To the law and to the testimony_: if they speak not according to this\nword, it is because there is no light in them.\u201d Isa. 8:20. \u201cFor the\npriest\u2019s lips should keep knowledge, and _they should seek the law at his\nmouth_.\u201d Mal. 2:7.\n\n12. What will those servants be doing upon whom Christ pronounces a\nblessing when He comes?\n\n\u201cWho then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler\nover his household, _to give them meat in due season_? Blessed is that\nservant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say\nunto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.\u201d Matt.\n24:45-47.\n\n13. What excuses are made by some for not expounding the prophecies?\n\n\u201cAnd the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is\nsealed, which men deliver to _one that is learned_, saying, Read this, I\npray thee: and _he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed_: and the book is\ndelivered to him that is _not learned_, saying, Read this, I pray thee:\nand he saith, _I am not learned_.\u201d Isa. 29:11, 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The prophecies of Daniel were to be unsealed at \u201cthe time of\n the end.\u201d See Dan. 12:4, 9, 10; Rev. 10:1, 2. In Jer. 25:34-37 is\n found a warning message addressed to unfaithful shepherds.\n\n\n14. After receiving his commission to preach, how did the apostle Paul\nfeel?\n\n\u201cFor though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity\nis laid upon me; yea, _woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel_!\u201d 1\nCor. 9:16.\n\n15. How faithfully will the true shepherd watch the flock?\n\n\u201cThey watch for your souls, _as they that must give account_.\u201d Heb. 13:17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Mark Guy Pearse once said to Mr. Spurgeon: \u201cWhen I was a\n young fellow in London, I used to sit right over there and hear\n you preach, and you will never know how much good you did me. You\n used to wind me up like an eight-day clock. I was bound to go\n right for a week after hearing you.\u201d\n\n\n16. If God\u2019s watchmen fail to warn the wicked, what terrible\nresponsibility will be charged to their account?\n\n\u201cIf thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man\nshall die in his iniquity; but _his blood will I require at thine hand_.\u201d\nEze. 33:8. See Isa. 3:10, 11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Watchman, blow the gospel trumpet,\n Every soul a warning give;\n Whosoever hears the message\n May repent and turn and live.\n\n Sound it loud o\u2019er every hilltop,\n Gloomy shade and sunny plain;\n Ocean depths repeat the message,\n Full salvation\u2019s glad refrain.\n\n Sound it in the hedge and highway,\n Earth\u2019s dark spots where exiles roam;\n Let it tell all things are ready,\n Father waits to welcome home.\n\n Blow the trumpet, trusty watchman,\n Blow it loud o\u2019er land and sea;\n God commissions, sound the message!\n Every captive may be free.\n DR. H. L. GILMOUR.\n\n\n\n\nMissionary Work\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Ruth Gleaning In The Field Of Boaz. \"For the love of Christ constraineth\n us.\" 2 Cor. 5:14.\n\n\n1. What has been given to every man?\n\n\u201cFor the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house,\nand gave authority to his servants, and _to every man his work_.\u201d Mark\n13:34.\n\n2. Besides work, what else has been given to every man?\n\n\u201cAnd unto one he gave five _talents_, to another two, and to another one;\n_to every man according to his several ability_.\u201d Matt. 25:15.\n\n3. What are those called to whom this work is committed?\n\n\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who\ncalled his own _servants_, and delivered unto them his goods.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n4. What use did these servants make of their talents?\n\n\u201cThen he that had received the five talents _went and traded with the\nsame_, and made them other five talents.... But he that had received one\nwent and digged in the earth, and hid his lord\u2019s money.\u201d Verses 16-18.\n\n5. What excuse did the one who hid his talent make?\n\n\u201c_I was afraid_, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou\nhast that is thine.\u201d Verse 25.\n\n6. What did his master say to him?\n\n\u201cHis lord answered and said unto him, _Thou wicked and slothful servant_.\u201d\nVerse 26.\n\n7. What did he say the servant should have done?\n\n\u201cThou oughtest therefore to have _put my money to the exchangers_, and\nthen at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n8. What is characteristic of slothful persons?\n\n\u201cThe slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the\nstreets.\u201d Prov. 22:13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014That is, they see great obstacles before them, and are\n always ready with excuses.\n\n\n9. What was the fate of the slothful servant?\n\n\u201cAnd _cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness_: there shall\nbe weeping and gnashing of teeth.\u201d Matt. 25:30.\n\n10. What was said to the servant who improved his talents?\n\n\u201cHis lord said unto him, _Well done, thou good and faithful servant_: thou\nhast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many\nthings: _enter thou into the joy of thy lord_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n11. Why did Christ endure the cruel death on the cross?\n\n\u201cLooking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; _who for the joy\nthat was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame_, and is\nset down at the right hand of the throne of God.\u201d Heb. 12:2.\n\n12. What will bring to the Lord this satisfaction and joy?\n\n\u201cHe shall _see of the travail of His soul_, and shall be satisfied.\u201d Isa.\n53:11.\n\n13. How will Christ demonstrate His joy over the saved?\n\n\u201cHe will joy over thee _with singing_.\u201d Zeph. 3:17.\n\n14. What did Paul set forth as his crown of rejoicing?\n\n\u201cFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? _Are not even ye in\nthe presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?_ For ye are our glory\nand joy.\u201d 1 Thess. 2:19, 20.\n\n15. Since this joy comes to Christ only through His self-denial and\nsuffering for others, in what way must all others partake of that joy?\n\n\u201cIt is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live\nwith Him: _if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him_: if we deny Him, He\nalso will deny us.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:11, 12.\n\n16. What motive should prompt to soul-saving labor?\n\n\u201cFor _the love of Christ constraineth us_.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:14.\n\n17. Whom does every faithful Christian worker represent?\n\n\u201cNow then we are _ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by\nus_: we pray you in Christ\u2019s stead, be ye reconciled to God.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n18. What does God do with the unfruitful members?\n\n\u201c_Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away_: and every\nbranch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more\nfruit.\u201d John 15:2.\n\n19. Can one occupy a mere neutral position toward Christ?\n\n\u201cHe that is not with Me is _against_ Me: and he that gathereth not with Me\n_scattereth_.\u201d Luke 11:23.\n\n20. For what does the Lord tell us to pray?\n\n\u201cThe harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: _pray ye therefore\nthe Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His\nharvest_.\u201d Luke 10:2.\n\n21. How are we cautioned against delaying the work?\n\n\u201cSay not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I\nsay unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are\nwhite already to harvest.\u201d John 4:35.\n\n22. What promise is made to those who sow the gospel seed?\n\n\u201cThey that sow in tears _shall reap in joy_. He that goeth forth and\nweepeth, bearing precious seed, _shall doubtless come again with\nrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him_.\u201d Ps. 126:5, 6.\n\n23. What promise is made to soul-winners?\n\n\u201cHe that winneth souls is _wise_.\u201d Prov. 11:30. \u201cAnd they that be wise\n[margin, teachers] shall _shine as the brightness of the firmament_; and\nthey that turn many to righteousness _as the stars forever and ever_.\u201d\nDan. 12:3.\n\n\n\n\nThe Poor, And Our Duty Toward Them\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nOn The Way To The Inn. \"He ... bound up his wounds, ... and set him on his\n own beast.\" Luke 10:33, 34.\n\n\n1. What is God\u2019s attitude toward the poor?\n\n\u201cHe shall _deliver_ the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that\nhath no helper.\u201d Ps. 72:12.\n\n2. For what purpose did Christ say God had anointed Him?\n\n\u201cHe hath anointed Me _to preach the gospel to the poor_.\u201d Luke 4:18.\n\n3. When did He say we could minister to the poor?\n\n\u201c_Whensoever ye will_ ye may do them good.\u201d Mark 14:7.\n\n4. What did Paul say regarding our duty to the poor?\n\n\u201cI have showed you all things, how that so laboring _ye ought to support\nthe weak_, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, _It\nis more blessed to give than to receive_.\u201d Acts 20:35.\n\n5. What promises are made to those who consider the poor?\n\n\u201cBlessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in\ntime of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he\nshall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the\nwill of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of\nlanguishing: Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.\u201d Ps. 41:1-3.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nLazarus At The Rich Man\u2019s Gate. \"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the\n poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.\" Prov. 21:13.\n\n\n6. How does the Lord regard kindness shown to the poor?\n\n\u201cHe that hath pity upon the poor _lendeth unto the Lord_; and that which\nhe hath given _will He pay him again_.\u201d Prov. 19:17. \u201cFor _God is not\nunrighteous to forget your work and labor of love_, which ye have showed\ntoward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do\nminister.\u201d Heb. 6:10.\n\n7. What fate awaits those who turn a deaf ear to the poor?\n\n\u201cWhoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, _he also shall cry\nhimself, but shall not be heard_.\u201d Prov. 21:13.\n\n8. What classes are we especially enjoined to help?\n\n\u201cLearn to do well; seek judgment, _relieve the oppressed_, _judge the\nfatherless_, _plead for the widow_.\u201d Isa. 1:17.\n\n9. What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be?\n\n\u201cPure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, _To visit\nthe fatherless and widows in their affliction_, and to keep himself\nunspotted from the world.\u201d James 1:27.\n\n10. What kind of fast is most acceptable to God?\n\n\u201cIs not this the fast that I have chosen?... Is it not to _deal thy bread\nto the hungry_, and that thou _bring the poor that are cast out to thy\nhouse_? when thou seest _the naked, that thou cover him_; and that _thou\nhide not thyself from thine own flesh_?\u201d Isa. 58:6, 7.\n\n11. What is promised those who do this work?\n\n\u201cThen shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry and He\nshall say, Here I am.... And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and\nsatisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and\nthy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually,\nand satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be\nlike a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.\u201d\nVerses 9-11.\n\n12. How did the patriarch Job treat the poor?\n\n\u201cI was a _father_ to the poor: and _the cause which I knew not I searched\nout_.\u201d Job 29:16.\n\n13. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?\n\n\u201cJesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, _go and sell that thou\nhast, and give to the poor_, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and\ncome and follow Me.\u201d Matt. 19:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From Matt. 25:31-45 we learn that Christ identifies Himself\n with needy, suffering humanity; and that any neglect shown them He\n regards as done unto Himself.\n\n\n\n\nChristian Help Work\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Samaritan At The Inn. \"He ... brought him to an inn, and took care of\n him.\" Luke 10:33, 34.\n\n\n1. What was the character of Christ\u2019s work among men?\n\n\u201cWho went about _doing good_.\u201d Acts 10:38.\n\n2. What will His true followers do?\n\n\u201cHe that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so _to walk, even as\nHe walked_.\u201d 1 John 2:6.\n\n3. In ministering to the needy, whom are we really serving?\n\n\u201cInasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,\n_ye have done it unto Me_.\u201d Matt. 25:40.\n\n4. How long will there be poor in the world?\n\n\u201cYe have the poor _always with you_.\u201d Matt. 26:11.\n\n5. What relation do all sustain to God?\n\n\u201cThe rich and poor _meet together_: the Lord is _the maker_ of them all.\u201d\nProv. 22:2.\n\n6. What is one good evidence of genuine repentance?\n\n\u201cBreak off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by _showing\nmercy to the poor_.\u201d Dan. 4:27.\n\n7. What is one evidence that one has a knowledge of God?\n\n\u201cHe _judged the cause of the poor and needy_; then it was well with him:\nwas not this to _know Me_? saith the Lord.\u201d Jer. 22:16.\n\n8. What classes are subjects for Christian help work?\n\n\u201cPure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit\nthe _fatherless_ and _widows_ in their affliction, and to keep himself\nunspotted from the world.\u201d James 1:27.\n\n9. Is it our duty always to give what is expected or asked?\n\n\u201cThen Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but _such as I have give I\nthee_: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.\u201d Acts\n3:6. See 2 Cor. 12:8.\n\n10. What is sometimes of greater value even than money to discouraged\nsouls?\n\n\u201cI _smiled on them_ when they had no confidence.\u201d Job 29: 24, margin R. V.\n\n11. What divine law of retroaction attends giving?\n\n\u201c_Give, and it shall be given unto you_; good measure, pressed down, and\nshaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For\n_with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you\nagain_.\u201d Luke 6:38. See Ps. 18:25, 26; 109:17; Gal. 6:7.\n\n12. What is promised those who give to the poor?\n\n\u201cHe that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and _that which he\nhath given will He pay him again_.\u201d Prov. 19:17. \u201cHe that giveth unto the\npoor _shall not lack_.\u201d Prov. 28:27.\n\n13. How did Job learn of the needs of the poor?\n\n\u201cThe cause of him that I knew not _I searched out_.\u201d Job 29:16, R. V. \u201cI\nused _to investigate_.\u201d Jewish Version.\n\n14. What parable illustrates practical Christian help work?\n\nThe parable of the good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.\n\n15. When Christ sent out the seventy, what did He tell them to do in the\ncities whither they went?\n\n\u201cAnd _heal the sick_ that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of\nGod is come nigh unto you.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n16. Amidst poverty, suffering, and distress, what kind of workers does God\nwish to see?\n\n\u201cBut this is a people _robbed_ and _spoiled_; they are all of them _snared\nin holes_, and they are _hid in prison-houses_: they are for a _prey_, and\nNONE DELIVERETH: _for a spoil_, and none saith, RESTORE. Who among you\nwill give ear to this?\u201d Isa. 42: 22, 23.\n\n17. What is our duty toward the outcast and wandering?\n\n\u201c_Hide_ the outcasts; _bewray not him that wandereth_. Let Mine outcasts\n_dwell with thee_.\u201d Isa. 16:3, 4.\n\n18. What incentive have Christians for doing prison work?\n\n\u201c_I was in prison_, and ye came unto Me.\u201d Matt. 25:36.\n\n19. Who notes the groans of the prisoner?\n\n\u201cFrom heaven did _the Lord_ behold the earth; _to hear the groaning of the\nprisoner_.\u201d Ps. 102:19, 20.\n\n20. What work constitutes the fast most acceptable to God?\n\n\u201cIs not this the fast that I have ordained, to untie the knots of\nwickedness; to relax the burden of the yoke; and rescue those who are\noppressed by violence: and that ye withdraw every yoke? Is it not to part\nthy bread with the famished, and to bring the vagrant poor into thy house?\nwhen thou seest the naked, that thou clothe him?\u201d Isa. 58:6, 7, Spurrell\u2019s\nVersion.\n\n21. What promises are made to those who thus minister to the wants and\ndistresses of others?\n\n\u201cIf thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul;\nthen shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the\nnoonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul\nin drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered\ngarden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.\u201d Verses 10, 11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Somebody near you is struggling alone\n Over life\u2019s desert sand;\n Faith, hope, and courage together are gone:\n Reach him a helping hand,\n Turn on his darkness a beam of your light;\n Kindle, to guide him, a beacon-fire bright;\n Cheer his discouragement; soothe his affright;\n Lovingly help him to stand.\n\n Somebody near you is hungry and cold;\n Send him some aid today.\n Somebody near you is feeble and old,\n Left without human stay:\n Under his burdens put hands kind and strong;\n Speak to him tenderly, sing him a song;\n Haste to do something to help him along\n Over his weary way.\n MRS. E. E. WILLIAMS.\n\n\n\n\nVisiting The Sick\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n A Message Of Comfort. \"I was sick, and ye visited Me.\" Matt. 25:36.\n\n\n1. For what will Christ finally commend the righteous?\n\n\u201cI was sick, and _ye visited Me_.\u201d Matt. 25:36.\n\n2. Why, in His earthly ministry, did Christ heal the sick?\n\n\u201cThat it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,\nsaying, _Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses_.\u201d Matt.\n8:17.\n\n3. With what is Christ touched?\n\n\u201cWith the feeling of our infirmities.\u201d Heb. 4:15.\n\n4. What relief did He bring to Peter\u2019s household?\n\n\u201cAnd when Jesus was come into Peter\u2019s house, He saw his wife\u2019s mother\nlaid, and sick of a fever. _And He touched her hand, and the fever left\nher_: and she arose, and ministered unto them.\u201d Matt. 8:14, 15.\n\n5. What example did He leave us?\n\n\u201cWho _went about doing good_, and _healing all that were oppressed of the\ndevil_; for God was with Him.\u201d Acts 10:38. \u201cAs He is, so are we in this\nworld.\u201d 1 John 4:17.\n\n6. What should we not forget in our ministry for the sick?\n\n\u201c_Pray one for another, that ye may be healed._ The effectual fervent\nprayer of a righteous man availeth much.\u201d James 5:16.\n\n\n\n\nHealing The Sick\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Healing The Blind Men. \"Himself took our infirmities, and bare our\n sicknesses.\" Matt. 8:17.\n\n\n1. What does the Lord declare Himself to be?\n\n\u201cI am the Lord that _healeth_ thee.\u201d Ex. 15:26. \u201cWho forgiveth all thine\niniquities; _who healeth all thy diseases_.\u201d Ps. 103:3.\n\n2. What was promised Israel on condition of obedience?\n\n\u201cThou shalt therefore keep the commandments, ... and _the Lord will take\naway from thee all sickness_.\u201d Deut. 7:11-15.\n\n3. When through disobedience Jeroboam\u2019s hand was withered, by what means\nwas it restored?\n\n\u201cAnd the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the face\nof the Lord thy God, and _pray for me, that my hand may be restored me\nagain. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king\u2019s hand was\nrestored him again, and became as it was before._\u201d 1 Kings 13:6.\n\n4. When Miriam was stricken with leprosy, how was she healed?\n\n\u201cAnd _Moses cried unto the Lord_, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech\nThee.\u201d Num. 12:13.\n\n5. What mistake did Asa make in his severe affliction?\n\n\u201cAnd Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his\nfeet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease _he sought\nnot to the Lord, but to the physicians_.\u201d 2 Chron. 16:12.\n\n6. How was a child restored to life by Elijah?\n\n\u201cAnd he stretched himself upon the child three times, and _cried unto the\nLord_, and said, O Lord my God, I pray Thee, let this child\u2019s soul come\ninto him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; _and the soul of\nthe child came into him again, and he revived_.\u201d 1 Kings 17:21, 22.\n\n7. How was Hezekiah\u2019s prayer for restoration from sickness answered?\n\n\u201cThus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, _I have heard thy\nprayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen\nyears_.\u201d Isa. 38:5.\n\n8. What constituted a large part of Christ\u2019s ministry?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and\npreaching the gospel of the kingdom, and _healing all manner of sickness\nand all manner of disease among the people_.\u201d Matt. 4:23.\n\n9. In doing this, what prophecy was fulfilled?\n\n\u201cHe cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick:\nthat it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,\n_Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses_.\u201d Matt. 8:16, 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The essence of the gospel is restoration, or healing of\n body, soul, and spirit. See John 3:16, Luke 4:17-19; Acts 3:19-21;\n Rom. 8:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:51-55.\n\n\n10. In the case of the woman healed of an infirmity, what gave effect to\nher touch of Christ\u2019s garment?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: _thy faith hath made\nthee whole_; go in peace.\u201d Luke 8:48.\n\n11. Before sending out the twelve, what power did Christ give them?\n\n\u201cThen He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and\nauthority over all devils, and _to cure diseases_. And He sent them to\npreach the kingdom of God, and _to heal the sick_.\u201d Luke 9:1, 2. See Matt.\n10:1, 7, 8; Luke 10:1, 9.\n\n12. What notable miracle was performed by the apostles shortly after the\nday of Pentecost?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Great Physician. \"And He healed them all.\" Matt. 12:15.\n\n\n\u201cThen Peter said [to the lame man], Silver and gold have I none; but such\nas I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and\nwalk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and\n_immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength_. And he leaping\nup stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and\nleaping, and praising God.\u201d Acts 3:6-8.\n\n13. Among others, what gift has God set in the church?\n\n\u201cAnd God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily\nprophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then _gifts of healing_,\nhelps, governments, diversities of tongues.\u201d 1 Cor. 12:28.\n\n14. In sickness, what is every child of God privileged to do?\n\n\u201cIs any sick among you? _let him call for the elders of the church; and\nlet them pray over him_, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.\u201d\nJames 5:14.\n\n15. What assurance of blessing is given to those who ask according to\nGod\u2019s will?\n\n\u201cThe prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;\nand if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Physical healing may not always be for our good or to the\n glory of God. Hence we must be ready to pray with Jesus,\n \u201cNevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.\u201d Luke 22:42. Paul\n was denied the removal of infirmity, but the Lord assured him, \u201cMy\n grace is sufficient for thee.\u201d 2 Cor. 12:9. It is not a denial of\n faith to make use of the simple remedial means that God has given,\n or those ordinary essentials upon which He makes life dependent,\n as proper food, pure air, rest, exercise, and sunshine.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n We may not climb the heavenly steeps,\n To bring the Saviour down;\n In vain we search the lowest deeps,\n For Him no depths can drown.\n\n But warm, sweet, tender, even yet\n A present help is He;\n And faith has yet its Olivet,\n And love, its Galilee.\n\n The healing of the seamless dress\n Is by our beds of pain;\n We touch Him in life\u2019s throng and press,\n And we are whole again.\n\n Through Him the first fond prayers are said\n Our lips of childhood frame;\n The last low whispers of our dead\n Are burdened with His name.\n JOHN G. WHITTIER.\n\n\n\n\nPrison Work\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n In Prison. \"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.\" Heb.\n 13:3.\n\n\n1. What does Christ give us as one reason why He will bid the righteous\nwelcome into His kingdom?\n\n\u201cI was _in prison_, and _ye came unto Me_.\u201d Matt. 25:36.\n\n2. What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be?\n\nTo visit those in affliction. James 1:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In 1909 there were 100,221 prisoners in 195 penal\n institutions in the United States, or an average of 112 to each\n 100,000.\n\n\n3. What does God see when He looks down from heaven?\n\n\u201cFor He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did\nthe Lord behold the earth; _to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose\nthose that are appointed to death_.\u201d Ps. 102:19, 20.\n\n4. For what purpose did God send His Son into the world?\n\n\u201cTo bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness\nout of the prison-house.\u201d Isa. 42:7.\n\n5. For what work did Christ say He was anointed?\n\n\u201cTo preach the gospel to the poor; ... _to preach deliverance to the\ncaptives, ... to set at liberty them that are bruised_.\u201d Luke 4:18.\n\n6. Why did the psalmist wish to be brought out of the prison-house of sin?\n\n\u201cBring my soul out of prison, _that I may praise Thy name_.\u201d Ps. 142:7.\n\n7. Whose prison-house does Satan not open?\n\n\u201cThat made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof;\n_that opened not the house [the grave] of his prisoners_.\u201d Isa. 14:17.\n\n8. For what does the psalmist pray?\n\n\u201c_Let the sighing of the prisoner come before Thee_; according to the\ngreatness of Thy power _preserve Thou those that are appointed to die_.\u201d\nPs. 79:11.\n\n9. How does God regard His people who are in prison?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord heareth the poor, and _despiseth not His prisoners_.\u201d Ps.\n69:33.\n\n10. Why has the devil been permitted to cast some of God\u2019s people into\nprison?\n\n\u201cFear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil\nshall cast some of you into prison, _that ye may be tried_.... Be thou\nfaithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.\u201d Rev. 2:10. See\nDan. 11:33-35.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Dr. William Dodd (1729-77), an unfortunate English divine,\n who, under stress of circumstances, became a heavy forger, was\n imprisoned at Newgate for a time, and finally executed. Upon\n visiting him, John Wesley found \u201ca penitent and hopeful\n malefactor,\u201d and in his \u201cJournal\u201d says: \u201cA real, deep work of God\n seemed to be already begun in his soul. Perhaps by driving him too\n fast, Satan has driven him to God, to that repentance which shall\n never be repented of.\u201d Visiting him shortly before his execution,\n Mr. Wesley is reported to have replied to Mr. Dodd\u2019s apologies for\n receiving him in the condemned cell, \u201cCourage, brother; perhaps\n God saw that nothing else would do.\u201d See \u201cLife of John Wesley,\u201d by\n Richard Watson, page 207.\n\n\n11. How would God have us sympathize with those in bonds and adversity?\n\n\u201cRemember them that are in bonds, _as bound with them_; and them which\nsuffer adversity, _as being yourselves also in the body_.\u201d Heb. 13:3.\n\n12. What blessed invitation will Christ finally extend to those who have\nministered to the wants of the needy, and visited the sick and those in\nprison?\n\n\u201cThen shall the King say unto them on His right hand, _Come, ye blessed of\nMy Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the\nworld_.\u201d Matt 25:34.\n\n\n\n\nOrder And Organization\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Camp Of Israel. \"Let all things be done decently and in order.\" 1 Cor.\n 14:40.\n\n\n1. Of what is God the author?\n\n\u201cFor God is not the author of confusion, but of _peace_, as in all\nchurches of the saints.\u201d 1 Cor. 14:33. See 1 Cor. 11:16.\n\n2. Why did Paul give instruction to Timothy concerning the duties and\nqualifications of bishops and deacons?\n\n\u201cThese things write I unto thee, ... _that thou mayest know how thou\noughtest to behave thyself in the house of God_, which is the church of\nthe living God, the pillar and ground [margin, stay] of the truth.\u201d 1 Tim.\n3:14, 15.\n\n3. How should everything pertaining to God\u2019s work be done?\n\n\u201cLet all things be done _decently and in order_.\u201d 1 Cor. 14:40.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cOrder is heaven\u2019s first law.\u201d\u2014_Milton._ In the Scriptures\n Christians are likened to soldiers, and their work to that of a\n warrior, or to a conqueror going forth to conquer. 2 Tim. 2:3, 4;\n 1 Tim. 1:18; Rev. 6:2. As order, organization, direction, and\n discipline are necessary in an army, so are they also in the\n church. The weapons used and the object sought are different in\n each case (Rom. 13:4; 2 Cor. 10:3, 4); but the necessity for order\n and organization are the same in both.\n\n\n4. What is one prime essential of soldiers in an army?\n\n\u201cAll these men of war, that could _keep rank_, came with a perfect heart\nto Hebron, to make David king over all Israel.\u201d 1 Chron. 12:38.\n\n5. That the burden of judging and looking after the affairs of Israel\nmight not all rest on Moses, what instruction did Jethro, his\nfather-in-law, give him?\n\n\u201cMoreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear\nGod, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be\nrulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers\nof tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be,\nthat every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter\nthey shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear\nthe burden with thee.\u201d Ex. 18:21, 22.\n\n6. How many apostles did Christ at first ordain to preach the gospel?\n\n\u201cAnd _He ordained twelve_, that they should be with Him, and that He might\nsend them forth to preach.\u201d Mark 3:14.\n\n7. How many did He later appoint to this work?\n\n\u201cAfter these things the Lord appointed _other seventy also_, and sent them\ntwo and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself\nwould come.\u201d Luke 10:1.\n\n8. When the number of the disciples multiplied, what instruction did the\napostles give the believers, that none might be neglected in the daily\nministration of temporal necessities?\n\n\u201cWherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report,\nfull of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this\nbusiness.\u201d Acts 6:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The men thus selected were known as deacons. The lesson to\n be learned from this is that leaders and people should unite in\n planning and providing for the necessary organization and\n officering of the church according to its growth and needs. This\n cooperation is again shown in the words of Paul, \u201cWhomsoever ye\n shall approve by your letters, them will I send.\u201d 1 Cor. 16:3. See\n also Acts 15:22.\n\n\n9. What word came through the Spirit to the ministering prophets and\nteachers laboring at Antioch?\n\n\u201cAs they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said,\n_Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them_.\nAnd when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they\nsent them away.\u201d Acts 13:2, 3.\n\n10. What is one of the gifts which God has set in the church?\n\n\u201cAnd God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily\nprophets, thirdly teachers, after that ... helps, _governments_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n12:28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word here rendered _governments_ implies the work or\n office of \u201csteering, piloting, directing.\u201d\n\n\n11. For the direction of matters in each local church, what instruction\ndid the apostle Paul give to Titus?\n\n\u201cFor this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the\nthings that are wanting, and _ordain elders in every city_, as I had\nappointed thee.\u201d Titus 1:5.\n\n12. What instruction did he give to the members of the church as to their\nrelationship to those thus appointed?\n\n\u201c_Obey them that have the rule_ [margin, _guide_] _over you, and submit\nyourselves_: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give\naccount, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.\u201d Heb. 13:17.\nSee 1 Peter 5:5; Mark 10:42-45.\n\n13. What instruction and caution are given to elders?\n\n\u201cThe elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, ... _Feed\nthe flock of God_ which is among you, _taking the oversight thereof_, not\nby constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;\n_neither as being lords over God\u2019s heritage_, but being ensamples to the\nflock.\u201d 1 Peter 5:1-3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For the qualifications and duties of elders, see 1 Tim.\n 3:1-3; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 20:28-31; and the scripture just quoted.\n How God regards rebellion against divinely appointed authority and\n leadership, is illustrated in the expulsion of Satan and his\n angels from heaven, and in the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.