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VOL. 29.

No. 8.

AUCKLAND,

N.Z., AUGUST,
with anything tions.

1908.

TWOPENCE.

more effective than loud and empty asser-

Cbt montb. ~
ECEN'l'LY the Auckland Herald has given space to a discussion upon the bearing of Physical Science on the Bible. This has afforded a fine opportunity for those who believe that scientific discovery has vitiated the teaching of the Bible to air their views. We have read very carefully the various articles and letters that have appeared from that side, and have observed that the majority of the writers are quite convinced that there is opposition sufficiently strong to cast discredit upon the Bible, and it is assumed that he who still clings to that Book as the Word of God is a long Science ano way ''behind the times." There are :tbe :J8ible. allusions to "scientific progress," to "three centuries of scientific_ progress," and especially to the doctrine of evolution, which seems to come in for the largest share of praise as the great lever which has overturned the base for belief in the Bible. One writer has boldly put forward -the claim that the Nebular Theory sufficiently proves that the Bible record of creation cannot be true. But amid all this "tall talk" and assumptive language there is not to be found one single fact in support of the assertions made. We can safely appeal to those of oUT readers who have read those articles for the production of a single fact advanced by any writer which can be used as a reason why the Bible record is to be regarded as untrue. It is well sometimes to call attention to such an important matter as this. In the whirl of words such a dust has been raised that it is possible that many are blinded, and believe that potent arguments have been used and unquestionable facts have been given. We repeat our statement-that not a single fact has been advanced as yet which shows that the Bible story of Creation is untrue. .Physical Science, whatever it may have in store" has not furnished these writers

Now, this may seem to some of our readers to be equally assertive and equally baseless, and we are quite ready to say that if we made our statement without being prepared to go -further we should be in no whit better case than .those - who have multiplied words without wisdom. We jfacts ano are not in antagonism to science, \!beories. true science, which, according to tile Standard Dictionary, is, "knowledge gained and verified by exact observation and correct thinking, especially as formulated and arranged in a rational system." Nor are we in antagonism to scientific theories, so long as they retain their place-as theories, i.e., human attempts to put facts, into sequence, and to derive plan from them. But we are in antagonism to the putting forward a theory as if it were indisputably true, and bringing it to bear as such against the Bible.- It is the business of scientists to search out facts, and it is also their business, when the collection of facts warrants the procedure) to attempt to explain the facts, but it is conceivable, and, we. believe, has more than once been shown, that whilst the facts are all right the theory constructed is all wrong. It is the tendency of those who have but a partial knowledge of the facts to carry the theory much further than the true scientist intended, and to exalt to the position of certainty that which he has put forward tentatively. As an illustration of this, let us turn to the Nebular Hypothesis, which is an attempt to put into a certain sequence the result of the observations of nebulae. There are theories concerning the heat of the sun, how it originated, and how it continues, which are only guesses, for no man 'ttbe '1Rebular has been able to cite anything ttbeot}? which would incontrovertibly show that there has been in human history, or is recorded in the earth strata, evidence that tbat beat has diminisbed since it first began. Tbe only thing tbat can be brought forward as observation is that which was undertaken by Sir William Herschel, who noted the varieties and varied forms of nebulae. These- he classified, placing

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1908.

them in a series .which seemed to show the successive without any actual basis in fact, then its claim to oppose steps in a progress from a faint gaseous mass until there the Bible may be considered as presumptuous. was reached-the nebula in which tlre star or stars became, visible. Now, this arrangement of steps is, ofcourse, We are not at all concerned to show that the declarainteresting,. but it proves nothing. It is merely a human tions of Genesis are in accord with, the deductions of classification, and there is RO proof, not the slightest, modern science. Such attempts have been made, and that the faint gaseous mass would ever evolve into a they remain, to show the folly of trying to square the star, or stars, 0.1' system such as our own. Sir Robert . unchanging Word with. the changBall, who- sympathises ",vith this "theory of origin, gives Ube tItncbang::: ing theories of men. Said one an illustration thus: "Go into a forest and look at a t"g 'ijijlor~. caustic critic, when asked ''how he noble old oak which has weatheredjhe storm for cen- harmonised the Bible with the turies; have we any doubt that the oak-tree was ~nce a latest discoveries of science," ''What are they? I have young, small plant, and that it grew stage by stage until not seen the morning paper!" The Bible record is unit reached maturity? Yet no one has ever followed an changing, and it remains ever with the same declaration oak-tree through its various stages; the brief span of life on its forefront, that "God created." No fact has yet has not been long enough to do so. The reason why we been discovered by science which has affected that statebelieve the oak-tree, to have passed through all these ment. We know, of course, the loud claims that are stages is because we are familiar with oak-trees of every made on behalf of "evolution," but we do not know of , gradation in size, from the seedling up to the noble any fact that establishes that doctrine on such a basis veteran. Having seen this gradation in a vast multitude that it can successfully overthrow the Bible story of of trees, we are. convinced that each individual has direct creation. We do know that some of the phases of passed, through all these stages." the evolutionary theory which were supposed to tell most strongly against the Bible record are now being discarded as matters which never had a basis in fact. For Now, we venture to say,by way of criticism of this something like fifty years this theory has held the field, illustration, that the reason whywe believe the oak-tree and many Christians were swept off their feet by it, but to pass through' these gradations is quite other than that so far as that theory is concerned the :Bible is coming assigned bySir Robert ;it is because we know that the to its own again, for it is seen that the evolution theory . principle of. growth is operating. made bigger' claims for itself than the facts actually :a (J;entle We know that the tiny sprout warranted. cnnctem, . comes from the acorn, and we can . mark the stages of its growth, and, whilst this is going 'on we can note also the growth that is taking place year by year in the trees that are further advanced. , It is .not, therefore, because we see trees of different sizes that' we infer change, else we might suppose 'that a 'doll's house would develop into a palace, or a dog's kennel Into a stable; but. it is because we have observed the change occurring' by the principle of growth. But there is no testimony available which will show change in the individual nebulae. It is quite conceivable that some theorist might arise, who, from the same classification as that. of. Herschel, would contend that all planets and stars are changing into gaseous nebulae, and that the faint nebulae show the process in its consummation. Let us now put the Closure on this subject by citing' the words of Sir Robert Ball, who says of the Nebular Theory: "Such a speculation may captivate 'the imagination, but it must be carefully distinguished from the truths of astronomy so called. Remote posterity may perhaps obtain evidence on the subject which to \lS is inaccessible ; our knowledge of nebulae is too recent; there has not been time enough to have seen any appreciablechange," Let us add to this that if it could be' shown that changes were taking place in, the ,vay ofrproving Herschel's theory it would not be proof that the, earth on which we dwell came' Into existence thus. It is well sometimes to note the limitations of a theory for its own credit's sake, but when it is advanced It is well, however, that we try to get a clear view of what is actually taught in Genesis. There can be no possible contradiction between the Bible and Physical Science if both do not deal with the same matters. This we could say, even if all that 'is advanced in the way of scientific ls tbe Ubeme It is the tbe $aml! 1 . theory were verifiable. assumption that the Bible is teaching the origin of matter in all its forms which serves to make 'the scientific theories so strong. Take, for instance, what IS said of the earth. It is assumed that the "days" of Genesis relate to the upbuilding of the earth from its "foundations" and through its successive strata till the surface is reached. But why should this unnecessary supposition be introduced? According to Genesis, when the covering waters were removed the earth, much as we now see it, was revealed, and it is the earth surface thus prepared which becomes the stage on which that which relates to life 'forms is done. Why, then, should we trouble about the theories of geology? If these were conceded to be irrefutably true, they do not touch this 'chapter, for it records the answer to the question which could arise in the mind of the first members of the human race, "Whence came all things that we see? the earth, the vegetation, and the animal life around us? This chapter in brief, but sublime, speech gives the reply. Indeed, the chapter itself says, "God called

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1908.

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the dry land EARTH. Thus is the word defined , and he who imports the idea of the successive development of the solid body we call the earth into the six days' work is evidently adding unwarrantably to the Genesiac record. r Presently we shall be called upon to cast our votes upon the question which is so important for the national weal, Shall, or shall not, the licensed sale of strong drink continue? It would seem quite rational to conclude that on such a question where the effects of drink are so patent, and Uest of has results that war so determinStncel'tt)? eelly against the efforts of those who are labouring for the uplift of their fellows, the whole body of. professing Christians would move as a solid phalanx against the continuance of the traffic. But experience has shown that such anticipation is not realised. As a body the Anglican Church sits on the fence when discussing the question, and, we fear, votes in favour of the. present state of thing" when voting .day comes. As for the Roman Catholics, it may be safely said that it is on the side of liquor. We had a sample of that when Father Hays visited this country, and election days make it still more prominen.t. The same kind of thing is being exhibited in the present discussion on the Licensing Bill in England. The English Vanguo/I'd cites the following from the Roman Catholic Monitor of May; "It seems regrettable in the extreme that so far as Catholics, clerical and lay, are concerned, the Licensing Bill, if it passes, will owe little or nothing to their advocacy. In great movements for political and social reform the Catholic masses are usually on the right (?) side. But our Catholic aristocracy and our hierarchy and .clergy mostly take the other view. We are glad to ;see that Cardinal Logue and twelve Irish bishops come out in favour of the Bill, and ask for. a similar measure for Ireland." The Vanguard goes on to say that in the great division on the. Licensing Bill three Irish (and Roman Catholic) Nationalists voted in its favour; nine voted against it; while 71 were absent. The fact speaks volumes for the sincerity of those who clamour so persistently for the religious education of their children, yet on a grave measure of national righteousness can vote against it, or conspicuously stay away from the test. Our own contest will soon be upon us, and there will be another opportunity to test the sincerity of those who profess to have an earnest desire for the welfare of the people.

fewer than. 80 generals, 2,00(} officers, and 88,000 men were buried. The English graveyard is a mass of flowerbeds, geraniums and pansies and roses and heliotrope blooming everywhere, a permanent gardener 'heing, employed there. . Mrs. Meakin was much struck J by' the extreme youthfulness of many of the officers; and it will he remembered that some of our regiments consisted almost entirely of mere lads. Numbers of these officers and privates were only eighteen or nineteen years old. But few of us nowadays can say what that disastrous and. costly Crimean war was about; and Mrs. Meakin, speaking of so many brave English youths laid to rest .in that far-off land, says; '''And all because of the impetuosity of .the British public, who clamoured for war without sufficiently counting the cost",taunted the army for its inactivity, drew invidious comparisons between the generals, and published deprecating estimates of the enemy's forces, and exaggerated statements of our own."

