DOUBLE NUMBER AUG.-SEPT. 1912
VOL III
NO. 8-9
® b e
R i n g s
J u s t n e s s
HRIST has come." "He has come: the Revealer of the snares and chasms that lurk in darkness; the Rebuker of «very evil thing that prowls by night; the Stiller of the storm winds of pas-
sion; the Quickener of all that is wholesome; the Adorner of all that is beautiful; the Reconciler of contradictions, t he Harmonizer of discords, the Healer of diseases; the Saviour from sin. He has come the Torch of truth, the Pillar of faith, the Anchor of hope, the Rock for Strength, the Refuge for security, the Fountain for refreshment, the Vine for gladness, the Rose for beauty, the Lamb for tenderness, the Friend for counsel, the Brother for love. Jesus Christ has trod the world."—Peter Bayne.
Published Once a Month by Uihle Jttaitiute nfffiaaAtujetea LOS ANGELES, CAL. Bible Institute Press
FIFTY CENTS A YEA*
MOTTO: "I the Lord do keep it. I will water it every moment lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and d a y I s . 2 7 : 3 THE KING'S BUSINESS J. H. SAMMIS, Editor Entered as Second-Class matter November 17, 1910, at the postoffice at Los Angeles, California; Under the Act of March 3, 1879 Organ of THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES,(Inc.) 260-264 South Main St. (Second Floor) Los Angeles, California Table of Contents Attitude in Prayer - - - - • Scope of the Prologue - - - - Thy Testimonies—Continued - - - The Law: Its Purpose, Etc. - - - ^ Whom Makest Thou Thyself - - . - ; Worship - - - : " Personal Experience - - - - - A Warning and a Prayer - - r " Personal Evangelism (7) - Editorial Prof. Jas. Wallace Dr. Louis Meyer Rev. L. H. Jamison Rev. W. C. Sherman - J. H. S. S. S. Times Selected Rev. T. C. Horton
D I RECTORS
Rev". A. B. Prichard, Vice-Pres
Lyman Stewart, President
J. M. Irvine, Secretary-Treas. S. I. Merrill » Giles Kellogg
T. C. Horton, Superintendent 1$. A. K. Hackett R. A. Torrey
W. E- Blackstone H. A. Getz Robert Watchorn
Do c t r i n al S t a t eme nt We hold to the Historic Faith of the Church as expressed in the Common Creed of Evangelical Christendom and including: The Trinity of the Godhead. The Deity of the Christ. The Maintenance of Good Works. The Second Coming of Christ. The Immortality of the Soul. The Resurrection of the Body.
The Personality of the Holy Ghost. The Supernatural and Plenary author- ity 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. Purnose* T h e Institute trains, free of ™ cost, accredited men and wo- men, in the knowledge and use of the Bible. Departments: ^ institute cept Saturdays and Sundays. (2) Extension work. Classes and con- ferences held in neighboring cities and towns. (3) Evangelistic. Meetings conducted by our evangelists.
The Life Everlasting of Believers. The Endless Punishment of the Im- penitent. The Reality and Personality of Satan. (4) Spanish Mission. Meetings every night. (5), Shop Work. Regular Services in shops and Factories. (6) Jewish Evangelism. Personalwork and neighborhood classes. (8) Oil Fields. A mission to men on the oil fields. (9) Books and Tracts. Sale and distri- bution of selected books and tracts. among the Hebrews. (7) Bible Women. House-to-house
OUR WO RK
The Soul's Attitude in Prayer ROSTRATION. In prayer we come into the throne room of the Majesty on high, therefore "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God." Jacob prevailed only when the shrunken sinew confessed His helplessness and prostrated him in the dust. Abraham, our example in importunity, is equally our typ? of humility. While he so persistently pressed his intercession see how reverently he deprecated his boldness, "Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes." And David when he went in before the Lord, said: "Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house?" Moses, Aaron, Daniel, aye, and the Lord himself all fell on their faces. Ecc. 5:2; Gen. 32:25, 26; 18:27, 30, 31, 32; 2 Sam. 7:18; Mat. 26:39. " R EPENTANCE. Sorrow for sin, with confession of our fault, should always accompany our approach to God, especially in intercessory prayer. "Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak. * * * I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes," said Job; and MoSes said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, * * * yet now if Thou wilt forgive their sin * * *." David said "Have mercy upon me, O God, * * * for I acknowledge my transgression" David's n r a / . e r a i n s P i r a t i o n a l ' y . was intercession for Israel's adultery and the murder of ^ ^ W M W W l n " k e manner pleaded, "O Lord, the great and dreadful God. t 1 ffly* a v e S l n n e d - and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly." Job. 42:4-6; Ex. 32:31, 32; P s a. 51:1, 3; Dan. 9:4, 5; 1 J n o. 1:9. . A SSURANCE. But a sense of unworth and sinfulness is not a reason for discouragement. David prayed, "Pardon mine iniquity because it is great." Confidence in our acceptance is essential. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Being justified we have peace; having peace we have access into grace; "boldness and access by the faith of Him." Blood, grace, faith, introduce us into the Holiest (place), and unto the Holiest Presence. P s a. 40:1; Gen. 18:33; 32:31; Dan. 12:13; 1 Cor. 3:13. Y IELDING of the wiH. The broadest promise has its limits, not in the will of the petitioner but of the Promiser. Surrender to God's will must be absolute. Yet that Will is not arbitrary, it is Wisdom; nor yet cold judg- ment, but Love., "If we ask anything according to His will He heareth us." My "Fa t h er heareth always"; and, again, and repeatedly, "Not my will but thine." Paul rejoiced in this condition of prayer. God's will did not draw the thorn in the flesh, but changed' pain to pleasure. 1 Jno. 5:14; L u k. 22:42; Mat. 26:39, 42; Jno. 11:42; 2 Cor. 12:8-10. E XPECTATION, "My expectation is from Him," says the Psalmist, and "He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Here earnest- ness is coupled with expectation, it is the "fervent prayer that availeth much," and "men ought always to pray, and not to faint," and "though it tarry wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Our expectation calls "things that be not as though they were," for "we know that we have the peti- tions that we desired of Him." P s a. 25:11; Heb. 11:6; R om. 5:1, 2; E p h. 3:12; Heb. 10:19. EST. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Let us not be anxious, doubtful, or impatient. We may "wrestle" in prayer, but rest well after it. Abraham returned to his place"; the "sun rose upon Jacob"; Daniel "went his way" and "rests" himself and his case. Let it alone. Leave your burden at His feet. It is Enough. "The day shall declare it." P s a. 62;5; Heb. 11:6; J a s. 5il6; Rom. 4:17; 1 Jno, 5;15,