\n See Rev. 12:7-9; Numbers 16. The unity and harmony which should\n exist among believers is described in John 13:34, 35; 17:20-23;\n and Eph. 4:1-6. The evil of place-seeking in the church is shown\n in Mark 10:35-45 and Luke 14:7-11; and of ecclesiastical tyranny,\n in Dan. 7:25; 8:24, 25; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4; and John 16:2. The course\n to be pursued toward offending members, and in cases where\n differences arise, is pointed out in Matt. 18:15-18; 5:23, 24;\n Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:19, 20; Titus 3:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 5; and\n Acts 15. And the guide-book in all matters of both doctrine and\n discipline should be the Bible. Isa. 8:20; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 4:1,\n 2.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Has some one seen Christ in you today?\n Christian, look to your heart, I pray;\n The little things you have done or said\u2014\n Did they accord with the way you prayed?\n Have your thoughts been pure and words been kind?\n Have you sought to have the Saviour\u2019s mind?\n The world with a criticizing view\n Has watched; but did it see Christ in you?\n\n Has some one seen Christ in you today?\n Christian, look to your life, I pray;\n There are aching hearts and blighted souls\n Being lost on sin\u2019s destructive shoals,\n And perhaps of Christ their only view\n May be what they see of Him in you.\n Will they see enough to bring hope and cheer?\n Look to your light! does it shine out clear?\n\n\n\n\nSupport Of The Ministry\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJacob\u2019s Vow. \"Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth\n unto Thee.\" Gen. 28:22.\n\n\n1. What is one way in which we are commanded to honor God?\n\n\u201cHonor the Lord _with thy substance_, and _with the first-fruits of all\nthine increase_.\u201d Prov. 3:9.\n\n2. What part of one\u2019s income has the Lord especially claimed as His?\n\n\u201cAnd _all the tithe_ [_tenth_] _of the land_, whether of the seed of the\nland, or of the fruit of the tree, _is the Lord\u2019s: it is holy unto the\nLord_.\u201d Lev. 27:30.\n\n3. For whose support and for what work was the tithe devoted in Israel?\n\n\u201cBehold, I have given _the children of Levi_ all the tenth in Israel for\nan inheritance, _for their service which they serve, even the service of\nthe tabernacle of the congregation_.\u201d Num. 18:21.\n\n4. In what language does Paul approve of the same method of support for\nthe gospel ministry?\n\n\u201cIf we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we\nshall reap your carnal things?... Do ye not know that they which minister\nabout holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at\nthe altar are partakers with the altar? _Even so hath the Lord ordained\nthat they __ which preach the gospel should live of the gospel_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n9:11-14.\n\n5. Upon what fundamental basis does the requirement of tithe-paying rest?\n\n\u201c_The earth is the Lord\u2019s_, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they\nthat dwell therein.\u201d Ps. 24:1.\n\n6. Who owns all the gold and silver in the world?\n\n\u201cThe silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts.\u201d\nHaggai 2:8.\n\n7. Who owns all the cattle and fowls of the earth?\n\n\u201cFor every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand\nhills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the\nfield are Mine.\u201d Ps. 50:10, 11.\n\n8. Who gives man power to get wealth?\n\n\u201cBut thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for _it is He that giveth thee\npower to get wealth_.\u201d Deut. 8:18.\n\n9. What statement of Christ shows that man is not an original owner, but a\nsteward of God\u2019s goods?\n\n\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who\ncalled his own servants, and _delivered unto them his goods_.\u201d Matt.\n25:14. See 1 Cor. 4:7.\n\n10. How early in the history of the world do we read of tithe-paying?\n\n\u201cFor this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met\nAbraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to\nwhom also _Abraham gave a tenth part of all_.\u201d Heb. 7:1, 2. See Gen.\n14:17-20.\n\n11. What vow did Jacob make at Bethel?\n\n\u201cAnd Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me\nin this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put\non, so that I come again to my father\u2019s house in peace; then shall the\nLord be my God: ... and _of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give\nthe tenth unto Thee_.\u201d Gen. 28:20-22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is thus evident that the duty of paying tithes was\n recognized by the patriarchs as a religious obligation.\n\n\n12. After what order was Christ made a high priest?\n\n\u201cWhither the forerunner is for us entered, even _Jesus, made an high\npriest forever after the order of Melchisedec_.\u201d Heb. 6:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As Christ\u2019s priesthood succeeded the Aaronic or Levitical\n priesthood, which was supported by the tithes of Israel; and as\n Christ was made a priest after the order of Melchisedec, who\n received tithes of the patriarchs before the Levitical priesthood\n was ordained, it is but logical and natural to conclude that the\n ministry under Christ\u2019s priesthood should be supported by the same\n means as were both of these priesthoods,\u2014the tithes of God\u2019s\n people.\n\n\n13. Did Christ Himself approve of tithe-paying?\n\n\u201cYe pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier\nmatters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: _these ought ye to have\ndone_, and not to leave the other undone.\u201d Matt. 23:23.\n\n14. Of what is one guilty who withholds the tithe and free-will offerings?\n\n\u201cWill a man rob God? Yet _ye have robbed Me_. But ye say, Wherein have we\nrobbed Thee? _In tithes and offerings._\u201d Mal. 3:8.\n\n15. Concerning what does the Lord ask us to prove Him, and upon what\nconditions does He promise great blessings?\n\n\u201c_Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse_, that there may be meat in\nMine house, and _prove Me now herewith_, saith the Lord of hosts, if I\nwill not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that\nthere shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the\ndevourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your\nground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the\nfield, saith the Lord of hosts.\u201d Verses 10, 11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n My gracious Lord, I own Thy right\n To every service I can pay,\n And call it my supreme delight\n To hear Thy dictates, and obey.\n\n What is my being, but for Thee,\u2014\n Its sure support, its noblest end?\n \u2019Tis my delight Thy face to see,\n And serve the cause of such a Friend.\n\n I would not sigh for worldly joy,\n Or to increase my worldly good;\n Nor future days or powers employ\n To spread a sounding name abroad.\n\n \u2019Tis to my Saviour I would live\u2014\n To Him who for my ransom died;\n Nor could all worldly honor give\n Such bliss as crowns me at His side.\n PHILIP DODDRIDGE.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Widow\u2019s Mites. \"This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.\" Luke\n 21:3.\n\n\n\n\nFree-Will Offerings\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Bringing Gifts To The Feast. \"Bring an offering, and come into His\n courts.\" Ps. 96:8.\n\n\n1. By what has God ordained that His work be sustained?\n\n\u201cTithes and offerings.\u201d Mal. 3:8.\n\n2. How are we told to come into His courts?\n\n\u201c_Bring an offering_, and come into His courts.\u201d Ps. 96:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Various offerings are mentioned in the Bible, such as\n thank-offerings, peace-offerings, sin-offerings, and\n trespass-offerings.\n\n\n3. In celebrating the three annual feasts, what instruction did God give\nto His people anciently?\n\n\u201cThree times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.... And _none\nshall appear before Me empty_.\u201d Ex. 23:14, 15.\n\n4. With what spirit would God have us give?\n\n\u201cEvery man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not\ngrudgingly, or of necessity: for _God loveth a cheerful giver_.\u201d 2 Cor.\n9:7.\n\n5. On what condition did Paul say he would have a reward?\n\n\u201cIf I do this thing _willingly_, I have a reward.\u201d 1 Cor. 9:17.\n\n6. What has Christ said regarding giving?\n\n\u201cIt is _more blessed to give than to receive_.\u201d Acts 20:35.\n\n7. How does God regard the covetous man?\n\n\u201cThe wicked boasteth of his heart\u2019s desire, and blesseth the covetous,\n_whom the Lord abhorreth_.\u201d Ps. 10:3. See Ex. 18:21.\n\n8. What warning did Christ give against covetousness?\n\n\u201cTake heed, and _beware of covetousness_: for a man\u2019s life consisteth not\nin the abundance of the things which he possesseth.\u201d Luke 12:15.\n\n9. How, in the parable, did God regard the selfish rich man?\n\n\u201cBut God said unto him, _Thou fool_, this night thy soul shall be required\nof thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?\u201d\nVerse 20.\n\n10. What application does Christ make of this parable?\n\n\u201cSo is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward\nGod.\u201d Verse 21. See 1 Tim. 6:7.\n\n11. By what means can men lay up treasure in heaven?\n\n\u201cSell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not\nold, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief\napproacheth, neither moth corrupteth.\u201d Luke 12:33. See 1 Tim. 6:7.\n\n12. What charge was Timothy instructed to give the rich?\n\n\u201cCharge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded,\nnor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly\nall things to enjoy; _that they do good_, _that they be rich in good\nworks_, _ready to distribute_, _willing to communicate_; laying up in\nstore for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they\nmay lay hold on eternal life.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:17-19.\n\n13. How does God regard such a course?\n\n\u201cBut to do good and to communicate forget not: _for with such sacrifices\nGod is well pleased_.\u201d Heb 13:16.\n\n14. According to what rule should one give?\n\n\u201c_Every man shall give as he is able_, according to the blessing of the\nLord thy God which He hath given thee.\u201d Deut. 16:17.\n\n15. Upon what basis are gifts acceptable to God?\n\n\u201cFor if there be first a willing mind, _it is accepted according to that a\nman hath_, and not according to that he hath not.\u201d 2 Cor. 8:12.\n\n16. What indicates where our hearts are?\n\n\u201cFor _where your treasure is_, there will your heart be also.\u201d Luke 12:34.\n\n\n\n\nHospitality\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Elijah And The Widow. \"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.\" Heb.\n 13:2.\n\n\n1. What do the Scriptures say concerning hospitality?\n\n\u201c_Use hospitality one to another_ without grudging. As every man hath\nreceived the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good\nstewards of the manifold grace of God.\u201d 1 Peter 4:9, 10. \u201cBe kindly\naffectioned one to another with brotherly love; ... _distributing to the\nnecessity of saints; given to hospitality_.\u201d Rom. 12:10-13.\n\n2. Is a mere expression of good wishes sufficient?\n\n\u201cIf a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of\nyou say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;\nnotwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the\nbody; _what doth it profit_?\u201d James 2:15, 16.\n\n3. When should we exercise hospitality?\n\n\u201c_As we have therefore opportunity_, let us do good unto all men,\nespecially unto them who are of the household of faith.\u201d Gal. 6:10.\n\n4. What encouragement is given to entertain strangers?\n\n\u201cBe not forgetful to entertain strangers: for _thereby some have\nentertained angels unawares_.\u201d Heb. 13:2. See Gen 18: 1-8; 19:1-3.\n\n5. What blessings are promised those who do such work?\n\n\u201cThe liberal soul _shall be made fat_: and he that watereth _shall be\nwatered also himself_.\u201d Prov. 11:25. 1 Kings 17:8-16.\n\n\n\n\nWho Is The Greatest?\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJesus Washing The Disciples\u2019 Feet. \"Whosoever of you will be the chiefest,\n shall be servant of all.\" Mark 10:44.\n\n\n1. At the last Passover, what did Christ say to His disciples?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto them, With desire have I desired to eat this Passover\nwith you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat\nthereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.\u201d Luke 22:15, 16.\n\n2. Concerning what had there been a strife among the disciples?\n\n\u201cAnd there was also a strife among them, _which of them should be\naccounted the greatest_.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n3. How did Christ rebuke this spirit?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over\nthem; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.\nBut ye shall not be so: but _he that is greatest among you, let him be as\nthe younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve_.\u201d Verses 25, 26.\nSee Mark 10:42-45.\n\n4. What did the Saviour say of His own position?\n\n\u201cFor whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is\nnot he that sitteth at meat? but _I am among you as he that serveth_.\u201d\nVerse 27.\n\n5. Notwithstanding that He was their Lord and Master, what example of\nhumility and willing service did Christ give?\n\n\u201cHe riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and\ngirded Himself. After that _He poureth water into a basin, and began to\nwash the disciples\u2019 feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was\ngirded_.\u201d John 13:4, 5.\n\n6. What was the custom anciently respecting feet-washing?\n\n\u201cLet a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and _wash your feet_.\u201d \u201cAnd\nhe said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant\u2019s\nhouse, and tarry all night, and _wash your feet_.\u201d \u201cAnd the man brought\nthe men into Joseph\u2019s house, and _gave them water, and they washed their\nfeet_.\u201d Gen. 18:4; 19:2; 43:24. See also Judges 19:21; 2 Sam. 11:8.\n\n7. How did Christ reprove Simon for misjudging Him in permitting a woman\nwho was a sinner to wash His feet?\n\n\u201cAnd He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I\nentered into thine house, _thou gavest Me no water for My feet_: but she\nhath washed My feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her\nhead.\u201d Luke 7:44.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014From the scriptures just cited, it appears that the usual\n custom in Christ\u2019s time was for the guests to wash their own feet.\n\n \u201cAs sandals were ineffectual against the dust and heat of an\n Eastern climate, washing the feet on entering a house was an act\n both of respect to the company and of refreshment to the\n traveler.\u201d\u2014_Complete Dictionary of the Bible, by Smith and Barnum,\n article __\u201c__Washing the Hands and Feet.__\u201d_\n\n At a feast it was an Oriental custom for servants or slaves to\n wash the feet of guests. See 1 Sam. 25:40, 41. It was not the\n custom, however, of _equals_ to wash the feet of _equals_, much\n less for _superiors_ to wash the feet of _inferiors_. But this is\n the very thing that Christ did when He washed the disciples\u2019 feet,\n and instituted the ordinance of feet-washing. In this lies the\n lesson of humility and willingness to serve which He designed to\n teach.\n\n\n8. What question did Peter ask concerning this proffered service?\n\n\u201cThen cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, _Lord, dost Thou\nwash my feet_?\u201d John 13:6.\n\n9. What answer did Jesus make?\n\n\u201cJesus answered and said unto him, _What I do thou knowest not now; but\nthou shalt know hereafter_.\u201d Verse 7.\n\n10. How did Peter feel about the Saviour\u2019s washing his feet?\n\n\u201cPeter saith unto Him, _Thou shalt never wash my feet_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n11. What was the Master\u2019s reply to Peter?\n\n\u201cJesus answered him, _If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me_.\u201d\nSame verse.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This ordinance is a type of a higher cleansing,\u2014the\n cleansing of the heart from the stain of sin. It is a rebuke to\n all selfishness and seeking of place and preferment among Christ\u2019s\n professed followers, and a witness to the fact that, in God\u2019s\n sight, it is true humility and loving service which constitute\n real greatness.\n\n\n12. Learning that union with Christ depended on this service, what did\nPeter say?\n\n\u201cSimon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, _not my feet only, but also my hands\nand my head_.\u201d Verse 9. See verse 10.\n\n13. After having washed their feet, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201c_I have given you an example_, that ye should do as I have done to you.\u201d\nVerse 15.\n\n14. What did He say about their washing one another\u2019s feet?\n\n\u201cYe call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your\nLord and Master, have washed your feet; _ye also ought to wash one\nanother\u2019s feet_.\u201d Verses 13, 14.\n\n15. What did Christ say would be their experience in obeying His\ninstruction?\n\n\u201cIf ye know these things, _happy are ye if ye do them_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n16. How does Christ regard an act performed toward the humblest of His\ndisciples?\n\n\u201cInasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,\n_ye have done it unto Me_.\u201d Matt. 25:40.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The great lesson intended to be taught by the instituting of\n this ordinance evidently was such humility as would lead to\n willing service for others. The ordinance itself has been\n practised by many of the most devout followers of Christ during\n the Christian era, and is still observed by some. Kitto, in his\n Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, says it became \u201ca part of the\n observances of the early Christian church,\u201d and that \u201ctraces of\n the practise abound in ecclesiastical history.\u201d The Waldenses held\n it as an ordinance of the church (see their \u201cConfession of Faith,\u201d\n page 12); and according to the Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature\n (Vol. III, page 616), \u201cthe Church of England at first carried out\n the letter of the command.\u201d It is a great test of character, and\n its observance tends to unite hearts in Christian fellowship and\n love.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I will never, never leave thee,\n I will never thee forsake;\n I will guide, and save, and keep thee,\n For My name and mercy\u2019s sake:\n Fear no evil,\n Only all My counsel take.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XV. ADMONITIONS AND WARNINGS\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Dream Of Pilate\u2019s Wife. \"Have thou nothing to do with that just Man:\nfor I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.\" Matt.\n 27:19.\n\n\n\n\nPride\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jonah And The Whale. \"Pride goeth before destruction.\" Prov. 16:18.\n\n\n1. How does the Lord regard pride?\n\n\u201cSix things doth the Lord _hate: ... a proud look_,\u201d etc. Prov. 6:16-19.\n\n2. Of what is pride a forerunner?\n\n\u201cPride goeth before _destruction_, and an haughty spirit before _a fall_.\u201d\nProv. 16:18. See Prov. 29:23.\n\n3. What was the cause of Satan\u2019s downfall?\n\n\u201cThine heart was _lifted up because of thy beauty_.\u201d Eze. 28:17.\n\n4. What is God\u2019s attitude toward the proud?\n\n\u201cGod _resisteth_ the proud.\u201d James 4:6. See Ps. 40:4; 101:5; 138:6; 1 Tim.\n6:4.\n\n5. Why should we not indulge in pride?\n\n\u201cAn high look, and a proud heart, ... is _sin_.\u201d Prov. 21:4.\n\n6. What is to be one of the sins of the last days?\n\n\u201cMen shall be ... _proud_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:2.\n\n7. How are the proud now generally regarded?\n\n\u201cNow we call the proud _happy_.\u201d Mal. 3:15.\n\n8. What is to be the fate of the proud?\n\n\u201cAll the proud ... shall be stubble: and _the day that cometh shall burn\nthem up_.\u201d Mal. 4:1.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Nathan\u2019s Parable. \"The rich man ... spared to take of his own flock, ...\n but took the poor man\u2019s lamb, and dressed it.\" 2 Sam, 12:2-4.\n\n\n\n\nSelfishness\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jacob Deceiving His Father. \"Thou shalt not covet.\" Ex. 20:17.\n\n\n1. What great commandment excludes selfishness?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d Matt. 22:39.\n\n2. What sin is forbidden by the tenth commandment?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not _covet_.\u201d Ex. 20:17.\n\n3. What sins are to characterize the last days?\n\n\u201cMen shall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous_.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:2.\n\n4. How prevalent is this sin of self-seeking?\n\n\u201cFor _all seek their own_, not the things which are Jesus Christ\u2019s.\u201d Phil.\n2:21.\n\n5. What does charity not do?\n\n\u201cCharity ... _seeketh not her own_.\u201d 1 Cor. 13:4, 5.\n\n6. How are we admonished with regard to selfishness?\n\n\u201cLet no man _seek his own_.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:24. \u201cLook not every man _on his own\nthings_, but every man also _on the things of others_.\u201d Phil. 2:4. \u201cEven\nas I please all men in all things, _not seeking mine own profit_, but the\nprofit of many, that they may be saved.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:33. \u201cLet every one of\nus _please his neighbor_ for his good to edification.\u201d Rom. 15:2.\n\n7. What example of unselfishness did Christ leave us?\n\n\u201cFor your sakes _He became poor_.\u201d 2 Cor. 8:9. \u201cEven Christ _pleased not\nHimself_.\u201d Rom. 15:3. See 1 John 3:17.\n\n\n\n\nCovetousness\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Sin Of Achan. \"When I saw ... I coveted them, and took them.\" Joshua\n 7:21.\n\n\n1. What warning did Christ give concerning covetousness?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, _Take heed, and beware of covetousness_: for a\nman\u2019s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he\npossesseth.\u201d Luke 12:15.\n\n2. What commandment forbids this sin?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not covet.\u201d Ex. 20:17.\n\n\n Covetous: \u201cInordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and\n possess (especially money); avaricious.\u201d\u2014_Webster._\n\n\n3. What showed this principle to have been strong in the rich man who\nalready had abundance?\n\n\u201cAnd he said, This will I do: _I will pull down my barns, and build\ngreater_; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will\nsay to my soul, _Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take\nthine ease, eat, drink, and be merry_.\u201d Luke 12:18, 19.\n\n4. What did God say to him?\n\n\u201cBut God said unto him, _Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required\nof thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided_?\u201d\nVerse 20.\n\n5. What application of this parable did the Saviour make?\n\n\u201cSo is he that layeth up _treasure for himself_, and is not _rich toward\nGod_.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n6. What does Paul call covetousness?\n\n\u201cMortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,\nuncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and _covetousness,\nwhich is idolatry_.\u201d Col. 3:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cDo not wade far out into the dangerous sea of this world\u2019s\n comfort. Take the good that God provides you, but say of it, \u2018It\n passeth away;\u2019 for indeed it is but a temporary supply for a\n temporary need. Never suffer your goods to become your\n god.\u201d\u2014_Spurgeon._\n\n\n7. What do these sins bring upon mankind?\n\n\u201cFor which things\u2019 sake _the wrath of God_ cometh on the children of\ndisobedience.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n8. What double service did Christ say is impossible?\n\n\u201cYe cannot serve _God_ and _mammon_.\u201d Luke 16:13.\n\n9. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?\n\n\u201cAnd the Pharisees also, _who were covetous_, heard all these things: and\nthey derided Him.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n10. What reply did Christ make?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;\nbut God knoweth your hearts: for _that which is highly esteemed among men\nis abomination in the sight of God_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n11. How does the Lord regard the covetous?\n\n\u201cFor the wicked boasteth of his heart\u2019s desire, and blesseth the covetous,\n_whom the Lord abhorreth_.\u201d Ps. 10:3.\n\n12. What did this sin lead Achan to do?\n\n\u201cWhen I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred\nshekels of silver, and a wedge of gold, ... _I coveted them, and took\nthem_.\u201d Joshua 7:21.\n\n13. What did covetousness lead Judas to do?\n\n\u201cAnd Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, _to\nbetray Him_ unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and\n_promised to give him money_. And he sought how he might conveniently\n_betray Him_.\u201d Mark 14:10, 11.\n\n14. Why are the last days to be perilous?\n\n\u201cThis know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men\nshall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous,_ boasters, proud,\nblasphemers.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Balaam And The Angel. \"The elders of Moab, ... with the rewards of\n divination in their hand, ... came unto Balaam.\" Num. 22:7.\n\n\n15. What parable did Christ give to correct the false idea of the\nPharisees that wealth was a sign of special favor with God?\n\nThe parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 16:19-31.\n\n16. What did He point out as one of the dangers of the possession of\nwealth?\n\n\u201cAnd Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, _How hardly\nshall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!_... Jesus\nanswereth again, and saith unto them, Children, _how hard is it for them\nthat trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!_\u201d Mark 10:23, 24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014And how hard it is for those who have riches not to trust in\n them!\n\n\n17. As a rule, what class generally accept the gospel?\n\n\u201cHarken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen _the poor of this world_\nrich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them\nthat love Him?\u201d James 2:5.\n\n18. How difficult did Christ say it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom\nof God?\n\n\u201cIt is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a\nrich man to enter into the kingdom of God.\u201d Mark 10:25.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If Christ here referred to a small, low gate in the walls of\n Jerusalem, called \u201cThe Needle\u2019s Eye,\u201d as is thought by some, the\n force of the statement still remains; for, before a camel could\n pass through this gate, it was necessary that he should be\n relieved of his burden, and get down on his knees and creep\n through.\n\n\n19. Why was the rich young man desiring salvation, unwilling to sell what\nhe had and give alms, as Christ told him to do?\n\n\u201cBut when the young man heard that saying, _he went away sorrowful: for he\nhad great possessions_.\u201d Matt. 19:16.\n\n20. What is the love of money declared to be?\n\n\u201cFor the love of money is _the root of all evil_.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:10.\n\n21. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?\n\n\u201cBut they that will be rich _fall into temptation and a snare, and into\nmany foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and\nperdition_.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n22. Who gives man the power to get wealth?\n\n\u201cBut thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for _it is He that giveth thee\npower to get wealth_.\u201d Deut. 8:18.\n\n23. How may all, rich and poor, honor God?\n\n\u201cHonor the Lord _with thy substance_, and _with the first-fruits of all\nthine increase_.\u201d Prov. 3:9.\n\n24. What caution is given concerning riches?\n\n\u201cIf riches increase, _set not your heart upon them_.\u201d Ps. 62:10.\n\n25. Can riches be retained to men\u2019s hurt?\n\n\u201cThere is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, _riches\nkept for the owners thereof to their hurt_.\u201d Eccl. 5:13.\n\n26. What charge is given to the rich?\n\n\u201cCharge them that are rich in this world, _that they be not high-minded,\nnor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God_, who giveth us\nrichly all things to enjoy; that they _do good_, that they be _rich in\ngood works_, _ready to distribute_, _willing to communicate_; laying up in\nstore for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they\nmay lay hold on eternal life.\u201d 1 Tim. 6:17-19.\n\n27. What makes rich without adding sorrow?\n\n\u201c_The blessing of the Lord_, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with\nit.\u201d Prov. 10:22.\n\n28. How are true riches obtained?\n\n\u201cBy _humility_ and the _fear of the Lord_ are riches, and honor, and\nlife.\u201d Prov. 22:4.\n\n29. How did Moses esteem the reproach of Christ?\n\n\u201cEsteeming the reproach of Christ _greater riches than the treasures in\nEgypt_: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.\u201d Heb. 11:26.\n\n30. What two classes of rich men are mentioned in the Bible?\n\n\u201cThere is that maketh himself _rich_, yet _hath nothing_: there is that\nmaketh himself _poor_, yet hath _great riches_.\u201d Prov. 13:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In Luke 12:16-20 is an example of the first class; in Acts\n 4:34-37 are examples of the second.\n\n\n31. What solemn warning is addressed to the rich who, in the last days,\nhave heaped up treasure, and oppressed the poor?\n\n\u201cGo to now, ye rich men, _weep and howl for your miseries that shall come\nupon you_. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.\nYour gold and silver is cankered; and _the rust of them shall be a witness\nagainst you, and shall eat __ your flesh as it were fire_. Ye have heaped\ntreasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who\nhave reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth:\nand the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the\nLord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton;\nye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.\u201d James 5:1-5.\n\n32. Will silver or gold be able to deliver in the day of wrath?\n\n\u201cNeither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the\nday of the Lord\u2019s wrath.\u201d Zeph. 1:18. See also Prov. 11:4.\n\n33. What will the rich men do with their money then?\n\n\u201c_They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be\nremoved_: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in\nthe day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls,\nneither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-block of their\niniquity.\u201d Eze. 7:19.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014When the steamer \u201cCentral America,\u201d with nearly six hundred\n passengers aboard, was wrecked off Cape Hatteras, Sept. 12, 1857,\n in a fearful storm, many of the passengers who were returning\n miners from the gold-mines of California, divested themselves of\n their treasure belts and scattered the gold upon the cabin floors,\n telling those to take it who would, lest its weight about their\n persons should carry them to their death. \u201cFull purses, containing\n in some instances thousands of dollars, lay around untouched.\n Carpetbags were opened, and the shining metal was poured out on\n the floor with the prodigality of death\u2019s despair. One of the\n passengers opened a bag and dashed about the cabin twenty thousand\n dollars in gold-dust, and told him who wanted to gratify his greed\n for gold to take it. But it was passed by untouched, as the\n veriest dross.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Our First Century,__\u201d__ pages 642, 643._\n\n When the steamship \u201cArctic\u201d was lost from a collision in\n mid-ocean, Sept. 20, 1854, one passenger offered thirty thousand\n pounds sterling, or one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, if the\n life-boats would put back to save him. They turned to do so, but\n he sank before they reached him.\u2014_Id._, page 614.\n\n\n34. As stewards of God\u2019s gifts, what are we told to do?\n\n\u201cAnd I say unto you, _Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of\nunrighteousness_; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into\neverlasting habitations.\u201d Luke 16:9. \u201cAs every man hath received the gift,\n_even so minister the same one to another_, as good stewards of the\nmanifold grace of God.\u201d 1 Peter 4:10.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Is not the way to heavenly gain\n Through earthly grief and loss?\n Rest must be won by toil and pain;\n The crown repays the cross.\n HENRY F. LYTE.\n\n\n\n\nDebts\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Forging The Chains. \"The borrower is servant to the lender.\" Prov. 22:7.\n\n\n1. What general rule is laid down in the Bible respecting the meeting of\nobligations?\n\n\u201c_Render therefore to all their dues_: tribute to whom tribute is due;\ncustom to whom custom.... _Owe no man anything, but to love one another._\u201d\nRom. 13:7, 8.\n\n2. In what condition is one who borrows?\n\n\u201cThe borrower is _servant to the lender_.