the bible standard september 1906

8/2/2019 The Bible Standard September 1906

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B ib l e S t a n d a r d . "1. IIhI IIf"1 will co.t 1 .Ot .Ift of 604I. EfmII tlft,"

VOL. 26. No. 9 TWOPENCE.UCKLAND, N.Z., SEPTEMBER, 1906.

1 1 1 ~ p ~ l f f l 9 ~ i a B . . e m ' - " " B D . ~ i R D ~ W l m l l l ' ~ I . ~ I M I I ~ ' W ' ~ ~ ~ = = = - - ,. . ..~~~~ NOTHER great earthquake horror! WithB 1 I blanched faces men look at each other and

I ask, "What does it mean?" ScientistsI ' . ! are busily guessing, and giving forth theirl~-' theories as to the physical causes of these

'9~O} tremors, but that which the people note" / .W is that these destructive shocks have af-

fected great cities crowded with human beings, and theevidences of their skill and labour. We have learned ofthe brave spirit with which the dwellers in California

have set to work to rebuild theirruined cities, but hardly have theycommenced than in South AmericaValparaiso and its neighbours are

cast into ruins, and the sufferings of California are re-peated in the cities of the South. Again is human sym-pathy called forth, but with it goes the feeling of ourown helplessness to prevent such disasters. Behind thesearc forces beyond our power to curb or even know, andthe utmost that science can hope to achieve is by com-parison anc1 experience, and by the recorc1s of c1elicateinstruments, to some day be able to forewarn concerningthe coming shock. But it is doubtful if this can beattained, and meanwhile we are left to look at thesegreat disasters, not merely to consider their present re-sults, but, if we would learn the full lesson, fromcomparison try to understand what the issue will bewhen Goc1arises to shake terribly the earth. 'I'he wordhas gone forth, "Yet once more will I make to tremblenot the earth only, but also the heaven"-not onelocality and a few cities, but the earth in its vast extent,so that the cities of the nations shall fall, and the shak-ing shall reach to the heavens. Why will He do this?The answer is clear, because on earth men repented not,and in the heavens is the Prince of the power of the air.

U b e J E ar tb qu a hea t ID a lp a ra is o .

There is a closer relation between sin and disaster thanis usually recognised, even though we may not be ableto trace the immediate links in these recent sad events.Following hard upon the action of the Czar in dis-

missing the Duma-popular assembly-and flouting thepeople, who had believed they had entered upon thepath that leac1sto constitutional liberty, comes the news

of the awful bomb outrage on thenew Premier. It is a very difficultthing for people who live in atotally different environment to

unc1erstanc1 the logic that supposes the destruction ofindividual rulers and high officials will secure politicalfreedom. But that which we can understand is thatsuch outrages are an evidence of the terrible sincerityof those who use such means to express their views.No thoughtful man, living in happier surroundings, cansympathise with so dastardly an act, but there must besympathy for those who writhe under oppression andfeel that their newly-formed hopes are destroyed beneaththe iron heel of despotism. In free countries such anoutrage could only be perpetrated by a madman, butthis was intended as the issue of the plans of an organi-sation working for freedom, and seeing no hope of secur-ing it save by striking terror into the bosoms of therulers. What a fearful commentary this upon theboasted progress of humanity. We look upon our ownenvironment, choosing our theme, to the exclusion ofanything that might cause discord, and sing our opti-mistic ode of progress. Alas for human hopes! Evenif we are blind to the dark, and deaf to the discordantfeatures of our immediate surroundings, such an eventas this should open our eyes and hush our song.

U be 1 R us sia n~utrage.

The Expository Times for July raises the question,"Is it no longer possible to preach on Future Punish-ment?" and affirms "that the doctrine of Future Retri-bution has lost its power, there seems to be no doubt ...

because it has lost its certainty.We are no longer sure if it is true.We are not sure if there is anytruth in it." This is an open

acknowledgment of a position long ascribed toorthodox theology by the leac1ers on our side

ls itlP o s sib le 1


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130 THE BIBLE STANDARD. SEPTEMBER, 1908.of the question. When Edward White opened his attackon the popular view, and showed how hopelessly opposedto the Scripture was the fearful teaching of eternalmisery, his view was fiercely resented, and he and thosewho thought with him were the objects of scorn andopprobrium. But the evidence presented was over-whelming, and, resisting the emphatic evidence lying inthe fact of man's present mortality, the orthodox werecompelled to concede that the dogma of eternal tormentwas not Scriptural. In yielrling that, and not acceptingthe safe ground afforded by the Bible view of man'snature, they were cast adrift without any anchorageground; and so it has come to pass that in late yearsthe popular teachings on the grave question of FutureRetri bution are vaguc and unsatisfactory, and, indeed,thc whole matter is seldom referred to. "It has lost itsccrtaintv." "'ill it ever be regained? 'Ve can answerwith an emphatic assertion that it will never be againin tho possession of the Church until it agrees to acceptthat which can alone give it. When the Church willaccept Bible language on man's nature and destiny,the whole field becomes luminous, a11l1certainty willbanish doubt and ignorance as sunlight dispels the dark-ness.

But the Expository Times has its own way of answer-ing the question, and commends a sermon on "FutureRetribution," by Professor Gwatkin, who is said topossess "a wealth of erudition and depth of thought."

His first "certainty" is that, "as weleave this world, so must we enterthat." "If fit for the blessing ofthe righteous, we shall stand with

them before the throne. If we are fit to be with thedevil and his angels, with the devil and his angels mustour position be." If erein lies an evidence of the crude-ness of the Professor's thought. There lies the assump-tion of the possibility of man's conseious continuance indeath, and there is an implied ignorance as to the fact.of the judgment, for no man who has studied the d.is-pensational place of the parable in Matthew (xxv. 31-+6)would thus apply it. But he has another step to take.Can certainty be carried so far as to say what the punish-ment of the wicked will be? "The words of Scriptureare full of terror, a terror heightened by their studiedvagueness." We are positive that no man who will pati-ently collate the Bible terms on this dread subjeet willever dare to accuse them of vagueness. They are com-mon words and images, and they are clear and expressive.They are only vague because, being terms relating todestruction, a false view of man's nature makes themapply to an indestructible thing, namely, the immortalsoul. Given that man is mortal, then the terms suit hisstate and definitely assert his destruction.

@ Ile (I~et"Ol)of 'ElIl5w er.

"Get rid," says the Professor, "of the common ideaso f hell, It is no more full of fire than the streets of

heaven are paved with gold; and if it were, it could notharm our spiri tual bodies." But, we ask, where does

Scripture assign a spiritual bod" l A o


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SEPTEMBER, 1906. THE BIBLE STANDARD.because the Church is too much employed with practical

work to be very greatly concernedUWO 1Rotable about speculative matters." Not aStatements . live question! How different, then,

is the Methodist Church from thePrimitive Church. No one can fail to see the vitalityof this theme as the epistles are read. How urgent thepractical exhortations, and how firmly these are linkedto the Lord's Return. "Then they were turned fromidols . to wait for His Son from heaven." Fromthat initial attitude they never swerved, and they linkedall important present practical teaching to the expectedAdvent. There may be matters relating to that Adventwhich can be fairly termed "speculative," but that termshould not be applied to the fact itself by any reader ofthe New Testament, The other statement is: "In mywork among young men I am rarely questioned on thissubject. It scarcely ever finds a place in a Bible Classsyllabus, and is regarded as a question outside practicaltwentieth century Christianity." This fact may be saidto be the natural product of the Church's neglect. Ifexcluded from the Church's teaching, then it can hardlybe expected to find a place in a class syllabus, or to beencouraged amongst young men. What sympathy wouldit meet from those who hold it is not a live question-that it is "speculative" only? It is an instance of thesad neglect of important Bible teaching, so characteristicof large Church organisations, and also of the mannerin which the attitude of the human founders of Method-ism is departed from. A people that can enthusiasti-cally sing the Advent hymns of the Wesleys', whilst re-garding their teaching as "speculative," offer themselvesas a curious problem to the student.

With this Methodist view of the speculative characterof the doctrine of the Second Advent may well go thefollowing item from an exchange :-"A few monthsago, at the funeral of a Christian woman widely known

among Methodists, a leading5s lD eatb bishop of that Church pronouncedJ 5n tb t' on eme n t 1 : the eulogy, opening with the fol-lowing words :-'We are assembledto-day to celebrate a coronation. For seventy-eightyears the King of kings has had in training for a crownand a throne the richly endowed, greatly beloved, anddeeply lamented friend round whose silent form we arenow gathered. We are here to celebrate her victory andher enthronement.' It is a well-known fact that theMethodist Church, as such, does not look with favourupon the preaching of the second advent of Christ, orthe doctrine of resurrection. If death is victory and'enthronement,' then there is no higher good, and theNew Testament doctrines may well be considered obso-lete. The 'waiting,' then, should be for death, and not forthe return of Christ. That may be good Methodist doc-trine as endorsed by the standards of that Church, butit is a long remove from New Testament revelation, and

from the 'blessed hope' as held by the Christian Churchof the early centuries. That people are (enthroned' atdeath may be good Platonism, but it is not Christian,and does not savour of New Testament teaching. Thereturn of Christ and the literal resurrection of the deadwere the hope of the early Church, and may well be re-tained by the Church of the last days." - T V orld' s Orisis .

Here is a new word. An American magazine intro-duces it as fairly descriptive of the latest form of fad-dism now dominating many theologians. It is definedas "a blind faith in, a servile deference to, and an

obsequious acceptance of theGermanolatr}? notions and opinions of GermanRationalists." It is thus acquired:Young American and British theological students go tothe Continental Universities to "finish their education,"and return home feeling they must have something ex-traordinary to show for their sojourn abroad. Too oftenthat showing will consist of a disrespect for the religiousbeliefs of their own countrymen, and copious referencesto German authorities. 'I'he theology they adopt andteach is the kind which may be truthfully labelled"Made in Germany," and it certainly does not commenditself .to the honest workman who seeks to be "approvedof God." We do not favour this imported article.