-The. Christian.
Has the full purport of the Pope's recent decree in regard to marriage been adequately grasped in this country? A correspondent of the British Congregationalist tells of a visit he paid toa leading Roman Catholic Church in London, where Ube IDatican ano he found the following notice lBrtttsb $aw. posted up:"IMPORTANT NOTICE.

Mrs. Annette Meakin, in her volume of recent travels and studies in Russia, writes with much pathos of the cemetery near Sebastopol, in which the British officers and men who fell before that fortress and in the Crimea "The dependent man must first be cheered, the weak were interred. She does not state Ube <roat of a' what number it contains, but it is man strengthened, the. weary man rested. God never makes a heavy heart heavier, but lightens the burden llUlar. stated that lin the neighbouring T. Pierson. cemetery of our French allies, no . before he administers the correction."-A.

"By decree of His Holiness, Pope Pius X. On and after Easter Sunday, 1908, all Catholics are bound to be married in the presence of their Parish Priest or his delegate. Should they go through th~ ceremony of marriage in the Registrar's Office, or in a Protestant Church, such ceremony will not only be unlawful, bu't will be null and void, and they will not be married in the sight of God." Thi~ sounds like an' echo from the Middle Ages. "Catholics" have a perfect right to encourage their coreligionists to observe the ceremonies of their own Church at the time of marriage; but to declare that marriage at a Registry Office, or in a Protestant Church, is "unlawful" and "null and void," is entirely untrue. The Ca.tholic Times adds a further insult, 'by saying r="If under the new law two Catholics go to a Registry Office,their sacrilegious attempt will not make them man and wife. The woman .will be merely a licep.sed concubine." , 'It is neither just nor honourahl~ that Romanists, to whom every toleration is granted in this country, should thus penalise those who act in accordance with the law of the land. It is the old question of Pope versus Constitution.-The Christian.

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1908.

"UUlbere '!Do Jl)ou :fl3elong 1

"So shall they set forward, every man in his place" (Num. ii. 17). "Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by. his own standard" ( Num. ii. 2).

tion from beginning to end, is CERTAINLY RIGHT, it must, therefore, be wrong.

NOT

"Ve believe that an Adventist may attend other services where he can use his influence in defence of his faith, but for him to unite with another church is to surrender his standard 01 truth and pitch by a standard of error, thus proving recreant to the cause he is pledged to support, and which he knows and believes to be right. THESE were God's commands to the hosts of ancient It is far better for Adventist parents and children to I srael, and we may find in them a good rule for "the unite with the nearest or some centrally located A.C. I srael of God" in our day to follow. God is a lover of church, and thus pitch by their own standard, keeping order and orderly arrangement. He dislikes confusion themselves in the love of the truth and in the patient or disorder, and it is not seen in any of His creative waiting for the Master. works. The great principles that have governed His people in the past will surely meet his approval now. If we as Adventists and believers in conditional imChristendom to-day is divided into two great armiesmortality are right, we are tremendously right; if the 'I'he Conditional Immortality host on the one side .(the advocates of natural immortality are wrong, they are as right side), floating a banner with this inscription: tremendously wrong. The issue is squarely drawn. The "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal questions involved lie at the very foundation of the life through Jesus Christ our Lord;" and the natural Christian's hope and touch every cardinal point in the immortality host on the other (the wrong side), with Christian's faith. It is a contest between truth and this ensign: "Thou shalt not surely die." error, between right and wrong, between light and darkness. "There is no death, There is no glossing over the matter by saying that What seems so is transition." it makes no difference just so we are Christians. Christ Along with "orthodox" (?) churches that uphold the did not pat the Pharisees and Sadducees on the back and standard of natural immortality are lined up the great say, "You're all right, just follow me." He did say, forces of error known as Universalism;Spiritism, Chris"Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the tian Science, Theosophy, Swedenborgianism, Shakerism, Sadducees." That there are multitudes of Christians Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, and many others. In in other churches who are preaching Christ to the best point of numbers they far exceed the host of Conditionof their knowledge and ability we do not doubt. In alism, but in point of truth are as far exceeded by them. Paul's day some preached Christ from envy and strife, To every Adventist believer in conditional immortality and some of contention and pretence, and Paul rejoiced appeals the injunction of our text: "Every man in his that Christ was being preached; but this would not jusplace, by his standard." The question of our relationtify the apostle, who knew how to preach Christ aright, ship to other churches should therefore be an easy one to should he adopt such questionable methods of procedure. settle. . The specious plea that we should unite with other The question is often asked among us: Is it right for churches because Christ prayed for the unity of his disAdventists living in communities where there are no ciples, is logically weak and fuller of holes than a riddle. churches of our faith to unite with other churches? It is morally certain that Christ never prayed for truth 'I'he answer is plain. It never is right to do wrong, or to unite with error, or right to unite with wrong. They to unite with that which is wrong. Adventists conscienwill not mix any more than oil will mix with water. He tiously believe that the theory of the natural immortality did pray, "Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy word of the soul, and its application to the plan of redemption is truth" "That they all [the sanctified ones] as revealed in the Scriptures, is wrong from start to may be one; as Thou, Father, are in Me, and I in Thee, finish; that the doctrines and teachings growing out of it that they also may be one in us; that the world may beare deceptive and delusive, and directly contrary to the lieve that Thou hast sent Me." Christ prayed for the plain teachings of the Bible; that the logical conclusions unity of believers in the truth. Our greatest need to-day of this theory, pertaining to the atonement (involving is for a strong union of believers in Adventual truththe death, burial and resurrection of Christ) and the for all those who believe in conditional immortality and general subjects of death, the intermediate state, the kindred truths to "pitch" in their own place, by their resurrection, the judgment, the reward of the righteous, own standard. the punishment of the wicked and the extinction of evil, . If all Adventists and their children who are now taking shelter under error's wing, should at once come out are wholly at variance with common sense, facts, and the Scriptures. of their hiding and obey the injunction of our text, and Now for Adventists to "pitch" by this standard, and pitch "every man in his place by his standard," there lend their influence and support and the support of their would be a stampede toward the ranks of Adventism that children to promulgate a theory which they know to be would be surprising. There are more Adventists in wrong and out of joint with the whole scheme of redemp- . Kansas City attending other churches, or attending no

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==============================================~==~-church, than are attending our own. This condition prevails to a greater or less extent the country over. How deplorable! How can they expect to hear the words, ''Well done, thou good and faithful servant," from the lips of the Master at the last great reckoning day! When an Adventist preacher and believer in conditional immortality and kindred truths, "pitches" in the natural immortality camp, and stands in the pulpit of a church of that belief, he represents the doctrines and teachings of that church, no matter what his private opinions may be. Every Ohristian denomination stands for a definite, fundamental system of teaching respecting the life and work of our Lord Jesus Ohrist. Every member of every church of a denomination represents the faith of that denomination. How incongruous to suppose that a minister whose system of teaching and faith respecting Ohrist is founded on conditional immortality, could stand in the pulpit and represent a church everyone of whose members represents a system of teaching based on the natural immortality of the soul. Oan a church represent two opposing systems of belief at the same time? Ohrist has said: "If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark iii. 25). One thing is very sure. An Adventist preacher is not employed by another denomination to divide its congregations and scatter its flocks. Liberty to preach his personal views usually means liberty 'to lecture on "practical" topics, and the privilege of boxing up his beliefs in conditional immortality and related themes and putting a padlock on them. That error may have a larger and more popular following, more systematic and business-like methods, greater wealth and finer equipment, does not in any sense atone for its rejection of the truth, or justify a standard bearer of truth in deserting 'his colours and pitching in the enemies' camp. If the truth has a meagre following, and is hampered by lack of means and efficient methods, that is ALL 'l'HE MORE REASON why those who are pledged to defend it should STAND BY IT and help push it to the front. "Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, The eternal years of God are hers." Truth is certainly bound to triumph in the long run, and we shall all want to be on the victor's side in the crowning day. Young men of the Adventist ministry stand by your colours! You will never have cause to regret it.

117

.mtr.et) in Sin.
of such scepticism as is current among young men springs not from the head, but from the heart; it is begotten not of reflection, but of an evil life. Men do not believe in eternal life because the life they are living on earth is a life not worth prolonging endlessly. Men do not believe in goodness. One is speaking of the way in which multitudes of younK men arc living and of their superficial beliefs. Happily every man deep down in his soul knows that goodness is best, and that he ought to do right. Many a y01;mgman thinks he is mired in doubt when he is really mired in sin. He knows the truth, but he will not accept it and live by it. He. knows what is right, but will" not do it. 'I'he only way out of such religious difficulties is suggested in the words of Jesus: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine;" "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.',' . The one service to render to multitudes of young men in this materialistic age is to bring them face to face with God and duty, and there in the stillness of their own souls let them settle their destiny. The lesson which above all others in home and church needs to be impressed upon the youth of our day is that not money, and not power, and not knowledge, but goodness is supreme; that, as Tennyson sings: "'Tis only noble to be good."-The London Independent:
MUCH
--_._ --A

:a

~apal Joke.

THE Vatican, says the Globe,is chuckling over a Papal bon. moi, which is now going the rounds. -The Pope, it seems, has a sick friend at Venice, and during the week received in audience a Jewish gentleman named Mayer, who is also a friend of the invalid. In bidding his visitor farewell, Pius X. said: "If you see our friend, tell him I send him the Apostolic blessing." :'But, your Holiness," replied the other, "I am a Jew." "That doesn't matter," retorted the Pope; "the goods are all right, though the packing may be bad."

A man acquires more glory by defending than by abusing others. Be patient with your friends. 'I'hey are neither omniscient nor omnipotent. They cannot see your heart, and may misunderstand you. They .do not know what is best for you, and may select what is worst. Their arms are short, and they may not 'be able to reach what you ask. What if also they: lack purity of purpose or tenacity of affection ; do not you also lack these graces? Patience is your refuge. Endure, and in enduring conquer them, and if not thew, then at least yourself. Above all, be patient with your beloved. .Love i~ the best thing on earth, but it is to be .handled tenderly, and impatience is a nurse that kills it.-Selected.

-Pastor
-...

...

