- Foreword
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- June 23, 1892
- June 30, 1892
- July 7, 1892
- July 14, 1892
- July 21, 1892
- July 28, 1892
- August 4, 1892
- August 11, 1892
- September 1, 1892
- September 22, 1892
- September 29, 1892
- October 13, 1892
- October 20, 1892
- October 27, 1892
- November 10, 1892
- November 17, 1892
- December 8, 1892
- December 15, 1892
- December 22, 1892
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- January 5, 1893
- January 19, 1893
- February 2, 1893
- February 9, 1893
- March 2, 1893
- March 9, 1893
- March 23, 1893
- March 30, 1893
- May 4, 1893
- May 18, 1893
- May 25, 1893
- June 1, 1893
- June 8, 1893
- June 15, 1893
- June 22, 1893
- June 29, 1893
- July 13, 1893
- July 20, 1893
- July 27, 1893
- August 3, 1893
- August 10, 1893
- August 17, 1893
- August 24, 1893
- August 31, 1893
- September 7, 1893
- September 14, 1893
- September 21, 1893
- November 9, 1893
- November 16, 1893
- November 23, 1893
- November 30, 1893
- December 7, 1893
- December 14, 1893
- December 21, 1893
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- January 4, 1894
- January 11, 1894
- January 18, 1894
- January 25, 1894
- February 1, 1894
- February 8, 1894
- February 15, 1894
- March 1, 1894
- April 26, 1894
- May 3, 1894
- May 10, 1894
- May 17, 1894
- May 24, 1894
- May 31, 1894
- June 7, 1894
- June 14, 1894
- June 21, 1894
- June 28, 1894
- July 5, 1894
- July 12, 1894
- July 19, 1894
- July 26, 1894
- August 2, 1894
- August 9, 1894
- August 16, 1894
- August 23, 1894
- August 30, 1894
- September 6, 1894
- September 13, 1894
- September 20, 1894
- September 27, 1894
- October 11, 1894
- October 18, 1894
- October 25, 1894
- November 8, 1894
- November 22, 1894
- November 29, 1894
- December 6, 1894
- December 13, 1894
- December 20, 1894
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- January 3, 1895
- January 10, 1895
- January 31, 1895
- February 7, 1895
- May 30, 1895
- June 13, 1895
- June 27, 1895
- July 11, 1895
- July 18, 1895
- August 1, 1895
- August 8, 1895
- August 22, 1895
- September 5, 1895
- September 19, 1895
- September 26, 1895
- October 10, 1895
- October 17, 1895
- October 24, 1895
- October 31, 1895
- November 7, 1895
- November 21, 1895
- November 28, 1895
- December 5, 1895
- December 12, 1895
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- January 2, 1896
- January 9, 1896
- January 16, 1896
- January 30, 1896
- February 6, 1896
- February 20, 1896
- March 12, 1896
- August 20, 1896
- August 27, 1896
- September 24, 1896
- October 8, 1896
- October 15, 1896
- October 22, 1896
- November 5, 1896
- November 5, 1896
- November 12, 1896
- November 26, 1896
- December 3, 1896
- December 24, 1896
- December 31, 1896
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- January 7, 1897
- January 21, 1897
- January 28, 1897
- February 4, 1897
- February 11, 1897
- February 25, 1897
- March 4, 1897
- March 11, 1897
- April 1, 1897
- April 8, 1897
- April 15, 1897
- April 22, 1897
- May 6, 1897
- May 20, 1897
- May 27, 1897
- June 10, 1897
- June 17, 1897
- June 24, 1897
- July 1, 1897
- July 8, 1897
- July 15, 1897
- July 29, 1897
- August 5, 1897
- August 5, 1897
- August 12, 1897
- August 19, 1897
- August 26, 1897
- September 2, 1897
- September 9, 1897
- September 16, 1897
- September 23, 1897
- September 30, 1897
- October 7, 1897
- October 14, 1897
- October 21, 1897
- October 28, 1897
- November 4, 1897
- November 11, 1897
- November 18, 1897
- December 2, 1897
- December 9, 1897
- December 16, 1897
- December 23, 1897
- December 30, 1897
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- January 6, 1898
- January 13, 1898
- February 3, 1898
- February 10, 1898
- February 17, 1898
- March 24, 1898
- March 31, 1898
- April 7, 1898
- April 14, 1898
- April 21, 1898
- April 28, 1898
- May 5, 1898
- May 12, 1898
- May 19, 1898
- May 26, 1898
- June 2, 1898
- June 30, 1898
- July 7, 1898
- July 14, 1898
- July 21, 1898
- July 28, 1898
- August 4, 1898
- August 11, 1898
- August 18, 1898
- August 25, 1898
- September 1, 1898
- September 8, 1898
- September 15, 1898
- September 22, 1898
- October 13, 1898
- October 20, 1898
- October 27, 1898
- November 3, 1898
- November 10, 1898
- November 17, 1898
- November 24, 1898
- December 1, 1898
- December 8, 1898
- December 15, 1898
- December 22, 1898
- December 29, 1898
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- March 30, 1899
- April 6, 1899
- April 13, 1899
- April 20, 1899
- April 27, 1899
- May 4, 1899
- May 11, 1899
- May 18, 1899
- May 25, 1899
- June 8, 1899
- June 15, 1899
- June 22, 1899
- June 29, 1899
