Promises For The Children
Eli And Samuel. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14.
1. What is said of the fifth commandment?
“Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.” Eph. 6:2.
2. What is promised those who honor their father and their mother?
“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12.
3. What does God desire to teach the children?
“Come, ye children, harken unto Me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Ps. 34:11.
4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10.
5. What is said of the poor but wise child?
“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.” Eccl. 4:13.
6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children?
“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.
7. How did He show that He loved them?
“And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:16.
8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures close?
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6.
NOTE.—From this we learn that while disobedience to parents and the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1, 2), God’s message for the last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and bind the hearts of parents and children together.
9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next world as compared with those of this life?
“They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” “The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 65:23; 11:8, 9.
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A pair of very chubby legs Incased in scarlet hose, A pair of little stubby boots With rather doubtful toes, A little kilt, a little coat, Cut as a mother can— And, lo! before us strides in state The future’s “coming man.”
Ah! blessings on those little hands, Whose work is yet undone, And blessings on those little feet, Whose race is yet unrun. And blessings on the little brain, That has not learned to plan. Whatever the future holds in store, God bless the “coming man.”
Evils Of City Life
The Burning Of Sodom. "And Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain." Gen. 13:12.
1. When Abraham told Lot to choose that part of the country which he preferred, what choice did Lot make?
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord.... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan.” Gen. 13:10, 11.
2. Where did Lot dwell?
“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Verse 12.
3. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?
“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Verse 13.
4. What further description is given of this city?
“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Eze. 16:49, 50. See Gen. 19:1-9.
5. How did their conduct affect Lot?
“And delivered just Lot, _vexed with the filthy conversation of __ the wicked_: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8.
6. Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, whom did the Lord send to deliver Lot and his family?
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even.... And the men [angels] said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.” Gen. 19:1-13.
7. What did Lot do, and how were his efforts rewarded?
“And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law.” Verse 14.
8. What did the angels say to Lot the next morning?
“Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.... Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Verses 15-17.
9. What then took place?
“Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” Verses 24, 25.
10. Because she disregarded the instruction given by the angels, what became of Lot’s wife?
“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Verse 26.
NOTE.—As a result of choosing a city life, Lot lost nearly all his family.
11. Foretelling the condition of the world previous to His second advent, to what did Christ liken it?
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:28-30.
NOTE.—The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah—centers and sink-holes of vice, pride, violence, confusion, and crime. The cities of the United States, while containing only about one half the population of the country, furnish ninety-seven per cent of the crime. Out of 268 boys in the Kansas State Reform School a few years ago, all but three came from cities. In New York City a murder is committed every thirty-six hours. The numerous holidays, the whirl of excitement, pleasure, and sports, theatergoing, horse-racing, gambling, liquor drinking, and reveling in the cities, attract thousands from the sober duties of life, and stimulate every evil passion to activity. What a poor place, therefore, are the cities of today in which to rear a family! Too many, like Lot, have pitched their tent toward Sodom.
12. Of what is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a type?
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” 2 Peter 2:6.
NOTE.—The destruction of such cities as Sodom and Gomorrah, Babylon and Jerusalem, is set forth as a type of the destruction awaiting the world. Says one writer: “The time is near when the large cities will be visited by the judgments of God. In a little while these cities will be terribly shaken. No matter how large or strong their buildings, no matter how many safeguards against fire may have been provided, let God touch these buildings and in a few minutes or in a few hours they will be in ruins. The ungodly cities of our world are to be swept away by the besom of destruction. In the calamities that are now befalling immense buildings and large portions of the cities, God is showing us what will come upon the whole earth.” The destruction of the great cities now almost wholly given up to sinful pleasure, pride, mammon-worship, and idolatry, is impending. It is time, therefore, that those who are really in earnest concerning their children’s salvation begin to think about leaving these cities.
13. What is to take place under the seventh plague?
“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; ... and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.... And the cities of the nations fell.” Rev. 16:17-19.
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How prone are professors to rest on their lees, To study their pleasure, their profit and ease! Though God says: “Arise, and escape for thy life, And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.”
Awake from thy slumbers, the warning believe; ’Tis Jesus that calls you, the message receive; While dangers are pending, escape for thy life! And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.
The ways of religion true pleasure afford, No pleasures can equal the joys of the Lord; Forsake then the world, and escape for thy life, And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.
Purity
The Pharisees Accusing The Woman. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7.
1. What did Christ say of the pure in heart?
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8.
2. What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh commandment?
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Verses 27, 28.
3. What exhortations did the apostle Paul give Timothy?
“Flee also youthful lusts.” 2 Tim. 2:22. “Keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5:22.
4. To whom are all things pure?
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:15.
5. When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph set?
“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9.
6. Against what are the people of God warned?
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Eph. 5:3, 4.
7. What are mentioned as works of the flesh?
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.” Gal. 5:19.
8. What is said of those who do such things?
“They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Verse 21.
9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned?
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator.” 1 Cor. 5:11.
10. Why are evil associations to be avoided?
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor. 15:33.
11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:7, 8.
“Keep virtue’s simple path before your eyes, Nor think from evil good can ever rise.”—Thomson.
12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” Eph. 5:11, 12.
13. How should we guard our conversation?
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Eph. 4:29.
14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the chief sins which brought on the deluge?
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.... And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:1-11.
15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?
“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Gen. 13:13. “And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Eze. 16:50. See also verse 49.
NOTE.—Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were exceedingly corrupt in morals.
16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second advent?
“As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.... Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; ... even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30.
17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7.
18. What are the proper things to engage one’s mind?
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8.
NOTE.—The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates, impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and theater-going, including questionable picture shows, all of which are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason parents should look well to their children’s home life; their companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how their time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they spend their nights; and the character of their amusements. “Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness” were contributing causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its consequent downfall. Eze. 16:49, 50.
XVII. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE
Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.
Good Health
The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2.
2. What did God promise His people anciently?
“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Ex. 23:25.
3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?
“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Ex. 15:26.
4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103:3.
5. What constituted a large part of Christ’s ministry?
“Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, ... healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matt. 4:23.
6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore _glorify God in __ your body_, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:20.
7. What is the body of the believer said to be?
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Verse 19.
8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:17.
9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.” Dan. 1:8.
10. With what food did he ask to be provided?
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” Verse 12.
11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Gen. 1:29.
12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?
“For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.” Deut. 14:2, 3.
NOTE.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.
13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Prov. 17:22.
14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?
“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31.
15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?
“I beseech you ... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” Rom. 12:1.
16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.
Christian Temperance
Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.
1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?
“He reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.” Acts 24:25.
NOTE.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.
2. Of what is temperance a fruit?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Gal. 5:22, 23.
NOTE.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.
3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?
“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” 2 Peter 1:5-7. See page 542.
NOTE.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.
4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” 1 Cor. 9:25.
