November 8, 1894

“Catholicism Gaining in U.S.” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The Catholic Times, speaking of the diminution of the population of Ireland, which in the last fifty years has been about three and a half millions, almost wholly in the Catholic provinces, consoles itself for this loss to “the church” by the reflection that “this loss of Catholics from Ireland has made the Catholic Church the dominant religious force in the United States, and a power in every colony of the Empire.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.1

American Protestants will not read with pleasure the statement in the Catholic Times that the Catholic Church is “the dominant religious force in the United States;” but it is a fact nevertheless. Its power, however, is not by any means entirely due to Catholic immigration, as the Catholic Times intimates. A large part of it is due to the professed Protestants themselves. In their endeavour to secure the legal enforcement of Sunday observance, they have unconsciously been building up Catholicism, for that is the very soul of Catholic supremacy.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.2

Protestants, both in England and in America, have not been unmindful of the fact that Rome has been gaining ground among them, although they have by no means realised the extent of her growth. They have seen that Rome was seeking to control politics; and so they thought to checkmate her by trying to get control of politics themselves. They have reasoned that if Protestants controlled legislation Catholics could not gain power, not realising that by this means they were only increasing the danger they thought to prevent.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.3

It should be well understood that the early church was just what that which to-day is called Protestantism ought to be. It held the religion of the Bible. We might say that it was Protestant, because it was a protest against Jewish and heathen errors. There was no “Catholic Church.” But this “Protestant” Church was not content with its position; it did not wish to wait till the next world for its inheritance, but desired it now. So it sought and gained political power, and thereby became “Catholic.” The Catholic Church is nothing else but Protestantism with political power. When Protestants to-day think to beat Catholicism with its own weapons, they will find that it is master of them. Every Protestant appeal to the civil law is but an admission that Catholicism is right. Rome can be successfully opposed only by practices exactly opposite to hers, namely by the practise of the Gospel of Christ, as revealed in His word.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.4

“‘A Large Place’” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

In Psalm 18:17-19 we read: “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me; for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity; but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.5

Again, in Psalm 31:7, 8, we read, “I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy; for Thou hast considered my trouble; Thou hast known my soul in adversities; and hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: Thou hast set my feet in a large room.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.6

Once more: “I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” Psalm 118:5.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.7

What is this “large place” in which the Lord sets those at liberty to call upon Him and put their trust in Him? and how large is it? A few texts of Scripture will tell us.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.8

In the first chapter of the Ephesians the apostle prays by the Spirit that we may be enlightened to “know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power to us-ward who believe.” Verses 18, 19. In the 10th and 11th verses we are told that it is in Christ that we obtain this inheritance; and in the second chapter (verses 4-10) we learn that we are made partakers of the inheritance in Christ because of the great love wherewith God loved us.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.9

Now read the sum of the whole matter in one of the most wonderful prayers ever uttered: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.10

Here we have set before us the “large place,” and the size of it. The large place is the love of God which passes knowledge.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.11

“For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.12

But the size of it? Well, that is a thing that it will take us all eternity to discover. As soon as we are rooted and grounded in love, we may begin to comprehend with all saints what is “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,” so as to know the love of God in Christ for us.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 705.13

Take your stand wherever you please, and begin the measurement. First, the breadth. Measure both ways from you, as far as there is any breadth. Where will you stop?—There will be no stopping place, for space is as infinite as God Himself. So it must be with the length. The depth and height likewise. There is no limit. The inheritance, and the riches of the glory of it, which belongs to the saints, is the whole universe.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.1

This is all in Christ, in whom we have redemption, “For in Him were all things created, and the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through Him and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16, 17, R.V. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things.” But as we are even now to know what is the riches of the glory of the inheritance, which we now obtain in Christ, it is a fact that the large place which God sets us in, so that we may be free, is the boundless universe which His love has prepared for us.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.2

The Psalmist said, “I will walk at liberty; for I seek Thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45. And here we have before us “the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” Here is room in which the mind can expand. Who is it that presumes to say that the religion of Jesus Christ is narrow?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.3

“The Satanic Origin of Spiritualism” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

