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30.

No. 3.

AUCKLAND,

N.Z.,

MARCH,

1 ~j

10.

TWOPENCE.

are being revealed. It has long been known that on this grave question the German people have little or no say. '"~I.'~"".'~"~"'~~"""~!,.',~I,"'''IIII''III''''""~ - : ''''''11111111I1111'''''''' "' ..., "'." "'."'...~ ....... The policy is that of "blood and ~ ~ .~!~. ' ~ ~l : =1'1 Ube iron," inaugurated by Bismarck, and faithfully carried out by the (tonsptrators. rulers. But of recent date is another sinister influence co-operating with German ambiI~ '''''''''''''''';'''''''''''''''''''"I""III"I''''''''''.~ tion for the overthrow of England, and that is the . I :~ " Papacy. The Times once said, "Protestant England is ~~~~IHE Next Great War! Everything seems too strong to fear Catholicism." But within the last year or two events have occurred which must cause Proto point to a great impending struggle. At the recent Press Conference the alltestants to think that there is grave reason to fear the intrigues and designs of the Papacy. France, long under absorbing topic related to the preparation of the British Empire for the contest, the dominance of the Romish Church, has risen in and how the Press could assist it. At the wrath against it, and has expelled some of the orders, and these have descended upon Britain and her colonies. recent elections in England, although they Testimonies to the havoc which these are already workactually occurred over the refusal of the Lords to pass ing in family and social life are already coming in, to the Budget, the question of England's preparedness for show that England has given a home to those who are war loomed largely before the people. The letters of more hurtful to its interests than all its home-grown Blatchford in the Daily Mail have contributed to criminals, and all the anarchists and terrorists that strengthen the belief that Gerhave fled to it for refuge. But there is even graver Ube 1ReIt Great many has designs upon England, matter behind this. A few writers, having access to inWar. and have insisted that due preparation must be made for the exformation not known to the many, have insisted that pected attack. The same unrest is also prominent in there is an agreement between Pope and Kaiser to bring Germany. Just as English writers are warning the about the humiliation of Britain-an agreement which gi ves the Kaiser the coveted world-supremacy, and restores nation of the danger ahead, because Germany is increasing her Navy, so in Germany the Press is issuing warnto the Vatican the Temporal Power. The one realm which ings against the dominance of Britain, and claiming stands in the way of the attainment of these ends is that the one design of Britain is to prevent the natural Protestant England. Therefore the union. It is even expansion of Germany. That Germany is in earnest contended that the date is agreed upon, and the proin her preparations is evident by the ambitious programme of the German navy-building certainly agrees gramme for the building of Dreadnoughts, and by the with that. Those who noted the attitude of the Roman Church during the Boer war will not be hard to perspeed at which these are being prepared. Krupp's great factory has recently increased its hands by twenty-eight suade that if there is one thing more than another which that Church desires, it is the overthrow of the British thousand, because of the demand for war materials. power; and if there is, as asserted, this understanding And all this, in order that the nation may come to a between Germany and the Vatican, then there is un"settlement with England." The old question of doubtedly grave danger ahead for the British folk. Italy world-supremacy is before us as it has not been before is convinced that the Roman Church seeks the conquest men for centuries, and the next great war, which seems of England, and to secure her objects will form any within measurable distance, will bring us very near to alliance. We are convinced that statesmen who conthe Day of Armageddon, and be a preparation for it. sider only the plans of Germany against England are neglecting ~the foe within the gates actually preparing But the situation becomes more alarmingly significant the way, and working insidiously for that, or any nation as forces now at work to bring this coming conflict about

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which will attack, if only the advantage Church can be secured.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

MARCH, l!JlO.

of the Romish

Dr. Robertson, of Venice, who lives in a country which is slowly recovering from the evil effects of Papal domination, voices his opinion on the Papacy in a book, "The Papal Conquest," and calls attention to the matter alluded to in the foregoing paragraph. "Italy," he points out, "is Ube Jl)apal one of England's oldest and most lDe5ion5. faithful friends, and they are both united in this, that they are the objects of the implacable hatred of the Church of Rorne. Durinz the Boer war '" Italy was our only friendly European nation, and it was then noted as a significant fact that at that time it was the country on the most unfriendly terms with the Vatican. France was at that time under the Papal yoke, and it was unfriendly. Since its rupture with Rome it has become our ally. Italy has from time to time raised its voice to warn Great Britain of the danger of Papal encroachment, and it is with the view of emphasising this warning that Dr. Robertson has written this book. That the Church of Rome is bent upon regaining its Temporal Dominion Dr. Robertson is fully convinced. But Great Britain blocks the way. For thirty-nine years that Church has been steadily and stealthily concentrating its forces to "encompass the humiliation of England." He points out how Vatican intrigue egged on the war between Austria and Prussia in 1866, in the belief that Austria, a Homan Catholic Power, was sure to win; and, again, how in 1870, it stirred up the war between France and Prussia, for the purpose of checking German Protestantism. Now, since Homanism has got such a hold upon Germany, and the German Emperor has entered into alliance with the Pope and has secured the election of one of his subjects, Wa:l1Z, as General of the Jesuits, the same intrigue is agam at play. This time it is between Germanv and Britain. He writes these alarming words: "It ha~ long been known in Italy, and Italy has warned England of the fact, that the original date fixed upon by the Pope and Kaiser for the carrying out of their nefarious enterprise was 1911-1912." "I am in possession" he states " o f the reasons that led to the selection of ' this date". , (The Banner of the Covenant). Some time ago we noted the inauguration of Mr. Stead's Bureau of Information for those who wished to obtain information from the "spirits." Mr. Stead as-' serted that the suggestion that this should be opened came from "the other side," and \testing tbe emanated from a sincere desire on Spirtts. the part of the spirits to help perplexed mortals on the earth. The Daily Chronicle publishes an "interview" with M 1'. Gladstone, obtained by this means. As to the worth of the interview, when obtained, it can safely be said that there was no information imparted which could be of the

slightest service to men for present guidance. An interviewer afterwards wanted to know how Mr. Stead knew there was no fraud in connection with this supposed revelation. The answer given was "that he himself once interviewed Mr. Gladstone, and he 'knew,' 'from the answers the medium gave to the questions, that they must come from Mr. Gladstone. They were so characteristic}' The published interview with the departed statesman came as a surprise to those who had learned" by circular that the "ONE AND O.r LY OBJECT is to help those who mourn, to communicate with their loved ones." A correspondent of the paper John Bull has posed as an inquirer, and has exposed the Bureau as a fraud. He represented himself as a medical man deeply interested in certain surgical experiments, and desirous of ascertaining the views of his late father, who was an eminent surgeon, and incidentally those of his own imaginary patients, upon certain surgical operations and theories. As a result of his inquiries and interviews, one of these being with the medium who acted in the Gladstone interview, he affirms that the Bureau is a money-making concern, and the mediums are frauds. Certainly the "interviews" afford very amusing reading, for evidently the mediums are caught on unfamiliar ground. One of the mediums consulted by this correspondent he characterises as a "clumsy impostor," and: the other as a "palpable humbug;" and John Bull saysthe Bureau is a "Barefaced Fraud, run in the name of .religion-and calculated to impose upon the credulity of grief-stricken and over-wrought persons."

There is, at the present time, a discussion appearing in the Bible Inoeetiqato (a magazine edited by Rev. J. Urquhart) upon the question, "Do the Scriptures Teach the Immortality of Man?" The disputants are writing over nom-de-plumes, so that they are unknown to the readers. We 55 tbe (tbange may have something to say upon 1bonest. this discussion when it is finished, but at present we hold our hands, not wishing to interfere. But there is one little matter which we wish to comment upon. In the opening" paper (November, 1909) the writer refers to an article which appeared in the May number of the magazine, copied from the Bible Student and Teacher. 'This paper is headed in the Inoeetiqator, "Does the Scripture Teach Immortali ty of Man?" by Rev. E. H. W oodward, D.D., Editor of the Safegua1'd and A1mou1Y." We happen to have the issue of the Bible Student whence the paper was copied by the I noesiiqaior, and also the Safeguard and Armouru, where the article originally appeared; but in neither of them is it given this title. This is an invention of the Tnoestigat 01'. The true title of the article is "The Bible versus Materialism," a subject which can be, and should be, discussed wholly apart from the question of man's immortality. We fancy that the addition of D.D. to the name is unwarranted, as, although we have known of the writings of Mr. Woodward for many years, and see

Mancir, 1910.

THE

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STANDARD.

35

his name frequently in the Second Advent magazines, we have not before met with the title. Elder W oodward, to give him the title often used, belongs to a body of people who claim that their divinity is not sick, and does not require doctors. But this a matter of little importance. What is of more significance, in view of the change of title effected by the Inoeeiiqaior, .is that Mr. Woodward is a believer in Conditional Imortality, and differs only, on that position, from his brethren, the Second Adventists, on the question whether or not there is something in man which is not possessed by the animals. He does not teach that there is any part of man which can survive death to carry forward conscious personality, but believes, as expressed in the article quoted, that the neshamah, or breath of life, makes man superior to the beast, "and that he has at least a touch of that which, by the power of the Spirit, will make him truly a 'partaker of the Divine Nature.' " This is a wide remove from the doctrine of "soul" as advocated by "Delta" in the Invest'igato1'. We desire first to utter our protest against the unwarrantable change of the title of Mr. Woodward's paper, and, second, against the supposition that his article has in view any support to 'the modern notions of "soul'" or "spirit" as being the conscious personality, or wishes his readers to understand that he believes that there is a consciousness for man between death and resurrection.

across the mystic river to her everlasting grave. Thus the Buddhist faith did the last and best thing it could for her: granted final deliverance of her soul from transmigration and the miseries of this world, and conveyed it into the realm of everlasting forgetfulness. Believing that her soul was a small cup holding a little of the Deity, Buddhism took it over the mystic river and emptied it into the fathomless abyss of the infinite, where it was immediately absorbed and sank into everlasting nothingness. What a great difference there is between the annihilation of the spirit of the Empress, under ceremonies so costly and spectacular, and the immortality which Christ gives equally to the humblest servant and most conspicuous ruler who is faithful to His cause, and how necessary it is for those who believe in the blessed realities of an after life to carry the good news to the millions whose only hope now is an eternal nothingness !"