Chicago is a wonderful city, but it has recently sur-passed itself, or, to speak more accurately, it has had anew claim to fame thrust upon it. A Congress of Re-ligions was recently held there, and a leading Professor

took occasion to speak of the inade-: a 1R ew lD el t} ? quacy of our conception of God,and held that "0UI' idea of a godmust be revised," and something constructed bettersuited to the modern mind. He held that the populartheological view of an unchanging god was absurd, andthat we must have a new god, "and that the true Godof science and the higher criticism" must be, as it were,unfinished, because "we cannot have an unfinished ex-istence with a finished god." God must be regarded not asa Being but a Becoming. What next? Such twaddle maybe regarded as "scholarly," and serve as the pabulumwhich satisfies these professors and divinity studentswhose growth is on the plane of self-satisfaction, butwe require something more substantial, and believe thatthose who make the Bible the source of their food supply,and have felt its power in their own experience, will saythat its God satisfies every desire and fills every aspira-tion, and is not likely to be replaced by the "unfinishedgod" of a university professor, be that professor never soeminent and erudite.

In communities where Protestantism holds sway, it isa fact that Roman Catholicism tempers itself to suit thesurroundings, but in lands where it is dominant it is a


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132 THE BIBLE STANDARD. SEPTEMBER, 19011.very different thing. In South America, for example, it

retains its mediawal character, andmanifests the signification to begiven to its own boast, "Sempereadem." What can be more revolt-

ing to the religious sense of a Protestant, and what morecontrary to Scripture, than the following advertisement,quoted in The Christian from a Brazilian paper :-

1 R affle forSouls.

"RAFFLEFOBSouLs.-At the last raffle for souls, the follow-ing numbers obtained the prize, and the lucky holders may beassured that their loved ones are for ever released from theflames of purgatory . . ."NoTE.-Another raffle for souls will be held at this same

blessed Church of the Redeemer on January 1, at which fourbleeding and tortured souls will be released from purgatory toheaven according to the number of the highest tickets, in thismost holy lottery. Tickets to be had from the Father incharge. Will you for the poor sum of 1 milreis [equal to ;rd.]permit that your loved ones burn in purgatory for ages?"What the ignorance and superstition must be where suchan announcement is possible is only dimly conceivableto those who live in the midst of influences which, whilsthated by Rome, are powerful enough to prevent this openrobbery of the people.

UIPropbetic {tbings to come."

IT is important to distinguish the two stages of Christ'sadvent. The Lord has given us light on this subject,and multitudes now understand the difference betweenthe "Paronsia" and the "Epiphania;" that is, betweenthe earlier coming of the Lord to take up His saints andHis manifest coming with His saints-His coming forus and with us.But what is to happen between these two remarkable

events? After the translation of the saints the world willbe left to itself and its own wisdom and way; and thenit will consider itself us free as the prodigal son. whogathered together all his goods, and intended in futureto be his own master, and to do his own will. It willprosper and flourish abundantly for a time, put forth itsenergies in all directions, and draw largely on its mani-fold resources. And while men are thus prospering andrejoicing in their freedom from holy restraint, and fromthe striving of God with their consciences, they willthink that the reins of government are in their ownhands.We can easily understand that this state of things will

not continue, for men never have their own way longwithout being heartily tired of it. The apostle Paultells us that in the end of this dispensation men shall be"lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers,incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure morethan lovers of God, having a form of godliness but deny-ing the power thereof." Here i~ a group of moral, or,

rather, immoral, attributes which are all declared to bethe characteristics of the latter-day generation to whichthey refer.This will prepare the way for the fall of moral vir-

tues. Accordingly, we find it predicted that gluttony,wantonness, and drunkenness will become general, likethe time which preceded the flood in Noah's day, and thetime before the destruction of Sodom. Sad prospect forbelievers in human progress and the perfectibility ofman! But there will be feuds, religious and social,which will embitter the minds of men. "Take heed,"said the Lord, "that no man deceive you; for many shallcome in My Name and deceive many;" and religiousfanaticism shall know no toleration, but shall lay wasteand destroy all who will not embrace their delusion.Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom againstkingdom, despotism seek to overthrow democracy, anddemocracy to overthrow despotism.The conflict of political principle between the oppres-

sors and the oppressed shall make a desperate strugglefor ascendency. And with war will come famine andpestilence. Before or during these things we supposethe ten kingdoms of the restored Roman empire will beformed, illustrated in the book of Daniel by the image'sten toes of iron and clay-i1'on representing despotismand military power, olay representing democracy. These.ten kings will give their power to one, the little horn,who will become the king of fierce countenance, theAntichrist, the man of sins and son of perdition, whocould not be revealed until the Church was taken away,and also the Holy Ghost, which has been hindering himhitherto (2 Thess. ii. 7'; Dan. ii. 31-45; vii. 7).He will be the great monarch of the world-the

greatest king which the worlel ever knew up to this time,and one with vast influence over the nations. Duringthese times we have traversed, the Jews will have re-turned to their own land and rebuilt their city andtemple, and shall have restored the daily sacrifice, andincreased and prospered in a way which shall have raisedthem to a position of power and influence in the world.To such a height they will have risen, with their goldand their silver, their chariots and their horses (Isaiahii.), that Antichrist will think it worth his while tomake a covenant with them, which he will succeed indoing. He will come in his own name, and be received,and they will regard him as their Messiah (though somewill doubt), and make the covenant of seven years whichshall complete the seventy weeks of Daniel (Daniel ix.27).At the expiration of three and a-half years Antichrist

will be revealed in his own character as the Man of sin(2 Thess. ii.). He will stop the daily sacrifice, whichhad been resumed, and have his own image set up in theholy place. Upon this they will begin to rebel againsthim, which will provoke a terrible persecution, not onlyof Jews, but others to whom we have not yet referred.Besides the Jews thus busily engaged in their own land,there will be another set of people in all lands who have


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SEPTEMBER, 1906. THE BIBLE STANDARD. 133not gone with the worldly multitude into all their ex-cesses and follies of pride and conceit. No doubt theywill be taken by surprise and disappointment when thesaints of God are translated and they left behind.This evcnt will have been a cause of solemn awaken-

ing to them, and it is .to them that "the Gospel of thekingdom" will then be preached (Matt. xxiv. 14).'Ye are led to believe that multitudes will be savedunder this preaching, after the Ohurch has been taken

up to be with the Lord; but they will have to go throughthe tribulation, and eventually, on refusing to receivethe mark of the beast on their hands, and on their re-fusing to worship Antichrist, they will be put to death.These arc the palm-bearing multitude, who shall come

out of the great tribulation, having washed their robeswhite in the blood of the Lanib ; and they will be associ-ated with the white-robed ones mentioned in Rev. vi.9-14. The tribulation of these days, the Lord tells us,shall be great, such as was not from the beginning of theworld unto this time; no, nor ever shall be. Thewrath of Goel will be poured out on the earth at thistime, and a series of woes and calamities upon thechildren of men to which there has been no parallel.See Rev. xii., xiii., etc.

'1 '0 sum up, now let us group togcther the events wehave mentioned, and we shall se e what is the characterof the interval between the advent of Christ in the airand His advent upon the earth.After anti-tribulation translation, worldly prosperity

will prevail; then social and moral disorganisation willfollow, produced by the carelessness and selfishness ofprosperous men; then the wild rage of human passions,religious and political strife growing out of the antagon-ism of opposite principles, and the deadly hatred of theoppressor and oppressed-horrid war, dragging herdeath-dealing artillery through every land-fearful pes-tilence, spreading her death-pall through every city andcountry-squalid famine, imprinting her ghastly fea-tures on famished multitudes-terrible earthquakes,whirlwinds, tempests, spreading devastation everywhere-bodily diseases, noisome and grievous sores-the heatof the earth intensified by the solar rays-the mostnecessary clement of water turned into blood.The heart aches at a further recital of these things.

But it is no fancy picture; it is a copy of the terribleoriginal, which prophetic seers drew upon the inspiredpage many hnndred years ago. Imagine these things,and see a summary of them given by our blessed Lord inthe 24th chapter of Matthew. Sce the same things, inthe same order, figured in the opening of the seals inthe 6th chapter of Revelation. When the first seal isopened, the Lord Himself goes forth (after the Ohurchis safe in heaven) to see what the sons of men are doingon the earth. Then follows a trinity of evil-the red,black, and pale horses representing war, pestilence, andfamine. Then the next three seals refer to the perse-cutions and troubles on the earth, and the physicalchanges which are to take place. The trumpets, and

sores, and vials of wrath tell of the awful things whichshall come to pass (Hev. viii, to xvi.).The last act of this tremendous drama will be the

mustering of armies to the great battle of Armageddon,which shall be a gathering together of all the armies ofall the kings, under Antichrist himself, to besiege andtake Jerusalcm. So important and great will this citybe, that the wrath and jealousy of all the world shall beagainst her, and it will attempt her destruction. Butthe Lord will appear in a moment of time when thebesiegers will be triumphing, and the besieged come totheir extremity. 'I'he Lord's opportunity will be then,and His great and wonderful deliverance; and they willsay to Him-"Thisi;; our God. Blessed is J-Je thatcometh in the name or the Lord." May this bare out-line, such as it is, be the means of guiding hearts to amore particular study of this marvellous subject!