From the beginning in the garden to the present time Satan has tempted men by appealing to their pride, and holding out to them that great powers and virtues they might develop if they would only turn away from God’s plan and allow the good that is in them to manifest itself. The history of the world of sin shows how much there is in man of himself, but the same old falsehood is cherished to-day. The Satanic origin of Spiritualism, and the real principle on which it is founded, is shown by the following from Mr. Hudson Tuttle:—PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.4

It takes man by the hand, and instead of telling him that he is a sinful worm of the dust, corrupt from the crown of the head to the sole of his feet, it assures him that he is a nobleman of nature, heir to the Godhead, owning all things, for whom all things exist, and is capable of understanding all.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.5

“Ye shall be as gods,” said the serpent, and the lie is still believed and taught.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.6

“Studies in Romans. Instruments of Righteousness. Romans 6:12-22” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Read carefully the first verses of the sixth chapter of Romans, before beginning the study of the remaining verses, in this lesson. A few words are sufficient to summarise them. They treat of death with Christ, and burial and resurrection with Him. In being crucified with Him, we give up our own lives, in order that we may be raised with Him in His new life. We are then to continue to live with Him, since “Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more.” The lesson closed with the exhortation, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The closing of the previous lesson at verse 11 was purely arbitrary, since there is really no division in the chapter. The present lesson therefore begins withPTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.7

AN EXHORTATION. Romans 6:12-22

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh; for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.8

QUESTIONING THE TEXT

How have we learned that we are to regard ourselves?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.9

“Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.10

If dead to sin but alive unto God, how are we to stand related to sin?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.11

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.12

If sin reign in your mortal body what do we do?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.13

“Obey it in the lusts thereof.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.14

What further exhortation is given?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.15

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.16

To what are we to yield ourselves?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.17

“Yield yourselves unto God.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.18

In what way?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.19

“As those that are alive from the dead.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.20

And what are our members to be?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.21

“Instruments of righteousness unto God.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.22

If we thus yield ourselves as instruments of righteousness unto God, what will be the result?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.23

“Sin shall not have dominion over you?”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.24

Why will sin not have dominion over us?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.25

“For ye are not under the law, but under grace.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.26

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.27

“God forbid.” Not by any means,—far from it.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.28

Whose servants are we?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.29

“To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.30

What were we formerly, when not under grace?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.31

“The servants of sin.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.32

But what has now been done for us?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.33

“Made free from sin.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.34

How was it that we were made free from sin?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.35

“Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.36

Being made free from sin, what have we become?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.37

“The servants of righteousness.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.38

How are we now to yield our members servants to righteousness?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.39

“As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.40

When we were the servants of sin from what were we free?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.41

“When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.42

What is the fruit of those things of which we are or should be ashamed?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.43

“The end of those things is death.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 706.44

But what now that we are made free from sin, and are the servants of God?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.1

“Ye have your fruit unto holiness.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.2

And what is the end?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.3

“The end everlasting life.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.4

What is the wages of sin?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.5

“The wages of sin is death.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.6

And what the gift of God?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.7

“The gift of God is eternal life.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.8

Through whom?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.9

“Through Jesus Christ our Lord.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.10

Reign of Sin.-In the fifth chapter we learned that the reign of sin is the reign of death, because death comes by sin. But we also learned that the gift of life is offered to all, so that whoever has Christ has life. Instead of death reigning over such, they themselves “shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.” The exhortation, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,” is therefore equal to an exhortation to abide in Christ, or to keep his life. We gained the life by faith, and so we are to keep it by faith.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.11

Whose Servants?-That is very easy to answer. “To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.” If we yield ourselves to sin, then we are the servants of sin, for “whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34. But if we yield ourselves to righteousness, then we are the servants of righteousness. “No man can serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24. We can not serve both sin and righteousness at the same time. No man can at once be both a sinner and a righteous man. Either sin or righteousness must rule.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.12

Instruments.-We have in this chapter two terms to describe people, namely, servants and instruments. It takes both to illustrate our relation to sin and righteousness. Sin and righteousness are rulers. We are but instruments in their hands. The kind of work a given instrument will do depends entirely upon the one who uses it. For instance, here is a good pen; what kind of work will it do? It will do good work if it is in the hands of a skilful penman, but in the hands of a bungler its work will be poor. Or, in the hands of a good man it will write only what is good; but in the hands of a bad man it will exhibit that which is evil. But man is not a mere tool. No, not by any means. There is this difference between men and ordinary instruments: the latter have no choice as to who shall use them, while the former have full choice as to whom they will serve. They must yield themselves, not once only, but all the time. If they yield to sin, they will commit sin. If they yield to God, to be instruments in His hands, they can do nothing else but good so long as they are yielded to Him.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.13

