A N N U A L : R E P O R T N U M B E R
VOL. IV
FEBRUARY 1913
NO. 2
FIFTY CENTS A YEAR
MOTTO: I the Lord do keep it. I w ill wafer it every moment lest any hurt iti I will keep it night and day.”—Is. 27:3
THE KING’S BUSINESS R. A. TORREY, Editor '
J. H. SAMMIS, T. C. HORTON. ■ J. H. HUNTER, Associate Editors ' Entered as Second-Class matter November 17, 1910; at the postofflce at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Organ of The Bible Institute of Los Angeles [Inc.] Auditorium Building, Cor. F ifth and Olive, Los Angeles, California.
D IR E C T O R S .
Lyman Steward President. J. M. Irvine, T. C. Horton, Superintendent. W. E. Blackstone. H. A. Getz. E. A. K. Hackett.
Rev; A. B. -Prichard, R. . Torrey, Dean
Vice-President.
Secretary-Treasurer.
. Giles Kellogg. 7S. I, Merrill.
Robert Watchorn.
D O C T R IN A L S T A T E M E N T . We hold to the Historic Faith of the Church as expressed in Creed of Evangelical Christendom and including:
the Common
The Trinity of the Godhead. The Deity of the Christ. The Personality of the Holy Ghost. The Supernatural and Plenary au thority of the Holy Scriptures. The Unity in Diversity of the Church, which is the Body and Bride of Christ The Substitutionary Atonement. The Necessity of the New Birth.
The Maintenance of Good Works. The Second Coming -of Christ. The Immortality of the Soul. The Resurrection of the Body. The Life Everlasting of Believers. The Endless Punishment of the Im penitent. The Reality and 'Personality of Satan.
O U R W O R K .
PlirpOSC Institute trains, free of cost, accredited men and women, in the knowledge and use of the Bible. Departments The inst i tute Classes held daily ex cept Saturdays and Sundays. (2) Extension work. Classes and con ferences held in neighboring cities and towns. <- - - (3) - Evangelistic. Meetings conducted by our evangelists. ■
(4) Spanish Mission. Meetings every night. - T ~ (5) Shop Work. Regular services in shops and factories. (6) Jewish Evangelism. Personal work among the Hebrews. (7) Bible Women. House-to-house and neighborhood classes. (8) Oil Fields, A mission to men on the oil fields. (9) Books and Tracts. Sale and dis tribution-of selected books and tracts.
/
The King’s Business Voi. 4 FEBRUARY, 1913 No. 2 Table of Contents. E d ito r ia ls : T h e W e ek of P ray e r — T h e L ack of P ray e r— Christ an d C h ris tia n ity ............. .......... ............................................ 51 H as th e Church Lost H e r F irst Love? Samuel J. A n d r e w s .. . . 53 T h e W o rd of God. A . T . P ie r s o n ..................................................... 54 I’ll T rust in T h e e (Poem ) J. H. S amm is............................... ........... 55 G reat Revivals and G reat Evangelists. John H . H u n t e r ........... 56 “ T h e W o rld to C h rist” ....................................................................... .. • 57 P rayer an d Revival. J. Goforth, H onan, C h in a ............................ 58 Christ an d H is Critics. Bettex. ............................................................. 61 S tudies in th e G ospel A cco rd ing to John. (C on tinued ) R. A. T o r r e > ....................................................... 62 International Sunday School Lessons. J. H . S ................................. 72 T h e H e a rt of th e Lesson. T. C. H o rto n ............................................. 82 Q uestions an d Answers. . R. A. T o r r e y .................... ........................ 86 A t H om e an d A b r o a d .......................... 88 Illu stra tio n s............................................................................................. 90 H in ts and H e lp s ............................ 91 T h e Bible In stitu te ....................................................................................... 92 T h e Bible W om en ’s R e p o r t (T a b u la te d )............................... 97 SUBSCRIPTION RATES . . . FIFTY CENTS A YEAR Published by The Bible Institute of Los Angeles Auditorium Building, Con Fifth & Olive Sts.
A Wonderful Bible for the English Speaking World W IT H MANY N EW AND STR IK ING FEATURES ; THE SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE W ith a N ew S y stem of C onnected T o p ic a l R eferences to all th e G re a te r T h em e s of S c rip tu re , w ith A n n o ta tio n s, R evised M arg in al R end e ring s, Summ aries, D efin ition s an d Index . T O W H IC H A R E A D D E D H e lp s a t H a rd P laces, E x p la n a tio n s of Seem ing D iscrepancies, an d a N ew S y stem of P a ra g ra p h s, w ith Tw e lv e Colored M aps an d In d ex to M aps. T h e Id e a l B ible fo r P a sto rs, S u n d ay School T e a ch e rs an d C h ristian W o rk e rs. T h e Id e a l H om e B ib le : A n sw e rs th e C h ild ren ’s Q uestion s. Edited by Rev. C. L SCOFIELD, D.D. CON SU LT ING ED IT O R S : Rev. Henry G. Weston, D.D., LL.D. Late President Crozer Theological Seminary Rev. James M. Gray, D.D. Dean of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago Rev. William J. Erdman, D.D. Author “The Gospel of John,” etc., etc. Rev. Prof. W. G. Moorehead, D.D. Prof, of Xenia Theological Seminary Rev. Elmore G. Harris, D.D. Late President Toronto Bible Institute Arno C. Gaebelein, Author “Harmony of Prophetic Word” Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. Author, Editor, Teacher FEATURES OF THE SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE 1. All the great words of Scripture are clearly defined. 2. Chain references, with final summaries, cover all the great topics of Scripture. 3. Every book has an introduction and analysis, thus facilitating book study—the true method of Bible study. 4 . Helps at the hard places. 6. Apparent contradictions reconciled and explained. 6. The types are explained and illustrated by N. T. references. 7. The greater covenants are analyzed and explained. All scriptures gather around these covenants. 8. The prophecies are harmonized, thus becoming self-explanatory. 9. The text is the Authorized, or King James Version, with emendations in the margin where needed. 10. Type: black-faced, imported Clarendon. 11. Paper: the famous Oxford White and India Papers. 12. Binding: eight styles. Prices, $2.00 to $10.00. The Ideal Bible for Pastors, Sunday School Teachers and Christian Workers The Ideal Home Bible: Answers the Children’s Questions. WE MAKE A SPECIALTY OF THE SCOFIELD BIBLE Ask for Catalogue giving further particulars as to styles of binding, etc. Address THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES Auditorium Building