\u201d Prov. 22:7.\n\n3. To what extent is one responsible for that borrowed?\n\n\u201cAnd if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, ...\n_he shall surely make it good_.\u201d Ex. 22:14.\n\n4. Why did the young man in Elisha\u2019s time feel so bad about the loss of an\nax head?\n\n\u201cBut as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he\ncried, and said, Alas, master! for _it was borrowed_.\u201d 2 Kings 6:5.\n\n5. What miracle was wrought by Elisha for its restoration?\n\n\u201cAnd he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; _and the iron did\nswim_.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this we may learn God\u2019s willingness to help those who\n honestly seek to meet their obligations.\n\n\n6. How does the good man guide his affairs?\n\n\u201cA good man showeth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs _with\ndiscretion_.\u201d Ps. 112:5.\n\n7. To what should those listen who lack business discretion?\n\n\u201cPoverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth _instruction_: but he\nthat regardeth _reproof_ shall be honored.\u201d Prov. 13:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is wise for those who, from lack of natural business\n ability, find themselves constantly running into debt, to seek\n advice and counsel from those endowed with more wisdom in such\n matters.\n\n\n8. Which of Christ\u2019s parables teaches business discretion?\n\n\u201cFor which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and\n_counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it_? Lest haply,\nafter he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that\nbehold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not\nable to finish.\u201d Luke 14:28-30.\n\n9. How were means provided for building the tabernacle?\n\n\u201cAnd Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel,\nsaying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying, Take ye from\namong you _an offering_ unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart,\nlet him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,\u201d\netc. Ex. 35:4-9.\n\n10. What provision did David make for building the temple?\n\n\u201cI have prepared with all my might for the house of my God.\u201d 1 Chron.\n29:2.\n\n11. How did the people respond to his call for contributions?\n\n\u201cThen the chief of the fathers and princes ... _offered willingly_....\nThen the people rejoiced, for that _they offered willingly_, because with\nperfect heart _they offered willingly_ to the Lord: and David the king\nalso rejoiced with great joy.\u201d Verses 6-9.\n\n12. When King Jehoash wished to repair the temple, what provision did he\nmake for raising the necessary means?\n\n\u201cAnd Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things\nthat is brought into the house of the Lord, ... and all the money that\ncometh into any man\u2019s heart to bring into the house of the Lord, let the\npriests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them\nrepair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.\u201d\n2 Kings 12:4, 5.\n\n13. When, after sixteen years, it was found that these repairs had not yet\nbeen made, what was done?\n\n\u201cJehoiada the priest _took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and\nset it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of\nthe Lord_: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money\nthat was brought into the house of the Lord.\u201d Verse 9.\n\n14. What was done with the money thus raised?\n\n\u201cThey gave the money ... into the hands of them that did the work, ... and\nthey laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the\nhouse of the Lord.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014These examples furnish good lessons on financing gospel\n enterprises. In each instance, it will be noticed, the means were\n provided before the work of building was begun. No debt,\n therefore, was created. In all business transactions this plan is\n an excellent one to follow.\n\n \u201cDebt! There is no worse demoralizer of character. The sad records\n of defaulting, embezzling, and dishonest failure which we meet\n with so constantly in the daily press are often, indeed most\n frequently, the result of the demoralization of debt, and the\n consequent desperate efforts of extraction. The financial props\n have given way.... Debt ruins as many households and destroys as\n many fine characters as rum; it is the devil\u2019s mortgage on the\n soul, and he is always ready to foreclose. Pay all your bills.\n Look every man in the face, conscious that you owe the world no\n more than it owes you. Be indebted for nothing but love, and even\n that be sure you pay in kind, and that payments are\n frequent.\u201d\u2014_Talmage._\n\n \u201cThis running into debt is a great cause of dishonesty.... Young\n men are growing quite shameless about being in debt; and the\n immorality extends throughout society. Tastes are becoming more\n extravagant and luxurious, without the corresponding increase of\n means to enable them to be gratified. But they are gratified\n nevertheless; and debts are incurred, which afterwards weigh like\n a millstone round the neck.... The safest plan is to run up no\n bills, and never get into debt; and the next is if one does get\n into debt, to get out of it again as quickly as possible. A man in\n debt is not his own master: he is at the mercy of the tradesman he\n employs.... No man can be free who is in debt. The inevitable\n effect of debt is not only to injure personal independence, but,\n in the long run, to inflict moral degradation. The debtor is\n exposed to constant humiliations.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Thrift,__\u201d__ by Samuel\n Smiles, pages 243-247._\n\n The following testimony on this subject is borne by a Chicago\n lady, who had been happily wedded for fifty years. \u201cI know why\n John and I have been happy during these fifty years. In the first\n place, we have made it a rule never to go in debt. I have lived in\n Chicago sixty-eight years, and never during that time have I owed\n a person a cent.... I believe a good deal of unhappiness is caused\n by spending more than you make. It has been our policy to buy what\n we could well afford to have, and then stop.\u201d\u2014_Chicago Tribune,\n Aug. 24, 1902._\n\n\n\n\nRespect Of Persons\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Peter In The House Of Cornelius. \"Of a truth I perceive that God is no\n respecter of persons.\" Acts 10:34.\n\n\n1. Of what has God made all nations?\n\n\u201cAnd hath made _of one blood_ all nations of men for to dwell on all the\nface of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the\nbounds of their habitation.\u201d Acts 17:26.\n\n2. To how many is God good?\n\n\u201cThe Lord is _good to all_: and His tender mercies are over all His\nworks.\u201d Ps. 145:9.\n\n3. Is God a respecter of persons?\n\n\u201cNeither doth God respect any person.\u201d 2 Sam. 14:14.\n\n4. Who is accepted with God?\n\n\u201cThen Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is\nno respecter of persons: but in every nation _he that feareth Him, and\nworketh righteousness, is accepted with Him_.\u201d Acts 10:34, 35.\n\n5. What prohibitions are given in the Scriptures against having respect of\npersons?\n\n\u201cYe shall not respect persons _in judgment_; but ye shall hear the _small_\nas well as the _great_; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man.\u201d Deut.\n1:17. \u201cYe shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect\nthe person of the _poor_, nor honor the person of the _mighty_: but in\nrighteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.\u201d Lev. 19:15. \u201cBlessed is that\nman that ... respecteth not the _proud_, nor such as turn aside to\n_lies_.\u201d Ps. 40:4.\n\n6. Of what are those guilty who respect persons?\n\n\u201cIf ye have respect to persons, _ye commit sin_, and are convinced of the\nlaw as _transgressors_.\u201d James 2:9. \u201cHe that despiseth his neighbor\n_sinneth_.\u201d Prov. 14:21.\n\n7. By what illustration is this sin made plain?\n\n\u201cMy brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of\nglory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man\nwith a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in\nvile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,\nand say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor,\nStand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial\nin yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?\u201d James 2:1-4.\n\n8. What led to the appointment of deacons in the early Christian church?\n\n\u201cAnd in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,\n_there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because\ntheir widows were neglected in the daily ministration_.\u201d Acts 6:1.\n\n9. What mistake did Peter and others make some years later in their\nconduct?\n\n\u201cBut when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because\nhe was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat\nwith the Gentiles: _but when they were come, he withdrew and separated\nhimself, fearing them which were of the circumcision_. And the other Jews\ndissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away\nwith their dissimulation.\u201d Gal. 2:11-13.\n\n10. How are all national, unholy, and unjust distinctions among men swept\naway in Christ?\n\n\u201cFor as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.\n_There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is\nneither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus._\u201d Gal. 3:27,\n28. See also Col. 3:11.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Pharisee And The Publican. \"I tell you, this man [the publican] went\n down to his house justified rather than the other.\" Luke 18:14.\n\n\n\n\nBacksliding\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nPeter\u2019s Denial. \"And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the Man.\"\n Matt. 26:72.\n\n\n1. How does God regard backsliding?\n\n\u201cThy backslidings shall reprove thee: ... _it is an evil thing and bitter,\nthat thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God_, and that My fear is not in\nthee, saith the Lord God of hosts.\u201d Jer. 2:19. \u201cIf any man draw back, _My\nsoul shall have no pleasure in him_.\u201d Heb. 10:38.\n\n2. What has ever been the tendency of God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cMy people are _bent to backsliding from Me_.\u201d Hosea 11:7.\n\n3. What inevitably leads to departure from God?\n\n\u201cTake heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you _an evil heart of\nunbelief_, in departing from the living God.\u201d Heb. 3:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Unbelief is \u201cthe sin which doth so easily beset us.\u201d Heb.\n 12:1.\n\n\n4. In what ways did the constant backsliding of the people of Jerusalem\nmanifest itself?\n\n\u201cWhy then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual\nbacksliding? _they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return_. I harkened\nand heard, but _they spake not aright: no man repented him of his\nwickedness_, saying, What have I done? _every one turned to his course_,\nas the horse rusheth into the battle.\u201d Jer. 8:5, 6.\n\n5. To what is backsliding likened?\n\n\u201cSurely _as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband_, so have ye\ndealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.\u201d Jer.\n3:20.\n\n6. To regain God\u2019s favor, what must the backslider do?\n\n\u201c_Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the\nLord thy God_, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every\ngreen tree, and ye have not obeyed My voice, saith the Lord.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n7. On what condition does God promise mercy to sinners?\n\n\u201c_Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:\nand let him return unto the Lord_, and He will have mercy upon him; and to\nour God, for He will abundantly pardon.\u201d Isa. 55:7.\n\n8. Why must the wicked forsake their thoughts and ways?\n\n\u201cFor My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,\nsaith the Lord.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God desires that we shall think His thoughts, which are\n right thoughts, pure thoughts, everlasting thoughts. He desires\n also that we shall take on His ways, which are ways of\n pleasantness, and walk in His paths, which are paths of peace.\n\n\n9. What is especially necessary to prevent backsliding?\n\n\u201c_Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation._ The spirit truly is\nready, but the flesh is weak.\u201d Mark 14:38.\n\n10. What are believers exhorted to do?\n\n\u201c_Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves._\nKnow ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be\nreprobates?\u201d 2 Cor. 13:5.\n\n11. If one has God\u2019s law in the heart, what will not occur?\n\n\u201cThe law of his God is in his heart; _none of his steps shall slide_.\u201d Ps.\n37:31.\n\n12. What is one characteristic of backsliding?\n\n\u201cEven from the days of your fathers _ye are gone away from Mine\nordinances, and have not kept them_. Return unto Me, and I will return\nunto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?\u201d\nMal. 3:7.\n\n13. In response, what neglected ordinance does God cite?\n\n\u201cWill a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we\nrobbed Thee? In _tithes and offerings_.\u201d Verse 8.\n\n14. What remedy is indicated?\n\n\u201c_Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in\nMine house_, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will\nnot open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that\nthere shall not be room enough to receive it.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n15. Because of Christ\u2019s plain teachings, what did some of His disciples\ndo?\n\n\u201cFrom that time many of His disciples _went back, and walked no more with\nHim_.\u201d John 6:66.\n\n16. When the backslider repents, what does God do?\n\n\u201cTake with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take away all\niniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our\nlips.... _I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely_: for\nMine anger is turned away from him.\u201d Hosea 14:2-4.\n\n17. Will there be special danger of backsliding in the last days?\n\n\u201cAnd because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.\u201d\nMatt. 24:12.\n\n18. What are some of the evils against which we are specially warned at\nthis time?\n\n\u201cAnd take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged\nwith _surfeiting_, and _drunkenness_, and _cares of this life_, and so\nthat day come upon you unawares.\u201d Luke 21:34.\n\n19. In view of the perils surrounding us, what are we told to do?\n\n\u201c_Watch ye therefore, and pray always_, that ye may be accounted worthy to\nescape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the\nSon of man.\u201d Verse 36.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O for a closer walk with God!\n A calm and heavenly frame,\n A light to shine upon the road\n That leads me to the Lamb.\n\n WILLIAM COWPER.\n\n\n\n\nUnbelief\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Moses And Aaron Before Pharaoh. \"Let us lay aside ... the sin which doth\n so easily beset us.\" Heb. 12:1.\n\n\n1. What warning is given in the Bible concerning unbelief?\n\n\u201cTake heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an _evil heart of\nunbelief, in departing from the living God_.\u201d Heb. 3:12.\n\n2. Without faith, what is impossible?\n\n\u201cWithout faith it is impossible _to please Him_.\u201d Heb. 11:6.\n\n3. How only can we be justified?\n\n\u201cBeing justified _by faith_, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus\nChrist.\u201d Rom. 5:1.\n\n4. By what do the just live?\n\n\u201cNow the just shall live _by faith_.\u201d Heb. 10:38.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If men are _justified_ by faith, and are to _live_ by faith,\n it follows that to be unbelieving is not to be justified, and\n consequently not to live in the sense here referred to.\n\n\n5. In whom does the Lord have no pleasure?\n\n\u201cBut if any man _draw back_, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.\u201d Same\nverse.\n\n6. What kind of report did the ten spies bring back concerning the\npromised land?\n\n\u201cThey brought up _an evil report_ of the land which they had searched.\u201d\nNum. 13:32.\n\n7. What did Caleb say of the ability of Israel to take it?\n\n\u201cLet us go up at once, and possess it; for _we are well able to overcome\nit_.\u201d Verse 30.\n\n8. What did the ten spies say?\n\n\u201cBut the men that went up with him said, _We be not able to go up against\nthe people; for they are stronger than we_.\u201d Verse 31.\n\n9. Why did not Israel attain to the standard of righteousness?\n\n\u201cBut Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not\nattained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? _Because they sought it\nnot by faith._\u201d Rom. 9:31, 32.\n\n10. When told of the disciples\u2019 failure to heal an afflicted son, what did\nChrist say of that generation?\n\n\u201cHe answereth him, and saith, _O faithless generation_, how long shall I\nbe with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me.\u201d Mark 9:19.\n\n11. What did Christ say to Thomas because he did not believe the testimony\nof his brethren concerning His resurrection?\n\n\u201cReach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand,\nand thrust it into My side: and _be not faithless, but believing_.\u201d John\n20:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The Lord rebuked Thomas for his unbelief, because he would\n not accept the testimony of so many credible witnesses who had\n seen Him. How much more reprehensible is that unbelief which holds\n out against the present \u201ccloud of witnesses\u201d of prophecy fulfilled\n and fulfilling!\n\n\n12. After speaking of the numerous examples of faith presented in Hebrews\n11, what does Paul exhort us to do?\n\n\u201cWherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of\nwitnesses, let us _lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so\neasily beset us_, and let us run with patience the race that is set before\nus.\u201d Heb. 12:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201cevery weight\u201d here spoken of includes those traits of\n character and habits of life that retard or hinder our running\n successfully the Christian race. These are to be laid aside. But\n there is one thing referred to here that is more than a weight; it\n is a _sin_, and one that easily besets us all,\u2014the sin of\n _unbelief_. To be unbelieving, therefore, is sinful.\n\n\n13. Why did many fail to enter into God\u2019s rest anciently?\n\n\u201cAnd to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to\nthem that _believed not_? So we see that _they could not enter in because\nof unbelief_.\u201d Heb. 3:18, 19.\n\n14. How are these unbelieving ones spoken of?\n\n\u201cBut with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with _them that had\nsinned_, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?\u201d Verse 17.\n\n15. What lesson should we learn from their course?\n\n\u201c_Let us therefore fear_, lest, a promise being left us of entering into\nHis rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.\u201d Heb. 4:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014God does not change. If He was grieved at the unbelief of\n the Israelites, and refused them admittance to Canaan in\n consequence, He cannot permit us to enter the heavenly rest as\n long as we indulge in unbelief.\n\n\n16. What should all labor to do?\n\n\u201cLet us labor therefore _to enter into that rest_, lest any man fall after\nthe same example of unbelief.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n17. Against what are we warned when rebuked of God?\n\n\u201cMy son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, _nor faint when thou\nart rebuked of Him_.\u201d Heb. 12:5.\n\n18. Whom does the Lord chasten?\n\n\u201c_For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth_, and scourgeth every son whom He\nreceiveth.\u201d Verse 6.\n\n19. When God made a promise to Abraham that seemed impossible of\nfulfilment, how did the patriarch receive it?\n\n\u201cHe staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was _strong\nin faith_, giving glory to God.\u201d Rom. 4:20.\n\n20. For what was Abraham\u2019s faith counted?\n\n\u201cFor what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and _it was counted\nunto him for righteousness_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n21. When troubled with doubts, how should we pray?\n\n\u201cLord, I believe; _help Thou mine unbelief_.\u201d Mark 9:24.\n\n22. What is promised those who believe when they pray?\n\n\u201cTherefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,\nbelieve that ye receive them, and _ye shall have them_.\u201d Mark 11:24.\n\n\n\n\nJudging\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nSlaying The First-Born. \"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.\"\n Rom. 12:19.\n\n\n1. What warning does Christ give concerning judging?\n\n\u201cJudge not, that ye be not judged.\u201d Matt. 7:1.\n\n2. What is Satan called in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201c_The accuser of our brethren_ ... which accused them before our God day\nand night.\u201d Rev. 12:10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Then when we judge, accuse, and condemn one another, we are\n doing the work of Satan.\n\n\n3. If we bite and devour one another, what may we expect?\n\n\u201cBut if ye bite and devour one another, _take heed that ye be not consumed\none of another_.\u201d Gal. 5:15.\n\n4. Before attempting to judge, criticize, or correct others, what should\nwe first do?\n\n\u201cAnd why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother\u2019s eye, but\nconsiderest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to\nthy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye: and, behold, a\nbeam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, _first cast out the beam out of\nthine own eye_; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out\nof thy brother\u2019s eye.\u201d Matt. 7:3-5.\n\n5. What did Christ say He did not come to do?\n\n\u201cIf any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for _I came\nnot to judge the world_, but to save the world.\u201d \u201cFor God sent not His Son\ninto the world to _condemn_ the world; but that the world through Him\nmight be _saved_.\u201d John 12:47; 3:17.\n\n6. What question does Paul ask concerning judging?\n\n\u201c_Who art thou that judgest another man\u2019s servant?_ to his own master he\nstandeth or falleth.\u201d Rom. 14:4.\n\n7. To whom are all to give account?\n\n\u201cSo then every one of us shall give account of himself _to God_.\u201d Verse\n12.\n\n8. What exhortation, therefore, does the apostle give?\n\n\u201c_Let us not therefore judge one another any more_: but judge this rather,\nthat no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother\u2019s\nway.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n9. Instead of railing on His enemies, what did Christ do?\n\n\u201cWho, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He\nthreatened not; but _committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously_.\u201d\n1 Peter 2:23.\n\n10. Wherein do man\u2019s judging and God\u2019s judging differ?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for _man looketh on the outward\nappearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart_.\u201d 1 Sam. 16:7. \u201cYe are they\nwhich justify yourselves before men; but _God knoweth your hearts_: for\n_that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of\nGod_.\u201d Luke 16:15.\n\n11. How does Christ tell us to judge?\n\n\u201cJudge _not according to the appearance_, but _judge righteous judgment_.\u201d\nJohn 7:24.\n\n12. How, by whom, and in what spirit should those having committed faults\nbe dealt with?\n\n\u201cBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, _ye which are spiritual,\nrestore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest\nthou also be tempted_.\u201d Gal. 6:1.\n\n13. Of what are those generally guilty who judge others?\n\n\u201cTherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:\nfor wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; _for thou that\njudgest doest the same things_.\u201d Rom. 2:1.\n\n14. Whom are we not likely to judge and condemn?\n\n\u201cFor if we would judge _ourselves_, we should not be judged.\u201d 1 Cor.\n11:31.\n\n15. What instruction does James give regarding judging?\n\n\u201c_Speak not evil one of another, brethren._ He that speaketh evil of his\nbrother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth\nthe law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a\njudge.\u201d James 4:11. See Titus 3:2.\n\n16. Why is it safer not to judge and condemn others?\n\n\u201cJudge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be\ncondemned.\u201d Luke 6:37. \u201c_For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be\njudged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you\nagain._\u201d Matt. 7:2. See Ps. 18:25, 26.\n\n17. To what time are we exhorted to defer judgment?\n\n\u201cTherefore judge nothing before the time, _until the Lord come_, who both\nwill bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest\nthe counsels of the heart.\u201d 1 Cor. 4:5.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n \u201cJudge not;\u201d the workings of his brain\n And of his heart thou canst not see.\n What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,\n In God\u2019s pure sight may only be\n A scar, brought from some well-won field\n Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.\n\n The look, the air, that frets thy sight,\n May be a token that, below,\n The soul has closed in deadly fight\n With some infernal, fiery foe\n Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace,\n And cast thee shuddering on thy face.\n\n The fall thou darest to despise\u2014\n Perhaps the angel\u2019s slackened hand\n Has suffered it, that he may rise\n And take a firmer, surer stand;\n Or, trusting less to earthly things,\n May henceforth learn to use his wings.\n\n And judge none lost, but wait and see,\n With hopeful pity, not disdain;\n The depth of that abyss may be\n The measure of the height of pain,\n And love, and glory, that may raise\n The soul to God in after-days.\n\n ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.\n\n\n\n\nGossiping And Backbiting\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Sowing Tares. \"While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares.\" Matt.\n 13:25\n\n\n1. What does the ninth commandment forbid?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not bear _false witness_ against thy neighbor.\u201d Ex. 20:16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The evident object of this commandment is to guard the\n rights, interests, and reputation of our neighbor, by guarding our\n conversation, and confining our words to that which is strictly\n true.\n\n\n2. What instruction did John the Baptist give the soldiers who asked of\nhim advice regarding the way of life?\n\n\u201cAnd he said unto them, Do violence to no man, _neither accuse any\nfalsely_; and be content with your wages.\u201d Luke 3:14.\n\n3. What is one test of a perfect man?\n\n\u201cIf any man _offend not in word_, the same is _a perfect man_, and able\nalso to bridle the whole body.\u201d James 3:2.\n\n4. How did Christ teach the importance of guarding our speech?\n\n\u201cBut I say unto you, That _every idle word_ that men shall speak, they\nshall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy _words_ thou\nshalt be justified, and by thy _words_ thou shalt be condemned.\u201d Matt.\n12:36, 37.\n\n5. To whom are our words all known?\n\n\u201cFor there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, _O Lord, Thou knowest it\naltogether_.\u201d Ps. 139:4.\n\n6. Of what are one\u2019s words an index?\n\n\u201cOut of the abundance of _the heart_ the mouth speaketh.\u201d Matt. 12:34.\n\n7. What conduct is condemned by the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not go up and down _as a talebearer among thy people_: neither\nshalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord.\u201d Lev.\n19:16.\n\n8. To what are the words of a talebearer compared?\n\n\u201cThe words of a talebearer are _as wounds_.\u201d Prov. 26:22.\n\n9. What is their effect?\n\n\u201cHe that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but _he that repeateth a\nmatter separateth very friends_.\u201d Prov. 17:9.\n\n10. What would follow if there were no talebearers?\n\n\u201cWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so _where there is no\ntalebearer, the strife ceaseth_.\u201d Prov. 26:20.\n\n11. Among other things, what did Paul fear he would find in the Corinthian\nchurch?\n\n\u201cFor I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and\nthat I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be\ndebates, envyings, wraths, strifes, _backbitings_, whisperings, swellings,\ntumults.\u201d 2 Cor. 12:20.\n\n12. What result follows backbiting and like evils?\n\n\u201cFor all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love\nthy neighbor as thyself. But _if ye bite and devour one another, take heed\nthat ye be not consumed one of another_.\u201d Gal. 5:14, 15.\n\n13. How may a backbiting tongue be rebuked?\n\n\u201cThe north wind driveth away rain: _so doth an angry countenance a\nbackbiting tongue_.\u201d Prov. 25:23.\n\n14. To whom is the promise made of abiding in the tabernacle of the Lord,\nand dwelling in His holy hill?\n\n\u201cHe that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the\ntruth in his heart. _He that backbiteth not with __ his tongue, nor doeth\nevil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor_.\u201d Ps.\n15:2, 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cNever carry a sword in your tongue to wound the reputation\n of any man,\u201d says Kirkle. Noah Webster laid down this rule: \u201cWe\n should say nothing of a person in his absence that we should be\n unwilling to say if he were present.\u201d How few govern their\n conversation according to this rule! See Prov. 31:10, 26.\n\n\n15. What caution is given in regard to receiving an accusation against an\nelder?\n\n\u201cAgainst an elder receive not an accusation, _but before two or three\nwitnesses_.\u201d 1 Tim. 5:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cHe that lends an easy and credulous ear to calumny is\n either a man of very mean morals, or has no more sense of\n understanding than a child.\u201d\u2014_Menander._\n\n\n16. Can man, unrenewed by grace, control his tongue?\n\n\u201cFor every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in\nthe sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: _but the tongue can no\nman tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison_.\u201d James 3:7, 8.\n\n17. As a guard against the misuse of the power of speech, therefore, for\nwhat should we pray?\n\n\u201cSet a _watch_, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the _door_ of my lips.\u201d Ps.\n141:3.\n\n18. What vow did David take against offenses of the tongue?\n\n\u201cI said, _I will take heed to my ways_, that I sin not with my _tongue_:\n_I will keep my mouth with a bridle_, while the wicked is before me.\u201d Ps.\n39:1.\n\n19. What is a sure cure for backbiting?\n\n\u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d Matt. 22:39. \u201cWhatsoever ye\nwould that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.\u201d Matt. 7:12.\n\u201cSpeak evil of no man.\u201d Titus 3:2. See also James 4:11.\n\n20. What are those words like which are fitly spoken?\n\n\u201cA word fitly spoken is _like apples of gold in pictures of silver_.\u201d\nProv. 25:11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n \u201cKeep a watch on your words, my darlings,\n For words are wonderful things:\n They are sweet like bees\u2019 fresh honey;\n Like the bees they have terrible stings;\n They can bless like the warm, glad sunshine,\n And brighten a lonely life;\n They can cut in the strife of anger,\n Like an open, two-edged knife.\u201d\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Joseph Sold Into Egypt. \"Where envying and strife is, there is confusion\n and every evil work.\" James 3:16.\n\n\n\n\nEnvy, Jealousy, And Hatred\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Saul Seeks David\u2019s Life. \"Who is able to stand before envy?\" Prov. 27:4.\n\n\n1. What does Solomon say of envy?\n\n\u201cWrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but _who is able to stand before\nenvy_?\u201d Prov. 27:4.\n\n2. What is said of jealousy?\n\n\u201cJealousy is _cruel as the grave_.\u201d Song of Solomon 8:6.\n\n3. What is said of one who hates his brother?\n\n\u201cWhosoever hateth his brother _is a murderer_.\u201d 1 John 3:15.\n\n4. What did envy lead the chief priests to do with Christ?\n\n\u201cFor he [Pilate] knew that the chief priests had _delivered Him [to be\ncrucified] for envy_.\u201d Mark 15:10.\n\n5. What did it lead the Jews to do in Paul\u2019s day?\n\n\u201cBut when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and\n_spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and\nblaspheming_.\u201d Acts 13:45.\n\n6. What exists where envy and strife are?\n\n\u201cFor where envying and strife is, there is _confusion and every evil\nwork_.\u201d James 3:16.\n\n7. Why should the heart be closely watched?\n\n\u201cKeep thy heart with all diligence; for _out of it are the issues of\nlife_.\u201d Prov. 4:23.\n\n\n\n\nHypocrisy\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nJesus Betrayed By A Kiss. \"Let love be without dissimulation.\" Rom. 12:9.\n\n\n1. Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?\n\n\u201cBeware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is _hypocrisy_.