REST POH. THE WEARY."COllie unto Me, all ye Lhat labour and arc heavy laden,

and I will give you resi."-llJA'l'l'. xi. 28.'l'IUS passage has been the basis of thousands or di -courses, delivered by earnest preachers, Ior the purposeof winning weary-burdened sinners to rest and safety inChrist. The words have always bad a charm Ior thosewho have seen in Jesus the Saviour for men. Howsimple they arc, and yet their posi tion in the context,and the Person who invite,', make them full of wonderfulmeaning. I cannot add to their charm, but r desire toshow you the setting in which they occur, tha t, il pos-sible, J may lead you to appreciate their teaching more,and that some may be led to accept the invitation andthe rest that is proffered. ;The chapter presents succinctly the manner in wh ieh

the message brought by Christ and His forerunner hadbeen received. It is a saddening record. The generalattitude of present-day hearers of the Gospel is a sug-gesti ve commentary upon that story, as showing thatthe human heart is still the same. Yet, when we re-member that wonderful history of the Isruelitish people,and follow the line of covenant awl prophecy which ledon towards the restoration of the Kingdom of God tothem, it will ever be a canse for marvel why that peopleshould have refused to accept their Messiah. Theyhoard, and were astonished, but the rousing of curiosityby the marvels wrought did not necessarily mean thec-onversion of those who beheld. The general want ofbelief, together with the imprisonment then being en-


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134 THE BIBLE STANDARD.durcd by him, compelled John to send messengers to theLord to ask; "Art Thou H that cometh P" The answerthat is given is of a nature which must satisfy the im-prisoned herald. But the people do not seem to be im-pressed. Like children sitting in the market place, andnot able to agree upon the game to be played, they re-solved, in fact, to reject every proffer. So the Lordmourns failure, not for His own sake, but for the inevit-able judgment that must follow the rejection of theabundant and complete testimony granted. That peopleturned away from the grandest message that eversounded in human ears, and commented upon the per-sonal characteristics of the preacher, exaggerated them,in fact, and then made their exaggerations the excusefor passing the message by. Is there anything like thisto-day? The dress, style, pronunciation of the preacherare criticised; the failings and peculiarities of churchmembers are noted, and are allowed to shut out the mes-sage of divine grace which is on offer to men. Is that yourcase? I beseech yon to stay and think whether or notyou are allowing little things that are near to blot outthe glorious news of redemption. The view of thecountry around you, from some suitable height, may bevery lovely, but you can blot it out by a sixpence closeto your eye.There was individual failure to accept the Saviour's

message, but there was more. His was also a nationalmessage, containing a splendid proffer. How was it re-ceived? Take a few of the cities where it was on offer.It is as if the vote of the municipality went against it.Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are named. Inthem marvellous works were wrought, the purposebeing to substantiate the message. and to verify theclaims; but "they repented not." Later, Jerusalem, themetropolis, has the public proffer of the Messiah, and Heis rejected. Over all may be written the same sentence,"They repented not." To-day the gospel of grace comesto us, but it makes the same demand, "Repent." If itdid not so imperiously require that he who believes itshould conform to it, there would be the,usands of be-lievers where now there are units.Well, that chapter records failure, yet the Saviour is

not cast down. He has yet a source of joy. Joy? What,in face of almost universal rejection! What was it thatcould buoy Him up in such experiences? 'I'hat Hespeaks in verse 25 in a spirit of exultation is evident.On turning to Luke x. 21, you find a connection whichhelps to explain this utterance of gladness. The Seventyhave returned, and given their report. It is one of vic-tory over evil persons and influences. The powers ofevil are compelled to yield to the gifts granted to thedisciples, and this is a pledge of the ultimate conquestwhich shall more than fill the original covenantedmercies and predicted blessings. It is the future whichcauses Him joy. He rejoiced. Had riches been left toHim? Had He escaped the Cross? Did great men fawnupon Him and acknowledge His claims? No; none ofthese things came His way. "I'was the joy that was set

before Him which called forth His utterance of praise.The ultimate fulfilment of the "unchangeable counsel"was in sight, for the earnests were paid down. Whatmattered it, then, that there were many doubters, andthat the cities repented not. The loss was theirs. Thecallous indifference, the open opposition could not stopthe incoming of the great purpose, and the evidence ('1its certain advent was present in the faith and adhesionof His humble band of disciples, and in the powers the)were able to exercise against the forces of evil. Thiswas the earnest of the joy before Him. The movementhad begun, and nothing could stop its final manifesta-tion.Listen to the striking claim, "All things have been

delivered unto Me of My Father." 'I 'he circumstancesjust cited make this assertion to stand out prominently.He, the rejected one, soon to be nationally cast off,claims lordship over all things. That claim is made byHim on more than one occasion, and it is stamped withGod's own seal of approval by the resurrection of Christfrom the dead. What are the "all things?" It is atthis point where a closer study of the 'W ord is needed.The hazy and incomplete ideas held on this matter pre-vent an adequate appreciation of the position really heldby the Messiah. It is enough, it is thought, to preachChrist as the Saviour from sin and from the grave. Heis supposed to grant an entrance to heaven and to savefrom hell. But such ideas fall far short of the trueposition and work of Christ, as set forth in this gospelof Matthew. There, He is the heir to the Kingdom ofGod to be set up on the earth, and it is this fact whichyields the key to the expression "all things," and whichgives the true value to the invitation given. In onebreath the Lord claims the possession of "all things,"and in the other He says, "Come unto Me." It is notonly as a tender and compassionate Saviour desirous ofbeing helpful to weak and burdened men that He speaks,but it is as the Lord of all, rejoicing at the prospectbefore Him, and at the effects which are to hand astestimonies of what shall be when His authority is infull and universal exercise that He says, "Come untoMe." If the meaning of that invitation is to be deter-mined from an estimate of the assertion of verse 27,then we can say, "He has inexhaustible wealth and cansupply, and He has control of the forces of omnipotence,and nothing can hinder the operations of His gifts.""Come unto Me." What is involved in the coming?vVe reply there must be faith. Faith in what? The

passage clearly shows what. It is a recognition of theclaims of the Christ. When the Lord spake, this wasHis gospel. After His ascension, the disciples heraldedthe same gospel, and presented the claims of the risenChrist to the heirship of the world, and showed thatthese claims were vindicated by the power of God in theresurreetion from the dead. To what does your faithreach out? If not to the Gospel as here set forth, seeto it that your heart opens to the gladsome news of theChrist of God, and believe and confess Him as Lord. In


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SEPTEM:Bl!:B, 1s o s , THE BIBLE STANDARD. 135that confession lies everything that God has promisedconcerning Him.What will He give? He will give "rest." The bless-

ing is designed to meet the need. Whatever that needmay be, be assured that in the resources of Him whohas "all things" under control there will be the bestow-ment which will meet thy need. Who can put a limit toit? When all individual and immediate needs are satis-fied, it reaches out and takes in the accomplishment ofGod's great design to "bless all families of the earth."Indeed, it is because of its great extent that it can sofully satisfy the needs of the individual Strike outyour line of thought or desire on any conceivable lineof human need, and the word of Christ will meet you,"I will give you rest."Yes, we are coming to the source of perfect satisfac-

tion when we come to Him, and for our encouragementand assurance we are informed that all things are de-Iivered unto Him; therefore He can give rest.Are any restless because of sin? Take yourself to

Him. "I'is such He invites, and within the circle of"all things" is the prerogative of pardon and the assur-ance of acceptance, and of the bestowment of eternal life.The grip by faith of this promise enables you to say,"N ow being made free from sin." He offers the onlytrue rest. There is a tradition of an Indian chief, who,with his tribe, fled before the prairie fires till they hadcrossed the broad river which gave safety, and thenhe stuck his tent-pole into the ground and cried,"Alabama" ("Here we may rest"). He was no prophet,for hostile tribes overpowered him and his people, andthey found graves where they sought a home.' Thismay be a parable for us. Some there are, like the manin the Gospel who would build his barns bigger, and theylook forward to rest as the result of present effort, andwhen the point is attained are ready to cry "Alabama."Alas! no. Here is no rest. The garnered wealth of theworld will not ease an unquiet heart. Some seek tostifle conviction by pleasure, but with ceaseless energythe cry will arise, "Here is no rest." But perfect restis attainable. The forgiveness of sins, with the assur-ance of a share in rest which will be eternal and completeis proffered, and with these "the rest that remaineth forthe people of God." There is an old legend that one dayRabbi J udah and his brethren, the seven pillars of wis-dom, sat down disputing about rest, and one said "thatit was to have attained sufficient wealth, yet without sin."The second, "That it was fame and praise of men;" thethird, "That it was the possession of power to rule theState;" the fourth, "That it consists in a happy home;"the fifth, "That it must be in the old age of one who isrich, powerful, famous, and surrounded by children'schildren." The sixth said "That all was vain unless a mankept all the ritual of the law." And Rabbi Judah, thetallest and the most venerable of the brethren, said,"Ye have all spoken wisely, but one thing is yet neces-sary. He only can rest who to all these things addeththis, that he keepeth the tradition of the elders." 'I'here

sat in the court a fair-haired boy playing with lilies inhis lap, and, hearing the talk, he dropped them from hishands with astonishment, and, looking up, said, "Nay,nay, fathers; he only loveth rest who loves his brotheras himself and God with his whole heart and soul. Heis greater than wealth, and fame, and power, happierthan a happy home without it, better than an honouredold age; he is a law to himself, and better and abovetradition." The rabbis were astonished, and they said,"When Christ cometh will He tell us greater things?"And they thanked God, and said, "Old men are notalways wise."See how the promise is joined to the invitation, "I

will give you rest." The munificent Saviour will giveto all who will have it. He will not, cannot break Hisword, and whosoever will can put the strain of his faithupon that, and it will not fail.There is another word, "Take My yoke." The place

to whi~h you are called is one of service. The rest isnot one of sleep and inactivity. As it was the Son'sgood pleasure to do the Father's will, so must it be yoursto do His will: To take His yoke, to bear the burden Hemay see fit for you to bear. 'Twill not be too heavy, forthe strength of omnipotence is yours to draw upon. Thetwo things must go together-faith and obedience. TheSaviour 1inked them, and woe betide the man who wouldsever the bond. Believe and obey. He who thus yieldswill prove to full satisfaction that the yoke of the Lordis easy, and His service is a delightful labour. Listenonce again to the sweet chime of bells, "I will give yourest." He is pledged to it, and 'tis joy to Him for thesinner to put Him to the test. Prove Him, and find thatHe cannot fail of His good word.