5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Verse 27.
6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?
“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” Prov. 31:4, 5.
7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?
“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ... that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” Lev. 10:8-10.
8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18.
NOTE.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.
9. For what should men eat and drink?
“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Eccl. 10:17.
10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.” Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.
11. Instead of these, what did he request?
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” Verse 12.
12. At the end of the ten days’ test, how did he and his companions appear?
“And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Verse 15.
13. At the end of their three years’ course in the school of Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?
“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Verses 18-20.
14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.” Hab. 2:15.
15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard.” 1 Cor. 5:11.
16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?
“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.
17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23.
NOTE.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).
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Song Of The Rye
I was made to be eaten, And not to be drank; To be threshed in the barn, Not soaked in a tank. I come as a blessing When put through a mill; As a blight and a curse When run through a still.
Make me up into loaves, And your children are fed; But if into drink, I’ll starve them instead. In bread I’m a servant, The eater shall rule; In drink I am master, The drinker a fool.
The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."
Evils Of Intemperance
The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.
1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Prov. 20:1.
NOTE.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world’s sorrow.
2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?
“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.” Prov. 23:20, 21.
3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?
“Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” Hosea 4:11. “They also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Isa. 28:7.
NOTE.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—_“__Alcohol,__”__ by Dr. Williams, page 48._
4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?
“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like.” Gal. 5:19-21.
5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” Prov. 23:29, 30.
6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” Verses 31, 32.
NOTES.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—
“On the Individual. Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals, ‘bequeathing to posterity’ a degeneration of physical and moral character.
“On the Family. A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.
“On the Community. Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.
“On the State. Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”
Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.
“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—_“__Alcohol,__”__ page 44._
7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?
A lord chief justice of England declared, “If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”
8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?
Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.
NOTES.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.
“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.
“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.
“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.
“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.
“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.
“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.
“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.
Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they “saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.” Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.
9. Where does intemperance often begin?
Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.
10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?
"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, ... shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
The World’s Curse
The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.
1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34.
2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?
“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” Matt. 24:37, 38.
3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—
Spirits Wines Liquors Total Per Capita 1840 43,060,884 4,873,096 23,310,843 71,244,823 4.17 1850 51,833,473 6,316,393 36,563,009 94,712,875 4.08 1860 89,968,651 10,933,981 101,346,669 202,249,301 6.43 1870 79,895,708 12,225,067 204,756,156 296,876,931 7.70 1880 63,526,694 28,098,179 414,220,165 505,845,038 10.08 1890 87,829,623 28,945,993 855,929,559 972,705,175 15.53 1900 97,356,864 29,988,467 1,222,387,104 1,349,732,435 17.76 1910 133,538,864 60,548,078 1,851,340,256 2,045,427,018 21.86 1911 138,585,989 62,859,232 1,966,911,744 2,169,356,695 22.79
The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.
The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.
The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.
The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.
The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.
The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.
4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?
Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, the English Watchword says:—
“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—
“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink, 100,000 criminals in jail through drink, 50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink, 60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of— 60,000 confirmed drunkards.”
5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?
The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—
Germany 18,230 United Kingdom 5,547 America and Australia 2,210 Austria-Hungary 1,436 Belgium 3,319 France 3,360 Russia 920 Sweden 250 Denmark 370 Switzerland 228 Holland 372 Other countries 260 Total 36,502
The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.
Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World Today
Wine Beer Spirits Australia 7,925,000 47,976,000 3,297,000 Austria-Hungary 192,800,000 545,674,043 120,000,000 Belgium 8,948,200 395,285,258 9,895,000 Bulgaria 29,100,000 946,000 770,000 Denmark 63,213,000 4,000,000 Dominion of 1,386,235 39,896,636 6,054,790 Canada France 1,710,900,000 289,103,000 97,177,968 German Empire 79,600,000 1,782,778,000 124,313,300 Holland 1,980,000 9,328,000 Italy 856,520,000 6,725,000 11,150,400 New Zealand 126,000 7,381,000 602,000 Newfoundland 7,200 312,000 364,000 Norway 8,756,000 1,672,000 Portugal 108,320,000 Roumania 52,840,000 1,320,000 6,996,000 Russian Empire 76,620,000 151,633,892 232,813,382 Servia 6,605,000 Spain 428,000,000 20,000,000 Sweden 898,200 44,440,000 10,730,500 Switzerland 22,190,000 45,452,000 United Kingdom 26,349,873 1,021,123,632 38,133,721 United States 62,000,000 1,851,342,256 133,538,684 Total 3,673,115,708 6,323,357,717 810,836,745
Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—_American Prohibition Year Book, 1912._
Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United States
Intoxicating liquor $1,752,000,000 Tobacco 1,200,000,000 Iron and steel 1,035,000,000 Jewelry and plate 800,000,000 Printing and publishing 750,000,000 Lumber 700,000,000 Cotton goods 675,000,000 Automobiles 500,000,000 Woolen and worsted goods 475,000,000 Flour 455,000,000 Boots and shoes 450,000,000 Panama Canal 400,000,000 Public education 371,000,000 Sugar and molasses 310,000,000 Furniture 245,000,000 Silk goods 240,000,000 Potatoes. 210,000,000 Confectionery 200,000,000 Church and home work 175,000,000 Soft drinks 120,000,000 Tea and coffee 100,000,000 Brick 100,000,000 Millinery 90,000,000 Patent medicines 80,000,000 Chewing-gum 13,000,000 Foreign missions 12,000,000
NOTES.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.
“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.
“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.
“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—_Robert J. Burdette._
“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.
“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.
“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.
“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.
“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.
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What A Barrel Of Whisky Contains
A barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes; A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows; A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife; A barrel of care, a barrel of strife; A barrel of unavailing regret; A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt; A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain; A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain; A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight; A barrel of tears that run in the night; A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans; A barrel of orphans’ most pitiful moans; A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass, That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass; A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of cries That fall from the maniac’s lips as he dies!
Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)
The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” Isa. 5:11.
“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.” Verse 12.
“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.” Lev. 10:8, 9.
“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.” Isa. 24:9.
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.” Prov. 31:4.
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.” Isa. 28:1.
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Prov. 21:17.
“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Prov. 23:21.
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.” Hab. 2:15.
“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.” Isa. 5:22.
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Prov. 20:1.
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?” Prov. 23:29.
“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” Verse 30.
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.” Verse 31.
“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” Verse 32.
“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.” Judges 13:4.
“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Cor. 6:19.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Verse 20.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.
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Look not upon the wine That sparkles in its flow, For death is slumbering there, Beneath its ruddy glow. No happiness it bringeth, At last it only stingeth; It biteth, and it wringeth The heart with bitter woe.
Lift up the tempted soul Now fallen in despair, Direct his thoughts above, To God, who heareth prayer. His arm in mighty power Can bid the demon cower, And in temptation’s hour Will an escape prepare. F. E. BELDEN.
