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    August 23, 1898

    “Editorial” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, p. 538.

    IN the time of the early rain, when they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, there was great unity among the believers. The whole “multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.1

    This unity stood the test of practical things, too; for “neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.2

    Accordingly, “neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.3

    Presently, however, it occurred that the widows of the Grecians were neglected in the daily distribution of the funds and provisions that were common to all. And because of this, the Grecians murmured against the Hebrews.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.4

    Then the apostles “called the multitudes of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” This pleased the brethren all, and action was taken accordingly.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.5

    The record of this occurrence was made for us. This is true, simply because it is Scripture. But further than this, we are directed especially to study this particular part of the sixth chapter of Acts. Therefore let us study it a little moment:—ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.6

    1. The apostles said, and it is written for our instruction, that it was not reason that they should leave the word of God, and serve tables.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.7

    2. This serving of tables was the ministration, to widows and others, of the things to which they were entitled.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.8

    3. It involved the handling of money, the dealing in provisions, and the distribution of money or provisions of all sorts to the disciples. It was, therefore, very aptly designated by the apostles as “business.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.9

    Then, as this “serving tables” was the engaging in “business,” when the apostles said, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables,” they said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and engage in business.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.10

    Inspiration says that it is not reason that ministers of the gospel should leave the word of God and attend to business. In the time of the early rain, this was accepted and acted upon. How long shall we continue “in the time of the latter rain” before it shall be accepted and acted upon?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.11

    Bear in mind, too, that this was not a question of really quitting the ministry of the word, and engaging in business as a separate thing. It was simply a question of ministers of the gospel being occupied with the legitimate business of the church,—such strictly legitimate and sacred business as is connected with distributing provisions to widows.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.12

    Inspiration says that it is not reason that ministers of the gospel should leave the word of God and serve business, even such as that. And the record shows that to serve business, even such as that, is to “leave the word of God.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.13

    For the apostles, the only ministers of the gospel at that time, to serve that “business” was to leave the word of God. They said so, and said that “it is not reason” that it should be so. And when inspiration has endorsed that, and repeated to us that it “is not reason,” then why should it not be so, and how long shall it be before it shall be so, that ministers of the everlasting gospel now may leave business and serve the word of God, rather than leave the word of God and serve business, as so many now do?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.14

    When the word of God says that a thing is not reason, no amount of “reasoning” can make it reasonable. The word of God does say that it is not reason that ministers of the gospel should leave the word of God and serve business—even the legitimate business of the church and cause of God. And no amount of “reasoning” can make such a course reasonable. All such reasoning is simply setting up personal opinions and selfish preferences against the word of God. this is not Christianity: it is Christianity to cast “down reasonings, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.15

    In the time of the early rain, when they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, the ministers of the gospel said that “it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve business.” At that time, also, the saying pleased the whole multitude. And now, in the time of the latter rain, if the ministers of the gospel would say this very same thing, the saying would again please the whole multitude.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.16

    And why should not the ministers of the gospel say it now? Indeed, why do they not all say it? Is it because they are not all filled with the Holy Ghost, as those were who did say it for our instruction? What other cause can there be? And in this time of the latter rain, when all are to be filled with the Holy Ghost as at the first, how can this thing continue against divine, true reason, unless it be that ministers of the gospel would rather leave the word of God and serve business than to seek to be so filled with the Holy Ghost that they would see and say that it is reason to leave business and serve the word of God?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.17

    “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Let the ministers of the gospel receive the Holy Ghost. Let all the multitude of the believers receive the Holy Ghost. Let all, both ministers and the multitude, “be filled with the Spirit.” Then the ministers will call the disciples unto them, and say: “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.18

    Then it will be again as it was before. The saying will please the whole multitude; they will choose men “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,” whom they will set before the ministers, who will pray, and lay their hands upon them. Then, too, as before, the word of God will increase; the number of the disciples will multiply greatly, and a great company of the priests will be obedient to the faith: the office and work of the minister of the gospel will be honored as it should be, and as it is not now; and there will not be the dearth of ministers that there is now.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.19

    The Book of Acts is a record of the working of the Holy Spirit, when he had his way in the church. The sixth chapter of Acts is a part of that record, and this is what it says. With special reference to this subject, we are directed by the Spirit to “study the sixth chapter of Acts.” Will you study it wit the Spirit? Will you hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches? Will you follow the way that he leads? Will you receive the Holy Ghost? Will you be filled with the Spirit?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.20

    “Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Recognize the Holy Spirit.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.21

    “Passing Events. A Little Ancient History, Which Is Also Modern” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, pp. 538, 539.