Laoren. Dillon in Our H ope.

same arch, the it appeared to sparkling, and so the Book of

As the rainbow bends over us with the same curve and colour that it had when N oah ; as the stars are as keen in their the sun as glorious as when first created, God never grows old.-Rev. W. A. Scoii,

D.D.

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But the title of this address presents the Lord in His aspect towards His people, and it may be demanded that I shall justify that title, for it is quite possible for someone to cite the following texts and to. object, "But are believers to be judged ?".
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life,and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life" (Jo. v. 24).

I wish to place before you an 'exposition of that phase of the Judgeship of Christ which relates to His people who are called out during the course of this dispensation. 1. have affirmed in a former address that the whole question of His position as the Ooming Judge is greater far than is usually believed or thought, and that the consequences which follow from that truth even now are not realised. For long many Ohristian teachers have insisted that the Church should turn her attention to consider the Bible testimony bearing upon the Second Advent. If this were heeded there would 'be a greater appreciation of .His work, and a firmer grip upon the reality of the Scripture promises. It is certainly true that there is much more interest in this great theme than was common a few years ago, and it may be that it is now high time to call attention to the fact that the value of the doctrine of the Second Advent as an interpreter of Scripture is beyond estimate. '1'00 long it has been considered merely as an event, but it is more. In the present, whilst the Advent is waited for, the doctrine concerning it becomes a light throwing luminous beams upon other teachings of the. WorEl, which without it must remain dark. What powerful ra~ys it casts upon the question of man's nature. Why is He coming ?'1'he answer He Himself gives is, "To receive you unto Myself." Then it is the only conclusion possible that they are .not with Him now. Where are His people who have fallen on sleep whilst they "waited for His appearing?" Scripture answers that when He appears "the dead in Ohrist shall rise first," then "this mortal shall put on immortality." Thus, does the. fact of His Second Ooming throw into prominence the fact of the reality of death for His saints, and sets forth with great distinctness the operation of the power which shall break the bonds of: the grave. . But there are other themes of great importance on which that Advent gives light. We have already observed the fact that His Ooming is presented to all men as the Coming of a J uelge and Ruler. Why is it so presented? Because that future' day is the day of: justice. Now is the day of: grace, 'the '(day of salvation," "man's clay." But the future day shall be the "day of visitation," the "days of vengeance," the day of the Lord:" Now God's throne is the "throne of' grace," but then it will be the throne of judgment: Now the aspect of J esus is that of Intercessor, Advocate ; but then He will come as the "King," the righteous Judge, the Avenger of evil.
'ra-NIGHT

"Being therefore justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. v. I). . "There is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus" (Rom. viii. I). to them that are

Other texts could be cited affirming with equal plainness. the same freedom from judgment. Surely," it will be said, these sufficiently declare that judgment shall touch the believer." Let me, in meeting that objection, ask you to note another passage:
"But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou, again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. . . . So then each one 'of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rem. xiv, 1012) .

Does not this passage with equal strength affirm a judgment upon the believer? If so, must we conclude that there is a hopeless contradiction? Certainly not, there can be no contradiction in the Word of God. Let us be sure of that. A careful examination of the whole of the contexts in which these several texts are -found will show that there is beautiful harmony reigning amongst them. If we will notice in what the believer is not judged, and in what he is judged, a clear consistency will be apparent. The first passage in J ohn has a context which shows that the bestowment of eternal life through the resurrection-power given to the Son is the immediate subject of the discourse, and it is clearly manifested that believers are not to come into judgment for a decision as to their personal worthiness for eternal life. That matter of Eternal Life is already decided when they hear and believe, and to that extent the believer is justified. So in Rom. viii. the entire chapter shows the vital security of the believer. Nothing ean separate from that love which gave itself that life might be- a secured possession to his people'. Life is certain, yet is it just as sure that there is a judgment awaiting the saved. But for what p1ll'pose can tll.Cl'Che a jwlglllent, if, in the matter of eternal Iife, there is sccuritv P Here, for a moment, let us look at our Lord, and ask, What is His position? The Scripture bears abundant testimony in answer to this question. On His resnrrection from the dead He claimed to possess (all authority in heaven and on earth," and Paul declares that. all things arc put in subjection under His feet," and that He is head over all things to the Oh111'ch." The comprehensive title given to Him. is "Heir of a 11 things." The saiue Scripture as emphatically says that if ,,'e arc children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Ohri.st; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with

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Him." From this I submit that there is a clearly marked distinction between the possession of eternal life and the position of heirship. That "heirship" is high honour, the standing in which is to be conferred according to merit. If Paul says that "star differeth from star in glory," he goes on to say, "so also is the resurrection of the dead." To me, at least, this more than hints at gradation of rank, authority, and power amongst the saints in the age to come. Those distinctions being based upon works, conduct of a life based upon a union with Him who is now the Head of the Church, a life of service which follows as the fruit of affections "set upon things above." Here is a text which must be noted:
"For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. v. 10).

best of service; who have the opportunity to serve, and neglect the call? Brethren, we need the exhortation; '.'Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward;" "hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown." Judgment is coming upon the Church of God, and just so surely will there be loss to those who have proved indolent and careless in their service to Him who is their Head and Lord. There is yet one passage I must cite upon this subject, because of its bearing upon those who have not yet accepted the Lordship of Jesus. May I ask Y011 to note its solemn question:
.. "For the time is come for judgment to begin at th~,house of God; and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel Of.God?" (1 Peter iv. 17, 18).

Note some of the things which seem to start up from that message: (1.) Judgment on believers is affirmed. Here we must discard the idea that the judgment throne is a seat before which only offenders appear. The apostle, writing to Christians, says, ''We all must be made manifest." This is a tribunal which is concerned with rewards, greater or less. (2.) There is personal recognition at this judgment seat. The Lord has said, "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father." That seems to declare personal recognition, and this passage, although emphasising that "all we must appear," equally as emphatically declares "that each one may receive." (3.) But there is more. Personal reward is the thought conveyed in the words "that each one may receive." What a wealth of Scripture reference comes before the mind as these words are pondered. The stone to the overcomer, with the new name written; the crown of righteousness; the crown of life; the authority over ten cities; over five; the laying up treasure' in heaven; the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away? Then shall be known what is intended by the "good degree" obtained by the faithful deacon. We make many mistakes about the work performed by ourselves and others. We appraise our own too highly, and that of another too low, but then and there the errors will be infallibly corrected. All through this dispensation there have been misunderstandings between churcl1es, which, instead of warring the common warfare against evil, have engaged in bitter strife with each other. Individual members of churches have been prone to take offence where none was intended, and bitter feelings have been fostered to the exclusion of that brotherly love commanded by the apostles. How weak. and feeble after all is the "endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the. bond of peace." What of the majority of us, who have been content to receive all and have done nothing? whose voice is never uplifted for the Master,' and for the truth we profess to love; who have the gift of speech and use it not in the highest and

. Judgment is comingr searching; righteius,. decisive, upon tile Church of.God-e-the people who have accepted the Lordship of J esus. I~ will bring sadness and sorrow I doubt not to many, but what will the judgment bring to those who refuse Him or pass by His claims upon them with indifference? If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? I pray you to reflect upon this, and may the thought of this solemn subject so fill and sway your minds that ,you have no peace until you have confessed Christ before men; and when you have yielded to His claims may you have the jey of knowing that He will confess you as His faithful follower before His Father "in that day." . . . EDITOR.
Outline of Address given in West Street,

'!Ruts tor lRomantsts to crach.

every impression produced by priestly sophistry on the minds of its victims, to the effect that the Roman Church is the Church of God, we make the following assertions:1. No Roman Catholic can produce one text of Scrip- , ture proving that we ought to p:ray to the Virgin Mary. 2. No Roman Catholic can produce a text of Scripture to prove that wine at the Lord's Table ought only to be taken by the priests. 3. No Roman Catholic can produce a text to prove that S. Peter had no wife. ' 4. No Roman Catholic can produce a text that priests ought not to marry. 5. No Roman Catholic can prove that we' ought to pray to the dead or for the dead. 6. No Roman Catholic can produce a text to prove that there are more mediators than one. 7. No Roman Catholic can produce a text to prove that S. Peter was Bishop of Rome. S. No' Roman Catholic can produce a text to prove that the Virgin Mary can save us. 9. No Roman Catholic can produce a text proving that the Church of Rome is the oldest church. 10. No Roman Catholic can prove that the Pope of . Rome is the Vicar of Christ or the successor of S. Peter .. -The Vanguard-.

IN order to for ever obliterate

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TABL~ OF OONTENT&
THE MONTH Do IN SIN '. FOR. ROMANISTS NOTES AND 'l'0 CRACK .. "ROCK OF AGES" TRUTHS ON . .. You BELONG! WHE:RE MIRED NU'l'S

ECHOES FROM WEST STREET..

ASSOCIATION GLADSTONE THE ZIONIST THE HOME

THE 'HYMN,

MOVEM}:NT

113-115 ... 116-117 117 . .' 118-119 119' .. 120-121 121 .. 121-123
MAN'S

CIRCLE-ALPHABETIC

NATURIC LETTERS CHURCH NOTES TO A YOUNG FRIEND AND MIS!,ION BAND CORNER TABLE .. .. .. NF.WS .. ON 'l'HE STUDY ..

OF

PROPHECY'

~'ROM THE FIELD

CHRIS'l'IAN SUNSHINE OUR BOOK

'l'REASURER'S

ACKNOWLEDGi.1ENTS

.124 125 126 126 127 127 128 128

~ (h~6ibl~ Standard. ~
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C()5 MONTHTLY
0' THI

ORGAN
"

ft'''' Ztaland Ilangdlstlt and Publltatlon Jlssodatlon.

EDITED BY GEORGE ALDRIDG~,
.LSSISTED BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

The EdItor wishes -tstcn over the articles

it to'be understood
and Correspondence expreaaed rests upon
I

that, while he exercises u general snper appearing in the ST..LNDA.BD, esponair

bUity-for sentiments

the individual writer.

.

Bssoctation

'lI:totee.