The Sweep of the Prologue James Wallace, D.D., LL.D. of Macalester College, St. Paul
o BOOK of the Bible has so profound an introduction as the fourth Gospel. The sweep of its truth is so vast it is difficult for the mind to grasp it. It calls for much meditation, careful study of the sequence of the thought and observation pf the characteristics of John's style. The following simple analysis and study has been helpful to me. Maybe it will prove helpful to others. THE WORD [LOGOS]. In Relation: 1 To TIME : "Was in the beginning." Vs. 3 shows that this beginning was prior to creation; therefore prior to time; therefore that the Logos was pre-existent. This, his first characteristic. 2 To GOD : "Was with God," in the presence of God, ready for service. Aye more, "was God," one with God. These two affirmations side by side are explicable only in the light of the doctrine of the trinity. These two ideas (vss. 1 and 2) are so important John must needs repeat them: "HE (I repeat) was in the beginning with God." ' " 3; To CREATION: " A l l things came into being through Him." : '•• The rendering "made" in both versions is too mechanical for egeneto. "By," too, is not the correct rendering for dia with the genitive. John is very fond of-stating a truth both positively and negatively. Hence for emphasis he adds: "And apart from Him not even one thing came into being (egeneto) that has come into being." The verse teaches that the Logos is the mediate (dia) agent in creation whereas God the Father is the immediate agent (hupo with gen.). This taught also in other passages in the N. T. 4. To LIFE : " In Him was life." This logically follows creation. But it is not creative life or energy alone that is intended but especially spiritual life—the highest kind of life. Hence John continues: "And His Life was the Light of men." By the use of the article "the" in the predicate John signifies that his Life was par excellence the Light of men. _ £ , ., But the prologue is to epitomize the whole Gospel. Hence John sweeps the eye over the ministry of the Word and adds: "And The Light shineth in the darkness and-yet the darkness apprehendeth it not." John, as often, prefers the abstract, "darkness" for the concrete men in moral darkness." (New Paragraph.) . 5 To His FORERUNNER : "There arose (egeneto) a man, commissioned from God whose name was John. HE (emphatic) came for witness, that (more spe- cifically) he might bear witness of the Light that all might believe through him" (John). , So great did John the Baptist's fame become that some wondered whether he were not the Messiah (vss. 20, 21). Perhaps even when this Gospel was written some still so believed. Hence John adds both negatively and affirm- atively: "He (elceinos, emphatic) was not the Light, but came that he might bear witness to the Light." And to contrast further the mission of the Word with that of John the Baptist the apostle adds: "It (antecedent phos) was the Light, the true (Light) that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Just as the sun lighteth all men everywhere. 6 To THE WORLD (kosmos, the world, comprehensively including all mankind). "HE was in the world and (more) the world came into being through Him and-yet the world knew Him not." (More particularly.) . ,,,, , .. 7 TO His OWN PEOPLE (The Jews): HE came to his own (idia, neuter=home, land, institutions) and-yet His own (masculine=servants, people) received Him not." The word parelabon, "received"="received to one's home, "welcome."
(.Still more particularly.) 8. To THOSE WHO RECEIVED HIM . "But as many as received ( elabon=accepted) Him to them He gave the right (authority) to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name." Faith is the means of sonship, but John traces it back to its ultimate source. Hence he adds: "Who were born not of blood (i. e., of nature), nor of the will of the flesh (fleshly impulse) nor of the will of man (human volition) but born of God." This language has two objects: opposition to Jewish faith in Abrahamic descent, and emphasis on the divine origin of sonship. 9. To His INCARNATION . This characterized especially by His grate and truth- grace, His favor as seen in redemption; truth, as seen in His revelation. Note that no two other virtues or attributes would be so appropriate This fullness of "grace and truth" shown: 1. By His glory which "we beheld." 2. By John the Baptist's testimony: John . . . crieth, saying: "This is He of whom I said He that cometh after me (in'time) is become before ( in advance of) me; for He was prior (a,nd superior) to me " 3. By our experience of His grace and truth: For of His fulness (of grace and truth) have we all received, and grace upon grace." 4. By contrast with Moses: "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." 5. By His visible revelation (exegesis) of the invisible Father: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, HE (emphatic) hath declared Him (exegasato)." The sequence of thought in the Prologue is in places difficult to trace and in one or two instances the thought overlaps. But there is a general progression of thought which is fairly well indicated by the nine headings: time, God, creation, life His fore- runner, the world in general, His own people=the Jews, those who receive Him by faith and by the divine will become children of God; His incarnation and manifestation by His life among us of His grace and truth, attested by the Baptist, by our experi- ence, by contrast with the law, by his interpretation of the Father whom no man can see but who himself was in the very bosom of the Father. It is needless to add that if the language of this most profound introduction is understood as divinely inspired and if words are to have their usual import then the doctrine of unitarianism can not be deduced herefrom. (Prof. Wallace is an expert Greek scholar and a devout Christian.)