\u201d Luke\n12:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Hypocrisy is a feigning to be what one is not;\n dissimulation; a concealment of one\u2019s real character or motives;\n especially, the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or\n religion.\n\n\n2. How did the Pharisees show themselves to be hypocrites?\n\n\u201cYe hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people\n_draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips;\nbut their heart is far from Me_.\u201d Matt. 15:7, 8.\n\n3. How did they make void one of God\u2019s commandments?\n\n\u201cFor God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.... But ye say,\nWhosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by\nwhatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or\nhis mother, he shall be free. _Thus have ye made the commandment of God of\nnone effect by your tradition._\u201d Verses 4-6.\n\n4. How did Christ say hypocrites pray?\n\n\u201cAnd when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for _they\nlove to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,\nthat they may be seen of men_. Verily I say unto you, They have their\nreward.\u201d Matt. 6:5.\n\n5. What does Christ call one who readily sees the faults of others, but\ndoes not see nor correct his own?\n\n\u201c_Thou hypocrite_, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then\nshalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother\u2019s eye.\u201d\nMatt. 7:5.\n\n6. How does a hypocrite treat his neighbor?\n\n\u201cAn hypocrite with his mouth _destroyeth his neighbor_.\u201d \u201cFor as he\nthinketh in his heart, so is he: _Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his\nheart is not with thee_.\u201d Prov. 11:9; 23:7.\n\n7. Which of the apostles was once guilty of dissimulation?\n\n\u201cAnd the other Jews dissembled likewise with him [Peter]; insomuch that\nBarnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.\u201d Gal. 2:13.\n\n8. Why did Paul say he opposed Peter in this matter?\n\n\u201cBut when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, _because\nhe was to be blamed_.\u201d Verse 11.\n\n9. What did David say he would not do?\n\n\u201cI have not sat with vain persons, _neither will I go in with\ndissemblers_.\u201d Ps. 26:4.\n\n10. How pure should be our love?\n\n\u201cLet love be _without dissimulation_.\u201d Rom. 12:9.\n\n11. What will become of the hypocrite\u2019s hope?\n\n\u201cSo are the paths of all that forget God; and _the hypocrite\u2019s hope shall\nperish_.\u201d Job 8:13.\n\n12. What is to be the fate of that servant who, while professing to love\nthe Lord, shows by his actions that he is worldly, and is not looking nor\nlonging for His coming?\n\n\u201cThe Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him,\nand in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and\n_appoint him his portion with the hypocrites_: there shall be weeping and\ngnashing of teeth.\u201d Matt. 24:50, 51. \u201cThe sinners in Zion are afraid;\ntearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.\u201d Isa. 33:14.\n\n13. What is characteristic of heavenly wisdom?\n\n\u201cThe wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and\neasy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,\nand _without hypocrisy_.\u201d James 3:17.\n\n\n\n\nDanger In Rejecting Light\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n John Reproving Herod. \"Walk while ye have the light.\" John 12:35.\n\n\n1. How does God regard sins of ignorance?\n\n\u201cAnd _the times of this ignorance God winked at_; but now commandeth all\nmen everywhere to repent.\u201d Acts 17:30.\n\n2. To whom is sin imputed?\n\n\u201cTherefore _to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not_, to him it\nis sin.\u201d James 4:17.\n\n3. In what words did Christ teach the same truth?\n\n\u201cJesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye\nsay, _We see_; therefore your sin remaineth.\u201d \u201cIf I had not come and\nspoken unto them, they had not had sin: but _now they have no cloak_\n[margin, _excuse_] _for their sin_.\u201d John 9:41; 15:22. See John 3:19.\n\n4. In view of this, what instruction does He give?\n\n\u201cWalk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.... While ye\nhave light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.\u201d\nJohn 12:35, 36.\n\n5. Who courts the light?\n\n\u201cEvery one that doeth evil hateth the light.... But _he that doeth truth_\ncometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are\nwrought in God.\u201d John 3:20, 21.\n\n\n\n\nThe Just Recompense\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nDestruction Of Sennacherib\u2019s Army. \"Who will render to every man according\n to his deeds.\" Rom. 2:6.\n\n\n1. How has God recompensed men in the past?\n\n\u201cFor if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression\nand disobedience received _a just recompense of reward_; how shall we\nescape, if we neglect so great salvation?\u201d Heb. 2:2, 3.\n\n2. How are all to be rewarded in the judgment?\n\n\u201cFor we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one\nmay receive the things done in his body, _according to that he hath done,\nwhether it be good or bad_.\u201d 2 Cor. 5:10. \u201cWho will render to every man\n_according to his deeds_: ... for there is no respect of persons with\nGod.\u201d Rom. 2:6-11. \u201cBe not deceived; God is not mocked: for _whatsoever a\nman soweth that shall he also reap_.\u201d Gal. 6:7.\n\n3. What will be the reward of the wrong-doer?\n\n\u201cFor he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap _corruption_.\u201d\nVerse 8. \u201c_Tribulation_ and _anguish_, upon every soul of man that doeth\nevil.\u201d Rom. 2:9.\n\n4. What will be the recompense of the righteous?\n\n\u201cBut he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap _life\neverlasting_.\u201d Gal. 6:8. \u201cBut _glory, honor, and peace_, to every man that\nworketh good.\u201d Rom. 2:10.\n\n5. What general rule of recompense is laid down in the Bible?\n\n\u201cJudge not, that ye be not judged. For _with what judgment ye judge, ye\nshall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to\nyou again_.\u201d Matt. 7:1, 2. \u201cWith the _merciful_ Thou wilt show Thyself\n_merciful_; with an _upright_ man Thou wilt show Thyself _upright_; with\nthe _pure_ Thou wilt show Thyself _pure_; and with the _froward_ Thou wilt\nshow Thyself _froward_.\u201d Ps. 18:25, 26.\n\n6. In view of this, what are we warned not to do?\n\n\u201cRecompense to no man _evil for evil_.\u201d Rom. 12:17. \u201cNot rendering _evil\nfor evil_, or _railing for railing_: but contrariwise blessing.\u201d 1 Peter\n3:9.\n\n7. What is said of those who render evil for good?\n\n\u201cWhoso rewardeth evil for good, _evil shall not depart from his house_.\u201d\nProv. 17:13.\n\n8. What principle of justice should govern us in our dealings?\n\n\u201cWithhold not good from them _to whom it is due_, when it is in the power\nof thine hand to do it.\u201d Prov. 3:27.\n\n9. Where are all to be recompensed?\n\n\u201cBehold, the righteous shall be recompensed _in the earth_: much more the\nwicked and the sinner.\u201d Prov. 11:31.\n\n10. In meting out the final awards, what may we be sure God will do?\n\n\u201cShall not the Judge of all the earth _do right_?\u201d Gen. 18:25. \u201c_Justice_\nand _judgment_ are the habitation of Thy throne: _mercy_ and _truth_ shall\ngo before Thy face.\u201d Ps. 89:14.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O that the Lord would guide my ways\n To keep His statutes still!\n O that my God would grant me grace\n To know and do His will!\n\n Order my footsteps by Thy word,\n And make my heart sincere;\n Let sin have no dominion, Lord,\n But keep my conscience clear.\n\n Make me to walk in Thy commands,\n \u2019Tis a delightful road;\n Nor let my head, nor heart, nor hands\n Offend against my God.\n ISAAC WATTS\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XVI. THE HOME\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Marriage At Cana. \"Home is the grandest of all\n institutions.\"\u2014_Spurgeon._ See page 711.\n\n\n\n\nThe Marriage Institution\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Isaac And Rebekah. \"Marriage is honorable in all.\" Heb. 13:4.\n\n\n1. After creating man, what did God say?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God said, _It is not good that the man should be alone_.\u201d\nGen. 2:18.\n\n2. What, therefore, did God say He would make?\n\n\u201cI will make him _an help_ meet for him.\u201d Same verse.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Not a _helpmeet_ nor a _helpmate_, but\u2014two words\u2014a help\n _meet_ for him; that is, _fit_ or _suitable_ for him. The word\n _meet_ in the original means a front, a part opposite, a\n counterpart, or mate. Man\u2019s companion, or help, was to correspond\n to him. Each was to be suited to the other\u2019s needs.\n\n\n3. Could such a help be found among the creatures which God had already\nmade?\n\n\u201cAnd Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to\nevery beast of the field; _but for Adam there was not found an help meet\nfor him_.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n4. What, therefore, did God do?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and\nHe took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the\nrib, which the Lord God had taken from man, _made he a woman, and brought\nher unto the man_.\u201d Verses 21, 22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014How beautiful, in its fulness of meaning, is this simple but\n suggestive story, at which skeptics sneer. God did not make man\n after the order of the lower animals, but \u201cin His own image.\u201d\n Neither did He choose man\u2019s companion, or \u201chelp,\u201d from some other\n order of beings, but made her from man\u2014of the same substance. And\n He took this substance, not from man\u2019s _feet_, that he might have\n an excuse to degrade, enslave, or trample upon her; nor from man\u2019s\n _head_, that woman might assume authority over man; but from man\u2019s\n _side_, from over his _heart_, the _seat of affections_, that\n woman might stand at his side as _man\u2019s equal_, and, _side by side\n with him_, together, under God, work out the purpose and destiny\n of the race,\u2014man, the strong, the noble, the dignified; woman, the\n weaker, the sympathetic, the loving. How much more exalted and\n inspiring is this view than the theory that man developed from the\n lower order of animals.\n\n\n5. What did Adam say as he received his wife from God?\n\n\u201cAnd Adam said, _This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh_: she\nshall be called _Woman_, because she was taken out of _Man_.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n6. What great truth was then stated?\n\n\u201cTherefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave\nunto his wife: and _they shall be one flesh_.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n7. In what words does Christ recognize marriage as of God?\n\n\u201cWherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. _What therefore God hath\njoined together_, let not man put asunder.\u201d Matt. 19:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Thus was the marriage institution ordained of God in Eden,\n before man sinned. Like the Sabbath, it has come down to us with\n the Edenic dews of divine blessing still upon it. It was ordained\n not only for the purpose of peopling the earth and perpetuating\n the race, but to promote social order and human happiness; to\n prevent irregular affection; and, through well-regulated families,\n to transmit truth, purity, and holiness from age to age. Around it\n cluster all the purest and truest joys of home and the race. When\n the divine origin of marriage is recognized, and the divine\n principles controlling it are obeyed, marriage is indeed a\n blessing; but when these are disregarded, untold evils are sure to\n follow. That which, rightly used, is of greatest blessing, when\n abused becomes the greatest curse.\n\n\n8. By what commands has God guarded the marriage relation?\n\n\u201cThou shalt not commit adultery.\u201d \u201cThou shalt not covet thy neighbor\u2019s\nwife.\u201d Ex. 20:14, 17.\n\n9. What New Testament injunction is given respecting marriage?\n\n\u201c_Let marriage be had in honor among all_, and let the bed be undefiled:\nfor fornicators and adulterers God will judge.\u201d Heb. 13:4, R. V.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By many, marriage is lightly regarded\u2014is often made even a\n subject of jest. Its divine origin, its great object, and its\n possibilities and influences for good or evil are little thought\n of, and hence it is often entered into with little idea of its\n responsibilities or its sacred obligations. The marriage\n relationship is frequently used in the Scriptures as a symbol of\n the relationship existing between God and His people. See Rom.\n 7:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Hosea 2:19, 20; Rev. 19:7.\n\n\n10. After the fall, what sort of marriages were introduced by men, which\nwere productive of great evil?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth,\nand daughters were born unto them, that _the sons of God saw the daughters\nof men_ that they were fair; _and they took them wives of all which they\nchose_.\u201d Gen. 6:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Not only was there plurality of wives, which in itself is an\n evil, but the \u201csons of God,\u201d descending from Seth, married the\n \u201cdaughters of men,\u201d the descendants from the idolatrous line of\n Cain, and thus corrupted the seed, or church, of God itself. All\n the barriers against evil thus being broken down, the whole race\n was soon corrupted, violence filled the earth, and the flood\n followed.\n\n\n11. What restriction did God make respecting marriages in Israel?\n\n\u201cLet them marry to whom they think best; _only to the family of the tribe\nof their father shall they marry_.\u201d Num. 36:6.\n\n12. What prohibition did God give His chosen people against intermarrying\nwith the heathen nations about them, and why?\n\n\u201c_Neither shalt thou make marriages with them_; thy daughter thou shalt\nnot give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. _For\nthey will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other\ngods_: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy\nthee suddenly.\u201d Deut. 7:3, 4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Intermarriage with the ungodly was the mistake made by the\n professed people of God before the flood, and God did not wish\n Israel to repeat that folly.\n\n\n13. What instruction is given in the New Testament regarding marriage with\nunbelievers?\n\n\u201c_Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers_: for what\nfellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion\nhath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or\nwhat part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath\nthe temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.\u201d 2\nCor. 6:14-16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This instruction forbids all compromising partnerships.\n Marriage of believers with unbelievers has ever been a snare by\n which Satan has captured many earnest souls who thought they could\n win the unbelieving, but in most cases have themselves drifted\n away from the moorings of faith into doubt, backsliding, and loss\n of religion. It was one of Israel\u2019s constant dangers, against\n which God warned them repeatedly. \u201cGive not your daughters unto\n their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek\n their peace [by such compromise] or their wealth forever.\u201d Ezra\n 9:12. See also Ex. 34:14-16; Judges 14:1-3; Ezra 9 and 10; and\n Neh. 13:23-27. Even Solomon fell before the influence of heathen\n wives. Concerning him the inspired Word has left this melancholy\n record: \u201cHis wives turned away his heart after other gods.\u201d 1\n Kings 11:4. No Christian can marry an unbeliever without running\n serious risk, and placing himself upon the enemy\u2019s ground. The\n Scriptures do not advocate separation after the union has been\n formed (see 1 Cor. 7:2-16), but good sense should teach us that\n faith can best be maintained, and domestic happiness best insured,\n where both husband and wife are believers, and of the same faith.\n Both ministers and parents, therefore, should warn the young\n against all improper marriages.\n\n\n14. What instruction did Abraham give his servant Eliezer when sending him\nto select a wife for his son Isaac?\n\n\u201cThou shalt take a wife for my son _of my kindred, and of my father\u2019s\nhouse_.\u201d Gen. 24:40.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This passage indicates that in early Bible times parents\n generally had more to do in the selection of life companions for\n their children than they commonly have now. Young people who are\n wise will seek the advice and counsel of their parents, and above\n all, will seek to know the will of God, before entering upon this\n important relationship, with its grave responsibilities and its\n momentous consequences.\n\n\n15. For how long does marriage bind the contracting parties?\n\n\u201cFor the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband\n_so long as he liveth_.\u201d Rom. 7:2. See 1 Cor. 7:39.\n\n16. What only does Christ recognize as proper ground for dissolving the\nmarriage relationship?\n\n\u201cWhosoever shall put away his wife, _except it be for fornication_, and\nshall marry another, committeth adultery.\u201d Matt. 19:9.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Civil laws recognize other reasons as justifiable causes for\n separation, such as extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or\n other like gross offenses; but only one offense, according to\n Christ, warrants the complete annulment of the marriage tie.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n There is a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told,\n When two that are linked in one heavenly tie,\n With heart never changing and brow never cold,\n Love on through all ills, and love on till they die.\n MOORE.\n\n\n\n\nA Happy Home, And How To Make It\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Home Circle. \"Happy the home when God is there, And love fills every\n breast.\"\n\n\n1. Where and by whom were the foundations of home laid?\n\n\u201cAnd _the Lord God_ planted a garden eastward _in Eden_; and _there_ He\nput the man whom He had formed.\u201d Gen. 2:8.\n\n2. In making this home, what besides man was needed?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I\nwill make him _an help meet_ [one _adapted_, or _suitable_] _for him_.\u201d\nVerse 18.\n\n3. After creating Adam and Eve, what did God say to them?\n\n\u201cAnd God blessed them, and God said unto them, _Be fruitful, and multiply,\nand replenish the earth_.\u201d Gen. 1:28.\n\n4. To what are the wife and children of the man who fears the Lord\nlikened?\n\n\u201cHappy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be\n_as a fruitful vine_ by the sides of thine house: thy children _like\nolive-plants_ round about thy table.\u201d Ps. 128:2, 3.\n\n5. What are children declared to be?\n\n\u201cLo, children are _an heritage of the Lord_.\u201d Ps. 127:3. \u201cChildren\u2019s\nchildren are _the crown of old men_; and the glory of children are their\nfathers.\u201d Prov. 17:6.\n\n6. How should the wife relate herself to her husband?\n\n\u201cWives, _submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord_. For\nthe husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the\nchurch.\u201d Eph. 5:22, 23.\n\n7. And how should husbands regard their wives?\n\n\u201cHusbands, _love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church_, and\ngave Himself for it.... So ought men to _love their wives as their own\nbodies_. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.... Let every one of you\nin particular _so love his wife even as himself_; and the wife see that\nshe reverence her husband.\u201d Verses 25-33.\n\n8. Against what are husbands cautioned?\n\n\u201cHusbands, love your wives, and _be not bitter against them_.\u201d Col. 3:19.\n\n9. Why should wives be in subjection to their husbands?\n\n\u201cLikewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; _that, if any\nobey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the\nconversation_ [_manner of life_] _of the wives_.\u201d 1 Peter 3:1.\n\n10. Why should husbands be considerate of their wives?\n\n\u201cLikewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving\nhonor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs\ntogether of the grace of life; _that your prayers be not hindered_.\u201d Verse\n7.\n\n11. Why should children obey their parents?\n\n\u201cChildren, obey your parents in the Lord: _for this is right_.\u201d Eph. 6:1.\n\n12. How should parents bring up their children?\n\n\u201cAnd, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up\nin the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.\u201d Verse 4.\n\n13. Why should fathers not provoke their children to anger?\n\n\u201cFathers, provoke not your children to anger, _lest they be discouraged_.\u201d\nCol. 3:21.\n\n14. By what means may the mother bind the hearts of the loved ones at home\ntogether?\n\n\u201cShe openeth her mouth with _wisdom_; and in her tongue is _the law of\nkindness_.\u201d Prov. 31:26.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cWe want to get into the hearts of our children if we hold\n them, and help them, and bless them, and take them to heaven with\n us.\u201d\u2014_Frances Murphy._\n\n\n15. How will such a mother be regarded?\n\n\u201cHer children arise up, and _call her blessed_; her husband also, and _he\npraiseth her_.\u201d Verse 28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cShow me a loving husband, a worthy wife, and good children,\n and no pair of horses that ever flew along the road could take me\n in a year where I could see a more pleasing sight. Home is the\n grandest of all institutions.\u201d\u2014_Spurgeon._\n\n\n16. How faithfully should parents teach the precepts and commandments of\nGod to their children?\n\n\u201cAnd thou shalt _teach them diligently_ unto thy children, and shalt talk\nof them _when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the\nway, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up_.\u201d Deut. 6:7.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe home should be made a school of instruction, rather\n than a place of monotonous drudgery. The evenings should be\n cherished as precious seasons, to be devoted to the instruction of\n the children in the way of righteousness. But how many children\n are sadly neglected! They are not educated in the home, that they\n may comprehend the truth of God, and are not trained to love\n justice and to do judgment. They should be patiently instructed,\n that they may understand the laws that govern them, and that they\n may know the springs of their actions. They are to be brought into\n harmony with the laws of heaven, to cherish the truth as it is in\n Jesus. In this way they may be fitted to join the society of the\n angels, and to stand in the presence of the adorable\n Redeemer.\u201d\u2014_Sabbath School Worker, August, 1896._\n\n \u201cA church within a church, a republic within a republic, a world\n within a world, is spelled by four letters\u2014home! If things go\n right there, they go right everywhere; if things go wrong there,\n they go wrong everywhere. The door-sill of the dwelling-house is\n the foundation of church and state.... In other words, domestic\n life overarches and undergirds all other life.... First, last, and\n all the time, have Christ in your home.\u201d\u2014_Talmage._\n\n\n17. What is the great secret of a happy home?\n\n\u201cBetter is a dinner of herbs where _love_ is, than a stalled ox and hatred\ntherewith.\u201d Prov. 15:17.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Happy the home when God is there,\n And love fills every breast;\n When one their wish, and one their prayer,\n And one their heavenly rest.\n\n Happy the home where Jesus\u2019 name\n Is sweet to every ear;\n Where children early lisp His fame,\n And parents hold Him dear.\n\n Happy the home where prayer is heard,\n And praise is wont to rise;\n Where parents love the Sacred Word,\n And live but for the skies.\n\n\n\n\nReligion In The Home\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nWorship In A Cavalier\u2019s Home. \"First, last, and all the time, have Christ\n in your home.\"\u2014_Talmage._\n\n\n1. How well acquainted is God with each individual\u2019s life?\n\n\u201cThou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising. Thou understandest my\nthought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art\nacquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but,\nlo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.\u201d Ps. 139:2-4.\n\n2. What is the beginning of wisdom?\n\n\u201c_The fear of the Lord_ is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding\nhave all they that do His commandments.\u201d Ps. 111:10.\n\n3. Upon whom is God\u2019s fury to be poured?\n\n\u201cPour out Thy fury upon _the heathen that know Thee not, and upon the\nfamilies that call not on Thy name_.\u201d Jer. 10:25.\n\n4. How are parents instructed to bring up their children?\n\n\u201cAnd, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up\nin the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.\u201d Eph. 6:4.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cReligion is love, and a religious home is one in which love\n reigns. There must be love in action, love that flows out in all\n the home intercourse, showing itself in a thousand little\n expressions of thoughtfulness, kindness, unselfishness, and gentle\n courtesy.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion__\u201d_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., page\n 83.\n\n\n5. How faithfully should parents teach their children the Word of God?\n\n\u201cAnd these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:\nand _thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children_, and shalt talk\nof them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the\nway, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.\u201d Deut. 6:6, 7.\n\n6. What is the value of proper early instruction?\n\n\u201cTrain up a child in the way he should go: and _when he is old, he will\nnot depart from it_.\u201d Prov. 22:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014No man ever said that he began the service of God too young.\n No parent ever regretted bringing up his children to love, fear,\n honor, and obey God.\n\n\n7. How early were the Scriptures taught to Timothy?\n\n\u201cAnd that _from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures_, which are\nable to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ\nJesus.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:15.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Timothy\u2019s father was a Greek, and his mother a Jewess. From\n a child he had been taught the Scriptures. The faith of his mother\n and of his grandmother in the Word of God had early been implanted\n in him through their faithful instruction. 2 Tim. 1:5. The piety\n which he saw in his home life had a molding influence upon his own\n life. This, with his knowledge of the Scriptures, qualified him to\n bear responsibilities and to render faithful service later in the\n cause of Christ. His home instructors had cooperated with God in\n preparing him for a life of usefulness. Thus it should be in every\n home.\n\n\n8. Why did God confide in Abraham, and commit sacred trusts to him?\n\n\u201cFor I know him, _that he will command his children and his household\nafter him_, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and\njudgment.\u201d Gen. 18:19.\n\n9. Wherever Abraham went, what was his practise?\n\n\u201cAnd there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of\nthe Lord.\u201d Gen. 12:8. See also Gen. 13:4; 21:33.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cThe manner in which the family worship is conducted is very\n important. It should be made so pleasant as to be looked forward\n to with gladness even by the youngest children. Too often it is\n made tedious, monotonous, or burdensome.... To make it dull and\n irksome is treason to true religion.... A few minutes given every\n day to preparation for family worship will serve to make it, as it\n should be, the most pleasant and attractive incident of the\n day.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Week-Day Religion,__\u201d_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages\n 81-83.\n\n\n10. What instruction suggests the giving of thanks for daily food?\n\n\u201c_In everything give thanks_: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus\nconcerning you.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As a rule, children will reflect the life and principles\n manifested in their parents. The reason why so many children are\n irreverent, irreligious, and disobedient today is because their\n parents are so. Like parent like child. If parents would see a\n different state of things, they must themselves reform. They must\n bring God into their homes, and make His Word their counselor and\n guide. They must teach their children the fear of God, and that\n His Word is the voice of God addressed to them, and that it is to\n be implicitly obeyed. \u201cIn too many households prayer is\n neglected.... If ever there was a time when every house should be\n a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often\n lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves\n and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household,\n lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while\n the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a\n household Jesus will love to tarry.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Christian Education,__\u201d_\n page 221.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Are all the children in? The night is falling,\n And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west;\n The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter;\n The bird hies to her nest;\n The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest,\n And darkness settles o\u2019er the fearful din;\n Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone:\n Are all the children in?\n\n Are all the children in? The night is falling,\n When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.\n O, \u201cat the last it biteth like a serpent\u201d!\n Poisoned are stolen sweets.\n O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience,\n Too prone to wander in the paths of sin!\n O, shut the door of love against temptation!\n Are all the children in?\n\n Are all the children in? The night is falling,\n The night of death is hastening on apace;\n The Lord is calling, \u201cEnter thou thy chamber,\n And tarry there a space.\u201d\n And when He comes, the King in all His glory,\n Who died the shameful death our hearts to win,\n O, may the gates of heaven shut about us,\n With all the children in!\n ELIZABETH ROSSER.\n\n\n\n\nHonor Due To Parents\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Washington And His Mother. \"Honor thy father and thy mother.\" Ex. 20:12.\n\n\n1. By what is every child known?\n\n\u201cEven a child is known _by his doings_, whether his work be pure, and\nwhether it be right.\u201d Prov. 20:11.\n\n2. What is the duty of every child?\n\n\u201cMy son, _hear the instruction of thy father_, and _forsake not the law of\nthy mother_.\u201d Prov. 1:8.\n\n3. What does the fifth commandment require of children?\n\n\u201c_Honor thy father and thy mother_: that thy days may be long upon the\nland which the Lord thy God giveth thee.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014While this precept refers directly to our earthly parents,\n it also includes God, our Father in heaven; for in honoring them\n we honor Him. To the child too young to know God, the earthly\n parent takes the place of God. Learning to honor, respect, and\n obey his earthly parents is the child\u2019s first and most important\n lesson in learning to honor, respect, and obey God, his Heavenly\n Parent. Benjamin Franklin well said: \u201cLet a child\u2019s first lesson\n be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt.\u201d\n\n\n4. For how long a time should one honor his parents?\n\n\u201cHarken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother _when\nshe is old_.\u201d Prov. 23:22.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As long as parents live, they should be honored and\n respected by their children. The duty enjoined in the fifth\n commandment does not cease at maturity, nor when the child leaves\n the parental roof.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Jesus With The Doctors In The Temple. \"And He went down with them [His\n parents], and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.\" Luke 2:51.\n\n\n5. What is the character of a child who will not listen to his father\u2019s\ninstruction?\n\n\u201cA _fool_ despiseth his father\u2019s instruction: but he that regardeth\nreproof is prudent.\u201d Prov. 15:5.\n\n6. What course on the part of children is well-pleasing to the Lord?\n\n\u201cChildren, _obey your parents in all things_: for this is well-pleasing\nunto the Lord.\u201d Col. 3:20.\n\n7. In what spirit should children obey their parents?\n\n\u201cChildren, obey your parents _in the Lord_: for this is right.\u201d Eph. 6:1.\n\n8. What is one way in which a child may dishonor his parents?\n\n\u201cHe that is _a companion of riotous men_ shameth his father.\u201d Prov. 28:7.\n\n9. What is said of one who robs his father or his mother?\n\n\u201cWhoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no\ntransgression; _the same is the companion of a destroyer_.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n10. How did Jesus honor His parents?\n\n\u201cHe went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and _was subject unto\nthem_.\u201d Luke 2:51.\n\n11. How did the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ, for the sake of\ngain, make void the fifth commandment?