The opening of 'the Mour.t Roskill Church building will take place on August 2ria.. - The request for donations for the- furniehing of the 'buiklingchasbeen liberally responded to, and the r('l~usteeshope that the cost of fencing the property will be met by the offerings of the brethren and friends. '
r

The Annual Tea of th.e Auckland Church took place on Wednesday, .Iune Sth, The weather seemed promising in the early part of the 9ay, but inthe evening the rain came down and damped the hopes of those ,who had laboured to provide for the large c0mpany expected. The number of persons at the Tea WaS very ,good-much larger than the weather promised to allow. . Shortly after 7.30 the Public Meeting commenced. The chair was taken by Bro .. Geo. Aldridge, and addresses were given by Bros. Gibson (Church Secretary), E.White (representing Mount Roskill ), C.;B. King (Superintendent West Street Sunday School), Cameron (Helensville Church), L. Wilcock (President Christian Band), E. Aldridge (representing the Temperance Band), and T. 0. J enkins (Colporteur and Missioner}. Anthems and glees were rendered by the Choir under the leadership of Bro. L. Falkner. .The meeting was much appreciated, and the happy gathering closed by the singing of the Christians' "Auld Lang Syne"-"Blest be the 'I'io that Binds." . ,, On 'July 12th the Thames Church .held .its Anniversary Services. ,., 'I'hemorning and, evening meetings-were conducted by Brb. Geo. Aldridge. In the afternoon a

special Children's Service was held, at which an address was given on "Room and Power To Let." The weather was not at all propitious, a number of the Sunday School children were unable to attend their service, and doubtless the evening service was thinned by the same cause. Tuesday promised a better day, but the clouds came over about midday, and the rain came on before the time for the Tea. The after-meeting passed off well. Bro. and Sis. Foster and Bro. Donaldson were present- from Waihi, and the two brethren gave stimulating addresses. Three of the local ministers were present, and gave helpful encouraging talks. Each regretted the absence of Bro. Taylor, and spoke highly of.his work on the Thames 'and urged. the people to remain united to their faith .and labour during his absence. Bro. E. Sherlock had a well-trained choir in hand, and suitable pieces were sung under his leadership. 'I'heJuly issue of the ChUl"ch Gazette contains a letter entitled, "Immortality by Sir Oliver Lodge." The correspondent makes no secret of his own view. He is a believer in, Conditional Immortality, for he tells that, questioning a Lay Reader, "I asked him if he had an immortal soul apart from Christ." ':Certainly." "Then you have an everlasting life if the soul is the real man?" "Yes." "By so saying you make God a liar" ( 1 John v, 10,11,12): It willbe.an interesting thing if this letter should impel some defender of orthodoxy to offer reasons or texts in support of the current view, Correspondence on such a theme -should be of far .more vital interest than are some of the topics which are thought worthy of (liscussion in some religious magazines. \'Ve learn with deep sorrow. of the death of Mr. IV. Strung, of Glasgow.. From our earliest acquaintance with the Life .and Advent movement .we knew Of his name as a staunch upholder of truth and one of the ablest of writers. He was for. some years editor of the 111essenqe", and by his articles to; that J'naga.zine .made for himself a ,high place in the esteem of the brother1100(1 "scattered abroad," Our readers win remember that recently we have published some articles contributed by him to the STANDARD. He took an interest in OUI' work, and at one time c;Il,side~'e<l he possibility of comt ing out. to this land to render _assistance in the work. Only once ~lid we meet him, and that was in Glasgow, at it gathering of the brethren and sisters convened in social fashion at the house .of a dear sister' deeply interested in the work of the T,ord. Only once! but that was enough to make the impression that he 'was no super.ficial thinker, but onc who probed deeply the Word of Truth. Latterly hip eyesight had failed, but .he WaS still able to exhort his brethren. A severe operation for some internal trouble was per forme cl upon him, and from this he did not rally. His loss will be felt far beyond the range of his own dear ones. and the Glasgow Church. ':From this far-off corner we, desire to place to his memory our tribute of love and esteem. 'vV etake a few extracts from a letter recently recei veil from an Australian, believing they will be o.f interest to

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our readers:' "Before I had reached my 20th birthday I was a close reader of the Rainbow, so ably edited by Dr. Leask. It was quite a number of years after discontinuing the Rainbow that I heard of your valuable paper, the STANDARD. A few weeks ago there was no one to exhort the Church, as I anticipated, but before leaving home I put one of the BIBLE STANDARDSin my pocket, and when the time arrived read a piece from your notes, 'What Think Y e of Christ?' I have on more than one occasion, when there has been a disappointment, read a short piece from the STANDARD. I want to thank you for your book on thc Atonement. I have had it five or six years, and have read portions of it again and again. I lent it to a nephew four or five years ago, and he has come for it again. I think he will make good use of it. I also prize highly your book on the 'Kingdom. No doubt you meet with many di eouragements, but hold fast, the reaping time is coming. I always look forward to the advent of the STANDARD. May God's blessing rest upon your efforts.-v.Maranatha."

~be Ztontet IDo\?ement.

(Continued from Page 107.)

"Alas! for that day is great, so'that none is like it; it is even the time of J acob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (J er. xxx. 7). THE common notion, both among Jews and Christians, seems to be that the Divine judgments em the Jewish nation have been all but exhausted, and that we are advancing, though through some minor trials, into the Millennium. Comparatively few appear to receive the testimony of Scripture as to the coming "great tribulation such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt. xxiv. 21). But the Word of God testifies that the Jews, in common with all who "profess to know God, but in works deny Him" (Titlls i. 16), will first be visited with a terrible scourge, so severe that "except the Lord had shortened the days no flesh would be saved" (Mark xiii. 20). The Jew will come uncler the bruising hoof of Anti-Christ, and under the seven-fold power of Satanic delusion, for their last state is. to be worse than the first (Matt. xii. "13-45) . Though not far from the haven of peace, the fierce Anti-Christian storm must sweep over the tempesttossed nation ere it be safely at rest in the land "which the Lord thy .God careth for, whose eyes are always upon it from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year" (Deut. xi. 12). . . In our last paper we learnt from the pen of Isaiah that it is by-means of a maritime nation that a multitude of Jews will Le returned to Palestine. We repeat, this nation can be no other than the occupants of the British Isles. For what nation but the British has sent ambassadors of Christ to all lands-girdled the world with its colonies -of free and fearless men-has the distinguished honour of having a Bible Society for the world-has not a single legal slave throughout its dominions-grants perfectreligious liberty to all its subjecte-c-is a city of refuge to the oppressed of every colour and country that reach its open shores-and has extended greater kindness to the seed of Abraham than any other country in the world? If Great Britain is not the Power referred to by Isaiah, then who can it be? It will be with the consent of the Great Powers of Europe that England will have entered 'upon this undertaking, for without SL1chagreement the Jews could not be reinstated in Zion. Uncler the protectorate of the European Confederation and with the active assistance of the Englishspeaking race, the restored Hebrews shall have a brief lull of worldly prosperity; they shall spread throughthe land of P~lestine; will, introduce into it that immense wealth of which they are well known to be the possessor~; they shall restore its waste places; build again its villages, and cause agriculture to flourish. Then shall the Temple be restored in all its former magnificence, for the exulting patriotism 'of J udah shall" flow forth in the most prodigal' liberality ; the altars shall be restored

<.l31al)stone ano tbe

1b)?I1lIl,

"1Rocl~ of

'Hges."
A GENTLEMANbeing deputed to wait upon the Right Hon. W: E. Gladstone at Hawarden Castle, found upon his arrival that Mr. Gladstone was attending divine 8ervice at church. He thought he could not do better than go to church, too, and going, was shown by the verger into the pew j n which Mr. Gladstone was sitting. . Not having Cl hymn book, Mr. Gladstcne, who sat next to him, offered his book for him to look over. 'I'lie hymn "Hock of Ages" was being sung, and the visitor, as the singing proceeded, was surprised to find that great drops of tears were falling on the hymn book. So intensely dill Mr. Gladstone feel the pathos of the hvrnn and enter into ,the spiritual experience of it, that his m:lOt.ion had to find its vent in tears. Now , tlierc is no one but will admit that Mr.. Gladstone was a man of very superior mental capacity, yet he was melted to tears at the remembrance of the suffcrings of Christ, who died for all, and for su?h as he. Many young 1IIcn who think it manly and intellectual to think lightly of: Christ crucified, would do well to take pattern in this respect from him who was one of the world's foremost statesmen. When we think of the precious blood of Christ, tears become us far better than indifference or scoffs.-J. Comely Page, in Messiah's Advocate.

., . .

A bright little fellow 'was turning over the dusty leaves of the family Bible, when suddenly he asked, "Mother is this God's Book?" ''Yes.'' "Why, then," said theLiny fellow, "hadn't we better send it back to God, for we never' use it ?'"

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in the court of the Lord's house, they shallsmoke with burnt offerings and m~at offerings amid the perfume of ascending incense. . The Mosque of Omar shall be removed, and the Temple of the Lord once again be erected upon its ancient site . When-a :century since-the Greeks were restored as a nation, they were-s-and are now-s-a nation of beggars. They .Iaek national wealth. Not so the Jews. Though robbed for ages by the nobles and kings of the earth, they have among them uncounted stores of wealth. They are bankers and. money-lenders in all lands, the first financiers in the world. This is according to the prophecy of Moses, "Thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow" (Deut. xv, 6). It is a singular fact that Jews are not great landed proprietors, are not tied with the cares of estates, When returning to their fatherland they have nothing to carry with them but lists of figures representing enormous sums of money standing to their credit in the banks of every nation. And this untold wealth will amazingly facilitate their settlement in the land. They will not go empty-handed. "Their silver and their gold with them" (Is. lx. 9) is one of the requir.ements of prophecy. And this vast wealth will be freely used in the re-building of the city and temple of God, as well as the. cities and towns of the land. "I am come in My Father's name, and 'ye receive Me not, ~f another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" (John v, 43). Our Lord spake of an individual that should come to the Jews' as a nation, and be generally received as their Messiah. (If this be so, the Papacy cannot be Anti-Christ.) Within half a century after the utterance. of these words Jerusalem was taken, trodden down by.the Gentiles, and the people scattered to the uttermost bounds of the habitable earth, and ever since for .nineteen centuries have they wandered forth as "a nation scattered and peeled." Some twenty years after this dispersion commenced the Apostle John wrote of this' Anti-Christ .as still to come, and plainly declared that by his coming we should, know that it is indeed the last time. The Jews therefore must be restored as a nation before Anti-Christ can be revealed. But it is only a few years, a "little while" (Rev. xvii. 10), that his terrible reign shall last. Yet long enough to prove the undoing of all the high hopes of Zionism, for this false Messiah, in whom the nation will place.such confidence and trust, will prove as a wild beast to them, and will tear, and rend, and there be none to deliver. I .Not for long will restored J udaism hold its prosperous and peaceful course. The Anti-Christ makes a covenant with the people for seven years, but at the end of three and a-half. years breaks it, and the cessation of the Temple worship is spoken of as connected with the breaking of this covenant. Does not this tend to show that one thing done in pursuance of this covenant had been the establishment of the Temple worship? (Which worship we learn from Isaiah Ixvi, 1-4 is an abomination' in .the eyes of J ehovah, for the .nation still rejects the