___The King’s Business Yol. 4 FEBRUARY, 1913
No. 2
The Week of Prayer T H E annu al W e ek o f P ra y e r has com e a n d gone. W e c a n n o t b u t feel th a t in m o st churches th ro u g h o u t o u r la n d th e W e ek of P ra y e r is n o t th e p ow e r th a t it once was. In all th e y e a rs o f th e w rite r s active p a s to ra te s th e W e ek o f P ra y e r w as alw ays th e beg inn ing o f a tim e of v e ry d e fi n ite sp iritual re fre shm en t in th e chu rches o f which h e w as p a sto r. W e always o b se rv ed th e W e ek o f P ra y e r faithfully, follow ing th e list o f sub jects sen t ou t from L o n d o n b y th e se c re ta ry of th e Evangelical A lliance, p ray in g for m issions a t hom e an d a b ro a d a t th e v e ry tim e th e y w ere b e ing p ra y e d for in th o u san d s o f o th e r churches. A g re a t blessing alw ays cam e to th e church b y tu rn ing its a tte n tio n aw ay from itself to th e la rg e r in terests o f th e C hu rch o f C h rist as a w ho le in th e w o rld . But th e W e e k of P ray e r w as alw ays fol low ed b y o th e r w eeks of m eetings fo r p ra y e r a n d testim ony a n d p reach ing of th e W o rd , w ith th e m o re imm ed ia te o b je c t o f aw aken ing th e church itself to th e d em an d s u p o n it fo r ho ly living an d of reach ing th e un sav ed in th e comm unity. T h e se w eeks alw ays p ro v e d tim es o f ingathering . W e n ev e r passed th ro u g h th e m o n th o f Ja n u a ry w ithou t a v e ry co n sid e rab le in g a th e r ing o f souls into th e church. But we h a v e reason to fe a r th a t now ad ay s m any churches d o n o t ob serv e th e ^X^eek o f P ra y e r a t all a n d th a t o fte n tim es tho se w ho d o ob serv e it, d o it in a p e rfu n c to ry w ay w ith a c om p a ra tiv ely sm all a tte n d a n c e o f th e ir m em b ersh ip an d w ith little definiteness o r ex p e c ta tion in p ray e r, are satisfied th a t th e o ld w ay w as b e tte r a n d th a t th e churches a re do ing them selves a g re a t w rong in n o t im p rov ing th is ra re o p p o rtun ity . T h e v e ry fa c t th a t all C hristians ev eryw h ere th ro u g h o u t th e w o rld are p ray ing fo r th e sam e ob je c ts has in it a trem en d o u s inspiration, an d G o d does answ er p rayer. In these day s w e h av e g o tten v e ry m uch to d ep en d in g u p o n pro fessional evangelists an d u p o n g re a t o rgan ization s a n d highly ad v e rtised m ovem en ts. Evangelists certain ly h av e th e ir place, a G o d - given place, in th e w o rk o f th e churches, b u t it is a b a d d a y fo r an y m inister o r any church w hen it th ink s it m ust d e p e n d u p o n an y evangelist a n d th e re fore m ust w a it until th e m a n w hom th ey w o u ld select c an com e to them . If th e churches a n d m inisters will on ly stu d y w h a t G o d teaches a b o u t p ra y e r in H is W o rd a n d w ill go to w o rk to praying, w e c an h av e g re a t aw akenings a n d b lessed ingathering s w ith o u t an y evangelist St all. No o th e r tim e of th e y e a r is so auspicious fo r definite efforts fo r th e ing ath ering of th e lo st a s th e m on th s o f Jan u a ry , F e b ru a ry an d March. The Lack of Prayer T H ER E is no o th e r p lace in which th e av e rag e C h ristian a n d av e rag e m inister o f to d a y fails so o ften as in th e m a tte r o f p ray e r. W e d o n o t live in a p ray in g age. e live in a d a y of hu stle an d push a n d hum an energy, a d a y of self-confidence, w h en m en d o n o t realize th e ir n e e d of
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THE KING’S BUSINESS h elp from on H igh. T h is sp irit o f accom plishing ev e ry th in g b y o u r own re sources a n d in o u r own stren g th has e n te red a n d largely p e rv a d e d th e church. Pu sh ! Pu sh ! Pu sh ! O rgan ize! O rgan ize! O rgan ize! is th e tem p e r a n d m e th o d o f th e p re se n t hour. T h is accoun ts m o re th a n an y th ing else fo r failure in th e life o f th e in d iv idu a l b eliever. e d o n o t sp en d enough tim e a lo n e w ith O od . T h is accoun ts fo r th e w eakness o f o u r pub lic m in istry a n d o f ou r m o re qu iet efforts to b rin g m en to Christ. P e te r a n d his com p an ion s h a d le a rn ed th e se c re t o f success w hen th e y sa id : “W e w ill give ourselves con tinually to p ra y e r a n d to th e m in istry o f th e W o rd .” If w e w o u ld p ra y m o re w e w o u ld b e m o re h o ly ; if w e w ou ld p ra y m o re we w ou ld know m ore, ou r m ind s w ou ld b e m o re o p en to th e tru th o f G o d , we w ou ld h av e a c le a re r vision o f th e m e an ing o f th e W o r d ; if w e w ou ld p ra y m o re th e re w ou ld b e m o re p ow e r in o u r efforts, m o re souls w on to C hrist a n d m o re ra p id ad v a n c e in th e w o rk o f th e church h e re o n earth . ^ T h e essential th ing is n o t th e p e rso n o f Christ, n o r ev en th e d e a th o f Christ, b u t th e teach ing s o f C hrist in w o rd a n d act.** H e says, "T h o se teach ing s w ou ld b e equally v a lu ab le if Jesu s h a d p e rfo rm e d no m iracle, o r h a d com e to e a rth as o th e rs come, o r h a d com e full grown. It is in th e se th a t H is D ivinity inheres. A n d these teachings a re D ivine, n o t b ecau se H e ta u g h t them , b u t b ecau se th e y a re tru e .” H ow d ifferen t th e w o rd th a t says, “ I am th e way, th e tru th , a n d th e life.” “C om e un to ME .” “My sheep h e a r MY vo ice a n d th e y follow ME .” “E x c ep t y e b e liev e th a t I am H E y e shall d ie m y o u r sins.” “H e th a t h a th th e Son h a th life.” “H e shall conv ict th e w o rld o f sin becau se th ey believe n o t on ME .” “H E is o u r p e a c e .” C h rjst o u r life.” “H e w as m a d e sin fo r us.” “F o r m e to live is C h rist.” C hrist in you th e h o p e o f g lo ry .” “W h o is an tich rist b u t h e th a t d en ie th th a t C hrist com eth in th e fle sh ? ” W h a t is th e sanction o