- July 13, 1899
- July 20, 1899
- July 27, 1899
- August 3, 1899
- August 10, 1899
- August 17, 1899
- August 24, 1899
- August 31, 1899
- September 14, 1899
- September 21, 1899
- September 28, 1899
- October 5, 1899
- October 12, 1899
- October 19, 1899
- October 26, 1899
- November 2, 1899
- November 9, 1899
- November 23, 1899
- November 30, 1899
- December 7, 1899
- December 21, 1899
- December 28, 1899
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- January 4, 1900
- January 11, 1900
- February 1, 1900
- February 8, 1900
- February 15, 1900
- February 22, 1900
- March 1, 1900
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- March 22, 1900
- March 29, 1900
- April 5, 1900
- April 12, 1900
- April 26, 1900
- May 3, 1900
- May 10, 1900
- May 17, 1900
- May 24, 1900
- May 31, 1900
- June 7, 1900
- June 14, 1900
- June 21, 1900
- June 28, 1900
- July 12, 1900
- July 19, 1900
- July 26, 1900
- August 2, 1900
- August 16, 1900
- September 6, 1900
- September 13, 1900
- September 20, 1900
- September 27, 1900
- October 4, 1900
- October 11, 1900
- October 18, 1900
- October 25, 1900
- November 1, 1900
- November 8, 1900
- November 15, 1900
- November 22, 1900
- December 6, 1900
- December 13, 1900
- December 20, 1900
- December 27, 1900
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- January 3, 1901
- January 10, 1901
- January 17, 1901
- January 24, 1901
- January 31, 1901
- February 7, 1901
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- February 21, 1901
- February 28, 1901
- March 21, 1901
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- April 25, 1901
- May 2, 1901
- May 9, 1901
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- July 25, 1901
- August 22, 1901
- September 12, 1901
- September 26, 1901
- October 3, 1901
- November 21, 1901
- December 5, 1901
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- January 16, 1902
- January 23, 1902
- February 6, 1902
- February 13, 1902
- February 27, 1902
- March 6, 1902
- March 20, 1902
- April 17, 1902
- May 1, 1902
- June 5, 1902
- June 12, 1902
- June 26, 1902
- July 3, 1902
- July 10, 1902
- July 24, 1902
- July 31, 1902
- August 21, 1902
- September 11, 1902
- October 2, 1902
- October 9, 1902
- October 23, 1902
- November 6, 1902
- December 4, 1902
- December 11, 1902
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- January 1, 1903
- January 22, 1903
- January 29, 1903
- February 12, 1903
- February 19, 1903
- March 5, 1903
- March 19, 1903
- March 26, 1903
- April 9, 1903
- April 16, 1903
- April 23, 1903
- May 14, 1903
- May 21, 1903
- June 4, 1903
- June 25, 1903
- July 9, 1903
- July 16, 1903
- August 6, 1903
- August 20, 1903
- September 1, 1903
- September 8, 1903
- September 22, 1903
- September 29, 1903
- November 24, 1903
- December 1, 1903
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November 3, 1898
Thy Father Which Seeth in Secret Shall Reward Thee Openly
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”YI November 3, 1898, par. 1
It was the custom of the Jews to do their deeds of charity in a conspicuous manner. They performed their almsgiving in public; and before doing this, often a proclamation was made, heralding their generosity. Thus many gave large sums of money, in order to have their names extolled by men, and that they might be thought liberal and righteous.YI November 3, 1898, par. 2
When Christ gave his instruction in regard to almsgiving, there was in the crowd a pitiable object soliciting charity. One of the Pharisees, with great display, gave a small sum to the applicant, at the same time commending his own benevolence. The people looked on with admiration, and praised the apparently liberal act. But this man's character was not merciful. He did not pity the suffering and the needy. He had no experience in deeds of love. His object in giving was merely to rid himself of a troublesome applicant, and to call attention to his own benevolence.YI November 3, 1898, par. 3
Jesus read the motive of the giver. He saw that his act was altogether for the occasion, and this furnished a lesson for the heavenly Teacher. Christ laid bare the motives of the hypocrite. He showed that this act was a counterfeit of benevolence, and would weigh against the doer in the day of God. Turning to his disciples, he cautioned them against giving merely for the honor and praise they might thus receive. The motive was wrong. If they had no higher motive than this, they would have no higher reward. He showed that those who bestow their gifts that they may receive the praise of men, will have no reward in heaven. They have their reward in worldly honor and applause. They give that they may obtain this, and this is all they receive.YI November 3, 1898, par. 4