[Address given in West Street by the Editor.] "1be (tom etb .""He cometh." Who ? The "same" dear LordWho rose from Olivet, adoredBy the few friends who saw Him riseTo His fair home above the skies.

(Acts i. 11.)

(Heb. ix. 24.)"He cometh." Why ? To call His ownFrom earth, and graves, to share His throne,His own sweet promise to fulfil;And carry out His blessed "will."

(John xiv, 3.)(John xvii. 24.)

"He cometh." ""'hen? "Ve cannot say,But on God's mm appointed day. (Heb. x. 37.)'Ye in His rapturous joy shall share,Rising to meet Him in the air. (l\Iark xiii. 20, 35.)"He cometh." How? In glorious might,Enfolded in a robe of light, (Titus ii. 13, 14.)To meet the bride He died to win,Saved from a world of death and sin. (Songs ii. 8, 10.)"He cometh." 'Yhere? To upper skies,Concealed by clouds from sinners' eyes. (I Thes. iv. 17.)May we be watching, and prepareWith holy joy to meet Him there! (1 John ii. 28.)

BETA.


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Ti-LE BIBLE STANbARb.TABLE OF OONTENT&

'I'u a MONTH ..HPROPHETIC THINGS TO COME" ECHOES FROM WEST STREETHI~ COMETII ..ASSOCIATION NOTESDEBATE AT \\" AIHIHER WORK MILLENNIAL MISSIONARIES GREAT THINGSMISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES ..THE HOME CIRCLE-IN QUES'l' O~ TRUTHCHURCH AND MISSION NEWSCHRISTIAN BAND ..~UNSHlNE CORNERTHE ARMOUR OF' PHOO~'TUEASUHER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PAGE.. 129-132.. 132 133

133-135135136

.. 136-137137

. 138--139139HO

.. lU-H2142143143144It!

~ (b~ 6ibl~ S t a n d a r d . ~/ ~}.Y

MONTHTLY ORGAN0" THE

ntw Zealand Eoangtl is t lt a! ld P u blit at lo n J ls $oclatlon.EDITED BY GEORGE ALDRIDGE.

ASSISTED BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

TIle Editor wishes it to be unders tood t hat, while he exercises a I::"l:neral super-vinion over the articles and Correspondence appearing in the STANDUD, reaponsl-Lility for sentiments expressed rests upon the individual writer.

ttsso ciatio n 1Rotes.In accordance with custom, the Association held its

annual midwinter meeting in the course of the month.A change in the form of the meeting was adopted, andinstead of the decorations and refreshments inseparablyconnected with a social, it was thought wise to have anordinary meeting at which the story of our work couldbe told "without the distractions necessarily attendantupon the more diversified gathering. As it was decidedthere should be no collection taken, it was felt that therewas no reason that anyone should be disappointed. A faircompany assembled, and, under the leadership of thePresident (Bro. Wilcock), the prc,;ramme was gonethrough in satisfactory manner. Brethren White andAldridge were the speakers, and these gave interestingitems in connection with our work. Bro. Cameron, ofHelensville, gave testimony to the valuable services ren-dered bv the Association to the cause in hi" township.Others ;vitnessed to the value of the work, and urgedthat all should feel the importance of assisting as activepartners in the concern to forward its interests. In thecourse of the evening the choir, under the leadership ofBro. L. E. Falkner, largely contributed by their musicto the pleasure of the occasion, and the 8010by Bro. C. B.King was much appreciated. The Executive feels en-C'011r::lge(1,s a result of this meeting, at the evidence ofinterest taken in the work assigned to it, and hopes thatit will not be long before there will be tangible testimonythat our work has received new impetus, and is pro-ducing more abundant fruit.

The textual problem put before our readers in lastissue has been solved by our Bro. Christy, who :finds thepassage in Job xxxii. 9., A.V. He goes on to say that ithas no obvious connection with the idea of going toheaven, but states a clear truth. To this we would addthat its connection gives a further truth, that true wis-dom is from God, for "the breath of the Almighty givethunderstanding."

'!D ebate at UU laib i.NOT very long ago the town of Waihi was experiencinga revival, and was cited by lllany church people as theplace where a work of grace was beginning that it washoped would sweep through the colony. That period ofexcitement, however, passed away, and now that town isexhibiting a great interest in I:)piritism The adventof a young man, formerly an Anglican minister, who,after some personal experiences, took the platform andlectured in its favour, prepared the way for a lady"missionary" from the States, who speedily filled thelargest hall in the town, charming the people by heroratory, and astonishing them by her familiarity withthe spirits, who simply thronged her in their eagernessto send spirit-messages to their friends; Before shearrived, however, a debate on "Spiritualism" was underarrangement. After some addresses and rejoinders byBro.Foster and Mr. Hicks, the ex-clergyman aforesaid, theparties had agreed to spend three nights (August 20, 21,23) in debate. The programme set out that Mr. Fosterwould affirm for two nights :-

(a )" That the Bible teaches that man is by naturemortal.(b ) That in death he is unconscious.

( c) That a future life depends on the resurrectionof man from the dead.

There were to be negatived by Mr. Glanville Hicks,who, on the third night, would make affirmation:-

(a ) That modern Spiritualism is thoroughly Bibli-cal and consistent with Christianity.

(b ) That it tends to moral advancement and anuplifting of humanity.

1\1r. Fitzherbert, solicitor, consented to preside. Thediscussion was held in the Academy of Music. On thefirst evening Mr. Foster kept closely to his proposition,and spent the forty minutes of his opening address inciting Biblical evidence in support of his thesis. It wasa surprise to many, when Mr. Hicks rose to reply, tohear him devoting time to showing that Genesis wasunreliable, and the Old Testament generally a book con-taining many contradictions, thus undermining the bookaccepted by both disputants as the court of appeal. Hecontended, however, that the Bible contained abundantevidence in favour of SOl11Immortality, and assertedthat Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Enoch, though dead,had continuity of life assigned to them. The answer tothe thief on the Cross, the parable of Dives Lazarus,taught conscious and intelligent existence beyond the


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SEPTEMBER, i906. THE BIBLE STANbARb.grave. 'I'hese fairly established the doctrine of naturalimmortality.Mr. Foster insisted that his opponent had not adduced

one text that gave clear evidence in favour of his posi-tion, and then proceeded to show how some of the pas-sages quoted taught the exact opposite to Mr. Hick'sinference.On the second evening the discussion was continued byMr. Hicks, who asserted that science had its testimony tobear on this important matter. He then adduced certainarguments, which, he claimed, clearly established all hiscontention on man's present immortality. Further, theBible was literally soaked with it. True, there was notext which definitely asserted it, but neither was thereany passage that forbade polygamy or slavery.In his reply Mr. Foster called attention to the manner

in which his opponent had left the Bible that he mightwander through ancient philosophy and so-called modernscience. Why was this? Because Mr. Hicks could notfind his contention supported in Scripture. 'I'he Bookdid not teach the doctrine, and ought not to be ladenwith it. He challenged the production of the name of asingle Hebrew scholar of repute who assigned the mean-ing of natural immortality to any Hebrew wore refer-ring to man's present nature. Mr. Hick's cause was lostbecause he appealed to heathen mythology and science,and could not rest it upon the Bible, the book of. refer-ence for that debate.On the Thursday evening the disputants faced a larger

audience, showing that there was more interest in thetopic for discussion that night. The opening address of1 \ 1 1 ' . Hicks, who affirmed, was wholly given to the citationof arguments and proofs" to establish the contentionthat mind could exist without matter. Local cerebraldisturbances, dreams, delusions, etc., were proofs, asshown by authorities on cerebral physiology. He de-nounced vehemently the duplicity and fraud practisedunder the name of Spiritualism, but contended therewere no counterfeits without real coins.When Mr. Foster rose he said he had nothing to

answer. No attempt had been made to show that hisfriend's view was Biblical, and no evidence was forth-coming to show its uplifting power. He must thereforenow show that modern Spiritualism was neither Biblicalnor good. He was proceeding to cite the history of theorigin of this modern phase, when there occurred a mostextraordinary incident. 'I'he chairman suddenly inter-posed, and asserted that Mr. Foster must follow thearguments of his opponent. Mr. Foster contended thatthere was nothing to answer, and he would stick to theproposition under discussion. But the chairman wasobstinate. Mr. Hicks stated that, as far as he was con-cerned, Mr. Foster could proceed his own way. Thenthe chairman demanded to see the book quoted by Mr.Foster ("Spiritualism Unveiled"), and said that as itwas not a standard Spiritualistic book it was not rele-vant, and could not be used. Mr. Foster pointed outthat no objection had been taken to his opponent's

methods and quotations, but all to no purpose. At onetime the meeting was a scene of confusion, but eventu-ally there was quiet, and Mr. Foster resumed his address,again to be interrupted by the over-zealous occupant ofthe chair. Even when Mr. Foster was allowed to proceedhe had spoken but a short time, when the chairmanrang him down without allowing the speaker the timetaken up by the interruptions. The Waihi Telegraph,in its report, said: Thus concluded the most excitingpassage-at-arms since the historic public meeting heldby the Borough Council, when a section refuted chargesbrought against them by fellow-members just after theformation of the borough."Till that point the debate had proceeded with good