The following description of the funeral ceremonies of the Empress-Dowager of China may be commended to those who confidently believe that the doctrine of the immortality of man has been, and is held everywhere. How that can be, when the Budd:Et Sonl=="o)?age hist believes that form, organisato lRin'ana. tion, individuality, are all to pass away in the attainment of Nirvana is somewhat of a puzzle. We copy the account from an American exchange, which, unfortunately, does not name the source whence it was originally taken. The writer says: "Added to the gorgeous, spectacular, costly, prolonged burial services of the Empress-Dowager of China was the most solemn ceremony of sending her spirit by ship, recently, to the haven of the heavenly Nirvana. A boat was constructed, at a cost of $35,000, which was built of bamboo covered with silk paper, and was sumptuously carved and fitted out. On the bow stood a huge figure, representing the guiding spirit of heaven, and just behind it was the Imperial yellow chair. On the deck were four pavilions, the first containing effigies of twenty-five Court ladies of Her Majesty's train; the second, a number of robes actually worn by the Empress; the third, effigies of priests; and the fourth the Imperial throne. In addition to the vessel itself, there was built in front of it a splendid kiosk; for the reception of the spirit on landing. The torch was set to the kiosk first, and the flames spread from it to the bows of the boat, until the whole costly structure was entirely consumed, and the spirit of the dead Queen was sent

The Ninth Zionist Congress held its sittings at Hamburg at the close of December, and, it is, said, the results are such that the whole movement has distinctly suffered. The Zionism which flamed under Herzl, and seemed as if it must absorb all -Iews beneath its' banner,' began to wane ltbe Zionist when its leader died, and has given (!ongl'ess. place to bickerings and jealousy. The Jewish World says: "The future is far from bright, and even if something like order is evolved out of the chaotic remnants of the Hamburg gathering, little or nothing will be done until the various prominent members of the different sections are content to sink their jealousies. Many who enrolled themselves under Herzl's banner have forsaken the movement because of the jealousies and rivalries which have manifested themselves at the Congresses. The latter have been orgies of bickering and have shown that the Children of Israel, gathered from all parts of the globe, are too varied in temperament to agree even upon the definition of a Jewish ideal. It is not merely that Jews of different hemispheres, or separate continents, find themselves at variance. The widest gnlf is that which cleaves Europeans. Russian Jews and German Jews appear to be even more jealous and distrustful of one another than Russians and Germans who are not Jews. The. most sinister aspect of the unfortunate difference, however, is that they give colour to the belief that certain persons have simply taken up Zionism to enable them to play at international politics. Anti-semitism and restricted rights prevent them from giving rein to their ambition in their own countries, and Zionism to them is but a means to an excitement. Zionism will make no advance until it is free of such men."

The Jewish Statistical Bureau in Berlin is now engaged in compiling a census of the Jews in the world. This, when completed, will be an interesting document,

36

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD. (J;ob:::Sent

MARCH,

1910.

not only for the people of that race, but for Governments who have the racial difficulty to face, and for students of prophecy, Ube 5ewtsb whose interest in the J ews is great ceueus. because of the prominence assigned to that people in the history of the future. A preliminary calculation has been issued which gives the total number of Jews in the world as eleven and a-half millions. We note that of this number 15,239 are in Australia, and 1,867 in New Zealand. These figures are 8U bject to correction by the expected completed census. The other day we saw a small poster announcing some special services under the auspices of the Church of England. Now, there is no doubt that special services will be useful in the Anglican Church, and in other denominations, if only Christ is put forward as the Saviour. But our 'UUlbat lfdnb of attention was drawn to the name of !misston? the Missioner (Rev. H. S. Woollcombe), and then we remembered having seen a paragraph about this man and his .methods, which gave a view of his mission work not altogether pleasant for Protestants to contemplate. A correspondent of the Souihern: 010SS says: "The purpose of Mr. Woollcombe's visit is, I fear, artfully concealed. He comes professedly as an apostle of unity, and issues bronze crosses to members enrolled in his men's societies, bearing the motto, 'All in One,' and denounces all evangelical protests against Ritualism as doing the devil's work." The writer charges the Missioner with Romish leanings, and adds: "That he has not abandoned his Ritualistic and Romish proclivities is evident from the fact that, when a company of Church of England clergy responded to Archbishop Clarke's invitation to join in a retreat to meet the Rev. Woollcombe, the Evangelicals were shocked and pained by: (1) Lighted candles; (2) wafers; (3) prayers for the purgation of the souls of dead priests; (4) in the book was a prayer for the 'cleansing of the Church from the scandal of evening communion!'" What kind of results can such a mission have in this Dominion.

~reacbers.

"And how shall they preach except they be sent?" (Rom. x. 51).

"THERE was a man sent from God whose name was John" (John i. 6). Thank God for one. This is enough to establish the fact that a man can be sent of God to do His work. . Notice also that it was "a man" that He sent. He could have sent an angel just as well, perhaps easier, for those willing souls are always prompt to do His bidding. God could have sent Gabriel in John's stead if He chose, but He had other work for the mighty angel ; besides, his shining, immortal presence would have been more than mortal could bear, to say nothing of His voice and preaching. .Then, again, Gabriel is not a preacher in the accepted sense of that term, and probably never was, though a servant of God and a messenger who has doubtless. made some important announcements. to the Church and the world, and likely has more work yet of that sort on his hands that he will attend to at the proper time. But God chose to send John, "a man," a mortal man, born of woman, made of flesh and blood and subject to like passions with all the rest of humanity, Elijah, his antetype, included (J ames v. 7). This God-sent man did not come from a king's palace, clad in soft raiment; he came, however, from priestly lineage by miraculous progeniture, with a special work to do-to proclaim the first advent of the Messiah and to prepare the way before Him. He did that work faithfully and wII, and received his full meed of praise from the Lord whom he heralded, when He arrived. "None greater born of women," said He of that man clad in the rough raiment of camel's hair, and leading the simplest of simple lives, and with a heaven-ordained message to everybody to get ready for the coming King. It is not difficult to find J olm's type in mod-ern days, who h~ve a similar message regarding the second coming of Christ, Are you one of them, reader? What a calling! Be as faithful to it as was John, and you, too, will receive the plaudit, "Well done," when He comes. There was another man, long before this instance, who was sent of God with a special message to deliver, but the cross seemed so heavy and the thing so hard to do-it would bring him into such unpopular notoriety-that he dodged his responsibility, or tried to-poor, frail man, and took ship on another mission and made things mighty uncomfortable for himself and all concerned, as a good many have since done whom God has called to do a special work. Well, Jonah was not excused from his task, though he had a terrible experience before he got to it. It is a short-cut to duty when a man obeys the Lord, but what an awful round-about, rough road it is through disobedience, as this prophet of God found out to his sorrow, and as others with similar duties to-day may yet find out. This Jonah was but a man-alas! what a frail, erring mortal. His work completed, he Was vexed because God

"5t is 1tl1e tbe ~lan."

"According to the pattern showed to thee" (Heb, viii. 5).

When the great span across the East River was finished, the builder was brought down on his sick-bed to see the bridge-brought in a canal boat and anchored in front of the span. There, lying on his pillow, with drafts of the bridge on each side of him, he looked down at them, and then up at the span, and said, "It is like the plan." May you and I come to our dying hour and look up to God and say: "My life is like the plan; I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."A rthur L. Pierson. . B:ethat thinks God's Word is fallible is apt to think himself infallible.

MARCH,

1910.

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37

did not destroy Nineveh, as he had proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of it that God would do. But they repented in sackcloth and ashes, from the highest to the lowest. It was a great revival-more, a clean sweep of a reformation. J onah ought to have been glad for their sakes and for God's sake; but it appears that he thought more of his personal reputation than he did for souls-he shrank to nothing under the fear of being called a false prophet. Well, the loving, good God, patient with everybody, preachers included, straightened this rebellious, pouting child of His out all right after awhile, as He will everybody else who will let Him. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ( !) A trying task but a glorious calling, a responsibility that cannot be well shirked or shifted when put upon the shoulders of a man, by the Lord. "The gifts and callings of God are without repentance" Paul said; and Jonah found this out in a sad way, as has already been observed. "Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel," said Paul. But not all are called to preach. There would be none left to preach to if they were. Perhaps not all are called who think they are or were; they just "worked into it," as a profession. Possibly some are called who think they are not; they have worked out of it with excuses. The days of verbal calls are over; still it is not guesswork today. It might be interesting, if not astonishing, to know of all those who are trying to preach to-day, whom God has really caned and those He did not. It might also be noteworthy to learn who He has called who have not obeyed the call because the Church does not want themstrange as this may appear. If there is a blessing for some that hear, there is doubtless a curse for some who' will not hear what the Spirit hath to say to the churches. It is nothing new for synagogues to be shut to God's faithful servants. It is nothing new for people to try to tie the hands and shut the mouths of those whom God wants to be heard and used of Him to His glory. Their talent is not recognised-it would be if used to sound their shibboleths-> but it is buried as it is, or try to be. But in such cases it is best to say, "Lo! we turn to the Gentiles" and go to a people who have ears to hear. When all pigeon-holes are stopped with a pigeon sitting on the eggs, it is time for a pigeon to make a nest of her own. "To every man his work." God has called various kinds of servants (see 1 Cor. xii. 28). Let not him who is called to do a certain thing blame another who is not doing it; for he may not be called. "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Jesus said, "Go, teach all nations," but not to everybody. Some must go to war while others remain at the plough. It is important not to run at one's own charges, or before he is sent. Still it would seem to be better to run and save a soul before being sent than to stay at home in doubt and let them be lost. - C. E. Copp, Lawrence, Mass.

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THE MAN IN THE GARDEN. THESE notes on the early chapters of Genesis are confesseclly disjointed and meagre, and leave untouched many matters which are worthy of close investigation. In these papers we are selecting items which are usually passed over with little or no notice. Some of these lie upon the surface, and present themes of suggestive fruitfulness. We do not, for example, remember reading any attempt to show the relation of the man to the Garden in which he was placed; and we think there are a few items of interest which may find a place under that general heading. We have already noted that the Garden of Eden was an enclosed area within the country named Eden. The fact that it was specially selected as the sphere of the test about to be applied, and that it was shut off from other territory, seems to indicate that there were other peoples on the earth, from whom it was advisable that this man should remain separate. It may not be possible to see the full bearing of another item twice mentioned in the narrative, but it should be here noted, because further study may give it an importance, and it may in turn minister to the better comprehension of some specific doctrine hitherto unseen. It is that the man was fashioned outside the Garden, in a country where probably other men dwelt, and to which he was expelled when he had failed in the Garden. His sin and banishment returned him to dwell on the soil whence he was originally taken. He was not native to the Garden of Eden. He was an immigrant, placed there for a special purpose by Him who provided the Garden and man to dwell in it. Sin put him back to the territory whence he was taken, to live the life suited to that environment. Sin did not expatriate him, but put him away from the soil to which he was not native. Any help which that Garden, with its special features, might have afforded him were denied him, and he was put back into conditions which ruled outside the Garden, into an environment of which his original constitution formed a part-but an environment distinctly made worse by his transgression. As we have said above, the full significance of this fact may not be now seen, but as it was deemed of sufficient importance to record, it is more than likely that future discoveries in the Word of Truth will show that it has a grave significance. The Scripture says: "And the Lord planted a garden eastward, in the land of Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." vVe repeat, Adam was not originally a pari( of the Garden conditions, and afterwards degraded, but he

THE

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STANDARD.