Thy Testimonies are My Meditation By Re v. Louia Meyer
OTE.—In our July issue Dr. Meyer questioned whether the present wide distribution of the Bible, or current activity in popular Bible study, is securing that systematic and assimilative knowledge of God's Word implied in the Psalmist's "Medi- tate," of which he said that (1) It is necessary for the full assurance of hope; (2) It is necessary for intelligent church membership. And here he adds: (3) It is necessary to growth in grace. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you," is our Saviour's condition for a fruitful, spiritual life. We cannot bear much fruit, to the glory of the Father, except we can say with God the Son, "My meat is to do the
will of Him that sent me." That will is revealed in the Word of God, where it is hidden like the precious gold in the bowels of the earth. Men sink a shaft and systematically dig deeper and deeper revealing the coveted treasure. Thus we must dig prayerfully and sys- tematically, deeper, and deeper, day by day, within the Word of God, that we may grow in the knowledge of the will of God and in grace. In quiet medita- tion upon His Word we will hear his voice speaking unto us ; and humbly we will cry out, "Speak, Lord; for* thy servant heareth," and will gladly obey Him who speaketh. (4) It is necessary to usefulness in the Master's vineyard. "Saved to serve,"
The Law, Its Purpose and Scope By L. H. Jamison T HE law was given by Moses, b ut 3. The law was a schoolmaster until grace and t r u th came by Jesus Christ came. Gal. 3:19 to 4 : 5; Rom. Christ." Jno. 1:7. "The law 10:4. It showed man his condition, is holy, and the commandment holy, and need of a Saviour, and thus prepared just, and good," but man is a sinner, the way for the proclamation of Jesus, sold under sin, and is wholly impotent Matt. 1:21. to comply with its just demands. It 4. While the law is of service, as a cannot give him life to do wh at he looking glass, to reveal uncleanness in ought to do, and it must condemn all t h e h e a r t a n d l i f e> y e t i t l s w h o l l y pow- who do not comply with its just, holy, e r l e s s t o either remove it, or to impart and good requirements. Rom. 6\A6 strength to comply with its demands, tells us t h at all have sinned and come R o m g . 3 i ; I C o r 1 5 : 5 6 ; R o m > 7:5.24. short of the glory of God, and Gal. 3:10 g believer is now not under the that every one is under the curse, who e l t h e r f o r justification, or for continues not in all things written in the s a n c t i f i C a t i o n. Rom. 7:1-4; Acts 15: book of the law to do them. A partial 5 1 1 ; G a l 4 ; 2 1 t o 5 : 4 ; j C o r i : 8 _ n ; compliance with the demands of the law G a l 2 - l 6 ; 3:2, 3. "I do not f r u s t r a te will not do; but perfect obedience is re- t i e " g r a c e o f ( j 0 d : for if righteousness quired in all things. One offence is c a m e b y t h e Iaw _ t h e n C h r l s t i s d e a d in sufficient to condemn ( J ames 2 : 1 0 ). v a i n » G a i 2:21. The filthy rags (Isa « ¿ « ^ ¿ » ^ 6 ." w h i i e n o t under the law, the ner can never satisfy the just and holy h t e o u s n e s g o£ t h e u lg f u m l l e d l n ,claims of t h e l aw The law tells man s believers, who walk after the ^ e a ^ S e ^ S o ^ K I f t fe and n t a f t er the fiesh Rom to hopelessly look forward to ¿ w f u S p S one ™ord o f m e r c y o r h e l p? ^ V * f r l $ the lusts of the If the law cannot give life, nor enable nesn. i^ai. a . x o. man to do wh at he ought to do; then Thus it will be seen that the law why was it given? was given to show a man what he ought The object of t he following studies is to do; revealing thus to the sinner his to answer this question first, by showing exceeding sinfulness, and driving him t he purpose of God in giving the law; through despair to seek refuge in Christ a n d s e c o n d , t he extent to which the law f r om its fiery terrors. Rom. 3:19-21; fulfills t he purpose. 4:15; 5:20; 7:7-14; 10:4. It is of use, 1. The Pu r p o se of the Jjaw. as a mirror, to reflect the moral im- 1 The law was given to Israel; and perfections in the life; or as a light, to was an expression of J e h o v a h ' s' rightr detect uncleanness, but it neither causes eous demands upon a redeemed and cov- these imperfections and impurities, nor e n a nt people. Ex. 20:1; 2:22; Deut. can it remove them. Thus we look into 5-1-6- Rom. 9:4. T he ten command- t he law to discover defilement and sin, ments' are spoken of as " t he words of but it is through the grace of God that the covenant." Ex. 34:28. However, we are cleansed and delivered. "I have although t he law was given to Israel, been crucified with Christ; yet I live; yet since it is an expression f r om God and it is no longer I t h at live, but Christ of what man ought to do, therefore its liveth in me; and t h at life which I now righteous demands are of universal ap- live in the flesh, I live in faith, the faith plication to all men. Rom. 3:19. of Christ, the faith which is of the Son 2 The law was given to reveal sin. of God, Who loved me and gave Him- Rom 5-20; 7:7, 13; 3:20. It cannot self for me ." Gal. 2:20. It is the remove sin, nor enable the sinner to quit Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which sinning but it does show him what a makes us free from the workings of sin miserable sinner he is. It is as a light and death. Rom. 8:2. However, let shining into a dirty room; or as a plumb- us t a ke heed to, or look unto, the word line applied to a crooked wall. t h at we may discover what manner of
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Worship 'With My Whole Heart Have I Sought Thee.' J. H. S.
Ps. 119:10.