true Messiah while rendering homage to the false Messiah, even Satan's King.) . In the book of Daniel we read how, -1n vision, the prophet heard the question asked, "How long shall be the transgression that maketh desolate P" And the reply was, "Unto two thousand and three hundred, evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (viii. 13, 14). The period of 2,,300 days is a few months' short of the whole time of the seven years, which is 2,420 days. The 120 days (2,420-2,300=120), or four months, which is not included, may be occupied (before the commencement of the 2,300 days) in setting up 'the worship of Jehovah under the auspices of Anti-Christ (before his open and avowed hostility to the God of Heaven). We know that in the middle of the seven years that Satanic Prince will seat himself in the Temple at Jerusalem and assert that he is God, and command and compel worship' (2 'I'hess, ii. 4). And this brings on the "time of tribulation," which lasts 1,260 day,s (Rev. xiii. 5) -more than half the above-mentioned 2,300 days. But the angel spake to Daniel-f xii. 11, 12) of two additional periods of time, i.e., 1,290 days (a month longer than the 1,260 days) and 1,335 days (a period of 45 days more). With regard to these periods, we must bear in mind that the deliverance of the remnant of the Jews from the power of Anti-Christ is only effected by the actual coming and appearing of our Lord, their Messiah, and that their being set in blessing as His people is not an instantaneous result of that coming-a certain time is occupied in the national repentance and humiliation, as 'Well as in the gathering together of the still scattered remnants of the people. It is not impossible that these two periods may relate to stages of the Lord's actings, reckoning from the time when Anti-Christ breaks his covenant with Israel-the 1,335 days ending this age and bringing in the long-promised Millennial blessings. . We must pause here for a moment to emphasise the importance of a clear understanding as to the significance 01 this 2,300 days' period. Those who hold the year-day theory assert that we are to understand 2,300 years, and that this period began B.O. 457 and closed A.D. 1844-that is, from the time of the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity to the granting of religious tolerance to the Jews in Palestine by the Sultan of Turkey. And some argue for another dateB.O. 312 to A.D. 1919-20. But against this we would point out that in his ninth chapter, verse two, Daniel speaks of seventy years as the duration of the desolation of Israel in Babylon, and everyone admits that Daniel meant seventy years. Why, then, when the prophet speaks of 2,300 "evenings and mornings," are we to understand 2,300 "years?" In his tenth chapter, verse thirteen, we read, "The prince withstood me one and twenty days." All admit that 21 days here means 21 days. But why not 21 years, if two chapters earlier 2,300 days mean 2,300 years? As if to guard us against this forced and complicated system of the year-day theory, by means of which certain prophecies, which are

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of every generation. (9) The resurrection of the martyred ones. - (10) Descent of the Lord: (11) Battle of Armageddon. (12) Doom 'of Anti-Christ. (13) Binding of Satan. And then ~ollows a ')'"hole series of interesting events relating to the everlasting establish-: ment of the united Kingdom of Israel in the land promised to their father, Abraham. Of this we hope to speak in a following paper. Rotorua. O. ORISP BROWN.

very limited as to time, are made to spread out over vast tracts of time, we read in this very chapter (Daniel viii.), "Behold. I will make thee know what 'shall be in the latter time of the indignation: f01' it belongeth to the appointed time of the end" (ver. 19), and adds (ver. 26), "the vision of the evenings and mornings is true." The angel then said that the vision was to be shut uplaid on one side for future use at a future time-for it belongeth to many days to come, i.e., the time of the end, the then far-distant and even now (1908) not yet arrived time for the fulfilment of the vision. It is clear, then, that the period of 2,300 days did not commence within a few years of the death of Daniel and in the time of N ehemiah. The prophecy refers to what our Lord400 years later-calls "the end of the age" (Matt. xxiv. 3, 6, 14), which period of time we have not reached yet. And, moreover, He spoke of it as a period comprehending and affecting only one generation of the. Jewish nation, and so lasting but a short time, for, said He, "Except those days had been shortened no flesil would have been saved" (Matt. xxiv. 22). And with this agrees the Apostle Paul, who, writing about this last chastisement of Israel, says, "God will finish the work and cut it short, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Rom. ix. 28) ; in other words, "A short and summary sentence will the Lord execute upon the earth." And, in further confirmation, we find that Rev. xii. 12 states that at the time of the end Satan "hath but a short time." And, once more, in Rev: xvii, '10, .it is said that Anti-Christ (who is connected with the 2,300 days) "must continue but a little while." We understand, then, that the company of Zionists who return to Zion will have no prolonged time' of rest and peace in their land. Events will march swiftly with them. 'I'heir compact with the false Messiah, his betrayal of their trust, the "great tribulation" that follows, and the battle of Armageddon, which is the final scene of "the time of the end," will all be compressed in but little more than seven- years. ' Let us not forget that only the nation of J'udah is involved in the guilt of the acceptance of Anti-Christ as Messiah, and the subsequent persecution at his hands. The ten tribes of Israel had nought to do with the rejection of the Christ, consequently they are exempted from any direct dealings with the Anti-Christ. They are brought into the land later on, though _not without severe dealings for the purpose of purging out the rebellious ones. Connected with the return of the Jews and "the time of the end" we learn from Scripture: (1) Of the apostacy of the nation as a whole. (2) The martyrdom of the faithful ones. (3) 'I'he appearance of Elijah and Enoch-the two witnesses. (4) The wondrous signs jn heaven. (5) ']'11e repentance of J udah, (6) 'I'he -opcned fountain for sin and uncleanness. ~'( 7) 'I'he con version and cleansing of J udah. (8) The resurrection of the Patriarchs and Prophets and Saints of Israel

an for
G6~.
MOST people think, if they' keep all the best rooms in their hearts swept and garnished for-Christ, that they may keep a little chamber on their heart's wall for Belial on occasional visits; or a three-legged stool' for him in the heart's counting-room; or a corner for him in the heart's scullery, where he may lick the dishes. It won't do! You must cleanse the house of" him, as you would a plague, to the last spot. You must be .resolved thav as all you have shall be God's, so all you' are shall be liod's.-J ohn Ruslcin,

Ube Jl)rince's 1RebuJte.
An interesting story is told of the late Crown Prince of Austria. .He was visiting a village school, and he asked the teacher how many pupils there were. The teacher replied, "We have thirty-eight pupils and five Jews." "And a stupid instructor!" added the Orown Prince significantly, as he left the building.

Heaven sends us ten thousand truths; but because our doors and windows are shut to,thef:n;, they sit arid sing awhile upon the roof and then flyaway. Is not God, who made the sun to shine, also willing .and able to let, His light and His presence so shine through me that I can walk all the day with God nearer to me than anything in nature? Praise God, He can do it. Why, then, does He do it so seldom, and in such fceblc measure? There is but one answer; you do not permit it. You are so occupied and filled with other things-religious things" perhaps-that )'ou, do not give Goel time to' make Himself known, and to enter and . take ,possession.-flndrew Murmy. - He who lives in a state of habitual nearness to Christ has a. peace. which no worldly fountain - can supply-speace with God, peace with himself, peaee in troublea peace which, :lowing from heaven, is to him the pledge' and foretaste of eternal bliss. The smile of the Saviour rests ever upon him, shedding a. sweet radiance through his soul, brightening every path he treads, cheering him in toil and conflict, and growing .clearer and .fuller. till he reaches the beautiful vision and gazes on. the 'unveiled face 0' his Lord. ,.

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ALPHABETIC

TRUTHS NATURE. N6 .. VI.

QN MAN'S

will, 4; she will, 1; would have it, 1; yourselves, 6." This is a strange list of meanings for the word which is supposed to signify the immortal part of man! In but a little over half the entire number is it translated "soul," and no one of the other renderings will at all fit to the popular conception of the soul. . (5) In the 448 times rendered "soul," is it anywhere called "immortal," or is there any equivalent term attached to it 1 No, IN NO SINGLE INSTANCE. On the contrary, the terms which do occur imply its mortality. It can be "destroyed," "slain," "strangled," "cut off," and "die." "Joshua destroyed all the souls that were therein" (Josh. x. 28, 30, 39). "Let me (marg. my soul) die the death of the righteous" (Num. xxiii. 10). (6) Is. "soul" peculiar to man? No; the living things of earth are said to have "soul" before man was created (Gen. i. 20, 30). "One soul of five hundred, both of the

WHAT IS THE SQUL? OLD TESTAMENT EVIDENOE.