f th e law 5 D id it n o t begin “ I AM JE H O V A H th y G o d ” ? W h e re is th e A b rah am ic jo y ? W here is th e call to service th a t h as n o t h e a rd , “ I AM T H A T I AM ,” a n d w h e re is its en cou rag em en t w ithout, “Lo, I AM w ith you alway, even to th e end o f th e w o rld ? If e v e r th e re w ere an tich ristian w o rd s th ey , tflose q u o te d abov e. C hrist H im self is th e essential Christianity, ? n , T h e h e a rt o f th e G o sp e l.” T h e re is d a n g e r th a t h isto ry m ay re p e a t itself a n d m en ag ain b ecom e “w ith o u t CHR IST , w ith o u t h o p e an d w ithou t G o d in th e w o rld .” G o d so lo v ed th e w o rld , th a t H e gave, n o t Christianity, b u t H is only b eg o tten Son. C hristian ity d id n o t die fo r u s ; rise fo r us, d o e s n o t a p p e a r m th e p resence o f G o d fo r u s; w ill n o t tak e us to itself; can n o t w ak e th e d e ad , o r ch ang e th e living. N o ; C hrist is Christianity. H is Person, no t H is p recep ts, distinguishes ou r faith. O u r sun becom es "sack c lo th of han- a t th e th o u g h t th a t ou r life is n o t hid in G o d w ith H im . C u t Christ ou t o f C h ristianity! cut its h e a rt out. Aye, a n d you cut th e h e a rt ou t of all w ho fo n d ly th o u g h t th a t th e y h a d found a F riend , n o t a ph ilo so p h y Christ and Christianity scholar, ed ito r, an d p re a c h e r o f “ lib e ra l” th eo lo g y says:
THE KING’S BUSINESS 53 Has the Church Loét Her Firét Love? By SAMUEL J. ANDREWS,
as d ev o u tly w o rsh ip ed , as a t th e first? Is H e now , as th e living L o rd a n d h e a d of th e C hu rch th e c en te r of all C h ristian though t, an d love, a n d h o p e ? A re th e eyes of those w ho b e a r H is nam e, con tinually fa st en ed u p o n H im to know w h a t is H is w ill? D o th e y long fo r th e ir p e r fected likeness to H im a t H is retu rn as th e con summ ation o f th e ir hopes? D o they, in th e full assurance o f H is sup rem e pow er, p ro c la im H im b e fore th e w o rld as its J u d g e W ho s ta n d e th a t th e d o o r,’ a n d adm on ish all kings a n d rulers to rule in rig h t eousness as tho se w ho m u st give a ccoun t to H im ? It’ will h a rd ly b e d en ied b y any th a t th e risen an d living C h rist does n o t h o ld th e sam e ex a lted p lace in th e th o u g h t a n d affection o f th e C hu rch o f to d a y th a t H e h e ld in th e C hu rch o f th e A po sto lic age. T h is is n o t to say th a t m u ltitu d e s of fa ith ful souls d o n o t live in daily com m un ion w ith H im , an d m ak e H is p re sen t existence a g re a t reality to them selves. But th e re a re also m u l titu d e s w ho b e a r H is n am e to w hom H e is little m o re th a n a m yth. H is p erso n so clearly seen in th e b eg in ning, a lth o u g h in heaven, h as b e com e d im an d sh adow y in th e ages o f th e past. W e h e a r m uch o f th e principles, an d of th e spirit of Christ, b u t little o f H im self. But while th e C hu rch is m o re an d m o re silent, w e h e a r m an y voices crying: ‘H e has b e e n to o m uch ex alted , to o much h o n o r e d ; H e m ust b e b ro u g h t to H is p ro p e r lev el.’ Jesus saith to Sim on P e ter, Sim on, son of Jonas, lovest th o u m e m ore th a n these? H e saith u n to him , Yea, L o rd : th o u know - est th a t I love thee. H e saith u n to him , Feed m y lam bs.
4 I I T H A T th ink y e of C h rist? W W ho se Son is H e ?’ a re still th e question s which m ust p ro v e w h e th e r C hristian ity h as m a d e p rog ress w ith th e centuries. D oes th e C hu rch o f to d a y b e tte r u n d e rsta n d th e m y stery of th e In car n a te Son, H is teach ing s a n d H is w ork, a n d m o re ex a lt a n d h o n o r H im as h e r living h e ad , th a n d id th e C hu rch o f th e A p o sto lic age? H e re is th e s ta n d a rd b y w hich w e m ust ju d g e th e C hristian ity o f tod ay . W e n e ed n o t sp e ak a t an y leng th of th e p la c e which th e risen C hrist h e ld in th e th o u g h t an d affection of th e early Church. H ow d iligently th e A p o stle s la b o re d to k e ep H is person, no less th a n H is teaching, alw ays b e fo re th e eyes o f th e d is ciples, th e ir epistles a ttest. H e was th e c en te r o f all th e ir love, an d hope, an d labor. A lth o u g h p e rson a lly a b sent H e w as still carry ing on th ro u g h th e H o ly G ho st in th e C hurch H is red em p tiv e w o rk a n d all th a t w as d o n e b y it w as done, no t only in H is nam e, a n d b y H is a u tho rity , b u t w as in a tru e sense H is own p erso n a l action. A n d H is p e r son filled th e fu tu re as well as th e p re sen t w ith its transfiguring light. T h e p ra y e r fo r H is sp e edy retu rn , fo r th e glorious h o u r w h en they should b e m a d e like H im , w as up o n all lips. A ll eyes w ere fixed up o n H im . T h e y en d u re d p ersecu tion ‘as seeing H im w ho w as invisible.’ H e w as th e A lp h a an d th e Om ega, th e F irst an d th e Last, th e Beginning an d th e End. W e tu rn to th e C hurch of to d a y an d ask, ‘W h a t th in k y e o f Christ? W ho se Son is H e ? ’ Is H e now as highly ex alted , as tru ly reverenced ,
THE KING’S BUSINESS The Word of God B y A . T . P IER SON
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V AR IOUS a ttem p ts a re m aking, in th ese days, to im p a ir confi den c e in th e claim o f th e B ible to b e th e In sp ired a n d Infallible W o rd o f G od , a n d th e sup rem e gu ide in faith a n d du ty . W e a re in th e m id st o f th e w a r o f th e ages, an d th e en em y is assaulting th e c en te r a n d stro n g h o ld o f th e C h ristian re ligion ; fo r w ith its S acred B ook is in sep a rab ly b o u n d u p its S a c red P e r son. Som e o f th e friend s o f th e B ible seek to a c com m o d a te them selves to th e po sitions o f its foes, b y giving up th e infallibility a n d in e rran cy of th e Scriptures, a n d conced ing th a t th e re a re “m istakes” an d ev en “ im m oralities” in th e Bible, b u t such d e fen d e rs o f th e W o rd of G o d claim th a t its in sp iration is to b e found, no t in th e “w o rd s,” b u t th e “ co n c e p t.” W e reg a rd this po sition as w ho lly u n ten ab le, a n d as a v irtu a l su rren d e r o f th e B ible as a D ivine Book. A n d w e lift up a w a rn ing again st such views, b y w hom so ev e r p rom u lg a ted . T h e co n ten ts o f this B ook o f Books a re especially m ad e em phatic in its v e ry title, “T h e W o rd of G o d .” R e p e a te d ly do e s th e exp re s sion occur, “Words which I com m an d th e e ,” etc. Pau l echoes th e O ld T e stam en t in th e N ew : “W hich th ing s also w e speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teachetlu” A n d h e ad d s, “ com p a rin g spiritual things w ith spiritual, which, b y no t a few, is re g a rd e d as a sim ple e x p an sion o f th e m ean ing ,” i. e., ex pressing spiritual tru th s in spiritual forms. W o rd sw o rth say s: “L anguage is th e in c a rn a tion o f th o u g h t.” Burke