V INET defines true worship as " t he assemblage of all the elements of our being in an act of pure religion." Gladstone embodies the same idea when he says: "If a man knows any- thing of himself, he will know t h at the work of divine worship is one of the most arduous which the h uman spirit can possibly set about." President Mark Hopkins pronounces worship to be " t he highest act a man can p e r f o rm—an act in which every- thing t h at is truly man, his whole in- tellectual, moral and spiritual n a t u re are brought to their highest activity." Agassiz compared the heads of those who, among the scientists at his scien- tific conference, bowed their heads dur- ing divine worship to full heads of wheat, those t h at were held erect to the empty ears, or heads. Yet it does not t a ke a brilliant in- tellect to pray. The soul t h at does not pray is mentally deficient, but he t h at has the h e a rt to pray has the mind to do it. Leighton beautifully says: " It is not the gilded paper and good writing of a petition that prevails with a King, but the moving sense of it. And to that King who discerns the heart, heart sense is the sense of all, and that which He only regards. He listens to hear what t h at speaks, and takes all as nothing where t h a t . is silent. All other excel- lence in prayer is but the outside and fashion of it; this the life of it." The distress which we feel over the distractions of which we are conscious
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is always the sign t h at the heart wor- ships even when the brain fags. "He has compassion on our infirmities" and no doubt our Lord very tenderly pitied His weary friends who slept when they might have been watching and praying. It is not the momentary passion that goes with God but the habitual persua- sion of the soul. " Th at soul t h at is ac- customed to direct herself to God on every occasion; that as a flower at sur- rising, conceives a sense of God in every beam of His, and dilates itself towards Him, in a thankfulness, in every small blessing t h at He sheds upon h e r—who whatsoever string be stricken in her, bass or treble, her high or her low es- tate, is ever turned toward Go d ;—t h at soul prays sometimes when it does not know that it prays." "Distractions," r ema r ks Goulbourn, " a re no sin: nay, if struggled against patiently and cheerfully, they shall be a jewel in thy crown. Did you go through with the religious exercise as well as you could, not willingly harboring the distraction or consenting to it? In this case t he prayer was quite as acceptable as if it had been accompanied with those high flown feelings of fervor and sen- sible delight which God sometimes gives and sometimes, for our better discipline, withholds." Guthrie tells us of a godly man who on one occasions-most r a re achievement —offered up a,prayer without one wan- dering thought, and' who described it as t he worst which he had ever offered, be- cause, as he said, the devil made him proud of it.
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Distraction In Prayer F. W. Faber
Yet Thou a rt oft most present Lord, In weak distracted prayer; A sinner out of heart with self, Most often finds Thee there. And prayer that humbles, sets the soul F r om all illusions free, And teaches it how utterly, Dear Lord, it hangs on Thee.
I cannot pray! yet Lord thou knowest The pain it is to me To have my vainly struggling thoughts Thus t u rn away f r om Thee. Prayer was not meant for luxury Or selfish pastime sweet; It is the prostrate creature's face At his Creator's.feet.
Personal Experiences From the Sunday School Timea
A BOUT two months ago, I asked the prayers of the church for two things I wanted very much. No one, except the kind pastor and myself, knows who asked, but the response was warm and sympathetic. Before I left the room, one request was granted. On my way home, there came suddenly a thrill of joy that was almost pain. I felt, there surely is a God and he has answered, will answer. I could understand how it is possible for God to take away the fear of death, for nothing seemed to matter but the love of God. I felt surrounded by it. It was like my joy when first I found my Saviour. That joy is still mine, not so exuber- ant, but real. It was unexpected and unasked for. A LTHOUGH a Christian for some years, I was conscious of a lack of something in my life, and knew that if I were to be in harmony with God I must be able to say at all times, God's will be done. At times I could say it, at other times there would be rebellion, and so the struggle continued. Over and over again I sought to come to this place, until at last I almost gave up, thinking it could not be for me, yet still determined not to rest until I found it. Then came the time, although I cannot tell the day or hour, when a still small voice began to whisper these words: "Abba, Father." My own heart echoed the words, until, from the depths ot my being, a great cry went up as if in unison with the other voice, and the cry was "Abba, Father." I did not at once realize the greatness of the meaning, not thinking that this was the way God was giving me what I had sought so long, but the Scriptures began to have a new meaning to me, and one day I read these two passages which made clear to me the great mystery: "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father." "Ye re- ceived the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Then I saw how these Scriptures were fulfilled in my own life, and I began to know what the joy of the Lord was; for is it not the greatest joy that can come
to any life to know that we can truly call God, Father, and to know that the wonderful love he sheds abroad in our hearts can meet his own great love in this word, "Fa t h e r ." M Y experience of joy was at first intermittent, later more in con- tinuous course. Those former periods were interspersed with "endur- ing," for I was not placed among those who were interested in the King's busi- ness, and, all alone, it seemed uphill work. Early in my Christian experience —I had been a Christian about a year— there came to me a revelation of the tre- mendous undertaking upon which I had engaged: that my life ahead should be in accordance "with God's plan, and not a thoughtless coming and going. Imme- diately came the suggestion, "But how may I know to do t h a t ?" I recognized my lack of wisdom, and the visipn that appeared' before me of a life of failure because of this lack of wisdom was al- most unendurable. Indeed, I was in such straits that, "as • I saw my own coming defection, and felt that my failure would involve my hus- band and family, for no one seemed to be praying for them but myself, the sug- gestion came: "Well hell isn't such a bad place anyhow." But I was led to prayer and grasping for a straw, I turned to Hebrews 11:1. Reading down, I found in the sixth verse, "He that Com- eth to God must believe that . ... he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." This was news to me. That God could show His people what they should know, dull though they be! Throwing myself into the current, I found God, and was upheld by His al- mighty arm. Then came the joy! He knew all things, and He was able to make even me know what I needed to know. The joy at that time did not continue —in a positive sense, I "mean—but I was undeniably on higher ground, and, when the temptation came to doubt in the next time of stress, it seemed more like stand- ing by and letting Christ fight my battle for me; then the joy came again. Many times since have I been brought up to "a stone wall," and the deliverance has always been in the same way: Believe God, and the light would shine!