MARCH,

1910.

was made amidst the outside conditions, and placed in the Garden, and when he sinned he was returned to the outside conditions, and thus the Garden, with all its Divine provisions for human happiness, is no failure in itself or any part of it. Man was in it for a time, but was not original of it. Let us add that this is true also of the woman who is made from Adam, and not from materials appertaining to the Garden which God prepared. God's provisions for human felicity cannot have in them the elcment of failure. So much appears in that part of the story. But there is another verse relating to the Garden experience which suggests thought. It reads: "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Here it is again asserted that the man-fashioned and living-was "put into" the Garden. But there are two duties laid upon the man placed in this Garden which deserve a notice here. Both imply special instruction, for it is hardly conceivable that man would understand them intuitively. To-day men learn by instruction from others, and observation and experience verify and enlarge, or correct, the knowledge thus gained. The requisite knowledge to "dress," i.e., cultivate, tend, must have been imparted. The culture of plants for food or for beauty requires it knowledge which, unless taught by one who knows, is acquired only after long and. often disappointing experience. What happy hours of instruction! what delightful fellowship that man enjoyed whilst receiving tuition! Those experiences must have been part of the normal conditions of that Garden life. God in fellowship with man! Not as now, in and for the purpose of spiritual communion only, but in a fellowship which related to the acquisition of all knowledge. I n the true and full sense it was God in everything. 'I'ruth unsulliecl and perfect was in process of impartatiou, and it began on the plane of man's physical being, for it instructed in that knowledge and labour by which his daily food was procured. Thus man lived hy "bread" provided by thc Word of Goel. Under such (1 irection there could be no distressing toil. Labour applied in the best way without waste, upon soil specially, Divinely prepared, etc., and under infallible guidancc could not fail of its full results. Healthy occupation for the body, and the best of all food for the mind, supplied the most perfect conditions for the test as to human worthiness. The mental fitness obtained hv mind exercise in such conditions is exhibited in the naming of the animals (Gen. ii. 18-20). One writer aptlv says: "The numerous and varied works of Elohim were Adam's school books; Elohim was his teacher; and the Garden was the place where, walking or sitting, he rccei vecl his lessons." "Was this naming of the animals a kind of examination bv which 'Adam was to show what he had learnt, and what he could do, and whether he would be likely to appreciate love, and rule a wife?'

If so, the result wa satisfactory, and his helpmeet 15 made for him." But there is a second noteworthy verb in that verse which indicates the additional duty to be performed by Adam in the Garden. He is to "keep it." The usual reading of this connects it with the word "dress," or "till," and understands it to mean, "and keep it in order." But this is not the sense of the verb. "Keep" is here the word which signifies to "protect," to "guard." It is the same word as used in Gen. iii. 24 of the "flame of a sword," which turned every way to "keep" the way of the tree of life. The verb in the lxx. is that used in 2 Thess. iii. 3: "But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one." Thus the use of the word, and the special duty it suggests, implies the need for vigilant protection of the Garden and its interests against some foe, some power or person having designs against it from without. What can this signify? As a rule commentators pass this word by without any mention; here and there may be found one who notices it, but the comment is to little purpose. Onc thinks that Adam had "to protect the Garden against the attacks of wild beasts." It might be supposed that if there were other peoples living in the district, outside the Garden, it was in danger of attacks from them. But to consider either of these suppositions is to enter a cui-de-sac. There is nothing which will carry the matter further than mere guess on those lines. In a recent volume by Dr. Griffith Thomas is the following note on this verse:"In the Garden of Eden, man was to 'dress it and keep it.' May not this latter phrase give us some hint of already existing danger? May not defence, as well as preservation, be included? If so, man was not 9,uly to do the work of the gardener in dressing it, but had also to safeguard it, presumably from foes. Again, we seem to be in the realm of spiritual realities in this hint of: the existence of evil on the earth" (Genesis, vol. i. 39) . Whatever light is sought upon this matter must come from the Word itself, and we expect to find it in connection with the experience in the Garden. No attack from wild beasts, if such there were, is recorded, nor is anything said which would lead us to suppose that if there were other human beings existent they knew of this Garden and its purpose. We follow the line of greatest assistance when we are guided by the narrative. If the first verb "dress" implies some instruction, no less does the second. It is hardly conceivable that Adam should receive warning to "guard" the paradise without some information regarding the foe, or foes, against whose assaults he must be on guard. Much is said, and rightly said, of the innocence of Adam; but it must not be spoken of as if it were identical with ignorance, and therefore that the man were wholly defenceless against

MARCH, 1910.

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STANDARD.

39

evil, and thus helplessly fell. That one word "keep" suggests an impartation of sufficient forewarning against the foe and his designs. An enlargement of that thought scems to be warrantable, and suggests that the great purpose of God was made known to the man, and that full and 'sufficient warning of the consequences of failure to fill this duty of watchfulness was supplied. Against whom could this warning be given but the foe which did actually invade the Garden and frustrate the hopes which centred in the man. It is perfectly useless to speculate regarding any other. Warning would not be given against other enemies and he who actuallv succeeded in his designs be left unnoted. We judge therefore that Adam was charged to be watchful against a foe whose designs were opposed to the purposes for which man was then on trial; that the enemy who did succeed in tempting to the Fall was the foe against whom Adam was charged to be vigilant. If so, then Adam sinned against light and Divinely-imparted knowledge, and to this view the idea of the nature of his innocence must be harmonised. With this conclusion agrees the statement made by the Apostle: "And Adam was not beguiled." That seems to imply that it was with a sufficiently full conception of the consequences of his acts, with the warning behind him, and with the knowledge that his act involved the victory of the foe against whose wiles he had been warned, he partook of the fruit given him by the woman. The serpent "beguiled" the woman; it did not beguile the man. This also throws some light upon the statement made by the Lord Jesus regarding Satan: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth" (John viii. 43) ; for here was a deliberate intent to compass the death of this first man in the Garden, in order that the eternal purpose might be frustrated, and to secure this the tempter was ready to deny the verity of the warning which God had given. But his ,"craftiness" miscarried, for, though there was failure in the Garden, and as a consequence man was banished, and was cast back upon his own nature and into the conditions of the land whence he was originally taken, the death penalty threatened did not fall upon him. Why not? Did he not fail? Yes. Did he not eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree? Y~s. Why, then, did he not die, according to the terms of the penalty? The answer to these questions must be found in the facts of the narrative. He had been definitely instructed to "guard" the Garden against an enemy whose intent was to bring about his destruction and to frustrate the Divine purpose. That enemy cffected an entrance to the Garden, and, taking advantage of the absence of the man, his assault was craftily planned against the woman (who was not created when the original charge was given), and she, being beguiled, fell. Not from the hands of the foe, nor at his direct temptation, did the man fall, but at the hands of the woman, a cutting from himself-from the hands of the being he loved did he receive the fruit. The weak,

unguarded place of the, Garden was the woman. Not until, all unknown to him, she had partaken of it, and thus sinned, did he receive it; and it seems but simple justice to believe that he, knowing the consequence of his own act, received of the tree, because he would not be separated from the wife whom God had given him, and whom he loved. If she must die, he will die with her. 'I'hus read, does not the narrative supply the extenuating circumstances which account for the sparing mercy of God? True, the sinning pair are no longer worthy of their position in the Garden; they must go forth to a life of much harder conditions, and their only hope lies in the coming of One who shall redeem them from the state of death which is theirs by nature; and the extreme penalty shall fall upon the head of the tempter, because he had done this. Other thoughts seem to gather about this narrative, but we refrain from further comment, and ask our readers to think over these things and see whether there is not here some light upon the story of the Fall and the reason why the penalty did not come to man according to the terms of the threat. EDITOR.

IDon't SCOWl.
Do" ''1' scowl; it spoils the face. Before you know it, your forehead will resemble a small railroad map. Scowling is a habit that steals upon us unawares. We frown when the light is too strong and when it is too weak. We tie our brows into a knot when we are thinking, and knit them even more tightly when we cannot think. There is no denying there are plenty of things to scowl about. The baby in the cradle frowns when something fails to suit. The little toddler who likes sugar on its bread and butter tells his trouble in the same way when you leave the sugar off. "Cross," we say about the children, and "worried to death" about the grown folks, and as for ourselves, we can't help it. But we must. Its reflex influence makes others unhappy. \;Ve should possess our soul in such peace that it will reflect itself in placid countenances. If your forehead is rigid with wrinkles before forty, what will it be at seventy? There is one consoling thought. about these marks of time and trouble-death almost always erases them. Even the extreme aged, in death often wear a smooth and peaceful brow, thus leaving our last memories of them calm and tranquil. But our business is with life. Scowling is a kind of silent scolding. It shows that our souls need sweetening. For example's sake, throw off care, be hopeful, get in touch with divinity. Cast your cares on the Lord. He beauti fies the meek wi th sahation.-8electerl.

...

At the final reckoning, the little things done in a loving, Christian Spirit, will surprise us by the magnitude of the reward they bring.-Religious I-I erald.

40

THE TABLE OF CONTENT&

BIBLE

STANDARD.

MARCH,

1910.

=====================

PAGE THE MONTH .. STREET . GOD,SEN'!' PREACHERS

ECHOES FROM WEST DON'T SCOWL ASSOCIATION THE THE MYSTEUY HOME NO'!'ES

33-36 36-36 37-39 39

40
AND TH"~ CHURCH ETERNAJ~ PURPOSE" MAN . .

OF CHRIST

CmcLE-HGOD'S

OH, FOR A CLOSER WALK WJ'l'H

THOUGHTS FOR THE 'I'HOUGHTFl;L CHURCH ANI) MISSION Nicw s . THE MISION FIELD BAND CHRISTIAN

MISC~~LLANEOUS AUTICLES AOKNOWLI<DGMENTS

41-<13 44 44 45 46 47 47 47-48 48

and Bro. C. B. !Cini, preached in the afternoon. The brethren were much encouraged by the interest manifested by the 'residents of the town, who filled the building at the evening meeting. Owing to pressure on our space we reserve a description of the building till our next issue. The brethren in Dunedin are moving in the direction of securing a church home, and the following circular, detailing the necessity, has been sent out :TO BELIEVERS IN CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY. CHURCH OF Cr'IRIST, Stuart Street, Dunedin, February 1st, 1910. and Sisters,-

~o~
MONTHLY ORGAN

Dear Brethren

New Zealand Evangelistic and Publication Association.