The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.
True Temperance Reform
Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.
1. What was the original food provided for man?
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Gen. 1:29.
NOTE.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.
2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?
“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” Gen. 9:3.
NOTE.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.
3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?
Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years’ wandering in the wilderness?
“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.” “And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited.” Ex. 16:4, 35.
5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?
“I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Ex. 23:25.
6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?
“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Ps. 105:37.
NOTE.—When they complained at God’s dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent “leanness into their soul.” See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.
7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?
In the home.
NOTE.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.
8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?
“Be thou an example of the believers.” 1 Tim. 4:12.
NOTE.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.
9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?
“Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity.” Hab. 2:12.
NOTE.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.
XVIII. THE KINGDOM RESTORED
The Transfiguration. "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." Matt. 16:28.
The Kingdom Of Glory
The Triumphal Entry. "Behold, thy King cometh." Zech. 9:9.
1. Who is to reign finally over God’s kingdom?
“And Thou, O tower of the flock [Christ], ... unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8.
2. When asked if He was a king, what did Christ say?
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.” John 18:37.
3. In His transfiguration how did Christ appear?
“His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” Matt. 17:2.
4. Who else appeared on this occasion?
“There appeared unto them Moses and Elias.” Verse 3.
NOTE.—In this miniature representation of Christ’s kingdom, as in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-9), Christ appeared as King; Moses (Jude 9) represented the sleeping saints to be raised at Christ’s coming; and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) the living saints to be translated then.
5. For what purpose will Christ come again?
“To be glorified in His saints.” 2 Thess. 1:10.
6. Of what will the saints speak?
“They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom.” Ps. 145:11.
7. How enduring is this kingdom to be?
“Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.” Verse 13.
The Saints’ Inheritance
Return Of The Spies. "The land ... floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." Num. 13:27.
1. How great reward has God promised those that love Him?
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.
2. By what have these things been revealed to us?
“But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Verse 10.
3. What reward awaits the true child of God?
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22.
4. What will he reap who sows to the Spirit?
“He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:8.
5. For what purpose did God give His Son to the world?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
Moses On Mt. Nebo Viewing The Promised Land. "And the Lord showed him all the land, ... unto the uttermost sea." Deut. 34:1, 2.
6. What is to be the reward of those whose works are good?
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: ... glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good.” Rom. 2:6-10.
7. What will he receive who endures temptation?
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12.
8. What promise is made to them that walk uprightly?
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11.
9. What are the meek to inherit?
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps. 37:11.
10. What is promised to the willing and obedient?
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isa. 1:19.
11. What delights and pleasures await the child of God?
“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11.
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I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, The far-away home of the soul, Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand, While the years of eternity roll.
O, that home of the soul! in my visions and dreams Its bright jasper walls I can see, Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes Between the fair city and me.
That unchangeable home is for you and for me, Where Jesus of Nazareth stands; The King of all kingdoms forever is He, And He holdeth our crowns in His hands.
O, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land, So free from all sorrow and pain; With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands, To meet one another again! MRS. ELLEN H. GATES.
Promises To The Overcomer
Israel Crossing The Jordan. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." Rev. 21:7.
1. What are we admonished to overcome?
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21.
NOTE.—In John 5:4 that which we are to overcome is called “the world;” and in 1 John 2:15-17 the things of which “the world” consists are described as “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.”
2. What only can overcome the world?
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” 1 John 5:4.
3. What gives us the victory in our conflict with the world?
“And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Same verse.
4. What promises are made by Christ to the overcomer?
(a) “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7.
(b) “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Verse 11.
(c) “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Verse 17.
(d) “He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star.” Verses 26-28.
(e) “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” Rev. 3:5.
(f) “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.” Verse 12.
(g) “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Verse 21.
5. In what one promise are all these promises summed up?
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” Rev. 21:7.
NOTE.—Here are the exceeding great and precious promises to the overcomer, eight in number. They embrace everything,—eternal life, health, happiness, and an everlasting home. What more could be asked?
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In heaven there will be no parting, no pain to bear; No care-worn brow, no sigh, no silvery hair; No death to snatch our loved ones from our side, No angry waves, no sea, no treacherous tide.
In heaven there’ll be no thirst, no cry for bread; No soul who knows not where to lay his head; No one to feel the winter’s chilling blast, For there the piercing storms will all be past.
In heaven there’ll be no toil without repay; No building for a brief, ephemeral day; For all the joys that prophets old have told ’Twill take the endless ages to unfold.
In heaven there’ll be no weary pilgrim band; No seekers for a better, fairer land; For all who reach that blissful, happy shore, Will never cry nor sigh, nor wish for more.
The Subjects Of The Kingdom
The Final Rewards. "And He shall separate them ... as a shepherd divideth his sheep from his goats." Matt. 25:32.
1. Upon whom was the name Israel first bestowed?
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Gen. 32:28.
NOTE.—Israel means a “prince,” or “one who prevails with God.”
2. Afterward who came to be called by this title?
“Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; ... Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.... Joseph.” Ex. 1:1-5.
NOTE.—In other words, the descendants of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, were known as the twelve tribes of Israel.
3. What special blessings were conferred on the Israelites?
“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all.” Rom. 9:4, 5.
4. Who constitute the true Israel, or seed of Abraham?
“They are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Verses 6-8.
5. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism?
“And think not to say within yourselves. We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Matt. 3:9.
6. What determines whether one is a child of Abraham?
“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” Gal. 3:7.
NOTE.—Because of unbelief many of the Israelites fell in the wilderness, and were not permitted to enter the promised land. Num. 14:27-33; Deut. 1:34-36.
7. To whom must one belong in order to be Abraham’s seed?
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Verse 29.
8. In what scripture are Christians recognized as Israel?
“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Gal. 6:16.
9. To whom is the epistle of James addressed?
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” James 1:1.
10. To whom is the gospel the power of God unto salvation?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16.
11. To whom did Jesus first send the twelve disciples?
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matt. 10:5, 6.
12. When the woman of Canaan came to Christ, beseeching Him to heal her daughter, what did He say?
“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matt. 15:24.
13. When she persisted in her request, and fell down to worship Him, what did He say?
Coming In Glory. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5.
“But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Verse 26.
NOTE.—By her persistent faith, this woman, although a Canaanite, showed that she was really a true child of Abraham.
14. While dining with Zaccheus, what did Christ say?
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” Luke 19:9.
15. What did He say to the woman of Samaria as to the source of salvation?
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22.
16. When the Jews rejected Paul’s preaching of the gospel, what did he and Barnabas say?
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.
NOTE.—From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the preeminence as the children of God, and as God’s light-bearers to the world. But on account of this rejection, they were rejected as God’s peculiar people, and others took their place, and now bear the name of Israel in common with those who were first called by that name.
17. Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented who have become a part of the true Israel of God?
“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree; boast not against the branches.” Rom. 11:17, 18.
18. Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the Jews were broken off to let them come in, what warning is given them?
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.” Verses 20, 21.
19. What encouragement is held out concerning the branches which have been broken off?
“And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” Verse 23.
20. What will be the final result of the gospel?
“And so all Israel shall be saved.” Verse 26.
21. Before Gentiles become Israelites, in what condition are they?
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles, ... at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Eph. 2:11, 12.
NOTE.—If, in order to be saved, Gentiles must become Israelites as is everywhere asserted, then when converted from their Gentile ways to the ways of Israel, they certainly must have faith in Christ, and their lives must conform to the moral law which God gave to Israel, otherwise it would not be the commonwealth of Israel, but of the Gentiles. The writing of the law in the heart is one of the provisions of the new covenant with true Israel. See Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-12.
22. How are God’s remnant people described?
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
23. Whose names are in the foundations of the holy city?
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Rev. 21:14.
24. Whose names are on the twelve gates of the city?
“And [the wall] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” Verse 12.
25. Who will walk in the light of the city?
“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.” Verse 24.
NOTE.—This city, the New Jerusalem, will be for all the nations of the saved; and yet all who enter therein will enter through gates on which are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, from which it is evident that all who are saved will belong to Israel. The name Israel will be perpetuated in the new earth state, and very appropriately so, because of its meaning. All who share in that future home of the saved will be overcomers—princes and prevailers with God. See Rev. 3:12; 21:7. Christ recognized this division of the saved into twelve nations, in selecting His apostles. He chose twelve. He recognized it again when to the twelve He said: “Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matt. 19:28. And the apostles, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, themselves recognized it, when, to fill the place of Judas, who fell, they appointed another, in order to preserve the proper number, twelve.
Eternal Life
The Morning Of Christ’s Resurrection. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36.
1. What precious promise has God made to His children?
“And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25.
2. How may we obtain eternal life?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
3. Who has everlasting life?
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” Verse 36.
4. Where is this everlasting or eternal life?
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11.
5. What therefore follows?
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Verse 12.
6. What does Christ give His followers?
“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28.
7. Why, after the fall, was man shut away from the tree of life?
“Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” Gen. 3:22.
8. What has Christ promised the overcomer?
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7.
9. To what is the life of the redeemed compared?
“For as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isa. 65:22.
10. When will immortality be conferred upon the saints?
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:51-53.
NOTE.—In accepting Christ the believer receives “that eternal life, which was with the Father,” and this eternal life he retains as long as Christ dwells in the heart by faith. This wondrous gift may be lost by failure to maintain the faith which holds Christ fast. At the resurrection, immortality is conferred upon those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and thus the possession of eternal life becomes a permanent experience.
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Toil on a little longer here, For thy reward awaits above, Nor droop in sadness or in fear Beneath the rod that’s sent in love; The deeper wound our spirits feel, The sweeter heaven’s balm to heal.
Faith lifts the veil before our eyes, And bids us view a happier clime, Where verdant fields in beauty rise, Beyond the withering blasts of time; And brings the blissful moment near, When we in glory shall appear.
Then let us hope; ’tis not in vain; Though moistened by our grief the soil, The harvest brings us joy for pain, The rest repays the weary toil; For they shall reap, who sow in tears, Rich gladness through eternal years. ANNIE R. SMITH.
The Home Of The Saved
The New Earth. "The saints ... shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever." Dan. 7:18.
1. For what purpose was the earth created?
“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isa. 45:18.
2. To whom has God given the earth?
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath He given to the children of men.” Ps. 115:16.
3. For what purpose was man made?
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet.” Ps. 8:6. See Gen. 1:26; Heb. 2:8.
4. How did man lose his dominion?
Through sin. Rom. 5:12; 6:23.
5. When man lost his dominion, to whom did he yield it?
“For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19.
NOTE.—Man was overcome by Satan in the garden of Eden, and there yielded himself and his possessions into the hands of his captor.
6. In tempting Christ, what ownership did Satan claim?
“And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Luke 4:5, 6.
7. Through whom is this first dominion to be restored?
“And Thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4:8.
NOTE.—The “tower of the flock” is Christ.
8. Why did Christ say the meek are blessed?
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5.
NOTE.—This inheritance cannot be realized in this life; for here the truly meek generally have little of earth’s good things.
9. Who does David say have most now?
“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Ps. 73:3-7.
10. Where are the righteous to be recompensed?
“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.” Prov. 11:31.
11. What will be the difference between the portion of the righteous and the wicked?
“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Ps. 37:34.
12. What promise was made to Abraham concerning the land?
“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy SEED forever.” Gen. 13:14, 15.
13. How much did this promise comprehend?
“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Rom. 4:13.
14. How much of the land of Canaan did Abraham own in his lifetime?
“And He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.” Acts 7:5. See Heb. 11:13.
15. How much of the promised possession did Abraham expect during his lifetime?
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:8-10.
16. Who is the seed to whom this promise was made?
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Gal. 3:16.
17. Who are heirs of the promise?
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Verse 29.
18. Why did not these ancient worthies receive the promise?
“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Heb. 11:39, 40.
19. What is to become of our earth in the day of the Lord?
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.
20. What will follow this great conflagration?
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Verse 13.
NOTE.—As shown in the reading on “The Millennium,” page 355, at the coming of Christ, the living wicked will die, and the saints will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ a thousand years, or until the wicked of all ages are judged, and the time comes for their destruction and the purification of the earth by the fires of the last day. Following this, the earth will be formed anew, and man, redeemed from sin, will be restored to his original dominion.
21. To what Old Testament promise did Peter evidently refer?
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17.
22. What was shown the apostle John in vision?
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Rev. 21:1.
23. What will the saints do in the new earth?
“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” Isa. 65:21-23.
24. How readily will their wants be supplied?
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Verse 24.
25. What peaceful condition will reign throughout the earth then?
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Verse 25.
26. What seasons of worship will be observed in the new earth?
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I shall make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 66:22, 23.
27. What will the ransomed of the Lord then do?
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. 35:10.
The Land Of Peace. "A little child shall lead them.... They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain." Isa. 11:6-9.
28. How extensive will be the reign of Christ?
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” Ps. 72:8.
29. What does Daniel say of this kingdom?
“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Dan. 7:27.
NOTE.—Let imagination picture the home of the saved fair and beautiful as it may, yet remember that it will be more glorious than our brightest imagination can conceive. See 1 Cor. 2:9.
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O, sweetly through the gloomy years That roll their dimming veil between, The promised goodly land appears, Arrayed in never-fading green! And from that peaceful, happy clime, Transporting bursts of song arise, And, rolling through the mists of time, Tell us of joy that never dies.