A Warning and a Prayer "Be ye Therefore Ready." Mat. 24-44.
place of a suppliant, pleading for the lost to come in while the door o £ mercy remains open. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as show; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."— Isa. 1:18. Jesus said: "Verily I say unto you, He t h at believeth on me h a th everlast- ing l i f e . "—J o hn 6:47. A £ Ri LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY Richard Baxter, 1615-1691. O MY Saviour, hasten t he time of Thy r e t u r n! Delay not lest the earth should grow like hell, .and Thy church by division be all crumbled to dust; delay not, lest thin« enemies get advantage of Thy flock, and lest pride, hypocrisy, sensual- ity and unbelief prevail against Thy little remnant, and share among t h em Thy whole inheritance, and when Thou comest Thou find not faith on the e a r t h; delay not, lest the grave should boast of victory, and having learned rebellion of its guest, should refuse to deliver up unto Thee Thy due! Oh, hasten t h at great resurrection day, when Thy com- mand shall go forth and none shall dis- obey; when all that sleep in the grave shall awake and the dead in Christ shall rise first; when the seed which Thou sowedst corruptible shall come f o r th in- corruptible; and the graves t h at re- ceived rottenness and dust shall return Thee glorious stars and sunsf There- fore, dare I lay down my carcass in the dust, intrusting it, not to a grave but to Thee and, therefore, fny flesh shall rest in hope, till Thou shalt raise me to thQ possession of everlasting rest. Re- turn, O Lord, how long? Thy desolate bride saith, "Come," for Thy Spirit within her saith, "Come," and teacheth her thus to pray with groanings t h at cannot be uttered. Yea, the whole cre- ation saith, "Come." Thou thyself hast said, "Surely, I come quickly." Amen. Huber, th-e naturalist, says, "If a wasp discovers a deposit of honey or other food, he will return to his nest to impart the good news to his companions."
SUDDENLY DESTROYED By A. H. Gottschall H E THAT being often reproved, hardeneth his neck,' shall sud- denly be destroyed, and that without remedy."—Prov. 29:1. A woman known as Peggy, close on to a hundred years old, was pointed to Christ as her only hope, but she said, "No, no, I have lived so long without Him, and I will not have Him now." Soon after she was found dead in bed. One of the saddest sights upon earth is t h at of those people who, depending upon God for every breath of air they b r e a t he and for every mo u t h f ul of food they consume, are daily living in open rebellion against Him. Not only do they thus manifest base ingratitude to- ward a most merciful and gracious Sov- ereign, but they recklessly endanger the salvation of their precious, immortal souls, and live on day a f t er day as though it were all of life to live, and all of death to die, as though there was no Heaven to gain, no Hell to shun, ex- ercising what in worldly matters would be deemed the height of folly. To resist reproof, and put off the mat- x t e r of the soul's eternal salvation, seems to be deeply rooted in h uman nature, and men and women frequently, to all appearances, are less concerned as to whether they will spend the ceaseless ages of the great hereafter in Heaven or Hell than they are about the most trivial matters of everyday life. Oh, 'that people would be wise, and consider their latter end, for "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salva- tion ? "—He b r ews 2:3. The mass ignore reproof, and reject the gospel until their consciences become seared, and their hearts hardened. "There is wrath, be- ware lest He take thee away with His stroke; then a great ransom cannot de- liver t h e e . "—J ob 36:18. But a way of escape has been opened up, and none need be consigned to ban- ishment from the presence of God and t h at of just men made perfect, because "He was wounded for our transgres- sions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."—Isa. 53:5. This is the sinner's day of grace, and, wonderful mercy, the Lord takes the
Notes by the Way "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning."
il
Pro. 1:5.
The dictograph is an i n s t r u m e n t similar to a tele-
jarring sound, not only in the F ar East, but in many sections of Christian Amer- ica.' 'Placing the Hindoo Scriptures above the Bible, many women today are studying those teachings who were form- erly Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, and Jeweses.' (Evidently they were never Christians). 'A greater menace than t h at of image- worship works in the teachings of the Hindu Mystics. The casual observer would not discover it. Only those who reach the inner circles become acquaint- ed with the mysteries revealed to the adepts. The descent from Christianity is by such easy stages that the novice scarcely realizes she is led. (Is not that satanic?) "Another form of Eastern worship practised in the United States—namely, 'the teachings and practices of sun-wor- ship, under the god Salaam Aleikum, the supreme lord of the Zend Avesta, of whom Zoroaster was the great prophet.' 'At least fourteen thousand Americans are joining daily in this worship of the lord Madza, and the daily adoration of the sun. . . . And when all dieting, battl- ing, and breathing fail to bring beauty, there are cosmetiques sold on the side that supplement the results.' Other branches of Hinduism are being intro- duced, one of which 'the tautras, repre- sents the climax of Eastern abomina- tions, and is Hindu idolatry in its vilest stage. Its rites are much in common with the worship of Baal ana Moloch by the ancient Assyrians.' " In all this there is nothing to startle us. Ancient and modern, Assyrian and America—there is no difference; and t h at old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, has the same subtle snares to deceive the unwary; ladies of culture he is very solicitous of. He began with Eve, and initiated her into the myster- ies, the arcana, of the forbidden tree, and got the man, too. Let the word of God be re-instated, for the-, philosophies of Christendom that are taking its place even in pulpits of the land are merely shaded down into those of Baal, Moloch, and Astarte. We have a warefare in Los Angeles, and on the Pacific Coast that can only be waged with the Sword of the Spirit.