EDITED BY GEORGE ALDRIDGE. ASSISTED BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

The Editor wishes it to be understood that, while he exercises a general supervision over the articles and Correspondence appearing in the STANDARD, responsibility for sentiments expressed rests upon the individual writer.

tlssociation

1Aotes.

'I'he following, from the Messiah's Advocate, of December Sth, will interest our readers: "Eld. Miles Grant completed his ninetieth year on Monday last. His bodily and mental vigour continue about the same as they have for many years past, as attested by his frequent articles in this paper. Some friends may be glad to specially remember him on this occasion, so we give his address: It is, 2,690, N. Griffin Ave., Los Angeles, Calif." During the month we have received two letters both referring to the BIBLE STANDARD,and both urging the necessity of its enlargement. l'here is, however, a marked difference of opinion as to how the hoped-for additional space should be used. One thinks that as the paper is now mainly a students' magazine it would be helpful if articles of a more spiritual nature were inserted, and that a children's department might profitably be opened. The other correspondent, who encloses a donation to the STANDARD,thinks that the added space should be occupied by the Editor's Sunday evening addresses. To both correspondents we express our regrets that at present we see no way to enlarge our paper. If it could be done we would gladly accede. Till the way opens for this we must perforce leave, without any expression of opinion, the question how the additional space should be used. The opening services of the Church at Waihi took place on February 20th and 27th. On the first of these dates the Editor conducted morning and evening service,

For many years past a few faithful souls in this city have been labouring under great difficulties in an earnest endeavour to spread the good news of the Coming of the King and of Life in Him. They feel that the time has come when a supreme effort ought to be made to remove some of the obstacles to the progress of the work. One of the obstacles referred to is that of having to depend upon a hired building (a building hired from mis-believers) for all services. The Brethren find a strong objection on the part of their orthodox friends to come to a religious service in a place that is also used for questionable forms of entertainment. In addition to this it is a great expense having to hire additional rooms for every additional meeting we desire. A fund has therefore been opened with a view to purchasing or building a small church for the exclusive service of the Truth and the glory of Truth's greatest Expositor. As the "Love of the Truth" is a thing that should not be confined to one's own locality or generation, the brethren in Dunedin believe that there are those in other parts who will be ready to do "as much as in them is." To such they now earnestly and urgently appeal. May the Father and the Son add much blessing to the movement. Yours in the Master's Service, HAROLD TIDMAN. Bro. Tidman sends the following note, with a request for its insertion :-My Dear Brother.-e-I hardly like trespassing on your valuable space with a personal note, but the references to me in the last two issues of THE STANDARD have been such that I feel I must ask you to kindly allow me room for this little expression of gratitude. I am deeply thankful for your interest, your friendship, your encouragement, your faith and hope in me. May I venture to ask every reader to pray for me, that He who is Almighty may make of me, who am but a worm, a sharp threshing instrument, dividing the Word of 'I'ruth to His glory and the saving of some poor erring souls? - Yours in the service of the King, HAROJ~D TIDMAN.

MARCH,

1910.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

41

~be m\?9tcr\? of cbnet ant) tbe cnurcb.

"The mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations; but now hath it been manifested to his sa.ints.t'-c-Col. i.

26.

IN olden time God promised to Abraham that his descendants should possess the land of Canaan. By the hand of Moses the twelve tribes of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, and, united as a nation, possessed the promised land, which they held for eight hundred years. Though at first under the immediate government of heaven (God was their King-1 Sam xii. 12), they proved themselves to be a stiff-necked and rebellious people. God had long patience with them, now chastising them for their sins, and then on their confession and bewailing their iniquities, raising up for them judges who delivered them. A crisis of national iniquity led to the setting aside of this order of things. They rejected God, the Heavenly King, desiring an earthly king "like all the nations" (1 Sam. viii. 4-9), the result being the elevation of Saul to the kingship. He proving unworthy, the shepherd-boy, David, was raised to the throne, with whom God made a covenant (2 Sam. vii.}, and from this point in the nation's history the hop-s of Israel were suspended on God's covenant with David and his house. It is in accordance with this covenant that Jesus, the true Son of David, is yet to reign over the Hebrew nation. When the house of David began to decline, the prophetic books of Scripture began to be written. Prophet after prophet called upon the king and nation to repent and return to the paths of obedience, threatening the most solemn judgments in case of their refusal, but holding out for the encouragement of those who would hearken and repent the assurance that after the execution of the impending penalties the Son of David, yet to be born, should reign with great power and majesty, and they, risen from the grave, should be amongst those who shall inherit the land (Dan. xii, 13). This prophetic testimony was continued for about three hundred years, till the time of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, when, the iniquity of the nation having become intolerable, they were given up to the Gentiles and carried into captivity. At the close of seventy years, a small remnant returned to Jerusalem, and their descendants formed the population of the land for 500 years, till "the days of Herod the King." It was then that the Lord Jesus was presented to them as the Christ, the Messiah, the Heir of the promises made both to Abraham and David, even He whose name is "Immanuel" (that is, "God with us"Is. vii. 14). In Jesus of Nazareth had appeared at last the long-looked-for One, who was for centuries the object of the national expectation. He was ready-had they been ready-to have fulfilled their national hopes and raised the nation to a pinnacle of honour and power far exceeding that of the days of David and Solomon. Alas! they were not ready. (Head the latter half of the Antiquities of the Jewish historian J osephus, and the conviction will be forced upon you that it was an abso-

lute impossibility for the Holy Christ to have reigned over such an unholy people.) True, a little band of disciples was gathered round Him by the power of Divine grace, but how few they were, and even of these, we read, "many went back and walked no more with Him" ( John vi. 66). The final issue was that, after a patient ministry of love, lasting for more than three years, He was delivered into the hands of the Jews, who consummated their national iniquity by putting their Messiah to death. They murdered the Son of David, their appointed and long-expected King! And this act filled up the measure of their iniquity. But the wrath of God did not follow immediately upon the perpetration of this ghastly crime. Strange to say, there was a renewed offer of the Kingdom made to Israel. And this was in answer to Christ's dying petition: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (This prayer was a fulfilment of the last clause of Isaiah liii, 12. See also, "Ye know nothing" -John xi. 49.) And, accordingly, a space for repentance was granted-a respite of nearly forty years-during thirty of which the events recorded in the book we call "Acts of the Apostles" took place. Still God's mercy lingered over Jerusalem and the Jewish people. No one can read the earlier chapters of "the Acts" without perceiving how the testimony in these chapters was addressed only to the Jews-there is no message of any kind to the outside Gentile nations. Therein we learn that if the Hebrew nation had heeded the appeals of the Apostles and repented of their "in in rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, how ready God was to pardon it all. Said Peter to them, "Repent and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord, and that He may send (back) the Christ appointed beforehand for you-even Jesus" (Acts iii. 19, 20). But, alas! in the martyrdom of: Stephen, they as utterly rejected the gracious overtures of Him who spake from heaven as four short years before they rejected Him who spake on earth (Heb. xii. 25) - even that One who would fain "have gathered their children together" (Matt. xxxiii. 27). And this national rejection continued right through the ministry of the Apostles, till we find in the closing portion of the Acts the solemn pronouncing of the national doom by the aged Paul in words inspired by the Holy Spirit, "Be it known therefore unto you that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles; they will give heed." The Jewish nation was given up; the despised Gentile was to be the recipient of God's favour. And thus abruptly the book closes. It was in April, A.D. 70-within five years of the death of Paul-that Titus commenced the siege of Jerusalem, in which it is reckoned 1,400,000 perished, and 100,000 sold as slaves; and in addition to this, untold multitudes throughout the whole country perished of misery, famine and disease. With awful suddenness at last the blow fell, and with unparalleled rapidity the merciless Roman did his dreadful work. As a nation the Jews

42

,THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

MARCH,

uno.

ceased to exist-of the Hebrew race but a small scattered remnant survived. The slight sketch in the foregoing paragraphs is designed to show that the five opening books of what we call the New Testament are really a continuation of the wonderful story which begins with Abraham, and was left incomplete when the Old Testament was finally closed. 'I'hey are intensely Jewish, indeed, excepting half a dozen chapters in Acts and an isolated verse or two, they are wholly Jewish in their purpose and outlook. But this statement raises an important and interesting question, which is, "Where, then, does the Christian Church come in? When was its commencement, what its foundation, and how is it to-day so completely Gentilised, Jesus being accepted as Son of God by multitudes of Gentiles, while the Jewish world almost unanimously concur in hating and rejecting Him?" Let us look a little closely into this matter. And we may simplify our inquiry if first of all we note the following four important points, which we think none of our readers will gainsay:(1) There was no Christian Church in existence before the advent of Jesus Christ. Gentile proselytes (converts), who underwent the rite of circumcision, were gladly admitted to the full privileges of an Israelite in connection with the temple and its worship (Matt. xxiii. 15) ; and Gentiles-as such-might worship Jehovah in the outer courts of the temple. Indeed, it was foretold by the prophets that at a future day Gentile kings should render homage to the House of David and the nations be subservient to the H ebrew race; but there was no hint as to the amalgamation of Hebrew and Gentile into one holy corporation in which neither should have advantage or pre-eminence over the other, and in which racial and national characteristics should go for nothing. (2) During the three and a-half years' ministry of Christ there was no Christian Church at Jerusalem or elsewhere. Our Lord distinctly declared, "I have no commission except to the lost sheep of the House of Israel" (Matt. xv. 2-1), and He particularly admonished the twelve Apostles on their first missionary journey, "Go not among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town, but go to the lost sheep of Israel's race" (Matt. x. 5). And likewise with the mission of the "seventy others" (Luk x. 1-20). When He did speak concerning the establishment of His Church, our Lord referred to a time not yet arrived. He said, "Upon this rock (i.e.. Peter's confession of faith) will I build My Church" (Matt. xvi. 18). At the moment of His speaking the building had not commenced. (3) There is no dispute as to what constitutes the foundation of the Church. The Apostle Paul instructs that it is "a building which is being reared on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the corner-stone being Christ Jesus Himself" (Eph. ii. 20) ; justas the Hebrew nation is founded upon patriarchs (Isaac and J acob) and prophet (Moses, the law-giver), the -cornerstone being the righteous Abraham. Christ, as the