11.' is a very common thing to hear or read of the "immortality of the soul." It is generally believed that the Bible teaches that man' possesses an entity during life which is called the "immortal soul," or "never-dying spirit," and that when he dies this "soul," or "spirit," car.ries on his personality in some other state of existence. .The object of this paper is to examine the Old Testament to find whether or not it affords any grounds for this belief. A few simple questions will bring out the facts. (1) Are the words "soul" and "spirit" identical in meaning? 0'1' can they be used as synonyms? No; Scripture is very careful to preserve a distinction between them . "And the God of peace sanctify you wholly; and may yOU}'spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Ohrist" (1 Thess. v. 23). "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit" (Heb. iv, 12). (2) Are these the only passages relied upon for the distinction? No; the numerous texts which refer to the death of man show, or imply, that whilst the soul goes to the grave, the spirit returns to God, and that death is predicated of the soul, but not of the spirit:"Thou hast in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of oorruption" (Isa. xxxviii. 17). "The spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecel, xii. 7).' ' "The soul that sinneth, it shall die"
(Ezek. xviii. 4). (3) As this distinction shows a necessity for inquiry, we ask: "What is the Hebrew word for 'soul,' and how often does it occur in the Old Testament 1" The 'Hebrew word is nephesh.; it occurs in the Old Testament 752 times.. (4) Is it always translated "sou!?" No; it is rendered in 44 different ways. The following are from: Dr. Young's Hebrew and English Lexicon to the Old Testament:-':"Any, '4; angry, 1; appetite, 2; beast, 3;. body, 7; breath, 1; creature, 9; dead (body), 3; deadly, 1; desire, 5; discontented, 1; fish, 1; ghost, 2; greedy, 1; ha th life, 1; he, 1; 'heart, 15; hearty, 1; her, 1; herself, '1; himself, 1; life in jeopardy, 1; jeopardy of life, 1; life, n7 ; lust, 2 man, 2; me, 3; mind;' 16; mortality, 1;. myself, _1; one, 1-; .own, 1; pers<;>n, 31; pleasure, 4; self,. 1'9; slay, 1; soul; 448; tablet, 1;' theme selves, 1; they, 1; thing, 2; thyself, 1;

persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the flocks" (Num. xxxi.
28) . "A righteous man regardeth the life (soul) of his beast" (Prov. xii. 10). (7) What, then, is the meaning of this much-misunderstood word? Gesenius says it is: "(l) Breath j (2) _the vital spirit, i.e., the principle of life manifested in the breath'; (3) the rational mind, as the seat of feelings, affections, emotions; (4) concrete, living thing, animalj (5) with suffix (my soul) it is put very frequently for 'I, myself.' " Parkhurst's Hebrew Lexicon gives: "( 1) Breath, (2) a breathing frame, the body which by breathing is sustained in life; (3) living creature, a creature or animal that lives by breathing; (4) as the animal frame, including the blood, is evidently the seat of the affections and appetites, hence nephesh. denotes the affections, desires, or appetites." He adds: "As a noun, nephesh. hath been supposed to signify the spiritual part of man, or what we commonly call the soul. I must for myself confess that I can find no passage where it hath undoubtedly this meaning." Let us here add, that no Hebrew scholar has ever been able to find such a meaning. Note a few passages which support these statements:(a) "Soul" is life or animation, the life force of man or beast"Because thou hast not asked the life (soul) of them that hate thee" (2 Ohron. ii 11). Blood is the medium of transmitting life to the whole system. Therefore"Flesh with the life (soul), which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat" (Gen. ix. 4). "For the life ( soul) of the flesh is in the. blood." "For as to the life (soul) of all flesh, the blood thereof is all one wi th the life (soul) thereof . for the life ( soul) of all flesh is in the blood thereof" (Lev. xvii. 11, 14). (b) A creature of flesh that lives by breathing-. . "Man became a living soul" (Gen. ii. 7) ' . "GIve me the persons (souls) and take the goods for thyself" (Gen.' xiv. 2).

From this usage-the application to the wholecreature, body included-arises another. It comes to signify a "dead body." "A corpse is the 'remains' of a person lingering a little after the life force has spent itself, and while it lingers it is the representative of the life force." "All the days that he separateth himself he shall not come near a dead body (soul)" (Num. vi. 6). (c) As according to reason and Scripture, the animal frame, including the blood, is evidently the seat of the affections and appetites, so the word "soul" represents the mind, its affections, its desires, etc. "If it be your mind (soul) that I should bury my dead out of my sight" (Gen. xxiii. 8). "And his soul. clave unto Dinah" (Gen. xxxiv. 3). Ye know the heart (soul) of a stranger, seeing that ye were stranger in the land of Egypt" (Exod. xxiii. 9). It is thought that because rational faculties are ascribed to "soul," therefore the soul is a conscious being inside the body. But it is a common Scripture usage to use the body, or its members, as synonyms for "mind." The "eyes" are used in this manner in 190 cases; "face," 38 times; "hands," 48; "ear," 17 "mouth" 6' and "neck," "feet," and "U:ngue" a:e thus employed .. The word "heart" occurs 970 times in the Bible, yet in four places only is the fleshly organ meant; and in aln;ost all other places it truly means the mind. New it would be just as logical to call the heart an independent living thing, because the functions of mind are ascribed to it, and miscall it the "immortal heart" the "deathless heart," as to call the ('soul" or "mind" the immortal soul "becauE1e sometimes in accordance with the Hebrew idiom life and action are ascribed to it" (Bible versus Tradition) . Will the readers of this please take Bible and Ooncordance and test these statements? EDITOR. THE FUNGUS AND THE STQNE. P AVING-

iI

This is a moral fable for reformers:"No!" said the paving-stone. "Please!" pleaded the fungus roots. "I can't be disturbed," said the pavingstone. "Sorry!" said the fungus roots. "Be quiet," said the paving-stone. "But we're alive," said the fungus roots. "What's that?" growled the pavingstone. "We must grow; make way, please," cried the fungus roots. "Nonsense," said the paving-stone. "What can you do ?-weak, soft things like you! Here I am at the top, and here I stay. It is an excellent arrangement. Be content, and don't push. You make me very uncomfortable," said the paving-stone. "We are in the great plan of things as well as you, and we must push," said the funguses. And it is on record that they moved the paving-stone.-Selected.

AUGUST,

1908.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
ther the sinners be fallen angels or rebellious man. And so the prophet declares that because of the iniquity of Israel and her graven images a terrible scourge should overtake her, and the waves of the flood will reach even to Judah. Samaria and Jerusalem alike shall be overthrown (vel'. 6-8). In tile latter part of chapter i. we have a 'Very animated account of the coming of the Assyrian armies under Shalinaneser and Senna cherib. Samaria being destroyed and the Kingdom of Israel brought to an end, the proud Assyrian continues his progress righf up to the gates of Jerusalem. We know how God granted the Kingdom of Judah a miraculous deliverance from the power of the Assyrian (Is. xxxvi., xxxvii.)-it was Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who later on accomplished their ruin. In chapter ii. we have the conclusion of the first strain of this prophecy. The people formed plans of violence and shameless oppression to gratify their covetousness, and so Jehovah formed plans of judgment upon them (vel'. 1-5)_ They refused the word of God, so should be left to the guidance of prophets who loved strong drink and were filled with the spirit of error. In consequence of this they should :find no rest in the land, but be carried away into captivity (vel'. 6-11 ) . And now comes a marvellous change in the prophecy. The prophet foretells the restoration of all Jacobas one nation. "I will surely gather the remnants of Israel and put them together as a flock in the midst of their pasture" (vel'. 12, 13). In connection herewith a .mysterious personage called "The Breaker" is introduced. The Jews have always believed that the. term "The Breaker" is one of the titles of the Messiah. It is not conquest, but deliverance, that is here referred to; it is not breaking through to enter in, but "they have broken forth and passed on to the gate." The people of Israel in captivity have been as in prison, and, the gate of the prison is burst open to set them free. It is the same idea as when God said by Isaiah, "I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back" (xliii. 6) and again, "I will go before thee and make the rugged place plain, I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron" (xlv. 2). When arrives the appointed time for the opening of the gates of Israel's captivity, the "Breaker-through" shall go before them, clear the way, and overthrow every obstacle, "their King before them, and the Lord at the head of them." Then, as Isaiah says, "He that hath mercy on them shall lead them" (xlix. 10). "Ye shall not go out in haste, the Lord will go before you" (Hi, 12). This is the inauguration of the millennial day, when not only Israel, but the Gentile world, shall enjoy the Sahbath-rest of the people of God (Heb, iv, 9). For there is to be an .earthly sabbath-rest, as well as a heaven7;y sabbath-rest. The second and third divisions of this prophecy we will treat 01 in our next. Your friend,
CARPUS.

Letters to a Young Friend on the Study of Prophecy.

LETTER THE PROPHECIES XVII. OF MICAH.

My

DEAR FRIEND;

Micah (the shortened form of Micaiah) was called the Morashtite, most likely to distinguish him from his namesake and predecessor, Micaiah, son of Imlah, who prophesied 150 years earlier in the time of Ahab (1 Kings xxii. 8). He was a native of Moresheth, a village in the neighbourhood of Gath (i. 14), in the plain of the kingdom of .Iudah. Nothing is known of Micah's parentage. His ministry was co-eval with that of Isaiah, but it did not begin RO early, nor continue so late. Isaiah began to prophesy in the days of Uzziah (Is. i. 7), and lived to witness the invasion of .Iudah by Sennacherib, which Micah foretold. In the inscription of his book, Micah tells us that he prophesied in the days of .Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The time of his ministry may thus have lain between B.C. 756-710. The two capitals of Samaria and Jerusalem were the chief objects of the word of God to him, because the wickedness of each kingdom was concentrated and centred in them. Of good King Jotham's day it is said, "The people did yet corruptly" (2 Chron, xxvii. 2). The sixteen years' reign of Ahaz was a dark time in the history of .Iudah, for idolatry, child-sacrifice, the utter dislocation of society, and villainy of every kind disgraced the State - "in every city of Judah they provoked the Lord to anger" (2 Chron. xxviii. 25). And though in the reign of Hezekiah there was a most blessed reformation, the nation was not affected very deeply thereby, for, when Manasseh succeeded his father, Hezekiah, we read, "The inhabitants of Jerusalem did evil more than the surrounding nations" (2 Chron. xxxiii. 9). Before Micah prophesied there was no organised opposition in Judah to God's prophets, but from the time of Micah onwards such opposition is never wanting. Indeed, we read (ii. 6) how the people, the false prophets, and the politicians of his day forbade Micah to prophesy against Judah,- just as not long before Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, had forbidden Amos to prophesy against J srael (Amos VIi. 10-15). The destruction of Samaria, foretold in chapter i. 6-8, took place in the fourth year of Hezekiah, which must have been within thirty years of the propnet's denunciation. The execution of God's threatened judgment upon Jerusalem (ii. 12) was delayed for awhile, because of the temporary reformation under Hezekiah (see 2 Chron. xxix-xxxi.}, so that it was not till about 136 years after the fall of Samaria that Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, which would be 170 years after Micah had solemnly declared, "Zion shall be ploughed as It