temper and genial speech, and had been followed withclose interest, and it was a thousand pities that it shouldbe spoiled by the injudicious action of the chairman.It cannot be said that very hearty support was given

by the local churches, but those who did attend freelyconceded that Bro. Foster kept closest to the terms ofthe propositions, and clearly showed that Scripture sup-ported his contentions.So much local interest having been taken in the dis-

cussion, the Editor gave an address on Spiritualism11e1'SUS Christianity" at a combined meeting of thechurches on the following Sunday evening in the Miners'Hall. At the request of a few interested persons, healso lectured on the Monday evening in the Academy ofMusic to an attentive audience on Impressions of theDebate." At the close several questions were asked andanswered. Thus closed an interesting week, in which the'I'ruth had an opportunity of coming into close warfarewith error, and we are quite satisfied that Spiritism hasnot made a good showing in the battle. EDITOR. 1b er \ro lo rk .A J\lOTHERonce said to a popular teacher who had beenadored by her pupils for a score of years: What a wideand beneficent influence you have exerted, while I havebeen cooped up at home, managing servants, dosing themumps and measles, and patching and darning! Hownarrow my life looks beside yours."Narrow!" cried her friend. Think how you have

sent forth into the world every morning your husbandand your flock of boys and girls, full of health and cheer!What a model home you have created for all your friendsto see! It is I who have lived a narrow life rather thanyou. What is the slight touch which I may have givento a thousand or more lives compared with the deep, de-termining influence which you have yielded over thehalf dozen in your home?""Is it possible that you think so!" exclaimed the tired

mother, incredulously."I know so. I have watched your children in school.

They radiate everywhere an atmosphere of love andlight, and it was you who gave it to them."-Heraldand Presbyter.


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'tHE BtBLE S'tANbARb. SEPTEMBER, 1906.{JDt l lenn ia l m is s ionar ie s .

"I will send those that escape of them unto the nations thathave not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and theysha ll declare my glory among the nations."-ls. Ixvi. ID.ALL Christians are agreed that a time is coming whenthe whole world shall be converted. It is certain thatJ ehovah intends to subject all nations to Himself. Itis indeed a bright prospect that presently this earth shallbe a perfect Paradise, in which poverty shall be un-known, sickness shall be infrequent, and death so com-paratively rare that one dying a hundred years old willbe reckoned as a mere child (ls. Ixv. 20 ). The curse ofwar will no longer afflict the nations, for national jeal-ousies will have ended, the great question of labour v.capital be happily for ever settled, and the royal law,"Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself" (J ames ii.8) universally observed. There will be no idolatry inman's worship, no foolery in their amusements, notrickery in their business, no misery in their homes; itwill be like a new world, and life in that day will indeedbe worth living.But all this is future-perchance a distant future-

and not a subject particularly helpful to me to-day.Life is a hard struggle, a regular fight from beginningto end. There's no rest from the turmoil till we rest inour graves. We must keep on the move, or shall betrampled down by the rush and push around us. Saysone, "It's all very well talking of the good days that arecoming, but they never come, and when they do come itwill be too late for me-it won't be in my time." Well,suppose not, but should wc not be very glad that theywill come in the time of somebody else? Perhaps thecluldrer: of ihis qeneratio may enjoy the good thingsthat are coming! And as to ourselves, though wc diefirst, if we have a part in the first resurrection, we mayhave the privilege of revisiting this earth and seeing itunder its changed condition-a converted, restored, andhappy world.By what means is the regeneration and restoration of

a fallen world to be brought about? Let us at once saythat it will not be by the agency of the Church. Thereis not a single verse in the Bible that speaks of theuplifting of mankind as a race by Gentile ministers andmissionaries. Besides, if this was a task beyond theChurch in Apostolic times, when it was comparativelypure and united, much more so to-day, when it is splitup into a hundred sections, each jealous of and, in somemeasure, hostile to the rest. Christendom is a poor oldbattered wreck, worn out, eaten away with the wormsof error, weakened by its numerous foolish traditions;while unbelieving secularism is growing, spreading, andbecoming more rampant day by day.When and how shall this world be saved from the

power of Satan and the curse of sin?When? Not until the T,01'd Jesus Christ shall have

returned from the heavenly places and be seated on Hisearthly throne at Jerusalem. How? It is the redeemedpeople of Israel-restored to their own land-who will

be sent forth as missionaries to carry the light of salva-tion to the ends of the earth. This is one reason forthe marvellous preservation of the Hebrews as a nation.God, through the prophet Isaiah, said, "Destroy it not,for a blessing is in it" (Ixv. 8). A blessing! Aye, greatand manifold blessings have we alrcady received throughthe nation of Israel. Our :English laws are, to a greatextent, founded on those of Moses, and our religion isbuilt upon the words of the Hebrew man Jesus. Thebooks of the Bible (except that of Luke's gospel) areall the writings of men of the Hebrew race. And ifthere be anything clean, lovely, and of good reportamong the nations, it is attributable chiefly to thosesacred wri tings which emanated from the land of Pales-tine. But the gracious influence of the past is as no-thing compared to that which is yet to make itself mani-fest. Of Israel it has been said by the Lord God ofIsrael, whose promises never fail, "And it shall come topass that, as ye were a curse among the nations, 0 houseof Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and yeshall be a blessing" (Zcck, viii. 13). "In days to comeshall J acob take root; ] srael shall blossom and bud:and they shall fill the face of the earth with fruit" (ls.xxvii. 6). "And the remnant of Jucob shall be in themidst of many peoples as dew from the Lord, as showersupon the grass" (Micah v. 7). "Thou shalt arise andhave mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea,the set time is come." And what will be the conse-quence ? "So the heathen shall fear the name of theLord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory" (Ps. cii.13, 15). "God shall bless us," says the sweet singer ofIsrael; and the wonderful outcome is that "all the endof the earth shall fear Him" (Ps. lxvi i. 'I).Such arc some of the predictions of Israel's prophetsregarding the grand work that is to be theirs ill the day

of their restoration. When the Lord is merciful to Hispeople and His land, then all the earth will share in theblessing. "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad withher all ye that love her," for the promised time of herprosperity will be the grand harvest time of missionarysuccess. "For if the casting away of them" (the peopleof Israel) "is the reconciling of the world" (to God),"what shall the receiving" (restoration to God's favour)"of them be, but" (to the world, as) "life from thedead" (Rom. xi. 15)? The high honour that their long-despised Messiah, J ehovah-J esus, has in reserve forthem, though they know it not in these days of theirdarkness and unbelief, is that they are the Lord's ap-pointed missionaries to all lands to make Christ's salva-tion known to all peoples. When God shall have purifiedthe nation and fitted them for their mission, having sur-prised them with the overflowing abundance of temporaland spiritual blessings conferred upon them, they shallbe sent-thousands of them-to all parts of the earthto preach the goodness of salvation. Speaking of thatclay, Tsaiah said to Israel, "Ye shall be named the priestsof the Lord: men shall call you the ministers of ourGod all that see them shall acknowledge them


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SEPTEMDER, i906 . THE BIBLE STANbARD.that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed"(Is. lxi. 6-9).'I'he coming age is to be pre-eminently a Hebrew agl-'

(as this is a Gentile age). The Temple will be rebuiltat J er usalem, sacrifices will be offered therein (1;.. x1 .-xlviii.}, and the seventh day Sabbath will be universallyobserved (ls. lxvi. 23). Israel, under David's Son, isto have "the first dominion" (Micah iv. 8; Ps. lxii. 8).Jesus shall be King of kings and Lord of lords. r cAndtile remnant of J acob shall be among the nations, inthe midst of many peoples, as a lion among the beastsof the forest. The nations shall see and be ashamed ofall their might; they shall come with fear unto the Lor ~our God, and shall be afraid because of thee" (JUicah v .8; vii. 16, 17).But when shall this happy day be? -We repeat that

it cannot be till Christ has returned from heaven inorder to commence His millennial reign. And this send-ing forth of Israelitish heralds throughout the earth toannounce His presence at Jerusalem, and to claim thesubmission and loyalty of all mankind, is one of thefirst acts of His gracious reign. And the preachingshall not be in vain. Accompanied by showers of Pente-costal blessing, very speedily shall be fulfilled theapostles' words, "That in the name of Jesus every kneeon earth shall bow, and every tongue shall confess thatJesus Christ is Lord" (Lord of the whole earth)-Phil.ii. 10, 1l.It has been asked, why Israelitish and not Gentile

missionaries? The Church, as at present constituted,has put forth herculean efforts to make known the gospelof Christ. Surely such efforts will be rewarded at lastby the successful evangelisation of the world! And,again, why is needed the personal presence of Christ at.Ierusalom ? From heaven He can manifest His power_and reign as King!