\n\n\u201cBut ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, _It is a\ngift_, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his\nfather or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment\nof God of none effect by your tradition.\u201d Matt. 15:5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The word translated _gift_ in this text means a thing\n dedicated to God, and therefore not to be used for any other\n purpose. In this way the Jewish teachers, by their traditional\n law, taught children that by saying that their property was thus\n dedicated to the temple or to religious purposes, they were free\n from the obligation to honor and support their parents, thus\n making void one of the commandments of God. This Christ condemned.\n\n\n12. In what other way do some dishonor their father and mother?\n\n\u201cThere is a generation that _curseth their father_, and _doth not bless\ntheir mother_.\u201d Prov. 30:11.\n\n13. What will be the fate of the one who curseth his father or his mother?\n\n\u201cWhoso curseth his father or his mother, _his lamp shall be put out in\nobscure darkness_.\u201d \u201cThe eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to\nobey his mother, _the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the\nyoung eagles shall eat it_.\u201d Prov. 20:20; 30:17.\n\n14. What will be the reward of those who honor their parents?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land\nwhich the Lord thy God giveth thee_.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The fulness of this promise will be realized in the life to\n come, when the earth, restored to its Edenic beauty, will become\n the eternal home of all those who have truly honored their parents\n and kept all God\u2019s commandments.\n\n\n15. What comment has the apostle Paul made upon this commandment?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and mother; _which is the first commandment with\npromise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the\nearth_.\u201d Eph. 6:2, 3.\n\n16. In what age of the world is disobedience to parents to be especially\nmanifest?\n\n\u201cThis know also, that _in the last days_ perilous times shall come. For\nmen shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,\nblasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Disobedience to parents is a marked characteristic of the\n present generation. Never before was it so common or so\n wide-spread. The root of the evil, however, lies not so much in\n the children as in the parents. Many of the latter are disobedient\n to God, their Father in heaven, and so have failed to bring up\n their children in the fear of God and in the ways of\n righteousness. Bible instruction, lessons of faith, and prayer\n must not be neglected in the home if we would see obedient,\n God-fearing children growing up in the world.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young,\n Who loved thee so fondly as he?\n He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,\n And joined in thy innocent glee.\n\n Be kind to thy mother, for lo! on her brow\n May traces of sorrow be seen;\n O well may\u2019st thou cherish and comfort her now,\n For loving and kind hath she been.\n\n\n\n\nChild Training\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n His First Teacher. \"Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the\n Lord.\" Eph. 6:4.\n\n\n1. How should parents train their children?\n\n\u201cTrain up a child _in the way he should go_: and when he is old he will\nnot depart from it.\u201d Prov. 22:6. \u201cAnd, ye fathers, provoke not your\nchildren to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the\nLord_.\u201d Eph. 6:4.\n\n2. How diligently should parents teach children God\u2019s Word?\n\n\u201cThese words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and\n_thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children_.\u201d \u201cYe shall teach\nthem your children, _speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house,\nand when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down, and when thou\nrisest up_.\u201d Deut. 6:6, 7. 11:19.\n\n3. What high ideal should be placed before the young?\n\n\u201cLet no man despise thy youth; but _be thou an example of the believers_,\nin word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.\u201d 1\nTim. 4:12.\n\n4. What duty does God require of children?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and thy mother.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n5. What is to be one of the prominent sins of the last days?\n\n\u201cFor men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,\nblasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:2.\n\n6. Why did God reprove Eli?\n\n\u201cIn that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken\nconcerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have\ntold him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he\nknoweth; _because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them\nnot_.\u201d 1 Sam. 3:12, 13.\n\n7. How should the youth be taught to regard the aged?\n\n\u201cThou shalt _rise up before the hoary head_, and _honor the face of the\nold man_, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.\u201d Lev. 19:32.\n\n8. What are some good fruits of proper child training?\n\n\u201cCorrect thy son, and _he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight\nunto thy soul_.\u201d Prov. 29:17.\n\n9. What will result if correction is withheld?\n\n\u201cThe rod and reproof give wisdom: but _a child left to himself bringeth\nhis mother to shame_.\u201d Verse 15. See Prov. 22:15.\n\n10. Is there danger of delaying correction too long?\n\n\u201c_Chasten thy son while there is hope_, and let not thy soul spare for his\ncrying.\u201d Prov. 19:18. See Prov. 23:13, 14.\n\n11. Does proper correction evidence a want of parental love?\n\n\u201cHe that spareth his rod hateth his son: but _he that loveth him\nchasteneth him betimes_.\u201d Prov. 13:24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One Christian mother writes thus concerning the importance\n of child training: \u201cChildren who are allowed to come up to manhood\n or womanhood with the will undisciplined and the passions\n uncontrolled, will generally in after-life pursue a course which\n God condemns. The neglect of parents to properly discipline their\n children has been a fruitful source of evil in many families. The\n youth have not been restrained as they should have been. Parents\n have neglected to follow the directions of the Word of God in this\n matter, and the children have taken the reins of government into\n their own hands. The consequence has been that they have generally\n succeeded in ruling their parents, instead of being under their\n authority. False ideas and a foolish, misdirected affection have\n nurtured traits which have made the children unlovely and unhappy,\n have embittered the lives of the parents, and have extended their\n baleful influence from generation to generation. Any child that is\n permitted to have his own way will dishonor God and bring his\n father and mother to shame.\u201d\n\n\n12. Whom does the Lord chasten?\n\n\u201cFor whom the Lord _loveth_ He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He\nreceiveth.\u201d Heb. 12:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this we may learn that all child training should be\n done in love, and that proper child training is an evidence of\n true love.\n\n\n13. Against what evil should fathers guard?\n\n\u201cFathers, _provoke not your children to anger_, lest they be discouraged.\u201d\nCol. 3:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Correction should never be given in anger, for anger in the\n parent stirs up anger in the child. It is well to pray with a\n child before correcting him, and frequently mild but faithful\n instruction, admonition, and prayer are all the training\n necessary,\u2014are, in fact, the best training that can be given. But\n in any case of perverseness, stubbornness, or wilful disobedience,\n the correction, whatever it may be, should be persisted in until\n the child yields submissively to the will and wishes of the\n parent. It is best, generally, that correction should be done in\n private, as this tends to preserve the self-respect of the child,\n a very important element in character building. No correction nor\n training should be violent or abusive, or given for the purpose of\n breaking the will of the child, but rather to direct the will,\n bring it into proper subjection, and the child to a realizing\n sense of what is right and duty.\n\n\n14. How are the present effects and future results of chastisement\ncontrasted?\n\n\u201cNow no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but _grievous_:\nnevertheless afterward _it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness_\nunto them which are exercised thereby.\u201d Heb. 12:11.\n\n15. What question must every unfaithful parent meet?\n\n\u201cWhere is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?\u201d Jer. 13:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Happy will those parents be who can say, \u201cBehold, here am I\n and the children Thou gavest me.\u201d See Isa. 8:18.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n The oldest university was not on India\u2019s strand,\n Nor in the valley of the Nile, nor on Arabia\u2019s sand;\n From time\u2019s beginning it has taught and still it teaches free\n Its learning mild to every child\u2014the school of Mother\u2019s Knee.\n\n The oldest school to teach the law, and teach it deeply, too,\n Dividing what should not be done from what each one should do,\n Was not in Rome nor Ispahan nor by the Euxine Sea;\n But it held its sway ere history\u2019s day\u2014the school of Mother\u2019s\n Knee.\n\n The oldest seminary, where theology was taught,\n Where love to God, and reverent prayer, and the Eternal Ought\n Were deep impressed on youthful hearts in pure sincerity,\n Came to the earth with Abel\u2019s birth\u2014the school of Mother\u2019s Knee.\n\n The oldest, and the newest, too, it still maintains its place,\n And from its classes, ever full, it graduates the race.\n Without its teaching, where would all the best of living be?\n \u2019Twas planned by heaven this earth to leaven\u2014the school of\n Mother\u2019s Knee.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Christ And His Mother. \"Blessed art thou among women.\" Luke 1:28, 42.\n\n\n\n\nThe Mother\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Manoah\u2019s Sacrifice. \"How shall we order the child, and how shall we do\n unto him?\" Judges 13:12.\n\n\n1. WHY did Adam call his wife\u2019s name Eve?\n\n\u201cAnd Adam called his wife\u2019s name Eve: _because she was the mother of all\nliving_.\u201d Gen. 3:20.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014It is said that the three sweetest words in any language are\n mother, home, and heaven.\n\n\n2. What did God say to Abraham concerning his wife, Sarah?\n\n\u201cAnd I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless\nher, and _she shall be a mother of nations_; kings of people shall be of\nher.\u201d Gen. 17:16.\n\n3. What commandment guards the honor of the mother?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and thy _mother_.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n4. How early did Hannah dedicate her son Samuel to God?\n\n\u201cAnd she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed ...\ngive unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord\nall the days of his life.\u201d 1 Sam. 1:11.\n\n5. To whom did God commit the care and early training of His only begotten\nSon?\n\n\u201cAnd when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with\n_Mary His mother_, and fell down, and worshiped Him.\u201d Matt. 2:11.\n\n6. Under the influence of her tender care and faithful instruction, what\nis said of the child life of Jesus?\n\n\u201cAnd the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and\nthe grace of God was upon Him.... And Jesus increased in wisdom and\nstature, and in favor with God and man.\u201d Luke 2:40-52.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cThe hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the\n world.\u201d\n\n \u201cA mother is a mother still,\n The holiest thing on earth.\u201d\n\n A Christian mother, above all others, can deeply implant and\n faithfully cherish the seeds of truth in the young and tender\n heart. More even than the father, the mother molds the life,\n character, and destiny of man. Every stage and phase of life is\n touched and influenced by her. Infancy, childhood, youth, manhood,\n and old age alike center in her. She is both the morning and the\n evening star of life,\u2014the angel spirit of the home.\n\n\n7. What tender, filial regard did Christ manifest for His mother in the\nhour of His death?\n\n\u201cWhen Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom\nHe loved [John], He saith unto His mother, _Woman, behold thy son!_ Then\nsaith He to the disciple, _Behold thy mother!_ And from that hour that\ndisciple took her unto his own home.\u201d John 19:26, 27.\n\n8. How early did Timothy know the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cAnd that _from a child_ thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.\u201d 2 Tim.\n3:15.\n\n9. What is said of his mother and his grandmother?\n\n\u201cWhen I call to remembrance _the unfeigned faith_ that is in thee, _which\ndwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice_.\u201d 2 Tim. 1:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014No position in life is superior to that of the mother, no\n influence more potent for good or evil. \u201cAll that I am or hope to\n be, I owe to my mother,\u201d said Abraham Lincoln. \u201cAll that I have\n ever accomplished in life, I owe to my mother,\u201d declared D. L.\n Moody. \u201cA kiss from my mother,\u201d said Benjamin West, \u201cmade me a\n painter.\u201d \u201cMy mother was the making of me,\u201d declares the noted\n inventor, Thomas A. Edison. And Andrew Carnegie, the millionaire,\n who gave his mother his earnings when a boy, adds, \u201cI am deeply\n touched by the remembrance of one to whom I owe everything that a\n wise mother ever gave to a son who adored her.\u201d It has been truly\n said that the home is the primeval school, the best, the most\n hallowed, and the most potential of all academies, and that the\n mother is the first, the most influential, and therefore the most\n important of all teachers. See poem on page 721.\n\n\n\n\nTeaching The Children\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Child Timothy. \"From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures,\n which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.\" 2 Tim. 3:15.\n\n\n1. What should be the prayer of every parent?\n\n\u201cO my Lord, ... teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be\nborn.\u201d Judges 13:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This is a part of the prayer of Manoah, the father of\n Samson.\n\n\n2. How should our children be taught?\n\n\u201cAll thy children shall be _taught of the Lord_; and great shall be the\npeace of thy children.\u201d Isa. 54:13.\n\n3. What will happen if a child is not properly instructed?\n\n\u201cA child left to himself _bringeth his mother to shame_.\u201d Prov. 29:15.\n\n4. How did Solomon\u2019s parents regard him as a child?\n\n\u201cI was my father\u2019s _son, tender and only beloved_ in the sight of my\nmother.\u201d Prov. 4:3.\n\n5. What does Solomon say his father did for him as a child?\n\n\u201cHe _taught me also_, and said unto me, _Let thine heart retain my words;\nkeep my commandments, and live_.\u201d Prov. 4:4.\n\n6. From what time does David say he himself was taught?\n\n\u201cO God, Thou hast taught me _from my youth_.\u201d Ps. 71:17.\n\n7. How should all Christian parents bring up their children?\n\n\u201cFathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up _in the\nnurture and admonition of the Lord_.\u201d Eph. 6:4.\n\n8. How was Moses taught during the days of his early childhood?\n\n_By faith_, under the instruction of a devoted mother. See Heb. 11:23; Ex.\n2:1-10.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The hiding of Moses was at the time when Pharaoh, king of\n Egypt, had issued a decree that every Hebrew male child should be\n killed as soon as he was born, to prevent too rapid an increase of\n the Hebrews. The second chapter of Exodus tells the story of the\n finding of Moses by the king\u2019s daughter, and his being brought up\n by his own mother employed as a nurse. She was a woman of faith,\n and her teaching of Moses was such that after he had been at the\n Egyptian court till he \u201cwas come to years,\u201d he chose to suffer\n affliction with God\u2019s people rather than to enjoy the honor of\n succeeding to the throne of Egypt as the adopted heir. He became\n the leader of God\u2019s people when they escaped from the Egyptian\n bondage, and after he died, he was raised to life and taken to\n heaven. See Heb. 11:24-26; Jude 9; Matt. 17:1-3.\n\n\n9. How was Joseph regarded by his father?\n\n\u201cIsrael _loved Joseph_ more than all his children, because he was the son\nof his old age.\u201d Gen. 37:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The wonderful record of Joseph\u2019s life, found in Genesis\n 37-50, shows that he lived intimately with his father till he was\n seventeen years of age. He must have been carefully taught of God\n also, for in all his marvelous experience as slave, prisoner, and\n premier of Egypt, he remained true to his heavenly Father, not a\n single sin being recorded of him to the day of his death.\n\n\n10. How was Esther brought up?\n\n\u201cHe [Mordecai the Jew] brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle\u2019s\ndaughter, ... when her father and mother were dead.\u201d Esther 2:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Mordecai was a man who feared and served God, as is shown by\n his wise and courageous counsel to Esther, and by his own\n Christian conduct when the lives of both were at stake in their\n efforts to save the people of God from destruction while in\n captivity in Medo-Persia. He undoubtedly taught Esther from\n childhood to fear and serve God. Otherwise she would not have met\n the crisis with such fearless courage and such confidence in God.\n\n\n11. After she became queen of Persia, how did Esther show her integrity to\nGod?\n\nBy risking her life to save her own people. \u201cThen Esther bade them [the\nmessengers] return Mordecai this answer: Go, gather together all the Jews\nthat are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink\nthree days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so\nwill I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I\nperish, I perish.\u201d Esther 4:15, 16.\n\n12. How early does Paul say Timothy was instructed?\n\n\u201c_From a child_ thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to\nmake thee wise unto salvation.\u201d 2 Tim. 3:15.\n\n13. How earnestly should parents teach their children the things of God?\n\n\u201cThou shalt teach them _diligently_ unto thy children.\u201d \u201cYe shall teach\nthem your children, speaking of them _when thou sittest in thine house_,\nand _when thou walkest by the way_, _when thou liest down_, and _when thou\nrisest up_.\u201d Deut. 6:7; 11:19.\n\n14. What reward in this life is promised the faithful mother?\n\n\u201cHer children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he\npraiseth her.\u201d Prov. 31:28.\n\n15. What beautiful picture of home life is drawn by the psalmist for the\nfather who fears the Lord?\n\n\u201cThy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the side of thine house: thy\nchildren like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall\nthe man be blessed that feareth the Lord.\u201d Ps. 128:3, 4.\n\n16. What motive will inspire all true parents to faithfulness in teaching\ntheir children?\n\n\u201cThat our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our\ndaughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a\npalace.\u201d Ps. 144:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014We often hear the saying, \u201cThe hand that rocks the cradle\n rules the world.\u201d This is not out of keeping with the saying of\n the wise man, \u201cTrain up a child in the way he should go: and when\n he is old, he will not depart from it.\u201d Prov. 22:6. No father or\n mother knows the future of the little child prattling about the\n home circle. But God knows, as He did in the cases of Moses and\n Esther and Timothy. Whether it is His purpose for some of our\n children to rule the world, as did Joseph and Daniel virtually, as\n prime ministers; or for some of them to \u201cstand before kings,\u201d as\n did Moses and Esther and Daniel; or for some of them to serve and\n suffer for the name of Christ, as did Peter and John and Paul, it\n is our sacred privilege to teach the children faithfully and\n diligently during their tender years.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nChrist Blessing Little Children. \"Suffer little children, and forbid them\n not, to come unto Me.\" Matt. 19:14.\n\n\n\n\nPromises For The Children\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Eli And Samuel. \"Of such is the kingdom of heaven.\" Matt. 19:14.\n\n\n1. What is said of the fifth commandment?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and mother; which is _the first commandment with\npromise_.\u201d Eph. 6:2.\n\n2. What is promised those who honor their father and their mother?\n\n\u201cHonor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land\nwhich the Lord thy God giveth thee_.\u201d Ex. 20:12.\n\n3. What does God desire to teach the children?\n\n\u201cCome, ye children, harken unto Me: _I will teach you the fear of the\nLord_.\u201d Ps. 34:11.\n\n4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be?\n\n\u201cThe fear of the Lord is _the beginning of wisdom_: a good understanding\nhave all they that do His commandments.\u201d Ps. 111:10.\n\n5. What is said of the poor but wise child?\n\n\u201c_Better_ is a poor and a wise child _than an old and foolish king_, who\nwill no more be admonished.\u201d Eccl. 4:13.\n\n6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children?\n\n\u201c_Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me_: for of\nsuch is the kingdom of heaven.\u201d Matt. 19:14.\n\n7. How did He show that He loved them?\n\n\u201cAnd He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed\nthem.\u201d Mark 10:16.\n\n8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures close?\n\n\u201cBehold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great\nand dreadful day of the Lord: and _he shall turn the heart of the fathers\nto the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers_, lest I\ncome and smite the earth with a curse.\u201d Mal. 4:5, 6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this we learn that while disobedience to parents and\n the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days (2\n Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1, 2), God\u2019s message for the\n last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and\n bind the hearts of parents and children together.\n\n\n9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next world as\ncompared with those of this life?\n\n\u201cThey shall not labor in vain, _nor bring forth for trouble_; for they are\nthe seed of the blessed of the Lord, and _their offspring with them_.\u201d\n\u201c_The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned\nchild shall put his hand on the cockatrice\u2019 den._ They shall not hurt nor\ndestroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the\nknowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.\u201d Isa. 65:23; 11:8, 9.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n A pair of very chubby legs\n Incased in scarlet hose,\n A pair of little stubby boots\n With rather doubtful toes,\n A little kilt, a little coat,\n Cut as a mother can\u2014\n And, lo! before us strides in state\n The future\u2019s \u201ccoming man.\u201d\n\n Ah! blessings on those little hands,\n Whose work is yet undone,\n And blessings on those little feet,\n Whose race is yet unrun.\n And blessings on the little brain,\n That has not learned to plan.\n Whatever the future holds in store,\n God bless the \u201ccoming man.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nEvils Of City Life\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Burning Of Sodom. \"And Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain.\" Gen.\n 13:12.\n\n\n1. When Abraham told Lot to choose that part of the country which he\npreferred, what choice did Lot make?\n\n\u201cAnd Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it\nwas well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah,\neven as the garden of the Lord.... _Then Lot chose him all the plain of\nJordan._\u201d Gen. 13:10, 11.\n\n2. Where did Lot dwell?\n\n\u201cAbram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and _Lot dwelled in the cities of\nthe plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n3. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?\n\n\u201cBut the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners before the Lord\nexceedingly_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n4. What further description is given of this city?\n\n\u201cBehold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, _pride_, _fulness of\nbread_, and _abundance of idleness_ was in her and in her daughters,\n_neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy_. And they were\n_haughty_, and _committed abomination_ before Me: therefore I took them\naway as I saw good.\u201d Eze. 16:49, 50. See Gen. 19:1-9.\n\n5. How did their conduct affect Lot?\n\n\u201cAnd delivered just Lot, _vexed with the filthy conversation of __ the\nwicked_: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and\nhearing, _vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful\ndeeds_).\u201d 2 Peter 2:7, 8.\n\n6. Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, whom did the Lord send to deliver\nLot and his family?\n\n\u201cAnd there came _two angels_ to Sodom at even.... And the men [angels]\nsaid unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and\nthy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of\nthis place: for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is\nwaxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to\ndestroy it.\u201d Gen. 19:1-13.\n\n7. What did Lot do, and how were his efforts rewarded?\n\n\u201cAnd Lot went out, and _spake unto his sons-in-law_, which married his\ndaughters, and said, _Up, get you out of this place_; for the Lord will\ndestroy this city. _But he seemed as one that mocked unto his\nsons-in-law._\u201d Verse 14.\n\n8. What did the angels say to Lot the next morning?\n\n\u201c_Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here_; lest thou\nbe consumed in the iniquity of the city.... _Escape for thy life; look not\nbehind thee_, neither stay thou in all the plain; _escape to the\nmountain_, lest thou be consumed.\u201d Verses 15-17.\n\n9. What then took place?\n\n\u201c_Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire_\nfrom the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the\nplain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the\nground.\u201d Verses 24, 25.\n\n10. Because she disregarded the instruction given by the angels, what\nbecame of Lot\u2019s wife?\n\n\u201cBut his wife looked back from behind him, and _she became a pillar of\nsalt_.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As a result of choosing a city life, Lot lost nearly all his\n family.\n\n\n11. Foretelling the condition of the world previous to His second advent,\nto what did Christ liken it?\n\n\u201cLikewise also _as it was in the days of Lot_; they did eat, they drank,\nthey bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that\nLot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and\ndestroyed them all. _Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man\nis revealed._\u201d Luke 17:28-30.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and\n Gomorrah\u2014centers and sink-holes of vice, pride, violence,\n confusion, and crime. The cities of the United States, while\n containing only about one half the population of the country,\n furnish ninety-seven per cent of the crime. Out of 268 boys in the\n Kansas State Reform School a few years ago, all but three came\n from cities. In New York City a murder is committed every\n thirty-six hours. The numerous holidays, the whirl of excitement,\n pleasure, and sports, theatergoing, horse-racing, gambling, liquor\n drinking, and reveling in the cities, attract thousands from the\n sober duties of life, and stimulate every evil passion to\n activity. What a poor place, therefore, are the cities of today in\n which to rear a family! Too many, like Lot, have pitched their\n tent toward Sodom.\n\n\n12. Of what is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a type?\n\n\u201cAnd turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them\nwith an overthrow, _making them an ensample unto those that after should\nlive ungodly_.\u201d 2 Peter 2:6.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The destruction of such cities as Sodom and Gomorrah,\n Babylon and Jerusalem, is set forth as a type of the destruction\n awaiting the world. Says one writer: \u201cThe time is near when the\n large cities will be visited by the judgments of God. In a little\n while these cities will be terribly shaken. No matter how large or\n strong their buildings, no matter how many safeguards against fire\n may have been provided, let God touch these buildings and in a few\n minutes or in a few hours they will be in ruins. The ungodly\n cities of our world are to be swept away by the besom of\n destruction. In the calamities that are now befalling immense\n buildings and large portions of the cities, God is showing us what\n will come upon the whole earth.\u201d The destruction of the great\n cities now almost wholly given up to sinful pleasure, pride,\n mammon-worship, and idolatry, is impending. It is time, therefore,\n that those who are really in earnest concerning their children\u2019s\n salvation begin to think about leaving these cities.\n\n\n13. What is to take place under the seventh plague?\n\n\u201cAnd the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; ... and there was\n_a great earthquake_, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so\nmighty an earthquake, and so great.... _And the cities of the nations\nfell._\u201d Rev. 16:17-19.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n How prone are professors to rest on their lees,\n To study their pleasure, their profit and ease!\n Though God says: \u201cArise, and escape for thy life,\n And look not behind thee; remember Lot\u2019s wife.\u201d\n\n Awake from thy slumbers, the warning believe;\n \u2019Tis Jesus that calls you, the message receive;\n While dangers are pending, escape for thy life!\n And look not behind thee; remember Lot\u2019s wife.\n\n The ways of religion true pleasure afford,\n No pleasures can equal the joys of the Lord;\n Forsake then the world, and escape for thy life,\n And look not behind thee; remember Lot\u2019s wife.\n\n\n\n\nPurity\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Pharisees Accusing The Woman. \"He that is without sin among you, let\n him first cast a stone at her.\" John 8:7.\n\n\n1. What did Christ say of the pure in heart?\n\n\u201cBlessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.\u201d Matt. 5:8.\n\n2. What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh commandment?\n\n\u201cYe have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit\nadultery: but I say unto you, That _whosoever looketh on a woman to lust\nafter her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart_.\u201d Verses\n27, 28.\n\n3. What exhortations did the apostle Paul give Timothy?\n\n\u201cFlee also youthful lusts.\u201d 2 Tim. 2:22. \u201cKeep thyself pure.\u201d 1 Tim. 5:22.\n\n4. To whom are all things pure?\n\n\u201c_Unto the pure all things are pure_: but unto them that are defiled and\nunbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is\ndefiled.\u201d Titus 1:15.\n\n5. When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph set?\n\n\u201cHow then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?\u201d Gen. 39:9.\n\n6. Against what are the people of God warned?\n\n\u201cBut _fornication_, and _all uncleanness_, or covetousness, _let it not be\nonce named among you_, as becometh saints; _neither filthiness_, nor\n_foolish talking_, nor _jesting_, which are not convenient: but rather\ngiving of thanks.\u201d Eph. 5:3, 4.\n\n7. What are mentioned as works of the flesh?\n\n\u201cNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: _Adultery_,\n_fornication_, _uncleanness_, _lasciviousness_.\u201d Gal. 5:19.\n\n8. What is said of those who do such things?\n\n\u201cThey which do such things _shall not inherit the kingdom of God_.\u201d Verse\n21.\n\n9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned?\n\n\u201cBut now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is\ncalled a brother be _a fornicator_.\u201d 1 Cor. 5:11.\n\n10. Why are evil associations to be avoided?\n\n\u201cBe not deceived: _evil communications corrupt good manners_.\u201d 1 Cor.\n15:33.\n\n11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?\n\n\u201cBe not deceived; God is not mocked: for _whatsoever a man soweth, that\nshall he also reap_. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh\nreap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap\nlife everlasting.\u201d Gal. 6:7, 8.\n\n\n \u201cKeep virtue\u2019s simple path before your eyes,\n Nor think from evil good can ever rise.\u201d\u2014_Thomson._\n\n\n12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?\n\n\u201cAnd have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather\n_reprove them_. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are\ndone of them in secret.\u201d Eph. 5:11, 12.\n\n13. How should we guard our conversation?\n\n\u201c_Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth_, but that which\nis good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the\nhearers.\u201d Eph. 4:29.