A Parallel.-In the nineteenth verse we are exhorted to yield ourselves as servants of righteousness just as we have yielded ourselves servants to sin. This being done, we are assured in the following verses that just as surely as the fruit was sin and death when we were yielded to sin, so surely will the fruit be holiness when we yield ourselves servants to righteousness. Yea, even more sure; for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Righteousness is stronger than sin, even as God is stronger than Satan. God can pluck out of the hands of Satan the soul that cries out for deliverance; but none can pluck God’s children out of His hand.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.14

Not Under the Law.-Many people are fond of quoting this expression, thinking that it forever absolves them from any observance of the law of God. Strange to say, this expression is used as a cover only for non-observance of the fourth commandment. Repeat the fourth commandment to a man who objects to keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, and he will say, “We are not under the law.” Yet that same man will quote the third commandment to a man whom he hears swearing, or the first and second against the heathen, and will acknowledge the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments. Thus it appears that men do not really believe that the statement that we are not under the law means that we are at liberty to break it. Let us study the whole verse, and its different parts.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.15

What Is Sin?—“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. This is definite; let us hold it well in our minds.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.16

What Is Righteousness?-Righteousness is the opposite of sin, because “all unrighteousness is sin.” But “sin is the transgression of the law.” Therefore righteousness is the keeping of the law. So when we are exhorted to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God, it is the same as telling us to yield ourselves to obedience to the law.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.17

Dominion of Sin.-Sin has no dominion over those who yield themselves servants to righteousness, or to obedience to the law; because sin is the transgression of the law. Now read the whole of the fourteenth verse: “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” That is to say, transgression of the law has no place in them who are not under the law. Then those who are not under the law are those who obey the law. Those who break it, are under it. Nothing can be plainer.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.18

Under Grace.—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace.” We have seen that those who are not under the law are the ones who are keeping the law. Those therefore who are under the law are the ones who are breaking it, and who are therefore under its condemnation. But “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Grace delivers from sin. Distressed by the threatenings of the law which we have broken, we flee for refuge to Christ, who is “full of grace and truth.” There we find freedom from sin. In Him we not only find grace to cover all our sin, but we find the righteousness of the law because He is full of truth, and the law is the truth. Psalm 119:142. Grace “reigns” through righteousness, or obedience to the law, unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.19

The Wages of Sin.-In the second chapter we learned that those who reject the goodness of God are treasuring up to themselves wrath. Now wrath comes only on the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6. Those who sin are laying up wages for themselves. “The wages of sin is death.” Sin has death in it, therefore “sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” There can be no other end to sin than death, because sin is the absence of righteousness, and righteousness is the life and character of God. Persistent and final choice of sin is therefore choice of complete separation from the life of God, and so from all life, since He is the only source of life. Christ, who is the wisdom of God, says, “All they that hate Me love death.” Proverbs 8. 36. Those who suffer death at last will be only those who have worked for it.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 707.20

The Gift of God.-But we do not work for eternal life. No works that we could do would make the smallest part of payment towards it. It is the gift of God. True, it comes only through righteousness, but righteousness is a gift. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained [prepared] that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. “O how great is Thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19. When people sin, God gives them only what they have bargained for. But if any yield themselves as servants of righteousness, He provides the righteousness for them, and gives them eternal life with it, all as a free gift. “The way of the transgressor is hard,” but the yoke of Christ is easy, and His burden is light.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.1

“How Do You Know?” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

How do you know that the Bible is the word of God? This is one of the queries put to the Protestant world by Rome. It is one which the reader may profitably put to himself. Doubtless not a few Protestants would find themselves unable to answer it. In a recent lecture in Liverpool a Catholic speaker addressed these questions to Protestants: “How do you know it [the Bible] is the word of God? Who told you it was God’s word-your mother, your father, your teacher, your grandfather, your grandmother, the minister of your church?” How many “Protestants” there are who go, if not to their father or grandfather, to their pastor or to some other mortal like themselves, to learn what is the will of the Lord.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.2