field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps." This awful prophecy was never forgotten by the nation, and in Jeremiah's time, only a few years before the great catastrophe took place, the elders of the people referred to Micah and quoted his words (Jer. xxvi, 17-19). At the commencement of Hezekiah's reign the prophet collected the substance of what God had taught him, re-cast 'it into its present form, retaining of his spoken prophecy so much as God willed should be preserved. Seven centuries rolled by, and the restored Jerusalem, with its Edomite Ruler (Herod), were troubled. Wise men from the East had arrived, asking, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" Without hesitation the chief priests and scribes gave answer, as a well-known truth of God, the words of Micah, "For thus it is written in the prophet." It was the glorious privilege of Mieah to announce that from Bethlehem of Judah should come forth Him who should be Ruler in Israel (v. 2). The prophecy of Micah is divided into three clearly-marked sections. (1.) Chapters i., ii. Jehovah is coming down out of His place to visit His people, Israel first, and then Judah, for their sins; but "the remnant" shall be delivered by "the Breaker." (2.) Chapters iii., iv., v. Aggravated and repeated transgressions call down destruction on Zion; but "in the last days" Zion is to be re-established, she and Israel are to be re-united, and their Ruler, born at Bethleheln, "shall be great unto the ends of the earth." (3.) Chapters vi., vii. Jehovah solemnly pleads with His people. In a touching appeal He asks, What they could have against Him? Then He lays their wickedness openly before them. But the conclusion of all is that, "He will turn again and have compassion upon them, He will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. He will perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham, which He swore unto the fathers from the days of old. .Iehovah will again, as a shepherd, lead His people and plant them again in their land as at the :first. It is to be noted that each of these divisions formally commence with an earnest invitation to listen. "Hear ye people, all of yon" (I. 2). "And I said, 'Hear, I pray you, ye heads of Jacob' (iii. 1). 'Hear ye now what the Lord saith'" (vi. 1). In the first portion of this book the prophet summons all people, and the earth itself, and all that exists, to hear J ehovah's testimony against Samaria and Jerusalem (i. 2). The vision of God coming down to execute judgment is spoken of as present to the eye of the prophet (ver. 3, 4). Jehovah is "coming forth out of His place." A striking expression is this. In His own nature God is not a Judge, but One who gives and blesses. Judgment is called His "strange work" (Is. xxviii. 21). God is in His own place when He is showing sovereign mercy. The coming forth to judgment is a painful necessity, caused by the wickedness of mankind. It is God's righteousness that imperatively demands His acting in judgment, whe-

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THE BIBLE STANDARD.

~
Christianity, vast good to the community would have been accomplished. This, too, might be applied in many cases at the present day. Saul, the persecutor, became Saul the persecuted. Sunday, July 19: Bro. Laurie Wilcock presided. Bro. L. Falkner gave an address from Ephesians v. 16, and spoke expressively upon embracing every opportunity which presented itself of doing good in little things, thus winning some to Christ. The dominant note in the 6th chapter, from verse 10, which was read, was one of activity. With us in fellowship, Bro. Ballard, of' Drury, and Sister Ashby, of Te Aroha. In the eveiling a grand discourse-was delivered, entitled, "The Great Deliverance" (Gal. i. 4). The speaker showed clearly' that, although it is undeniable that great material progress had been made in the last half-century, of which many instances were enumerated, yet the heart of man had not changed for the better. Every dispensation, or age, has been progressive, but the heart of man remains deceitful. God spoke to this age through His Son: Since then the silence of God has been unbroken. The God of this world has been accepted as Ruler. "Wednesday evening, July 1: '''fhe Bible and the Stars." . Second lecture. Wednesday evening, July 8: Anniversary Tea. Wednesday evening, July 15: The th.rd and closing lecture on "The Bible and the Stars" was' given, illustrated by chart. Many significant names of the stars were given, which help to fix in the m.emory the meaning of the Zodiac. Should nn~' reader wish to understand more about the constellations one can easily do so by purchasing from the Book Steward an excellent book on the subject ontit.lcd "The Star ]~yangel." W.G.

AUGUST, 1908. put our shoulder to -the wheel re a good financial effort among ourselves; - and when we have done this to accord the privilege to any Bro. who has the welfare of the Master's work at heart to help us, and we doubt not that if we do our best our Heavenly l~ather will touch the hearts of other brethren to make the erection of the necessary building assured. D.D.

Cbreb .nd Mission News.

AUCKLAND.-lt has been very encournging to the brethren' who have presided at' the meetings to see that, notwithstanding the inclement weather, large uudiences have assembled, .many visitors being ~f .the ~lUr\lbel:. ., i . Sunday, .Iune 2.8: Bro. O. B. King presided._ Bro. Aldridge gave an address and exhortation from' Genesis xi ii, With us in fellowship, Bro. Tippin, of Ham il- . ton, and Sis. Moon, of Avondale. In the .evening a highly interesting and instructive discourse was delivered, the subject being "The Way of the Lord Prepared" (Tsa, xl. 3). The following texts were referred to: Matt. xxiv., Rev. xii. 13, Ezek. xx. 35, Hosea' ii. 14, .Isa. xxxv.. 70, Psalm vi. 8. Sunday, J't!ly 5: Brei. C. B. King presided.. Ph ilippians iii, Bro; King asked the question, "Was it 'justifiable to establish the Ohuroh in Auckland?" and answered the question in the affirmative, giving several valid reasons in proof. For 28, years we have been battling for the truth, with the Word of God as theonly reference. 'We hllye been, and are, iconoclastic: With 118 in fellowship were Bro. and 'Sister Keat, of Rotorua, and Bro. Sherlock, of the Thames. Vile were pleased to see Sis. Perey King, who had so far recovered from a severe illness as to be with us ngain. In the ovening th subject was, "The Duty of the Church." 2 Tim. iii. The command given -to the Church is, "Preach the "\lord, I charge thee, in the sight of God and of Christ .Iesus, by judgment, by His appearing, WAIlll.-Again we have cause to reby His Kingdom." . joice in a further addition to our little Sunday; July 12: Bro. White presided, circle. On Wednesday, July 1, our Bro. and spoke from the last: clause of 2 Peter Wil1iam Hawk put on the all-saving i. 18. Reference was made to Luke ix. name in the appointed way, and now 28-36. This certainly-is a very interestthat our 131'0.has taken this step we are ing subject. In Matt. xvii. 9 this is hoping much useful service from him in referred to as vision. Mark ix. 9, the the service of our dear Lord. We should disciples' were charged to tell no man mention that bis wife, SiB. Hawk, who What things they had seen; and in Lulwas immersed by the Thames brethren, ix. 36 they held their peace and told no has. been in fellowship with us for some mail in those days any of the things they time past. had-seen. The prime cause of this transA NEvY OHURCH-of course, we figuration was, perhaps, to strengthen mean a new building-is urgently rethe _heart of .Iesus., also of the Apostles. quired for the growing needs of our Our orthodox' friends, so-called, point to cause in this time.' Some Auckland this incident and say, If man does not go brethren think we have delayed this imto heaven at death, how could Moses apportant matter too long already, but if pear on the Mount? No doubt Jude we have it was on account of the most gives the key to this in v. 19; we think, excellent accommodation and favourable too, that the incident represents what. treatment extended to us by the Miners' will take place at the close of this disUnion, but now that our number has pensation, viz., the resurrection of the so grown that no private room can prodead and the translation of the living. perly accommodate those who attend the In the evening Bro, Laurie Wilcock gave week-night classes, 'and the Miners' a very impressive discourse from Acts Union Hall is, of course, otherwise enxxiv. 25. The speaker pointed out that gaged, it becomes imperative that we as soon as Christianity began to flourish must have a Iit.tle place which we will be persecution commenced. .Not only was able to use at all times. Our brethren this' the case with nations, but in many and sisters are very much in earnest over cases to individuals. If those who were this matter. We are' now looking out in power' had used the same energy to for a site. We are determined also to crush evil, as was exerted to crush

t<lotes from tbe ftel~.

Under direction of the Association, I have traversed the ground of last year's work, -beginning at Drury and Papakura, thence to Rama Rama and Bombay; from the latter place to Pokeno and Mercer; thence through to Pukekohe, Buckland and Tnakau, finishing at One'On-hero. I am now beginning a work in a new field=-Wairenga Valley. I have had personal intercourse with nearly all last year's s11 bscribers, It was pleasing to find the common note of agreement that the STANDARDis a readable, instructive, well-got-up magazine. Only one spoke of its themes as being too difficult. lts plea for the acceptance of the plain literal sense in regard to Bible teachings seemed novel to some. Some think it clogmatic(surely this is a virtue in these days of incertitude)though they commend generally its outspokenness, Coming into close touch with the people, as I do, I find that, owing to the waut of a clear and rational teaching, a grievous loosening process is going 011, 1110re than is apparent to the ordinary. observer. Spiritlsm is gaining adherents from the 'ranks of the emotional, one might say hysterical Cluist.ians, who succumb tIle more readily owing to their belief tha t the real man is Spirit, which after death continues ill conscious being with enlarged capacities. If we can convince the people that the Bible teaches that man is unconscious in the death state, whether he be saint or sinner, and that there is no future life apart from a resurrection, then the ground is taken from under the feet of the Spirit advocates. . A large number of friends have decided to continue as subscribers, and our earnest prayer is that by its means, under God, they may become stalwart Christians. It has been cheering to help the weary, doctrine-tired ones to a nobler view of the Bible, its Giver, and the Saviour. Day after day the work goes on in varied form. In the march that lies before me may the honour and glory of God be set forth, Christ's message be unfalteringly given, and the Apostacy and delusions of the present evil age be successfully opposed. T. O. JENKINS.

Someone was asked to write a concise history of man, and he wrote as follows: "Man inspires, respires, aspires, perspires, and expires." Could not the same be truthfully said of some of the lower order of animals?

AUGUST, 1908.