re g a rd e d ev e ry w o rd in a sen tence as one o f th e feet on w hich th e sen tence w a lk s; a n d said th a t, to a lte r a w o rd , ch ang e it fo r a lo n g e r or sh o rte r one, o r give it a d ifferen t position, m igh t ch ang e th e w ho le course o f th e sentence. T h e re a re in th e B ible th o u san d s o f cases in which th e accu racy o f th e “ c o n c ep t” d e p e n d s on th e exactness o f th e “w o rd ,” an d ev en o f th e sh ad e of m e an ing which it convey s a n d b y which it is se p a ra te d from o th ers of its class. W h en G o d sough t to co n v e y to m an an a d e q u a te “ c o n c ep t” o f sp iritual tru th , th e ta sk w as th e m o re difficult from th e fa c t th a t h e av en ly th ing s w e re to b e co n v ey ed to e a rth ly m ind s a n d th ro u g h e a rth ly channels. H ow cou ld even G o d im p a rt a know ledg e o f such m a tte rs w ithou t leav ing th e d o o r o p en to serious, if n o t fatal, erro r, unless H e gu ided , a t le a st b y su p e r vision a n d con tro l, th e v e ry w o rd s in which D ivine con c ep tion s w ere c lo th ed ? No re a d e r o f th e New T e stam en t G re ek n eed s to b e to ld th a t th e w hole Epistle to th e R om an s tu rn s on a single w o rd , a n d so im p o rta n t is it th a t th e re a d e r shall n o t m isu n d e r sta n d th a t w o rd , an d th e exact sense in which it is em p loyed , th a t in R o m ans 3 :2 5 , 26, th e m e an ing is e x actly a n d re p e a te d ly defined, “T o declare, I say, a t th is tim e his rig h t eousness: th a t H e m igh t b e ju st an d th e justifier of him th a t b e liev e th in Jesu s.” T h a t is righteousness, in th e sense o f th is Epistle. A re w e to b e to ld th a t th e co n c ep t is th e in sp ired thing, n o t th e w o rd ? H ow a re w e to g et th e tru e c o n c ep t a p a rt from th e righ t w o rd ? T o fo rm a w rong con c ep tion o f justification, as h ere
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co rre c ted b y th e celestial po le. R e a son an d conscience, a n d ev en th e v e rd ic t o f th e Church, all b e lo n g to th e h um an an d fallible, a n d w e .m u st ste e r b y th e constellations. T h e supremacy of the Word of God is th e la st g re a t tru th w hich is th e p a llad ium o f C hu rch a n d b e liev er. W h en th a t falls, all else falls w ith it. No d isa ste r is to o g re a t to follow th e d e stru c tio n o f th a t safe g u a rd o f P ro testan tism . A n d w e shou ld lo o k w ell b e fo re w e adm it an y teach ing which a ctually su r ren d e rs this inm o st citad e l o f our faith, o r ev en b y ap p lic a tio n w e a k ens o r lessens th e ab so lu te su p rem acy o f th e W o rd o f G od . W e th e re fo re earn estly ask all w ho w ish to know th e tru th a n d find th e h id d e n tre a su re s of th e W o rd , n o t to b e k e p t from a th o ro u g h ex p lo ra tio n o f its h id d e n b e au tie s b y an y a p p a re n t a n d superficial d isco rd ancies an d d isag reem en ts. T h ese are b u t th e iron gates th a t seem fo rb id d ing b u t th a t y ield to th e touch of a re v e re n t a n d o b e d ie n t sp irit an d adm it us to th e ’’H ou se Beautiful. If E lim ’s palm s th e ir sh a d e afford, O r if th o u sm ite m y sheltering gou rd , » A like, th ro u g h g o o d an d ill, In p e rfe c t p e a c e I’ll w a it an d p ro v e T h a t th o u o rd a in e st all in lo v e , My G o d , a n d tru st T h e e still. A n d if, a t last, m y passage b e U pon a calm an d starlit sea, I’ll b less th y favo ring w ill; But if to som e lo n e sp a r I cling, A d rift u p o n th e sto rm I’ll sing, My G od , I tru st T h e e still.
used, is to m isconceive th a t do c trin a l tru th w hich lies a t th e v e ry basis of ou r salvation . T h e re a re o v e r five th o u sa n d in stances in th e O ld a n d New T e stam en ts w h e re th e m o st im p o rta n t distinction s h a n g o n th e choice o f a p a rticu la r w o rd , an d no o ther, how ev e r like it, w ill suffice. It is un safe to m ak e th e B ible a n d th e C hu rch a n d th e hum an, reason jo in t, o r co -o rd in ate, sources o f d i v ine au tho rity . B o th th e C hu rch an d re a son a re au th o rita tiv e on ly as th ey a re co n fo rm ed to, an d a re co n firm ed by, th e W o rd o f G od . T h e vo ice of o u r ra tio n a l pow ers, an d ev en th e comm on con sen t o f C h rist endom , like th e fallib le sta n d a rd s o f w eigh ts a n d m easures, n e e d c o r rection b y th e infallible, as th e w atch is reg u la ted b y th e ch ronom e te r, a n d even th e c h ro n om e te r b y G o d ’s clock, th e stars. T h e m a rin e r d a re s n o t follow ev en h is com pass as an ab so lu te guide, lest h e lose his course, if n o t his vessel. T h e n e ed le m ay h av e intensity o f d ire c tiv e force an d susceptibility, b u t it h a s its v a ri atio n s; th e m agnetic p o le m u st b e I’ll tru st in T hee, w ho se b ound le ss grace R e sto red m y soul, a n d tu rn e d m y face T o Z io n ’s blissful h ill; A n d th e re to guide m y step s aright, T h ro u g h b rig h te st day, a n d d a rk e st night, My G od , I’ll tru st T h e e still. If d a ily b re a d th y rav en s bring, A n d I from C h e rith ’s coo ling spring My flow ing cup m ay fill; O r if m y b ro o k run sc an t a n d dry, A n d th o u w ith h o ld m y d a y ’s supply, My G od , I’ll tru st T h e e still.