We may all know for ourselves that the Bible is the word of the Lord. The Reformers knew it; who told the fact to them? Not Rome; for they did not acknowledge her authority. By that word they were able to discomfit the champions of Rome, and thus they demonstrated to Rome herself the Divine origin of the Scriptures. Had they not known the Bible to be God’s word, independently of the authority of Rome, the Reformation would not have been possible. An acknowledgement of Rome’s authority in the matter would have barred the way to reform at the outset; for by the same principle which would confer upon Rome authority to declare what is the word of God, she would also be authorised to declare how that word is to be interpreted, and therefore true Protestants do not, as asserted by the aforesaid speaker, receive the Bible “on the authority of the Roman Church.” The men who were first known as “Protestants” had entirely renounced the authority of Rome and received the Bible on an infinitely higher authority, before taking the stand which won for them that distinction.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.3

Peter knew the word of God, and by the same means which enabled him to obtain such knowledge, every man may know that word. Peter was a man, mortal and fallible like ourselves. He had no freer or fuller access to the treasures of Divine knowledge than has any fisherman in our land to-day. When many of Christ’s disciples “went back and walked no more with Him,” because of the things which He spake to them, Peter said in answer to the Saviour’s query whether the twelve would also leave Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68. How did Peter know that Christ’s words were the words of God? It may be said that he knew because it was God who spoke them; but how did he know that Jesus of Nazareth was God? Had any man told him so? No; for we read in Matthew that he had not learned this truth from any human source. “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-17. Neither did flesh and blood reveal to Peter what was the word of God. God in revealing Christ to Peter, revealed to him His word; for Christ was (and is) the Word. John 1:1, 14.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.4

The Saviour did not ask men to believe His words because it was He that spoke them; but to believe on Him because of His words and His works. The latter were the evidences of the former, and not the former of the latter. Peter knew and said that Jesus had the words of eternal life, before he said, “We believe and are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:71. The word of God is its own evidence; for God is in it, and His word contains His power; and therefore all that God Himself could do to convince a person of the truth, His word can do. And when that word comes to us, if our hearts are open to receive it, we know that it is the word of God. We know it because it “is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” He to whom flesh and blood alone, whether in the form of a pope or a pastor or any other man, has revealed that the Bible is the word of God, does not know it at all.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.5

“Conferred Not With Flesh” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The Apostle, writing of his experience when the will of God was first revealed to him, says: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen, and immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” But how few there are who, when placed in a similar position, follow his example. For God is pleased to reveal His Son in every person, this being necessary to the salvation of each one, as much so as in the case of Paul. The person in whom Jesus Christ is revealed, is saved, and only by that means can salvation come.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.6

But how many there are who when God speaks to them and makes known His will, that He may reveal His Son in them, do exactly the opposite to that which was done by Paul. Their testimony would be, Immediately I did confer with flesh and blood. Immediately when God by His Spirit had opened to them the Scriptures, and made known to them His will, they conferred with their relatives and friends, or with their minister, to decide what they had better do about it. And these persons told them not to be foolish or fanatical and not to make themselves different from other people, for the Bible isn’t to be taken so literally as to require any such thing as that; and they listened to the counsel of flesh and blood, and draw back from the counsel of the Omniscient.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 708.7

“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” “If thou hadst known, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.. because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Isaiah 48:17, 18; Luke 19:42-44. Let not this lament be said over you. The one safe Counsellor in all matters of duty is the Lord Himself.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.1

“The Civil Sunday” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The report of the Sabbath controversy in Switzerland was received last week so late that we had neither time nor space to make any comments upon it. There are a few features in it to which we now wish to call special attention. They may all be embraced in the above heading.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.2

Throughout Christendom the sentiment quite generally prevails that religious persecution is wrong. This is shown by the fact that even the Roman Catholic Church disclaims ever having carried on any such persecution. It is also shown in the fact that Sunday laws are declared to be purely civil laws, and not in any sense of religious, so that prosecutions for disregarding them may be relieved of the odium of being persecution for conscience’ sake.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.3

The reader will, remember that Brother Holser’s conviction was justified almost wholly by the civil plea,—religion had nothing to do with the Sunday law or with its execution,—it was solely a social and political affair. Nevertheless some of the judges admitted that religion was at the bottom of it, and that in enacting the Sunday law the voice of “the church” had been obeyed.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.4