corner-stone, is spoken of in the Old Testament, "Behold I lay in Zion fora foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone of sure foundation" (Is. xxviii. 16). The rejection of this stone by Israel, but its acceptability to God, was foretold by David, "The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner" (Ps. cxviii. 22), which passage is quoted by Peter as fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth (Acts iv. 11; 1 Peter ii. 7). It is to be obser~ed that this foundation corner-stone was to be rejected of the builders beiore it was laid, and therefore it must have been aiier the death of our Lord. that the edifice we call "the Church" began to be raised. Besides the corner-stone, the "apostles and prophets" are spoken of as part of the foundation. 'I'hsre is no difficulty in understanding who are meant by the apostles. They are the men specially appointed to originate the Christian Church, in which is neither Jew nor Gentile, such as the Apostles Paul and Barnabas (Acts xiv. 14; 1 Cor. iv, 9); a work in which the original twelve apostles 'were not engaged, their labours being specially directed to the .Iewish community (Gal. ii. 7, 8). This distinction we will emphasise later on. But some understand by "prophets" those holy men of old, such as Daniel and Isaiah. Not so. They are prophets of the New Testament days, such as Judas and Silas (Acts xv. 32; see also xiii. 1; xxi. 10). Writing to the Corinthians, Paul says, "God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets" (1 Cor. xii. 10, 28, 29; xiii. 2; xiv. 1-5). (4) The hope of the Church-is what? It is diametrically opposed to the hope of the Israelitish nation. Nothing is promised by the Old Testament writers to the Hebrew saints. outside this world. It is on David's throne at Jerusalem that their Messiah is to be, enthroned. Of the Israelitish saints it is written, ",They shall inherit the land" (Ps. xxxvii, 11), "the land of Canaan, which Thou hast given to Thy people for' an inheritance" (2 Ch. vi. 27; Ps. cv. 11), and "they shall inherit the land for ever" (Is. lx. 21)., The hope given to the members of Christ's Church is, "to be seated with Him in the heavenly places" (Eph. ii. 6; Rev. iii. 221), "to descend with. Him to earth to rule the nations" (Rev. ii. 26,27), "to judge angels" (l.Cor. vi. 3-in a word, to be identified with and partakers of the glory of Christ (John xvii. 22-2-1) in heaven and on earth, for the risen and ascended Church shall be like the ascended and risen Christ (1 John iii. 2). It is generally taught and received that the assembly of saints called "the Church of God" contains and includes all saints from the days of Adam to the end .of the world. All alike will enjoy eternal felicity in heaven, God's dwelling-place. But that it is not so the four points just enumerated clearly show. It is not a pleasant task to run counter to what is the general belief of the ecclesiastical community, but it is better for us to imow the truth, though it may disturb fond notions, for the idea of the universality of the Church is only the delusion of an agreeable fiction, the hollowness of which must be revealed some day, however now it may be upheld by

MARCH,

1910.

THE

BIBLE

STA~DARD.

43

men of authority in ecclesiastical circles. We desire to stand in the light, strong in the faith of revelation, and ready to abandon every shred of thought which is merely of human origin. Let us not be misunderstood. We are not denying that a Church (ecclesia, i.e., that which is called out ) was founded on the day of Pentecost. Certain individuals exclusively of the Hebrew race were formed into a body or assembly of believers by the power of the Holy Spirit; the Apostles Peter, J ames, John, etc., being the pillars thereof (Gal. ii. 9). This took place at J erusaIem, and was in accordancee with the Lord's command and promise (Acts i. 4). No invitation was given to any Gentile to join this company; it was 'a purely Jewish association. It was in every sense of the word a Jewish Church. For ten years this Church was located in J erusalem, living as one family, having "all things common" (Acts iv. 32), for they believed Jesus would almost immediately return, and hence the non-necessity for private possession, as the glories and riches connected with Messiah's Kingdom would be shared by them. At the end of this period of time the rulers, as representing the nation (who all through had resisted, not only the apostles, but the Holy Spirit-Acts viii. 51), again gave formal rejection of Jesus and His claims by putting to death the saintly Stephen, and raising "a great persecution against the Church which was in Jerusalem," with the result that "they were all scattered abroad" (Acts viii. 1). Then came the admission of the Gentiles through Peter (Acts x. 44-48). But these uncircumcised strangers, though baptised believers, were a company all to themselves, for the Jewish members of the Church would not eat nor associate familiarlv with them (Gal. ii. 11-13). They were two companies "of believers, Jews and Gentiles. In the body to which we belong there is only one company, one, in Christ Jesus, neither Jew nor Gentile" (Gal. ii. 28). All this was in harmony with the prophecies of old, which announced the blessing of the Gentile world by means of the restored Hebrew nation, though the Hebrew should be first and the Gentile take second place in the Messiah's Kingdom (Is. lvi. 6-8). And was it not to this "rejoicing of the nations with His people" (Deut. xxxii. 43) that our Lord referred when He said, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold" (John x, 16), and of which Isaiah spake when he said, "Nations shall come to thy light." 'I'hus in miniature, as far as possible, was the Kingdom of Heaven set up, with the twelve apostles as ulers(-Matt. xix. 28) , Jew and Gentile alike payirig homage to Jesus as Lord. B~t, all this has nothing whatever to do with the Church of Jesus Christ to which you and I belong, in which is not recognised the difference between Jew and Gentile, The Gospel (good news) which concerns us is what Paul describes as "the Gospel which I preach amo?g the Gentiles" (Gal. ii. 2), "my Gospel" (Rom. ii. 16), "the Gospel of the Grace of God" (Acts xx. 24), which is something quite different to "the Gospel of the Kingdom of God" as understood by the apostles (Acts

i. 6), preached by Philip (Acts Vlll. 12), and also by our Lord Himself (Luke xxi. 31; Acts i. 3), which recognised and perpetuated the distinction between Jew and Gentile (Matt. xv. 21, 28; Acts xxi. 20-24). The Church under the rule of the twelve apostles was quite a different community to that now existent, and which has its human origin in the Divinely-inspired work of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, an appointment so exceptionally honourable that he exclaimed, "I magnify mine office" (Rom. xi. 13). It is this Paul who has made known to us the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations-the secret now revealed being nothing less than "the Church of the living God" (1 Tim. iii. 15), the mystical body of Jesus Christ. Rotorua. C. CRISPE (To be Continued.) BROWN.

Q;ob's

jLO\)e :

lRot

G1Ul'S.

WHEN the physician says: "Go out of doors, live in the sunshine," we know what he means. We have not to create the sunshine, we have only to step out into it; it is already here with its beauty and warmth, and we have only to let it do its life-giving work. But when the Great Physician bids us live in His love, we somehow feel that the love is some flame we are to kindle in our own hearts and keep burning, and we are filled with anxious watchfulness. It is His love-the great comforting, warming sunlight-in which we are to live without doubt or fear. I t is not of our making, it is beyond our measuring or quenching. It is here now, flooding the world around us, and we have only to open our hearts and lives to its joy, instead of turning our steps into the shadows.Scottish Reformer.

"1bear

:J!3otb $i~es."

IT is always in good order to persuade people to give up

a good thing for a better, and this it is the Christian worker's privilege to do. The sceptic who wants me to read infidel hooks on the ground that I ought to hear his side, loses sight of an important distinction. When I ask him to "come and see" Jesus, I am asking him to take something I know to be good. When he asks me to read a hook or hear a lecture against Jesus and the Bible, he is not asking me to give my attention to something that he knows to be better than anything I know; he is asking me to give up a good thing for a doubt. Let the sceptic first show me something better. Thus missionaries to the heathen, if they are wise, do not hegin their work by telling the heathen their religion is false. There are few religions that are all false, and there are few infidels who do not say a true thing once in awhile. But if we will but hold fast that which we have proved to be good, the Spirit of truth shall guide us into all truth.

..
44
THE BIBLE STANDARD.
whose power brought Purpose, and then shall
MARCH,

1910.
blessed

.........................

Place must interpretation these:-

be found in all prophetic for such scriptures as

in

this

GOD'S ETERNAL (Concluded.

PURPOSE. )

"Knowest therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God; the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations" (Deut, vii. 9). "Remember The word The His covenant for ever, which He commanded
j

to

a thousand qenerations
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE. It should be noted that the close of the "thousand years" is marked by the resurrection of the rest of the deadthose who were not deemed worthy of a place in the first resurrection. These have to stand before the Great White Throne. Their judgment is one of works, and, for some, probably many, the entry of their names and deeds in the book of life delivers from the "second' death," which awaits those who are proved to be unworthy of life. We call attention to this j udgmen t for the purpose of noting that no mention is made of judgment on the living nations. The assumption has been made that this resurrection and judgment must be the time and place of unal decision for all members of the race. But a careful examination will show that whilst this is the time and place for the grea t clecision regarding those who have died, there is no such decision concerning the multitudes of the race who remain alive after the destruction of the hosts who so readily yield themsel VI'S to the seductions of the liberated Prince of this age. The nations will continue as they continued through the Millennium. For one thousand years they enjoy the beneficent rule of the SOil of Man, and whilst their rulers and soldiery revolt and are destroyed, tne great mass of the inhabitants of the world remain to enter upon the new conditions which will be inaugurated' in
TJ~E DIRPI!:NfiATlOX OF TIm THE TIMES. FULNEfiS
OF

covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath unto Isaac." (1 Chron. xvi. 16, 17.) A "thousand generations." Who can measure the reach of years contained in that expression? If for six thousand years this earth has been the sphere of the reign of sin and death, should it not be expected that in the New Heaven and Earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness," the time of blessing should stretch out to countless years? The recovery of the dominion forfeited by Adarn will be glorious and' complete. Already Christ is constituted the Head of the Church, and out of every tribe and tongue are coming to Him those who gladly accept His Lordship, and when He returns, as promised, that acceptance shall be manifested in their perfect blessing and union with Himself. In the Millennium another phase of His redemptive work will be manifested in the willing allegiance of repentant Israel to their Messiah, and for ten centuries He will dispense the blessings of His reign over them, and from Jerusalem as the Empire Metropolis over the nations of the earth. The rebellion at the close of the Millennium exhibits the manner in which men, under Satanic temptation, will seek to rid themselves of His beneficent rule that again they may put themselves under the overrule of the Prince of this age. Divine judgment removes the malcontents, destroys them in the second death, and thus opens the way for the commencement of that great Gospel proclamation which brings to all men the blessing of Abraham. Of the operations of that glorious period but little is said. VI'e catch entranclllg glimpses of glories which we but dimly understand', but which are wondrously attractive. There is the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and "the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory into it" "and they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it." There we stand upon the threshold of the glorious period, and seek vainly to understand all that lies in that marvellous promise, "all nations blessed." So at last shall the great Purpose be attained, when at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue should confess Him Lord to the glory of God the Father, and under His gracious sway, and the outflow of the "blessing" divinely prepared, and then bestowed, the time will come, when in loyalty and love every human heart will thrill with love to God, whose love prompted, whose wisdom provided, and

GOD BE AI"L IN ALL. Reader, this sketch, is confessedly imperfect. If it shall lead to thoughtful and reverent examination of the Word of God, we shall be glad; but greater joy will fill our hearts if thereby some who have hitherto neglected God's wondrous Word because of its supposed lack of worthy design shall turn to it to find that satisfaction to mind and heart which, understanding and' acceptance of His purpose, will give, and which cannot be found out of Christ, in whom "God hath purposed to gather all things."