I’ll Trust in Thee ( By J. H. SAMMIS
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THE KING’S BUSINESS Great Revivals and Great Evangelists Harry Moorehouse—Continued - 7 — By JOHN H. HUNTER W ITH J o h n H am b le to n an d E d w a rd U sher, H a rry M oo re house d e c id ed to a tte n d th e
local p e a sa n try a n d som e o f these w ere b ro u g h t to Christ. W h o can tell how far-reach ing m ay h a v e b e en th e m essages on th e b o a rd s which w ere re a d b y th o u san d s o f th e p le a s u re seekers, since “G o d h a th chosen th e foolish th ing s o f th e w o rld to c o n fo u n d th e w ise; a n d . . . th e w e ak th ing s . . . to c o n fo u n d th e th ing s th a t a re m ig h ty ” ? H a rry M oo rehou se a n d Jo h n H am b le to n a tte n d e d th e fam ous E p som races w ith th e ir w ell-filled w a l lets a n d th e ir te x t b o a rd s. O n th is occasion th e c a rriag e con ta in ing th e P rin ce o f W ales, a fte rw a rd s K ing E dw a rd V II, w as b lo ck ed fo r som e tim e o p p o site th e hum b le e v an g e lists, a n d th e p rince o f th e royal fam ily o f G re a t B ritain h e a rd a G o spel m essage from th e fire-touched lips o f one o f th e sons o f th e K ing of K ings an d L o rd o f L o rd s. It w as h e re th a t a little ecclesiastically g a rb e d c lergym an on his w ay to th e races ch a rg ed th e evangelists w ith b ring ing rep ro a ch up o n th e n am e of o u r Saviour. T h e y re p lie d : “ If Jesu s is y o u r Saviour, tell us w h a t H e h as sav ed you from ? H e has sav ed us from th e com p an y o f evil- doers, a n d from th e race course to which you a re going, which is one m ass o f iniquity. H e has red e em ed H is p e o p le from all sin, a n d from th e things o f th e w o rld which th ey once loved . T h is is w h a t our S av iou r h as d o n e fo r us; w h a t has your S av iou r d o n e fo r you? You h av e a fo rm o f god liness; you w e a r a w hite neckclo th as a b a d g e o f y o u r calling and , fo r a u g h t w e know , you tell p e o p le on S u n d ay to serve th e L o rd , b u t on M o n d ay you you rse lf
g re a t te r-c en ten a ry o f S h ak e sp e a re a t S tra tfo rd -o n -A v o n , in th e h o p e of w itnessing fo r C h rist a n d saving som e fo r H im . T h e y h a d larg e tex ts o r strik ing m o tto e s p a in te d on b o a rd s to b e s tra p p e d on th e ir shou l d e rs an d b o rn e in th e re a r o f th e procession o f floats rep re sen ting v a rious scenes from th e g re a t p o e t’s plays. T h e y c a rried also a supp ly o f Bibles, New T e stam en ts a n d tra c ts to b e given aw ay o r so ld a s occasion m igh t require. O n e o f th e m o tto e s re a d : C h rist fo r M e; P ra ise th e L o rd , M ercy’s F re e .” T h e stran g e sight a ttra c te d m uch a tte n tio n an d elicited m uch comm en t— go o d na- tu re d an d otherw ise. A rchbishops, bishop s a n d o th e r g re a t m en m igh t m a rch w ith m ed a ls o f S h ak e sp e a re hang ing o v e r th e ir hearts, a n d it seem ed all righ t to th e th o u san d s of sp e c ta to rs g a th e re d from all ov e r th e w o rld ; fou r h u n d re d p ro fe s sional singers an d players, m an y of th em— p ro b a b ly m o st o f th em __ godless, m igh t fidd le a n d sing: H e w as w o u n d ed fo r o u r transgres- s*°ns>” an d th e aud ien c e in th e g re a t pav ilion w ou ld a p p la u d th e p e rfo rm ance. But w hen th re e red e em ed m en ste p p e d ou t to b e a r th e ir simple testim ony to th e tru th o f th e p ro p h e t’s message, th e y w ere h o o ted , jo s t led, ev en th re a te n e d w ith arrest, though th ey w ere n o t in te rfe ring in an y unlaw ful w ay w ith th e d a y ’s proceed ing s. T h e ir tra c ts w ere to rn a n d seem ingly n o t m uch w as d o n e fo r th e ir L o rd , b u t in th e even ing th ey p re a ch ed to h u n d re d s o f th e
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fo rg o t all h e h a d in te n d e d to say. Jo sh u a Poole, se a te d in th e a u d i ence, anxious to h e lp his friend ou t o f his dilemm a, called loud ly : “ Enry, sing a ’im, m o n ; sing a ’im .” O n e n igh t in Dublin, p e rh a p s this v e ry first night, his serm on le ft him, a n d h e cou ld d o little b u t re p e a t J o h n 3 :1 6 o v e r a n d o v e r again. H e w as m uch d iscou rag ed w ith his fail u re b u t le ft it w ith th e L o rd . T h e follow ing d a y h e receiv ed a note, o r a visit, from a y o ung lady , asking him to g ra n t a p erso n a l in terv iew to h e r b ro th e r, a T rin ity college stu d en t. T h e y oung fellow cam e an d to ld how h e a n d som e o th e r stu d en ts h a d g on e in to th e h a ll to e n jo y th e fun, b u t th a t th e rep e titio n of J o h n 3 :1 6 h a d laid h o ld on him , conv ict ing him of his sins in th e ligh t o f G o d ’s love, a n d now h e w an te d to know how to b e saved . Mr. M oo re house joy fu lly led him to th e Lo rd , an d a fte rw a rd s in p riv a te ask ed G o d ’s forgiveness fo r his d iscou r ag em en t a n d sa id : “L o rd , m ak e a fool o f m e ev e ry nigh t if it will only b rin g m en to Jesu s.” a im ed to do. T h e y sough t to b ring Jesu s a n d H is G o sp el to th e w o rld , fo r its a c c ep tan c e o r rejection, b u t th e y n e ith e r ex p e c ted th e w o rld to com e to Christ, n o r d id th e y aim to b rin g it ab o u t. In fact, th e y knew it n ev e r w o u ld com e, in th is age, c h a r a c te riz ed b y a n e a rth -re je c ted , b u t h e av en -a c c ep ted Christ. T h e A p o s tle s d id n o t b u ild churches a n d th en say “ com e” to th e p eo p le — th ey sim ply o b ey ed th e L o rd ’s “go in to all th e w o rld a n d p re a c h .” T h ese a re ou r m arch ing o rd e rs still. TO B E CONTINUED .
go to th e races, w h e re th e y serve th e devil. H ow can you call H im y o u r S av iou r w h en y o u r fruit p ro v e s you a re n o t s a v e d ? ” T h e se men, v a lia n t fo r tru th , a t te n d e d n o t o n ly th e ra c e courses b u t o th e r exhib ition s w h ere crow ds w ou ld g ath er, an d unm u rm u ring ly b o re rep ro a ch , sham e a n d physical p a in fo r th e priv ilege o f telling th e sto ry of red e em in g love, a n d G o d h o n o re d th em w h a te v e r m en th o u g h t o f them . In 1864, th re e y e a rs a fte r his co n version, H a rry M’oorehouse, Jo sh u a P o o le an d E dw a rd U sh er first vis ited Ireland , w h e re H a rry M oore- house especially b e c am e a g re a t fa vo rite. A large hall, M errion H all, m o d e led a fte r Mr. S pu rg eon ’s M et ro p o lita n T ab e rn a cle , h a d ju st be en o p en ed fo r evangelistic services u n d e r th e le ad e rsh ip o f Mr. D enh am Sm ith, a cu ltu red a n d richly gifted co n se c ra ted se rv an t o f G od . H e in v ited H a rry M oorehouse to speak, an d th e sight o f th e larg e an d well d re ssed aud ience gave th e L an c a shire lad a severe a tta c k o f stage fright. H e b eg an to speak, b u t som e lad ies ro se a n d le ft th e hall, which com p le ted his discom fiture, an d he N o th ing reveals th e d e p a rtu re from A p o sto lic g ro u n d m o re fully th a n th e “ca tch p h ra se s” o f o u r day . T h ese “ sayings,” as P au l calls them , a re th e unconscious rev e la tio n o f ou r inw a rd faith an d feeling. It se ldom h a p p e n s th a t a pub lic ad d re ss o r p ra y e r is h e a rd a t th e p re se n t day , w h ere th e re d o e s n o t c ro p ou t th e p u rp o se “ to b rin g th e w o rld to th e foo t o f th e cross,” o r to “b rin g th e w o rld to Jesu s.” But th is is th e d i re c t oppo site o f w h a t th e A po stles