As voyagers on the stormy deep Look for some bright and sunny bay Where winds and waves are hushed in sleep, And joy lights up the happy day, So o’er the tossing sea of years We glance the eye and stretch the hand Where, robed in fadeless light, appears The border of the shining land.
There angel hosts of glorious ones, With sinless hearts and stainless hands, Call us in glad and loving tones, And bid us welcome to their bands. Hark! how their harps and voices tell The glories of that radiant strand, And bid us breast the waves that swell Between us and the shining land.
Ear hath not heard, eye hath not seen, The glories of that home of song; Though stormy billows roll between, I go to join the angel throng. But of the joys beyond the tide, The welcomes on that golden strand, The best shall be from Him who died To bring us to the shining land. H. L. HASTINGS.
The New Jerusalem
The Holy City. "He looked for a city which hath foundations." Heb. 11:10.
1. What was one of Christ’s parting promises to His disciples?
“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.
2. What does Paul say God has prepared for His people?
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16.
3. Where is this city, and what is it called?
“But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Gal. 4:26.
4. For what did Abraham look?
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10.
5. What assurance has God given to believers?
“God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16.
6. What did John see concerning this city?
“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev. 21:2.
The Descent Of The New Jerusalem. "And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven." Rev. 21:2.
7. How many foundations has this city?
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Verse 14.
8. What is the measurement of the city?
“And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs.” Verse 16.
NOTE.—The measure around it, as the words length and breadth, imply, and as was the early custom of measuring cities, is 12,000 furlongs. This is equal to 1,500 miles, 375 miles on each side, making a perfect square. The area of this city is therefore 140,625 square miles, or 90,000,000 acres, or 3,920,400,000,000 square feet. Allowing 100 square feet to each person, or a space ten feet square, the city would hold 39,204,000,000 persons, or twenty-six times the present population of the globe.
9. What is the height of the wall?
“And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits.” Verse 17.
NOTE.—One hundred and forty-four cubits are equal to 216 feet.
10. Of what material is the wall constructed?
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” Verse 18.
11. With what are the twelve foundations adorned?
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.” Verses 19, 20. See Ex. 28:15-21; Isa. 54:11, 12.
12. Of what are the twelve gates composed?
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl.” Rev. 21:21.
13. What is written on these gates?
“The names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” Verse 12.
14. Of what are the streets of the city composed?
“And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Verse 21.
15. Why will this city have no need of the sun or moon?
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.” Verses 23, 24. See Rev. 22:5; Isa. 60:19, 20.
16. Why are its gates not to be closed?
“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” Rev. 21:25.
17. What will be excluded from this city?
“And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” Verse 27.
18. Who will be permitted to enter it?
“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.
NOTE.—The late English and American revisions render this, “Blessed are they that wash their robes,” etc. The result is the same, for those who wash their robes cease to sin, and hence do God’s commandments.
19. When this city becomes the metropolis of the new earth, what will be the condition of God’s people?
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4.
20. What will flow through the city?
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Rev. 22:1.
21. What stands on either side of the river?
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of Life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Verse 2.
NOTE.—The tree of life which Adam lost through transgression is to be restored by Christ. Access to this is one of the promises to the overcomer. Rev. 2:7. Its bearing twelve kinds of fruit, a new kind each month, suggests a reason why in the new earth “from one new moon to another,” as well as “from one Sabbath to another,” all flesh is to come before God to worship, as stated in Isa. 66:22, 23.
22. What will be the privilege of those who enter there?
“And they shall see His face.” Rev. 22:3, 4. See Matt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14; 1 Cor. 13:12.
The Conflict Ended
The Rest Remaining. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 21:4.
1. In narrating the work of creation, what statement is made concerning its completion?
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made.” Gen. 2:1, 2.
2. When expiring on the cross, what did Christ say?
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30.
3. At the pouring out of the seventh plague, what announcement will be made?
“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Rev. 16:17.
4. And when the new heavens and the new earth have appeared, and the holy city, New Jerusalem, has descended from God and become the metropolis of the new creation, what announcement will then be made?
“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Rev. 21:5, 6.
5. In the new earth, what will be no more?
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Verse 4. “And there shall be no more curse.” Rev. 22:3.
6. What will then be the condition of all the earth?
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11:6-9.
7. How does the prophet again speak of this time?
“The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.” Isa. 14:7.
8. What universal chorus of praise will then be heard?
“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13.
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O what a mighty change Shall Jesus’ followers know, When o’er the happy plains they range, Incapable of woe!
There all our griefs are past; There all our sorrows end; We gain a peaceful rest at last, With Jesus Christ our Friend.
No slightest touch of pain, Nor sorrow’s least alloy, Can violate our rest, or stain Our purity of joy.
In that eternal day, No clouds nor tempest rise; There gushing tears are wiped away Forever from our eyes. CHARLES WESLEY.
Paradise Lost To Paradise Restored. "And Thou, O tower of the flock, ... unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion." Micah 4:8. The Way Of Life.
Pleasures Forevermore
The Eternal Home. "They shall build houses, and inhabit them.... Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isa. 65:21, 22.
1. What will finally be the privilege of God’s children?
“And they shall see His face.” Rev. 22:4.
2. How perfect will be their knowledge of God?
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Cor. 13:12.
3. Whom will they be like?
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.
4. From what ills will the saints be forever delivered?
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4.
5. How completely will the pains and sorrows of the former world pass away?
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. Margin, “Come upon the heart;” i.e. to be desired.
6. Who will dwell with the redeemed?
“He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Rev. 21:3.
7. What will it mean to dwell in God’s presence?
“In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11.
8. What peaceful condition will prevail in the earth made new?
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11:9.
9. How will the ransomed of the Lord return to Zion?
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. 35:10.
10. How enduring will be their pleasures?
“For as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isa. 65:22.
11. How long will they possess the future kingdom?
“But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” Dan. 7:18.
12. How long will they reign?
“And they shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 22:5.
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I am longing for the home land, And its rest from sin and strife; I am yearning for the welcome, With its warmth of light and life; And the days seem long and weary, Mid earth scenes so dark and dreary, While I wait for my Redeemer To come in clouds for me.
O the home land, blessed home land, With its bliss beyond compare! How our ardent souls are yearning For the joys that wait us there! And we haste to barge our treasure On the river of Thy pleasure, In the home where life eternal Awaits the ransomed throng. WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN.
The Game Of Life In Progress
The Struggle. "We wrestle ... against the rulers of the darkness of this world." Eph. 6:12.
In these three beautiful pictures illustrating the game of life, Satan, the prince of darkness, is represented as playing with man for his soul.
The scene chosen is a wide vault, whose arch is embellished with lizard-shaped monsters, which adhere closely to the two pillars, down which they seem to creep. On the left-hand side of the picture, near Satan, is an open-mouthed lion ready to devour his victim at the first opportunity.