"OH,

FOR A CLOSER WITH MAN."

WALK

The following hymn, introduced to Australia by Mr. Edward Smith, was the outcome of a desire expressed by Rev. Dr. Rendell Harris (Eng.j , and was recently written by a medical man who has never previously penned a line. The hymn goes well to the tunc, "Sawley":Oh, for a closer walk with man, , A bright and cheery face, A heart to feel, a brain to plan The weal of our lost race. Where is Which When all As one Help My \Vi th His the brotherhood, I wist, once on earth was felt, who loved and' served the Christ together dwelt?

me, 0 Lord, to do my part, brother's load to bear; ready hands and tender heart cares and woes to share.

Broaden my views and save my mind From narrow, selfish aims, Teach me that every child of Thine On me and mine hath claims. In hungry man and shoeless bairn '.1 hine image may J see, That law of love, for ever learn, "re did it unto Me_" Walk with mr-, Lord, and till m~' heart So full of Love Divine, That lonely cot and busy mart ~ray hear Thy voice in mine. So may I seek through life's fierce Rtrife To hearten those who fight, '10 lift men up, yet all my life To lean on Thy sure might. E. A. DINGLEY, M.D. HE WROTE A COMPOSITION.

Then will come the great opportunity for which every forward step in the Eternal Purpose has been preparing. Then shall commence that glorious work declared in the Promise to Abraham"In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Former dispensations have been short, having been brought to an untimely, but merited, end by the sin of man; yet, as we have seen, each period supplied some element of advance towards the Purpose. But when these preparatory dispensations shall all have run their course, and every needed agent and agency which they have provided shall be in existence, then will begin the glorious work fore-declared in the original Abrahamic Promise. Will that dispensation of blessing be short? "Ve think not. It is the dispensation of the Fulness of the Times, and surely cannot be brief. If the period of the discipline of Israel was more than a thousand years; if the calling and preparation of the Church has lasted nearly two thousand years; if the millennial rule will abide for a thousand years, what length of time must stretch out in the oncorni ng "ages of the ages"?

A father, going into his stable one day, found his little son astride one of the horses, with a slate and pencil in hand. "Why, Harry!" he exclaimed, "what are you doing?" "Wr-iting a composition," was the reply. "Wel l, why don't you write it in the house," asked the father. "Because," answered the little fellow, "the teacher told me to write a composition on a horse."

MARCH, 1910.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

45
T is man, you remember, was of high rank' in Egypt. He was next to the king. He might have been buried with royal honours, and a mighty pyramid erected' to ~is memory side by side with those of Egypt's proudest monarchs. But no, Joseph never became an Egyptian; in heart he cherished his kinship with Abraham, and his-identity with the Hebrews. Joseph's dying command shows this and is also a confession of his faith i~ the promise made to the old patriarchs, that Canaan should be theirs. It also expressed the creed held by Abraharn, Isaae and Jacob-a creed of no common kind and of no earthly origin. Joseph believed, with them, in the redemption from the grave, the resurrection of the just, the life to follow death. And as the people of Israel gazed upon that venerabla bier, it spoke to them of Joseph's assurance that all faithful ones whether dead or living, should in God's' time together inherit the land of Canaan. What a rebuke to Israel's unbelief that coffin must have been. It was the memorial of a dead man's faith-it was the pledge of the coming triumph of life over death. Thus Joseph's bier was a gospel-the good news that death is not the end, there is to be an awaking for everyone who is a partaker of Joseph's faith and owns Joseph's God. Of all such, it said to Israel, "Thy dead men shall live. I will ransom them from the power of the grave." By that coffin, Joseph being dead, yet speaketh. He spoke to Israel, he speaks to us. He speaks not of death, but of life. We are cheered by the recollection of that dead man's bones. vVe see therein a lesson, a protest, a symbol. The lesson is the power of faith to accept God's word, and to cling, even in the hour of death, to the hope of its fulfilment. It protests that to God's people death is not an eternal sleep, that corruption is not the final doom, that mortality shall be changed to immortality. And may we not symbolise this interesting incident ; the departure at last of the dead Joseph from Egypt signifying that when God shall hereafter "visit His people" (Gen. 1. 25; Ex. iii. 16; iv. 31) now in their graves, they shall all be delivered therefrom and be brought saefly to the long expected inheritance. Until God thus visits His people, there is 110 hope for them. Christ is presently to appear for our salvation (Heb. ix. 28). Salvation from what? From the darkness and captivity of the grave, and to bring us to the light of life and liberty.
CARPUS.

Thoughts for the Thoughtful.

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are venerable think on these . things."-Phil. iv. 8. ' THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. A future life and everlasting happiness is not a truth revealed only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but was well known to and firmly believed in by the saints of old. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David, Isaiah, Daniel, had full assurance of "the life to come." But they recognised that only through resurrection could that life be attained. Let us briefly note the Scriptural evidence concerning this. 1. (Ps. xvi. 10, 11). "Thou wilt not leave me in the grave; Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; in Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." The fear of death is upon all men, but David's comfort was he should be delivered from the death chamber and his feet once more set upon the pathway of life. Die he must, but rise he shall. And so he would go to his grave as to his bed, and sleep until the morning call should rouse him to renewed activity, and introduce him to the presence of the Lord he IilVM so well. 2. (Ps, xvii. 15). "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." David here speaks of the resurrection; he calls it an awaking, for of the dead' it is written, they are "fallen asleep." On that joyful morn when we shall "put on immortality" and the hovering shadow of death for ever pass away, the loving kindness of the Lord shall awake all His own, and' so change them into the likeness of His own holiness and glorious felicity that they shall be fully contented for ever. 3. (Ps, Ixxiii. 24-). "Thou shalt guide m~ with Thy counsel, and afterward recerve me to glory." Oh blessed after-war-ds j when, having been helped, directed, strengthened, protected, guided through this mortal life, we then become partakers of "the glory that shall follow." This was the upholding expectation of the Psalmist of old. 4-. (Is. xxvi. 19). "Thy dead shall live. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust. The earth shall cast forth the dead." It clearly appears from this ut-: terance of the prophet that in his time the resurrection of the dead was a popular and common doctrine. Note, they are called Thy dead, for God still claims them as His, though for awhile they have lost their lives-"He is Lord of both the dead and the living" (Rom. xiv. 9). The dead saints whose death the book of Revelation declares is so "precious in the sight of the Lord," shall live, and the song of "Moses and the Lamb" (Rev. xv. 3) shall tremble on every lip and burst from every tongue. 5. (Jer. xxxi. 15, 17). "A voice is heard, Rachel weeping for her children, because they are not. Refrain thine eyes from tears, for they shall come again from the land of the enemy. There is hope in the end, for thy children shall

come again to their own border." By a violent death many godly ones had been prematurely cut off; but there was sure and certain hope that at the end of the age they sha.ll through resurrection live again and inherit the land of Canaan . 6. (Ezek. xxxvii. 12-14). "Thus saith the Lord God, behold I will open your graves and cause yon to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel." This is not figurative or symbolic language. The symbols and figures are in the earlier part of the chapter, which speaks of the open valley and the scattered bones. Anyhow, the resurrection of the dead' is assumed as a foundation truth. V\7e simply believe that God will rescue from the death-state all His faithful ones and give to them the promised land. 7. (Dan. xii. 1-2). "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life." Sleeping in the dust of the earth is an expressive description of sleeping in death. In tne fierce contest for liberty to worship Jehovah many Jews were slain. All such died fully assured that they should not sleep for ever; in due time they would awake to the reward of everlasting life. They all died "in faith" (Heb. xi. 13-35). Other passages might be quoted, such as Job xix. 23-27, Ps. xxxvii. 9-11, xlix. 14--15; Daniel vii. 18 and 22, Hosea xiii. 14. It is quite clear that the expectation of godly Israel was to live in the land of Israel when it and the whole earth is the Kingdom of the Messiah. From Moses to Malachi one prophet after another takes up the joyful, wondrous theme of the magnificence of Messiah's earthly reign, and to Jive in the day when God should' bring this about was the one desire of every true son of Israel. But only through resurrection could past generations gain entrance to this everlasting kingdom, even as the Messiah Himself, rejected and slain, must "rise from the dead" ere He could be seated on His throne. Resurrection from the grave, and the inheritance of the land promised to Abraham, was the one and only hope of the patriarchs and saints of the Hebrew race. JOSE PH'S BONES. "By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, gave commandment concerning his bones" (Heb, xi. 22). "And Joseph said, "Ye shall surely carry up my bones from hence" (Gen. I. 25, 26). "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him" (Ex. x iii, 19). "And the bones of Joseph laid they in Shechem" (Josh. xxiv. 32). After his death the body of Joseph was embalmed and enshrined in an Egyptian coffin, such as we see in our museums. During the long captivity in Egypt this was carefully guarded by the Israelite". 'When Moses delivered the people, for 40 vears in the wilderness was seen th-: ~trange spectacle of the coffin of a, man who had been dead nearly 300 years being carried in their midst. The dead marching through the deserts with the living! The dead Joseph at the head of his childrens' children! About 70 years later, after Canaan was subdued, Joshua buried in Shechem the remains of J acob's famous son.

Jenny's uncle, who was a school teacher, met her on the street OI\C beautiful May day and asked her if she was going to the Maypole party. "No, I ain't going." "Oh, my little dear," said her uncle, "you must not say, 'I ain't going.' You must say, 'I am not going.' " And he proceeded to give her a lesson in grammar: "You are not going. He is not going. We are not going. They are not going. Now, can you say all that, Jenny?" "Sure I can. There ain't nobody go-

ing."-Exohange.