“ The World to Christ”
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1
Prayer and Revival* The Wonderful Story of how Prayer Started the Great Awakening in Korea By J/GOFORTH, HONAN, CHINA
I N th e summ er o f 1903 a lad y mis- sionary from C en tra l C h in a v is ited W onsan, on th e east co a st of K orea. H e r conv e rsa tion w as much a long th e line o f th e H o ly S p irit’s pow er. D r. R. A . H a rd ie be c am e d e e p ly conscious o f his own lack of p ow e r in life a n d service. H e was ask ed to p re p a re several ad d re sse s on p ra y e r fo r a little con feren ce of m issionaries. A s h e p re p a re d , his ow n n e ed b e c am e m o re pressing. F inally, he co u n ted th e cost, fulfilled th e conditions, a n d b y faith, w ith ou t feeling, received th e H o ly Spirit. T h e S a b b a th a fter, h e to ld th e K o re an C hristians a b o u t his experience, an d a v e ry d e e p im pression was m ade. S ub sequen tly h e g av e sev era l ta lk s on p ray e r, a n d rev ival comm en ced am o n g th e K oreans. A t th e beg inn ing o f 1904, while D r. H a rd ie w as co ndu c ting th e ir annu al B ible train ing class th e rev ival b ro k e ou t afresh. F o llow ing th is Dr. H a rd ie w as called to co n d u c t sim ilar classes in m o st o f th e chief m is sion c en ters in K orea. A t every p la c e th e re w e re m a rk e d m an ife sta tion s o f th e H o ly S p irit’s -presence an d pow er. T h e flam e o f revival, fan n ed a n d fed b y p ray er, has sw ept all ov e r th e K o re an peninsula, until it has b ecom e a n atio n a l m ovem en t. How the Movement Began. W h ile visiting K o re a I a sk ed one o f th e m issionaries a t P ing Y ang how th e m igh ty m o v em en t o f J a n u a ry an d F eb ru ary , 1907, in th a t city w as b ro u g h t ab o u t. H e rep lied : “ I fo r one, h a d alm o st com e to th e co n
clusion th a t w e h a d received from G o d a b o u t all th a t w e m igh t re a so n a b ly exp e c t in th e w ay o f revival. 1 saw th a t in C h ina a n d J a p a n th e re was n o th in g ap p ro a ch in g th e K o rean m ov em en t. T h e n w e w en t to our ann u a l m ission m eeting a t Seoul an d h e a rd D r. A gn ew Jo h n sto n o f New Y o rk tell o f how G o d h a d visited India. H e m en tio n ed th a t in th e Kassia H ill s m ission 8 2 0 0 conv erts h a d b e en b ap tise d in two years. W e re tu rn ed hom e to P in g Y ang, an d w ith ou r M ethod ist friend s d e c id ed to p ra y until G o d h a d blessed P ing Y ang m o re a b u n d a n tly th a n w e h a d e v e r y e t know n. Since ou r G o d was no re sp e c te r o f persons, w e b eliev ed H e w as -as w illing to p o u r ou t H is S p irit on P ing Y ang as on th e Kassia Hills. A t first w e a p p o in te d th e noon h o u r fo r p ray e r, b u t soon found a n h o u r to o s h o rt; so w e ch an g ed th e p ra y e r tim e to four o clock in th e a fte rn o o n , a n d o ften p ra y e d till h a lf p a st five o r six o clock. A coup le o f m o n th s of p ray ing passed, w h en one o f th e b re th re n p ro p o se d th a t w e d isb an d th e p ra y e r m eeting a n d p ra y pri- vately , giving a s a reason th a t n o th ing unusual h a d h ap p en ed , though a b o u t tw enty-five m issionaries h ad b e en sp end ing m uch v a lu ab le time. T h e m a jo rity h eld th a t G o d does an sw er p ray e r, an d since th e an sw er h a d n o t y e t com e, th e on ly w ay of faith w as to con tinue in u n ited p rayer. T h e re w as v e ry little ta lk ing a t ou r m eeting s; th e tim e w as g iven to p ray e r, a n d w e fo rg o t all a b o u t o u r b ein g M ethod ists an d P resby terian s. A fte r o u r p ra y e r m eeting h a d con tin u ed daily fo r sev-
"Reprinted from the Life of Faith
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conviction. In less th a n tw o m on th s m o re th a n tw o th o u san d h e a th en h a d y ie ld ed to th e L o rd Jesus. A n d this m issionary e n d e d b y say ing : “W h en G o d cam e H e d id m o re in h a lf a d a y th a n a ll o f u s cou ld h av e d o n e in h a lf a year. Prayer Changes Things. T h e tw o m issionaries responsible fo r th e high school felt a g re a t b u r d e n o f p ra y e r fo r th e m o re th a n th re e h u n d re d y o ung m en w ho w ere to comm ence th e ir stud ies a t th e op en ing in F eb ru a ry , 1907. T h e y felt if these y oung m en w ere n o t co n v e rte d a n d filled w ith th e H o ly Spirit th ey w ou ld on ly b e tu rn e d ou t o f th a t school as ed u c a te d rascals, to th e g re a t h u rt o f K orea. In our fav o red ’C h ristian coun tries w e are n o t a fra id t'o g ra d u a te e d u c a ted ra s cals from ou r schools. T h e y w ere going to o p en th a t M ond ay m o rn ing, an d th e tw o m issionaries w ere early th e re on th e ir kn e e s; b u t b e fore th e h o u r of nine struck th e H o ly S p irit comm enced to conv ict those stu d en ts of sin. C ries w e re h e a rd up stairs a n d dow n— cries w hich no e a r can m istake. T h e school d id n o t o p en th a t d a y n o r th a t week. T ho se w ho h a d early com e th ro u g h to v ic to ry w ere tran sfo rm ed in to in terces sors alm o st D ivine. Aw ful d arkn ess cam e to th e light. O n th e follow ing M ond ay th e high school o p en ed fo r th e g lory of G o d in Korea. T h e n a b o u t one h u n d re d M eth o d ist p re a ch e rs a n d co lpo rteu rs cam e into P ing Y ang to stu d y th e B ible fo r a m on th . T h e m issionaries an d rev iv ed K o re an le a d e rs w e re in u n ited p ra y e r th a t G o d th e H o ly Sp irit w ou ld com e an d visit this M ethod ist b a n d on th e open ing n igh t; an d so H e did. F illed w ith th e H o ly G host, th ey stu d ied u n d e r H is D ivine d ire c tion fo r a m on th , an d th e n th ey w en t fo rth , a n d signs follow ed.