\n\n14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the chief sins\nwhich brought on the deluge?\n\n\u201cAnd it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth,\nand daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters\nof men that they were fair; and _they took them wives of all which they\nchose_.... And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,\nand that _every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil\ncontinually_.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created\nfrom the face of the earth.... The earth also was _corrupt_ before God,\nand the earth was filled with violence.\u201d Gen. 6:1-11.\n\n15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?\n\n\u201cBut the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners_ before the Lord\nexceedingly.\u201d Gen. 13:13. \u201cAnd they were _haughty_, and _committed\nabomination_ before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.\u201d Eze.\n16:50. See also verse 49.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were\n exceedingly corrupt in morals.\n\n\n16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second\nadvent?\n\n\u201c_As it was in the days of Noe_, so shall it be also in the days of the\nSon of man.... Likewise also _as it was in the days of Lot_; ... even thus\nshall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.\u201d Luke 17:26-30.\n\n17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?\n\n\u201cLet the wicked _forsake his way_, and the unrighteous man his _thoughts_:\nand let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to\nour God, for He will abundantly pardon.\u201d Isa. 55:7.\n\n18. What are the proper things to engage one\u2019s mind?\n\n\u201cFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are _true_, whatsoever things are\n_honest_, whatsoever things are _just_, whatsoever things are _pure_,\nwhatsoever things are _lovely_, whatsoever things are of _good report_; if\nthere be any _virtue_, and if there be any _praise, think on these\nthings_.\u201d Phil. 4:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates,\n impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and\n theater-going, including questionable picture shows, all of which\n are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason\n parents should look well to their children\u2019s home life; their\n companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how their\n time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they spend\n their nights; and the character of their amusements. \u201cPride,\n fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness\u201d were contributing\n causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its consequent\n downfall. Eze. 16:49, 50.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XVII. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nLife In The Country. \"I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and\n be in health.\" 3 John 2.\n\n\n\n\nGood Health\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Family Table. \"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the\n glory of God.\" 1 Cor. 10:31.\n\n\n1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?\n\n\u201cBeloved, I wish above all things _that thou mayest prosper and be in\nhealth_, even as thy soul prospereth.\u201d 3 John 2.\n\n2. What did God promise His people anciently?\n\n\u201cAnd ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and\nthy water; and _I will take sickness away from the midst of thee_.\u201d Ex.\n23:25.\n\n3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?\n\n\u201c_If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and\nwilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His\ncommandments, and keep all His statutes_, I will put none of these\ndiseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the\nLord that healeth thee.\u201d Ex. 15:26.\n\n4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?\n\n\u201cWho forgiveth all thine iniquities; _who healeth all thy diseases_.\u201d Ps.\n103:3.\n\n5. What constituted a large part of Christ\u2019s ministry?\n\n\u201cWho went about doing good, and _healing all that were oppressed of the\ndevil_.\u201d Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16. \u201cAnd Jesus went about all Galilee,\n... _healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the\npeople_.\u201d Matt. 4:23.\n\n6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?\n\n\u201cFor ye are bought with a price: therefore _glorify God in __ your body_,\nand in your spirit, which are God\u2019s.\u201d 1 Cor. 6:20.\n\n7. What is the body of the believer said to be?\n\n\u201cWhat? know ye not that _your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost_ which\nis in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?\u201d Verse 19.\n\n8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?\n\n\u201cIf any man defile the temple of God, _him shall God destroy_; for the\ntemple of God is holy, which temple ye are.\u201d 1 Cor. 3:17.\n\n9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?\n\n\u201cBut Daniel purposed in his heart _that he would not defile himself with\nthe portion of the king\u2019s meat, nor with the wine which he drank_.\u201d Dan.\n1:8.\n\n10. With what food did he ask to be provided?\n\n\u201cProve thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and _let them give us pulse\nto eat, and water to drink_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?\n\n\u201cAnd God said, Behold, I have given you _every herb bearing seed_, which\nis upon the face of all the earth, and _every tree, in the which is the\nfruit of a tree yielding seed_; to you it shall be for meat.\u201d Gen. 1:29.\n\n12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?\n\n\u201cFor _thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath\nchosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself_, above all the nations\nthat are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.\u201d Deut.\n14:2, 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.\n\n\n13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?\n\n\u201cA merry heart _doeth good_ like a medicine.\u201d Prov. 17:22.\n\n14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?\n\n\u201cAnd He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and\n_rest awhile_.\u201d Mark 6:31.\n\n15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?\n\n\u201cI beseech you ... that ye _present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,\nacceptable unto God_.\u201d Rom. 12:1.\n\n16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?\n\n\u201cWhether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, _do all to the\nglory of God_.\u201d 1 Cor. 10:31.\n\n\n\n\nChristian Temperance\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nSigning The Pledge. \"Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile\n himself.\" Dan. 1:8.\n\n\n1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?\n\n\u201cHe reasoned of righteousness, _temperance_, and judgment to come.\u201d Acts\n24:25.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the\n indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words,\n self-control.\n\n\n2. Of what is temperance a fruit?\n\n\u201cBut _the fruit of the Spirit_ is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,\ngentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, _temperance_.\u201d Gal. 5:22, 23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cTemperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour\n in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment\n in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the\n body.\u201d\u2014_Benjamin Franklin._\n\n\n3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the\napostle Peter?\n\n\u201cAdd to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge\n_temperance_; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and\nto godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.\u201d 2\nPeter 1:5-7. See page 542.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is\n a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is\n very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.\n\n\n4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?\n\n\u201cAnd every man that striveth for the mastery is _temperate in all\nthings_.\u201d 1 Cor. 9:25.\n\n5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?\n\n\u201cBut _I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection_: lest that by\nany means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.\u201d\nVerse 27.\n\n6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?\n\n\u201cIt is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest\nthey drink, and _forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the\nafflicted_.\u201d Prov. 31:4, 5.\n\n7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in\nthe sanctuary service?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong\ndrink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...\n_that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean\nand clean_.\u201d Lev. 10:8-10.\n\n8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?\n\n\u201cAnd be not drunk with wine, _wherein is excess_; but be filled with the\nSpirit.\u201d Eph. 5:18.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks\n is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading\n to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and\n non-stimulating.\n\n\n9. For what should men eat and drink?\n\n\u201cBlessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy\nprinces eat in due season, _for strength_, and not for drunkenness!\u201d Eccl.\n10:17.\n\n10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?\n\n\u201cBut Daniel purposed in his heart _that he would not defile himself_ with\nthe portion of the king\u2019s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.\u201d Dan.\n1:8. See Judges 13:4.\n\n11. Instead of these, what did he request?\n\n\u201cProve thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us _pulse\nto eat_, and _water to drink_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n12. At the end of the ten days\u2019 test, how did he and his companions\nappear?\n\n\u201cAnd at the end of ten days their countenances appeared _fairer and fatter\nin flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king\u2019s\nmeat_.\u201d Verse 15.\n\n13. At the end of their three years\u2019 course in the school of Babylon, how\ndid the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?\n\n\u201cNow at the end of the days ... the king communed with them; _and among\nthem all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah_: ...\nand in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of\nthem, _he found them ten times better_ than all the magicians and\nastrologers that were in all his realm.\u201d Verses 18-20.\n\n14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?\n\n\u201cWoe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to\nhim, and makest him drunken.\u201d Hab. 2:15.\n\n15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?\n\n\u201cBut now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is\ncalled a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a\nrailer, or a _drunkard_.\u201d 1 Cor. 5:11.\n\n16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?\n\n\u201cNeither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor\n_drunkards_, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of\nGod.\u201d 1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.\n\n17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?\n\n\u201cAnd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God _your whole\nspirit and soul and body be preserved blameless_ unto the coming of our\nLord Jesus Christ.\u201d 1 Thess. 5:23.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see\n the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14);\n Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer.\n 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Song Of The Rye\n\n I was made to be eaten,\n And not to be drank;\n To be threshed in the barn,\n Not soaked in a tank.\n I come as a blessing\n When put through a mill;\n As a blight and a curse\n When run through a still.\n\n Make me up into loaves,\n And your children are fed;\n But if into drink,\n I\u2019ll starve them instead.\n In bread I\u2019m a servant,\n The eater shall rule;\n In drink I am master,\n The drinker a fool.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Two Robbers. \"Your money and your life.\"\n\n\n\n\nEvils Of Intemperance\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Home Destroyer. \"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry\n long at the wine.\" Prov. 23:29, 30.\n\n\n1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?\n\n\u201cWine is a _mocker_, strong drink is _raging_: and whosoever is _deceived_\nthereby is not wise.\u201d Prov. 20:1.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give\n strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat,\n but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart\n vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness,\n but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may\n be attributed much of the world\u2019s sorrow.\n\n\n2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?\n\n\u201cBe not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the\ndrunkard and the glutton shall come to _poverty_.\u201d Prov. 23:20, 21.\n\n3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?\n\n\u201cWhoredom and wine and new wine _take away the heart_.\u201d Hosea 4:11. \u201cThey\nalso have _erred_ through wine, and through strong drink are out of the\nway; ... they err in _vision_, they stumble in _judgment_.\u201d Isa. 28:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014\u201cOne of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to\n produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could\n resist that craving.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Alcohol,__\u201d__ by Dr. Williams, page 48._\n\n\n4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?\n\n\u201cAdultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft,\nhatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,\nenvyings, murders, _drunkenness_, revelings, and such like.\u201d Gal. 5:19-21.\n\n5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?\n\n\u201cWho hath _woe_? who hath _sorrow_? who hath _contentions_? who hath\n_babbling_? who hath _wounds_ without cause? who hath _redness of eyes_?\nThey that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.\u201d Prov.\n23:29, 30.\n\n6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?\n\n\u201cLook not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in\nthe cup, when it moveth itself aright. _At the last it biteth like a\nserpent, and stingeth like an adder._\u201d Verses 31, 32.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the\n American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:\u2014\n\n \u201c_On the Individual._ Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented,\n brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the\n liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and\n deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the\n heart, and corrupting the morals, \u2018bequeathing to posterity\u2019 a\n degeneration of physical and moral character.\n\n \u201c_On the Family._ A disturber and destroyer of its peace,\n prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation\n for good government, national prosperity and welfare.\n\n \u201c_On the Community._ Producing demoralization, vice, and\n wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of\n all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social\n happiness, and eternal good of mankind.\n\n \u201c_On the State._ Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift\n and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution\n of laws.\u201d\n\n Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly\n concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate\n brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful\n connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue.\n Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an\n advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate\n drinker.\n\n \u201cThe offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most\n deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may\n take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy,\n or idiocy.\u201d\u2014_\u201c__Alcohol,__\u201d__ page 44._\n\n\n7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?\n\nA lord chief justice of England declared, \u201cIf sifted, nine tenths of the\ncrime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.\u201d\u2014\u201c_Alcohol._\u201d\n\n8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?\n\nBeing a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.\n\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cTobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists,\n except the deadly prussic acid.\u201d\u2014_M. Orfila, president Medical\n Academy, Paris._\n\n \u201cTobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and\n mind.\u201d\u2014_Dr. Willard Parker._\n\n \u201cI shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be\n evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.\u201d\u2014_Edward\n Hitchcock, of Amherst College._\n\n \u201cThe use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes\n by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and\n valueless citizens.\u201d\u2014_John Wanamaker._\n\n \u201cWe might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ\n cigarette smokers.\u201d\u2014_The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate._\n\n \u201cCigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives,\n dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The\n boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and\n righteousness.\u201d\u2014_Judge Crane, of New York City._\n\n \u201cCigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve\n cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the\n breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves\n lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then\n the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly\n lost.\u201d\u2014_Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University._\n\n \u201cThe use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the\n will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist\n temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those\n habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly\n lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.\u201d\u2014_George\n Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory._\n\n Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to\n create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the\n natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when\n Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to\n explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other\n strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with\n them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and\n noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of\n perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they \u201csaw the\n naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.\u201d\n Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking\n habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was\n rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in\n high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new\n intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.\n\n\n9. Where does intemperance often begin?\n\nIntemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing\non their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that\ncreates a thirst for strong drink,\u2014with strong tea and coffee, injurious\ncondiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.\n\n10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?\n\n\"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor\n_drunkards_, ... shall inherit _the kingdom of God_.\" 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.\n\n\n\n\nThe World\u2019s Curse\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Gin-Mill. \"All its history is written in tears and blood.\"\u2014_Robert J.\n Burdette._\n\n\n1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially\napplicable at the present time?\n\n\u201cAnd take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged\nwith _surfeiting_, and _drunkenness_, and cares of this life, and so that\nday come upon you unawares.\u201d Luke 21:34.\n\n2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His\nsecond coming?\n\n\u201cAs the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man\nbe.... They were _eating_ and _drinking_, marrying and giving in\nmarriage.\u201d Matt. 24:37, 38.\n\n3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United\nStates since 1840:\u2014\n\n Spirits Wines Liquors Total Per\n Capita\n1840 43,060,884 4,873,096 23,310,843 71,244,823 4.17\n1850 51,833,473 6,316,393 36,563,009 94,712,875 4.08\n1860 89,968,651 10,933,981 101,346,669 202,249,301 6.43\n1870 79,895,708 12,225,067 204,756,156 296,876,931 7.70\n1880 63,526,694 28,098,179 414,220,165 505,845,038 10.08\n1890 87,829,623 28,945,993 855,929,559 972,705,175 15.53\n1900 97,356,864 29,988,467 1,222,387,104 1,349,732,435 17.76\n1910 133,538,864 60,548,078 1,851,340,256 2,045,427,018 21.86\n1911 138,585,989 62,859,232 1,966,911,744 2,169,356,695 22.79\n\n\n The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States\n for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.\n\n The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at\n $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.\n\n The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was\n 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.\n\n The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United\n States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years\n later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700\n per cent.\n\n The total internal revenue received by the United States for\n liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was\n $5,245,916,047.01.\n\n The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United\n States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of\n July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons\n of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the\n corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of\n beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same\n months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record\n consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed,\n an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous\n year.\n\n\n4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?\n\nSpeaking of intemperance in Great Britain, the _English Watchword_ says:\u2014\n\n\n \u201cThanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the\n magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian\n church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:\u2014\n\n \u201c1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,\n 100,000 criminals in jail through drink,\n 50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,\n 60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of\u2014\n 60,000 confirmed drunkards.\u201d\n\n\n5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?\n\nThe enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time\nis indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of\nVienna:\u2014\n\nGermany 18,230\nUnited Kingdom 5,547\nAmerica and Australia 2,210\nAustria-Hungary 1,436\nBelgium 3,319\nFrance 3,360\nRussia 920\nSweden 250\nDenmark 370\nSwitzerland 228\nHolland 372\nOther countries 260\nTotal 36,502\n\n\n The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated\n at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.\n\n Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World Today\n\n Wine Beer Spirits\n Australia 7,925,000 47,976,000 3,297,000\n Austria-Hungary 192,800,000 545,674,043 120,000,000\n Belgium 8,948,200 395,285,258 9,895,000\n Bulgaria 29,100,000 946,000 770,000\n Denmark 63,213,000 4,000,000\n Dominion of 1,386,235 39,896,636 6,054,790\n Canada\n France 1,710,900,000 289,103,000 97,177,968\n German Empire 79,600,000 1,782,778,000 124,313,300\n Holland 1,980,000 9,328,000\n Italy 856,520,000 6,725,000 11,150,400\n New Zealand 126,000 7,381,000 602,000\n Newfoundland 7,200 312,000 364,000\n Norway 8,756,000 1,672,000\n Portugal 108,320,000\n Roumania 52,840,000 1,320,000 6,996,000\n Russian Empire 76,620,000 151,633,892 232,813,382\n Servia 6,605,000\n Spain 428,000,000 20,000,000\n Sweden 898,200 44,440,000 10,730,500\n Switzerland 22,190,000 45,452,000\n United Kingdom 26,349,873 1,021,123,632 38,133,721\n United States 62,000,000 1,851,342,256 133,538,684\n Total 3,673,115,708 6,323,357,717 810,836,745\n\n Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.\u2014_American Prohibition Year\n Book, 1912._\n\n Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United\n States\n\n Intoxicating liquor $1,752,000,000\n Tobacco 1,200,000,000\n Iron and steel 1,035,000,000\n Jewelry and plate 800,000,000\n Printing and publishing 750,000,000\n Lumber 700,000,000\n Cotton goods 675,000,000\n Automobiles 500,000,000\n Woolen and worsted goods 475,000,000\n Flour 455,000,000\n Boots and shoes 450,000,000\n Panama Canal 400,000,000\n Public education 371,000,000\n Sugar and molasses 310,000,000\n Furniture 245,000,000\n Silk goods 240,000,000\n Potatoes. 210,000,000\n Confectionery 200,000,000\n Church and home work 175,000,000\n Soft drinks 120,000,000\n Tea and coffee 100,000,000\n Brick 100,000,000\n Millinery 90,000,000\n Patent medicines 80,000,000\n Chewing-gum 13,000,000\n Foreign missions 12,000,000\n\n NOTES.\u2014\u201cGrape-Juice has killed more people than\n grape-shot.\u201d\u2014_Spurgeon._\n\n \u201cO that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away\n their brains!\u201d\u2014_Shakespeare._\n\n \u201cThe liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human\n pursuits.\u201d\u2014_William McKinley._\n\n \u201cAll its history is written in tears and blood.\u201d\u2014_Robert J.\n Burdette._\n\n \u201cIn every community three things always work together,\u2014the\n grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,\u2014an infernal trinity.\u201d\u2014_Henry\n Ward Beecher._\n\n \u201cGive me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong\n drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.\u201d\u2014_William E.\n Gladstone._\n\n \u201cI have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of\n Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as\n far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the\n misery.\u201d\u2014_Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S.\n A._\n\n \u201cThe liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with\n ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor,\n manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time\n of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums,\n terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.\u201d\u2014_Gen.\n Nelson A. Miles._\n\n \u201cI have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the\n manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial\n development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor\n has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material\n deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to\n defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the\n history of mankind.\u201d\u2014_John Mitchell, vice-president American\n Federation of Labor._\n\n \u201cThe saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler\n of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of\n children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls\n unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life\n since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood\n before Jericho.\u201d\u2014_Henry W. Grady._\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n What A Barrel Of Whisky Contains\n\n A barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;\n A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;\n A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;\n A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;\n A barrel of unavailing regret;\n A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;\n A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;\n A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;\n A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;\n A barrel of tears that run in the night;\n A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;\n A barrel of orphans\u2019 most pitiful moans;\n A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,\n That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;\n A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of cries\n That fall from the maniac\u2019s lips as he dies!\n\n\n\n\nScripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Home Crusher. \"The drunkard ... shall come to poverty.\" Prov. 23:21.\n\n\n\u201c_Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow\nstrong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!_\u201d Isa.\n5:11.\n\n\u201cAnd the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their\nfeasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the\noperation of His hands.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n\u201c_And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong\ndrink, thou, nor thy sons with thee._\u201d Lev. 10:8, 9.\n\n\u201cThey shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to\nthem that drink it.\u201d Isa. 24:9.\n\n\u201c_It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor\nfor princes strong drink._\u201d Prov. 31:4.\n\n\u201cWoe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious\nbeauty is a fading flower.\u201d Isa. 28:1.\n\n\u201c_He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil\nshall not be rich._\u201d Prov. 21:17.\n\n\u201cFor the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness\nshall clothe a man with rags.\u201d Prov. 23:21.\n\n\u201c_Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to\nhim, and makest him drunken also._\u201d Hab. 2:15.\n\n\u201cWoe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to\nmingle strong drink.\u201d Isa. 5:22.\n\n\u201c_Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the\nSpirit._\u201d Eph. 5:18.\n\n\u201cWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived\nthereby is not wise.\u201d Prov. 20:1.\n\n\u201c_Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling?\nwho hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?_\u201d Prov. 23:29.\n\n\u201cThey that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.\u201d Verse\n30.\n\n\u201c_Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in\nthe cup, when it moveth itself aright._\u201d Verse 31.\n\n\u201cAt the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.\u201d Verse\n32.\n\n\u201c_Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ...\nnor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,\nshall inherit the kingdom of God._\u201d 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.\n\n\u201cNow therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink,\nand eat not any unclean thing.\u201d Judges 13:4.\n\n\u201c_Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in\nyou, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?_\u201d 1 Cor. 6:19.\n\n\u201cFor ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and\nin your spirit, which are God\u2019s.\u201d Verse 20.\n\n\u201c_Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the\nglory of God._\u201d 1 Cor. 10:31.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Look not upon the wine\n That sparkles in its flow,\n For death is slumbering there,\n Beneath its ruddy glow.\n No happiness it bringeth,\n At last it only stingeth;\n It biteth, and it wringeth\n The heart with bitter woe.\n\n Lift up the tempted soul\n Now fallen in despair,\n Direct his thoughts above,\n To God, who heareth prayer.\n His arm in mighty power\n Can bid the demon cower,\n And in temptation\u2019s hour\n Will an escape prepare.\n F. E. BELDEN.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Guardian Angel. \"What maintains one vice would bring up two\n children.\"\u2014_Benjamin Franklin._\n\n\n\n\nTrue Temperance Reform\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Save The Boys. \"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is\n old, he will not depart from it.\" Prov. 22:6.\n\n\n1. What was the original food provided for man?\n\n\u201cAnd God said, Behold, I have given you every _herb_ bearing _seed_, which\nis upon the face of all the earth, and every _tree_, in the which is _the\nfruit of a tree_ yielding _seed_; to you it shall be for meat.\u201d Gen. 1:29.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.\n\n\n2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?\n\n\u201c_Every moving thing that liveth_ shall be meat for you; even as the green\nherb have I given you all things.\u201d Gen. 9:3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in\n the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the\n changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use\n was permitted.\n\n\n3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were\nexcluded from their diet?\n\nThose called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.\n\n4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during\ntheir forty years\u2019 wandering in the wilderness?\n\n\u201cThen said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain _bread from heaven_\nfor you.\u201d \u201cAnd the children of Israel did eat _manna_ forty years, until\nthey came to a land inhabited.\u201d Ex. 16:4, 35.\n\n5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?\n\n\u201cI will take _sickness_ away from the midst of thee.\u201d Ex. 23:25.