Our reply is, the Bible says that it is after Christ hasreturned, and af ter Israel is restored that the world shallbe converted and cleansed, and therefore at no othertime and under no other circumstances can this wonder-ful event take place. If it were the mission of theChurch to bring the world to the feet of the Saviour,we should be plainly told so, but nowhere in the Scrip-hues is such contemplated mode of procedure madeknown. Instead of that, the failure of the Church tomaintain its own uprightness is distinctly and repeat-edly foretold, together with its ultimate rejection onthe part of Him whom it calls Lord and Master (Rom.xi. 22). Indeed, Christ Himself forewarned, "Whenthe Son of man cometh, shall He find the faith on theearth" (Luke xviii. 8)? The end of this Gentile agewill not be characterised by the evangelisation of thenations, but by the reign of Antichrist, great tribula-tion, unparalleled wickedness, and the return of Israelto their own land in unbelief and continued rejectionof: J esus of Nazareth.Human speculation as to the how and the when of the

future is an impertinence. We must acknowledge that

we know nothing, and must simply believe what Godhas revealed in His Word. Of course, God could savethe world by the agency of the Church, but He has beenpleased to make known that He is not going to do it inthat way. God is God. He takes not counsel with menas to what He should or should not do. He has Hisown plans and purposes. What He might do, or can do,is no concern of ours. We have simply to read what Hehas said He will do and believe it, and be grateful thatIf c condescends to tell us anything at all about "daysto come." And we may be quite sure that His way isbetter than our way, for He is infinitely wise.The repugnance of men-even Christian men-to the

coming of the Lord to reign on earth is so strong, andthe idea of the Hebrew race lording it over the Gentilenations is so hateful to Gentile pride, that Churchleaders almost unanimously deny and reject both doc-trines. 'I'hey insist that the Church shall eventuallyconvert the world, and meanwhile Christ in heavenreigns over the earth. But such arc not God's thoughts,nor His revelation in the Scriptures. Just as the Gospelwas first preached at Jerusalem, and thence was sent tothe Gentiles, so shall it be again after the return of Jesusand the restoration of Israel, for Micah and Isaiah bothassert that "in the latter days. . out of Zion shallgo forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jeru-salem."This dark Gentile age is fast running its course, and

will soon reach its close. The new age-the Israelitishage-is near at hand, and the Sun of Righteousness isabout to arise with healing in His wings. Great andwonderful will be the issue in our long-distracted worldwhen the Most Gracious King Emmanuel (God withus) shall send His word to every nation, people, andtribe by His chosen millennial missionaries.Hotorua. C. CRISP BROWN.

< B r e a t \rbtnga .

God's heart is great,But not more great than strong, and not more strong than

tender;Of every blessing worth the having He is the sender.That heart of His beats true to every human sorrow;

And therefore .j /! !I may trust Him for the morrow.God's hand is great,

But not' more great than rich, and not less rich for civinc :'1'1 I'f f ki d f . . t:> '" ,le 1 e.o as ,mg an 0 t~kmg IS worth the living.J\q life IS poor. My need IS great and always growing;

But then,My Father's hand is overflowing.

God's home is great,13~ltnot more ~reat than .glad, and not more glad than holy;" here God abld~s there IS no room for melancholy .My Father WIlt Thou take my hand that I may wander-never.And make .~Iy hca rt Thy home for ever? n. R. HARDING,WOOD. He does most for self who does most for others.


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140 THE BIBLE STANDARD.lRicbea tbat :a re J 8te rna l.

A nobleman in the north of England once said to afriend who accompanied him on a walk, "These beautifulgrounds as far as your eye can reach, those forests ofvaluable timber on the mountain side, and those vastmines full of precious metals, all belongto me. Yonderpowerful steam engines obtain the produce of my mines,and those ships convey my wealth to other parts of thekingdom." "Well, my lord," his friend replied, "do yousee yonder small cottage that seems but a small speck 011your estate? 'I'here dwells a poor woman who can saymore than all this, for she can say 'Christ is mine.' Shewas once ignorant of all religious truths, but she soughtthe guiding light, which brought her to the Saviour. Ina few years you must give up your possessions, for youcan carry nothing away with you when you die; butwhen Christ returns she will enter upon a far nobler in-heritance, reserved for those kept by the power of Godthrough faith unto salvation."-Sel.

S cepttca l jfo ll}?Infidels may boast of their wisdom and power, but it

is in vain. A gentleman delivered a lecture, in NewJersey, against infidelity. The next morning an infidelinquired of him: "Aren't you the man who said, lastnight, that you could prove in ten minutes that all in-fidels were fools? If you don't prove it to my satisfac-tion Iwill publish you in all the city papers."'I'he gentleman-Mr. Hyde-asked: "Where is your

infidel ?""1 claim to be one," was the reply."You don't mean to say that there is no reality inChristianity, do you?""1 do, sir. 1 have studied all phases of the subject,and have delivered lectures against it for twelve years,and am prepared to say there is nothing in it.""You are certain there is nothing in it?""Yes, sir; there is nothing in it.""Will you please tell me," said Mr. Hyde, "if a man

who will lecture twelve years against nothing is not afool, what in your judgment would constitute a fool?"Thus will every infidel be proved who fights against

the Book of God. That sacred Book is not to be trifledwith by poor, puny man. It is the greatest of insultsthat can be offered the great God of the universe, whohas so kindly devised the plan of salvation for the bestinterests of all humanity. His goodness should lead noto reverence Him and His Word. No man can do greaterhonour to another than to believe his word. So it is withGod; without faith it is impossible to please Him; forhe that cometh to Him must believe that He is and is arewarder of them that diligently seek Him.Go


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SEPTEMBER, 1906. THE BIBLE STANDARD. 141. t ..'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cb~f i o m ~ ird~.~~H::H~:t::t::t::t::t::t::t::t::t::t:~:t::t::t::t::t::t::t:}:; - , :$ i:. ,-.- ,

5n < lI2 ,uest of n:r u tb .CHAPTER VII.

The announcement made by Mr. Keithat the close of Mr. Wrens' lecture wasquite a surprise to the people, as theyhardly expected that the shy and diffi-dent man would venture to oppose thesedoctrines in public. In truth, it. ~as across which Mr. Keith would wil linglyhave shunned, but he felt that the matterwas so important. and so closely affectedthe honour of the Lord and the truth ofHis Word, that all considerations of selfmust be put on one side that the errormisrht be manifested. He knew therewe~e very few in the clll~rch. w~o hadcither the leisure, or the inelina.tion, tocive that close examination to the mat-ter which it demanded, and that, havingLne opportunity to investigate, it wouldbe necessary for him to give the resultof his findings. Philip would gladlyhave been the spokesman for his uncle,but in this instance Mr. Keith deemed itadvisable to undertake the task himself,so that, if questions arose, he would bethe person responsible for the answers.During the few days that followed therewere some eazer inquiries as to the dateof the address, and when, at the Sundaymeetinzs the notice was given out thatMr. Kcith would conduct the Bible Classand srive an address upon "MillennialDawn Theories of the Person of Christ,"quite a little hum of ple~sed excitementpassed through the meetmg.. .Mr. Keith had largely wr-itten Ills ad-

dress, as he knew his lack of qualitiesfor public speech, and thus he felt nervedfor his task.On thc evcning appointed quite a large

number of members and friends gath-ered in the church building, and, withbut few exceptions, the supporters ofthe "Dawn" views were present. Thoseabsent had treated the whole matterwith contempt. "Who was Mr. Keiththat he should venture to set himself upas a critic of the teachings of Mr. Rus-sell ?" Our friend, Mr. Baker, was pre-sent, and it was noted by some that hedid not seem to weal' the confident airwhich marked him at the commence-ment of the lecture given by Mr. Wren:That he had come to hear was a goodthing, and his presence was a pleasingsurprise to some of the members, whothought that he would be one to keephimself aloof. However, here he was,and evidently determined to listen, andas determined, if opportunity offered, toput in a word for the teachings whichhad won his approval.After the singing of a hymn in hearty

fashion by the audience. and the offeringof a prayer by one of the brethren, Mr.Keith rose, and, adjusting his glasses,bezan to read from his manuscipt:-

'1 " 1 have been much struck with thefact that the 'Millennial Dawn' books

are being strongly commended for thethings in them, which are said ~o. begood, and which are held as ChrIstlan.doctrine by most of the churches, .andthat it is said, 'If there are other thingsin them which are not generally held,they may be considered as non-import~ntor non-essential.' Now, I am of opmionthat where such ideas are held, it canonly be because the books have .not beenread or the reading has been 1Il desul-tor/ and non-understanding fashi~n, forit is certain that the author did notissue these books for what they con-ta.ined in harmony with general Chris-tian belief but that the special featuresof his scheme might obtain a reception.My experience, as gathere~ from co~-verse and correspondence WIth many, IS,that the first volume only has been read,so that the development of the teachingas unfolded in the later volumes is prac-tically unknown, even to those who ha,:eprofessed to accept the views. It ISobvious that I cannot present to you aresume of all that I think I find to beerroneous in these volumes, but I havethought it of the utmost importancethat you should be advised of the atti-tude taken by them in regard to thePerson of our Lord. If unsound here,then other things can well be left, forthis would stamp them as utterly un-worthy of further consideration. If, ~nthe other hand, the views taught thereinconcerning our Saviour are true, thenit is certain we must revise all thathas hitherto been held concerning thepurpose of God, the work Of.Christ, an.dthe needs of sinful humanity. It ISclaimed that these volumes do honour tothe Lord, and, indeed, I possess corre-spondence in which this is boldly de-clared. I do not know what kind ofhonour is intended, as the matter is leftalmost wholly to the province of asser-tion; but I do know that, according tomy humble judgment, the statementsmade in the 'Dawn' volumes take fromthe Lord that which makes Him a pos-sible Saviour for me, robs Him of Hisposition as Redeemer for Israel, and pre-vents Him from becoming the Fulfillerof the promises. If these things aredone then it is obvious it is dishonourwhicil is done to Him. If I left thisin the realm of assertion, you would bejustified in giving my statement no heed,'but I purp~se to present you sufficientevidence to support it."To prepare for the line of testimony

to be presented, let us note that the OldTestament opens with the story of aman through whom sin and death passedunto all men. The history which fol-lows is the story of the race whichsprings from that mll:n, and Of. God'splan of redemption WlllC~ works 1~ con-nection with it. I notice that 111 theprogress of that redemptive work it ismade to turn upon the fulfilment of fourgreat promises, each centring in a Per-son."The first concerns the Seed of the

woman (Gen. iii. 15)."The second, the Seed of Abraham

(Gen. xii. 7)."The third, the Prophet like unto

Moses (Deut. xviii. 18).