46

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

MARCH, 1910. DUNEDIN.~"Ve are pleased to report good meetings during the past month; the evening services have been taken by Bros. Lawrence, senr., 'I'idman, and Sincock, and the attendance has been remarkably good, and we have been pleased to see some strangers among the number. During the holidays we had Bra. Harrow, from Christchurch ; Bro. Pears on, from Ti maru ; and Sisters F. and M. Taylor, of the Thames, with us, to remember the Lord in the breaking of bread. It is always a great pleasure to us to have visits from those of like precious faith, who are looking forward with the same glorious hope in the corninz of our Lord and Master. 'Ve held our Church Picnic on New Year's Day at Frazer's Gully, most of the members being present. We had a very pleasant day, but it was brought to rather an abrupt termination by a shower of rain. On the first Wednesday in the New Year we opened our Christian Band. We trust much good will be derived from these meetinsrs and that thev will be the means of h~lping on our work in the Master's cause. A full report of the opening meeting by the Secretary of the Band is attached. Christian greetings to all. S.L. Gt;ORGETOWNB.G.-Bless the Lord for all His mercie~. Life only in Christ is now allowed' a hearing, and in quarters where I never expected it would find an entrance. Some persons have told me that they never believed in eternal torments, yet they advocated thll;t dreadful doctrine with much emphasis. I am sending all the literature I can spare to persons who would not come to hear me, but who are studying these great questions. I have been visiting the Baptist pastor in this city, who told me that as a result of some papers that were sent to him he believes in Life and Advent truths. But he has to sever his connec-' tion with his Church, and is going to D.S.A. to get a man to take the place. I asked him, "What kind of a man will you bring? One that believes as you do now or one that believes as you once did?" His answer was not satisfactory. He intends to labour in Jamaica and Venezuela. I took service with him this (Christmas) morning, and find that he still holds to much that is unscriptural , but it is something to know that he . has taken the first steps on the way to truth. During the latter part of the month of November I was not able to do any outside work, as I was suffering from bilious fever; but I rejoice to be able -to tell you that the work was carried on in the streets and at two villages by the brethren. My time of sickness did them good, as they had to defend themselves against the objections of their listeners. One of them defended himself by the aid of the six nights' debate (Brown and Hutson ) , and had the advantage over his opponent. At Jonestown another used "Echoes of Truth, No. 7," in defending his position. Thus though the time of sickness was distressing to me, it was the cause of others launching out to service for the Truth.YoUJ's in love, W. S. EDGEHILL".

11 11

CHURCH AND MISSION NEWS.

AUCKLAND.-As our notes for January issue, out of last for the two months. December 26:

11 11

were crowded Sunday on the joys

we conBro.

dense our report L. E. Falkner

morning, and gifts

was in the chair, and spoke of Christmas-tide,

persecution and death down to the present, and the story told of them in Deuteronomv xxviii. Our brother showed by printed' tables that in 50 years the number of Jews in Jerusalem had increased from one-third of the population to considerably more than half. The overthrow of the Sultan of Turkey by the Young Turkish Party and setting up of a Constitutional Government, which has expressed its willingness to grant 70 million acres of land in the Mesopotamian Valley, is a very striking feature of the Jewish movement. Sunday morning, January 23: The meeting was presided over by Bra. G. A. Green, speaking from Tirn. i. Charge 1: Not to teach certain doctrines. Charge 2: Love out of a pure heart. Sister Fanny Taylor was with us in fellowship. In the evening Bra. Aldridge spoke from the opening words of the 4th chapter of Ecclesiastes, "I saw the oppressor and those that were oppressed, and there was no Comforter." Sunday morning, January 30: Bra. Ernest Aldridge presided, basing his remarks on the lOth verse of the 5th chapter of Romans. We had' with us in fellowship Sister Mason, of Waihi, and Bro. Harrow, of Christchurch. In the evening we listened to a splendid address on "A Silent Heaven-Why'?" From the time of the rejection of Christ by the Jews has been the time of grace, and from then till now miracles have ceased. Sunday morning, February 6: Bro. Aldridge spoke on "Prayer." As the parent uses discretion in granting the requests of the child, so our Heavenly Father will answer our prayers according at His will. Two more sisters followed their Lord through the waters of baptism, and three were received into fellowship. The subject of the evening's address was "A Perfect Love-Sacrifice." (Gala.tians ii. 20). Sunday morning, February 13: Bra. C. F. Garratt presided, taking for his text 'Fitus ii. 1, "But speak thou the tuings which befit the sound doctrine," 01' otherwise practice the sound doctrine. In the evening the address was on "An Old-fashioned Creed" (Luke i. 1-4). The speaker said he believed in an old-fashioned creed as recorded from the 1st chapter of Genesis to the Book of Revelation; in an old-fashioned God, who has talked with man; in an old-fashioned man, Adam ; old-fashioned sin, the sin of Adam; an old-fashioned Hades, the grave; an old-fashioned Resurrection, when Christ shall come, not a re-uniting of soul and body; an old-fashioned Saviour, and an old-fashioned salvation. Bible ClUs8.-The "weekly Bible Classes have been held as usual, with the exception of a fortnight's recess, and though the attendances have not been large, still we believe good has been gained by the very instructive and highly appreciated addresses on the Epistle to the Romans. The following subjects were spoken on during the two months:-Dec. 22, "A Test Case"; Jan. 12, "Abraham's Faith"; Jan. 19, "Summing up the Argnment"; Jan. 26, "Adam and Christ"; Feb. 2, "Sin"; Feb. 9, "Law and Grace"; Feb. 16, "Law and Sin."

and of the greatest gift of all to manour Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we now celebrate. Our Brothers, C. Aldridge, Donaldson, and Judkins, and Sisters Poole and Battson were with us in fellowship. In the evening Bro. Aldridge's Kings." address was on "The King of rule The inefficiency of human

was evidenced bloodshed in

by the state of unrest and the world, but when He

comes who shall be King of kings, then, and not till then, shall there be peace on earth and goodwill to men. Sunday morning, January 2, 1910: Bra. Aldriclge presided. This was an open meeting for anyone who wished to testify for their Master. Our Bra. C. C. Brown, of Rotorua, was to have spoken, but owing to a relaxed throat was unable to do so, and in a few words asked the brethren to excuse him. We had with us in fellowship our Bros. 'I'ippin, Jessop, Winsor, Burrell, C. C. Brown, Bra. and Sister Le Ray, of Helensville, and Sister Jessop. In the evening Bra. Aldridge gave a "Review of the Events of 1909." The impotency of man to help himself, and the need of omnipotent rule the only remedy, were forcibly shown. Sunday morning, January 9: Bra. Alridge spoke from Colossians ii. 8, "The fulness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full." Paul warned them of old against being led astray by vain philosophy; have we not to guard against the same to-day? In the evening a splendid discourse was given on "The Signs of the Times." Many have attempted to fix the day of our Lord's return, but all have failed'. There are strong indications of the nearing of the end by the ominous signs in the world to-day, such as the falling off of faith in the Church; the lack of reception' of truth, but rather opposition to it; the turning aside to fables and false doctrines; the growth of confidence in the flesh; seekers of pleasures rather than lovers of God; all of which were prophesied 1,800 years ago, and are prevalent in the world to-day. Sunday morning, January 16: Bra. A. Page conducted the meeting, speaking of the Lord's death and burial, and the promise of His resurrection (Matt. xxvii.) . In fellowship with us were Brethren Lester, Ashby, Webber, and Ornstein, and Sisters Ornstein, Lester, and Wilkinson. In the evening Bro. Aldridge spoke on "The Jewish Signs of the Times." How that from the time of their taking into captivity have suffered

NiAHcn, 1910.

THE BIBLE

STANDARD.
upon the efremain, your AN INTELLIGENT CAT.

47

THE

MISSION' F1ElD. "

VVAIH!, January 17. 1910. of God I am of health

Beseeching God's blessing fort of the Association,-I brother in the one Hope,

Baron Von Gletchen, a German diplomat, used to tell a story of a favourite cat as a proof that the feline race can think and draw practical conclusions. The eat was Vel)' fond of looking in mirrors hung against the walls, and would gnaw at the frames, as if longing to know what was inside. She had, however, never seen the backside of a mirror. One day the baron placed a cheval-glass in the middle of the room, and the cat instantly took in the novelty of the situation. Placing herself in front and seeing a second cat, she began to run round the mirror in search of her companion. After running round one way several times, she began to run the other, until fully sa.t.isfied that there was no cat beside herself outside of the glass. But where was the second cat? She sat down in front of the glass to meditate on the problem. Evidently inside, as she had often before imagined. Suddenly a new thought occurred to her. Rising deliberately, she put her paws on the glass in front and then behind, walked round to the other side, and measured the thickness in the same way. Then she sat down again to think. There might be a cavity inside, but it was not large enough to hold a cat. She seemed to come to the del iberate conclusion that there was a mystery here, but no cat, and it wasn't worth while to bother about it. From that time the baron said she lost all curiosity about looking-glasses.

CHAS B. KINO.