The upper surface of a sarcophagus is transformed into a chess-board, beside which man sits, his head resting on his hand, and his countenance full of careful thought as to what moves he should make next.
Opposite him is Satan, seated, his chin resting on his hand, his hair and beard bristling wildly, and every feature expressive of cunning intent, and a determination to watch every move, take advantage of every mistake, and win if possible.
Beneath the arch, in the background, stands a lovely angel form unnoticed by either of the players, but watching intently the progress of the game.
The Game Of Life Lost
The Defeat. "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.
Here we see the results of the game lost. Satan has been victorious. With a wild and horrid leer and a deathlike grip he has seized his victim, and in triumph points to the sure but gruesome signs of death,—the skulls and cross-bones. Amidst smoke and flame, the hand of Death rises to strike man with his poisoned dart.
In sadness and despair man sits, with covered face, and weeps over his defeat. His hope is gone; he knows no peace; he feels the icy clasp of his conquering foe. With keen regret, he now ponders over his loss of faith, his neglect of prayer, and his failure to study and follow his Guide-book. Life, with its opportunities for gaining the life to come, has been wasted; and now, when too late to make amends, he sees his fatal moves and his great mistakes.
The figures on the wall have changed their visage, and seem ready to pounce upon the doomed and helpless man. The lion also has become more fierce, and thirsts for his blood, while the angel turns in sadness from the scene and weeps.
The entire view is one of inexpressible sorrow and regret.
The Game Of Life Won
The Victory. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim. 4:7.
In the closing scene of this allegorical representation of man’s conflict with the powers of darkness, we have pictured the happy issue of a faithful Christian life.
Satan has been defeated, and has departed.
The sleeping lion, the open Word, the cross and crown, all speak of victory.
Instead of sitting in sorrow and mourning over defeat, the man, with cheerful looks and thankful heart, lifts his eyes toward heaven, and rejoices that he has met and vanquished his deadly foe.
In the place of the ugly monsters on the wall, cherubs are seen, with laurel wreaths ready to place upon the victor’s brow, while the angel, with joyful satisfaction, points the victor to his exceeding great reward.
This is the game which all, whether conscious of the fact or not, are playing. What its outcome will be in each case depends upon how each one meets and fights life’s battle day by day. All may be victors if they will.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23.
The Goodly Land
We have heard from the bright, the holy land, We have heard, and our hearts are glad; For we were a lonely pilgrim band, And weary, and worn, and sad. They tell us the saints have a dwelling there, No longer are homeless ones; And we know that the goodly land is fair, Where life’s pure river runs.
They say green fields are waving there, That never a blight shall know; And the deserts wild are blooming fair, And the roses of Sharon grow. There are lovely birds in the bowers green, Their songs are blithe and sweet; And their warblings, gushing ever new, The angels’ harpings greet.
We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns, And the silvery band in white; Of the city fair, with pearly gates, All radiant with light; We have heard of the angels there, and saints, With their harps of gold, how they sing; Of the mount, with the fruitful tree of life, Of the leaves that healing bring.
The King of that country, He is fair, He’s the joy and light of the place; In His beauty we shall behold Him there, And bask in His smiling face. We’ll be there, we’ll be there in a little while, We’ll join the pure and the blest; We’ll have the palm, the robe, the crown, And forever be at rest. W. H. HYDE.
INDEX OF SUBJECTS
Abolished by Christ, what was, 405
Acceptance with God, 106
Accountability, individual, 482
Admonitions and warnings, 667
Admonitions, Scripture, 752
Affliction, comfort in, 562
Angels, dark ministries of bad, 530
Angels, the ministration of good, 523
Answers to prayer, 611
Antichrist, kingdom and work of, 218
Apostasy, the mark of, 446
Armies of the world, 350
Armor, the Christian, 543
Atonement in type and antitype, 238
Attributes of God, character and, 61
Author of liberty, the, 471
Babylon, the fall of modern, 254
Backbiting, gossiping and, 693
Backsliding, 684
Baptism, 100
Beast, making an image to the, 271
Beast of Revelation 13, 268
Beast, the mark of the, 277, 279, 446
Beasts, four great monarchies, 213
Believers, unity of, 582
Bible, Christ in all the, 40
Bible election, 121
Bible, “How Readest Thou?” 32
Bible, printing and the, 14
Bible readings, value and use, 21
Bible sanctification, 124
Bible study, the value of, 20
Bible, the; how to study, 23
Bible, the; how written, 13
Bible, the, in native tongues, 15
Bible, the; original writings, 13
Bible, the, to all the world, 18
Bibles, burning of, 17
Birth, childhood, of Christ, 143
Burning of Bibles, 17
Capital and labor, 329
Ceremonial law, abolished, 405
Ceremonial laws, the moral and, 393
Change of the Sabbath, the, 439
Change the law, think to, 221
Character and attributes of God, 61
Character, perfection of, 597
Cheerfulness, 573
Children, promises for the, 729
Children, teaching the, 725
Child training, 719
Christ a Sabbath-keeper, 454
Christ and the Sabbath, 430
Christ, birth, childhood of, 143
Christ in all the Bible, 40
Christ, life only in, 497, 509
Christ, life of, 141
Christ, miracles of, 157, 162
Christ, parables of, 154, 156
Christ, prophecies relating to, 70
Christ, salvation only through, 79
Christ, suffering of, 163
Christ, the deity of, 67
Christ the Great Teacher, 151
Christ, the resurrection of, 169
Christ, the vicar of, 224
Christ the way of life, 75
Christ, the way to, 81
Christ, titles of, 44
Christ’s coming, manner of, 337
Christ’s coming, object of, 340
Christ’s coming, signs of, 315
Christ’s ministry, 148
Christ’s second coming, 332
Christian armor, the, 543
Christian communion, 621
Christian courtesy, 576
Christian growth and experience, 539
Christian help work, 644
Christian liberty, 469
Christian service, 627
Christian temperance, 741