    THE conquests of the Roman Republic were made in the name of liberty, to deliver peoples from oppression. But after these conquests had been made, and the immediate question settled, there was a different story to tell.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.1

    Honest old Rollin’s “reflections” upon the course of the Roman Republic are important to-day, as the republic of the United States has started in this identical path. These reflections run thus:—ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.2

    The reader may perceive, in the events related, one of the principal characteristics of the Romans, which will soon determine the fate of all the states of Greece, and produce an almost general change in the universe,—I mean a spirit of sovereignty and dominion. This characteristic does not display itself at first in its full extent. It reveals itself by degrees; and it is only by insensible progress, which at the same time is sufficiently rapid, that we see it carried at last to its greatest height.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.3

    It must be confessed that this people, on some occasions, show a moderation and disinterestedness, which, from a superficial view, seem to exceed everything we meet with in history, and which we feel it incumbent on us to praise.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.4

    Was there ever a more glorious day than that in which the Romans, after having carried on a long and dangerous war, after crossing seas and exhausting their treasures, caused a herald to proclaim, in a general assembly, that the Roman people restored all the cities to their liberty, and desired to reap no other fruits by their victory than the noble pleasure of doing good to nations, the bare remembrance of whose ancient glory sufficed to endear them to the Romans?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.5

    Had this deliverance of the Grecian states proceeded merely from a spirit of generosity, void of all interested motives; had the whole tenor of the conduct of the Romans been of the same nature, with such exalted sentiments, nothing could possibly have been more august, or more capable of doing honor to a nation. But if we penetrate ever so little beyond this glaring outside, we soon perceive that this specious moderation of the Romans was entirely founded on a profound policy; wise, indeed, and prudent, according to the ordinary rules of government, but at the same time very remote from that noble disinterestedness so highly extolled on the present occasion. It may be affirmed that the Grecians then abandoned themselves to a stupid joy, fondly imagining that they were really free because the Romans declared them so.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 538.6

    The Romans declared loudly in favor of those republics [of Greece]; made it their glory to take them under their protection, and that with no other design in outward appearance; than to defend them against their oppressors; and further to attach them by a still stronger tie, they hung out to them a specious bait, as a reward for their fidelity—I mean liberty, of which all the republics in question were inexpressibly jealous, and which the Macedonian monarchs had perpetually disputed with them.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.1

    The bait was artfully prepared, and was eagerly swallowed by the generality of the Greeks, whose views penetrated no further. But the most judicious and most clear-sighted among them discovered the danger that lay concealed beneath this charming bait; and, accordingly, they exhorted the people from time to time, in their public assemblies, to beware of this cloud that was gathering in the west; and which, changing on a sudden into a dreadful tempest, would break like thunder over their heads to their utter destruction.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.2

    Nothing could be more gentle and equitable than the conduct of the Romans in the beginning. They acted with the utmost moderation toward such states and nations as addressed them for protection; they succored them against their enemies; took the utmost pains in terminating their differences, and in suppressing all trouble the least recompense for all these services done for their allies. By these means, their authority gained strength daily, and prepared the nation for entire subjection.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.3

    Under the pretense of manifesting their good will, of entering into their interests, and of reconciling them, they rendered themselves as the sovereign arbiters of those whom they had restored to liberty, and whom they now considered in some measure as their freedmen. They used to depute commissioners to them to inquire into their complaints, to weight and examine the reasons on both sides, and to decide their quarrels; but when the articles were of such a nature that there was no possibility of reconciling them on the spot, they invited them to send their deputies to Rome, but afterward they used to summon those who refused to be reconciled; obliged them to plead their cause before the senate, and even to appear in person there. From arbiters and mediators, having become supreme judges, they soon assumed a magisterial tone, looked upon their decrees as irrevocable decisions, were greatly offended when the most implicit obedience was not paid to them, and gave the name of rebellion to a second resistance. Thus there arose in the Roman senate a tribunal which judged all nations and kings, and from which there was no appeal.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.4