Now it makes not a particle of difference upon what grounds Sunday laws are enacted and enforced; in every case it is an act of direct opposition to the authority of God.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.5

God has said to all men, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy works; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.” Exodus 20:8-10. This makes the seventh day a sacred day to be devoted wholly to the Lord, and the other six days ordinary working days. Now whenever men, no matter in what capacity they act, nor from what motive, declare that another day,—one of the six working days,—must be regarded as the rest day of the week, they are setting themselves in direct opposition to God. If they say that it is purely a civil regulation, a State affair, then they are simply claiming that the State is above God.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.6

ALL RELIGIOUS LEGISLATION CIVIL

As a matter of fact, there has never been any open persecution except for the violation of civil laws. Why?—Because “the church,” as a church, has never of itself had the power to persecute openly. Her dogmas were incorporated into the laws of civil Governments, or her priests were clothed with civil power. Then when those whom “the church” declared heretics were put to death, it was not for their religion, but because they had violated civil laws, and were dangerous to the peace and welfare of the State.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.7

Francis I., of France, was a bitter persecutor of “heretics.” Many scaffolds had been set up in Paris, and he had pledged himself to extirpate Lutheranism from his dominions. But when the Protestant princes of Germany, with whom he wished to make an alliance, asked an explanation of his proceedings, “the King was ready with his excuse, and his excuse was that of almost all persecutors of every age. The king had not been burning Lutherans, but executing traitors. If those who had been put to death had imbibed reformed sentiments, it was not for their religion, but for their sedition, that they had been punished.”—Wylie.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.8

In like manner one of the judges in the case of Brother Holser said that he “was not convicted because he was an Adventist, but because he had transgressed the Sunday law.” But the Sunday law is directly contrary to the Bible, which he, as an Adventist, could not disregard.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.9

KING PHARAOH’S PERSECUTIONS

The people of Israel were the ancient church of God. They went down to Egypt, were there subjected to most bitter persecutions, but purely as a matter of civil policy. The king said unto his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.” Exodus 1:9, 10. All the ill-treatment of the Jews was because it was deemed necessary for the welfare of the nation.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.10

But God regarded it as directed against Himself. So He sent Moses and Aaron to say unto the Pharaoh that then reigned, “Thus saith Jehovah God of Israel, Let My people go.” But Pharaoh would not admit that the Lord had anything to do with the case. He replied, “Who is Jehovah, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will let Israel go.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.11

The Lord therefore proceeded to show Pharaoh who He is. He let him know that no matter what the pretext, whether civil or religious, anything against His people’s freedom to exercise to the full their God-given rights was in opposition to Him. Pharaoh had not a race of despised slaves to deal with, but the Lord of heaven and earth. The fact that the ill-treatment of the Jews was a politico-social measure, did not in the least relieve it of the charge of being fighting against God.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.12

CHRIST AND THE CIVIL LAW

It is worthwhile to remember that Jesus of Nazareth was persecuted and put to death solely as a politico-social affair. In the first place, Herod sought to kill Him when He was an infant because the wise men came from the East, inquiring, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.13

Still later, when the fame of Jesus had spread throughout the country because of the good works that He had done, and the people were turning to Him, “the chief priests and the Pharisees held a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” John 11:47, 48.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.14

Then Caiaphas, the high priest, said: “Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.15

Finally, when He was arraigned before Pilate, it was on a charge of sedition and insurrection. Pilate found no fault in Him, but the Jews cried out, “If thou let this man go, thou art not C?sar’s friend; whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against C?sar.” John 19:12.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 709.16

Thus it was purely a matter of civil policy throughout. And yet it was solely because of Christ’s religious character and teaching that it was done. But “the church,” the Jewish people, had no power to put anybody to death, and the Roman Government would pay no attention to their religious prejudices. Accordingly they were obliged to make it appear that Christ’s religious teaching and practices tended to subvert the peace and even the very existence of the Government; and on this basis He was put to death. Will anyone say that the crucifixion of Jesus was any the less a heaven-daring crime because He was put to death as a violator of civil order?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.1

Let no one, therefore, think to excuse the persecution of men for keeping the Sabbath instead of Sunday, by saying that Sunday laws are civil, and not religious. Whatever they are called, one fact remains, and that is that they are in direct opposition to the God of heaven and earth.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.2