Church and state, union of, 484
Church, persecution of the, 266, 267
Church, Satan’s warfare against, 264
Churches, the seven, 280
City life, evils of, 731
Closing gospel message, the, 259
Comfort in affliction, 562
Coming, Christ’s second, 332
Coming events and signs of times, 309
Commandments, the ten, 367, 368, 369
Communion, Christian, 621
Confessing faults, and forgiving, 577
Confession and forgiveness, 92
Conflict, capital and labor, 329
Conflict ended, the, 782
Consecration, 118
Contentment, 571
Conversion, or the new birth, 96
Conversion, the world’s, 347
Courtesy, Christian, 576
Covenants, the two, 397
Covenants, the two compared, 404
Covetousness, 672
Creation and redemption, 57
Creation and the Creator, 47
Creator, creation and the, 47
Curse, the world’s, 748
Danger in rejecting light, 700
Daniel 2, the great image of, 204
Daniel 7, four great monarchies, 213
Daniel 8, the prophetic days of, 230
Dark day, 315
Day of the Lord, length of the, 360
Day, the Lord’s, 451
Days of persecution shortened, 314
Days, the 1335, 237
Days, the 1290, 229
Days, the 2300, 228
Dead, sleep of the, 511
Debts, 678
Deity of Christ, the, 67
Destiny of the wicked, 519
Diligence, 594
Distress of nations, 322
Doctrine, importance of sound, 127
Dragon, a great red, 265
Dream, Nebuchadnezzar’s, 204
Duty of encouragement, the, 580
Eastern question, the, 296
Election, Bible, 121
Elijah the prophet, 362
Eminent men, testimony of, 455
Encouragement, the duty of, 580
Ended, the conflict, 782
End of the wicked, the, 519
End, the time of the, 324
Envy, jealousy, and hatred, 697
Eternal life, 770
Evil, the origin of, 50
Evils of city life, 731
Evils of intemperance, 745
Experience, Christian growth and, 539
Faith, 83
Faith, justification by, 110
Faith, saving, 551
Faith, the obedience of, 136
Fall and redemption of man, the, 53
Fall of modern Babylon, the, 254
False worship, warning against, 259
Fate of the transgressor, 519
Faults, confessing, and forgiving, 577
Feet washing, 664
First angel’s message, the, 251
Foreordination, 121
Forgiveness, confession and, 92
Forgiving, 577
Forgiving one another, 577
Four beasts, four monarchies, 213
Free-will offerings, 661
Friend, our helper and, 177
Fruit of the Spirit, 184
Game of life, the, 787
Gathering of Israel, the, 352
Gift of giving, the, 629
Gift of prophecy, the, 189
Gifts of the Spirit, 187
Giving, the gift of, 629
Glory, the kingdom of, 759
God, acceptance with, 106
God, character and attributes of, 61
God, reconciled to, 104
God, reverence for the house of, 617
God, the law of, 367, 368, 369
God, the law of, in the N. T., 389
God, the law of, in patriarchal age, 386
God, the love of, 63
God, the seal of, 446
God’s memorial, 418
Good health, 739
Gospel message, the closing, 259
Gospel ministry, support of the, 657
Gospel of the kingdom, the, 209
Gospel preached in all the world, 313
Gospel, preaching the, 631
Gospel, the law and the, 409
Gossiping and backbiting, 693
Grace, growth in, 541
Great image of Daniel 2, the, 204
Great monarchies, four, 213
Great persecuting power, a, 268
Great prophetic period, a, 230
Great red dragon, a, 265
Great Teacher, Christ the, 151
Great tribulation, 314
Growth in grace, 541
Happy home, and how to make it, 709
Hatred, envy, and jealousy, 697
Healing the sick, 648
Health and temperance, 737
Health, good, 739
Helper and friend, our, 177
History, the Sabbath in, 457
Holy Spirit and His work, the, 181
Holy Spirit, the, 179
Home, a happy, how to make it, 709
Home of the saved, the, 772
Home, religion in the, 712
Home, the, 703
Honor due to parents, 715
Hope, 86
Horn, the little, 218
Hospitality, 663
House of God, reverence for the, 617
“How Readest Thou?” (poem), 32
Humility, meekness and, 585
Humility, the ordinance of, 664
Hypocrisy, 698
Image of Daniel 2, the great, 204
Image to the beast, making an, 271
Importance of prayer, 603
Importance of sound doctrine, 127
Increase of knowledge, 326
Individual accountability, 482
Inheritance, the saints’, 760
Institution of the Sabbath, 415
Institution, the marriage, 705
Intemperance, evils of, 745
Intermediate state, the, 511
Inventions, modern, 327, 328
Israel, the gathering of, 352
Jealousy, envy, and hatred, 697
Jerusalem, destruction of, 313, 314
Jerusalem, the New, 778
Jesus, trusting in, 567
Judging, 690
Judgment-hour message, the, 251
Judgment, the, 245
Judgment, time of restoration, 230
Just recompense, the, 701
Just, the resurrection of the, 343
Justification by faith, 110
King of the north, 296
Kingdom and work of Antichrist, 218
Kingdom of glory, the, 759
Kingdom of God, the kingdoms of the world and the, 204
Kingdom restored, the, 757
Kingdom, the gospel of the, 209
Kingdom, the subjects of the, 765
Knowledge, increase of, 326
Labor and capital conflict, 329
Law and the gospel, the, 409
Law, love the fulfilling of the, 392
Law of God as changed by man, 438
Law of God in the N. T., the, 389
Law of God in patriarchal age, 386
Law of God, the, 367, 368, 369, 438
Law, perpetuity of the, 374
Law, the ceremonial, abolished, 405
Law, think to change the, 221
Law, why given at Sinai, 379
Laws, the moral and ceremonial, 393
Legislation, Sabbath, 488
Length of the day of the Lord, 360
Liberty, Christian, 469
Liberty, the author of, 471
Life, a sinless, 173
Life, Christ the way of, 75
Life, eternal, 770
Life, evils of city, 731
Life-giving word, the, 37
Life only in Christ, 497, 509
Life, parables, miracles of Christ, 141
Life, righteousness and, 115
Life, the game of, 787
Light, danger in rejecting, 700
Light, walking in the, 547
Liquor statistics, 748, 749, 750
Little horn, the, 218
Lord, length of the day of the, 360
Lord’s day, the, 451
Lord’s Supper, the, 621
Love of God, the, 63
Love the fulfilling of the law, 392
Making an image to the beast, 271
Man child, birth of, 265
Man, nature of, 497, 505
Man, the fall and redemption of, 53
Manner of Christ’s coming, 337
Manner of observing Sabbath, 425
Mark of apostasy, 446
Mark of the beast, 277, 278, 279, 446
Marriage institution, the, 703
Matthew 24, 311
Meditation and prayer, 607
Meekness and humility, 585
Memorial, God’s, 418
Message, the closing gospel, 259
Message, the judgment-hour, 251
Millennium, the, 355, 356
Ministration of good angels, the, 523
Ministry, Christ’s, 148
Ministry of sorrow, the, 560
Ministry, support of the, 657
Miracles of Christ, 157, 162
Missionary work, 638
Modern Babylon, the fall of, 254
Modern inventions, 327, 328
Monarchies; four great, 213