\n\n6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical\ncondition?\n\n\u201cThere was not one feeble person among their tribes.\u201d Ps. 105:37.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014When they complained at God\u2019s dealings with them, and longed\n for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent\n \u201cleanness into their soul.\u201d See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor.\n 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but\n wholesome and nourishing diet.\n\n\n7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?\n\nIn the home.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot\n expect their children to do so.\n\n\n8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?\n\n\u201cBe thou an _example_ of the believers.\u201d 1 Tim. 4:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should\n lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this\n of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against\n moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and\n example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed\n reform.\n\n\n9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the\nstate justify men in licensing it?\n\n\u201cWoe to him that buildeth a town with _blood_, and stablisheth a city by\n_iniquity_.\u201d Hab. 2:12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the\n home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative\n assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor\n traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive\n without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of\n whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the\n state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be\n highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a\n father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own\n children.\n\n\n\n\n\nPART XVIII. THE KINGDOM RESTORED\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Transfiguration. \"There be some standing here, which shall not taste\n of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.\" Matt.\n 16:28.\n\n\n\n\nThe Kingdom Of Glory\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Triumphal Entry. \"Behold, thy King cometh.\" Zech. 9:9.\n\n\n1. Who is to reign finally over God\u2019s kingdom?\n\n\u201cAnd Thou, O tower of the flock [Christ], ... unto Thee shall it come,\neven the first dominion.\u201d Micah 4:8.\n\n2. When asked if He was a king, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201cTo this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.\u201d John\n18:37.\n\n3. In His transfiguration how did Christ appear?\n\n\u201cHis face did _shine as the sun_, and His raiment was _white as the\nlight_.\u201d Matt. 17:2.\n\n4. Who else appeared on this occasion?\n\n\u201cThere appeared unto them _Moses_ and _Elias_.\u201d Verse 3.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In this miniature representation of Christ\u2019s kingdom, as in\n His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-9), Christ appeared\n as King; Moses (Jude 9) represented the sleeping saints to be\n raised at Christ\u2019s coming; and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) the living\n saints to be translated then.\n\n\n5. For what purpose will Christ come again?\n\n\u201cTo be glorified in His saints.\u201d 2 Thess. 1:10.\n\n6. Of what will the saints speak?\n\n\u201cThey shall speak _of the glory of Thy kingdom_.\u201d Ps. 145:11.\n\n7. How enduring is this kingdom to be?\n\n\u201cThy kingdom is _an everlasting kingdom_.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n\n\nThe Saints\u2019 Inheritance\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Return Of The Spies. \"The land ... floweth with milk and honey; and this\n is the fruit of it.\" Num. 13:27.\n\n\n1. How great reward has God promised those that love Him?\n\n\u201cBut as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have\nentered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them\nthat love Him.\u201d 1 Cor. 2:9.\n\n2. By what have these things been revealed to us?\n\n\u201cBut God hath revealed them unto us _by His Spirit_: for the Spirit\nsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.\u201d Verse 10.\n\n3. What reward awaits the true child of God?\n\n\u201cBut now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have\nyour fruit unto holiness, and the end _everlasting life_.\u201d Rom. 6:22.\n\n4. What will he reap who sows to the Spirit?\n\n\u201cHe that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap _life\neverlasting_.\u201d Gal. 6:8.\n\n5. For what purpose did God give His Son to the world?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have _everlasting\nlife_.\u201d John 3:16.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nMoses On Mt. Nebo Viewing The Promised Land. \"And the Lord showed him all\n the land, ... unto the uttermost sea.\" Deut. 34:1, 2.\n\n\n6. What is to be the reward of those whose works are good?\n\n\u201cWho will render to every man according to his deeds: ... _glory_,\n_honor_, and _peace, to every man that worketh good_.\u201d Rom. 2:6-10.\n\n7. What will he receive who endures temptation?\n\n\u201cBlessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he\nshall receive _the crown of life_, which the Lord hath promised to them\nthat love Him.\u201d James 1:12.\n\n8. What promise is made to them that walk uprightly?\n\n\u201cFor the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory:\n_no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly_.\u201d Ps.\n84:11.\n\n9. What are the meek to inherit?\n\n\u201cBut the meek shall inherit _the earth_; and shall delight themselves in\nthe abundance of peace.\u201d Ps. 37:11.\n\n10. What is promised to the willing and obedient?\n\n\u201cIf ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_.\u201d Isa.\n1:19.\n\n11. What delights and pleasures await the child of God?\n\n\u201cThou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is _fulness of joy_;\nat Thy right hand there are _pleasures forevermore_.\u201d Ps. 16:11.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I will sing you a song of that beautiful land,\n The far-away home of the soul,\n Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand,\n While the years of eternity roll.\n\n O, that home of the soul! in my visions and dreams\n Its bright jasper walls I can see,\n Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes\n Between the fair city and me.\n\n That unchangeable home is for you and for me,\n Where Jesus of Nazareth stands;\n The King of all kingdoms forever is He,\n And He holdeth our crowns in His hands.\n\n O, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land,\n So free from all sorrow and pain;\n With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands,\n To meet one another again!\n MRS. ELLEN H. GATES.\n\n\n\n\nPromises To The Overcomer\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nIsrael Crossing The Jordan. \"He that overcometh shall inherit all things.\"\n Rev. 21:7.\n\n\n1. What are we admonished to overcome?\n\n\u201cBe not overcome of evil, but _overcome evil_ with good.\u201d Rom. 12:21.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In John 5:4 that which we are to overcome is called \u201cthe\n world;\u201d and in 1 John 2:15-17 the things of which \u201cthe world\u201d\n consists are described as \u201cthe lust of the flesh, and the lust of\n the eye, and the pride of life.\u201d\n\n\n2. What only can overcome the world?\n\n\u201cFor _whatsoever is born of God_ overcometh the world.\u201d 1 John 5:4.\n\n3. What gives us the victory in our conflict with the world?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the victory that overcometh the world, _even our faith_.\u201d\nSame verse.\n\n4. What promises are made by Christ to the overcomer?\n\n(_a_) \u201cTo him that overcometh will I give _to eat of the tree of life_,\nwhich is in the midst of the paradise of God.\u201d Rev. 2:7.\n\n(_b_) \u201cHe that overcometh _shall not be hurt of the second death_.\u201d Verse\n11.\n\n(_c_) \u201cTo him that overcometh will I give _to eat of the hidden manna_,\nand will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,\nwhich no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n(_d_) \u201cHe that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will\nI give _power over the nations_: and he shall rule them with a rod of\niron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as\nI received of My Father. And I will give him _the morning star_.\u201d Verses\n26-28.\n\n(_e_) \u201cHe that overcometh, the same shall be _clothed in white raiment_;\nand _I will not blot out his name out of the book of life_, but I will\n_confess his name before My Father, and before His angels_.\u201d Rev. 3:5.\n\n(_f_) \u201cHim that overcometh will I _make a pillar in the temple of My God_,\nand he shall go no more out: and I _will write upon him the name of My\nGod, and the name of the city of My God_, which is New Jerusalem, which\ncometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him _My new\nname_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n(_g_) \u201cTo him that overcometh will I grant _to sit with Me in My throne_,\neven as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.\u201d\nVerse 21.\n\n5. In what one promise are all these promises summed up?\n\n\u201c_He that overcometh shall inherit all things_; and I will be his God, and\nhe shall be My son.\u201d Rev. 21:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Here are the exceeding great and precious promises to the\n overcomer, eight in number. They embrace everything,\u2014eternal life,\n health, happiness, and an everlasting home. What more could be\n asked?\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n In heaven there will be no parting, no pain to bear;\n No care-worn brow, no sigh, no silvery hair;\n No death to snatch our loved ones from our side,\n No angry waves, no sea, no treacherous tide.\n\n In heaven there\u2019ll be no thirst, no cry for bread;\n No soul who knows not where to lay his head;\n No one to feel the winter\u2019s chilling blast,\n For there the piercing storms will all be past.\n\n In heaven there\u2019ll be no toil without repay;\n No building for a brief, ephemeral day;\n For all the joys that prophets old have told\n \u2019Twill take the endless ages to unfold.\n\n In heaven there\u2019ll be no weary pilgrim band;\n No seekers for a better, fairer land;\n For all who reach that blissful, happy shore,\n Will never cry nor sigh, nor wish for more.\n\n\n\n\nThe Subjects Of The Kingdom\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Final Rewards. \"And He shall separate them ... as a shepherd divideth\n his sheep from his goats.\" Matt. 25:32.\n\n\n1. Upon whom was the name Israel first bestowed?\n\n\u201cAnd he said, Thy name shall be called no more _Jacob_, but _Israel_: for\nas a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.\u201d\nGen. 32:28.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Israel means a \u201cprince,\u201d or \u201cone who prevails with God.\u201d\n\n\n2. Afterward who came to be called by this title?\n\n\u201cNow these are the names of _the children of Israel_, which came into\nEgypt; ... Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and\nBenjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.... Joseph.\u201d Ex. 1:1-5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In other words, the descendants of Jacob, the grandson of\n Abraham, were known as the twelve tribes of Israel.\n\n\n3. What special blessings were conferred on the Israelites?\n\n\u201cWho are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the _adoption_, and the _glory_,\nand the _covenants_, and the _giving of the law_, and the _service of\nGod_, and the _promises_; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning\nthe flesh _Christ came_, who is over all.\u201d Rom. 9:4, 5.\n\n4. Who constitute the true Israel, or seed of Abraham?\n\n\u201cThey are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are\nthe seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed\nbe called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are\nnot the children of God: but _the children of the promise are counted for\nthe seed_.\u201d Verses 6-8.\n\n5. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came\nto his baptism?\n\n\u201cAnd think not to say within yourselves. We have Abraham to our father:\nfor I say unto you, that _God is able of these stones to raise up children\nunto Abraham_.\u201d Matt. 3:9.\n\n6. What determines whether one is a child of Abraham?\n\n\u201cKnow ye therefore that _they which are of faith, the same are the\nchildren of Abraham_.\u201d Gal. 3:7.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Because of unbelief many of the Israelites fell in the\n wilderness, and were not permitted to enter the promised land.\n Num. 14:27-33; Deut. 1:34-36.\n\n\n7. To whom must one belong in order to be Abraham\u2019s seed?\n\n\u201c_And if ye be Christ\u2019s_, then are ye Abraham\u2019s seed, and heirs according\nto the promise.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n8. In what scripture are Christians recognized as Israel?\n\n\u201cAnd as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy,\nand upon _the Israel of God_.\u201d Gal. 6:16.\n\n9. To whom is the epistle of James addressed?\n\n\u201cJames, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ _to the twelve\ntribes_ which are scattered abroad, greeting.\u201d James 1:1.\n\n10. To whom is the gospel the power of God unto salvation?\n\n\u201cFor I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God\nunto salvation _to every one that believeth_; to the Jew first, and also\nto the Greek.\u201d Rom. 1:16.\n\n11. To whom did Jesus first send the twelve disciples?\n\n\u201cThese twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into\nthe way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:\nbut go rather to _the lost sheep of the house of Israel_.\u201d Matt. 10:5, 6.\n\n12. When the woman of Canaan came to Christ, beseeching Him to heal her\ndaughter, what did He say?\n\n\u201cBut He answered and said, _I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the\nhouse of Israel_.\u201d Matt. 15:24.\n\n13. When she persisted in her request, and fell down to worship Him, what\ndid He say?\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nComing In Glory. \"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.\"\n Matt. 5:5.\n\n\n\u201cBut He answered and said, _It is not meet to take the children\u2019s bread,\nand to cast it to dogs_.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014By her persistent faith, this woman, although a Canaanite,\n showed that she was really a true child of Abraham.\n\n\n14. While dining with Zaccheus, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201cThis day is salvation come to this house, _forsomuch as he also is a son\nof Abraham_.\u201d Luke 19:9.\n\n15. What did He say to the woman of Samaria as to the source of salvation?\n\n\u201cYe worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for _salvation is\nof the Jews_.\u201d John 4:22.\n\n16. When the Jews rejected Paul\u2019s preaching of the gospel, what did he and\nBarnabas say?\n\n\u201cThen Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the\nword of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it\nfrom you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, _lo, we turn\nto the Gentiles_.\u201d Acts 13:46.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation\n rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the preeminence\n as the children of God, and as God\u2019s light-bearers to the world.\n But on account of this rejection, they were rejected as God\u2019s\n peculiar people, and others took their place, and now bear the\n name of _Israel_ in common with those who were first called by\n that name.\n\n\n17. Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented who have\nbecome a part of the true Israel of God?\n\n\u201cAnd if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being _a wild\nolive-tree_, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the\nroot and fatness of the olive-tree; boast not against the branches.\u201d Rom.\n11:17, 18.\n\n18. Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the Jews were broken\noff to let them come in, what warning is given them?\n\n\u201cWell; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by\nfaith. _Be not high-minded, but fear_: for if God spared not the natural\nbranches, _take heed lest He also spare not thee_.\u201d Verses 20, 21.\n\n19. What encouragement is held out concerning the branches which have been\nbroken off?\n\n\u201cAnd they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, _shall be grafted\nin_: for God is able to graft them in again.\u201d Verse 23.\n\n20. What will be the final result of the gospel?\n\n\u201cAnd so _all Israel shall be saved_.\u201d Verse 26.\n\n21. Before Gentiles become Israelites, in what condition are they?\n\n\u201cWherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles, ... at that time\nye were _without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and\nstrangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God\nin the world_.\u201d Eph. 2:11, 12.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014If, in order to be saved, Gentiles must become Israelites as\n is everywhere asserted, then when converted from their Gentile\n ways to the ways of Israel, they certainly must have faith in\n Christ, and their lives must conform to the moral law which God\n gave to Israel, otherwise it would not be the commonwealth of\n Israel, but of the Gentiles. The writing of the law in the heart\n is one of the provisions of the new covenant with true Israel. See\n Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-12.\n\n\n22. How are God\u2019s remnant people described?\n\n\u201cHere is the patience of the saints: here are they that _keep the\ncommandments of God, and the faith of Jesus_.\u201d Rev. 14:12.\n\n23. Whose names are in the foundations of the holy city?\n\n\u201cAnd the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them _the names\nof the twelve apostles of the Lamb_.\u201d Rev. 21:14.\n\n24. Whose names are on the twelve gates of the city?\n\n\u201cAnd [the wall] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and\nnames written thereon, which are _the names of the twelve tribes of the\nchildren of Israel_.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n25. Who will walk in the light of the city?\n\n\u201cAnd _the nations of them which are saved_ shall walk in the light of it:\nand _the kings of the earth_ do bring their glory and honor into it.\u201d\nVerse 24.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This city, the New Jerusalem, will be for all the nations of\n the saved; and yet all who enter therein will enter through gates\n on which are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel,\n from which it is evident that all who are saved will belong to\n Israel. The name Israel will be perpetuated in the new earth\n state, and very appropriately so, because of its meaning. All who\n share in that future home of the saved will be overcomers\u2014princes\n and prevailers with God. See Rev. 3:12; 21:7. Christ recognized\n this division of the saved into twelve nations, in selecting His\n apostles. He chose twelve. He recognized it again when to the\n twelve He said: \u201cYe which have followed Me, in the regeneration\n when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also\n shall sit upon _twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of\n Israel_.\u201d Matt. 19:28. And the apostles, after Christ\u2019s\n resurrection and ascension, themselves recognized it, when, to\n fill the place of Judas, who fell, they appointed another, in\n order to preserve the proper number, twelve.\n\n\n\n\nEternal Life\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Morning Of Christ\u2019s Resurrection. \"He that believeth on the Son hath\n everlasting life.\" John 3:36.\n\n\n1. What precious promise has God made to His children?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the promise that He hath promised us, even _eternal life_.\u201d 1\nJohn 2:25.\n\n2. How may we obtain eternal life?\n\n\u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, _that\nwhosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life_.\u201d\nJohn 3:16.\n\n3. Who has everlasting life?\n\n\u201c_He that believeth on the Son_ hath everlasting life.\u201d Verse 36.\n\n4. Where is this everlasting or eternal life?\n\n\u201cAnd this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and _this\nlife is in His Son_.\u201d 1 John 5:11.\n\n5. What therefore follows?\n\n\u201c_He that hath the Son hath life_; and he that hath not the Son of God\nhath not life.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n6. What does Christ give His followers?\n\n\u201cI give unto them _eternal life_; and they shall never perish.\u201d John\n10:28.\n\n7. Why, after the fall, was man shut away from the tree of life?\n\n\u201cLest he put forth his hand, and _take also of the tree of life, and eat,\nand live forever_.\u201d Gen. 3:22.\n\n8. What has Christ promised the overcomer?\n\n\u201cTo him that overcometh will I give _to eat of the tree of life_, which is\nin the midst of the paradise of God.\u201d Rev. 2:7.\n\n9. To what is the life of the redeemed compared?\n\n\u201cFor _as the days of a tree_ are the days of My people, and Mine elect\nshall long enjoy the work of their hands.\u201d Isa. 65:22.\n\n10. When will immortality be conferred upon the saints?\n\n\u201cWe shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the\ntwinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and\nthe dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this\ncorruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on\nimmortality.\u201d 1 Cor. 15:51-53.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014In accepting Christ the believer receives \u201cthat eternal\n life, which was with the Father,\u201d and this eternal life he retains\n as long as Christ dwells in the heart by faith. This wondrous gift\n may be lost by failure to maintain the faith which holds Christ\n fast. At the resurrection, immortality is conferred upon those who\n have fallen asleep in Christ, and thus the possession of eternal\n life becomes a permanent experience.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n Toil on a little longer here,\n For thy reward awaits above,\n Nor droop in sadness or in fear\n Beneath the rod that\u2019s sent in love;\n The deeper wound our spirits feel,\n The sweeter heaven\u2019s balm to heal.\n\n Faith lifts the veil before our eyes,\n And bids us view a happier clime,\n Where verdant fields in beauty rise,\n Beyond the withering blasts of time;\n And brings the blissful moment near,\n When we in glory shall appear.\n\n Then let us hope; \u2019tis not in vain;\n Though moistened by our grief the soil,\n The harvest brings us joy for pain,\n The rest repays the weary toil;\n For they shall reap, who sow in tears,\n Rich gladness through eternal years.\n ANNIE R. SMITH.\n\n\n\n\nThe Home Of The Saved\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The New Earth. \"The saints ... shall take the kingdom, and possess the\n kingdom forever.\" Dan. 7:18.\n\n\n1. For what purpose was the earth created?\n\n\u201cFor thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed\nthe earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain,\n_He formed it to be inhabited_.\u201d Isa. 45:18.\n\n2. To whom has God given the earth?\n\n\u201cThe heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord\u2019s: but _the earth hath He\ngiven to the children of men_.\u201d Ps. 115:16.\n\n3. For what purpose was man made?\n\n\u201cThou madest him _to have dominion over the works of Thy hands_; Thou hast\nput all things under his feet.\u201d Ps. 8:6. See Gen. 1:26; Heb. 2:8.\n\n4. How did man lose his dominion?\n\nThrough sin. Rom. 5:12; 6:23.\n\n5. When man lost his dominion, to whom did he yield it?\n\n\u201cFor of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.\u201d 2\nPeter 2:19.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Man was overcome by Satan in the garden of Eden, and there\n yielded himself and his possessions into the hands of his captor.\n\n\n6. In tempting Christ, what ownership did Satan claim?\n\n\u201cAnd the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all\nthe kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto\nHim, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: _for that is\ndelivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it_.\u201d Luke 4:5, 6.\n\n7. Through whom is this first dominion to be restored?\n\n\u201cAnd Thou, _O tower of the flock_, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion,\n_unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion_; the kingdom shall come\nto the daughter of Jerusalem.\u201d Micah 4:8.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The \u201ctower of the flock\u201d is Christ.\n\n\n8. Why did Christ say the meek are blessed?\n\n\u201cBlessed are the meek: _for they shall inherit the earth_.\u201d Matt. 5:5.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014This inheritance cannot be realized in this life; for here\n the truly meek generally have little of earth\u2019s good things.\n\n\n9. Who does David say have most now?\n\n\u201cFor I was envious at _the foolish_, when I saw the prosperity of _the\nwicked_.... Their eyes stand out with fatness: _they have more than heart\ncould wish_.\u201d Ps. 73:3-7.\n\n10. Where are the righteous to be recompensed?\n\n\u201cBehold, the righteous shall be recompensed _in the earth_: much more the\nwicked and the sinner.\u201d Prov. 11:31.\n\n11. What will be the difference between the portion of the righteous and\nthe wicked?\n\n\u201cWait on the Lord, and keep His way, and _He shall exalt thee to inherit\nthe land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it_.\u201d Ps. 37:34.\n\n12. What promise was made to Abraham concerning the land?\n\n\u201cAnd the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift\nup now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and\nsouthward, and eastward, and westward: for _all the land which thou seest,\nto thee will I give it, and to thy_ SEED _forever_.\u201d Gen. 13:14, 15.\n\n13. How much did this promise comprehend?\n\n\u201c_For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world_, was not to\nAbraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of\nfaith.\u201d Rom. 4:13.\n\n14. How much of the land of Canaan did Abraham own in his lifetime?\n\n\u201c_And He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his\nfoot on_: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession,\nand to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.\u201d Acts 7:5. See\nHeb. 11:13.\n\n15. How much of the promised possession did Abraham expect during his\nlifetime?\n\n\u201cBy faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he\nshould after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not\nknowing whither he went. By faith _he sojourned in the land of promise, as\nin a strange country_, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the\nheirs with him of the same promise: _for he looked for a city which hath\nfoundations, whose builder and maker is God_.\u201d Heb. 11:8-10.\n\n16. Who is the seed to whom this promise was made?\n\n\u201cNow to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to\nseeds, as of many; but as of one, _And to thy seed, which is Christ_.\u201d\nGal. 3:16.\n\n17. Who are heirs of the promise?\n\n\u201cAnd _if ye be Christ\u2019s, then are ye Abraham\u2019s seed, and heirs according\nto the promise_.\u201d Verse 29.\n\n18. Why did not these ancient worthies receive the promise?\n\n\u201cAnd these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not\nthe promise: God having provided some better thing for us, _that they\nwithout us should not be made perfect_.\u201d Heb. 11:39, 40.\n\n19. What is to become of our earth in the day of the Lord?\n\n\u201cBut the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which\nthe heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and _the elements shall\nmelt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein\nshall be burned up_.\u201d 2 Peter 3:10.\n\n20. What will follow this great conflagration?\n\n\u201cNevertheless we, according to His promise, _look for new heavens and a\nnew earth_, wherein dwelleth righteousness.\u201d Verse 13.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014As shown in the reading on \u201cThe Millennium,\u201d page 355, at\n the coming of Christ, the living wicked will die, and the saints\n will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ a thousand years, or\n until the wicked of all ages are judged, and the time comes for\n their destruction and the purification of the earth by the fires\n of the last day. Following this, the earth will be formed anew,\n and man, redeemed from sin, will be restored to his original\n dominion.\n\n\n21. To what Old Testament promise did Peter evidently refer?\n\n\u201cFor, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall\nnot be remembered, nor come into mind.\u201d Isa. 65:17.\n\n22. What was shown the apostle John in vision?\n\n\u201cAnd I saw _a new heaven and a new earth_: for the first heaven and the\nfirst earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.\u201d Rev. 21:1.\n\n23. What will the saints do in the new earth?\n\n\u201cAnd they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant\nvineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another\ninhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree\nare the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of\ntheir hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble;\nfor they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with\nthem.\u201d Isa. 65:21-23.\n\n24. How readily will their wants be supplied?\n\n\u201cAnd it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and\nwhile they are yet speaking, I will hear.\u201d Verse 24.\n\n25. What peaceful condition will reign throughout the earth then?\n\n\u201cThe wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw\nlike the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent\u2019s meat. They shall not\nhurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.\u201d Verse 25.\n\n26. What seasons of worship will be observed in the new earth?\n\n\u201cFor as the new heavens and the new earth, which I shall make, shall\nremain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.\nAnd it shall come to pass, that _from one new moon to another, and from\none Sabbath to another_, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith\nthe Lord.\u201d Isa. 66:22, 23.\n\n27. What will the ransomed of the Lord then do?\n\n\u201c_And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs\nand everlasting joy upon their heads_: they shall obtain joy and gladness,\nand sorrow and sighing shall flee away.\u201d Isa. 35:10.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Land Of Peace. \"A little child shall lead them.... They shall not hurt\n nor destroy in all My holy mountain.\" Isa. 11:6-9.\n\n\n28. How extensive will be the reign of Christ?\n\n\u201cHe shall have dominion also _from sea to sea, and from the river unto the\nends of the earth_.\u201d Ps. 72:8.\n\n29. What does Daniel say of this kingdom?\n\n\u201cAnd _the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the\nwhole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most\nHigh_, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall\nserve and obey Him.\u201d Dan. 7:27.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014Let imagination picture the home of the saved fair and\n beautiful as it may, yet remember that it will be more glorious\n than our brightest imagination can conceive. See 1 Cor. 2:9.\n\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O, sweetly through the gloomy years\n That roll their dimming veil between,\n The promised goodly land appears,\n Arrayed in never-fading green!\n And from that peaceful, happy clime,\n Transporting bursts of song arise,\n And, rolling through the mists of time,\n Tell us of joy that never dies.\n\n As voyagers on the stormy deep\n Look for some bright and sunny bay\n Where winds and waves are hushed in sleep,\n And joy lights up the happy day,\n So o\u2019er the tossing sea of years\n We glance the eye and stretch the hand\n Where, robed in fadeless light, appears\n The border of the shining land.\n\n There angel hosts of glorious ones,\n With sinless hearts and stainless hands,\n Call us in glad and loving tones,\n And bid us welcome to their bands.\n Hark! how their harps and voices tell\n The glories of that radiant strand,\n And bid us breast the waves that swell\n Between us and the shining land.\n\n Ear hath not heard, eye hath not seen,\n The glories of that home of song;\n Though stormy billows roll between,\n I go to join the angel throng.\n But of the joys beyond the tide,\n The welcomes on that golden strand,\n The best shall be from Him who died\n To bring us to the shining land.\n H. L. HASTINGS.\n\n\n\n\nThe New Jerusalem\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Holy City. \"He looked for a city which hath foundations.\" Heb. 11:10.\n\n\n1. What was one of Christ\u2019s parting promises to His disciples?\n\n\u201cIn My Father\u2019s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have\ntold you. _I go to prepare a place for you._\u201d John 14:2.\n\n2. What does Paul say God has prepared for His people?\n\n\u201cBut now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God\nis not ashamed to be called their God: for _He hath prepared for them a\ncity_.\u201d Heb. 11:16.\n\n3. Where is this city, and what is it called?\n\n\u201cBut _Jerusalem which is above_ is free, which is the mother of us all.\u201d\nGal. 4:26.\n\n4. For what did Abraham look?\n\n\u201cFor _he looked for a city_ which hath foundations, whose builder and\nmaker is God.\u201d Heb. 11:10.\n\n5. What assurance has God given to believers?\n\n\u201cGod is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them\na city.\u201d Heb. 11:16.\n\n6. What did John see concerning this city?