CONFLICT WITH CIVIL AUTHORITY

The question may be asked, as indeed it has been asked with reference to this special case, “How can you justify your conflict with the Swiss authorities and laws, when these enforce rest on one particular day, Sunday?” And others quote Romans 13:2, “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.3

Now the answer to this is very simple. It is that we, for in this we identify ourselves with our brethren in Switzerland, have no conflict with the Swiss authorities. It is not a case of Seventh-day Adventists against the Swiss authorities, but of the Swiss authorities against God and His word.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.4

The word of the Lord is a rock. They who build on it are safe. It alone will stand when all things else shall pass away. Jesus, who taught both the law and the prophets, said, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24, 25. On the contrary, he who does not obey the word builds upon the sand, and will be lost.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.5

Will anyone say that the man whose house is on the rock, and is a part of the rock itself, has put himself in opposition to the floods and the winds that beat upon the rock? He is on the rock, where he ought to be, and does nothing but stay there. He is not to blame if the floods seek to overthrow the rock on which he rests.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.6

Even so in this case. The law of God says that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that the other six days of the week are but ordinary working days. On God’s word we stand. Now come the Swiss authorities, and the authorities of other nations as well, and seek to destroy that word. Sabbath-keepers have no controversy whatever with them. They simply rest on the word of God against which these authorities are fighting. That is the sum of the matter. Seventh-day Adventists are not breakers of the peace, nor subverters of civil authority. They have no controversy with men nor with Governments. But they do have a message to proclaim, and that is this, “The word of our God shall stand for ever.” In proclaiming this they are working in the interest of men and of Governments; because since God’s word shall stand for ever, it follows that those nations and peoples that array themselves against it are simply plotting their own destruction; for the impregnable Rock will wear them out. “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 710.7

“News of the Week” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

-The women’s suffrage movement is said to be growing fast all over Australasia.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.1

-A new oil well at Baku, on the Caspian Sea, yields a daily supply of 8,200 tons.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.2

-An insurrection has started in Peru. Two British warships have been ordered to the scene of the disturbance.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.3

-A terrible earthquake is reported from Argentina, by which 2,000 persons are said to have been killed, and 20,000 made homeless.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.4

-The butchers of Paris, who deal only in beef and mutton, are becoming alarmed at the extent to which horse flesh, ass flesh, and even mule-flesh is being used as human fool.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.5

-A disastrous collision occurred October 31 between two passenger trains at the station of Redfern, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. Six persons were killed and thirty injured.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.6

-A new cannon invented by Colonel Deport has been tested with excellent results. The gun, which does not recoil, fires at the rate of twenty-five shots a minute, and can be worked by three men.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.7

-A Budapest paper reports that a powder mill at Bisztra, in Lower Weissenburg, was totally destroyed by an explosion, October 29. Three workmen were killed on the spot and fourteen were fatally injured.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.8

-An alabaster box of perfume was recently discovered amid the ruins of Pompeii. The pomade was more fragrant even than roses, which it resembled, although it had lain buried for eighteen centuries.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.9

-The Czar succumbed to his malady early in the afternoon of Nov. 1. Much sorrow over the event is felt throughout Europe, and the future, so far as it may be affected by the policy of the new Czar, is regarded with much uncertainty and anxiety.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.10

-A Swazi deputation have arrived in England to protest to the Queen against the annexation of their country by the Transvaal. The deputation numbers six Indunas, who are a fine type of most, one standing six feet three inches in height. They are clad in European dress.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.11

-A heavy rainfall has followed the prolonged drought at Leicester, and the water famine, which lasted a month, is much less acute.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.12

-The population of Germany, according to statistics just issued, is 51,500,000, which is an increase of about 11,500,000 since 1870-and this, too, in spite of the brow and deep stream of emigration which has been flowing out of the Fatherland, mostly towards America.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.13

-A lunatic asylum outside the town of Joenkeeping, Sweden, caught fire October 31, while the wind was blowing a gale. The flames spread with amazing rapidity, and in a very brief space the whole building was ablaze. Only three of the inmates were saved. Fifteen perished.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.14