— phone r e c e i v e r . ^ • Secreted in an apartment it transmits what is said by the inmates to the ear . of a listener in another room or place. It may serve a rightful purpose (if ; i,y eavesdropping is ever r i g h t ), or used by persons with evil intent may be an ally of much wickedness. Though none of us wish our private intercourse to be made public property, the dictograph has no terrors for us. But to the evil- minded and the wrong-doer it should be y an imminent dread. The Almighty has ever had His dictograph; nor has He made a secret of it, but given every man due warning. Beyond the thin partition ^ that divides the visible f r om the invis- ible the recording angel writes his indel- ible and infallible record. Jesus re- * ferred to it when He said, " Th at which has been spoken in t he ear in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Lk. 12:3; 8 : 1 7 ), and, again, "by thy •*! words thou shalt be condemned, and by thy wordts thou shalt be justified." (Mt. 1 2 : 3 7 ). Even thoughts are known and shall come abroad (I. Cor. 4 : 5 ). Elisha used Jehovah's dictograph (II. Kgs. 6:8-12). Let wicked men and all sin- ners take heed; like criminals confront- ed with their own words in testimony against them sinful men will be covered with speechless confusion, and not long hence. But the godly are content, t h at the Lord should hearken to hear, and a book of remembrance be written before ' Him for them that fear the Lord, and think upon His n ame (Mai. 3 : 6 ). They need have no fears when the Lord shall come to convince (convict) all t h at a re ungodly, of all their h a rd speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him ( J u de 1 5 ). THE DIGEST gives — :
quotations from an ar- ticle in " The Metho- dist Quarterly Review" from which we quote the following: "The
A DIGEST of A DIGEST
Ea st is sending its emissaries to us, 'and today, the tinkling temple-bells of heathendom ring out with discordant
Personal
Evangelism
By T. C. Horton
prove the Deity of Christ. "These are written that you might believe /that Jesus is the Son of God" Jno. 20:31.The First Epistle of John was written to give assurance of salvation to the believer "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye might know that ye have, eternal life." I Jno. 5:13. The life which we receive upon be- lieving in the Lord Jesus Christ is ever- lasting life. Jno. 3:16; 3:36. In the 6 th chapter of John there are fourteen statements of definite assur- ance. No one can read that chapter without the consciousness of God's in- tention to make the matter of our eter- nal salvation definitely clear. In John 5:24 there are three affirm- ations; h a th everlasting life; shall not come into judgment; is past from death to life. The Scripture order in connection with our salvation is clear. "To as many as received Him to them gave He the authority to become the sons of God." Jno. 1:12. The believer is delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. Col. 1:13. Christ gives them eternal life and says that they shall never perish. No man shall be able to pluck them out of His and the Father's hand. Jno. 10:28-29. There Is no judgment to them, Rom. 8:1. For they have already been -judged, found guilty and put to death. Gal. 2:20. There is nothing that can separate them from the love of God. Rom. 8:38-39. The Will of Christ is that they shall be with Him and behold His glory. Jno. 17:24. Their life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:2. When the Lord Jesus appears they shall appear with Him in the glory. Col. 3:4. The whole trend of the teaching of t h e New Testament is to give assurance of our absolute safety who are in Christ. The illustration is to be found in - Ex. 12:1-13. The sprinkled blood as- sured safety. God's eye was upon the blood and the death angel passed over. They fed upon the roasted lamb and were filled and satisfied. Every be- liever is safe and secure who is shel- tered under the blood of Christ.
LESSON 7. Personal Evangelism.
•Vf-^ A
We learn to do things by doing them. No one should ever be discouraged in the work of soul saving. You may have made mistakes, you probably have. You may have failed, you may feel that you have not been called to do personal work. Be on your guard lest Satan shall beguile you and spoil your Chris- tian life by depriving you of the most blessed of all Christian experience. Christ says in Matt. 4:19: "I will make you fishers of men." Go at it and keep at it. Souls cannot be driven or ham- mered into the Kingdom. You must win them. You miist win them. Yon must win them. What can be done, ought to be done, what ought to be done must be done, and what must be done you must do. If soul saving is the business of the Church, and it is, and you are not saving souls you are hin- dering rather than helping the cause of Christ. May the consciousness of the world's awful need and the supreme ob- ligation resting upon you, possess you. The possibilities of this work of win- ning men is illustrated by the testimony of Fred Siebert who in speaking to the Fishermen's Club at one of the July meetings, stated that he had been per- mitted to personally win 1026 people within a year. 23 of them in one day. He had won five people on the train from Chicago to Los Angeles. If one man of very ordinary ability by the power of the Spirit could do that, what might the people in your Church do, if they would? Wh at might you do if you were willing to follow the Lord and allow Him to make you a fisher of men? Lacking Assurance In prosecuting personal work you will find many people who will tell you that they do not know whether they are saved or not. Some are Christians lack- ing assurance of salvation; some are ignorant of the teaching of the Word of God and do not know that it is possible to be assured of their salvation; some think it is presumptuous to claim to be saved; some are persuaded that you cannot know until you die. To all such you must make clear the fundamental teaching concerning the new life of the believer. The Gospel of John was written to
Bible Briefs
"Oh how I love Thy Law."
Ps. 119: 97.
A S S U R A N CE Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a Life that cannot be forfeited. Jno. 10:28. Relationship that cannot be broken? Gal. 3:26. Righteousness that cannot be tar- nished. 2 Cor. 5:21. Peace that cannot be disturbed. Eph. 2:14. Acceptance that cannot be questioned. Eph. 1:6. Inheritance that cannot fade away. 1 Peter 1:4. Title that cannot be disputed. Rev. 5:9. Pardon that cannot be reversed. Jno. 5:24. Hope that cannot" be disappointed. Psa. 42:11. Glory that cannot be clouded. Col. 3:4. Love that cannot be exhausted. I Cor. 13:13. Strength that cannot be wearied. 2 Cor. 12:9. Purity t h at cannot be defiled. I Jno. 3:3. Beauty that cannot be marred. • Psa. 45:13. Resourses that cannot be overdrawn. Phil. 4:19.