Moral and ceremonial laws, the, 393
Mother, the, 723
Mystery of God finished, the, 306
Nature of man, 497
Naval expenditures, 350
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, 204
New birth, conversion or the, 96
New covenant, the, 397
New Jerusalem, the, 778
New Testament, law of God in, 389
New Testament, Sabbath in the, 435
Obedience of faith, the, 136
Object of Christ’s coming, 340
Observing the Sabbath, manner of, 425
Offerings, free-will, 661
Old covenant, 397
One thousand three hundred and thirty-five days, 237
One thousand two hundred and ninety days, 229
Order and organization, 654
Ordinance of humility, the, 664
Organization, order and, 654
Origin, history, and destiny of Satan, 499
Origin of evil, the, 50
Our helper and friend, 177
Our Lord’s great prophecy, 311
Our pattern, 175
Outpouring of the Spirit, the, 195
Overcomer, promises to the, 763
Overcoming, 557
Papacy, the, 218
Papal persecution, 220, 221
Parables of Christ, 154, 156
Parents, honor due to, 715
Patience, 569
Pattern, our, 175
Penalty for transgression, 383
Perfection of character, 597
Perpetuity of the law, 374
Persecute, who and why, 491
Persecuting power, a great, 268
Persecution, days of, shortened, 314
Persecution of the church, 266, 267
Persecution, papal, 220, 221
Persons, respect of, 681
Plagues, the seven last, 301
Pleasures forevermore, 785
Poor, and our duty toward them, 641
Pope, the vicar of Christ, 224
Power, a great persecuting, 268
Power in the word, 33
Powers that be, the, 475
Praise and thanksgiving, 623
Prayer and public worship, 601
Prayer, answers to, 611
Prayer, importance of, 603
Prayer, meditation and, 607
Prayer, watching unto, 609
Preaching the gospel, 631
Predestination, 121
Present truth, 131
Pride, 669
Printing and the Bible, 14
Prison work, 652
Promises for the children, 729
Promises to the overcomer, 763
Prophecies relating to Christ, 70
Prophecy, our Lord’s great, 311
Prophecy, the gift of, 189
Prophecy, the sure word of, 199
Prophecy, the United States in, 271
Prophecy, why given, 201
Prophet, Elijah the, 362
Prophetic period, a great, 230
Public worship, 614
Public worship, prayer and, 601
Purity, 734
Reaping, sowing and, 599
Reasons for Sabbath-keeping, 42
Recompense, the just, 701
Reconciled to God, 104
Redemption, creation and, 57
Redemption of man, the fall and, 53
Reform, Sabbath, 463
Reform, true temperance, 755
Rejecting light, danger in, 700
Religion in the home, 712
Religions of the world, 348
Repentance, 89
Respect of persons, 681
Restored, the kingdom, 757
Resurrection of Christ, the, 169
Resurrection of the just, the, 343
Resurrections, the two, 514
Revelation 13, the beast of, 268
Revelation 13, the United States in prophecy, 271
Reverence for the house of God, 617
Righteousness and life, 115
Sabbath, Christ and the, 430
Sabbath, Christ’s observance of, 454
Sabbath in history, the, 457
Sabbath, institution of the, 415
Sabbath in the New Testament, 435
Sabbath-keeping, reasons for, 421
Sabbath legislation, 488
Sabbath, manner of observing, 425
Sabbath reform, 463
Sabbath, the, 413
Sabbath, the change of the, 439
Saints’ inheritance, the, 760
Salvation only through Christ, 79
Sanctification, Bible, 124
Sanctuary, the, 238
Satan, origin, history, destiny, 499
Satan’s warfare against church, 264
Saved, the home of the, 772
Saving faith, 551
Scripture admonitions, 752
Scriptures, the, 25
Scriptures, the study of the, 28
Seal of God, the, 446
Seals, the seven, 284
Second angel’s message, the, 254
Second coming, Christ’s, 332
Selfishness, 671
Service, Christian, 627
Seven churches, the, 280
Seven last plagues, the, 301
Seven seals, the, 284
Seven trumpets, the, 289
Seventy weeks, 232, 233
Shepherd and his work, the, 635
Sick, healing the, 648
Sick, visiting the, 647
Signs of Christ’s coming, 315
Signs of the times, 309, 319
Sin, confession of, 92
Sin, origin, results, and remedy, 45
Sinai, why the law was given at, 379
Sinless life, a, 173
Sleep of the dead, the, 511
Sobriety, 589
Song, the value of, 625
Sorrow, the ministry of, 560
Sound doctrine, importance of, 127
Sowing and reaping, 599
Spirit and His work, the Holy, 181
Spirit, fruit of the, 184
Spirit, gifts of the, 187
Spirit, the Holy, 179
Spirit, the outpouring of the, 195
Spiritualism, 533, 534
Stars fall, 317, 321
State, union of church and, 484
Study of the Scriptures, the, 28
Subjects of the kingdom, the, 765
Sufferings of Christ, 163
Sure word of prophecy, the, 199
Supper, the Lord’s, 621
Support of the ministry, 657
Sun and moon darkened, 315, 320, 321
Sure word of prophecy, the, 199
Teacher, Christ, the great, 151
Teaching the children, 725
Temperance, Christian, 741
Temperance, health and, 737
Temperance reform, true, 755
Temperance, Scripture admonitions, 752
Ten commandments, 367, 368, 369
Ten-horned beast, Revelation 13, 268
Testimony of eminent men, 455
Thanksgiving, praise and, 623
“The Goodly Land” (poem), 700
Third angel’s message, the, 259
Time of judgment, the, 230
Time of the end, 324
Times, signs of the, 319
Tithes, 657
Titles of Christ, 44
Training, child, 719
Transgression, penalty for, 383
Transgressor, fate of the, 519
Trials and their object, 554
Tribulation, great, 314
True temperance reform, 755
Trumpets, the seven, 289
Trusting in Jesus, 567
Truth, present, 131
Twelve hundred sixty days, 222, 223
Twenty-three hundred days, 228, 230, 232
Two covenants compared, the, 404
Two covenants, the, 397
Two resurrections, the, 514
Type and antitype, atonement in, 238
Unbelief, 687
Union of church and state, 484
Unity of believers, 582
Value of Bible study, the, 20
Value of song, the, 625
Vicar of Christ, the, 224
Visiting the sick, 647
Walking as He walked, 454
Walking in the light, 547
Warning against false worship, 259
Warnings, admonitions and, 667
Watching unto prayer, 609
Way of life, Christ the, 75
Way to Christ, the, 81
What is man? 505
What was abolished by Christ? 405
Who is the greatest? 664
Who persecute and why, 491
Why the law was given at Sinai, 379
Wicked, the end of the, 519
Wisdom, 591
Woman clothed with the sun, 264
Word of prophecy, the sure, 199
Word, power in the, 33
Word, the life-giving, 37
Word, the, not bound, 18
Work, Christian help, 644
Work, missionary, 638
Work of Antichrist, kingdom and, 218
Work, prison, 652
Work, the Holy Spirit and His, 181
Work, the shepherd and his, 635
World’s conversion, the, 347
World’s curse, the, 748
Worship, a warning against false, 259
Worship, prayer and public, 601
Worship, public, 614