-Nine other European sovereigns are older than the Czar, who was 49 on his last birthday: the King of Denmark is 76, Queen Victoria 75, King of Sweden 65, Emperor of Austria 64, King of the Belgiums 59, King of Roumania 55, Prince of Montenegro 58, and the Sultan of Turkey and the King of Italy each 50.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.15

-While on a voyage from Sydney to Auckland, on Sunday night, October 25, the Wairarapa, belonging to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, was totally wrecked on Great Barrier Island. Amid heartrending scones, no lees than 194 lives were lost, including 111 passengers and the captain of the vessel.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.16

-The Japanese continue to make slow but steady progress in their war with China, the troops of which seem utterly demoralised and incapable of effectual resistance to any disciplined force. Negotiations for peace which have been recently made are said to have utterly failed. A rice famine is threatened in China.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.17

-The Pope claims to view with sincere regret the retirement of Count Caprivi from the lead of Prussian affairs, but hopes that Prince Hohenlohe, the new Chancellor, being a Catholic, will maintain good relations with the Church. As the Chancellor’s brother is a Cardinal, the prospects of “good relations” between the Prussian Government and the Papacy are certainly very fair.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.18

-A pilgrimage by proxy is reported from France. A man being ill regarded a pilgrimage as necessary to his recovery. Being unequal to, the fatigue, he selected a young man who, starting with his pocket well filled with his hirer’s money, did the regulation shrines, afterwards making a praying tour of the churches of Rome. Before quite completing his round, however, the young man beanie intoxicated and fell into the hands of the police.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.19

-After the great earthquake shocks in Greece last spring a Grand Committee was appointed to make an examination of the Parthenon in order to ascertain what damage the temple had sustained. On careful investigation the committee reported that the monument had been seriously injured, and that there was great risk in allowing it to remain in its present dangerous condition. They recommended, therefore, that immediate steps be taken to strengthen the building. The Arch?ological Society, at a meeting called to consider the question, voted an unlimited credit for the purpose of effecting the necessary repairs.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.20

-A telegram from Lille, France, states that disastrous floods have occurred in the department of the Nord. The country round Lille, Tourcoing, and Armentiéres is under water, and the villages on the banks of the Lys and its tributaries, especially the Deule and Marccq, are flooded. Most of the farms are surrounded by water, which in some places has already reached a height of three feet, and they can only be communicated with by means of boats. Numerous factories at Roubaix, Tourcoing, and other planes, says Reuter’s correspondent, have been invaded by the floods, and the looms are under water. Work has consequently been suspended, and more than 100,000 hands have been rendered idle.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.21

-A resident of Sydney; New South Wales, ham, invented a submarine torpedo boat capable of sinking to any depth and of travelling under water as quickly as on the surface, without revealing its presence. A working model of the boat was tried recently, in the public baths at Melbourne, in the presence of the Earl of Hopetoun, the Governor, the navel commandant, and a number of naval and military officers The experiments were a complete success, the model rising or sinking stern or bow, turning, reversing, or remaining stationary in obedience to the electric current by which it is worked. The inventor claims that a full-sized boat would be capable of remaining under water for three days.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 718.22

“Back Page” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The Bible, in whole or in part, is now going to the world in 400 languages, and at the rate of about two million copies per year.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.1

It is said that a recent article in a New York paper from the noted infidel, Mr. Ingersoll, which advocated the morality of suicide, led directly to a number of suicides.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.2

It is stated that “the personal communications between Alexander III. and Leo. XIII. on the subject of the union of the Eastern religious bodies to the parent church, have been frequent and of a very cordial character.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.3

Speaking of “Reform Sunday,” which was devoted to sermons on municipal reform by many churches, the English Churchman pertinently says:—PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.4

We consider that there is plenty of room for reform in the “churches,” especially when we find music and dancing licenses applied for in connection with mission halls, with power to sell intoxicants. Among these mission-halls are those attached to St. Anne’s, Bermondsey, and St. Lukes, Deptford, both in the gifts of Evangelical trustees.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.5