"The fourth, the Son of David (2 Sam.vii. 12)."To satisfy and to perfect God's great

plan of redemption, it is necessary th~tthe Redeemer shall answer to each 1e-'lationship, and each relationship de-mands His manhood."The New Testament opens with the

story of One who meets and sa~isfi~sthese requirements. The genealogies 111Matthew and in Luke show that He wasborn Son of David and Son of Abraham.His mission to Israel shows Him to ~ethe Prophet like unto Moses, :;tnd Illsconflict with the powers of evil proveHim to be the promised Seed of thewoman."At this point 1 must introduce to

you some statements found in these vol-umes of 'Dawn.' I open Vol. H., and inthe chapter which professes to give themanner of the Second Advent I read:"'\Ne must bear in mind that our

Lord is no IonO'er a human being; thatas a human b~ing He gave Himself aransom for men, having become a mll:nfor that very purpose. . _ . He ISno longer human in any sense or degree;for we must not forget that we havelearned that natures are separate anddistinct. Since He is no longer in anysense or dezree a human being, we mustnot expect Him to come again as a hu-man being, as at the first Advent'(Vol. n., 107)."'Since His resurrection, though re-

taininz the same individuality, He wasno 100~O'erhuman, but an exalted spiritbeinO"(Vol. n., Ill)."an examining the 'Standard' Diction-

ary, I find that the definitio~ .of theword 'human' is: Of or pertammg to,or characterising man, or mankind, ind i-viaually or as a race; having the na-ture, qualities, or attributes of a man,or of mankind,"Some of you will be ready to say,'But Christ was raised from the dead,

and it is the change from this state tothe resurrection state underwent by ourLord which is intended by Mr. Russell.'But if we cull a few more extracts weshall get his idea more accurately. Notethe following:-"'Our Lord's human body was, how-

ever, supernaturally removed from thetomb, because, had it remained there, itwould have been an insurmountable ob-stacle to the faith of the disciples. . We know nothing about what be-came of it, except that it did not decayor corrupt. Whether it was dissolvedinto gases, or whether it is still pre-served somewhere as a grand memorial01 liod's love, of Christ's obedience, andof our redemption, no one lUlOWS; noris such knowledge necessarylience it will not surprise us if, in theKingdom, God shall show to the worldthe bodv of flesh, crucified for all ingiving ~ ransom on their behalf-notpermitted to corrupt, but preserved asa.n everlasting testimony of infinite loveand perfect obedience' (Vol. n., 130)."But this is not the strongest state-

ment made by the author, for in a latervolume I find these words:-"'It was necessary not only that the

man Christ Jesus should die, but just as


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THE BIBLE STANDARD. SEPTEMBER, 1906.necessu ry that the man Christ Jesusshould never live again, should remaindead, should remain our ransom priceto all etcrnity' (Vol. V., 4(5)."'The man .Iesus is dead, for ever

dead, and could not be a father 01' life-giver to the 1Y0rld.'-lb'id."These statements are necessary to

All'. Russell's theory. The language isunmistakeable, but is it true? 1 ampersuaded that it rests upon an entirelymistaken view of the Atonement, but Isubmit it can be more easily tested byan appeai to the promises already re-ferred to.'"( 1) Let me first citc thc testimony of

the apostles on this matter. Do they intheir witness-bearing on this subjectever hint at anything which gives COUl1-tena nee to this thoory? 1 am certainthat we can challenge the production ofa single text which gives the slightestcolour to it."'\\,ho111 God raised up, having loosed

the pangs of death; because it wns notposs ible that He should be holden of it'(.\et" ii. 24)."'1"01' ldelivered unto you first of all

that which a.lso I received, how thatChrist died for 0\11' sins according to theScriptures, and that he was buried, andthat He hath been raised on the thirdday according to the Scri ptures' (1 Cor.xv. :3-8),"'.And when they had fnlfilled all

things tha t were written of Him, theytook Him down from the tree, and laidHim in a tomb. But God raised Himfrom the dead: and He was seen formHI1\' days of them that came up withhim' frOl~l Galilee to Jerusalem. who arenow His witnesses unto the people'(.-\ch xii. 2!)-:31)."Can language be more empha tic ?

'Yho would imagine that that which waslaid in the tomb 'is for ever dead.' Is itnot cloa 1'1,I' taught that the parson laidin the tomb is He that came forth tolife? (To be Continued.)

a Subtle jflatterer.r\ Scotch divine, who was a bachelor,

and whose ma nse I\'as in the keeping ofan old housekeeper called .Janet, wasconstantly annoyed by the fact that thegood dnme always fcll fast, asleep assoon as he entered the pulp it, whereasshe kept wide awake whenever a strangerwas the preacher. One day he sum-moned his courage to the sticking pointand tackled the old lady on the subject."Janet," said he. "ye ken when I preachyou're almost always fa, t asleep beforeI've well given out my text; but whenany of these young men from St. An-drew's preach for me, I see you neversleep a wink. [ow, that's what I callno using me as you should do.""Hoot, sir," was the reply, "is that

a' 9 I'll soon tell ye the reason of that.\\'hen you preach, we a' ken the word ofGod is safe in your hands; but whenthae young bi rkie's tak' it in hand-mecertie! but it tak's us a' to look afterthem,"-Glasgow Evening Times.

1 * ~ ~C h u r c h a n d l I i s s i o D N e w s .

AucKLAND.-Sunday. July 22: Mr. E.Aldridge gave an address this morningfrom 2 COl'. X. 5. We had with us in fel-lowship Bro. Rout ley, from Te Aroha,In thc evening the topic was "The Worldto Come: "That and \Vhere?"Sunday, July 29: Very full meeting.

\rc were very pleased to see in our midstthis morning Sister J, 'Y. Can, who hasjust returned from a trip to the Home-land. In the evening the subject was"The Perfection and Glory of the Wor luto Come."Sunday: August 5: Bro. Lauric \Vii-

cock's subject this morning was fromEph. i. 22, "The Church which is Hisbody." In the evening, "The Gospel ofJOI'."Hnnday, Auguet 12: Bro. Aldridge

spoke this morning from 2 Peter iii. 1to 3. Our attention was drawn to thelinking together of the Old and NewTestaments and the Second Advent asthe great hope of the Church. The sub-ject at night was "Estimating SelfTruly."Sunday, August 1 : Bro. L. Fa lkner

gave a short testimony, and stated thatsevers I young members had heen invitedto testify to their Christian experience.Seven responded, and their testimonywill be helpful to the young. as it wascheering to the older members. Thetopic in the evening was "The Ph ilan-trophy of God."On Wednesday evening, August 1, the

Bible Glass was resumed, when a splen-did exposition was given on "The Pro-mises Confirmed in Christ." Wednesday,August 8, "Israel and the Promises."The other two \Vednesday cvenings

were taken up with a Church Conferenccand the Evangclistic Associn tion's mid-winter social.The grim enemy has becn in our midst

again, and yet another dear sister hasfallen asleep. Our Sister Parker, whowas connected with us for man,)' years,and laboured in both Church and SundaySchool, died at the Auckland Hospitalon August 2nd. after a very brief illness,being stricken down by paralysis. \Velaid her to rest at Waikumete Cemeteryto a wait the call of the Master that shallraise the sleeping ones to life again.\V.G.THAMES.-Since last writing we have

to record that our dear Bro. Bull hasfallen on sleep. Though of late he wasnot able to meet often with us throughthe infirmities of the flesh. we shall misshis face in our morning mecting, andour prayer is that the Holy Spirit maywatch over his family, and that ourHeavenly Father may bless them as Heseeth they need.We held our Annual Church Meeting

a t the beginning of August, and the re-ports of the Secretary and Treasurer

were very satisfactory. 'I'Ve have beenlargel,}' blessed in the past year by ourHeavenly Father, for which we continueto thank Him. Our Bro. Taylor hasfaithfully ea rtied out his duties asevangelist during the past year, and wehope it will not be long before our Bro,may see the good result of his pastyear's work, and we ask the Lord tobless him through the coming year.Bro. Sherlock has the children under

practice for the hymns to be sung atthe forthcoming Ann iversa ry, to bc heldon Sunday, September 30th, and at theTea on Tuesday, October 2nd. We haveto commend our brothel' for his paticnceand untiring perseverance, and we hopethe result will be to his su tistaction.1understand the teachers have invited

one of the young brethren of the '''estStreet Church to give the Sunday after-noon address on the Anniversary Sun-day, and we hope the invitn tion will beaccepted. C.S.\\'AIJlI.-During the last three weeks

our Bro. G. A. Green has been engaged inour neighbourhood. and II'C have had himwith LlS on Sundays. \\'e have revertedto our former practice of having ourmeeting for fellowship and breaking ofbread held in the morning, and we arehoping the morning meeting will bemuch appreeiated by our members whohitherto have been unable to attend ourevening meeting held for this purpose,Bro, Foster still continues the good

work of holding forth the ln mp of Truthat the evening services, and Hro, Greenhas helped twice during his stay here.Our town lately has been much exer-

cised over the question of modem Spirit-ualism, and local Spiritualists have beendrawing much public attention to them-selves; in fact, sp iritism seemed to bein the air. Bro. Foster was constrainedto attack the question from a Biblestandpoint, and succeeding in arousingso much interest and provoking so muchcontroversv that the rosult has been adebate hfl~ been arrrmgcd between himand a gentleman who describes himse lfas the Rev. Granvil le Hicks, who chain-pions the Spiritualists' cause. The de-bate is to eventuate during the presentmooili. nD.

Hl


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SEP TE MB ER , 1 90 6. THE BIBLE STANDARD. 1 43Som e Ub tng s to Ubtnk :about.