\n\n\u201cAnd _I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of\nheaven_, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.\u201d Rev. 21:2.\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Descent Of The New Jerusalem. \"And I John saw the holy city, New\n Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.\" Rev. 21:2.\n\n\n7. How many foundations has this city?\n\n\u201cAnd the wall of the city had _twelve foundations_, and in them the names\nof the twelve apostles of the Lamb.\u201d Verse 14.\n\n8. What is the measurement of the city?\n\n\u201cAnd the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth:\nand _he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs_.\u201d Verse\n16.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The measure around it, as the words length and breadth,\n imply, and as was the early custom of measuring cities, is 12,000\n furlongs. This is equal to 1,500 miles, 375 miles on each side,\n making a perfect square. The area of this city is therefore\n 140,625 square miles, or 90,000,000 acres, or 3,920,400,000,000\n square feet. Allowing 100 square feet to each person, or a space\n ten feet square, the city would hold 39,204,000,000 persons, or\n twenty-six times the present population of the globe.\n\n\n9. What is the height of the wall?\n\n\u201cAnd he measured the wall thereof, _an hundred and forty and four\ncubits_.\u201d Verse 17.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014One hundred and forty-four cubits are equal to 216 feet.\n\n\n10. Of what material is the wall constructed?\n\n\u201cAnd the building of _the wall of it was of jasper_: and the city was pure\ngold, like unto clear glass.\u201d Verse 18.\n\n11. With what are the twelve foundations adorned?\n\n\u201cAnd the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all\nmanner of precious stones. The first foundation was _jasper_; the second,\n_sapphire_; the third, a _chalcedony_; the fourth, an _emerald_; the\nfifth, _sardonyx_; the sixth, _sardius_; the seventh, _chrysolite_; the\neighth, _beryl_; the ninth, a _topaz_; the tenth, a _chrysoprasus_; the\neleventh, a _jacinth_; the twelfth, an _amethyst_.\u201d Verses 19, 20. See Ex.\n28:15-21; Isa. 54:11, 12.\n\n12. Of what are the twelve gates composed?\n\n\u201cAnd the twelve gates were _twelve pearls_: every several gate was of one\npearl.\u201d Rev. 21:21.\n\n13. What is written on these gates?\n\n\u201cThe names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.\u201d Verse 12.\n\n14. Of what are the streets of the city composed?\n\n\u201cAnd the street of the city was _pure gold_, as it were transparent\nglass.\u201d Verse 21.\n\n15. Why will this city have no need of the sun or moon?\n\n\u201cAnd the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:\n_for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof_.\nAnd the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and\nthe kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.\u201d Verses 23,\n24. See Rev. 22:5; Isa. 60:19, 20.\n\n16. Why are its gates not to be closed?\n\n\u201cAnd the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: _for there shall be\nno night there_.\u201d Rev. 21:25.\n\n17. What will be excluded from this city?\n\n\u201cAnd there shall in no wise enter into it _anything that defileth, neither\nwhatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie_.\u201d Verse 27.\n\n18. Who will be permitted to enter it?\n\n\u201c_Blessed are they that do His commandments_, that they may have right to\nthe tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.\u201d Rev.\n22:14.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The late English and American revisions render this,\n \u201cBlessed are they that wash their robes,\u201d etc. The result is the\n same, for those who wash their robes cease to sin, and hence do\n God\u2019s commandments.\n\n\n19. When this city becomes the metropolis of the new earth, what will be\nthe condition of God\u2019s people?\n\n\u201cAnd God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no\nmore death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more\npain: for the former things are passed away.\u201d Rev. 21:4.\n\n20. What will flow through the city?\n\n\u201cAnd he showed me _a pure river of water of life_, clear as crystal,\nproceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.\u201d Rev. 22:1.\n\n21. What stands on either side of the river?\n\n\u201cIn the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was\nthere _the tree of Life_, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded\nher fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of\nthe nations.\u201d Verse 2.\n\n\n NOTE.\u2014The tree of life which Adam lost through transgression is to\n be restored by Christ. Access to this is one of the promises to\n the overcomer. Rev. 2:7. Its bearing twelve kinds of fruit, a new\n kind each month, suggests a reason why in the new earth \u201cfrom one\n _new moon_ to another,\u201d as well as \u201cfrom one Sabbath to another,\u201d\n all flesh is to come before God to worship, as stated in Isa.\n 66:22, 23.\n\n\n22. What will be the privilege of those who enter there?\n\n\u201c_And they shall see His face._\u201d Rev. 22:3, 4. See Matt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14;\n1 Cor. 13:12.\n\n\n\n\nThe Conflict Ended\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Rest Remaining. \"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.\"\n Rev. 21:4.\n\n\n1. In narrating the work of creation, what statement is made concerning\nits completion?\n\n\u201cThus the heavens and the earth were _finished_, and all the host of them.\nAnd on the seventh day God _ended_ His work which He had made.\u201d Gen. 2:1,\n2.\n\n2. When expiring on the cross, what did Christ say?\n\n\u201cWhen Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, _It is finished_:\nand He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.\u201d John 19:30.\n\n3. At the pouring out of the seventh plague, what announcement will be\nmade?\n\n\u201cAnd the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a\ngreat voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, _It is\ndone_.\u201d Rev. 16:17.\n\n4. And when the new heavens and the new earth have appeared, and the holy\ncity, New Jerusalem, has descended from God and become the metropolis of\nthe new creation, what announcement will then be made?\n\n\u201cAnd He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And\nHe said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said\nunto me, _It is done_. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.\u201d\nRev. 21:5, 6.\n\n5. In the new earth, what will be no more?\n\n\u201cAnd God shall wipe away all _tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be\nno more _death_, neither _sorrow_, nor _crying_, neither shall there be\nany more _pain_: for the former things are passed away.\u201d Verse 4. \u201cAnd\nthere shall be no more _curse_.\u201d Rev. 22:3.\n\n6. What will then be the condition of all the earth?\n\n\u201cThe wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down\nwith the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;\nand a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed;\ntheir young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw\nlike the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and\nthe weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice\u2019 den. They shall not\nhurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of\nthe knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.\u201d Isa. 11:6-9.\n\n7. How does the prophet again speak of this time?\n\n\u201cThe whole earth is at _rest_, and is _quiet_: they break forth into\n_singing_.\u201d Isa. 14:7.\n\n8. What universal chorus of praise will then be heard?\n\n\u201cAnd every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the\nearth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I\nsaying, _Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that\nsitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever_.\u201d Rev. 5:13.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n O what a mighty change\n Shall Jesus\u2019 followers know,\n When o\u2019er the happy plains they range,\n Incapable of woe!\n\n There all our griefs are past;\n There all our sorrows end;\n We gain a peaceful rest at last,\n With Jesus Christ our Friend.\n\n No slightest touch of pain,\n Nor sorrow\u2019s least alloy,\n Can violate our rest, or stain\n Our purity of joy.\n\n In that eternal day,\n No clouds nor tempest rise;\n There gushing tears are wiped away\n Forever from our eyes.\n CHARLES WESLEY.\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n Paradise Lost To Paradise Restored. \"And Thou, O tower of the flock, ...\n unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.\" Micah 4:8. The Way Of\n Life.\n\n\n\n\nPleasures Forevermore\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Eternal Home. \"They shall build houses, and inhabit them.... Mine\n elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.\" Isa. 65:21, 22.\n\n\n1. What will finally be the privilege of God\u2019s children?\n\n\u201cAnd they shall _see His face_.\u201d Rev. 22:4.\n\n2. How perfect will be their knowledge of God?\n\n\u201cFor now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know\nin part; but _then shall I know even as also I am known_.\u201d 1 Cor. 13:12.\n\n3. Whom will they be like?\n\n\u201cBeloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we\nshall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, _we shall be like Him_;\nfor we shall see Him as He is.\u201d 1 John 3:2.\n\n4. From what ills will the saints be forever delivered?\n\n\u201cAnd God shall wipe away all _tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be\nno more _death_, neither _sorrow_, nor _crying_, neither shall there be\nany more _pain_: for the former things are passed away.\u201d Rev. 21:4.\n\n5. How completely will the pains and sorrows of the former world pass\naway?\n\n\u201cFor, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: _and the former shall\nnot be remembered, nor come into mind_.\u201d Isa. 65:17. Margin, \u201cCome upon\nthe heart;\u201d i.e. to be desired.\n\n6. Who will dwell with the redeemed?\n\n\u201c_He_ will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and _God Himself\nshall be with them_, and be their God.\u201d Rev. 21:3.\n\n7. What will it mean to dwell in God\u2019s presence?\n\n\u201cIn Thy presence is _fulness of joy_; at Thy right hand there are\n_pleasures forevermore_.\u201d Ps. 16:11.\n\n8. What peaceful condition will prevail in the earth made new?\n\n\u201c_They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain_: for the earth\nshall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.\u201d\nIsa. 11:9.\n\n9. How will the ransomed of the Lord return to Zion?\n\n\u201cAnd the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion _with songs\nand everlasting joy upon their heads_: they shall obtain joy and gladness,\nand sorrow and sighing shall flee away.\u201d Isa. 35:10.\n\n10. How enduring will be their pleasures?\n\n\u201cFor as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and _Mine elect\nshall long enjoy the work of their hands_.\u201d Isa. 65:22.\n\n11. How long will they possess the future kingdom?\n\n\u201cBut the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the\nkingdom _forever_, even _forever and ever_.\u201d Dan. 7:18.\n\n12. How long will they reign?\n\n\u201cAnd they shall reign _forever and ever_.\u201d Rev. 22:5.\n\n \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n\n I am longing for the home land,\n And its rest from sin and strife;\n I am yearning for the welcome,\n With its warmth of light and life;\n And the days seem long and weary,\n Mid earth scenes so dark and dreary,\n While I wait for my Redeemer\n To come in clouds for me.\n\n O the home land, blessed home land,\n With its bliss beyond compare!\n How our ardent souls are yearning\n For the joys that wait us there!\n And we haste to barge our treasure\n On the river of Thy pleasure,\n In the home where life eternal\n Awaits the ransomed throng.\n WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN.\n\n\n\n\nThe Game Of Life In Progress\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Struggle. \"We wrestle ... against the rulers of the darkness of this\n world.\" Eph. 6:12.\n\n\nIn these three beautiful pictures illustrating the game of life, Satan,\nthe prince of darkness, is represented as playing with man for his soul.\n\nThe scene chosen is a wide vault, whose arch is embellished with\nlizard-shaped monsters, which adhere closely to the two pillars, down\nwhich they seem to creep. On the left-hand side of the picture, near\nSatan, is an open-mouthed lion ready to devour his victim at the first\nopportunity.\n\nThe upper surface of a sarcophagus is transformed into a chess-board,\nbeside which man sits, his head resting on his hand, and his countenance\nfull of careful thought as to what moves he should make next.\n\nOpposite him is Satan, seated, his chin resting on his hand, his hair and\nbeard bristling wildly, and every feature expressive of cunning intent,\nand a determination to watch every move, take advantage of every mistake,\nand win if possible.\n\nBeneath the arch, in the background, stands a lovely angel form unnoticed\nby either of the players, but watching intently the progress of the game.\n\n\n\n\nThe Game Of Life Lost\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\nThe Defeat. \"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,\n and lose his own soul?\" Mark 8:36.\n\n\nHere we see the results of the game lost. Satan has been victorious. With\na wild and horrid leer and a deathlike grip he has seized his victim, and\nin triumph points to the sure but gruesome signs of death,\u2014the skulls and\ncross-bones. Amidst smoke and flame, the hand of Death rises to strike man\nwith his poisoned dart.\n\nIn sadness and despair man sits, with covered face, and weeps over his\ndefeat. His hope is gone; he knows no peace; he feels the icy clasp of his\nconquering foe. With keen regret, he now ponders over his loss of faith,\nhis neglect of prayer, and his failure to study and follow his Guide-book.\nLife, with its opportunities for gaining the life to come, has been\nwasted; and now, when too late to make amends, he sees his fatal moves and\nhis great mistakes.\n\nThe figures on the wall have changed their visage, and seem ready to\npounce upon the doomed and helpless man. The lion also has become more\nfierce, and thirsts for his blood, while the angel turns in sadness from\nthe scene and weeps.\n\nThe entire view is one of inexpressible sorrow and regret.\n\n\n\n\nThe Game Of Life Won\n\n\n [Illustration.]\n\n The Victory. \"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I\n have kept the faith.\" 2 Tim. 4:7.\n\n\nIn the closing scene of this allegorical representation of man\u2019s conflict\nwith the powers of darkness, we have pictured the happy issue of a\nfaithful Christian life.\n\nSatan has been defeated, and has departed.\n\nThe sleeping lion, the open Word, the cross and crown, all speak of\nvictory.\n\nInstead of sitting in sorrow and mourning over defeat, the man, with\ncheerful looks and thankful heart, lifts his eyes toward heaven, and\nrejoices that he has met and vanquished his deadly foe.\n\nIn the place of the ugly monsters on the wall, cherubs are seen, with\nlaurel wreaths ready to place upon the victor\u2019s brow, while the angel,\nwith joyful satisfaction, points the victor to his exceeding great reward.\n\nThis is the game which all, whether conscious of the fact or not, are\nplaying. What its outcome will be in each case depends upon how each one\nmeets and fights life\u2019s battle day by day. All may be victors if they\nwill.\n\n\u201cKeep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.\u201d\nProv. 4:23.\n\n\n The Goodly Land\n\n We have heard from the bright, the holy land,\n We have heard, and our hearts are glad;\n For we were a lonely pilgrim band,\n And weary, and worn, and sad.\n They tell us the saints have a dwelling there,\n No longer are homeless ones;\n And we know that the goodly land is fair,\n Where life\u2019s pure river runs.\n\n They say green fields are waving there,\n That never a blight shall know;\n And the deserts wild are blooming fair,\n And the roses of Sharon grow.\n There are lovely birds in the bowers green,\n Their songs are blithe and sweet;\n And their warblings, gushing ever new,\n The angels\u2019 harpings greet.\n\n We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns,\n And the silvery band in white;\n Of the city fair, with pearly gates,\n All radiant with light;\n We have heard of the angels there, and saints,\n With their harps of gold, how they sing;\n Of the mount, with the fruitful tree of life,\n Of the leaves that healing bring.\n\n The King of that country, He is fair,\n He\u2019s the joy and light of the place;\n In His beauty we shall behold Him there,\n And bask in His smiling face.\n We\u2019ll be there, we\u2019ll be there in a little while,\n We\u2019ll join the pure and the blest;\n We\u2019ll have the palm, the robe, the crown,\n And forever be at rest.\n W. H. HYDE.\n\n\n\n\n\nINDEX OF SUBJECTS\n\n\nAbolished by Christ, what was, 405\n\nAcceptance with God, 106\n\nAccountability, individual, 482\n\nAdmonitions and warnings, 667\n\nAdmonitions, Scripture, 752\n\nAffliction, comfort in, 562\n\nAngels, dark ministries of bad, 530\n\nAngels, the ministration of good, 523\n\nAnswers to prayer, 611\n\nAntichrist, kingdom and work of, 218\n\nApostasy, the mark of, 446\n\nArmies of the world, 350\n\nArmor, the Christian, 543\n\nAtonement in type and antitype, 238\n\nAttributes of God, character and, 61\n\nAuthor of liberty, the, 471\n\nBabylon, the fall of modern, 254\n\nBackbiting, gossiping and, 693\n\nBacksliding, 684\n\nBaptism, 100\n\nBeast, making an image to the, 271\n\nBeast of Revelation 13, 268\n\nBeast, the mark of the, 277, 279, 446\n\nBeasts, four great monarchies, 213\n\nBelievers, unity of, 582\n\nBible, Christ in all the, 40\n\nBible election, 121\n\nBible, \u201cHow Readest Thou?\u201d 32\n\nBible, printing and the, 14\n\nBible readings, value and use, 21\n\nBible sanctification, 124\n\nBible study, the value of, 20\n\nBible, the; how to study, 23\n\nBible, the; how written, 13\n\nBible, the, in native tongues, 15\n\nBible, the; original writings, 13\n\nBible, the, to all the world, 18\n\nBibles, burning of, 17\n\nBirth, childhood, of Christ, 143\n\nBurning of Bibles, 17\n\nCapital and labor, 329\n\nCeremonial law, abolished, 405\n\nCeremonial laws, the moral and, 393\n\nChange of the Sabbath, the, 439\n\nChange the law, think to, 221\n\nCharacter and attributes of God, 61\n\nCharacter, perfection of, 597\n\nCheerfulness, 573\n\nChildren, promises for the, 729\n\nChildren, teaching the, 725\n\nChild training, 719\n\nChrist a Sabbath-keeper, 454\n\nChrist and the Sabbath, 430\n\nChrist, birth, childhood of, 143\n\nChrist in all the Bible, 40\n\nChrist, life only in, 497, 509\n\nChrist, life of, 141\n\nChrist, miracles of, 157, 162\n\nChrist, parables of, 154, 156\n\nChrist, prophecies relating to, 70\n\nChrist, salvation only through, 79\n\nChrist, suffering of, 163\n\nChrist, the deity of, 67\n\nChrist the Great Teacher, 151\n\nChrist, the resurrection of, 169\n\nChrist, the vicar of, 224\n\nChrist the way of life, 75\n\nChrist, the way to, 81\n\nChrist, titles of, 44\n\nChrist\u2019s coming, manner of, 337\n\nChrist\u2019s coming, object of, 340\n\nChrist\u2019s coming, signs of, 315\n\nChrist\u2019s ministry, 148\n\nChrist\u2019s second coming, 332\n\nChristian armor, the, 543\n\nChristian communion, 621\n\nChristian courtesy, 576\n\nChristian growth and experience, 539\n\nChristian help work, 644\n\nChristian liberty, 469\n\nChristian service, 627\n\nChristian temperance, 741\n\nChurch and state, union of, 484\n\nChurch, persecution of the, 266, 267\n\nChurch, Satan\u2019s warfare against, 264\n\nChurches, the seven, 280\n\nCity life, evils of, 731\n\nClosing gospel message, the, 259\n\nComfort in affliction, 562\n\nComing, Christ\u2019s second, 332\n\nComing events and signs of times, 309\n\nCommandments, the ten, 367, 368, 369\n\nCommunion, Christian, 621\n\nConfessing faults, and forgiving, 577\n\nConfession and forgiveness, 92\n\nConflict, capital and labor, 329\n\nConflict ended, the, 782\n\nConsecration, 118\n\nContentment, 571\n\nConversion, or the new birth, 96\n\nConversion, the world\u2019s, 347\n\nCourtesy, Christian, 576\n\nCovenants, the two, 397\n\nCovenants, the two compared, 404\n\nCovetousness, 672\n\nCreation and redemption, 57\n\nCreation and the Creator, 47\n\nCreator, creation and the, 47\n\nCurse, the world\u2019s, 748\n\nDanger in rejecting light, 700\n\nDaniel 2, the great image of, 204\n\nDaniel 7, four great monarchies, 213\n\nDaniel 8, the prophetic days of, 230\n\nDark day, 315\n\nDay of the Lord, length of the, 360\n\nDay, the Lord\u2019s, 451\n\nDays of persecution shortened, 314\n\nDays, the 1335, 237\n\nDays, the 1290, 229\n\nDays, the 2300, 228\n\nDead, sleep of the, 511\n\nDebts, 678\n\nDeity of Christ, the, 67\n\nDestiny of the wicked, 519\n\nDiligence, 594\n\nDistress of nations, 322\n\nDoctrine, importance of sound, 127\n\nDragon, a great red, 265\n\nDream, Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s, 204\n\nDuty of encouragement, the, 580\n\nEastern question, the, 296\n\nElection, Bible, 121\n\nElijah the prophet, 362\n\nEminent men, testimony of, 455\n\nEncouragement, the duty of, 580\n\nEnded, the conflict, 782\n\nEnd of the wicked, the, 519\n\nEnd, the time of the, 324\n\nEnvy, jealousy, and hatred, 697\n\nEternal life, 770\n\nEvil, the origin of, 50\n\nEvils of city life, 731\n\nEvils of intemperance, 745\n\nExperience, Christian growth and, 539\n\nFaith, 83\n\nFaith, justification by, 110\n\nFaith, saving, 551\n\nFaith, the obedience of, 136\n\nFall and redemption of man, the, 53\n\nFall of modern Babylon, the, 254\n\nFalse worship, warning against, 259\n\nFate of the transgressor, 519\n\nFaults, confessing, and forgiving, 577\n\nFeet washing, 664\n\nFirst angel\u2019s message, the, 251\n\nForeordination, 121\n\nForgiveness, confession and, 92\n\nForgiving, 577\n\nForgiving one another, 577\n\nFour beasts, four monarchies, 213\n\nFree-will offerings, 661\n\nFriend, our helper and, 177\n\nFruit of the Spirit, 184\n\nGame of life, the, 787\n\nGathering of Israel, the, 352\n\nGift of giving, the, 629\n\nGift of prophecy, the, 189\n\nGifts of the Spirit, 187\n\nGiving, the gift of, 629\n\nGlory, the kingdom of, 759\n\nGod, acceptance with, 106\n\nGod, character and attributes of, 61\n\nGod, reconciled to, 104\n\nGod, reverence for the house of, 617\n\nGod, the law of, 367, 368, 369\n\nGod, the law of, in the N. T., 389\n\nGod, the law of, in patriarchal age, 386\n\nGod, the love of, 63\n\nGod, the seal of, 446\n\nGod\u2019s memorial, 418\n\nGood health, 739\n\nGospel message, the closing, 259\n\nGospel ministry, support of the, 657\n\nGospel of the kingdom, the, 209\n\nGospel preached in all the world, 313\n\nGospel, preaching the, 631\n\nGospel, the law and the, 409\n\nGossiping and backbiting, 693\n\nGrace, growth in, 541\n\nGreat image of Daniel 2, the, 204\n\nGreat monarchies, four, 213\n\nGreat persecuting power, a, 268\n\nGreat prophetic period, a, 230\n\nGreat red dragon, a, 265\n\nGreat Teacher, Christ the, 151\n\nGreat tribulation, 314\n\nGrowth in grace, 541\n\nHappy home, and how to make it, 709\n\nHatred, envy, and jealousy, 697\n\nHealing the sick, 648\n\nHealth and temperance, 737\n\nHealth, good, 739\n\nHelper and friend, our, 177\n\nHistory, the Sabbath in, 457\n\nHoly Spirit and His work, the, 181\n\nHoly Spirit, the, 179\n\nHome, a happy, how to make it, 709\n\nHome of the saved, the, 772\n\nHome, religion in the, 712\n\nHome, the, 703\n\nHonor due to parents, 715\n\nHope, 86\n\nHorn, the little, 218\n\nHospitality, 663\n\nHouse of God, reverence for the, 617\n\n\u201cHow Readest Thou?\u201d (poem), 32\n\nHumility, meekness and, 585\n\nHumility, the ordinance of, 664\n\nHypocrisy, 698\n\nImage of Daniel 2, the great, 204\n\nImage to the beast, making an, 271\n\nImportance of prayer, 603\n\nImportance of sound doctrine, 127\n\nIncrease of knowledge, 326\n\nIndividual accountability, 482\n\nInheritance, the saints\u2019, 760\n\nInstitution of the Sabbath, 415\n\nInstitution, the marriage, 705\n\nIntemperance, evils of, 745\n\nIntermediate state, the, 511\n\nInventions, modern, 327, 328\n\nIsrael, the gathering of, 352\n\nJealousy, envy, and hatred, 697\n\nJerusalem, destruction of, 313, 314\n\nJerusalem, the New, 778\n\nJesus, trusting in, 567\n\nJudging, 690\n\nJudgment-hour message, the, 251\n\nJudgment, the, 245\n\nJudgment, time of restoration, 230\n\nJust recompense, the, 701\n\nJust, the resurrection of the, 343\n\nJustification by faith, 110\n\nKing of the north, 296\n\nKingdom and work of Antichrist, 218\n\nKingdom of glory, the, 759\n\nKingdom of God, the kingdoms of the world and the, 204\n\nKingdom restored, the, 757\n\nKingdom, the gospel of the, 209\n\nKingdom, the subjects of the, 765\n\nKnowledge, increase of, 326\n\nLabor and capital conflict, 329\n\nLaw and the gospel, the, 409\n\nLaw, love the fulfilling of the, 392\n\nLaw of God as changed by man, 438\n\nLaw of God in the N. T., the, 389\n\nLaw of God in patriarchal age, 386\n\nLaw of God, the, 367, 368, 369, 438\n\nLaw, perpetuity of the, 374\n\nLaw, the ceremonial, abolished, 405\n\nLaw, think to change the, 221\n\nLaw, why given at Sinai, 379\n\nLaws, the moral and ceremonial, 393\n\nLegislation, Sabbath, 488\n\nLength of the day of the Lord, 360\n\nLiberty, Christian, 469\n\nLiberty, the author of, 471\n\nLife, a sinless, 173\n\nLife, Christ the way of, 75\n\nLife, eternal, 770\n\nLife, evils of city, 731\n\nLife-giving word, the, 37\n\nLife only in Christ, 497, 509\n\nLife, parables, miracles of Christ, 141\n\nLife, righteousness and, 115\n\nLife, the game of, 787\n\nLight, danger in rejecting, 700\n\nLight, walking in the, 547\n\nLiquor statistics, 748, 749, 750\n\nLittle horn, the, 218\n\nLord, length of the day of the, 360\n\nLord\u2019s day, the, 451\n\nLord\u2019s Supper, the, 621\n\nLove of God, the, 63\n\nLove the fulfilling of the law, 392\n\nMaking an image to the beast, 271\n\nMan child, birth of, 265\n\nMan, nature of, 497, 505\n\nMan, the fall and redemption of, 53\n\nManner of Christ\u2019s coming, 337\n\nManner of observing Sabbath, 425\n\nMark of apostasy, 446\n\nMark of the beast, 277, 278, 279, 446\n\nMarriage institution, the, 703\n\nMatthew 24, 311\n\nMeditation and prayer, 607\n\nMeekness and humility, 585\n\nMemorial, God\u2019s, 418\n\nMessage, the closing gospel, 259\n\nMessage, the judgment-hour, 251\n\nMillennium, the, 355, 356\n\nMinistration of good angels, the, 523\n\nMinistry, Christ\u2019s, 148\n\nMinistry of sorrow, the, 560\n\nMinistry, support of the, 657\n\nMiracles of Christ, 157, 162\n\nMissionary work, 638\n\nModern Babylon, the fall of, 254\n\nModern inventions, 327, 328\n\nMonarchies; four great, 213\n\nMoral and ceremonial laws, the, 393\n\nMother, the, 723\n\nMystery of God finished, the, 306\n\nNature of man, 497\n\nNaval expenditures, 350\n\nNebuchadnezzar\u2019s dream, 204\n\nNew birth, conversion or the, 96\n\nNew covenant, the, 397\n\nNew Jerusalem, the, 778\n\nNew Testament, law of God in, 389\n\nNew Testament, Sabbath in the, 435\n\nObedience of faith, the, 136\n\nObject of Christ\u2019s coming, 340\n\nObserving the Sabbath, manner of, 425\n\nOfferings, free-will, 661\n\nOld covenant, 397\n\nOne thousand three hundred and thirty-five days, 237\n\nOne thousand two hundred and ninety days, 229\n\nOrder and organization, 654\n\nOrdinance of humility, the, 664\n\nOrganization, order and, 654\n\nOrigin, history, and destiny of Satan, 499\n\nOrigin of evil, the, 50\n\nOur helper and friend, 177\n\nOur Lord\u2019s great prophecy, 311\n\nOur pattern, 175\n\nOutpouring of the Spirit, the, 195\n\nOvercomer, promises to the, 763\n\nOvercoming, 557\n\nPapacy, the, 218\n\nPapal persecution, 220, 221\n\nParables of Christ, 154, 156\n\nParents, honor due to, 715\n\nPatience, 569\n\nPattern, our, 175\n\nPenalty for transgression, 383\n\nPerfection of character, 597\n\nPerpetuity of the law, 374\n\nPersecute, who and why, 491\n\nPersecuting power, a great, 268\n\nPersecution, days of, shortened, 314\n\nPersecution of the church, 266, 267\n\nPersecution, papal, 220, 221\n\nPersons, respect of, 681\n\nPlagues, the seven last, 301\n\nPleasures forevermore, 785\n\nPoor, and our duty toward them, 641\n\nPope, the vicar of Christ, 224\n\nPower, a great persecuting, 268\n\nPower in the word, 33\n\nPowers that be, the, 475\n\nPraise and thanksgiving, 623\n\nPrayer and public worship, 601\n\nPrayer, answers to, 611\n\nPrayer, importance of, 603\n\nPrayer, meditation and, 607\n\nPrayer, watching unto, 609\n\nPreaching the gospel, 631\n\nPredestination, 121\n\nPresent truth, 131\n\nPride, 669\n\nPrinting and the Bible, 14\n\nPrison work, 652\n\nPromises for the children, 729\n\nPromises to the overcomer, 763\n\nProphecies relating to Christ, 70\n\nProphecy, our Lord\u2019s great, 311\n\nProphecy, the gift of, 189\n\nProphecy, the sure word of, 199\n\nProphecy, the United States in, 271\n\nProphecy, why given, 201\n\nProphet, Elijah the, 362\n\nProphetic period, a great, 230\n\nPublic worship, 614\n\nPublic worship, prayer and, 601\n\nPurity, 734\n\nReaping, sowing and, 599\n\nReasons for Sabbath-keeping, 42\n\nRecompense, the just, 701\n\nReconciled to God, 104\n\nRedemption, creation and, 57\n\nRedemption of man, the fall and, 53\n\nReform, Sabbath, 463\n\nReform, true temperance, 755\n\nRejecting light, danger in, 700\n\nReligion in the home, 712\n\nReligions of the world, 348\n\nRepentance, 89\n\nRespect of persons, 681\n\nRestored, the kingdom, 757\n\nResurrection of Christ, the, 169\n\nResurrection of the just, the, 343\n\nResurrections, the two, 514\n\nRevelation 13, the beast of, 268\n\nRevelation 13, the United States in prophecy, 271\n\nReverence for the house of God, 617\n\nRighteousness and life, 115\n\nSabbath, Christ and the, 430\n\nSabbath, Christ\u2019s observance of, 454\n\nSabbath in history, the, 457\n\nSabbath, institution of the, 415\n\nSabbath in the New Testament, 435\n\nSabbath-keeping, reasons for, 421\n\nSabbath legislation, 488\n\nSabbath, manner of observing, 425\n\nSabbath reform, 463\n\nSabbath, the, 413\n\nSabbath, the change of the, 439\n\nSaints\u2019 inheritance, the, 760\n\nSalvation only through Christ, 79\n\nSanctification, Bible, 124\n\nSanctuary, the, 238\n\nSatan, origin, history, destiny, 499\n\nSatan\u2019s warfare against church, 264\n\nSaved, the home of the, 772\n\nSaving faith, 551\n\nScripture admonitions, 752\n\nScriptures, the, 25\n\nScriptures, the study of the, 28\n\nSeal of God, the, 446\n\nSeals, the seven, 284\n\nSecond angel\u2019s message, the, 254\n\nSecond coming, Christ\u2019s, 332\n\nSelfishness, 671\n\nService, Christian, 627\n\nSeven churches, the, 280\n\nSeven last plagues, the, 301\n\nSeven seals, the, 284\n\nSeven trumpets, the, 289\n\nSeventy weeks, 232, 233\n\nShepherd and his work, the, 635\n\nSick, healing the, 648\n\nSick, visiting the, 647\n\nSigns of Christ\u2019s coming, 315\n\nSigns of the times, 309, 319\n\nSin, confession of, 92\n\nSin, origin, results, and remedy, 45\n\nSinai, why the law was given at, 379\n\nSinless life, a, 173\n\nSleep of the dead, the, 511\n\nSobriety, 589\n\nSong, the value of, 625\n\nSorrow, the ministry of, 560\n\nSound doctrine, importance of, 127\n\nSowing and reaping, 599\n\nSpirit and His work, the Holy, 181\n\nSpirit, fruit of the, 184\n\nSpirit, gifts of the, 187\n\nSpirit, the Holy, 179\n\nSpirit, the outpouring of the, 195\n\nSpiritualism, 533, 534\n\nStars fall, 317, 321\n\nState, union of church and, 484\n\nStudy of the Scriptures, the, 28\n\nSubjects of the kingdom, the, 765\n\nSufferings of Christ, 163\n\nSure word of prophecy, the, 199\n\nSupper, the Lord\u2019s, 621\n\nSupport of the ministry, 657\n\nSun and moon darkened, 315, 320, 321\n\nSure word of prophecy, the, 199\n\nTeacher, Christ, the great, 151\n\nTeaching the children, 725\n\nTemperance, Christian, 741\n\nTemperance, health and, 737\n\nTemperance reform, true, 755\n\nTemperance, Scripture admonitions, 752\n\nTen commandments, 367, 368, 369\n\nTen-horned beast, Revelation 13, 268\n\nTestimony of eminent men, 455\n\nThanksgiving, praise and, 623\n\n\u201cThe Goodly Land\u201d (poem), 700\n\nThird angel\u2019s message, the, 259\n\nTime of judgment, the, 230\n\nTime of the end, 324\n\nTimes, signs of the, 319\n\nTithes, 657\n\nTitles of Christ, 44\n\nTraining, child, 719\n\nTransgression, penalty for, 383\n\nTransgressor, fate of the, 519\n\nTrials and their object, 554\n\nTribulation, great, 314\n\nTrue temperance reform, 755\n\nTrumpets, the seven, 289\n\nTrusting in Jesus, 567\n\nTruth, present, 131\n\nTwelve hundred sixty days, 222, 223\n\nTwenty-three hundred days, 228, 230, 232\n\nTwo covenants compared, the, 404\n\nTwo covenants, the, 397\n\nTwo resurrections, the, 514\n\nType and antitype, atonement in, 238\n\nUnbelief, 687\n\nUnion of church and state, 484\n\nUnity of believers, 582\n\nValue of Bible study, the, 20\n\nValue of song, the, 625\n\nVicar of Christ, the, 224\n\nVisiting the sick, 647\n\nWalking as He walked, 454\n\nWalking in the light, 547\n\nWarning against false worship, 259\n\nWarnings, admonitions and, 667\n\nWatching unto prayer, 609\n\nWay of life, Christ the, 75\n\nWay to Christ, the, 81\n\nWhat is man? 505\n\nWhat was abolished by Christ? 405\n\nWho is the greatest? 664\n\nWho persecute and why, 491\n\nWhy the law was given at Sinai, 379\n\nWicked, the end of the, 519\n\nWisdom, 591\n\nWoman clothed with the sun, 264\n\nWord of prophecy, the sure, 199\n\nWord, power in the, 33\n\nWord, the life-giving, 37\n\nWord, the, not bound, 18\n\nWork, Christian help, 644\n\nWork, missionary, 638\n\nWork of Antichrist, kingdom and, 218\n\nWork, prison, 652\n\nWork, the Holy Spirit and His, 181\n\nWork, the shepherd and his, 635\n\nWorld\u2019s conversion, the, 347\n\nWorld\u2019s curse, the, 748\n\nWorship, a warning against false, 259\n\nWorship, prayer and public, 601\n\nWorship, public, 614\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
","title":"Bible Readings for the Home Circle","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":247298}