It is pitiful to read some of the plans which are suggested in all earnestness to advance the Protestant cause. The real nature of Protestantism as well as the character of Romanism is little understood by many who talk strongly against Rome. Thus a member of the National Protestant League urges that the fifth of November might be used as the means by which “Protestantism may be once more excited to glowing fervour.” He suggests historical processions, tea meetings, and big bonfires. But the mystery of iniquity is a principle and not a name merely, and cannot be opposed by the beating of drums and a big blaze. Another kind of light is necessary to dispel the darkness, first from the individual heart and then to enlighten the darkness of other hearts. When the Apostle Paul saw the beginnings of apostasy he left the charge, “Preach the Word,” and the same charge is for us to-day.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.6

Apropos of the fashion of holding special services to attract attention, a contemporary reports the following:—PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.7

“Would it not be well to have a London Reform Sunday?” asked Dr. Parker last Thursday morning. “No,” he replied very emphatically. “Would it not be well to have special services for the club-footed and men who are blind in one eye? Would it not be something new and nice to show that we were active if we had special Sunday afternoons for confectioners, and special Sunday morning services for cabmen, and special services, beginning at 11:30, for men who are threatened with paralysis? It all means weakness,” exclaimed the Doctor. “Let other people use their judgment. I am only answering in my own name. I believe there is still in the old Book and in the old Gospel just what men want.” “Would you mind going to a P.S.A.?” queried the Doctor in mocking tone, “or a G.I.G., or, if that does not suit, a J.I.G., or an X.Y.Z.? If I were a working man, I should say: ‘If you have any argument to address to me, let me hear it, but I am not going to be smuggled into a meeting like that.’ There is such a thing as religious knavery.”PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.8

Doubtless many people who have read of the Russian persecutions of the Stundists and the Jews have thought of the late Czar as a cruel, vindictive tyrant, a man destitute of all human sympathy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. He was a man of kindly and genial disposition, and a lover of peace, a good husband, and an affectionate parent. Why then such outrageous persecutions?—Simply because Russia is an example of the perfect union of Church and State. The Czar of Russia, whoever he may be, is a part of a great system which knows nothing of human sympathies.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.9

The Czar of Russia is the head of the church and the “Defender of the Faith,” by virtue of his position. The late Czar was thoroughly convinced that he was directly commissioned from heaven to maintain the “Orthodox” religion. Therefore in matters of religion he sacrificed his personal feelings to what he considered duty. In any union of Church and State, the best and kindest rulers are usually the most relentless persecutors.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.10

But while the Czar was head of the Church, as of the State, he must needs have advisers. In purely civil matters he might often act on his own judgment, independently of the advice of his ministers; but not so in affairs of religion. In a State church the priests pose as the prophets of God, and what ruler would dare act contrary to the counsel of those who hold the keys of heaven, in matters which concern their special calling?PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.11

The fact is, therefore, that the Russian priesthood is a power greater than that of the State. Alexander III. found himself nominally at the head of the Church, but actually an instrument in the hands of scheming, bigoted, and brutal priests, all the evil of whose natures was intensified by the wicked system of which they were a part. And so, no matter how good and well-intentioned the present Czar may be, there is no hope that religious persecution will be any the less.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.12

The Bible requires no apologies, and very often those who set out to explain the imaginary “difficulties” fall into absurd conclusions. Thus in a little pamphlet a well-meaning author meets the denial of the universality of the flood by holding that according to the Bible account the flood need not have covered a very large territory to destroy all the inhabitants of the earth. And he suggests that perhaps only the domestic animals came into the ark as Noah called them to him, the wild animals fleeing and escaping beyond the submerged area. But why did not the wicked also flee with the animals? These weakly attempts to explain away the word of Scripture in order to win the captious critic cannot fail to sow the seeds of scepticism.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.13

“Intemperance and Tea” The Present Truth 10, 45.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Intemperance and Tea.-At the recent “Conference of Women Workers” in Glasgow, the subject of intemperance among women was discussed. It was claimed that indulgence in alcoholic liquors is secretly increasing among educated women; but Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake, of Edinburgh, said that “in her experience, which included patients from the peeress to the pauper, but was chiefly among the middle classes, for one case in which she had been compelled to beg her patient to desist taking alcohol, she had in ten been obliged to implore her to leave off tea and coffee.” Strangely enough, it does not seem to have occurred to anyone that the almost universal use of tea and coffee is the cause of the great increase in the consumption of alcoholic liquors. When the system becomes so accustomed to the weaker stimulant that the desired effect is not produced, the stronger stimulant is inevitably called for.PTUK November 8, 1894, page 720.14