eral m o n th s I w as visiting one o f my larg e out-stations. T h a t evening while condu cting th e service th e Sp irit of G o d w o rk ed m igh ty co n viction, a n d do zen s b u rst ou t w e e p ing. I h a d n ev e r seen an y th ing like it an d tried to stop it b y getting th em to sing, b u t th e y p a id no h e ed to me, an d I soon le a rn t th a t th e H o ly Spirit w as M aster o f assemblies an d m y p a rt w as to sit still. When the Fire Fell. “N ext d a y I c a rried th e good new s to ou r p ray ing b a n d in P ing Y ang, an d all w e re filled w ith a w o n d ro u s expectancy. W e w e re ju st a b o u t to comm ence th e w eek of p ray e r, Jan u a ry , 1907. O u r h o p e w as th a t G o d w ou ld bless us th a t week, b u t S u n d ay passed, a n d every w eek d a y h a d passed a n d no u n usual blessing h a d b e e n given. W e w ere now a t th e even ing m eeting of th e second Sunday-— th e last d ay o f th e w eek o f p ray e r. T h a t nigh t th e re w ere ab o u t 1500 p eo p le p re s en t in C en tra l P re sb y te rian church, w h en th e le ad ing e ld e r sta rtle d us w ith th e follow ing confession: I am n o t w h a t you suppo se m e to be. A b o u t a y e a r ago a friend o f m ine w hen dy ing called m e to his house a n d said : “ E lder, p lease m an ag e m y affairs fo r m y w ife a n d ch ild ren a fte r I am g o n e .” I co n sen ted an d m a n ag ed to p u t $ 1 0 0 of th a t w idow ’s m on ey in m y own pocket. I h av e b e e n try ing to p re a ch a n d p ra y ever since, b u t it is vain. In th e m o rn ing I w ill go an d p a y th a t m on ey b a c k to th a t w idow .’ T h e e ld e r’s con fes sion b ro k e th e w ho le aud ience dow n an d h o u r a fte r h o u r th a t n igh t as m an y as fifty b ro k e n -h e a rted m en an d w om en could b e seen stan d in g w aiting th e ir tu rn to confess. T h a t ' m eeting la sted until tw o o ’clock in th e m orning. T h e fe a r o f G o d fell u p o n th e city. M any w ho cam e to m ock fell d ow n u n d e r th e m ightiest
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A s th e M e thod ist w o rk ers left th e city, five h u n d re d an d fifty selected P re sb y te rian w om en e n te red from th e co u n try sta tion s to stu d y th e W o rd o f G o d fo r te n o r tw elv e days. T h e re w as p ra y e r w ith one acco rd th a t th e H o ly Spirit m igh t h av e H is w ay w ith these wom en. T h a t first nigh t dozen s o f th em w e re h e a rt b ro k e n o v e r th e ir sins. A fte r a few d ay s all h a d g o t righ t w ith G od . T h ey received th e go o d seed into p re p a re d hearts, a n d fam ilies, friends, a n d n e ighbo rs saw as soon as th e y re a ch ed hom e th a t a new p ow e r h a d com e in to th e ir lives. T h e n seventy-five theo log ical stu den ts, g a th e re d from all th e P re sb y te rian m ission c en ters in K orea, cam e in to P ing Y an g fo r a fou r m o n th s’ course o f study. In a rrang e- ing th e curriculum six m o n th s p re viously th e m issionaries h a d p lan n ed to d e v o te every even ing to p ra y e r an d special B ible study, h o p ing th a t b y th e en d o f th e fou r m o n th s’ course all th e m en w ou ld b e righ t w ith G od , an d filled w ith H is Spirit. But a fte r seeing th a t th e H o ly Spirit cam e w ith om n ip o ten t p ow e r every tim e th ey u n ited ly p ra y e d fo r H im , th ey acknow led g ed th e ir sin of th ink ing H e could on ly com e a fte r m on th s o f p rep a ra tio n . It seem ed to th em th a t th ey h a d as m uch as h in ted to G od , L e t us d o o u r b est fo r fou r m onths, a n d th e n you com e an d finish u p .” T h e y to ld G o d a b o u t it, a n d p ra y e d th a t th e H o ly Spirit m igh t b e p o u re d up o n those stu d en ts as soon as th e y assem b led ; an d it w as so, fo r G o d th e H o ly Spirit cam e am o n g st th em w ith g re a t p ow e r th e v e ry first night. T h e H o ly Spirit go t th em ready , an d d i rected th e ir stud ies fo r fo u r m on th s a n d th en sent th em ou t to p re a ch C hrist in H is pow er. Ju st h ere is th e secret o f th e w ond ro u s success of C h rist’s cause in K orea.
On Holy Ground. W h en I cam e to P ing Y ang a fte r th e rev ival in 1907, I felt I was tre a d in g o n ho ly g round . I was g re a tly im p ressed w ith th e n a tu ra l ness o f th e m issionaries. T h ey co n versed , th ey exercised, th ey ate, th ey w o rk ed , th ey re sted in th e m o st n a t u ra l m an n e r— no eccentricities, b u t as m y trav e lin g com p an ion re m a rk e d : AXTien th ey go t to p ra y e r th e y c a rried you righ t in to th e p re s ence o f G o d .” In th e K o re an rev ival it is quite c le a r th a t th e m issionaries h a d no m o n o p o ly o f th e p ra y e r spirit. A t th a t v e ry annu al m eeting in 1906 w h e re th e P ing Y ang m issionaries w ere m o v ed to p ra y e r fo r revival, a K o re an c o lp o rte u r h e a rd th ro u g h an in te rp re te r a b o u t G o d ’s w o rk on th e Kassia Hills. H is hom e w as a t K ang Kai, aw ay up am ong th e p ine forests o f N o rth K orea. H e w en t hom e an d to ld his church o f a b o u t tw o h u n d re d a n d fifty believers. T h e m en ag re ed to m e e t a t five o’clock every m o rn ing in th e church fo r p ra y e r; th e w om en, too, a p p o in te d a tim e fo r p ray e r. T h ey p ra y e d fo r six m on th s, an d th e n a t th e en d of M arch, 1907, G o d b lessed th em as a b u n d a n tly as H e h a d blessed any p lace w h ere foreign m issionaries re sided. Again, a t th e beg inn ing o f 1910, P a sto r Kil, o f th e C en tra l P re sb y te rian church, P ing Y ang, noticed th a t his church w as g row ing cold. H e to o k a faithful e ld e r in to his con fidence a n d th ey two m e t in th e church ev e ry m o rn ing a b o u t fou r o ’clock to p ray . By th e en d o f a m o n th a b o u t tw en ty o th e rs h ad found it ou t an d jo in e d them . P a s to r Kil th en saw it w as tim e to a n nounce it. O n th e S u n d ay h e a n nounced th a t a bell w ould b e rung a t 4 :3 0 o clock, an d all w ho w ished m igh t a tte n d th e p ra y e r m eeting.
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sto ry o f Jesu s w ith te a rs stream ing dow n th e ir faces. T h ey w en t to in dividuals, seized th em b y th e ir w rists an d p le a d e d w ith th em to accep t J esus as th e ir Saviour. U p to y e ste r d a y som e fou r h u n d re d m en h av e sto o d up in th e churches a n d co n fessed C hrist fo r th e first tim e in th re e o r fou r days. Som e testified th a t on th e p rev iou s days, w hen these little b o y s p re a ch ed to them , th e y realized th e ir sins a n d b ro k e d ow n in tears. P raise, p raise th e L o rd ! A ll g lo ry to ou r precious Jesus! W h a t a glorious privilege to live in such a tim e o f H is g ra c e !” Oh, w h a t pigm y p a sto rs w e of fav o red C h ristian lan d s m ak e in com parison ! We h av e n e ith e r eyes to see th e n e e d n o r g race to b estir ourselves to p ra y e r fo r co n g reg a tions which a re a b o u t re a d y to b e spu ed ou t o f H is m outh. M ay th e L o rd use tho se K o re a n s to p ro v o k e us to jealou sy ! T h e y hav e p ray ed , a n d are p ray ing m ightily, an d w o rk ing m ightily, too , to satisfy th e soul- th irst o f th e L o rd Jesus. In view of such facts a re w e n o t a fra id th a t th e L o rd w ill rem ov e th e • cand lestick vhile we con tinue to slum ber? His Critics again th e th ird day. H e w ou ld hav e p ro v e d to Y ou th a t Y ou w e re only a m an, a n d th a t Y ou cou ld n o t p o s sibly h av e dw e lt w ith th e F a th e r in Y ou r own g lory b e fo re th e fo u n d a tion of th e w o rld . H e w ou ld h av e show n Y ou th a t Y ou do n o t b e lo n g in th e G o spel a t all; fo r tho u san d s o f Christians ( ? ) now enthusiastic ally recognize th a t he, an d n o t You, is th e tru e te a ch e r o f tru e C hristi anity. We, how ever, con tinue to sit a t th e ffeet o f this Je su s; an d H e says to us: Be n o t ye called te a ch e rs: fo r one is y o u r T eacher, even Christ.