Frequently the gifts bestowed on the poor, only confirm them in indolent, reckless pauperism. Money is given, but not instruction. We do not bring ourselves to the task of employing and teaching the poor and ignorant, thus helping them to help themselves. Such aid is often the most useful that can be given.YI November 3, 1898, par. 5
Let us not disdain to touch the applicant. When Christ healed the sick, he laid his hands upon them; and we must come near to those whom we wish to help. Let us realize that, as Christ's, we have nothing of our own. Everything that we have has come from God. Let us therefore impart judiciously to those less favored.YI November 3, 1898, par. 6
From their abundance the great men of the world often give large sums of money to colleges and societies, that their names may be extolled; while close to their stately mansions the widow and the fatherless are destitute of food and clothing. Christ teaches that our gifts should be made quietly and unobtrusively, from a heart of pitying tenderness for the unfortunate and the suffering. We should give kindly words with our gifts. Hearts are drawn together by words of kindly sympathy and genuine sorrow for the sufferer. There was no virtue in the gift of the Pharisee. Through it no blessing came to the heart of the receiver. He had given because he desired to be praised for his benevolence.YI November 3, 1898, par. 7
Self-sacrifice is an essential element of true Christian character. In his life on earth, Jesus has given his followers an example of this. It was love for the souls of men that brought Christ from a world of purity; and he reached to the very depths of wretchedness and woe, in order that he might help the suffering and the perishing. And the servant of Christ must follow in the footsteps of his Master if he would reach to the perfection of this wonderful, glorious Pattern.YI November 3, 1898, par. 8
While Jesus was giving this instruction, the attention of the people was diverted by the loud voice of prayer. The Pharisee has been reproved by the close, practical teaching of Christ. He felt angry that his sins had been made so apparent, although no word had been directly addressed to him. Feeling condemned before the people, he made an effort to hide the deformity of his character under a pretense of piety and devotion.YI November 3, 1898, par. 9
“And when thou prayest,” Jesus continued, “thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”YI November 3, 1898, par. 10
There is an expressed humility, an external appearance, which is born of pride and self-exaltation. Often there are those who parade their humility before others, that they may hear their piety extolled. They seek to impress others with the greatness of their humility. But such men are deceived. In their efforts to prove themselves possessors of this desirable quality, they show that it is not theirs. Those who really possess this grace are ignorant of the fact.YI November 3, 1898, par. 11
Judging the Pharisee by his hypocritical prayer, many of that company believed him to be a humble, devoted man. But Christ shows such zeal and fervor to be no sign of righteousness. God does not regard such prayers. The approval of men is all the reward those who thus parade their devotion will receive.YI November 3, 1898, par. 12
When Christ taught the people, he did not devote the time to prayer. He did not enforce upon his hearers, as did the Pharisees, long, tedious ceremonies and prayers. He taught his disciples how to pray: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”YI November 3, 1898, par. 13
We would not discourage prayer; for there is far too little praying and watching thereunto; and there is still less praying with the spirit and the understanding also. Fervent and effectual prayer is always in place, and will never weary. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In secret prayer the soul should be laid bare to the inspecting eye of God: here every motive should be criticized.YI November 3, 1898, par. 14
How precious is secret prayer—the soul communing with God! Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of petitions. Calmly, yet fervently, the soul is to reach out after God; and sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from him who sees in secret, whose ear is open to the prayer arising from the heart. He who in simple faith holds communion with God will gather to himself divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain him in the conflict with Satan.YI November 3, 1898, par. 15