I JOHN THREE SIXTEEN. WHAT. GOD LOVED — "The World." Jno. 1:10; 14:15; James 4:4. WHAT HE GAVE I T—"H is Son." WHAT HE GAVE HIM TO—" The cross." Rom. 8:32; Phil. 2 : 8; Ac. 2:23. WHY H E GAVE H IM—" To save Sinners." Lk. 19:10; I. Tim. 1:15; Jn. 3:16. Application, Tit. 2:11-14. NOW Now it is accepted time. 2 Cor. 6:2. Now God's righteousness is offered. Rom. 3:21. Now we are just by faith. Rom. 5:1. Now we are uncondemned. Rom. 8:11. Now we are brought nigh. Eph. 2:13. Now we are lightened. Eph. 5:8. Now Christ is risen. 2 Cor. 15:20. Now Christ appears for us. Heb. 9:24. Now it is time to be up and doing. Rom. 13:11. Now we are the King's messengers. 2 Cor. 5:20. THE SENSE OP TASTE. Test of taste, Jb. 6:30; 12:11. Bittersweet, Jb. 20:12-14. Sweetbitter, Ex. 12:8. Regulated, Ps. 141:4. Seasoning, Jb. 6 : 6; Col. 4:6. Of spiritual fruit, So. So. 2:3. Of communion, So. So., 4:11. Loss of taste, II. Sa. 19:35. Consequence, Hb. 6:4, 5. How death tastes, I. Sa. 15:22. Wh at Christ tasted. Hb. 2:9. Taste and see, Ps. 34:8. The very moment a sinner trusts Jesus for salvation God pardons him because of the infinite sacrifice of His Son; as He estimates it, justice is satisfied, and the criminal goes free. This is substi- tution, this is mercy and free, unde- served grace. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. Of wisdom, Pr. 24:13, 14. Of the world, Ps. 119:103. II. III. IV.
* •
Ü
-y>>
ALWAYS Always obedient. Deut. 5:29. Always confident. 2 Cor. 5:6. Always prayerful. Eph. 6:18. Always t h a n k f u l. Eph. 5:20. Always working. 2 Cor. 15:58. Always well spoken. Col. 4:6. Always ready to testify. 1 Pet. 3:15. Always spotless. Ecc. 9:8. Always rejoicing. Phil. 4:4. Always triumphing. 2 Cor. 5:6. GOD.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
9. 10.
" I n t he beginning God," G e n . l : l. I. G.—Greater than all. Jer. 23:24; Dan. 4:34, 35; Isa, 44:6. II. O.—Older than all. Psa. 90: Isa. 57:15; Jn. 1:1. III. D,—Doer of all. Psa. 19:1; Isa. 40:28; Rom. 8:28-31. NOTE. "God" is short for "Good," t he concentration of or essential GOOD.
Institute Items
a »
THE DG DICATOBY PRATER Ground Breaking lor the New- Building
our united prayer be that every detail of the construction of this building be accomplished in the fear of the Lord and for His glory. Let it be our hope and prayer that from this place shall radiate streams of influence which will be a great blessing not only to the multitudes around us but also to the darkest places of the earth." The dedicatory prayer was offered by Dr. R. A. Torrey, the Dean of the School. The audience sang the old hymn: "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand." Rev. J. H. Sammis pronounced the benediction. There was great surprise manifested by the friends who had never seen the premises—at the size of the lot and its advantageous position. The work of excavating proceeded at
The Board of Directors, Faculty, Heads of Departments, students and friends óf the Institute gathered on Fri- day, June 22, at 1 o'clock for the brief and simple" ceremony which celebrated the ground breaking for the new build- ing. Following the singing of appropriate hymns, Superintendent Horton made a brief address, calling attention to the great work providentially assigned to the Institute and the purpose of ; the management to make the proposed building a rallying center for the mag- nifying of the Word of God and the ex- altation of Jesus Christ, and a radiating center for the spread of the Gospel to the whole world. Mr. Lyman Stewart, the President of the Institute, turned a shovelful of dirt and said: "In the name of the Bible Institute, I now take possession of this ground for the Lord's use by the act of turning this spadeful of earth. May
once and is now being prosecuted with diligence. We covet the continued pray- ers of our friends for Divine guidance as we follow from day to day the work of construction.
We shall heed a very large amount of money for the completion of this struc- ture. Our eyes are turned toward Him who is able to supply our every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
T H E F I R S T S P A D E F C L I
EVANGELISTIC The Fishermen's Club has been hold- ' ing some profitable Sunday night serv- ices in different churches. These meet- ings are always attended with spiritual results. Barrett and Whitcomb had the big tent on West Washington street during June/ There was but one church in the neighborhood, the Congregational. The pastor, Dr. Maile, entered most heartily into the work. The whole sec- tion was stirred. Many young people and some older ones confessed Christ as Saviour and Lord Christians were strengthened. A goodly number of the Fishermen's Club assisted in the work. At the present writing these brethren have the tent on Moneta avenue and Sixty-first street. This is a new section of the city, thickly settled. Four of the
Bible Wonien are engaged in house to house work in the neighborhood and are inviting the people to the services. Harry Hill is assisting in the work and we are looking for a great harvest. During the Summer the tent will be used in Orange, Santa Barbara, San Ja- cinto and probably in Long Beach. J. H. SAMMIS In addition to teaching the Men's Class in Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Mr. Sammis is also conducting the weekly mid-week service while the church is without a pastor. Mr. Sammis has charge of our Scofield Correspondence Course, which is now growing rapidly and which bids fair be- fore long to reach the 500 mark. We are fortunate in having so capable an associate.