    We see by the event to what this so-much-boasted lenity and moderation of the Romans was confined. Enemies to the liberty of all nations, having the utmost contempt for kings and monarchy, looking upon the whole universe as their prey, they grasped with insatiable ambition the conquest of the whole world. They seized indiscriminately all provinces and kingdoms, and extended their empire over all nations; in a word, they prescribed no other limits to their vast projects than those which deserts and seas made it impossible to pass.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.5

    This extract will be good to keep, and to read along with much spread-eagleism that has been, and that will be, manifested upon “Imperial America,” “our colonial policy,” and “our obligations to extend the blessings of liberty to oppressed peoples” and “to all the world.”ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.6

    “When’s and Why’s” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, p. 539.

    WHEN the word of God speaks of the resurrection day as “the first day of the week,” and says that WHEN that day came, “the Sabbath day according to the commandment” “was past,” WHY should anybody who has any respect for the word of God call that day the Sabbath? Luke 23:56; 24:1; Mark 16:1, 2.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.1

    WHEN the word of God says that “the Sabbath day according to the commandment” was past before the resurrection day, the first day of the week, came at all, WHY should anybody who has any respect for the word of God say that the Sabbath was changed to the first day of the week?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.2

    By reading Luke 24:1-37 and Mark 16:9-14, we learn that the disciples did not believe that Jesus had risen on that First-day, WHEN the day was almost gone. It was nearly ten days later before Thomas was convinced that Jesus was indeed risen. John 20:24-28. Then WHY should Christian people say the disciples kept the First-day “from the resurrection of Christ”?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.3

    WHEN Paul held his meeting at Troas (Acts 20:7), on a First-day evening (corresponding to our Saturday night), WHY did Luke and his companions put in their time sailing the vessel to Assos, if the first day of the week had become a sacred day?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.4

    WHEN there is not one command in the New Testament to regard the first day of the week as a sacred day, WHY do Christians observe it in the place of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.5

    WHEN there is not one passage of Scripture in the whole New Testament that in any way mentions the first day of the week as the Sabbath in the Christian dispensation, WHY should the followers of Jesus call it a holy day?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.6

    The majority of Christians who observe Sunday as a holy day keep it as a memorial of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. WHY should they do so WHEN Bible baptism (immersion) was instituted as a memorial of that event? See Romans 6:1-3; Colossians 2:12.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.7

    In Revelation 1:10 John speaks of being “in the Spirit of the Lord’s day.” WHY should any one assume that this was the first day of the week, WHEN there is no scripture in the whole Bible that speaks of that day as the Lord’s day, and WHEN there are passages that speak of the Sabbath—the seventh day—by that term? See Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13; Mark 2:27, 28.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.8

    WHEN the Sabbath command is just as plain as any other commandment in the Bible, WHY should we not receive it just as we do the others? See Matthew 5:17-20.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.9

    WHEN there is no record of a change of the Sabbath by Christ, who made the Sabbath, WHY should Christians seek to find a record of the change in early church history?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.10

    WHEN the church at the time of the apostles had no more authority to change God’s law than at the present time, WHY should people say that the church of that time changed the Sabbath, the fourth commandment, and deny the right of the church of this time to change any other commandment of God?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.11

    WHEN Protestants claim that “the primitive church” could and did of right change the Sabbath, the fourth commandment, and WHEN the church at Rome was of that primitive church, WHY should they (and how can they) deny the right of the later church, of which the church at Rome is a part, to change any part of the word of God that she may choose to change, WHEN they admit that the church at Rome is still “a part of the true church,” and especially WHEN the church at Rome can show a direct descent from primitive time?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.12

    In short, WHEN Protestants plant themselves on papal ground at the beginning, WHY should they not stay on it at the end?ARSH August 23, 1898, page 539.13

    “Two Charities” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, p. 540.

