Society,” and many have been induced to buy them, thinking they must be sound if issued by the “ Bible Society,” i. e., the British, American, or other Bi ble Societies. The Movement has been known not only as Millennial Dawnism, and International Bible Students’ Asso ciation, but also as Jehovah’s Witnesses. There is a reason for this chameleon-like characteristic. “ There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, un godly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4 ). The Last Days of Its Founder Usually a man’s faith shines brightest as he nears the confines of eternity. The test of all tests is then applied. The self- styled “ Pastor” Russell, founder of the movement, seems to have failed miser ably at the supreme moment. He died in a Santa Fe train on its way to Kansas City on Oct. 31, 1916, his traveling com panion, Mr. Menta Sturgeon, alone being with him. The published details of his last days indicate how the gloom of night settled on the prophet of Millennial Dawn. Here are excerpts: Oct. 16.—The public meeting at Lan sing was well attended, but for some rea son the interest waned and many left, so much so that Brother Russell spoke of it afterwards and seemed puzzled. Oct. 24.—He went to dinner with us, talking pleasantly to everyone, and was as humorous as usual, but he ate noth ing, although the dinner was excellent. On Oct. 30 he evidently realized that death was approaching. Mr. Sturgeon says: “ We inquired respecting the Sev enth Volume (of Scripture Studies) and received his answer, ‘ Some one else can write that.’ We are satisfied. He had spoken concerning the smiting of the Jordan, the payment o f the penny, and the writings of the Seventh Volume, and this was enough.” On Oct. 31, .the conductor and the por ter of the train were called in by Mr. Sturgeon, who said: “ We want you to see how a great man of God can die.” Alas, alas, he who had so well staged his system and boasted of himself, failed in the drama of the last moment, and so passed into eternity silent and somber. There was no dawn on his horizon, no farewell note of victory, no reconcilia tion to his divorced wife, no recantation of his numerous denials of the deity of Christ, the value of His atonement, His bodily resurrection, the Second Coming, eternal punishment and other cardinal truths; there was no sorrow for the thousands whom he had turned from light to darkness, not even an admission that his prophecy that “ The harvest of this age . . . ends with the overthrow of Gentile power in A. D. 1914” had passed unnoticed by God or man. Thus closed the career of one of the greatest of the “ many false prophets” of these days (The Witness). O C T O B E R , 1947
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book about which John Bunyan declared: “ I prefer it before all books that I have ever seen as most fit for a wounded con science.” The six chapters of Galatians are taken up in chronological, verse by verse order; the comment is spiritual and scholarly. 282 pages. Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, Mich. Price $1.95. ★ ★ ★ WHAT of the NIGHT? By Wm. Ed ward Biederwolf, D. D. Containing six excellent messages from the late, well beloved evangelist, this small book should find a place in the devotional li brary of every minister. 94 pages. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. Cloth. $1.00. PILLARS of the CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Abram M. Long, Ph.D. The pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia has performed a real serv ice for the church of Christ in prepar ing this volume on the cardinal doctrines of the faith. The seven chapters are entitled: The Inspiration of the Word . o f God; The Deity of Jesus Christ; The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ; The Need of Redemption; The New Birth; Christ the Risen Redeemer; The Per sonal Return of Christ. This is a strong, spiritual work, of literary excellence. 189 pages. Fleming H. Revell, New York, N. Y. Cloth. Price $2.50. ★ ★ ★ BUILDING GOLD, SILVER and PRE CIOUS STONES, by N. A. Woychuk, A.M., Th.D. A devotional exposition of First Corinthians 3 :8-15, dealing with the believer’s life and service, this is an important volume. Dr. Woychuk writes in an earnest and persuasive style, and presents a very telling argument for out-and-out, fruitful Christian living, which is admitted to be the church’s greatest need today. 198 pages. Fundamental Truth Pub lishers; Findlay, Ohio. Cloth. Price $1.50. ★ ★ ★ THOUGHTS from the SEA, by Lt. John W. Alexander, USNR. Written by a naval officer still in his twenties, this attractive little volume should have a real ministry to young people. Lt. Alex ander employs nautical terms, experi ences from his naval career, and selec tions of verse and prose appropriate to a sea-going life, to teach spiritual lessons, and to make an appeal for acceptance of Christ as a personal Saviour. Included are seventeen official naval photographs. 159 pages. Young Peoples Missionary Society, Winona Lake, Indiana. Cloth. Price $1.50. Page Nine ★ ★ ★
A COMMENTARY on ST. PAUL’S EPISTLE to the GALATIANS, by MAR TIN LUTHER. A new and abridged translation by Theodore Graebner, D. D. This is a monumental work by the dis tinguished professor of Philosophy and New Testament Interpretation at Con cordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. In his preface, Dr. Graebner explains the difficulty of not only translating from the Latin Luther’s extensive original commentary, but also in condensing and “ streamlining” its language for mod ern American readers. That he suc ceeded in this task is evident from the fact that the volume is interesting and readable while at the same time retain ing Luther’s cryptic, penetrating style. This theological classic was Luther’s own favorite of all his works, and the
Precious Hiding Place
I was straying when Christ found me In the night so dark and cold, Tenderly His arm went round me And He bore me to His fold. With His nail-scarréd hand He brought me To the shelter of His love; Of His grace and will He taught me, And of heavenly rest above. Though the night be dark around me, I am safe, for He is near; Never shall my foes confound me, While the Saviour’s voice I hear. ' — Avis B. Christensen. Copyright. Radio Songs and Choruses No. 1, by Wendell P. Loveless.
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