THE

BIBtE

STANDARD:
~but my mental vision was too clouded to perceive it. Well, if I had discomforts, certainly they were the lot of all, and why should I be exempt from them? And, after all, a .burden is light or heavy according to the manner in which we carry it. Surely, my frame of mind had not been an enviable one and the little ,girl at ,my, side was looking pityingly at me. "Get out on tue.. porch, auntie, it is lighter there," she said. Then I drew her to me and .tenderly pressed her. ",My dear .Jitfle comforter," I whispered, "may God ,bless you." ' There is the beautiful peace ,o~ God , that widens out, the souls of men and causes them to live in perpetual' sunshine, ' If trials"come, L'<would meet them bravely, remembering the adage, "This, too, will pass," ,Why had I not thought of it before? Surely it was clear enough now,
l

work were contributed by members of the Band, and a pleasant evening was spent. C.C.
\'

June 29: Question Night,-As no questions were submitted-previous to the meeting, Bro. G. Aldridge was thinking that he ought to ask the 'Band some questions by way of !t change, The members" thought otherwise; and soon sent their Jj'- .~ questions up to the speaker, keeping him", busy the rest of the evening. The q)les-, "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget tions were all from the Bible, and were -not allHis benefits." answered satisfactorily to the Band, All When we come in contact with the the members should strive to be at.Lhese sorrow, poverty, and pain which are meetings. These question nights, are, found in our midst, and wi tness.the symhelpful and instructive to the young, ani help to undo some of the tangles which pathy, the patient struggle, , and the .upon whom to some extent trouble the minds of the. , courageous' evidence of :tUalJY these things have come, it is then that young Bible student, ; our hearts should glow with additional .Tuly 6: "Hope" was the subject. thankfulness to onr Father' if our own brought before us by our Sister ,Coulam, lives are happy and our homes free from "There are nettles everywhere, . who first showed the difference between ,But smooth, green grasses are common sorrow. hope, mistrust, and fear, and how that still;, , How grateful we should be for health, fear and worry have .a -very bad effect The hlue of heaven is larger than the happiness, friendship, and love, and how cloud." , ' upon our health. They break 'down our readily we should 'render the sacrifice of courage 'and ,make us ill. Most of <?ur thanksgiving to the Giver of every good, -Samh Y,i;:ginia DuBo18." troubles are only suppositions, and never and perfect boon. really come. Let us try to control ourSorrow, poverty, or pain shonld not selves and be helpful to others. It helps shake our trust in this' goodness when WHICH ACRE IS .IT?, life and gives joy, Let us be cheerful, we realise from the study of His Word sending out deeds of love to those around that our Heavenly Father is' working to 'The shrewdness which some ',people exalleviate suffering and to lighten s?rr0-YV hibit in their endeavours to rob God and us; life will better be worth living. Hope has a wonderful efl'ect upon us, and helps , and pain,' and .has planned to bamsh It keep up a reputation for' generosity, is all for ever in .His own good time. us over many of the difficulties which quite remarkable. The Journal and Mes Several opportunities of helping others obstruct our path. There are three' senqer furnishes tile following! illustrahave been placed before us this month, Graces-faith, hope, and love. Love will tion of a style of "systematic giving" and we have been able to lift a load of abide for ever, when hope will be a thing which is in spirit none .too rare. anxiety from two homes at least. of the past, because it will be merged in A coloured brother was explaining his We regret we have not the space to rea.lity in that glorious age. vVe have a. system of giving to the, Lord. :'Yas, give particulars, but this we can say, blessed hope, a good and purifying hope; sir," he said to the visitor, easing himthat as a result of our late efforts the tlJerefore be not slothful, but be diligent self back on his ,~pade, "I gibes de truck bottom of the Treasurer's money-box is in the faith. Hope aces an anchor, off '0 one acre ebbery year to de Lawd." showing rather much bare wood. That's and grips firm and sure for those who "Which acre is it !" inquired his, all you know you said. we were to tell possess it. It brings as a reward eterfriend. yo~ when"we got rather low in funds. nal life, with eternal glory. "Wal, that is a different question. July 13: Bra, Peat gave a talk on" Truf . is, de acre changes most ebbery "Christian Citizenship," showing that season." TURN YOUR FACE TO THE bad conditions exist because of the laxity "How's that?" LIGHT, of Christians, giving the question, Are "Why, in wet seasons I gibes ,de Lord we, as Christians, doing our duty to God, de low laud, and in de dry seasons I gibes I had been feeling out of tune all Jay, to ourselves, and others? Let us not be HIm de top acre of de whole plantation." everything had gone contrary, and I Bat afraid to let our light shine in business 'In that 'case" the Lord's, acre is the down tired and discouraged with my in municipal and national politics, bringworst in the whole farm; for in wet seaback toward the open window. "Everying our Christianity to bear upon, the sons it would be flooded, and in dry times thing looks dark, dark to' me," I mur-. actions of everyday life. Young people parched." , ' have these golden opportunities of 'doing "mured aloud. "Jest so," rejoined' the systematic good in these days; let. them .take .advant- , "Why don't you sit with your face giver , "you don't allow 1'se goin" 'to rob around' to the light, auntie?" said my age of these chances of putting down all 'my familY'Of de best acre ;1'8e got',' did' little niece, who was an unobserved lisye?" .. ' wrong, especially the drink curse, Betener. cause'"of the laxity of ,ma!)y Christians And 80 the colonred brother went on The words of the wee maiden set me unscrupulous men are put in high .places, with his' digging, with a self-complacent men who practise' deceit in business, , to thinking that that was exactly what smile which was a sure indication that in 'I had not done. Indeed, in counting whose lives are shady and unclean. Many heart and mind hc was in perfect harover the discomforts of the day I could Christians do not view it this way.' Let mony with 'som'e persons of lighter colsee that I had persistently turned my each of us do 0\11'duty and put the best our, who serve themselves first and their face in the opposite direction, and' had men in the ruling positions of to-day, Lord afterwards; and' who take good and so by this means do good for a.ll. taken 'a sort 'of melancholy pleasure in carethat whatever misfortunes they meet the fact that I at least had a martyr's "A Night with Solomon" was the subwith, or disadvantages they labour under, woes, if not a martyr's spirit. ject of Sis. McKillop's paper. The paper the Lord's cause' must bear the loss, My artless little comfor'ter- had sketched the life and times of Solomon, while they themselves 'will pocket whatbrought me just the cheer I needed. Th~, ever gains there are.-The' Ohristian. and outlined the manner in which his .westem horizon was one flood of golden failure to li';"e to his high privileges ." light, and, as I gazed, ~ ,realise~ how brought disaster to the kingdom after much of, its glory had been shut out to Uncu~bed anger will run away with his death. Some interesting items rerea.son. me. The sun had been shining all day, garding the man, his wisdom, and his

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128

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The

AUGUST, 1908.

:fBtblc Stanl)arl).
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THE. BEGINNUfG OF A STORY, by Ainy Wilson-Carmichael, , gall and Scott, 6d. net.

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Bible Staauiard. can

MR. A. M. SKEATES,

This is a delightful booklet in its a.ttractiveLlue a/Id gold covers, and .with the picture of the smiling Indian maiden looking out upon us. It is by a lady missionary who has al readv written two books on mission experiences, both of which have done something to show that beneath the apparent glamour of mission work there is the continual heartbreak that so little can be done against the appalling evils of the .caste system. This' little work tells the story of the origin of the work of rescuing the Temple children. It should cause a widespread interest in this good work. IN ARMOUR CLAD, by the Rev. , Morgan and Scott, Lid., Is. W. B. Russell Caley, M.A.,

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BOOK STEWARD-E. H. FALKNER. Queen Street .. AGl<~NTS FOR THl<J BIBLE S1'.ANDA RV: NEW ZEALAND. Auckland-Mr. Hancock, Bookseller, Queen Street, Wellington-H. J_ Barraclough, Myrtle Crescent. Dunedin-Mr. Lawrence, Hope Street. Kaiapoi-Mr. James Holland. Rangiora-Mr. Wm. Smith, South Brook. New Plymouth-s-Mr. Fred Goodacre, Courtne Road. East Oxford-Mr. A. England. Thames-Mr. C. Sanders. Macky Street. Ti~aru--Mr. H. H. King, Stafford Street. 'I'inwald, Aahburton=-Mr. Shearer. Waihi-Mr. Joseph Foster. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide-Mr. C. Gamble, Magill Road. Stepney. NEW SOUTH WALES. Syd ney-s-Mr. H_ Cropp, Mitchell Street, Kogarah. Oommunications to the Editor to be addressed: GICO. ALDRIDGE Brent.wood Avenue, Mount Eden. Telegraphic Adrlres s, "Rocky Nook.'" . . All comm unications to the Association and orders (or Bible Stantc,r:; to be addressed to the Secretary. MR. A L1CX. PAGE. Mur oc Road, Grey Lyn n, Auckland.

The writer .urges upon the attention .of his readers that believers are engaged in a conflict against the spiritual hosts of wickedness, and proceeds to detail the nature and value of the armour in which the Christian warrior can successfully prove the victor. We havs greatly enjoyed the reading of this little volume. Its teachings are heartening and helpful. HEATHENISM UNDER THE SEARCHLIGHTis the title of a volume of missionary experience and study, by IV. Remf ry Hunt. Morgan and Scott, Ltd., 3s. 6d. net. From a 'position of close. .. touch with the Chinese, and close study of the classics, he is able to present heathenism as it is. How far removed in actual reality from the fancypicture presented by -those who speak of the "wisdom of the East." Such hooks as these will contribute to a better knowledge of th~ problems which actually face tliose who feel the call for service in foreign mission fields, and do testify that the viewpoint of the missionary is changed greatly to meet enlarged,acquaintance with the facts. THE PATMOS LETTERS, by J. L. Campbell, Scott, Ltd., 4s. 6d. net. D.D., Morgan and

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The author gives an original rendering of the Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia, and proceeds to apply them to the present. As to the value of the spiritual truth taught in this volume, there can be little question, but our own view of the futurity of these seven assemblies precludes us from. accepting the exposition as entirely satisfactory. When we can put aside for a little the true interpretation of the Epistles we can fully enjoy' the application. MA~'S DAY, by Philip Mauro, Morgan and Scott, 38. od.

Street. Sunday at 11 o'clock .. ll . Fellowsblp i Meetln~ 0.45 p.m:, Preaching Service. 8unday School at 2.45. Wednesday evenlnl(. BIble Class at 7.4~. J<:V'an~"li"t'" addresa=Geo. A.ldl'idge. Brentwood Avenne Mount Eden. Secrctary-W. Gib~on, Ponsonby Road , ROSKILL. Corner Walters Road ~nd Em~a StreetSunday at 11 a.m . F"llowsh.,p MeetI."g. Sunday at 6.45 p.m., Preachiug Ser vtee. ~t::!"

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7.11i

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As a general rule low posibions in life are the safe ones. The lowly grass bending to the storm raises its head after the storm has spent its fury; while the oak, smitten by the blast, lies -prostrate on the ground. THE MESSENGER-A Magazine of Christian Instruction and Intelligence. Edited by James Dowie, 'Annual Subscription, one copy, 1/6, post free, from Robert Leitch, Tighvonie, Dunfermline.

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Printed by THE BRE'Pl' PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY. Shortland Street. for the New Zealand Evangelist.ic and Publication Association. and published hv W. A. SMITH. Selwyn Read. M A1bert. AUGUST. 1908.