~ C H R IS T IA N B A N D . ~~~~

AUCKLAND.-July 30th was devoted toa debate, "Is Smoking Justifiable ./" Bro.C. Gnrrat.t, speaking to the affirmative,made a most able defence. Indeed, nogenuine lover of the weed could havechampioned the cause with greater ear n-estness and zeal. But when his ')ppo-nent's turn came, his arguments weretaken one by one, and ruthlessly theirfallacies laid bare. However, Bro. E.Aldridge's fifteen minutes having ex-pired, the first speaker, all undaunted,rose once more, and for five minutesvainly sought to overthrow the weightierarguments of his antagonist. A replyof equal length from the negative closeda debate that had been followed withinterest from start to finish, and onewhich should help our young people togive, when asked, intelligent reasons fornot approving of the use of tobacco.At the August Roll Call Meeting, the

hymns, the passages read, the paper andthe remarks, all had reference to the sub-ject of "Christian Courage." One youngbrother, who spoke for the first time,closed with the words:"Since Imust fight if I would reign,

Increase my courage, Lord!I'll ben r the toil, endure the pain,Supported by Thy Word."

And this verse, together with Joshua i.0, was afterwards chosen as the messageto absent members.The following week Bro. Woodward

read a paper on "\Yonders and Peculiari-ties of Plant Life." The Meetings Corn-mitte made a happy choice when theyentrusted this subject to Bro. Wood-ward, for the paper proved interestingand instructive in every line.Such a glimpse of "The Prophetic

Kingdom" as Bro. H. Aldridge gave onthe 20th inst. makes us long for the ad-vent of the Prince of Peace. and for thatkingdom so long foretold. Still, there-fore, do we cry, Maranatha! M.N.G.TIlAMES.-Our usual meetings have

been held, and, considering the wet wea-ther we have had. the attendance hasbeen good. Some of ou r member" havea good distance to come, but their seatsa re seldom vacant, and we have hadsome real good meetings. I trust thateach hearer has had some word of cour-age, hope, or cheer, or some thoughtthat will make each one feel one's ownresponsibilities in helping and strength-ening each other to do something for theMaster. On the completion of our lastsix months' subjects 131'0.Taylor gave usa most instructive address on the halfyear's work of the Band, and it wasenjoyed by all present, On August 14our Sis. F. Gubb took the meeting. Hersubject was "What the Parable of theGood Samaritan Teaches Us." We hadan extra large gathering, and I trust herexcellent paper will long be rememberedand bear fruit to the honour and gloryof His name. Message to absent mem-bers, 1 John v, 14-15. M.S.

~ * ~~~ll~ ~~= : 1 ' S n n s h i n e C o r n e r . ? i l : =~ v ~~ 1 jt 1 jt l' 1 j t Jj\ 1 j t 1 j t 1 j t l ' ~

A RAY OF SUNSHINE.Who has not, upon some dull day,

watched a single ray of the sun as itpierced through the dark cloud, andshone for a moment upon some distanthill, illuminating it with a glory thatcompletely transformed it, so that itstood in vivid contrast to the surround-ing dull grey landscape. The spot thustouched by the sun seemed to respond 'tohis caress, and set forth all its beauty,rejoicing in the bright and cheerine ray.And so it is with those o'er whom tl.~ du'l]grey clouds of sorrow and affliction havecast their mantle-all the brightness oflife seems to have departed, until somebright experience comes like a ray of thesun, dispelling the darkness and brinsr-ing light and cheer. "

GLEAMS OF BRIGHTNESS.Have you ever thought that you can

be a little ray of sunshine, bearing untoothers the brightness of God's love andmercy? Life is heavily overcast withdark clouds to many afflicted ones, towhom the days are full of weariness andpain, longing for night to end the wearyday, and the dawn to banish the long,sleepless night. Can we not help tobrighten an occasional hour for these?Like the little ray of sunshine cheeringthe sombre landscape, let us carry thesunshine to the poor shut-ins by a cheer-ful visit, a little offering of sweet-smell-ing flowers, an interesting magazine, adai~lty delicacy, or a gift of temptingfruit.

TilE SU:I'SETOF LIFE.The aged, too, should not be forgotten

-those dear ones who have Ion" bornethe heat and burden of the day, a"nd whoare now nearing the eventide of life. Inthe activities of life and service wc areapt to forget those who lay aside theirweapons of warfare and drop out of theranks-the warriors who have arown oldin the service of the King. To" these wemay make the departing rays of lifebright and cheering by the gift of suit-able comforts, by the kindly visit andpleasant converse, and. last, but notleast, by the lending of the sympathetic,ear to the story of battles long sincefought. These are amongst the manythings which, while they cost us little,yet mean so much to the recipients.As I write these few lines an oft-

quoted verse comes to my mind:-"The under side of every cloud

Is bright and shining,And so I turn my clouds aboutTo show the lining."

Suppose we try to look upon the brightside of life ourselves. and then assistothers in the sometime~ difficult task ofoverturning the dark clouds to bring intoview the silver lining.

The old-time religion means old-timepower because of old-time prayer. Godis jusc as ready and willing to bless usto-day as He ever was. He wants touse His people to-day just as much asHe ever did. The trouble is, He cannotuse them because they are not where norwhat they ought to be. When a man orwoman is willing to let God use themthey always find plenty to do. There isplenty of work-the need is, workers.Some professed Christians are so

jealous that they cannot rejoice in thesuccess of another, They want to be thewhole thing themselves, and if they can-not head the procession they will notmarch. \\'hen a "Christian" begins toenvy the success of a fellow-Christianhe is a good. subject for the 1110urner'~bench-he needs converting. Reader,does this strike you? If so, "Thou artthe man."You may think you are a good Chris-

tian; hut what does God think?-that isthe all-important question. Some peopleare greatly concerned over what someman 01' woman thinks about them somuch so that they will do their ut~ostto learn just what opinion is held. Ifthey were half as anxious to learn whatGod thought about them, they wouldsoon kn.o\V the truth, and, perhaps, getnght wih God. It must make the devilsmile to see some people try to fool God.Reader, are you ready to meet Him?-C. F. LADD.

'Ube 1I)r ea c be r's 3 -n c oll:::statenctes.He is a poor preacher who preaches

only as well as he lives. Yet one some-times he~rs a discerning critic in thecongregation say, with positiveness:"I'm not going to listen' to that preacherany longer; he doesn't live up to hispreaching."Of course he doesn't; and it would be

a poor outlook for the spi ri tual nourish-ment of any congregation that never lis-tened to preaching that was on a higherplane than the best of living: even thebest living of those who refrain fromcriticising the preacher. There has beenonly One who. in His preaching, couldsay, "Follow :Me."As long as His disciples hold up Jesus

Christ and His principles of Iivinz asthe standard to which they would havemen strive to attain, just so 10nO",villp.reaching .rise. above the level ot " dailyIife. Asp irat.ion has its place in theworld, and to give it full expression issure to reveal inconsistencies for whichwe ought to be thankful.-SundayS chool Ti-mes."This is the gospel of labour-

Ring it, ye bells of the kirk!The Lord of love came down from aboveTo live with the men who work.

This is the rose He plantedHere in the thorn-cursed soil,

Heaven is blest with perfect rest,But the blessing of earth is toil."


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144 THE BIBLE STANDARD. SEPl'EMBEB, 190/1.~be Brmour of )proof. ~be : f l 3 t b l e Stanbarb.

IT cannot be too often repeated-and never was the les-son more needed than at this hour-that it is nothingbut a thorough love of righteousness and goodness thatcan, with the blessing of God, keep our faith alive. Toa good man, the evidence of the Gospel is abundantlysatisfactory; to a bad man it seems to have no force atall. Unless our principles support our faith, our faithwill not long uphold our principles. In times of out-ward peace, such as those which we have long experi-enced,nothing is more common than to seemen of unholylives, and with no real love of goodness, not only loudin their profession, but undisturbed in the belief ofChristianity. Attacks upon their faith do not come intheir way, or, if they do, they are made only by a smalland inconsiderable party, and are urged weakly andignorantly. In this state of things the defenders ofChristiani ty have the public voice on their side; theirarguments are applauded, and their victory is really com-plete; for it is gained over adversaries whose blows havebeen struck timidly and blindly, who have fought underthe disadvantage of having the general feeling againstthem. But in times of another kind, when the generalfeeling becomes divided, and the cause of Christianityhas lost many of its artificial supports, nothing will sup-port our faith effectually but a real and earnest love ofits principles, and a lively hatred of everything that isevil. When unbelicf, instead of being received withgeneral abhorrence, becomes generally fashionable, whenour profession of faith loses that confidence which isgiven by seeing that the majority are on its side, thena man must begin in earnest to examine his own foun-dations, to look for a stay within him, when outwardaids begin to fall away. Woe to him in that moment, ifhis support be only intellectual, if he relies alone on thebooks or the arguments which he had been used to con-sider all-triumphant.-Dr. Arnold,

Put the people of China in rank, joining hands, and

they will girdle the globe ten times at the equator withliving, beating, human hearts. Constitute them pil-grims, and let 2,000 go past every day and every night,under the sunlight and under the solemn stars, and youmust hear the ceaseless tramp, tramp, tramp of the pass-ing throng for five hundred long years. .By these strongfigures the Mission Field explains to the reader's mindwhat 400,000,000 means.

Ureasurer's Bcfmowlebgments.TO 30TH AUGUST, 1906.

Standard Subs.-Mrs. Rowhotham. Messrs. Chas. Gioscn,.J. H. Jennings, K. Eaton, J. H. Edmiston, Thos. Findluy,Thames Church.Association Subs.-Messrs. L.

the bible standard september 1906

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