    SATAN would have us be very charitable toward men’s opinions. We are fallible creatures, he suggests, and fall into many errors. We must not condemn men because they differ with us in opinion.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.1

    All this is true; but it is one thing to condemn men for differing and testify against their rejecting the truth of God. Satan would try to blind our eyes to this distinction. He would have us think that a man is no more to blame for believing that the word of God is a lie than for differing with us in regard to any secular matter.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.2

    Satan’s favorite maxim is that it does not matter what a man believes, provided his practise is right. He would have us think that there is little or no connection between belief and practise. He would fain conceal the truth that a man’s practise can not be right unless his principles are right.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.3

    It is said that while Mr. Gladstone was severe in his denunciation of the wrong principles held by his opponents, he never attacked the individual who held the erroneous views. Yet he never allowed his friendship feeling toward the individual to compromise a principle.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.4

    This is the principle that Jesus acted upon when here on the earth. He was friendly to publicans, lepers, and harlots; yet he never failed to denounce their sins, nor to make an effort to turn the individual from his sin. He had charity toward the individual, but none for his sins.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.5

    “Saul’s Armor” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, p. 540.

    “AND David said unto Saul, I can not go with these; for I have not proved them.” Saul was a large man, and his armor had been fitted to him, so that he could use it. David was young and inexperienced in army drill. He could not handle a sword nor use a shield; and the weighty helmet and coat of mail were hindrances to him. He may have looked soldier-like in them; and had there been no foes to fight, he might have amused his friends by parading up and down through the camp with Saul’s armor on.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.1

    But David realized that he was called of God to that conflict, and that there was earnest work to do. He that had called him had given him skill with the sling and the smooth pebbles from the brook. He needed no shield; for the Lord God was his shield. He needed no sword; for he would not come within sword’s distance of Goliath until the giant lay at his feet. Then a sword was furnished with which to sever the giant’s head from his body. David was to go out in the strength of the Lord, not in the wisdom and power of military men. He went that way and was victorious.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.2

    There are too many efforts made against sin, with another’s armor. If a man gains a wonderful victory in the conflict with sin, others run after him, to borrow his armor, so they may get a similar victory. Many have never put on any armor, because they are not yet satisfied in their own minds after what fashion to make it. They are watching their brethren that are having some success, to see which one will be the most victorious. They never think of the experience that God has given them with the sling and the pebbles from the brook. While waiting to be fitted with another’s armor, they are losing the skill God has given them.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.3

    If the Christian that has been trying to imitate the Keswick movement, the Salvation Army movement, or aspiring to be a Moody, a Meyer, or some other successful laborer, would go to the Lord for direction, as did Daniel, he would be able to do more with his little sling than with all the methods of the best men on earth. A man’s methods are never considered of any special value until he has made them work successfully. Often it is not a man’s methods that give him success, but the power of God that enables the man to produce successful methods. Those who study that man’s methods, and do not know his power, fail to realize satisfactory results.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 540.4

    “Michigan Camp-meeting Notes” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 34, p. 548.

    THE meeting began Thursday, August 18.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.1

    Friday the 19th there were about two thousand people in camp.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.2

    The meeting began with respect to the Spirit, and so everything has gone along smoothly and pleasantly.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.3

    The tents were pitched, the grounds were all cleared up, and the camp was all ready, when the time came for the meeting regularly to begin.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.4

    The work of the auditing committee was all finished and out of the way when the time came for the meeting to begin; so the members of this committee could, at the beginning, fully enter into the services.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.5

    The principal thought among the people seems to be: “Dead to sin through the cross of Jesus Christ: and alive unto God through the power of the Spirit of God.” The Spirit is therefore present to witness, to instruct, and to guide. His gentle, peaceful presence is discernible not only in all the services, but in all the camp.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.6

    Whoever in Michigan can possibly come to this meeting, and yet does not come, will lose more than he can afford.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.7

    Come. The meeting is only half gone when you read this. Come.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.8

    Some may be inclined to be skeptical over Brother Falconer’s statements concerning the weather in winter in Manitoba. They may wonder how people can travel, and move about generally, with more comfort in Manitoba when the cold is forty-eight degrees below zero, than farther south, where the thermometer stands not nearly so low. Yet no one need doubt this fact: it is the truth. I have experienced it a number of times,—not, indeed, in Manitoba, but in Wshington. The reason of it is that the air is clear and dry and perfectly still. When the weather is so cold, the air is so still that smoke from the chimney drifts straight upward, undisturbed, till it vanishes entirely. With such conditions, forty-eight degrees below zero is not so cold as is weather even above zero, with the air chilly, damp, and foggy, or with a fierce wind blowing.. Don’t hesitate to go to Manitoba, if Providence indicates that you should. It is a good country. I have been there, and can certify. And the people are as good as anywhere in the world.ARSH August 23, 1898, page 548.9

    A. T. J.

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