DEAR MH. EUITOH,By the good favour permitted, in a good measure

and strength, to acquaint you with-some of my movements since coming to this place under the auspices of the J.Z.E. and Pub. Association. It is needless to say that I have not lacked the sincerest aid and sympathy of the Church here since I arrived, and every help has been afforded me to render my service to them and our dear Lord as etl'ecti ve as possible.

iI

CHRISTIAN BAND. ~

~~~~
DUNEDIN.-We are exceedingly pleased to report the formation of our Christian Band .on January 5th. We have an ex.ccllent syllabus printed for the first ,six months, comprised chiefly of subjects by the junior, members of the Church, and if the, enthusiasm shown by the members on the second night is maintained throughout the year we shall. indeed be helpful to ourselves, and a living support to the Church. We are indebted to our Brc. Aldridge for' his opportune advice and counsel, ancl are all determined t I act upon it and make the class (by our individual lives) it profound success. We send our Christian greetings to Northern Bands, and trust all our prayers are for the mutual upbuild'ing of its members.

j
I

It has been my privilege to speak every Sunday evening during my sojourn here on Bible themes having some ,gearing upon Life and Advent truths" a~dL I .am pleased to say, to audienc~s.varying from thirty-five to sixty, the smaller number since I have, returned from the Conference, some of our members and friends not having yet returned from their hol idays., During tile week, from Sunday to Sunday, I have been engaged visiting WILL LAwBENc~" Secretary. from house to house, and where an op: portunity has been given, presenting those truths which give a broader and THE SECR,ET. clearer conception of the purposes of God, and drawing the people's 'attention "I noticed," said Dr. Frank lin, "a meto the fact of our worship in the Miners' chanic among a number of others, at Union Hall. These visits are productive work on a house erecting but a little way of good in various ways. Firstly, my from my office, who always appeared to be visit has brought home to some who have in a merry humour, who had a kind word carelessly ceased to attend a place of worand a cheerfu I sm ile for everyone he ship the necessi ty of supporting that 'met, Let the day be ever so cold, gloomy, which has, though at times ineffectively, or sunless, a happy smile danced like a stood for the moral uplift of the people. sunbeam on his cheerful countenance. 1 have, secondly, brought vividly before Meeting him one morning, I asked him the minds of many people the Scripture to tell me the cause of his constant flow testimony concerning the nature of man, of spirits. 'No secret, Doctor,' he replied. the Second Coming, and the Kingdom, '1 ha ve got one of the best of wives, and of necessity setting aside those erroneous when I go to work she always has a kind ideas which have been held without in- ,'word of encouragement for me, and when quiring as to their truth; and I assure 1 go home she meets me with a smile you. it is sad to be so much in contact and It kiss; and then tea is sure to be with the Egyptian darkness on these matready, and she has done so many little ters. I nave, too, been glad to unearth things through the day to please me, that members of the Church of Christ who 1 can not ti nd it in my heart to speak an have moved here from other places who unkind word to anybody! "-Selected. have neglected to make themselves known to the Church. I have' also brouzht to BIBLE "LITTLES." the notice of the people visited the literature we carry bearing upon tll(\Se, :~'''i A little clay in the hands of "Jesus themes, and the value of QUI'. monthly' opened blind eyes. periodical, THE BIBLE STANDARD' but in A little maid sent her master to be this respect I have met with ve~'y little cured >Of leprosy. success-our pamphlets I cannot sel l, and have only succeeded in securing six subA little bit turns the body of the horse. scribers to the STANDARD. The brethren A little rudder turns the ship. here are now making rapid progress with A little member, the tongue, how great the Church building, which will be ready its inAuence for good or evil. for occupancy by the middle' of 'February. A little strength to keep His Word When in their own building I have no and 'not deny His Name: what a reward. doubt greater success will attend the operations of the Church here, giving , A little while and He shall come. greater faciliti~s for week:ni~ht meetings Christ1s~:I!Ht1e flock will have the kingand the opera.tions 'of the Sunday School. dom' (Luke xii. 32). You will not forget, my dear broFaithful in very little-well done.' thers, to ask the readers of your valuable paper to remember at the throne of ,Life measured out in small moments grace the brother who is doing his best will expand into eternity. to spread the truth as it is in Jesus: ",: LYDIA KERN.

JENNIE'S

SELFISHNESS.

.Iohnrue and Jennie were having a teaparty. "You can pour out the tea, Jennie," said Johnnie, graciously. "Well," said Jennie, greatly pleased. "And I will help to the cake," went on Jonnnie. "We-ell, repeated Jennie more doubtIulry. So Jennie poured out L.e tea, am, Johnnie cut up the cake. Mamma hall given them quite a large piece. -Tohnn ic cut the large piece into five smaller pieces. They were all about the same size. He helped Jennie to one piece, and began to eat another hi mselr. J ennie poured another cup of tea, and the feast went on. Mamma III the next room heard them talking peacefully for a time, but presently arose a discussion, and then a prolonged wail from Johnnie. "Wha t is the matter?" asked mamma. "Jennie's greedy and selfish, too," cried Johnnie between his sobs. Then he cried again. "What, is the matter?" repeated mamma, going in to find out. "'Vhy," explained Johnnie, as soon as he could speak, "we each had two pieces of cake, and there was only one left, and ,J ennie took it-she took it all!" Mamma looked perplexed. "That does seem rather selfish of Jennie!" _ "Yes, it was!" Johnnie exclaimed, weeping, "'cause I cut the cake that way so's I could have that extra piece my-

self."-Youth's

Companion.

THE
HE GAVE HIMSELF (Gal. ii. 20.) "Somebody knows when your heart aches, And everything seems to go wrong; Somebody knows when the shadows Need chasing away with a song. Somebody knows when you're lonely, Tired, discouraged and blue; Somebody wants you to know Him, And know that He dearly loves you. "Somebody cares when you're tempted, And the world grows dizzy and dim; Somebody cares when you're weakest And furthest away from Him; Somebody grieves when you've fallen, Though you are not lost from His sight; Somebody waits for your coming, Taking the gloom from your night. "Somebody loves you when weary; Somebody loves you when strong; Always is waiting to help you, Watches you, one of the throng, Needing his friendship so holy, Needing his watch-care so true; His name? YVe call His name Jesus, His people? Just I and just you." FOR YOU.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

MARCH, 1910.

~be :fl3ible$tan~ar~.

--_.-

The Bible Standa,a can be ordered direct from the Treasurer. MR. A. M. SKEATES, Queen Street, Auckland.
B.

d.

Price per annum, post free .. Single copies .. BOOK STEW ARD-E. PHI PPS, 31, High Street.

2 6 o 2

AGENTS FOR 'l'HE BIBLE STANDARD: NEW ZEALAND. Auckland-Mr. Hancock, Bookseller, Queen Street. Wellington-H. J. Barraclough, lIIyrtle Crescent. Dunedln-Mr. Lawrence, Hope Street. Kalapol-Mr. James Holland. Ranglora-Mr. Wm. Smith, South Brook. New Plymouth-Mr. Fred Goodncre, Courtney Road. East Oxford-Mr. A. England. 'l.'hnmes-Mr. C. Sanders, Macky Street. Tlmaru-Mr. H. H. King, Stafford Street. TlnwaliI, Ashburton-Mr. Shearer. Walbl-Mr. Joseph Foster. Adelaide-Mr. Sydney-Mr. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. C. Gamble, Magl ll Road, Stepney. NEW SOUTH WALES. H. Cropp, M:itchell Street, Kogarah.

..
KIND SPEECH

Fanny

Edna Htafford.

Commnnications to the Editor to be addressed: GEO. ALDRIDGE, Brentwood Avenue, Mount Eden. Telegraphic Address, "Rocky
Nook."

IS GOLDEN.

All communica tions to the Association and orders for Bible Staltda.-a to be addressed to the Secretary, MR. ALEX. PAGE, Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Has it ever struck you what a sweetener of life lies in a few words of appreciation and encouragement? How few of us take the trouble to stop a few minutes and praise a servant for work well done, or even pause to tell our nearest and dearest how we appreciate all the daily services which we have apparently never noticed. Only a few words of appreciation! The cost is nothing, but the recompense is beyond price. Let the husband tell his wife how much he prizes her love for him, and the wife tell her husband how truly she recognises all his care for her, and the mother should reveal in words how much she values her children's affection, while the child who says to its mother, "I thank you for all your love to me," has rewarded her far beyond knowledge or understanding.-8eleoted. HIS KINDNESS

CHURCH
Hold Services as under:

OF

CHRIST

AUCKLAND-West Street. Sunday, at 11 o'clock a.m., Fellowship Meeting. 6.45 p.m., Preaching Service. Sunday School at 2.45. Wednesdny evening, Bible Class at 7.45. Evangelist's address-Geo. Aldr\dge, Brentwood Avenue, Mount Eden. Secretary-Mr. J. H. Ward, Stanle y Street, Arch Hill MOUNT ROSKILL, Corner Waiters Road and Emma StreetSunday at 11 n.rn., Fellowship Meeting. Sunday at G.45 p.m., Preaching Service. Sunday School ut 2.45 p.m. DUNEDIN-Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart Street. Sunday at 11 a.m., Fellowship Meettng, 6.30 p.m., Preaching Service. Wedriesday evening, at 7.45, Christian Band Meeting is held in Kroon's Reception Room, St, Andre w Street. Church Secretary-So Lawrence. 6, Hope Street. Dunedin. HELENSVILLE-Church. Sunday, Sunday Sunday Church Secretn ry, Fellowship Meeting, at 11 a.m. School at 2.30. Evening, Preaching, 7. H. M. Cameron.

..

LASTS.

The thing that lasts in the .universe is His kindness, which continues from everlasting to everlasting. What a revelation of God! Oh dear friends, if only our hearts could open to the full acceptance of that thought, sorrow, care, anxiety, and every other form of trouble would fade away, and we should be at rest. The infinite, undying, imperishable love of God is mine. Older than the mountains, deeper than their roots, wider than the heavens and stronger than all my sin, is the love that grasps me and keeps me, and will not let me go, and lavishes its tenderness upon me, and beseeches me, and pleads with me, and woos me, and rebukes me and corrects me when I need, and sent His Son to die for me. "My kindness shall not depart from thee."-Alexandm Maolaren.

Ureasurer's

acJmowle~(}l1lents

THAMES-Pollen Street Lecture Hall. Sunday at 11 a.m .. Fellowship Meeting. Evening Service at G.30. Sunday School at 2.30. Evangelist-Chas. Waterhouse, Heale St., Parawai. Secretary-Chas. Sanders, lIIackay Street, Thames. i WAIHI-The Miners' Union Hall. Sunday, 11 a.m., Fellowship Meeting. Sunday, 2.30 p.m., Sunday !;!chool. Sunday Evening, at 7, a Public Address. Church Secretary-D. Donaldson. Evangellst-Joseph Foster, Walh!.

Sunul ard. Subsoriptions.-Mesdames Noble (2 copies), Bruce, Smith, Marshman (South Australia), Moon, G. Green, senr. (6 copies), Messrs. W. Nesbitt, W. Wilson, J. Parnell (Vic.) (6 copies), Rogers, D. M. Watson (England), O. Veale, Williams, Blott, H. Davie (South Australia), T. Oliver (South Australia), Worden (South Australia), P. Brandt (Vic.) , T. Hel lyer, Ashby, Harrington, Somerville (Scotland). Assooiation Subs.-Mesdames Brewster, Smith, Green, senr., Messrs. E. Aldridge, J. Parnell (Vic.), W. Dixon, S. H. Green, W. Penman A. M. SKEATES, Treasurer.

TIMARU-Sophla Street Hall. Secretary's Address-H. H. King, Stafford Street, Timaru. ADELAIDE, S.A.-Drulds' Hall. Beulah Road, Norwood. Secretary's Address-Miss L, L. Blackeby, 226, Rundle St., Adelaide, S.A. Printed by the BRE'rT PRINTINGANDPUBLISHINGCOMPANY, hort S land Street, for the New Zealand Evangelistic and Publication Association, and published by W. A. S1.UTH,Selwyn Road, Mt Albert, MARCH, 1910.