THE J EWI SH WORK it Mia*
SPECIAL NOTICES Beginning with October, Dr. Torrey will become the Editor of The King's Business, with Messrs. Sammis, Hunter and Horton as associates. It is our purpose to make the maga- zine larger and better. Arrangements are being made for the several depart- ments which will insure the best pos- sible contributions. : We shall have one of the best things from the Montrose Conference and from other sources in this and other lands.
Mrs. Manson reports some very in- teresting cases in her work among the Jewish people. One woman who came to meet her at the Institute was found to be under deep conviction and she had the joy of leading her to a knowledge of Jesus as her Mesiah and Lord. Mrs. Manson is beginning to reap some harvest from the seed sown dur- ing the past three years. She finds larger access to the homes and hearts of the people and is greatly encouraged in the work.
C O N S E C R A T I NG T H E G R OUND
she was called to a higher life.' Dr. Henry has the sympathy and prayers of a large circle of friends reaching around the globe. He expects to commence a campaign in Canada in September and will perhaps respond to earnest calls in England the early part of next year. We trust that our readers will re- member in their prayers this man of God as he goes in the power of the Spirit to preach thé Christ crucified and coming.
DR. 3. Q. A. HENRY Our beloved brother Henry has been called to pass through the deep waters. God gave to him a splendid helpmeet, a gifted spiritual wife, one who was in deepest sympathy with him in the great work given him to do and who was able by her loving, helpful life to greatly as- sist him. After a lingering and painful illness, during which she displayed the fortitude of a heroine and in which she was able to magnify the grace of God,
"FRESNO 1913" The young people of the state to the number of over 2000 gatnered at Fresno, June 29th to July 3rd, for the 25th An- nual Convention of the California Chris- tian Endeavor Union, which proved in many ways to be the greatest conven- tion in its history. Much prayer and preparation had been put into the program, and in the selection of t he speakers, in order to make the convention definite along evan- gelistic and soul winning lines. The ^ . Lord abundantly blessed the efforts put forth and a greater harvest was reaped than even the officers had dared to ex- pect. The Theme of the Convention was "Efficient Christian Service," and was admirably carried out in the series of addresses given in the spacious Audi- torium which was almost packed at every session, as the people came to hear the message God had given the speak- ers, among whom were Dr. H. O. Breeden, of Fresno; Rev. H. A. Jump, of Oakland; Dr. R. A. Torrey, of Los Ang- eles; Rev. Wm. Rader, of San Fran- cisco; Rev, J. Whitcomb Brougher, of Los Angeles, and Dr. Edwin Forrest Hallenbeck, of San Diego. Definite practical work is undertaken v at these conventions by giving the young people not only methods for an hour a day for three days, on all lines of Chris- • tian Endeavor activities, but also in defi- nite Bible instruction, for an hour each morning under the best Bible instruct- ors obtainable in the state. Dr. R. A. i^uf» Torrey, Dr. J. R. Pratt, Rev. W. Leon Tucker, and Tom Hannay, Jr., taught the various classes each morning, which were well attended and intense interest was manifested by the Endeavorers to know more of His precious Word. The street meetings each evening in nine different places gave ample oppor- tunity for personal work and a place to give a testimony of a living faith in Jesus Christ, as a result of which a large number of conversions were reported. One of the stirring addresses of the ^ ' Convention was delivered on Tuesday morning by Ng Poon Chew, editor of Chung Sat Yat Po, San Francisco, on "The Real Meaning of the Chinese Revo- lution." A great feature of each Convention is the Veterans' Picnic, one afternoon being devoted to it. About 325 this year took a special train for Selma, where they were royally treated to a chicken dinner and an automobile ride through the valley. The great blessings of the Convention - k«, ^ j. ( S » , ^ y t " X ¡.V r^r came night after night when at the close of the address our beloved Pas- toral Counsellor, Dr. Lapsley A. McAfee, of Berkeley, would extend the invitation to the unsaved to accept Jesus Christ. Many a child was born into the Kingdom of God during those days. It is con- servatively estimated that there were 200 conversions secured. Then the in- vitation for those who had not sur- rendered their all to Him was given, and another inspiring sight was witnessed as during those five days at least two hundred fifty young people stood up and thus signified for an "out and out" Christian life in the future. Once more the invitation would be given, this time for those who were willing to go into the ministry or mis- sionary service if the Lord opened the way, and to this invitation over one hundred responded. Is a State Endeavor Convention worth while when definite business for the Lord is done as was done at Fresno? We say it is, and we ask your prayers for the young people of this state. Praise God for the victories that have been accomplished through His name the past year. J. P. WELLES. BIBLE WOMEN'S WORK In offfe Parlor Biblg-'Class three dif- ferent women who had been deeply in- terested in Christian Science saw the error of the teaching and turned thank- fully to the Lord Jesus and are rejoicing in their salvation. In another class a fourth Eddyite de- clared: "There is nothing satisfying in all that cult and I am indeed glad I've been liberated from it's snare and have been led to a real Person, a living Power, Christ Jesus." A peculiar phase of work presented itself to one of the Bible Women this month when a young Catholic man came and confessed Christ because of a con- versation he had overheard when the worker was dealing with another person. We never know which shall prosper, but w'e are assured that t he Word never re- turns void when faithfully given. Through the fearless testimony of one of our women, a father and mother, after losing their only child and becom- ing bitterly rebellious against God, re- pelling every offered help, were finally brought to an acknowledgment of their sin and a surrender of their lives to the Lord. The Bible Woman is praising God for 2 Cor. 1:4. One of our Bible Women in visitation work called upon a charming young
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