B efore 2 a. m. m o re th a n a h u n d red p eo p le w ere a t th e chu rch praying. A t th e h o u r a p p o in te d a b o u t four h u n d re d w ere p resent. By th e end o f th e first w eek th e a tte n d a n c e h ad re a ch ed seven h u n d red . T h e n all w ere m e lted w ith a n overw helm ing sense o f G o d 's presence. T h e p a s to r saw it w as th e o p p o rtu n e tim e an d called fo r v o lun te e rs to go and w in souls fo r Christ. A t th a t m e e t ing th re e th o u san d d ay s o f service w ere p rom ised . L ater, P a sto r Kil w ro te to a m issionary as follow s: “ I am con tinually p ray in g th a t you m ay alw ays b e filled w ith th e H o ly Spirit. Am en. I p raise G o d fo r th e w o n d e rfu l m an ife sta tion of H is glory. I c a n n o t stop th e flow of te a rs as I th ink of it. H e re a t this tim e college an d a c ad em y stud en ts a re enthusiastically preach ing , an d even th e p rim a ry school pupils a re overflow ing w ith enthusiasm in p ro claim ing th e love o f G od . E ven th e little to ts o f seven y e a rs g a th e red to g e th e r an d b ro u g h t m on ey to buy tra c ts a n d Gospels. T h e y to o k these ou t on th e stre e t an d to o k tu rn s a t preaching. T h e se tiny boys, filled w ith fiery zeal, sto o d telling th e Christ and D r. B ettex thu s scores a lead ing critic o f th e G ospels: P o o r Jesus, grow n up an d shu t up in so m any erron eou s no tion s of Y ou r age, an d y e t th e “H o ly O n e of G o d ,” h a d Y ou b u t b e e n p e rm itte d to sit a t H a rn a c k ’s feet, this m a ste r w ould h av e ta u g h t Y ou co rre c t id e a s o f th é essence of Christianity. H e w ou ld h av e h e a led Y ou of Y our fear of th e dev il a n d his tem p ta tio n s; of th e fancy th a t Y ou w ere a b le to c om m a n d w ind s an d w av e s; of th e d e lusion th a t You h a d raised Lazarus, an d th a t Y ou Y ourself w ou ld rise
62 THE KING’S BUSINESS Studies in the Gospel According to John (continued) By R. A. TORREY ( 3 ) The Word becoming incarnate in Jesus Christ, vv. 14-18.
sta tem en t in th e first verse of th e E te rn ity a n d D eity of th e W o rd . A ll th a t h as com e b e tw e en verse 1 a n d 14 is p aren th e tic al. T h e W o rd which w as in th e beginning, an d was w ith G od , a n d w as G od , now en te rs in to h um an history, a n d G o d u tte rs o r reveals H im self fully in a Man. T h e re is a rem a rk ab le c o rre sp o n d en c e a n d c o n tra st b e tw e en th e sta tem en ts o f verses 1 a n d 14 : T h e W o rd “w as G o d ”— T h e W o rd “b e cam e flesh” (a s B ishop W e stco tt pu ts it, “E te rn ity a n d tim e, th e D i v ine a n d th e h um an a re reconciled in H im . H e ‘w as w ith G o d ’ ; an d H e ‘ta b e rn a c led am o n g u s’ ” ). H e w as “ in th e beg inn ing .” “W e b e h e ld H is g lo ry .” T h e w o rd s “w as m a d e ” shou ld ra th e r re a d “b e c am e ,” an d w e a re n o t to u n d e rsta n d th a t b y b e com ing flesh th e W o rd ceased to b e w h a t H e w as befo re. A s A ugu s tine p u ts it, “H e d id n o t cease to b e w h a t H e w as befo re, b u t H e b ecam e w h a t H e w as n o t b e fo re .” T h e w o rd “ flesh” is m e an t to d e n o te hum an n a tu re in its en tirety . A w o rd is used th a t describes h um an n a tu re from its m a te ria l side in o rd e r to m ak e m o re viv id th e c o n tra st b e tw een th e in h e ren t D eity o f th e W o rd a n d th a t which H e becam e. T h e w o rd also describes hum an n a tu re from th e side th a t em phasizes its w eakness an d m ortality . “H e to o k up o n H im self ou r p itiab le n a tu re in all its w eakness as it now is, excep ting th e ta in t o f sin.” D o u b t less J o h n h a d in m ind in using this w o rd th e e rro r o f tho se w ho m a in ta in ed th a t th e W o rd only seeming ly to o k hum an natu re, th a t is to say, th a t ou r L o rd ’s b o d y w as n o t a real body , b u t only a n a p p a re n t b o d y ;
V, 14. “And the Word was made (ra th e r “became” ) flesh, and dwelt (ra th e r “tabernacled” ) among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of (ra th e r, “from” ) the Father, full of grace and truth.” T h e H o ly S p irit in speak ing th ro u g h th e A p o stle J o h n h e re le ad s us ou t in to v e ry d e e p w aters, an d we m u st p ro c e ed cautiously, y e t b o ld ly ; b e ing v e ry carefu l n o t to go b ey o n d w h a t is w ritten , a n d y e t d a rin g to b e liev e all th a t is w ritten. W e find in th is verse th re e th ing s: ( 1 ) T h e F a c t o f th e In c a rn a tio n ; ( 2 ) T h e A p o stle ’s T e stim o n y to th e In c a rn a tion as a m a tte r o f personal, careful o b se rv a tio n ; ( 3 ) an d th e C h a ra c te r o f th e In c a rn a te W o rd . T h e Verse m ay b e an a ly z ed an d summ ed up u n d e r th e follow ing h e ad s: ( 1 ) T h e N a tu re o f th e In c a rn a tion— “The Word became flesh.” ( 2 ) T h e In c a rn a tion as a H istoric F a c t— He “tabernacled among us.” ( 3 ) T h e A p o stle ’s P e rson a l T e s tim ony to th e F a c t a n d C h a ra c te r of th e In c a rn a te W o rd— “We beheld His glory, glory as of the only be gotten from the Father.” ( 4 ) T h e C h a ra c te r o f th e In c a r n a te W o rd— “Full of grace and truth.” W e w ill tak e th e se po in ts up one b y one: ( 1 ) T h e N a tu re o f th e Incarna- tion-“A n d th e Word becam e flesh .” T h e w o rd “ a n d ” h ere tak e s our th o u g h t w ay b a c k to th e first verse an d connects th e assertion o f th e In c a rn a tio n o f th e W o rd w ith th e
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